Chapter 6 Epilogue: Hope for the Literature Club
3 years later
Osaka University
Doctor Taylor's clinic
Me and Yuri were at uni and enjoying learning, while reading together and drinking tea. Of course Yuri did tell her parents about her cutting,so her dad decided to book an appointment with a doctor as she still attends her sessions I also decided to do much the same. As I see my doctor, the one that was with me when I woke up, Nathan Taylor.
And today is one of those sessions. I made my way to his office that he runs on the side to help people like me who have attempted to take their life. "Ah MC, welcome take a seat and I'll be right with you" he said with a smile. I took a seat on the couch and I must admit it's quite comfortable. Doctor Taylor took his seat opposite from mine and we began.
"So last time you told me that 3 years ago that you tried to take your life and in your own words you said and I quote 'I ran past Monika knowing that I would be able to be with my girlfriend in the afterlife. That I couldn't live a single second without her.' is that correct?" asked Doctor Taylor.
I recalled the memories of when that happened, those nightmares were but glimpses, glimpses into my own memories. I remember the drowning, and then blacking out.
"Yeah that is correct." I said. "Well,have you been talking with Yuri?" he asked. "Yes I have and there is something there between us." I said with small grin. At least now Natsuki, I can move on and perhaps find love again. I thought.
"Excellent we are making progress here you and I,noticed that your a lot happier than before." he added with a knowing look. And he was right, I was someone who couldn't remember anything at all but also suffered from PTSD, Doctor Taylor explained what that was.
"Anyway, I'd like to continue where we left off last time." said Doctor Taylor getting out his notebook and a pen. "Alright, then lets begin." I said.
"Excellent, Have you been having any suicidal thoughts as of recent?" he asked. "So far no,I've just been focusing on myself mostly and helping Yuri with whatever she needed." I answered.
"That's great, helping others will take your mind off wanting to end your own life. And allow you to help yourself as well." said Taylor looking right at me. And he was right,when Yuri needed help 3 years ago I was right there.
"I'm not one of those doctor's who will get their patients on drugs, I mostly do things differently." he said seriously. "I want you to continue what your doing, help Yuri as your helping yourself." He added. "I will doc." I said with a small smile.
With that we talked more about my past so he could better understand what happened.
We even talked about my long dead girlfriend Natsuki, and how she didn't deserve the treatment she got from both Yuri who wanted to be put in jail for causing the death of a student and best friend. But really though it was her father that did push his own daughter over the edge to end her life.
I have no idea what happened to Tomoko as I have yet to hear from her, the same with Naomi. By the time I applied to go to this university the cost of living in a dorm was too expensive so me and Yuri decided to just drive to and from the university by car since she has one now.
While we both have jobs that pay for our tuition so it's not like we are hurting for money. We talked for a while longer before time was up. "Well you should be going to class now MC, just continue doing what your doing and you'll be a much better person." said Doctor Taylor.
With that I took my leave and walked out of his clinic and towards the main campus of the university. I'm kinda surprised that the dean even allowed a medical doctor to setup shop here. I thought.
That's when I saw Yuri pull into the parking lot and step out of her car, she still wears long sleeve sweaters to cover up her scars which to me is just fine. "Good to see you Yuri, how did your appointment go?" I asked as I walked up to her.
"It went quite well, my parents decided it was for the best to hide my collection of knives for my own safety should I fall back into my old habits."said Yuri as she took my hand.
"Well to be honest I wouldn't want you falling back into your old habits anyway."I said with a small smile. Just up ahead we saw Monika waving at us,and to her right was Sayori who was looking about the same.
She smiled and ran up to me and pulled me into a bear hug. Yeah just what I wanted Sayori I thought. "MC, Monika told me everything that happened." said Sayori as she looked up to me like a lost puppy dog.
"I figured as much, and I'm guessing she told you about me and Yuri?" I asked. She nodded knowingly. "I'm just so happy for the two of you." she added. "I hear you've been going to your appointments?" I asked and both Sayori and Monika nodded.
"I had to not only help her family with the stuff but also take Sayori to her doctor. Lets just say that her dad was more than willing to let me help him since his job in Tokyo didn't turn out well." said Monika.
"Yeah, the company my dad worked at got bought out by the rival company and so without a job we were forced to move back here." added Sayori with a frown.
"Well at least your dad is back on his feet at his old company here in Osaka." I said. "Yeah, his old boss was more than willing to give him back his old job and even his old salary." she said.
Eventually me and Yuri quickly realized that we were late, but much to my surprise Monika and Sayori followed us. "I'm guessing that you are enrolled here?" I asked while running. "Yeah my dad wanted me to get out of the house more and this was it." she added.
We finally got to our class and thankfully the professor didn't even care that were late. We all took our seats and listened as the professor droned on and on about this, that and the other during the lesson.
2 hours later.
The bell rang and everyone had left. We all piled into Yuri's car and she drove us back to my house. Since we all got settled in I found Tomoko and Naomi just waiting for us. I recently gave the keys of my house to Tomoko whom I trusted quite a lot.
As of recent she still pursues her detective career solving cases left and right. Naomi however got adopted by a wealthy family, since we noticed her limo just waiting there. "Naomi isn't it?, who adopted you?" asked Yuri.
