The next day, Shujinkou sat on the front porch of his house. His mind was plagued with various thoughts and emotions as he continued to contemplate everything that's happened to him recently.

What am I going to do? It's possible that half my friends may have crushes on me. How did that happen? How did I not know? Mali was pretty much saying it in my face and it's very likely that it's true. But how? I didn't really specifically do anything other than be myself. Is it like what the other Monika said? I'm pretty sure none of them just looked at me and thought they wanted to go out with me. So, it's just me?

I'm going to have to apologize to Mali later. She constantly pointed this out to me in her own way and I kept denying it. And I finally discovered it after going on a date with the other Monika. The date at a fancy restaurant where we danced… That was definitely a real date. I'd be in denial if I said that it wasn't. Wait, that would mean that two alternate versions of someone likes me that way, doesn't it? This is even more complicated than I thought.

The other Monika… There are other universes out there and I'm worried about having others feel that way about me. But why wouldn't I? They're my friends and I… This is just like with dad, isn't it? Leading on multiple women at once. With everything else going on, that's the last comparison I needed right now. It's hard enough looking at my friends without being reminded of those death visions. I tried not to make a big deal about it in front of them, though zoning out didn't help. But I'm not only seeing things, it's like I'm actually there. And if I'm zoning out it's like my mind is just leaving my body to go somewhere else. Even that FNAF fangame vision I wrote off as a daydream, that was only to calm myself down. It was just like the others.

Multiple universes, these visions… Things like this seem cool in fiction but when they actually happen to you, it's really scary. You see the protagonist experience these things and you know that means he's in the center and we all enjoy the fact that he's taking the spotlight. At the same time, you think deep down that his peace is being taken away from him. I know hardships make people stronger, but I'm not a fictional protagonist. This doesn't seem like I'm in the center of something big and I'm going to have to rise up to meet the challenge. For all I know I'm just…

Shujinkou closed his eyes as he tightly clenched his fists. He turned his head towards the sky and roared, "I don't know what anything is anymore!"

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Shujinkou immediately looked down toward the sudden confused voice. To his surprise and great embarrassment, Yuri was standing in front of him with a flustered look on her face.

"Er…" He could feel his instincts screaming for him to break any form of eye contact with her.

"Are you okay?" she worriedly asked.

"Y-Yeah."

Shujinkou anxiously scratched his right cheek. Even though he didn't possess confirmation regarding his epiphany, seeing one of his friends that may have a crush on proved to be more difficult than he thought it would be. He knew he couldn't nor shouldn't avoid them but it was still hard.

"Um, what brings you by?"

"Well…" Yuri briefly looked away as she considered what she was about to say. "You may find this weird, but I had a nagging foreboding feeling haunting me since yesterday."

"Really? About what?"

"Well…" the young maiden anxiously started playing with her hair. "About you."

"M-Me?"

A potluck of emotions conflicted as Shujinkou processed what he just heard. "Wait… Foreboding? Like something bad is going to happen to me?"

"I wouldn't really go that far… I'm not even sure who it really affects, I just know that it involves you somehow."

"Oh…"

Trying to fathom what he just heard just made maintaining eye contact with Yuri even harder, especially hearing it after he just finished thinking that he wasn't at the epicenter of anything important.

"Ah… Are you sure you're okay?" Yuri asked again. "You seem to have something pretty significant on your mind."

"I guess…" Shujinkou muttered.

"Well, I'm willing to listen if it was something you wanted to get off your chest."

"It's not really a bi- It's just-" he struggled to be as vague as possible while not belittling the subjects he had in mind. "I'm… I'm really trying to process my feelings on something."

"Process your feelings…?"

"Yeah."

Yuri silently sat down next to Shujinkou.

"Process your feelings… Like a person's feelings towards another?"

"Urk-! Am I just wearing my thoughts on my face…?" he weakly answered.

