Sayori awoke with a yawn, the sunlight tracing along her face like warm fingertips. She smiled and held her arms tightly against herself, relishing in the warmth and security of the bed. Then, noticing the lack of a presence next to her, she opened her eyes and saw nothing there but tousled bedcovers and the golden rays of a Monday morning Sun.
She sat up, scooting to the edge of the bed and stretching her limbs. The questions and drama were becoming routine between her and Monika, and it was starting to exhaust her.
Sayori gave the house a quick sweep. No one in the bathroom or the kitchen. No one in the main hall, either, but upon closer inspection, Sayori realized that she could not find Monika's shoes. Sayori went back to Monika's bedroom and saw that her backpack was missing, too, and her heart sank.
What was wrong this time? Monika had seemingly developed a habit of running away from situations that were too much for her to handle…had Sayori come on too strong last night? They hadn't really done anything, but still, things had moved rather quickly.
Sighing, Sayori sat back down on the bed, her head slouched downwards. She'd done all she could to get through to Monika, and it still wasn't good enough.
But she'd always known that Monika was out of her league. She was athletic, intelligent, funny, and a natural-born leader. Even in spite of the problems she'd been experiencing lately, Monika towered far above her.
Just look at how much she'd improved – and over such a short time period, too. Three days ago, on Friday, she was stumbling over her own sentences at the Literature Club, and two days ago, at Yuri's, she was already holding her own against Natsuki, of all people. And then she'd even managed to muster up enough courage to open up to all of them at once, apologizing for the pressure she'd inadvertently been putting them under. She was in a class by herself. How could Sayori have ever allowed herself to believe that Monika would look at her as anything other than her vice-president?
Sayori's gaze, as though veiled by rainclouds, dragged across Monika's room dully, taking in none of it. She should probably just leave. Save Monika the trouble of telling her to, later.
But she didn't leave. Couldn't. Every time she tried, her body just told her, "no." So she sat there on Monika's bed, wondering what Monika was doing, wondering what time it was and how late she'd be to school, doing absolutely nothing.
And then, a few minutes later, she gave herself a light slap on the cheek.
Dumb depression. Always trying to get under her skin. But she'd gotten used to it and knew how to shake it off – just remember the good. Monika did care about her, and yesterday got pretty emotionally charged for the both of them. She wouldn't leave without a good reason.
Right?
Sayori groaned and slapped herself a few more times. Right. And that meant that she was doing something really important right now. She was probably at school, given that her bag and shoes were missing. But why did she go in so early?
…the festival. Duh. Of course the hard working Monika would want as much time to prepare as possible. Sayori just had to catch up to her, that's all. Plastering a determined smile on her face, Sayori made to get up from the bed.
And then, from the corner of her eye, an envelope that bore the name Sayori beckoned to her from Monika's dresser.
Sayori pulled it into her lap cautiously. The tight, neatly written cursive was undeniably Monika's, and Sayori's breathing quickened as she opened the envelope to read the contents within.
Before anything else, I need you to know that I love you.
Now, there's something very important that I must do. I wish I could have stayed with you for longer, and I feel awful for leaving without warning. Please trust me when I say that it wasn't easy to do so.
There's actually a lot more that I'd like to apologize for, too. I've been depending on you a lot recently. You've been supporting me every step of the way and I only wish that I could be strong enough for you to lean on me, too. For now, though, I need to depend on you for a little while longer. I'm sorry.
I need you to run the Literature Club in my stead. Have Yuri and Natsuki set up the booth, and after that, you're the only person who can run it. You have the greatest social talents of anyone that I know, and I have faith that you'll do a wonderful job bringing in new members. After that, when it comes time for all of the clubs to perform something on stage, I'll take over for everyone.
I'll be in the music room at school if you want to see me before then. No pressure, but I'd really appreciate a visit.
With love,
Monika
Sayori sighed and smiled. Monika still needed
loved
her. Then, there was only one thing to do.
Sayori got up, eyes sharp and clear, and prepared to leave for school.