Chapter 2 Part 6 - Right Right Now Now

Returning to my apartment, I begin to feel sort of bad about the whole Natsuki situation.

Was I being a dick? I reassure myself by figuring that it would have been more rude if I had told her she had to come with me.

I was right, this entire situation is my fault.

If only I had been patient.

If I had simply trusted Monika to find a way everything would have been fine. She wouldn't…

She wouldn't have to have seen what she saw that day.

It can sometimes be hard to pin the blame on yourself, but in this case it's the easiest thought I've had to have recently.

I sit down on my sofa and open up a rather thick booklet filled to the brim with crossword puzzles. I had it delivered the other day to get my mind off of everything that's been going on recently. It helps ground me, I guess.

Flipping to the earliest page that has gone unmarked, I start reading the clues and filling in the corresponding squares. Quickly I lose track of time and immerse myself into the puzzle. Any other background noise fades away as I become completely absorbed, until-

knock knock

The sudden sound jolts me out of my crossword-induced trance, and I reluctantly make my way towards the door of my apartment.

Who could that be? Natsuki, maybe? It wouldn't be unwelcome but-

When I open the door it is not Natsuki that I see, but instead someone slightly less welcome, though expected.

"That was fast." I respond to the black-haired woman standing before me.

Phone Girl responds quickly in a rather monotonous, down-to-business tone. "I got a hotel room nearby." I nod in acknowledgment and gesture for her to come in.

PG sits down on the sofa, in the same space that I was sitting previously. She peers down at the book still sitting in front of her.

Upon further analysis of the item she perks an eyebrow up. "Crosswords, huh. Didn't see you as that kind of guy."

"What can I say, I'm more than I let on." I add as I take my seat on the opposite side of the couch. She sighs, ignoring my comment, and continues.

"So I heard Natsuki is out of the operation."

"Yeah, it's fine, though, I-" I pause and think for a second. "Wait, how'd you know that?"

"I made sure I was at the coffee shop when the conversation happened. Found out through your texts." PG shrugs and digs through her bag.

"Yeah, okay, whatever." I slouch back in my seat. "Anyways, what'd you come here for?"

"I need to discuss the logistics of the plan with you. I've seen to it that no one within two rooms of this one is home, so we need to do this while there's no chance we get found out."

I lean forward a bit. "Sure, shoot."

"When I left I managed to smuggle a few spare AI-loaded bullets that we used to transfer you into the game previously and replace you. I'll shoot you with one and you return to the game."

"Wait, you're gonna shoot me with one of those things? How am I supposed to get back?"

"However you did last time, or however Monika did so before the time-leap. Any means necessary."

"Got it, is that all?" I lean back a bit, expecting more.

"No, there is one other thing to consider. As we can't draw the attention of the people still supervising the simulation, we'll need to sneak you in covertly."

I tip my head a bit in confusion. "Meaning?"

"You won't be taking the role of the main character this time. You'll basically have to get by as an extra and figure out a way to extract your friends from there. Try to have as little communication with the Literature Club as possible, and-"

Before she finishes I interrupt her sharply. "Wait, if I'm not supposed to communicate with anyone, how the hell am I supposed to even get close, much less save them?"

PG sighs. "Honestly, I don't know. But unless you have any better ideas it's the only chance we have."

"...All right."

After a brief pause, Phone Girl hands me a piece of paper. "Meet me at this address tomorrow at four o'clock AM. Take the rest of today to say your goodbyes or whatever."

"Wait, tomorrow?" I question, surprised by the notion.

"Tomorrow's Sunday, which'll be when there will be the least people supervising the simulation. Plus, we've already spent enough time waiting, and the longer we continue to stay idle the higher the risk is of someone finding out."

"Why didn't we do it earlier then? It's been a couple months since you first made contact with Natsuki and I."

PG shrugs. "I needed that time to get everything in place, between finding a good location and figuring out how all of this is gonna work. I'd like it if we didn't waste any more time regardless."

"Agreed." I exhale and stand up. "Is that everything?"

Phone Girl follows suit, also stepping towards the door. "Pretty much, I'll cover some final details tomorrow morning. Try to get some sleep, or don't, it won't really end up mattering, will it."

"Yep, see you then." I grit my teeth and see her out.

As soon as she leaves, I exhale and begin to open the slip of paper. Listed on it is a set of coordinates. I place the paper in my pocket, set an alarm on my phone, and go straight to bed, not bothering with any goodbyes.