Author's Note: Thanks to my irl friend Crystal for proof-reading in advance.

Chapter 2: This is New

"Can we live a real life? I think not.

In the end, life continues to be worthless, a string of nothingness.

A lifeline that leaves just as easily as it's created.

Will we ascend or disappear into the depths of the lifestream?

We are told that we are special, and our existence in life won't be forgotten.

Truth in full is, that is a lie.

We aren't special, we are just as replaceable as most of our common resources.

The truth is bitter and cold.

We should make the most of our precious time, but we can't even do that.

We're forced to suffer, to live.

Work all your life just so you can die.

What impact would anyone leave on this forgetful world once they die?

To me, it all seems like a waste. If you can't live life to the fullest and find life happiness.

Then life... isn't worth living...

Call me crazy if you want, insane even.

My realization brings me one step closer to the end of this sad story called life.

My 'real' heart stays broken, hallow and black. Hardened but brittle like glass.

Easily breakable, impossible to fix.

Even in the end, I know I will be alone forever.

In the living world, and in a time, six feet under."

-Joxhaus

I will be perfectly honest... I have never visited Japan, so I am not very accustomed to how a "normal" school day works in this kind of reality. I kept walking with Sayori down the long walk to the school grounds; it feels like we've been walking for several minutes and we have passed several connecting streets and neighborhoods. I notice other students wearing similar uniforms starting to convene on the same path as us. Similar to how the game described it, but it is a little odd that some students have faces and others don't. Maybe it's just from my perspective, or how far away I am from those other NPC's. I decide not to think too much about it, but Sayori bumps into my shoulder to try and snap me back to reality.

Sayori: "Hey... Are you feeling okay? You seem kind of out of it today. You're worrying me a bit."

Josh: "hmm..? Oh, it's nothing Sayori don't worry. I'm just a bit tired today. You know I'm not really a morning person either, right?"

She gives me this weird, bewildered look, but changes it into a smile, "You are normally up before me anyway, even if you are a bum getting up in the morning most days. You still tend to beat me getting outside!"

I only laugh at her weird logic and lightly bump into her shoulder as well, "Well look who's talking! Ms. 'I'm always late getting up for school in the morning but I can magically beat Josh today'."

At this point we're just laughing at each other. Just two weirdos, practically being the best of friends. To me, it was a weird feeling. It feels like I've known her so well even though she's just a character subjected to this game; to this simulation. We just continue to chit chat like we've known each other forever but for some reason a part of me can only just feel sad... knowing what this poor girl has had to go. Dealing with some extreme depression, up into the point of suicide... Just thinking about her past already made my mood shift a bit, my smile slowly faded a bit but I quickly tried to keep thinking positive. However, before I could revert my state of mind back to positive thoughts, another conversation was initiated in my head.

Joxhaus: "Please don't do this to me right now. Heart ache on you is one thing but reminding us of her pain is something I don't want to think about right now."

Josh: "Look I know, we care about Sayori and I'm not going to let anything bad happen this time. Besides... looking back I believe her extreme depression and suicide wasn't avoidable but it wasn't her choice-"

Joxhaus: "-it was Monika's doing. Out of jealousy... Everyone had their own issues and you're right, Sayori being depressed is something we couldn't change, just like our own depression... Monika might turn this simulation into a nightmare like she did in the previous game; twisting the others to her will out of that jealousy."

Josh: "...but I can't blame her for being lonely in a world she knows isn't real...A world where she's forced to watch from the distance without having any true interactions with someone real. She didn't want to hurt her friends I know that for a fact... And if this is truly different from the game maybe our outcome will be different... I imagine she will be watching us... I wonder if she still remembers me."

Joxhaus: "I'm doubtful, this isn't the same game we played those years ago. Maybe similar yes but this is a simulated world. It will function like a game based on actions we make, but if this was created to be like a real experience based on the game we will need to be cautious. On top of that, she never knew who we were as a person... she may have gotten lucky knowing your name based on your computer's account name but that was about it. We shouldn't get any more hopeful than that..."

Josh: "Yeah... let's... just get through the day then shall we...?"

Joxhaus: "… I know you still love her..."

Josh: "…"

Joxhaus: "Just stay focused with the task at hand... and don't indulge yourself until we understand this simulation a bit better... even though this is a simulation we still don't know the rules here. Keep that in mind..."

The conversation ends on a sour note. Leave it to my Nobody to ruin the mood. For the moment that it lasted I'm back to my senses still walking with Sayori and she's waving her hand in front of my face to see if I'm actually okay or not. My eyes glance over to hers once I finally catch on to what she's doing.

Josh: "A-ah.. S-sorry about that Sayori, my mind was wandering for a little bit."

Sayori: "Wow, what is with you today? You need to stop staying up late watching all that anime. You literally zoned out there for a good minute. I'm impressed! Hehe~ you're almost as bad as me sometimes." She started giggling and retracts her hand away from my face.

Josh: "Oh really now?"

