Author's Notes: Hey everyone, AnotherAnonymooseWriter here. Been a while. You may have noticed that I have switched from a 3 day upload schedule to a 4 day upload schedule. This is because I haven't been able to get enough time to write lately. I'm really sorry, but it'll be like this for now, until I can fix everything and get back to writing more. Please enjoy Chapter 26 (even tho the previous few chapters were kinda sad) :)

(Tuesday, 1:00AM; House; Monika's PoV)

I'm jolted awake by the sound of my doorbell. Who could be here at this time? I head downstairs and check the hole in the door. What the… I open the door.

Monika: "Natsuki? What are you doing here this late?"

Natsuki: "Please let me stay here for the night…"

I see that Natsuki is in a very weak state at the moment. She's covering herself with what seems to be a sleeping bag.

Monika: "Okay, but I'm going to need an explanation."

Natsuki: "T-thank you…"

I let Natsuki in, and I lead her to the living room.

Monika: "Can I get you some water?"

Natsuki weakly nods her head. I head to the kitchen and get a glass of water. I then return to the living room and give Natsuki the glass.

Monika: "So, do you mind explaining why you're here this late?"

Natsuki drinks the water, and then places the glass on the table.

Natsuki: "It's… about my dad…"

Monika: "Did he hit you again?"

Natsuki takes off the sleeping bag, and reveals various bruises around her body.

Monika: "Oh dear…"

Natsuki: "After I went home from the hospital, he was already home… drunk. He said that I came home too late… and hit me for it…"

Monika: "But why are you here today then?"

Natsuki: "He realized that I left my stuff at Aki's house… and got really pissed about it…"

Monika: "Does he know you were at Aki's house?"

Natsuki: "Of course not! I had to tell him that I was at your house… god knows what would happen if he found out I was at a boy's house…"

Monika: "So… he thought you left your stuff here and… hit you for it?"

Natsuki weakly nods her head.

Natsuki: "He had to stop in the middle because he got a phone call… and I took that chance to run away…"

Monika: "And you came here?"

Natsuki: "I felt like I could trust you the most…"

That makes me a little happy, but I'm still very worried about Natsuki. Maybe I should tell her about Aki's idea. I took some time to think over it recently, and it seems to be our only solution.

Monika: "Hey, Natsuki?"

Natsuki: "Y-yeah?"

Monika: "If you had the chance… would you want your father to be gone?"

Natsuki: "W-what do you mean by that?"

Monika: "I-if… he went to jail…"

Natsuki: "What?! Are you crazy?!"

Monika: "Natsuki, listen to me! This wasn't my idea originally, it was Aki's."

Natsuki: "How does he know?!"

Monika: "I-I… told him…"

Natsuki: "Why would you do that?!"

Monika: "He had suspicions on what was happening! I had to tell him!"

Natsuki: "Does anyone else know about this?"

I stay silent, which seems to answer Natsuki's question.

Natsuki: "Of course they know."

Monika: "We're just trying to look out for you!"

Natsuki: "I don't need your help! I can solve my problems on my own!"

Monika: "Well, have you been trying to get out of your situation?"

Natsuki: "...n-no…"

Monika: "Exactly, that's why we want to help you. Just please, give a listen to Aki's idea, and then you decide on what to do."

Natsuki: "...fine. I'll listen."

Monika: "So… Aki's idea was to… convict your father of child abuse and-"

Natsuki: "Child abuse?!"

Monika: "B-because you're under 18?"

Natsuki: "Do you think I look young?!"

Monika: "No! I just thought that since you're one grade lower than the rest of us! Why, are you not 17?"

Natsuki: "I am… it's just… I get mad when people assume I'm young just because of how I look…"

Monika: "I'm sorry for assuming, but for the sake of the idea I had to."

Natsuki: "But you seriously want to send my father to jail?!"

Monika: "It's the only solution we could think of!"

Natsuki: "Well it's not a good one!"

