(Tuesday, 6:00PM; House; Akihito's PoV)

I've been laying in my bed for some time now. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Natsuki is a victim of abuse. After Monika told me the news earlier today, she said she was going to dismiss the club for the day. She told the club that she has a big project that she needs to work on. Everyone didn't think anything of it, and just left as normal.

I arrived home and did my homework as normal. Then I messaged Monika asking if she could talk. She hasn't told me anything other than "Natsuki's father abuses her," so I was planning on getting some more info. As of now she hasn't responded yet.

RING RING RING

I immediately pick up the phone. There's only one person who could be calling, and I know exactly who it is.

Aki: "Hello?"

No answer. What's up with that?

Aki: "Anyone there?"

Monika: "Uh, can you hear me? Hi! It's me."

Aki: "Sorry, I don't know anyone named me. Can you clarify?"

Monika: "Oh come on, now's not the time to joke around."

Aki: "You're right, I'm sorry."

Monika: "So, you said you wanted to talk. Let's talk."

Aki: "You only said that Natsuki's father abuses her, and nothing else. I thought that maybe you could tell me more, so I know what we're working with."

Monika: "Oh, okay. Well she said that it happened after her mother left. Before that, her father was a very good person. She said something along the lines of it impacting him so much."

Aki: "Hmmm... okay. Anything else?"

Monika: "Her father abuses her a lot, and barely feeds her as well."

Aki: "Oh no..."

Monika: "That's all she told me."

Aki: "Okay, thanks Monika."

Monika: "You're welcome."

I'm about to hang up when I decide to make a joke. Hopefully it doesn't offend Monika too much.

Aki: "Oh, while you're here, can I ask you something?"

Monika: "Ask away."

Aki: "Would you be okay with me calling you a nickname?"

Monika: "Ooh, what do you have in mind?"

Aki: "How does the name 'Mommy' sound?"

Monika: "..."

Aki: "Hello?"

Monika: "While I don't hate it, I don't think I'm comfortable with you calling me that."

Aki: "Aw shucks."

Monika: "Please tell me you were joking."

Aki: "Don't worry, I would never call you something like that."

Monika: "Ahaha, thank you Aki."

Aki: "Well, I got all the details I wanted, and I got to joke around a little. Shall we end it here or is there something else you'd like to say?"

Monika: "Actually, I do. You have never said anything in the group chat."

Aki: "What group chat?"

Monika: "The Literature Club one...?"

Aki: "I don't remember being in a Literature Club group chat."

Monika: "Did I seriously not add you to the group chat?!"

Aki: "I... guess not?"

Monika: "God dammit... Alright I'll add you after this call."

Aki: "Alright. See ya later Monika."

Monika: "See you later Aki."

We end the call, and a few seconds later I get a notification. I check my phone, and it's the Literature Club group chat, just as I expected.

Aki: "Hey, it's Aki. That one guy from the Literature Club."

Monika: "Hi Aki!"

Sayori: "Aki! You're finally here!"

?: "Welcome to the group chat, Aki."

?: "Ugh, of course you had to bring him."

I already had Sayori's and Monika's numbers before this, so their names showed up in the group chat. But there's two other numbers that are the others, and I can tell who's who. I add Natsuki's and Yuri's numbers to my contacts.

Aki: "Hello to you too as well, Natsuki."

Natsuki: "Shut up."

Monika: "So! I had an idea for winter break!"

Sayori: "Ooh! What is it?"

Monika: "Well, I was thinking that we could go to the mall on Friday! Since it's an early release, we'd have more time to be at the mall."

Yuri: "Sounds quite interesting. I think I will be able to attend."

Natsuki: "I'll have to ask my dad, but I think I can go."

Sayori: "Sounds good to me!"

Monika: "Aki?"

Aki: "I'll come along."

Monika: "Great! We'll go straight from the club to the mall. Sounds good?"

Everyone agrees to the terms. Then we all send a parting message.

Akira: "Aki! Time for dinner!"

Aki: "Coming!"

I head downstairs to the dinner table, and I sit down to eat. I guess now's a good time to ask Mom about going to the mall.

Aki: "Hey Mom, can I ask you something?"

Akira: "Sure! What is it?"

Aki: "Can I go to the mall after school on Friday?"

Akira: "Is it a date with Monika?"

Aki: "No, it's with all the club members."

Akira: "Oh, okay. I guess you can go. But you have to behave!"

Aki: "Mooom!"

Akira: "Aha, you're so easy to tease Aki."

Aki: "..."

Akira: "Aww, is someone mad?"

Aki: "Shush."

Akira: "Ahahaha, okay then. If you say so."

I finish my dinner, and put my plate in the sink. I then get ready for bed.

Aki: "Night, Mom."

Akira: "Good night Aki."

I head up to my room, and head to sleep.

(Friday, 1:00PM; School; Akihito's PoV)

Let's goooo, school is over, and it's time for winter break.

DING

Huh? I got a notification. It's from the Literature Club group chat.

Monika: "School's not allowing clubs to meet up today. Let's meet up at the courtyard."

Aki: "Sounds good."

Sayori: "Got it."

Yuri: "Will do."

Natsuki: "Okay."

It seems everyone used the quick reply feature in their phones. I can't say anything though, because that's what I did too.

I head to the courtyard in our school. Upon arriving, it seems that I'm the last one.