I wrap my arm around Sayori's shoulder and holding her a little closer to me and shaking her lightly, "Well, I learned how to zone out from the best~" I laughed and smiled seeing Sayori's reaction. She blushed lightly and darting her eyes away but still giggling. I know she's enjoying herself.

Sayori: "H-hey! That's mean! I don't zone out that badly... do I?"

Josh: "Nah.. It's never that bad. Besides, you're just being you. I couldn't ask for anything better."

I give her a pat on the back and then a pat on the head. As we approach the school building Sayori stops me.

Sayori: "Hey Josh, I forgot to ask on the way here but have you thought about what clubs you wanted to join this year?"

Oh boy, here we go... Do I go for the typical answer or try something new? Honestly, since I have my own free will, I'll just say how I felt; or in this case how my high school self felt.

Josh: "Well... I'm not sure to be honest. I thought about joining some but at the same time I just don't see the motivation to stay with them."

Sayori oddly pokes my forehead, clearly disappointed in my answer and pouting, "Come on, Josh... you told me you'd be more proactive this year and at least try to join a club for once..."

I really wanted to laugh at this, because I literally just started this simulation not too long ago so... how would I have any memory of said conversation? However, what she just said to me... sounded, so familiar. It's weird, I know for a fact our current conversations were just simulated or was it...? but.. Why was her word choice giving me déjà vu? I think I remember... a conversation I had with my mom a long time ago... it literally was the exact same sentence. If I remember correctly it was a conversation I had with my mom while I was attending high school... she had asked me to be proactive and try to find clubs that I would like. I think she worried about me being too anti-social.

So, is it just me..? Or was my memory being connected to this reality in some way? I feel like that might be a stretch to my own imagination, but if that really is the case then... well this simulation will certainly, get more interesting. I suppose that explains why I see younger versions of myself at the simulated home. Why my current physical appearance is literally my high school self when I was 18 years old. It's kind of interesting now that I think about it... but again also very creepy to know technology is using personal info against me. I sigh and give a half-hearted smile to Sayori and joke to her about my next answer.

Josh: "I'll try to look at some after school alright? ...maybe I'll try the anime club or the art club?"

Sayori: "...Do you promise me you'll try?"

The school bell rings across the campus and echoes for a moment. I give Sayori a positive smile, raising my hand up to her with my pinkie finger out. "I pinkie promise." I know it's kind of a childish thing to do at a time like this, but I saw a light spark in her eyes the moment I did it. She reached out and wrapped my pinkie along with hers and giggled. She looked like the happiest girl in the world and that smile alone made this morning that much better. We release pinkies and she starts to trot off into the building waving to me as she heads to class and I walk into the building slowly myself.

Sayori: "I'll cya later, okay? Don't get into any trouble!"

I reluctantly wave back and smile, shouting back at her, "Same to you~" I sigh as she disappears into the crowd of students moving through the building.

After that, I notice a little text box in the corner of my vision, running a command code followed by some text, telling me what classrooms I should go to for the day. Surprisingly, enough I also see glowing lines on the ground directing me towards my supposed destination. I make my way through the building still seeing quite a few students roaming around the halls. It's still a bit unsettling to see that some NPC's have more distinguishable faces than others but I don't let it bother me for the most part. As I continue to follow my path I look around at the architecture of the school. Like I stated previously I have never been Japan, nor have I seen what their schools are like realistically. I had the assumption that they were very similar to how anime and anime-styled video games portrayed them with sliding doors and classrooms being labeled above the entryway. So far my assumptions were not too far from what I imagined, however this school building was much larger than I originally anticipated! Then again, the high school I went to in real life was abnormally small compared to most high schools. I walked up to the second floor and caught a glimpse of the morning sunrise before entering the classroom. I sighed for a moment to admire it; the sunrise here was beautiful. Sometimes, I can't help but forget that there are some beautiful things in life that should be appreciated more often, but that aside I enter the classroom and take a seat in the back of the room, closest to the window. As I start to get comfortable with my surroundings a little text box note appears in my sights; not too big to block my view but still noticeable. It was also translucent so I could still have proper vision to see the note as well as not interfering with my depth perception.

"We hope you're enjoying the Virtual Reality experience to the fullest! Our world here will still act normally as it would in real life but if you're unfamiliar with the culture or where you're supposed to be, our software can guide you throughout the world. We hope you continue to enjoy this VR experience! Also, for your safety we recommend taking a break every couple of hours per use. Thank you! -XXXXXXX"

Well isn't that neat? I guess it will certainly help from time to time when I'm traversing this world at my leisure. It is a little odd though; I see this Python style text box in the lower left-hand corner of my vision. It disappeared after I got seated into the classroom. It kind of reminds me of when Monika took over the script by using code to make changes in and out of the game, except it's for my own personal use now? When it first came up it started to automatically search for my required location. I guess after Sayori departed, I did wonder where she would be off to and where I would be going from there. Maybe that turned on the simulations navigation program? Maybe I can do more with this later on like Monika did? I may have to experiment with it later and see but for now I will be sure to take advantage of the navigation program. I managed to remember the code lines that the game used to find my first class location; they were short and simple run command codes. As I was thinking about this the bell rang, signalling the end of the first class. I decided that now would be the best time to test how this works.

