Monika opened the door and was instantly greeted with the sight of an empty clubroom.
"A little bit anti-climatic, don't you think?" she asked.
"Hey, guys!"
Shujinkou and Monika turned towards the bright, familiar voice that alleviated the disappointing air that surrounded them.
"Sayo-!"
The moment Shujinkou laid his eyes on his childhood friend, he was assaulted with a gruesome image of her strung up with a rope around her neck. An overwhelming surge of negative emotions took hold and he immediately looked away.
What was that?
Shujinkou cautiously looked back to find his childhood friend okay, but with a confused look on her face.
"What's wrong, guys?" She couldn't understand why her friends were looking at her so strangely.
"Sayori…" Monika smiled as she gazed into familiar stranger's eyes. "Nothing's wrong, I was just thinking about something we all could do together after our meeting today."
"Really?" the club VP's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What is it?"
"Secret," the visitor giggled.
"Aww… You don't usually do that when it comes to club stuff," Sayori pouted.
"But this is after club stuff," Monika calmly pointed out.
"Fine…"
"Heh. Not so fun when you're on the other side of that huh, Sayori?"
Inside the club room, Natsuki stepped out of the closet. Shujinkou's eyes widened with horror as she approached them with a broken and mangled neck.
The young man violently shook his head and took a second look. He felt nothing but relief the moment he found her neck was okay.
"Hey, I've been on the other side before," Sayori argued.
"When it comes to club stuff?"
"Eh…" Sayori averted her gaze and chuckled.
"Exactly," a victorious smile formed on Natsuki's lips.
"Um… You guys are kind of talking about me like I'm not here…" Monika noted.
"Well, that's what happens when you always withhold information just because you find it funny to keep us guessing," Natsuki pointed out, still sporting his winning grin.
"Oh."
Monika flashed a surprised look towards Shujinkou. The young man simply scratched his right cheek as he watched his friends walk into the club room. Naturally, the scenes he just witnessed and the accompanying feelings he felt when he saw them were still on his mind?
"What were those?"
"What were what?"
Shujinkou glanced up and was greeted with the sight of Yuri stabbing herself multiple times with a deranged look on her face. Such a scene, along with the previous two he just witnessed and culmination of the horror they wrought caused the young man to instinctively retreat into his head.
"Shujinkou?" A look of worry filled Yuri's face as she stared into his vacant eyes. It was like looking at an empty vessel.
"What happened?" Sayori approached the young man and waved her hand in front of him. "Shujinkou? Shujinkou?"
"He just… It was like he just shutdown," Yuri said.
"Like a computer? He's probably just daydreaming again," Natsuki looked into Shujinkou's eyes. The emptiness they displayed immediately changed her opinion. "Or not..."
"Shujinkou!" the speed of Sayori's waving hand increased as she continued to call her friend's name.
"Um…" Monika contemplatively tilted her head as she wondered what was going on in Shujinkou's head. She was told that he sometimes daydreams to the point he would space out, but this was different than simply spacing out. It was like as if his mind had just left his body completely.
Not too long after that thought, light had returned to Shujinkou's eyes. "…or is she a robotic human with bunny attributes?"
The girls all stared at Shujinkou in confusion as he shook his head.
"What just happened?" he wondered aloud.
"You tell us. You just froze for a moment," Natsuki said.
"I was…"
All Shujinkou could remember was the something gold color impairing his field of vision. It felt like he was being squeezed or something was pressed towards him; something soft and voluptuous. At the same time though, even though he experienced what he did in the short time he was gone, it didn't really feel like he was the one who experienced it.
"I… I think I was daydreaming, but it felt different."
"Different how?" Yuri queried.
"Like I was living someone else's dream?"
"Really?" Monika looked away with an inquisitive look on her face. "Perhaps a sign of dream telepathy?"
"Eh? People can do that with dreams in real life?" Sayori marveled.
"Well, it's not something that's backed up by scientific evidence, but…" Monika glanced at the others with a knowing smile on her face. "I would say it's likely to be true."
"That or I'm having a Dream Drop Distance experience…" Shujinkou sighed.
"Speaking of which…" Natsuki's eyes narrowed as she looked up at him. "You or Fuyu still need to explain to me what the heck Kingdom Hearts is about. My head hurts when I see something about it because I know some stuff about it and knowing anything about it makes is more obvious I know nothing."
"It's really one of those series you have to start from the beginning with…" Shujinkou scratched his right cheek. "I remember having a hard time understanding the plot of DDD when I first played it."
