I own nothing. Monika does.

"You look tired, Sayori. Was the Gardening Club really that exciting?" Goro asked upon arriving to the apartment that night. His first thought was that perhaps she had gone back to the Metaverse, as that always seemed to exhaust her, but this time was a bit different. Normally she didn't have as much adrenaline by the time she arrived home, but now she was panting heavily. The detective wondered if this was because she had exited the Metaverse closer to the apartment than usual. This worrying thought alone was enough to make him desperate for an answer.

"Well, sort of. I was studying with the club, and stayed a bit too long… and got worried that if I didn't go fast enough, I would be late getting back here," Sayori breathed.

The detective couldn't help but smile softly to himself. She's getting better. That was almost believable. "If that's the case, then how did I end up getting here after you?" He quietly went into the kitchen to get some water for them both. "I find it hard to believe that someone who hasn't had gym at all could push herself so hard."

"Well, uh…" Sayori considered how to answer. "Just because I don't have gym, doesn't mean I shouldn't still exercise. I go running around places every once in awhile with a few friends of mine." It's less embarrassing if I don't tell him the real reason I'm like this, she chuckled.

Goro considered asking her to elaborate, but decided that would be too mean when she looked ready to pass out. Besides, he already had to be the bearer of bad news. It wouldn't be good for Sayori to panic too much in one day. Walking back to the couch, he set the two cups of water on the coffee table. Sayori quickly downed her cup. The detective grabbed his own before Sayori had a chance to steal it, watching in slight amusement as she looked ready to whine. "Before you start complaining, I'm going to take this chance to ask if you're feeling any better."

"I'd feel more better if I could have another cup of water," Sayori reached over in another attempt to grab his cup, only for Goro to hold it out of her reach.

"Let's not have this evolve into another wrestling match, please. Just get your own," The detective pointed the girl towards the kitchen.

"Goro, you're being mean…" Sayori whined. She frowned as she suddenly heard a chuckle coming from the detective. "Stop laughing at me!"

"I'm sorry," Goro attempted to hold back his laugh, but failing miserably in the end. "It's just that… Well, you're already whining like a child and I haven't even told you the news that any child would complain about." That statement got Sayori's attention. No longer interested in the drink, she once again took her seat next to the detective, looking at him intently.

"What's your news?" Sayori asked, slightly concerned.

"One of my coworkers would like to meet you," Goro explained, suddenly seeming exhausted himself. "I believe I have mentioned Sae a couple of times before, though I never thought it would be necessary to go beyond that."

"What's wrong about that?" Sayori asked, not getting the point just yet. "You and Sae are close, right? I suppose it's only natural for her to want to get to know your roommate."

"Well, it's not intended to be a friendly visit. Sae was rather blunt in saying that this was strictly professional business. I'm probably supposed to tell you otherwise, but with the way she's been starting to act lately, it would be best to warn you beforehand," the detective noticed that Sayori seemed to be recalling something.

"I know her sister from school, and I remember… overhearing something about Sae from her as well," Sayori cringed as those weird images popped into her head. It felt wrong to peek in on what was clearly an upsetting memory without permission, but this time it was slightly more helpful than she gave it credit for. "What exactly is the business she wants to see me for?"

"You remember that weird world we went to a little while ago, right?" Goro asked, watching as Sayori nodded. Of course you would. "I'm probably right in assuming that it has something to do with the Phantom Thieves. Furthermore, you are probably aware by now that your name was posted on the forum site for the Phantom Thieves." He sighed as Sayori hesitantly nodded to this as well. "Sae was the one who let me know about that. She wants to interview you, though a more correct way of saying that would be interrogate."

Sayori's eyes widened in panic. She honestly didn't know how to react to this. Should she call Makoto about this? Tell all of the Phantom Thieves? Would she even have time to do that? A million panicked thoughts raced through her head, and for once Sayori let her stress show. She had a feeling she could get away with it just this once, as Goro seemed to expect that she would be scared in this kind of situation. Probably for different reasons though.