"I recognize that look in your eyes; the eyes of someone who is trying to understand whether or not they possess strong feelings for another."

"Oh…"

"It's really confounding isn't it? We hear and read about it all the time, but despite that, actually experiencing such a feeling for the first time is very confusing. You constantly wonder whether you really feel that way or if you're just confused."

Shujinkou scratched his right cheek. Everything she said was true.

"But I guess it just sounds like observation coming from someone who doesn't know what that's like…"

Yuri started playing with her hair again as she diverted her gaze.

"Though to be honest, I actually do know what's that is like, because I've been through the same thing regarding my feelings for you."

Shujinkou's eyes widened with surprise. Even though he spent the last few hours speculating, it did nothing to prepare him for actual confirmation.

"Me?"

"Mm-hmm," Yuri slowly nodded her head. "At first, I was confused. No one has really ever been as patient or empathetic with me as much as you have. But that's what made it hard. I didn't really know if that was the only reason I was drawn to you; a pretty selfish reason if you ask me.

But then I kept watching you and how you interact with others and I realized what really drawn me to you. The two qualities I've just mentioned and how you apply it to everyone you meet, your loyalty to those you care for, your creativity and unlike me, you never let really let your doubts stop you from doing your best no matter what situation may come your way.

So really, the same reasons why I'm glad that we're friends are the same reasons why I like your more than that."

"I see…"

"But that presents another reason why it was confusing since they both possess the same reasons. So… I can understand why it's confusing to you."

"Yuri…" Shujinkou solemnly scratched his right cheek.

She didn't tell me this to confess. She's telling me this because she wanted to let me know that I'm not alone in being confused about my own feelings.

"Was that what you were going to tell me the day we made the paper lanterns?"

"Yes… I guess I was feeling particular forward then…"

Yuri turned towards Shujinkou. Her entire body shook as she struggled to continue. "I'm sorry!"

"Huh? S-Sorry for what?"

"For taking advantage of your kindness."

"What?"

"That time you kissed me in the mall. You only did it to help and I took advantage of it to kiss you back."

"Actually, I'm the one who kissed you in the first place without permission so I should be the one to apologize."

A small smile formed on Yuri's lips. "You also always try to make sure people don't beat themselves up too much… That's a very admirable trait."

"No…" At that moment, Shujinkou's unconsciously recalled his vision of Yuri stabbing herself to death. Being reminded of that again along with her compliment was the last straw. "I… I'm sorry, Yuri! You told me something important just to comfort me, but… That's not the only thing that's got me like this!"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"It's just…." Shujinkou stood up and walked a few feet away from his guest. "Ever since a few days ago, weird things have been happening to me.

First another Monika shows up from another dimension, and then I start getting these weird visions. Not only that but… Everything just seems so strange. I've been getting these weird feels like not being involved in things or reacting strangely to some of the stuff the other Monika says or just about normal events in general.

And then just last night that I find out that… Even without trying, I'm just like my father when it comes to women. I just… I never acted like I understood life and had everything under control, but… all of this stuff has been happening all at once and… I'm scared. I don't… I don't know what's happening and I'm scared. I'm scared that I'm going crazy, I'm scared I'll lose my friends and I'm scared that… I'm scared that things are going to get worse."

Yuri simply stared at her friend's back as she took in what she just heard. She didn't need to see his face to know what it looked like. "Shujinkou… Why did you keep all of this inside?"

"Because I was scared and… I didn't want anyone to worry. I tried to just write things off as just me zoning out or being weird again, but they do bother me. But… I've already hurt people by having them worry about me. They could have just written me off and leave me alone, but they still cared enough to worry about me for so long. I can't do that to people anymore.

But even though I said that, here I am telling you this and burdening you with my problems like I've done with others. I've tried a little to be better this semester, but in the end, I'm still the same. This is probably why I rejected the nice things you all said about me, because deep down, I knew that no matter what I do, I'll still somehow be an annoying burden."

