(Friday, 10:00PM; House; Akihito's PoV)

Monika and I reach my house to sleep there for the night.

Aki: "Alright, you can take my room for the night."

Monika: "What about you?"

Aki: "I'll sleep on the couch."

Monika: "Do you not have a guest bedroom?"

Aki: "Nope."

Monika: "How about you sleep with me?"

Aki: "H-huh? C-can you repeat that?"

Monika: "You and me, share a bed. Simple."

The thought of me and Monika sharing my bed is…

Aki: "A-are you sure?"

Monika: "Come on. We're going to your room."

Monika then drags me to my own room. She then throws me on the bed, and then gets in. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd share a bed with Monika herself.

Monika: "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

I can't reply. I'm still starstruck at the situation I'm in.

Monika: "Hellooo! Earth to Aki!"

Aki: "Uhhhhh…"

Monika: "What? Shocked that I'm in your bed? Don't get too excited, we're not doing anything more."

Dammit. Well, there's always another time.

Aki: "I'm… fine… I'll get used to it…"

Monika: "Well you better! There's many more nights like this ahead! Now come on, let's get some sleep."

Aki: "Let me at least get ready for bed. I gotta change out of this and get my stuff."

Monika: "Fine, but come back soon."

I get up from my bed, and head to my closet. I then get some casual clothes, and head to the bathroom. I then change and brush my teeth, then head back to my room.

Aki: "I'm back. If you need to change or brush your teeth, the restroom is down the hall."

Monika: "Okay."

Monika then gets up and heads downstairs to get her stuff. I head into bed, and wait for Monika. A few minutes later, Monika comes back and slips into bed.

Monika: "Wait, what about the lights?"

Aki: "Oh, clap your hands. Just like the movies."

Monika then claps her hands, and the lights go out.

Monika: "Woah, that's so cool! How'd you do it?"

Aki: "A magician never reveals his secrets."

Monika: "Very funny. Tell me the truth."

I then hold up my phone to show my phone screen.

Aki: "I have an app that lets me control the lights."

Monika: "That's pretty neat! How does it work?"

Aki: "Well you get some smart lights from your local store, install them around the house, download the app to control the lights, and you're done!"

Monika: "And you had someone help you install all this?"

Aki: "Nope! I actually did it recently when I started living on my own."

Monika: "Impressive! Maybe you could do the same for my house?"

Aki: "Of course I would. Anything to make you happy."

Monika: "Aww, so sweet!"

We continue staring into each other's eyes, without a word uttered. I try and inch closer and closer to Monika, and she does the same. Soon enough we're only a few inches apart. Is this really gonna happen?! Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my g-

Monika: "Well, good night Aki!"

She then turns away and begins to sleep. NOOOOOOOOOO! I WAS SO CLOSE!

Monika: "Ahaha, you thought I'd leave you hanging?"

Aki: "N-no?"

She then turns around and faces me again, our faces inches apart.

Monika: "I'll say this though, this is my first time, so don't expect anything good."

Aki: "W-what are you talking abo-"

Monika then cuts me off and kisses me right on the lips. It's not passionate, but very good for a first kiss. At first I'm shocked, but then quickly calm down and focus on the kiss.

We then break apart and stare into each other's eyes again. Monika is heavily blushing, even though she's the one who initiated the whole thing.

Aki: "T-that… was amazing…"

Monika: "Yeah…"

Aki: "You know, for a first kiss, this was amazing."

Monika: "It's your first too?"

Aki: "What? You think anyone would want to kiss me? Let alone date me?"

Monika: "Well, I would."

Aki: "Heh, of course you would. How that happened, I still have no damn idea."

Monika: "Ahaha, I wish I had an answer for that."

We stay silent for a moment. Not an awkward silence, but a relaxing one.

Monika: "Well, I think we can end today on a good note."

Aki: "Yep, good night Monika."

Monika: "Good night Aki."

We both then drift off to sleep. Just like Monika said, today can end on a very, very good note.

(Saturday, 9:00AM; House; Akihito's PoV)

Mmm, sleep feels so good. You get to lie down, relax, you don't have to worry about the outside world-

THUD

I am suddenly awoken by a hit to the head with what I think is a pillow.

