Chapter 1 Part 20 - Preparations

"HOLY SHIT!"

I jerk awake from the shock of Monika's scream.

I guess we fell asleep on my bed.

"What? What's wrong?" I reply.

Monika immediately responds. " I fucking forgot about the festival!"

"Oh my God, that's tomorrow!" I realize.

"Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit." Monika panics as she speed-walks down the stairs.

"Calm down." I say even though I'm panicking more than her. "We can call the girls and we can prepare for the festival. You can print the packets, Natsui can bake cupcakes… Umm…" I try to recall the festival roles from the game, but before I can continue, Monika interjects.

"No! There's no time!" She moves her eyes in the direction of the alarm clock on my desk. "It's already 12:30! We'll never make it!"

"We can try."

We quickly dial the numbers of Sayori, Natsuki and Elizabeth and have us all meet up at my house to prepare for the festival. Within half an hour, all five of us are squeezed on my living room sofa.

"So, what's up?" Natsuki lies back on her portion of her sofa.

"Natsuki, you and I will handle the cupcakes." I say calmly.

"Why you?" Natsuki groans sarcastically.

"To be frank, I'm the only other person here who really knows how to bake."

She looks over at the rest of the club members and scoffs. "That's true, I guess."

She's a lot less tsundere in real life.

"Yuri, you'll work on the banners." Monika tells Elizabeth.

Elizabeth grunts uncomfortably. Shoot, I forgot about her! How are we gonna tell Natsuki and Sayori…?

Once I snap out of my train of thought, everyone's already walking away from the sofa to their respective jobs.

Natsuki and I work cooperatively to make the dough and pour it into the muffin tray. After about fifteen minutes, we already have two batches baking in the oven.

"I'll be right back." I say in Natsuki's direction.

"Okay."

I walk over to the printer in the house's office room, where Monika is stapling pamphlets.

"Xavier!" She chirps happily. "Are you already done with the cupcakes?"

"They're in the oven. It'll be about twenty minutes."

I take a seat next to Monika. "Need some help?"

"I'd love a helping hand." She says thankfully as she kisses me on the cheek.

"Mm" is all I can manage to make out. "Are you still mad about the sprite reset?"

"No…" She says. "You already had your punishment. I forgive you."

"Thanks." I casually lean my head onto her shoulder.

"What are we gonna do about Elizabeth?" Monika asks.

"I dunno. Don't worry, though… I love you." I whisper as I wrap my arm around her waist. "As soon as someone gets thrown into Natsuki's file, we can break it to everyone else."

"But what if someone's already taken Natsuki's place, though?" Monika theorizes.

I stop and think. She has been significantly less tsundere lately…

"I don't know… It's possible…" I say. "Maybe I should talk to her about it."

"Good idea." Monika approves. "Should I go with you?"

"Probably a good idea."

We walk over to Natsuki(?) and get her attention.

"Natsuki…" I say.

"Are you really Natsuki?" Monika finishes.

"Huh?" Natsuki asks confusedly. "What do you mean?"

"We mean… Are you really, like…" I stumble. God, how do I explain this? "Are you…"

"Ohh, I get it!" Natsuki enlightens. "Like, that dumb shit that Yuri was spouting!"

Monika and I simultaneously facepalm. Bingo.

"No, I'm not trapped in a game or whatever. I don't even have any fucking idea what she meant anyways…" Natsuki laughs.

"Ahh… Okay. That's all we wanted to know." Monika recovers.

"Sorry." I apologize.

Phew...