Yuri noticed a single tear crawl down Shujinkou's cheek as his shoulders slumped forward. It was as if he felt his words were an admission of defeat. Without saying a word, the young maiden approached her friend and gently tapped his shoulder.

The moment Shujinkou turned around to face her, Yuri tightly embraced him.

"Y-Yuri-!?"

"Do you remember what you said to me when I felt how you do during the summer?"

"What I said?"

"During the convention. I felt guilty because of my past actions and didn't want to burden anyone with them. But despite me taking some time away from something you've been looking forward too, you reassured me that you never find it annoying when I required your help.

You've pretty much displayed that position to me many times, but it was only then that it finally sunk in that I didn't need to worry too much about burdening my friends with my concerns. It was because you and the others that I learned that friends accept each other's burdens and help them through it.

So, please don't feel bad about sharing what burdens you. I don't know how effective I'll be when it comes to helping you but I'll try my best too because… If a friend needs me to be there, I'll be there to help."

"Yuri…" Shujinkou didn't know what to say. Despite the circumstances, she was still trying her hardest to be a good friend to him. "…Thank you."

"Mm-hmm." Her grip on him slightly loosened and she stared into his eyes. A bashful smile crossed her red face as she diverted her gaze. "Sorry."

Shujinkou shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. I know why you did it, but you still confessed you feelings for me and… I can't answer it right now."

"I know. But I would still be happy if my words helped you through this darkness that currently clouds you."

Shujinkou awkwardly scratched his right cheek. "…Yuri, do you think I could talk to you about what's been happening more?"

"Of course," she replied with a bright smile.

…

Monika Prime gingerly took a sip from a hot cup of tea. Her eyes continued to scan through the dialogue displayed on the laptop in front of her as she placed the cup back on the kitchen table.

"Not as good as Yuri…" she noted.

She went back to reading what was displayed on her screen until her eyes were drawn toward the figure that walked into the kitchen. She locked eyes with alternate incarnation who smiled.

"Hey, Monika," Monika greeted. "What're you doing?"

"Just reading this fanfiction," Monika Prime answered with a giggle. "It's really interesting. Though there is one thing that's pretty strange."

"What is it?"

"Well, it's the main protagonist. Usually an author would have a lot of lines and dialogue that would flesh out the character and their thought process, but there doesn't seem to be that there."

"You mean the character doesn't verbally communicate and only his actions are shown?"

"No, it's just that there's no elaboration on what goes on in his head. I can't read into his thoughts through what's available to me. And like I just said, it's the main protagonist and only the main protagonist."

"That's strange. I wonder if it's a unique style the author's going for or maybe the main protagonist is just eyes for the reader."

"That doesn't seem to be the case…" Monika Prime gently tapped her signature heart-capped pen against her cheek. "It's even more than a mystery than I thought it would be."

Monika took a seat on the opposite side of the table. With curiosity displayed on her face, she asked, "By the way, where did you disappear to last night?"

"Nowhere in particular; I was just out. Actually, I caught a glimpse of this restaurant that looked really high-class but its exterior seemed to be lacking something."

"Like what?"

"I couldn't really describe it to you even if I wanted too. The most I could say is that I think someone didn't put effort into the exterior of the building. The inside was serviceable and easy to describe though."

"Oh."

Monika rested her chin in the palm of her right hand.

"Something on your mind, me?" Monika Prime queried.

"I was just wondering about this sudden time off of school. It's was just out of nowhere for no real reason. I even asked Fuyu and she doesn't really understand it either."

"Not to mention the timing is pretty coincidental."

"What do you mean?"

"I was starting to think that I couldn't wait for the weekend to properly hang out with everyone again and then this happens. School administrative decision can really be confusing at times. It's like how your school schedule suddenly changed between semesters."

"That was out of nowhere too, with little warning. It's one of the reasons why Fuyu was so busy at the start of the semester."

"Don't you find it strange how sometimes school councils only have a president?"

