Chapter 67: How It Began Before Your Time

Monika: "Back before you joined the club. Not everything was all fun and games. We had a bit of trouble before you came along. Even now we still do, but … for now let me tell you how our club first started."

*Flash Back*

"One full year had passed since me and Sayori met in class. We shared fun times together in class sometimes out of class. She was a very friendly person to be around, but she was more than a friendly classmate. She was one of my bestest friends. We worked together for group projects, we studied together, we even hanged outside of school. She was even there for me when I broke up with Todd. I was hurt, but she helped cheer me up.

After spending time at the Debate Club, seeing him every day. My heart grew numb, but I never showed it. I didn't know how to deal with it? It was the talk around our club and soon the entire school found out. People constantly asking me questions, always asking me if I'm single and so on. So infuriating. It was then Sayori came to me one day during lunch time."

Sayori: "Look what I did today at class." Showing off a drawing.

Monika: "Oh wow that looks cute, but I don't recall you ever taking arts class?"

Sayori: "Ah well you see …"

Monika: "Have you paying any attention to class?"

Sayori: "No" She says gloomy.

Monika: "Well at least this drawing looks cute. Do you draw often?"

Sayori: 'Not really, I just do what I want to do. Whatever makes me happy."

Monika: "Whatever makes you happy?"

Sayori: "Sure as long as I do something that I enjoy, I'll always be happy to the best of my ability."

Monika: "I see."

"Seemed like yesterday that she inspired me into doing something that's been in the back of my mind for years. Way before I joined the Debate Club. An idea that I never thought of until Sayori told me. Two weeks before I decided to officially do it. After our short talk, after I returned home. The thought of doing something I want lingering in my thoughts. I couldn't get the thought out not even for a second. In the end I made my decision, but my parents caught wind of what I was planning.

They were against it, saying it was a waste of time. Telling me who would want to join in a club that has no future. A club that no one would have interests in, but I didn't agree with them. I chose to continue it and to prove them wrong. My mother slapped me and told me I was stupid and that my dream was a waste of time, but my father … he made me a deal. A deal that I can leave the Debate Club and start my club, but if I was to fail than I would be punished and force to return to the Debate Club.

I agreed to his terms and started making plans how to start the club. It wasn't easy as I was thrown into areas I was not familiar with. When I joined the Debate Club all I did was join something that someone else had to work for. The same as I was doing now. It was then I finally had the school's permission to start the Literature Club, but my biggest challenge was leaving the Debate Club. Despite the hardships I faced I still made friends there and to leave them all was the hardest thing I could ever do.

I gave my last announcement as the club's President and gave the title to the Vice President that being Todd since I know he'll lead them just fine. Despite us not in speaking terms. We had a small party and that was that. I was no longer a member of the Debate Club, I was now the newly establish Literature Club President. During the weekend I gave Sayori a call. I wanted to see how she was doing and to let her know that I left the Debate Club to start a new one.

I wished I got to see her face when I told her the news and that I wanted her to join me. Either way I was happy to know she agreed and that she knows two people who could be potential members of our little young club. After hearing the good news I decided to make her the Vice President as I know she'll be perfect for the job since I'm not all that good with dealing with people given my reputation as the Queen, as I said before when you arrived to the club.

Getting back in track Monday finally rolled around and there I was waiting for Sayori to show up as I prepare to introduce myself as the President of the Literature Club. It was quite difficult as I try to introduce the club and to get out of the habits that linger in my speech. Everything had to be perfect."

Monika: "Okay everyone. Let's start the Literature Club activities …" *Sigh* (I'm starting to miss the Debate Club. Wonder if I made the right decision in leaving after all?) She looks around the empty classroom. (Hmm, maybe I should try making a new flier? The old one seems … bland? Yeah I think I'll do that. If I make a new one then maybe I might catch the audiences' attention? The vison yeah that's a good way of saying it. I got to get them to see the vision of literature.)

*Sigh* (This is so hard. I wonder if the other clubs had this much trouble when they first started?) She lays her head on the desk. Almost falling asleep as the nights spent on Student Council work finally caught up to her. Almost falling asleep, but interrupted when she felt a disturbance in the force. "Ah!"

Sayori: "Heh, heh, silly Monika this isn't the napping club."

Monika: "Yeah you're right it's just … well never mind that, so how did the recruitment go?"

Sayori: "Well I found the girl who spends all her time in the library."

Monika: "Oh yeah I did heard about that girl. She's actually really smart, smarter than me."

Sayori: "But you're pretty smart on your own right?" Monika giggles.

Monika: "That's real sweet of you, but anyways go on."

Sayori: "Well she wasn't sure about it when I told her, so I just told her to check it out when she was ready."

Monika: "I see."