The detective shifted guiltily in his seat. I was probably too tactless, he began to silently chastise himself, all while he watched Sayori attempt to calm herself down. "I managed to delay her visit, at least until summer. Afterall, you have exams coming up soon, don't you?" He took a few deep breaths as he planned his next few lines. When Sayori nodded, he offered her a charming smile, feeling guilty that this was one of his faker ones that he was offering her. "Sayori, I don't want you to worry too much about this. We still have a little bit of time. But, at the same time, there's something I need you to know…"

"What?" Sayori croaked. Her panic had worn off, replaced with the sudden urge to start crying.

"You're going to have to lie to her."

"What?!" Now Sayori was shocked. Why would Goro want her to lie? If it had to do with the Phantom Thieves, he should want her to be as honest as possible.

"Sae can't know about that other world. She'll think we're both crazy if we mention it," the detective explained. "If I'm going to get you home, it would be better if I didn't lose my credibility, don't you think?"

"Y-yeah… But I don't know if I'll be able to lie very well to her. If what you and Makoto say are true, then I won't be able to handle her at all. At least not without bursting into tears and needing to excuse myself," Sayori chuckled dryly to herself. She was surprised when her roommate smiled and nodded at that.

"If that helps you to avoid telling her complicated things, then by all means, go right ahead. We have a little bit of time to prepare and plan. I'm already doing so, to make sure I can chaperone," the detective explained. Sayori smiled gratefully at him, before sighing and leaning back on the couch.

"You never stop surprising me, Goro," she mumbled. "I can't wait for school to end. It will be nice to start spending more time with you…" Sayori was beginning to look tired. The detective was about to excuse himself, only for a new idea to suddenly come to both of them.

"Sayori, would you like to get sushi with me sometime this summer? We could invite Sae along, and maybe even Makoto too. It would be a nice way to begin your break," Goro offered, a smirk beginning to bloom on his face.

"I would love to. We could all dress up, and make it a big event," Sayori smiled happily. We'll be trapped by societal convention. Sometimes the public has its perks. They both winked at each other, their plan beginning to form. Saying goodnight, the two parted ways.

Mai stood dutifully at her post, assuming the same stance as she did the other day. It was as if she had never left. It was convenient too, as a group of students walked into her room. Sayori stood alongside them.

Could these be those friends she's always talking about?

"Uh, welcome everybody! Do you want some books!?" Mai shouted.

"No, thank you. We're just here to chat," said the boy in front. His cool and collected demeanour shocked Mai. There's no way Sayori could be friends with a guy as cool as him!

The group sat down at one of the tables in the center. As they began to chat, Mai's curiosity got the better of her, resulting in a few loud whispers of "Sayori! Sayori!" from across the room.

Sayori, slightly embarrassed, stood up and walked over to Mai's desk. "What is it?" She asked, exhaustedly.

"Who're the cool dudes you're hanging out with? I know the Student Council President, but…"

"First of all, stop calling her Student Council President. Her name's Makoto. Second of all, the guy with the black hair is Akira, guy with the blonde hair is Ryuji, and the girl with the red tights is Ann," Sayori pointed to each of the group respectively.

"Woah… I didn't know you hung out with that crowd. I thought you were just a little mouse or a wallflower or something," Mai put her hand to her chin in recollection.

"Well, I still am, kinda. I hang out with them, but not anybody else, really. Except you. And Goro. And a guy from Kosei," The girl corrected.

"Jeez, girl! You're more active than I thought. Well, don't let me keep you, I guess. I've got work to do, after all," the librarian was about to head back into her seat only for Sayori to grab her wrist.

"Uh-huh, of course you do. Say, Mai, what if I said I have work for you to do?" Sayori looked right into Mai's eyes.

"Really!?" Mai beamed.

"Yeah! It'll make Makoto like you, too!"

"Really!? What is it!?"

"While we're here, go talk to Makoto. Make friends with her. Call her by her real name, too," Sayori commanded.

"Woah… That might be a bit tough," Mai said worriedly, looking to her side just a bit.

"You never get anywhere by not trying, you know?" Sayori stubbornly pointed out.

"I guess... Fine. I'll give it a shot," Mai said, assuming her determined stance once more.

"Talk to everybody else, too. They're cool guys. I sure they'd love you."

"...That sounds nice," Mai responded, not really paying attention to her assistant anymore. She was zeroing in on her goal.