"Sometimes."

"Mm."

Monika Prime briefly glanced down at the laptop screen then back at her alternate self.

"By the way, if you were in a fantastical world, what would you be?" she asked.

"I could be anything?"

"Anything."

"Um… I don't really know. Why do you ask?

"Just curious."

Monika remained silent for a moment. "Does this have anything to do with Shujinkou's fantasy day dream where Sayori was a kitsune girl and they fought a dragon?"

"Pretty much," Monika Prime confirmed. "You ever wonder what it would be like if he ever had another one of those?"

"Honestly, I haven't really given it much thought."

"Hmm… I bet if there was somewhere like that out there, I'm sure it would be a pretty Fantastical Reality. It would probably be nice to visit if there was some way to do so."

"Speaking of other realities, Sayori told me that she wondered if there were realties where fictional characters were real," Monika recalled. "Do you think there are realties like that?"

"I do," Monika Prime answered with a knowing smile. "In fact, I think I know one fictional reality that this reality's Natsuki would like to visit."

"Really? What is it?"

"Secret."

"Sometimes I think the universe brought you here just to give me a taste of my own medicine…" Monika weakly chuckled.

"Or maybe I was brought here just to see one of the potential happy lives a Monika could have," Monika Prime theorized. "Or maybe it was just a spur of the moment thing where I'm just dropped here for no real reason. Isn't that how a lot of crossovers start in fiction?"

"It attracts both fans and is just naturally interesting when not used too much."

Monika Prime giggled.

"What's so funny?" her counterpart asked.

"I don't think I could give you proper context why that's funny to me," Monika Prime replied.

" Thigh high socks are my absolute territory. Go on and drool; the otaku cannot resist, "Claudette sung as she walked into the kitchen, emphasizing her long black socks.

"That reminds me, do you two have any idea what you'll be going as for Halloween?" Monika Prime asked.

"Bad Girl," Claudette immediately stated.

She reached into the refrigerator, pulled out a can of soda and opened the top. She raised it towards her mouth, but from the corner of her eye, she noticed the two Monikas shooting her a look she could only describe as a mix of concern and interest.

"I'm not going to drink and swear in every sentence," she assured them, shaking her head.

"I haven't known you that long Claudette and even I could see that was a possibility," Monika Prime playfully replied.

"I'm an open book. Just spend some time with me and it'll be like you knew me for years," she shrugged.

"Interesting phrasing."

"I'm an interesting person."

"And humble?"

"I'm confident, not narcissistic. There is a difference. Anyway, I got to get back to my show. Try not to be upset with my absence," the young woman playfully waved goodbye as she slowly walked out of the room. "

"There is a difference but it seems like your cousin may straddle the line between," Monika Prime noted.

"Please don't say that in front of her…" Monika weakly pleaded.

"Too late!" Claudette's voice echoed through the house. "I will weaponize that later."

"She's going to weaponize that later," Monika weakly chuckled.

The young woman stuck her head back into the kitchen. "I'm going to weaponize that later."

She once again playfully waved goodbye before disappearing from sight.

"I shouldn't have used the word 'straddle', shouldn't I…?" Monika Prime asked.

"Nope…" Monika shook her head.

"Well, I wouldn't particularly worry."

"That's true; I guess I should only be worried if she starts rhythmically tapping her fingers against something." Monika raised her index finger in front of her face and started waving it from side to side. "Her doing this is also worry depending on-"

Monika was immediately rendered silent upon witnessing her finger briefly become transparent.

"What's wrong?" Monika Prime asked with concern on her face.

"I…" She cautiously touched her previously transparent finger, relived that it was as solid as it looked. "Did… Did you see my finger slightly disappear?"

"No."

"Oh…" her eyes still locked on her index finger, Monika could still feel the fear and horror she felt linger inside her. Perhaps it was just her head messing with her but…

For a second, it really felt like it was almost gone…