Josh: "Okay... gotta go to the next class... Well, this shouldn't be too difficult... just gotta think about it, right?"

Thinking about the text, the text box in the corner reappears in my vision and the command code was entered into the text box with the simulation responding with "successful". I look forward to see way-points leading to my next destination and I continued to follow them throughout the school day.

Halfway through the classes we managed to hit lunch break. Since entering the cafeteria I took a seat at a table located in the corner of the room and I sigh to myself. I try out the virtual lunch and to my surprise it's really good. These meals were all freshly cooked and steamed like in professional restaurants, but I couldn't really get into enjoying lunch. I felt a really bad wave of loneliness hit me and I start remembering more about my life in high school. I faced similar days where I would just sit alone at a table eating lunch by myself because all my friends had different lunch schedules. This happened a couple semesters throughout my time in high school... which wasn't a big deal within itself, lunch time never really lasted that long but loneliness does hurt after being exposed to it for a long time. I just mull over my situation and finish eating my lunch. I idly wait at the table drinking a water and stare blankly at a wall, the sound of the school bell breaks my negative daze and I sigh in relief. I leave for the remaining few classes I have for the day.

A few hours pass and I managed to reach the end of the school day. My brain felt exhausted, I remember how boring high school was like. Classes where I did good, I normally took power naps in. Besides that, the simulation didn't really care what I did for the most part. I kind of just went with the flow of things. It felt even better not having to do anything. In the last class, I was so bored I basically started doodling in a drawing pad I found in the simulated house to pass the time. I make really good sketches when I actually put forth some thought and effort. I let this side passion of mine get the best of me as I focused more on my artwork to the point where I don't even hear the ending bell ring and by the time I finished I heard someone calling my name.

?: "Josh..?"

I look up shaking my head trying to make sure I'm paying attention this time and I look over at the doorway to see Sayori looking in.

Josh: "Oh, hey Sayori... What are you doing here?"

Sayori walks into the class and stands in front of my desk, "Well, school just ended so I was on my way to my club and I saw you sitting in here all by yourself, drawing away on a sketch pad it looks like?" She glances over at my sketch pad trying to interpret what I was making, "...It looks like a hand and forearm?"

Josh: "Yup, you're pretty much right. Just a surreal touch to it. Guess you could call it practice".

Sayori: "It looks weird, but really cool at the same time! You're so talented Josh!"

Josh: "Ahaha... umm thanks, I guess? I suppose I should get going then, I don't need to keep you from getting to your club."

I say that, but I already know how this conversation is going to go. I'm more or less just waiting on Sayori to say it at this point.

Sayori: "Awww, you can't go now! You should come visit my club if you don't have anything better to do~"

There it is. The invitation to the Literature Club... Well the least I can do is humor her a little bit, "Oh.. That's right you're the Vice President of... which club again?"

Sayori: "The Literature Club!"

She says it like it's the greatest thing in existence. Such enthusiasm is almost contagious... But that's what I like about Sayori the most. She can make anything sound awesome with that kind of enthusiasm. I kind of wanted to laugh about how she said it though, but I was still feeling dreary from my loneliness phase earlier in the day so my tone of voice was more half-joking and trying to be a little serious.

Josh: "Okay.. But it sounds so... dull? Are you sure I'm going to like it? It's literally the complete opposite of what I am... being an artist and all."

I mutter that last bit to myself, but like in the game Sayori persists, "It won't be dull I promise! Hehe... A-and besides I told the club I would be bringing in a new member today so one of our members... she made cupcakes and everything... hehe..." Sayori was giving me her awkward look again. I guess I'm starting to understand the main character's idea of Sayori being either a complete airhead or being excessively cunning to have planned it all out. I sigh for a moment and look back to her looking at her beautiful blue eyes.

Josh: "Alright Sayori, you win. I'll visit your club, okay?"

Sayori: "W-wait? Really? You mean it?"

Josh: "I mean if you don't want me to I can find another club to waste my time in... hehe... I'm just kidding, of course. I mean what's the worst that could happen?"

Sayori: "Aww! You're the best Josh! Let's get going~ I will lead the way!"

Well... What could go wrong? Monika going crazy and killing three simulated beautiful girls, killing me or breaking this reality? Well, a lot can happen really. So, let's not think about the "what ifs". I just start to pack away my things and follow Sayori upper floors of the school. My mind wanders for a moment as I follow her... I kind of wonder what things are going to be like now...? Will Natsuki and Yuri be the same like they were in the game? And what about Monika..? I continue to feel anxiety building up as we get closer to the club room and my breathing becomes a bit heavier. Sayori seems unaware of how I'm feeling, but I guess this would be exactly what happens in game. We reach the club room and Sayori swings open the door... Well here we go...

Next Chapter: Fleeting Dream