Aki: "How is it that every single time, I'm the last one?!"

Natsuki: "Because you're slow! Duh!"

Aki: "Oh, you think I'm slow?"

Natsuki: "You want to race or something?"

Aki: "Well uh-"

Natsuki: "Hm? What was that?"

I don't say anything. Anything I say can and will be used against me.

Natsuki: "That's what I thought."

Monika: "Okay everyone! Let's head to the mall!"

We all take a stroll to the mall. I personally haven't been here many times. The last time I was here was probably before my dad left. Mom gave me some extra cash today to get some stuff at the mall.

The mall is maybe fifteen minutes away from school, and we reach it eventually. When we enter the main lobby, we all just stand and take in the view. This mall was so beautifully built, with so many different designs and statues.

Monika: "Sooo, what should we do first?"

Aki: "Um, I have an idea."

Monika: "What is it Aki?"

Aki: "I thought I'd treat everyone to some bowling, if that's okay. I can pay for the full thing."

Yuri: "Wow, that's very thoughtful of you Aki!"

Monika: "I suppose we can do that!"

Sayori: "Yay! Bowling!"

Natsuki: "Heh, I'm gonna crush you guys."

Aki: "Oh, we'll see about that."

Natsuki: "It's on, mister."

And so the unofficial challenge between Natsuki and I has started. We head to the bowling alley. I book a lane for two hours, with unlimited games within the timeframe. We then head to our bowling lane.

The order for bowling is Monika, Sayori, Yuri, Natsuki, and then me. Surprisingly that's the order that the club members joined, according to Monika. Monika grabs the bowling ball and bowls. As expected, she's good at bowling. She manages to get a spare in the first frame.

Sayori then walks up to bowl. She leaves one pin leftover, but she doesn't seem to care. Next up is Yuri. Judging by how she's acting, I can tell she hasn't done this before.

Monika: "Yuri? Is something wrong?"

Yuri: "W-well it's just... I-I have never done something l-like this..."

Monika: "Want me to show you?"

Yuri: "T-that would be appreciated. T-thank you..."

Monika then teaches Yuri the basics of bowling. She then shows how to bowl with good form. After Yuri says she understands, she bowls. I don't know if this is beginner's luck or something, but she manages to get a strike.

Yuri: "Oh dear, I don't have a second turn!"

Monika: "No, that's a good thing! You get extra points for getting all the pins down in your first bowl!"

Yuri: "O-oh. Okay then."

Natsuki then gets up to bowl. Now's the perfect time to tease her, possibly at the expense of a knuckle sandwich.

Aki: "Hey, Natsuki. Aren't you forgetting something?"

Natsuki: "What do you mean?"

Aki: "One moment. Don't bowl just yet."

Everyone gives me a confused look as I leave to find a worker. Eventually I head to the front desk of the bowling alley.

Aki: "Hey, do you have those kid assister things?"

Worker: "You mean a bowling ramp?"

Aki: "Yeah, those. Can I get one please?"

Worker: "Yeah, I'll get one for you. What lane are you in?"

Aki: "Lane Four."

Worker: "Alright, I'll bring one to your lane."

Aki: "No worries, I can take it myself."

Worker: "Alright then."

The worker then takes a bowling ramp and hands it to me. I then bring it to our bowling lane. Sayori is the first one to look at me, and she's trying to hold in her laughter. She then taps Monika's and Yuri's shoulders, who then look at me.

Monika is also trying to contain her laughter, while Yuri has a confused expression. Monika then whispers in her ear, presumably the use of the bowling ramps. Natsuki is just looking at her phone, which is a good diversion. I didn't even think of one.

Aki: "Alright, you can bowl now, using this."

Natsuki: "Jesus, what took you so long- What is that?"

Aki: "It's to help you."

Natsuki: "WHY YOU LITTLE PIECE OF-"

Aki: "Woah there, calm down! I was just looking out for a friend!"

At this point I can't hold in my laughter anymore. I burst out laughing, and everyone but Natsuki joins. Eventually she does join along, and we're all dying of laughter for a good minute. Natsuki then punches me in the arm, although not with full force.

Natsuki: "Haha, very funny."

Natsuki then grabs the ball, and heads to the lane.

Aki: "Wait! You're forgetting this!"

Natsuki: "You know what? I'm gonna use it just for this frame. Just so you can shut up about it."

She then grabs the ramp, and uses it for the frame, just like she said she would. She bowls and leaves 2 pins standing.

Natsuki: "Pfft. I could've done better without that stupid ramp."

I get up to bowl. Unsurprisingly, I use the heaviest ball out of the others. I proceed to bowl, and I get a spare in my frame. We then play the rest of the game. I scored the most points, with Monika being just a few points below me. Natsuki is in third place, and both Sayori and Yuri tied in last place.

They both didn't seem to care though, and I can understand why. Sayori claimed that she was here to have fun and that's what's important, and this was Yuri's first time bowling. We then play a few other games, and the two hour time limit finishes. Overall, we had a great time bowling. We head out of the bowling alley, and do some window shopping, mainly because all the things at this mall are too expensive for any of us. Even half the restaurants at the food court are expensive.

We're all walking together, when suddenly Natsuki stops dead in her tracks.

Natsuki: "Oh no… this is bad…"

Aki: "Why, what's wrong?"

Natsuki: "He's here…"