" Hey, don't cry." He watched as the pink-haired girl sat on the swings, holding her face in her hands as she bawled. The seven year-old didn't know who she was or where her parents were, but what he did understand was that she appeared to be very sad about something.

" B-but..it h-hurts…", the girl then lifted her skirt a little and he could see that she had a cut on her right knee.

" uhm..I..uhm". He was trying to come up with a way when the solution came to him. " My house is a few minutes away, and I'm sure that my mom has some bandages. I'll be back."

Right before he could start walking, the girl grabbed onto his arm as she stood boy could hear her wince in pain slightly when she did. " P-Please..don't leave me.."

"..Ok. But how are we going to- wait! I got it!" Surprising her, he got on his knees. " Here, climb on."

" A-are you sure?"

" Yeah!"

The girl was hesitant at first, slowly lowering herself onto his back as she put her arounds his neck. She even let out a small gasp when he stood up straight, holding her thighs to ensure that she wouldn't fall. She was light, so he was easily able to hold her as he started to make his way to his house.

They were both quiet for a while until the boy decided to break the silence. " ..How did you get hurt?"

" I-I was playing in the park by myself, and I went down the slide too fast. I accidentally tripped and got a cut." she murmured, still feeling a bit shy.

" Oh. What about your parents?" he asked as he turned right. " I saw that you were by yourself."

He noticed that the girl took a small pause before speaking up again, her tone having shifted to that of sadness. " … They're not home. They went to work somewhere far away.."

Stopping for a moment, the boy turned his head slightly back to see that the girl looked like she was about to cry.

" H-hey, don't cry. We're almost there." he said, trying to make her feel better, and the girl shook her head.

" It's not that..it's just.. I've been by myself for a week, and I feel so lonely.."

"Oh.." The boy started to walk again, and again the two were silent when the boy suddenly got the idea. " Hey. Do you wanna be friends?"

"W-what?"

" Do you wanna be friends?" he repeated himself. " The truth is I don't have that many friends as well, so I guess.. We can be lonely together."

He felt the girl tightening her grip. " Really?"

" Yeah!"

" Okay!"

A smile grew on his face as he could now see his house from where they were. Although, there was something else that he needed to know. " What's your name?"

" S-Sayori. And yours?"

"Winston Jones. We're almost there!"

"...Hey Winston.." she started, resting her chin on his shoulder. "..will you be my friend forever?"

He turned his head back again and gave her a grin, causing her to blush a little but he didn't notice it. " I promise, Sayori."

8 years later...

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Grabbing his phone, Winston clicked the 'snooze' button and he placed it back on the oak lamp drawer. He gave a small groan as he lifted himself up, pulling the sheets off him. While he did, a book fell off his bed, and he slowly got off the bed to retrieve it.

" I must've fell asleep last night reading this." he said to himself as he walked over to the shelf where he kept all his other books. After he was done putting it in the right spot, he turned around to look at his room.

In the far corner, his bed was positioned next to the window. The television was placed on top of a drawer which held all of his shirts, pants, and other clothing. And the remaining space was filled by a large wooden shelf that he used to hold his books, video games, camera, and photo stands . Although it wasn't exactly the most exciting, he liked it the way it was: simple and organized. Just like him.

Checking his phone, Winston saw that he had enough time to eat breakfast before school started. On most days, he would wake up a bit late, thus making him skip eating in the morning so that he wouldn't arrive late. He opened his drawer and pulled out a black flannel shirt along with a classic black shirt and blue jeans. He also grabbed a pair of black-and-while converse shoes which he kept underneath his bed.

'And for the finishing touch..' He thought as he reached for a beanie that rested on the headboard leg of his bed.

Before leaving his room, he made sure he had his phone and wallet with him, then he started to walk towards the kitchen. He passed by two empty rooms: the first belonged to his mother while the second was meant to be a guest room, but since he had no other relatives, it was never used.

He poured himself a bowl of cereal and ate in silence as he put in his earphones. For a house meant for a lot of people, Winston couldn't help feeling a bit lonely at times, but he was far too familiar with that sensation..

When he was done, he grabbed his backpack which lay on the couch and made sure to lock the door behind him as he walked out onto the street. However, before he could get too far a voice called out to him. " Winston!"

Wondering who had said his name, he turned around to find-

" Sayori?" He asked as she walked up to him. The pink-haired girl had a smile on her face as she gave him a hug. " Wow. I haven't gotten one of these in a long time."

" Heh, how long has it been?" she asked as she released him.

" I think it has been almost two years. Before high school, I'm sure."

Sayori panicked a little before lowering her head a little. " S-sorry. I should've just said 'hi' to you normally."

" No. It was fine." he quickly assured her. " I just didn't expect it, but I enjoyed it."

He beamed a little when she gave him a smile, and the two of them started to walk towards the school. To others, Winston wasn't exactly the most outgoing person; He preferred to stay indoors most of the time,either to watch t.v. or to read his manga. On the other hand, Sayori was bubbly and cheery, and he never got old seeing her beam at him. They were complete opposites, but they still managed to enjoy each other's company.

' .. I wonder what she's been up to since we last talked.'

" So, did anything exciting happen?" He asked.