Monika: "What's your idea then?"

Natsuki: "My original idea was to run away once I turn 18."

Monika: "And where would you go?"

Natsuki: "...I don't know…"

Monika: "See?"

Natsuki: "Okay, let's say we go with your plan. Where would I go after my dad goes to jail?"

Monika: "...We'll figure that out."

Natsuki: "So you haven't even thought it through yet!"

Monika: "Maybe we haven't, but what if your dad comes trying to find you once you run away, ever thought of that?"

Natsuki: "I'll go somewhere where he can't find me!"

Monika: "How would you go there? Train? Plane? You definitely can't walk the distance you're talking about."

Natsuki: "I-I… I don't know, okay!"

Monika: "Natsuki, I'm sure your idea of running away is really good, but please be realistic. I doubt you have enough money to go anywhere, and provide yourself with shelter and food. At least if we go with Aki's idea, we'd be able to find a safe place for you to go to."

Natsuki: "...I guess you're right… but what exactly are you going to do?"

Monika: "Well first, we would need to gather enough evidence."

Natsuki: "And how would you get that?"

Monika: "Not sure. Maybe a statement from you?"

Natsuki: "You mean, I'd have to go and talk to the police?"

Monika: "Obviously you're gonna have to do that! You're the victim in this case!"

Natsuki: "B-but what if my dad finds out?"

Monika: "We'll make sure that doesn't happen until he's sent to jail."

Natsuki ponders over the idea, and I don't blame her. She's basically choosing if she wants to start a new life without her father.

Natsuki: "Fine. We'll go with the idea. But if anything happens to my father that wasn't part of the plan, I swear I'll make you pay."

Monika: "O-okay…"

Natsuki: "So, what first?"

Monika: "Well, first I need to tell Aki that you're okay with this, but I'll have to do that in the morning since it's basically midnight. For now, I can lead you to your room so you can stay here for the night. And you are welcome to stay here for a few more days if you'd like."

Natsuki: "T-thanks…"

I lead Natsuki to the guest bedroom.

Natsuki: "M-Monika I have my sleeping bag… I don't need this big of a bed…"

Monika: "Natsuki please, as long as you're under my roof, I'm going to take care of you. So sleep here, comfortably."

Natsuki: "T-thank you so much Monika…"

Monika: "It's no problem, really. And you know where the restroom is, so you can keep all your stuff there."

Natsuki: "Okay…"

Natsuki then heads to the restroom that's given to her. I decide to take a chance and text Aki. I pull out my phone from my pocket, and pull up Aki's contact.

Monika: hey

Monika: natsuki's on board with ur idea

I then put my phone back in my pocket. A few seconds later my phone vibrates, indicating that I got a text message.

Aki: how do you know?

Monika: she's at my house rn

Aki: why's she there this late?

Monika: her father hit her again, so she ran away here

Aki: and you told her about my idea?

Monika: pretty much

Monika: she was hesitant at first, but she said ok at the end

Aki: that's cool

Monika: what are you doing up this late?

Aki: i should be asking you that

Monika: hey don't try and divert the conversation

Monika: i asked u first

Aki: well i was sleeping, until my phone received a text message

Monika: who was it?

Aki: oh just this girl i've been talking to a lot lately

Monika: a girl? who is it?

Aki: i think you know her ;)

Monika: is it sayori?

Aki: no, her name starts with an m

I then realize how stupid I was. Of course it was me who woke him up with the text message.

Monika: whoops, sry for waking you up

Aki: it's fine

Natsuki then comes out of the restroom.

Natsuki: "Ooh, texting your boyfriend?"

Monika: "Actually, I am. Just updating him."

Natsuki: "Oh, okay. I'm going to bed now. Good night, Monika."

Monika: "Good night, Natsuki."

I then head to my room to sleep. I check my phone and see a few messages from Aki.

Aki: hello?

Aki: you still there?

