Monika shuffled her way down to Room 206, having had finished all of her Friday classes. Knowing that she'd have to save her energy for the Literature Club, she'd done her best to behave as conservatively as possible, only electing to answer questions or demonstrate problems in a few of her classes as opposed to all of them. Even still, the day had taken a toll on her, and she was all but exhausted.

Straightening up and taking in a sharp breath, Monika did her best to collect herself before she opened the door. She was their president, and she couldn't be seen lumbering around like this. It wasn't her place to act like that.

She opened the door to the Literature Club. Just like yesterday, Yuri was writing by the windows. However, she looked considerably more frazzled today than she had the day before. She was mostly just staring at the paper before her, lost in thought, her brow screwed up in concentration. Every so often, she managed to write something down, but she always scribbled it out a few seconds later. Meanwhile, in the corner, Sayori and Natsuki were having what sounded like a heated debate.

Judging Yuri to provide a less strenuous social situation, Monika made her way over to the windows. As she went, she passed by Sayori and Natsuki.

"I've told you a million times, Sayori, it's not cute," Natsuki ranted. "Danielle Salvador's bright colors and chibi characters are a façade that she puts up. It's a horror manga that makes use of a cute, young-reader aesthetic to draw in an unsuspecting audience and lull them into a false sense of security before hitting them in the gut with the manga's true, sinister intentions." Natsuki finished with an overdramatic huff and a cross of her arms. "Not. Cute."

"Hmm…maybe," Sayori said tilting her head and giggling. "But it still looks cute!"

Natsuki groaned and hung her head in frustration before noticing Monika and perking up again. "Oh, Monika! This is perfect. Tell Sayori that she's wrong about Meow Meow Kitty Cuties."

Monika cocked her head. "What?"

Natsuki frowned. "What do you mean, 'what?' We finished it earlier this week, remember?"

"We…did?" Monika was befuddled. There was nothing at all like this in the game. How was she supposed to respond to something so totally unexpected? But at the same time, Natsuki and Sayori had their eyes on her and were clearly expecting something.

"Um, I'm not really sure…" Monika felt a bead of sweat trail down her cheek. "I-I'm sorry, there's something I need to ask Yuri…" She turned away from their confused expressions and power walked over to Yuri.

She knew she'd been awkward, but what else was she supposed to do? Inwardly sighing, she tried to perk up as she slid to a stop behind Yuri.

"Hi, Yuri!" Monika said in as cheery a voice as she could, peering over the girl's shoulder to look at the poem that she was –

"Nothing!" Yuri cried, slapping her hands over the paper.

Monika blinked and said nothing, completely lost for words for the second time in as many seconds.

Just as suddenly as she'd covered the paper, Yuri deflated and let out an exhausted sigh. "Oh, it's just you, Monika…I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me…"

"It's okay," Monika said quickly, gulping. "So…I take it you're still having trouble with that poem?"

Yuri did not uncover the poem, but re-positioned her hands such that they were more comfortable and nodded sadly. "It's proving to be…extraordinarily difficult. This may be the hardest poem I've ever had to write."

"Really?" Monika said, her curiosity piqued. "What's it about? Can I read it?"

"No!" Yuri blurted out before composing herself again. "A-Ah. Sorry…it's not done yet."

"Well…" Monika paused and thought for a moment. "Maybe if someone looks it over and gives you their perspective on it, you'll get a new perspective yourself and have an easier time finishing it."

"Mmm," Yuri hummed before continuing so softly that Monika could barely hear her. "It's also kind of personal…"

Monika hummed. "Well that's different, then…if it's personal, I understand. But ask someone if you ever decide you want help with it, okay?"

Yuri nodded halfheartedly. Then, she sighed again and looked down, crestfallen. "Oh, gosh, I…I'm sorry, I don't think I have a poem that I can read today, either. I've been so wrapped up in this one that I just…" She squeezed her hands into fists for an instant before quickly catching herself and re-covering her paper sheepishly.

"That's fine, Yuri. Really," Monika replied, saying what she thought her friend wanted to hear. "It sounds like this poem is really important to you, and I'd hate for you to put in on hold so that you can write something that you feel less inspired about. Please just continue working on that one for as long as you like."

A small smile decorated Yuri's face and she look up at Monika warmly. "T-Thank you, Monika."

Monika's heart fluttered – another new emotion. Pride at having had helped a friend? Relief that the conflict had been resolved? She decided to file it away for future analysis and proceeded to return to the conversation at hand with a smile of her own. "No problem! And when you finish it and feel comfortable sharing it, you can read it to the club if you'd like!"

Yuri's smile wavered, and she looked down at the ground. "Maybe…"

Monika patted her shoulder, her heart leaping again a little bit when she felt Yuri twitch beneath her fingertips. No, there was truly nothing quite like human contact. "I know that you can do it."

Monika turned to Natsuki and Sayori. "Hey, guys! Want to start the meeting now?"