"I don't know who exactly but they were very nice." said Naomi with a smile. "Okay everyone take a seat and I'll be out with drinks" I said. "Hey that's my line!" said Monika with a pout. "Just chill Monika." I said as I walked towards the kitchen.
While I was getting everyone their drinks I overheard Monika talking with Sayori and Naomi talking with Yuri. I guess somethings never change. I thought. "feels different doesn't it?" asked Tomoko with a grin. "Yeah, it feels like things have changed for the better." I said.
"Well to be honest I think this is what Nasuki would have wanted, you living your life and moving on." she said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Yeah your right" I said fighting back tears. "Anyway lets get these drinks out." I added. And with that Tomoko helped carry a second try of drinks while I carried the first one out to the front room.
We set the drinks on the coffee table as Monika, Sayori, Tomoko, Naomi, Yuri and I all held our drinks in our hands. We mostly drank in silence until Monika perked up with an idea. "I was thinking about re starting the literature club, kinda like in high school 3 years ago." said Monika with a smile.
I looked to Yuri who agreed as did Tomoko and Naomi. "Well I'm down with that." I said. "I concur, I think this time around it's going to be different." said Yuri in acknowledgment. "I think it will be good for both me and Tomoko to try this out." added Naomi.
"Well if Monika's restarting the club then count me in as Vice President." chirped in Sayori. "Since we are in agreement consider the literature club now restarted." announced Monika with a bright smile. I guess things are looking up, huh Natsuki. I thought. "Okay everyone, we will meet back here tomorrow for introductions and of course writing poems." said Monika.
After finishing our drinks Monika, Sayori and Naomi all headed out the door leaving Tomoko, Yuri and myself. "So Tomoko you gonna head out too?" I asked. "Yeah, I'll grab my stuff." said Tomoko with that she grabbed her bag and also headed out the door leaving only Yuri and myself.
"So have your parents agreed to allow you to move in with me?" I asked. "They have so long as I leave my knife collection with them." she said. "well, that makes sense." I said.
I went in to hug Yuri and she didn't flinch once. I could have given her a bear hug but nah. Eventually night came and both me and Yuri headed upstairs to get changed into our night clothes. "well Yuri pleasant dreams." I said.
"You too MC pleasant dreams." replied Yuri. She was dressed in her purple nightgown in which the sleeves were see through showing her scars. We climbed into bed and cuddled together eventually falling asleep. And for the first time in 3 years no more nightmares.
The Next morning.
Me and Yuri woke up the next morning with smiles on our faces and knowing that the future is bright for the both of us. "Before we go to college looks like you'll need to get your stuff moved to my place." I said "I know but it's well worth it." said Yuri tiredly.
After getting out of bed and getting dressed me and Yuri headed downstairs to get some coffee. While the coffee was brewing I decided to relax a bit and catch the morning news. Yuri decided to join me as we watched the morning news, that was when I decided to strike up a conversation with a question.
"So Yuri, do you have anything else planned?" I asked. "I was thinking maybe we could visit Natsuki's grave." said Yuri with a small smile. "That wouldn't be a bad idea, then after that it's off to our appointments and classes." I replied.
Once the coffee was done brewing I got up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen to get one mugs. I grabbed the now hot coffee pot and poured up two cups of coffee for me to drink. I didn't mind making up some tea for Yuri.
After pouring me a cup of coffee I slowly drank it. I then moved onto pouring a cup of tea for Yuri. After I was done with the first cup I moved onto the second cup and drank it as well. The second cup of coffee jolted me awake finally. After drinking our cups of coffee and tea me and Yuri headed back upstairs to take showers.
20 minutes later
I stepped out of the shower ready for the day as did Yuri from using the guest bathroom's shower. We both walked back downstairs and towards the front door. After locking the door from the outside we proceeded to Yuri's car to drive to her house. We spent all day moving her stuff minus her knife collection to my place. It would take some time for her to settle in and of course showers were in order.
This is going to be hard for me since I never visited Natsuki's grave in 3 years, I took a deep breath and we walked towards the cemetery, the same one that Yuri was going to end her life right then and there.
Osaka Cemetery
Me and Yuri walked past the gate and began to search for Natsuki's grave. On the inside I really need the emotional support just by being here. I could feel a lump forming in my throat. Yuri was right beside me and holding my hand every step of the way.
Finally we found Natsuki's grave as Yuri placed some flowers on the gravestone it's self. Neither one of us spoke a single word while we were there. Minutes felt like hours while me and Yuri were standing at Natsuki's grave until I finally had the guts to say something.
"Hey Natsuki, I'm sure you know that me and Yuri are getting the help we need and things are on the up and up, heck even Monika decided to restart the literature club, I know you would love that. In fact things are starting off on the right foot between me and Yuri. Sayori moved back in town from Tokyo." I said.
While Yuri didn't talk much I felt like that was okay. I wouldn't force her to do something she wasn't ready for. "I know you would want me to move on and all that and I am trying though, but sometimes I feel like I can't." I continued with tears threatening to spill. Yuri pulled me in and held me. "It's okay MC, I'm right here" said Yuri with a soft smile.
We stayed like that for a while until I calmed down enough to continue. "Each of us are missing you a lot,the time we spent together was some of the best. I hope you have fun Natsuki." I said. With that we left the cemetery and walked back to the house. Upon getting back to the house I felt a gust of wind and it was like I felt Natsuki put a hand on my shoulder telling me it's okay, or something like that.