Aki: helloooooooooo?

Monika: sry sry, was talking with natsuki

Aki: oh ok

Monika: she just went to sleep, so no more interruptions :)

Aki: alr

We both end up texting each other for a few more minutes.

Aki: i think i'm gonna head to sleep now too

Monika: ok, good night aki 3

Aki: gn

I then turn off my phone, and head to sleep. Hopefully, I'll still be able to wake up on time tomorrow, I wouldn't want to mess up my sleep schedule.

(Tuesday, 9:30AM; House; Monika's PoV)

Mmm, that was a good sleep. I pick up my phone to check the time-

It's 9:30?! Well, it's not that bad, since my aim was nine in the morning. I head out of my bedroom and head to the bathroom. In the hallway, I can smell this weird, but pleasant scent. I don't think too much of it, and do my morning routine. I then head downstairs after getting ready for the day. Upon heading into the kitchen, I see that Natsuki is cooking something.

Natsuki: "Morning Juliet, did you stay up all night texting Romeo?"

Monika: "Oh shut up, we weren't texting for that long. What are you doing by the way?"

Natsuki: "Making breakfast. It's the least I can do since you let me stay here overnight."

Monika: "Natsuki, I said it wasn't a big deal. You were in a tough situation, and I helped you out."

Natsuki: "I know! But I can still say thank you, right? Plus, I doubt you were going to cook up something for breakfast."

Monika: "Hey! That's… accurate…"

Natsuki: "Lemme guess, you were gonna whip up a cup of coffee, right?"

Monika: "How did you know?"

Natsuki: "Monika, you've told me you're a coffee addict. I know how coffee addicts start their day."

Monika: "Alright, you caught me red-handed. What're you cooking?"

Natsuki: "Just some pancakes."

Monika: "Did you find all the ingredients you needed?"

Natsuki: "Well duh, I know the way around the pantry."

Monika: "How?"

Natsuki: "Because I came here a while ago to bake cupcakes."

Monika: "Oh right."

Natsuki then comes to the dining table, and places two plates with pancakes on the table.

Monika: "Wow, these look amazing, Natsuki!"

Natuski: "Of course, I'm a pro!"

Monika: "Ahaha, yes you are."

Natsuki then takes a seat at the table, and we begin eating.

Natsuki: "So, what's the plan for today?"

Monika: "Well, I was thinking that we meet up with Aki to brainstorm on how we're going to go through with the plan."

Natsuki: "Where do you plan on meeting up with him?"

Monika: "I was thinking of calling him here. It'd be the easiest since both of us are here. And he's the only one who has to do the walking."

Natsuki: "Heh, I'm fine with that."

Monika: "Alright, I'll call him after we're done with breakfast."

We both finish breakfast, and I pull out my phone to call him. I dial his number, and the call keeps ringing for a while. I swear to god if he's still sleeping-

Aki: "H-hello?"

Just as I thought, I woke him up. Jesus Christ, he needs to fix his sleep schedule.

Monika: "Hey, Aki. It's me."

Aki: "H-hey Monika!"

Monika: "Listen, can you come over to my place as soon as possible?"

Aki: "Anything important?"

Monika: "Well, Natsuki's here so I thought we could brainstorm about your idea."

Aki: "Alright. I'll be there in half an hour. See you then."

Monika: "Bye, Aki."

I cut the call, and turn towards Natsuki.

Natsuki: "What'd he say?"

Monika: "He'll be here in half an hour."

Natsuki: "Cool."

Monika: "If you need to freshen up or anything, the restroom's upstairs."

Natsuki: "Thanks."

Natsuki then heads upstairs to get ready for the day. Just like he said, Aki arrives around half an hour later.

Aki: "Hey, what's up."

Monika: "Nothing much. Come on in."

I direct Aki to the living room, where Natsuki has already taken a seat. I take a seat on the couch, and Aki sits next to me.

Aki: "Alright, let's get started."