"Good."

The two girls walked over and sat with the rest of the group. The room went quiet as the teenagers watched Mai sit down.

"Uh… hi. My name's Mai," Mai said awkwardly, being surprisingly more quiet than usual.

"Sup. I'm Ryuji Sakamoto," Ryuji said cockily.

"Ann Takamaki!" Ann smiled.

"Akira Kurusu. This is Morgana," Akira greeted, gesturing towards his cat, who gave a gentle meow in response. Mai turned to the bag with a surprised look in her eyes, staying silent for several moments, until suddenly…

"You have a cat in your goddamn bag!? That's awesome!" The original Mai returned in an instant. Morgana was angry at this statement, but he decided to let it slide for now. She didn't know any better, after all.

"Uh, yeah. It's pretty cool. Aren't we supposed to be kinda quiet, though? This is a library," Akira questioned, as cool as ever.

"Eh, screw the rules. I run this place. Ain't nobody telling me what to- oh…" Mai quieted down as she realized that the Student Council President herself was sitting right next to her. "Sorry, Student Council- I mean, Makoto."

"It's alright. It's not like there's anybody else here, anyway. No worries. Anyway, gang, what are our plans for this upcoming break?" Mai's jaw was on the floor after hearing this new and improved Makoto.

"Well, the fireworks festival is coming up. That might be fun. Plus, we might be able to do some, uh, community service! Y'know, for our scholarships that we are totally going to get!" Ann said, nearly revealing the truth in the process.

"Ohhhh, you mean the Pha-" Ryuji attempted to say, before Akira slammed his palm onto his mouth.

"Yes, that, Ryuji. That is precisely the community service that we were discussing. Thank you," Akira replied, commanding Ryuji to stay silent through his words. "But before any of that community service, we need to plan for the festival. When is it, Ann?"

"I think it's on the eighteenth, if I remember correctly. We'll have to get our yukatas ready!" Ann said excitedly. Sayori was left wondering if she even owned one at all anymore.

"That sounds great. Anybody else have any ideas?" Akira was met with a few shakes of the head and a few looks that described a lack of any ideas. Sayori was grumbling all the while.

"I can't go. I don't have a yukata. Plus, I don't really like fireworks. They're loud and scary," Sayori grumbled.

"Wait, ain't you the same girl who told me all about that big festival at your old school where they were gonna have 'the biggest and prettiest fireworks you've ever seen!'?" Mai innocently questioned.

"Now, when did I ever mention that?"

"When you were talkin' about how much you love Gor- oh," Mai covered her mouth, realizing the massive mistake she had just made.

Sayori was met with an onslaught of confused looks, cries of shock and girlish giggling from all sides. She felt like she was going to die.

"I 'effin knew it!" cried Ryuji, breaking the trend.

"Shut up, Ryuji! I thought you hated Goro!"

"I do! But that don't mean you do! I knew you were into him from the start. That's how it always is with roommates in anime 'n stuff. Y'all didn't even believe me!" Ryuji shouted, jumping up from his seat.

"You told them!?" cried Sayori, still in the process of dying.

"Yeah!"

"But, didn't Yusuke say he knew before you did?" Makoto asked.

"Uhm, uh… Maybe, but he said it real quiet, y'know? With his artsy voice 'n whatever. Plus, he says weird shit all the time. I bet you all didn't even believe him," Ryuji muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"I did, though…" said Makoto, puzzled.

Before Ryuji could add another comment, the still giggling Ann leapt right inside of Sayori's personal space. "Oh, my, gosh! You have to come shopping with me! We have to buy you the best makeup they have at the mall! You're going to be dating this guy by the end of break, I promise!"

Akira started handing Ryuji a few thousand yen.

"You were placing bets on me!?" Sayori cried once more.

"Yeah. It seemed pretty obvious. I thought the relationship would've crashed and burned by now, though," Akira said matter-of-factly.

Sayori became unresponsive. Thought she wished for death, she was unable to die. So eventually, she stopped thinking.

Mai began to tap Sayori, who had seemingly become a stone statue in the meantime. "Guys… I think you killed her."