"So, you're saying that I have to binge every single game to understand the story?"
"And interviews and guides if they're not retconned later…"
Natsuki closed her eyes and sighed. "First an unfinished manga, then the game it's based on hardest level, then an increasingly complicated video game franchise. Why do you always introduce me to the most frustrating things first, Dummy?"
Shujinkou weakly chuckled at her claim. When he thought about it, she was absolutely right.
"Ah. That reminds me…" Yuri dug into her bag and gently pulled out a copy of Hadi Girl Vol. 1. "I finished reading this. Do you think that I could borrow the next one?"
"Really?" Natsuki's eyes widened with surprised.
"Yes. I found it enjoyable and would like to see how the story furthers."
"Okay, but you know the rules."
"I do."
Yuri smiled as she followed Natsuki into the club room.
"Definitely not like the 1st semester," Sayori happily chuckled as she skipped inside.
Now alone, Monika turned her attention to Shujinkou. "Yuri borrows Natsuki's manga?"
"Well…" the young man scratched his right cheek as he wondered how he could explain that bit of history to the visitor. "There was a whole thing that led up to it, but yeah."
"A huge fight over types of writing styles and literary formats?"
"That's what I heard. I wasn't in the club when it happened? Did that happen in your world too?"
"Yes."
"Did they make up?"
Monika caught a glimpse of Natsuki handing Yuri the second volume of Hadi Girl she had requested.
"…Not to this extent last time I checked. It's a little surprising."
"Oh, I guess that's another difference between our two worlds."
Monika led him into the room and found everyone already at home. She remained silent until a smile crossed her face. "Okay, Everyone. Ready for today's discussion?"
Wow. She's already into the role. Shujinkou couldn't help but feel amazed as he closed the door behind him.
"Is it about Shujinkou's unnatural ability to solve 'Where's Wally?' books without even trying?" Natsuki joked.
It really is unnatural.
"Nope. Today, we're talking about myths," Monika announced.
"Myths?" Yuri queried.
"Like the legend of Loch Ness Monster?" Shujinkou wondered aloud.
"Well, that's actually a misuse of terminology," Monika replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I know that most people today think the words: Myths, Legend, Folklore and Classic are synonymous but they're actually different."
"Aren't they pretty much the same thing?" Natsuki asked.
"They're the same that they're narratives but the difference is the topic. To put it simply, Myths are traditional tales about supernatural powers, cosmic origins and the relationships between the divine and humans.
Legends are stories about humans that have some basis in truth. Folklores about beings like witches, ghosts, werewolves, etc. It's similar to myths in supernatural aspects but differs on the connection humans have to the divine. Finally, Classics are traditional narratives from the past."
Shujinkou scratched his right cheek as he tried to register what he was told.
"Wow… I didn't know they were that different. I pretty much thought they were interchangeable," Sayori said.
"Ditto," Natsuki agreed. "So what's so special about myths then?"
"The thing about myths is there place in human society. We all are born with a natural curiosity and are always striving to understand how aspects of life works. These narratives were essentially ways for humanity to try and make sense of the world around them.
What also makes myths pertinent is how those that hear them interpret them. One person can tell a narrative and all the listeners can reach various conclusions."
"But you also said that myths are about man and their connections to the divine; how so?" Yuri asked.
"Well, what I said was pretty much myths on a surface level. So myths are a method to understand the world through higher powers. It should be important to note that myths are not religion, but a rationale. As humans, having a starting point for something we don't understand is very important in regards to our natural curiosity. We possess a strong desire deep down to know how the world works and having supernatural reasons are as good as a place to start as any.
And that leads into interpretations which also serve to differ it from religion. There are no guidelines in myths, but they do offer a way to learn more about the world. Naturally, lessons are learn depend on the person listening, but that uniqueness of interpreting differently leads to discussion, which in turn keeps myths alive."
Monika took a breath before continuing.
"As for man's relationship to the divine, that depends on the type of myth. There are a variety of worlds that come from myths such as Greek, Hindu, Sumerian and Norse. Each one has their set of divine beings with roles to play concerning how the universe works and these different worlds affect mankind. Their actions, behaviors, relationships and how they deal with natural forces all relate to something that transcends their mundane, material world.
And that is what they aspire towards, a truth that will help they spiritual being elevate."
The rest of the club sat and stared at Monika in stunned silence.
"So, where's the discussion in all this?" Natsuki asked.
"Hm?" Monika's cheeks grew red. Anyone could tell how embarrassed she felt just by looking at her. "Oh, I guess there's nothing to discuss other than the different myths. Anyone familiar with any particulars?"