" Hmm.. I guess not. Well, unless you count passing all my classes with all A's last year!"

Winston gave a small chuckle as they stopped at the traffic light. " Considering how you used to come to me for help with your homework back then, that is pretty exciting."

" Meanie." she gave a small pout, but it was quickly replaced by another smile. " What about you?"

'Yikes.' He thought while they crossed the street. ' Should i tell her that I just watched anime? Or would it be better if I told her that I finally finished the game she bought me? Either way.. it sounds like I didn't do anything exciting..'

" Uhm.. I played-"

" Played games and watched t.v. by yourself?" She interrupted him, covering her mouth in an attempt to hide her laughing. " Am I right?"

Winston looked at her in shock. " H-How did you.."

" Well, besides your mother.." she started as they were nearing the school's parking lot. ".. I guess I know you the best."

Suddenly, Sayori stopped in her tracks and Winston did so as well, wondering why she didn't keep walking. He watched as she held her arm, not being able to meet his gaze. It was very unusual of her to act like this, so he knew something was up.

"Sayori?"

" I-I'm sorry, Winston.." she said. " I forgot..that your mom.."

' So that's what got her worked up.'

A few years ago, his mother had gotten very sick, and Winston would stay at Sayori's house while she was being treated at the hospital. The doctors had informed her that she didn't have that much time left, and soon after, she had passed away. Although Sayori's parents were happy enough to keep him in their home, he felt that it would've been better to go back to living in his house. Winston was capable of taking care of himself, and personally, he had just wanted to be left alone..

Thus, he started to shut everyone out, including his only friend. He and Sayori drifted away from each other as years went by. Sure, there were occasions where they would greet one another at school, but it wasn't the same as before.

" Sayori.. It's fine." Winston walked up to her and gave her a side hug. She flinched a bit when he did, but he ignored it as he continued. " She's gone. Now, let's go before we're late."

She gave him a quick nod before returning back to her cheery mode. " Okay!"

The two made their way into the building, and they promised each other to meet up at lunch before saying goodbye. Winston watched as she skipped away from him, almost crashing into a group of students.

' That idiot..' he thought as he gave a smile. Plugging his earphones in, he turned around and headed for class.

2 hours later...

" Is that all you're eating?"

As they sat on one the benches outside of the school, Winston felt a bit embarrassed when Sayori had asked him that. While he was eating just an apple, she was munching on a sandwich and some chips.

" ..yeah." he replied as he turned his head away.

"Oh."

'I would've gotten a bigger lunch, but I totally forgot about it.' He thought, unaware the Sayori was scooting closer to him. When he turned to face her, he was surprised as her sandwich hit him right in the face. " What the-?"

" Here." she told him, hovering it a few inches from his mouth. " Have some!"

Before he could protest, his stomach made a growling sound, causing him to turn a bit red from embarrassment as Sayori giggled. He reluctantly took a bite and went back to eating his apple.

Wanting to change the subject, he started to look around him for any ideas and his eyes stopped on a poster for the leadership club.

" Sayori." She gave him a small 'hmp' while she ate some chips to show that she was listening, so he continued. " Have you joined any of the clubs?"

" ..Yeah..I ..sorry." Midway through her sentence, she used a napkin to wipe her face. "..I actually wanted to talk to you about that."

Winston watched as she pulled out a flyer from her backpack before handing it to him. Putting his apple aside, he took it in both hands and he read aloud the first few words.

" Come join the..Literature Club?"

'I didn't know that there was such a thing at our school. But to be fair, it's not like I even bother to check out any of the clubs. I wonder why she is-'

" I'm the vice president!" she said enthusiastically as she raised her hands into the air. Winston couldn't help himself as he started to laugh. " Why are you laughing?"

" What club would have the right mind to make you- Hey!" Winston started before getting poked in the ribs. It was something that she used to do when they were kids whenever he was being annoying.

" It's not funny, Winston. I am a great vice president!" she pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Whatever you say.." he muttered under his breath, not wanting to get poked again. He was about to hand her back the flyer before Sayori stopped him.

" Winston, keep it." She explained as she turned her body slightly towards him. " I want you to come join the club, or at least check it out."

"What?"

"Listen, I know that you don't have that many friends. That you just go home everyday and stay by yourself at home!"

' Ouch.'

" But if you come, I'm sure that you'll meet new people that would be happy to hang out with you. Plus...I don't want you to be lonely forever.." she murmured a bit sadly.

" Sayori.."

" Pleaseee!" She begged him as she leaned forward.

Winston smiled a little as he looked away. ' She really hasn't changed, huh? I guess the little kid in her never grew up. Even though I don't want to… she's doing this for my sake. I guess I owe it to her to at least see what it's about..'

He looked back at her and gave a nod, and she smiled as she went back to eating her sandwich. Winston looked back at the flyer, taking a bite out of the apple as he did so.

To be continued..

Another chapter has arrived! I hope you all enjoyed it, for it introduced two of the main characters of the series.

P.S. I hope you don't mind me naming the "MC" Winston!

Next Chapter comes out Friday.

Also, in the previous chapter many of you may be confused with Monika and the ending, but I assure you it will get explained more later in the story, so please bear with me!