Aki: "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

THUD

Monika: "No swearing."

Aki: "Ugh, what time is it?"

Monika: "About 9 in the morning, time for you to get up."

Aki: "Monikaaaaaaa…"

Monika: "What is it?"

Aki: "I wanna sleeeeeeep…"

Monika: "No! You need to get more productive in the mornings!"

Aki: "But it's the weeeeeeekend…"

Monika: "...fine. You can sleep for some more time, but only because it's Saturday."

Aki "Thaaank youuuuuu…"

I then head back to sleep. I hear Monika get out of bed and head downstairs. I don't stop her, she's probably used to getting up this early in the morning on a weekend.

I sleep for another hour or so before getting up for real. I then head to the restroom to brush my teeth. After that I head downstairs to the kitchen.

Aki: "Morning Monika."

Monika: "Hey Aki! I was just about to make some coffee."

I see that Monika has a coffee filter set up.

Aki: "Oh, have you started yet?"

Monika: "Not yet, why?"

Aki: "Lemme get something from the cupboard real quick."

I grab a Keurig coffee maker from the cupboard and place it on the counter.

Aki: "There, that should make this quicker. I'll get the coffee cup thingies and you can choose what you want."

Monika: "Wow, you just saved me a lot of time Aki! Thanks!"

Aki: "No problem."

Monika: "I'll make your coffee first, and then I'll pick which one I want."

Aki: "Sounds good."

DING DONG

Huh? Who could that be?

Aki: "I'll get the door."

Monika: "Alright, I'll call you once your coffee is done."

I walk up to the door and open it.

Sayori: "Hey Aki! Wanna hang out today?"

Oh no. This is not good.

Aki: "H-hey Sayori…"

Sayori: "Aki? Are you okay?"

Aki: "Y-yeah! I'm fine! It's just that-"

Monika: "Aki! Your coffee's ready!"

Fuck.

Sayori: "W-who was that?"

Aki: "Who was what?"

Sayori: "T-that voice… they sounded familiar…"

Aki: "Uhh… I don't know what you're talking about!"

Monika then comes to where I am.

Monika: "Aki? What's wro-"

Monika stops mid-sentence and stares at Sayori, who is also staring back at Monika.

Sayori: "W-what is she doing here?"

This is not going to go well.

Monika: "W-well the thing is-"

Aki: "Wait. This isn't fair."

Monika: "What is?"

Aki: "If we're telling Sayori, we better just tell the rest as well."

Sayori: "W-what are you talking about…?"

Aki: "Sayori, can you call the others and invite them here? I'm calling an emergency meeting."

Monika: "Aki, please-"

Aki: "Monika. The day was bound to come sooner or later. We didn't expect it this early, but we will still get over this hurdle."

Monika: "Alright…"

Aki: "Thank you. Sayori, please call the other club members here."

Sayori: "O-okay…"

Sayori then calls Natsuki and Yuri. I can hear the confusion in Sayori's voice, as well as the other two. As I said, this day was bound to come.

Sayori: "Okay, I called them. They'll be here in around 10 minutes."

Aki: "Thanks. And sorry for not telling you anything at the moment. I just want to tell everyone at once instead of repeating it several times."

Sayori: "It's okay."

Aki: "Would you like to stay while we wait for the others?"

Sayori: "Sure."

Sayori comes in and sits on the couch. 10 minutes later, the others arrive. I head up to the front door, and open it.

Yuri: "Hello there, Aki. Sayori said it was an emergency meeting of some sort."

Aki: "Hey Yuri, and yes. I just wanted to tell everyone something."

Natsuki: "You better have not called me here for some dumb reason."

Aki: "Hello to you too Natsuki."

Natsuki: "Oh shut up."

Aki: "You both can take a seat on the couch with Sayori."

Yuri: "Thank you."

Aki: "And Monika?"

Monika: "Hm?"

Aki: "Can I talk with you for a minute?"

Monika: "Sure."

I then take Monika into the kitchen, where the others can't hear us.

Aki: "Okay, you probably know what I'm gonna do, but don't get mad-"

Monika: "What are you thinking Aki?!"

Aki: "Monika, please trust me on this one."

Monika: "Why couldn't we just tell Sayori alone?! Why are we telling everyone right now?!"