"I'm glad to hear your approval, Sae-san," Goro responded into the phone. "...No, Sayori just thinks this will be a friendly outing with each other, and she looks forward to it. Inviting Makoto as well sold that point rather thoroughly," he once again assured, hoping the woman was finally convinced. After a few more minutes of talking, the detective was finally able to hang up the phone.

Sighing to himself, the detective sank into a chair and yawned. He was thankful for his own foresight in taking his own exams early. Now he had the time to relax in his apartment. The excuse being detective work, of course. It also opened up time for the opportunity to answer calls Sayori was better off not hearing. Double checking his phone, Akechi groaned in annoyance. It seemed that once again those stupid bastards had forgotten that they were supposed to call him around now. They always reserve the right to call whenever they damn well please. That's going to mess everything up one of these days.

It was probably better that way, though. While he preferred answering these calls outside of Sayori's earshot, if he was too insistent on his schedule, it might get suspicious. One could only use the excuse that he was busy with schoolwork, or getting ready for an interview, so many times, afterall. Yet at the same time, saying anything in front of Sayori that didn't sound right would ruin everything.

That's a mistake on my part, I suppose. The detective glared at his phone. It was rather complicated, keeping secrets like this. Sae had agreed to keep Sayori's presence between the two of them, and Sayori claimed she only told the people she trusted about her status as his roommate. Afterall, the press would start hounding both of them if they found out. His fangirls might do something bad to Sayori if they found out about any relationship, no matter how nonexistent, between them.

Nothing but bullshit excuses to cover up the real reason I have to hide this, Akechi's fists clenched around his wretched phone. The Phansite had her name and his name together at one point. Thankfully, nobody from the organization checked the forum for that kind of thing, and the site's curator, whoever it was, had deleted it not long after the Phantom Thieves had destroyed her Palace. But even that won't be enough to keep her a secret, and it's all my damn fault.

They probably would have mentioned it by now, if they knew Sayori lived with him. Still, there were plenty of reasons for them not to say so either. It's all my fault… If she got hurt, it would be because of his own selfishness. It would be because he was seeking more than the false praise that the public gave him. He cursed his foresight now, because he was alone with his thoughts, with nothing to distract himself with, and they still wouldn't call him.

It's all my fault… The day was sunny and bright outside, yet the heavy feeling in Goro's heart made it feel like it was raining. What had he been thinking? Panic settled into him, as he remembered things that he was always trying to avoid. A yellow raincoat… bright red rubber boots… and a pink umbrella… Her pink umbrella.

His own stupidity could mean Sayori was on a radar only he should be on. Akechi tried to deny these panicked thoughts. He was only called whenever they had a new job for him. His personal life was something they never toyed with. It was only his life in the eyes of the public that anyone cared about. He and Sayori had only been close to each other in public a total of three times. He had kept a special eye on that.

It's all my fault… Yet those assuring thoughts did nothing to quell the new fears blooming. What if he was wrong? What if there was something he hadn't accounted for? What if… his mistakes caused something bad to happen? Stomping through puddles… Getting both of them wet… Her skirt was muddy… He loved the rain…

Perhaps going out for sushi was a bad plan then? His hand shook as he prepared to call Sae, to tell her they should come up with another idea, only for it to start ringing on its own. Damn it. Now they decided to call. Composing himself, he buried the thoughts and memories deep into his psyche. Any doubts the detective had weren't important. What's done is done. He refused to go back now. He… hated the rain.

The pit in Sayori's stomach grew bigger as she looked around the classroom. It was the first day of exams. She had prepared as much as she could for this. The truth of the matter was that it didn't matter whether or not she did well, but she should do her best anyway. That would be her philosophy for the next few days. Answer the questions, get it over with, and move forward. Keep moving towards the end.

"Today is the first day of your final exams… Begin!" The teacher boomed. Sayori obeyed and began going through the questions. They were all surprisingly easy…

So why wasn't the nervous pit going away?

Imaginary cookies for anyone who can spot the JoJo reference! Leave a review if you can, too. Anyway, because it's that special time of year, Happy Holidays to everyone! I'll be thinking of special things my partner and I can do for the story when Winter Break rolls around for the both of us. So please read, review(if you have any ideas), and I'll see you next time!