Everyone in the room shook their head.
"Okay… Sayori, do you have anything we could discuss?"
"Um…" Sayori closed her eyes as she pondered that question. "Did anyone hear any buzz about our new poster?"
Like Monika, Sayori's question was met with everyone shaking their heads.
"Oh… Then has anyone figured out what they'll be for Halloween?"
"Halloween?" Monika's eyes lit up with surprised.
"Yeah. For the school Halloween party."
Monika snuck a glance at Shujinkou then covered her mouth.
"Seems a bit belated…" she mumbled under her breath.
"I'm thinking I'll go as Travis Touchdown," Shujinkou said.
"Who's Travis Touchdown?" Yuri asked.
"He's a…"
Shujinkou stopped himself from saying anymore and instead pulled out his phone. He presented it to his friends and showed them a video showcasing the character in question and his feats.
What they saw was a foul-mouthed otaku casually and bloodily cutting through his enemies with something that resembled a light-saber.
"So… You're complete opposite?" Natsuki concluded.
"What about you, Natsuki? Are you going as a neko girl?" Sayori asked.
"What? Why would you assume that I'd go as a neko girl?"
"Because you'd look so cute as a neko girl!"
"I'm not cute!"
"Eh? But you are."
"Urk-!" Natsuki bit her lip as she snuck a glance towards Shujinkou. Their conversation some time ago was all that circulated in her brain as she struggled to respond any further.
Yuri giggled at the scene.
"What's so funny?" Natsuki questioned.
"Nothing really. I guess I just enjoying the usual banter."
"The usual banter? It wouldn't be so 'usual' if Sayori would stop saying the same thing over and over."
"What's wrong with me saying that?" Sayori argued.
Natsuki once again found herself deprived of words in the face of such a question.
"What about you, Sayori? What are you going as?" Shujinkou asked.
"Um… No clue."
"Eh?" Natsuki exclaimed. "You have no clue, but you're trying to dictate what I'm going as?"
"I wasn't dictating, I was just suggesting."
"Jeez, maybe you should go as a fox. We all know you try to act like you're as crafty as one."
"A fox…" Sayori turned to Shujinkou with a quizzical look on her face. "I was a kitsune girl in your fantasy day dream right?"
"Yeah?"
"Um… Still have no clue. What about you, Yuri?"
"I don't really have any conclusive ideas yet myself," Yuri replied.
"Oh… Monika?"
"My train of thought on that hasn't even left the station yet. It's like it's the first time I'm hearing of this, that's how far behind I am."
Shujinkou scratched his right cheek as he processed Monika's response. Wonder if Monika will be here for Halloween.
The club meeting continued on like it usual does. Shujinkou was amazed by how Monika not only avoided suspicion, but seemed right at home.
Near the end of the meeting, Monika brought up the afterschool surprise she mentioned earlier. Shujinkou had a pretty good idea what she was hinting at.
Later that evening…
Shujinkou anxiously scratched his right cheek. Right now, everyone was standing in front of Monika's front door. It wouldn't be long before the eventual reveal.
"What's the surprise, Monika?" Sayori asked.
"You'll see…" Monika opened the front door and motioned everyone inside.
Once they were inside, she then walked to the stairs. "You can come down now!"
"Is the surprise Claudette related?" Natsuki questioned.
"Nope, it's… Monika stretched her arms towards her other self. "Me-related."
"Hey guys," the native Monika waved.
From the corner of his eyes, Shujinkou could see nothing but dumb-founded faces. He scratched his right cheek as he waited for the inevitabl-
"Eh?!" they exclaimed in unison.
"There it is," he chuckled.
"Did you guys have fun hanging out with my other self?" Monika asked.
The girls could do nothing but stand before her in silence.
"That's right, I never properly introduced myself," the visiting Monika recalled. "I'm Monika, but for convenience sake, you can refer to me as Monika Prime when we're together."
"…What?" Natsuki bluntly replied.
"Monika, did you just recently discover that you had a twin sister?" Yuri asked.
"Nope. I know that this is hard to believe, but the Monika you were with all day is me; another me from another reality."
"…What?" Natsuki bluntly replied once more.
"Another reality? Like a multiversal thing? Is that why you have 'Prime' in your name?" Sayori asked.
"Exactly," Monika Prime said.
"WHAT!?" Natsuki snapped. "What do you mean another reality? This is the real world, not fiction!"