Aki: "I'll answer your questions later. I promise I have a good reason."

Monika: "Fine. I'll listen to you, but only because I trust you in what you're doing."

Aki: "Thank you. Would you like me to do the talking? Or do you want to tell them?"

Monika: "You're the one who called the meeting. You do it."

Aki: "Alright. Let's do this."

We head back to the living room. Sayori, Yuri, and Natsuki are talking among themselves on a couch, confusion written all over their faces. Monika and I take a seat on the couch opposite to them. The three notice our arrival, and quiet down. They then put their attention on us.

Aki: "You all are probably wondering why I gathered you here."

Natsuki: "No shit sherlock! No one just casually calls their friends just to tell them something!"

Aki: "Alright, I'll get straight to the point. For the past few weeks, Monika and I have been…"

I close my eyes, preparing myself for whatever may happen in the next minute.

Aki: "We've been dating."

Silence fills the room. That's weird. I open my eyes to see the others' reactions. Sayori and Yuri have an understanding and happy expression, while Natsuki's expression remains unchanged.

Aki: "A-are you guys okay?"

Sayori: "That's… wonderful to hear. Congratulations to you two."

Aki: "T-thanks…"

Yuri: "Yes, congratulations on this step of both your futures."

Aki: "Thank you Yuri."

Natsuki doesn't say anything, she just stares at us.

Monika: "Natsuki? Something on your mind?"

Natsuki: "Not really. I knew it was coming, so I'm not that shocked."

Monika: "H-huh? What do you mean?"

Natsuki: "Oh please. I've seen how you guys act in the club. You aren't good at hiding at all."

Monika then heavily blushes, and I feel myself blush too.

Yuri: "Yeah… I've noticed how the two of you act when you're around each other…"

Aki: "Well, damn. I thought we were hiding it well."

Natsuki: "Hah! It was obvious from the start! I just didn't say anything 'cause I wanted to hear it from you guys."

Aki: "Well uh, surprise? I honestly don't know what else to say, that's all I wanted to say."

Monika: "Actually, I'd like to mention something. It's not related to this by the way. I should have mentioned it during the club, but I forgot to."

Aki: "Alright, shoot."

Monika: "What if we hosted a Christmas party for the club?"

Aki: "That's… a great idea!"

Yuri: "That sounds intriguing."

Natsuki: "What's the plan?"

Monika: "Well, I was thinking that we could have a Secret Santa!"

Yuri: "What's a Secret Santa?"

Monika: "Basically we're each given a person to get a gift for. On the day of gifting, we sit in a circle and place our gifts in the middle. Then one person takes their designated gift and opens it. They try to guess who their gifter was."

Yuri: "What happens if you guess incorrectly?"

Aki: "You get your gift taken back and you will be shamed by everyone else."

Monika then elbows me in the chest.

Aki: "Ow! What the hell?! Can't I joke around a little?"

Monika: "No, not right now. And Yuri, nothing happens regardless if you get it correct or incorrect. It's just a small fun game with no consequences."

Yuri: "That sounds like a fun activity. I'm interested!"

Monika: "Sweet!"

Yuri: "When is the party?"

Monika: "I was planning on doing it on Christmas Eve, so you guys can spend Christmas with your family. So, the day after tomorrow."

Aki: "In that case, we can start the Secret Santa now."

Monika: "What do you mean by that?"

Aki: "I have some Post-It notes and a hat. We can do the drawing now so that we have time to get the gifts."

Monika: "Okay!"

Aki: "I'll get it all ready."

I get up and head to the office room to get the Post-It notes and a Sharpie. I then write down everyone's names, and put them all in a cowboy hat. That's the only hat I have at the moment. I then head back downstairs.

Aki: "Alright everyone! Single file line! Chop chop!"

Everyone chuckles at my teacher's impression.

Natsuki: "What is this, kindergarten?"

Aki: "Hey! No talking back! Go stand at the back of the line and think about your actions!"

Natsuki: "Pfft, as if."

Everyone then grabs a Post-It note, and looks at their selection to themselves.

Aki: "Damn, y'all got good poker faces."

Monika: "Trust me, we're used to it."

After everyone's drawn their names, I pull the last note. Seems like I got…