I was nearly out of breath by the time I made it to Sayori's house. Running all the way from school wasn't exactly the best option, but I had to make sure she was alright. Her depression... I knew I should have paid more attention to her this weekend! All the signs were there, I was just too focused on my own problems to notice! She wasn't even real, but she was still my best friend. She deserved better, and after so long you'd think I'd have learned to be a better friend. Apparently not.

Using the spare key I had, I unlocked the front door and quietly slipped inside. "Sayori? It's Monika. You awake?" I called out. "You're going to miss the festival if you sleep in like this." Silence.

I climbed the stairs and approached the door to her bedroom. With every step, a strange overwhelming feeling built up inside me. My steps came slower, more hesitantly. She was just asleep still, right? So why was I feeling so much... dread? And to top it off, it all felt strangely familiar. Like I'd done this before. Deja vu? Had I done this in previous loops? No, how could I? I would have remembered something like this.

I stopped in front of the door to Sayori's room. I knocked lightly. "Sayori? Can I come in?" Nothing. I hesitated. Everything in me screamed not to go any farther, but I did my best to ignore it. "I'm coming in."

I gently opened the door.

"Sayo-"

I awoke in a cold sweat. Wiping the tears forming from my eyes, I took a breath to calm myself. Already the memories from my dream slipped from my mind. I sighed. Another reset, another nightmare I can't remember...

As I went through the usual motions, getting ready for school, my phone lit up with notifications. I picked it up and checked the group chat.

Sayori: Girls! Girls! Big news!

Natsuki: danit sayo cant it wait until after breaky? .

Yuri: ...Breaky? Also, your grammar needs work.

Natsuki: breakfast, yuri . and bite me, i just got up.

This was new... I quickly sent a message of my own.

Monika: What about school?

Natsuki: u bite me too prez, its saturday :c

What? Was I mistaken? I checked the date on my phone and nearly dropped it in shock. Saturday, September 8!? I was almost two whole months back from the usual loop!

Yuri: So what is this news, Sayori?

Sayori: Oh yeah. So you know that empty house across the street from mine?

Monika: The one your friend from primary school lived in?

I let out a sigh. Ever since my window into reality closed after the first loop, that house had remained empty. Not even the hollow shell of the main character had remained. From what I saw while digging through the script, he'd moved to America in the summer of his fifth year. Sayori had not heard from him since, yet it seemed he still left a lingering impact on her.

Sayori: Yea, that's the one! Well guess what, I see moving trucks outside!

Natsuki: big whoop so what? so what if someone buys up that old house?

Sayori: That's the thing. According to Mom, they never sold it.

Monika: Have you seen anyone enter or leave yet?

Sayori: Not yet. I'll keep an eye out!

Natsuki: just dont get your hopes up sayo

The conversation continued on for a while longer while I got dressed and searched for breakfast. I had to agree with Natsuki on this, sadly. I tried everything I could think of to open that window back up. Nothing worked. The chances that he would return on his own like this...

I paused. Things were different this time around. Maybe there was hope.