"It is hard to believe, but how else would you explain me knowing things like…" Monika Prime whispered the rest of her response into Natsuki's left ear. The petite second-year student's eyes were filled with horror.
"H… Have you been stalking us?" she fearfully asked.
"No, I just know a you from where I come from," Monika Prime calmly answered. "Monika came to the same conclusion too, but a point was made was that if I was stalking everyone, then why did I not know who Shujinkou was?"
"Huh?"
"When I first arrived here, I ran into Shujinkou and had to pretend all day like I knew him."
"I guess that's a fair point… If you were following us, you would indeed know who Shujinkou was," Yuri relented. "But… Alternative realities still seems a bit of a stretch."
Monika Prime wordlessly approached Yuri and whispered something into right ear.
"Ah-?!" the young maiden backed away in horror. "But how-?"
"I know a you too."
"But I never-" Yuri averted her gaze as she started playing with her hair. "How embarrassing…"
What is the other Monika saying to them? Shujinkou awkwardly continued to scratch his right cheek. Maybe it's good she doesn't know another me… If there's another me there in the first place.
"Shujinkou can vouch for me. He didn't say anything during, but he found it strange that I didn't know the surrounding area or know who Yoki is." Monika Prime continued.
"Eh? But Monika knows exactly who Yoki is," Sayori said.
"I didn't."
"She did seem surprised in hindsight," Shujinkou confirmed.
"So, a Monika from another dimension… That's cool!" Sayori beamed.
"Mm-hmm." Monika Prime glanced around the room. Each face expressed either acceptance or disturbance. "Should we review the situation more?"
"Huh?" Something about that question seemed odd to Shujinkou.
"Any comments?"
"Other than this is crazy?" Natsuki replied. "There's got to be like a lot of other reasons for what's going on other than alternate universes."
In response to her assertion, Monika Prime whispered something else into Natsuki's right ear.
"Stop that!" she snapped. "That doesn't prove anything! It just proves that this whole situation is creepy!"
"Hmm… The Monika that was with us today. The way she looked at Shujinkou today was weird," Sayori said.
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes she looked at him like she was surprised or looking for answers."
"That doesn't prove that they aren't just look-alikes."
"But at the same time…" Sayori turned her attention to Monika Prime. "She kinda feels exactly like Monika. I'm pretty sure even identical twins don't feel this much alike."
"She does have a very similar air to Monika," Yuri added.
Natsuki remained silent as she intensely stared into Monika Prime's eyes.
"Alternate universe…?"
"Mm-hmm."
It wasn't even that Natsuki didn't want to admit it, but the idea of alternate universes existing was almost too much to accept. And yet, at the same time, looking at Monika Prime was almost exactly the same as looking at the Monika she knew.
"…How did you even get here?" Natsuki asked.
"No clue at the moment. I just was suddenly here in front of Shujinkou's house," Monika Prime answered.
"Wait…" a shiver crawled down Shujinkou's spine as Natsuki's eyes shot daggers at him. "You knew the whole time?"
"Well…"
"Don't be mad at him. I asked him not to tell anybody," Monika Primed interjected.
"Because it would be hard to prove without both Monikas in the same room?" Yuri asked.
"That and I just wanted to see if I could pull off being my other self while seeing what was different about this reality," she answered.
Filled with curiosity and whimsy, Sayori couldn't stop herself from asking, "What's different?"
"Um… I would say things are similar, but there are also a lot of distinctions that make this one unique to the one I came from."
"Like what?"
"Well… Shujinkou for example."
"You don't have a Shujinkou where you come from?"
"There's no Shujinkou… But there is someone who he shares a similar role with."
At that moment, another strange image flashed in Shujinkou's head. It was quick, but he distinctly saw himself marveling at a familiar rectangular metal object in his hand.
Wait, wasn't that…?
Shujinkou cradled his aching head.
What's going on with me today?
"So, now we have two Monikas now?" Natsuki asked.
"Pretty much," Monika Prime confirmed.
"How's that supposed to work?"
"Honestly, we're still trying to figure that out," Monika answered. "I mean it wouldn't be much of an issue if it Claudette wasn't visiting right now."
"I'm we'll find some way to make this work though," Monika Prime assured everyone. "But on that note, are you sure you don't want to review the situation. It's a pretty steep chapter in our lives."
Sayori shook her head. "I think we get what's going on."
Shujinkou scratched his right cheek as he thought about Monika Prime's words. It sounded like she was hinting at something and, even though he couldn't understand why he felt this way regarding it, sounded a bit forceful.
I may need some rest…