Sayori: "But don't worry. I'm sure she'll join us soon enough."

Monika: "I hope so."

Sayori: "Hey cheer up." She gives her a hug. "Once she comes by she'll want to join when she sees how much fun we're having."

Monika: "Well if you're that confident then I'll trust you."

Sayori: "You know it, so how about we rest up and try again tomorrow."

Monika: "Yeah rest does sound good. Oh that reminds me you only mentioned one. What about the other one you mentioned?"

Sayori: "Yeah about that … heh, heh, heh …" Monika folds her arms with a disappointed look on her face. "I … couldn't find her."

Monika: "I see, well nothing we can do about that. Still nice work none the less."

Sayori: "Did I do good?" She gives her the puppy dog eyes.

Monika: "Yes, yes you did good." She pets her as Sayori giggles.

"After a failed attempt to get new members, but on the right track. We decided to end that day's club meeting and try again tomorrow. When that day rolled around, I remember trying to think of a slogan for our fliers to catch peoples' attention. It was difficult but I didn't want to give up. My vision for the club was too strong for me to stop. Before Sayori could arrive to the club, I decided to try one more time making a new flier, coming up with new ideas, but none of them felt right. Soon enough Sayori finally came by and we brainstorm."

Sayori: "Ok so I just thought of something for the flier."

Monika: "Do you know what we should write?"

Sayori: "Uh …"

Monika: "I see. You don't know either."

Sayori: "No, but I do have an idea about the fliers themselves."

Monika: "And that would be?"

Sayori: "Well instead of plastering them all over school, how about we hand them to our classmates ourselves?"

Monika: "Hmm?" Placing her hand on her chin to think about Sayori's idea. "You know that's a good idea."

Sayori: "Yay I'm useful."

Monika: "Never said you weren't, but right now we need to come up with a phrase before we can hand them over."

Sayori: "Oh right."

"With our idea to hand out the fliers the next part was to find a catchphrase we can use to entice the people to want to join. We both spent hours coming up with something to say for it. From being Express your true self, Be intimate with us, Write your own tale, Be who you want to be, Make new friends, write your heart out, and so on, but nothing stuck. Soon enough after throwing another piece of paper down the trash can. Sayori finally spoke up about something that's been haunting me for years until now."

Sayori: "Hey Monika can I ask you something?"

Monika: "Of course you can."

Sayori: "I don't want to sound rude or anything and I don't want you to hate me, but by any chance are you a perfectionist?"

"She saw through my mask."

Monika: "Oh do I come that way to you?"

Sayori: "Sorta, it's just …"

Monika: "You don't have to be so hesitant, just tell me what's on your mind."

Sayori: "You've been working really hard not only here, but out there as well. I've seen it and … what do you want for this club?"

"It was then I realized, why? Why am I doing all this? I love literature that was true, but to start a club, to leave behind the Debate Club. What was I doing, what is my vison on starting the club? Was everything I did just a rebellion, to rebel against my parents or was there more? I didn't know the answer, not even today, so I ended up in silence, but even still, Sayori was there to help me find that vision. However despite her cheery face I saw something behind it."

Sayori: "Don't worry about it. No matter what as Vice Presidents I'll support you to the best of my ability. You can count on me."

Monika: "Thanks, I'm really glad to have you as a friend."

Sayori: "Me too and I know you can make the Literature Club the best club there is. After all you're so smart and beautiful. I know you can achieve anything. You're far better than me in every way." She whispers that last part.

Monika: "What was that last part?"

Sayori: "Oh nothing." She sticks her tongue out

Monika: "Well alright."

"At the time I didn't understand what she said, but in reality I knew what I heard was no lie. I always knew since that day, she has been suffering depression, but I did nothing. Instead I over looked it and never looked back only to haunt me later on. After our small talk the door suddenly opened and out came our next member. So shy, so timid, and yet so beautiful, and so smart."

Yuri: "E-excuse me? Am I i-intruding?" Both Monika and Sayori doesn't say a word. "… D-did I get the wrong room?"

Sayori: "Oh hey it's you."

Yuri: "Y-yes hello again."

Monika: "Oh are you one of the girls that Sayori asked to stop by?"

Yuri: "I am. I-is this the Literature C-Club?"

Monika: "It is. Please come in and take a seat."

Yuri: "Th-thank you." She takes a seat nearby.

Monika: "My name's Monika and you already met Sayori. Welcome to the Literature Club. What's your name?"

Yuri: "M-my name i-i-i-is Yuri."

Monika: "Yuri?" (Wait could it be?) "Excuse me but are you by chance the same Yuri who has the top score of our school?"

Yuri: "Y-yes, that's me." She avoids eye contact.

Monika: "Well it's nice to meet the smartest girl of our school then."

Yuri: "O-oh I'm not that s-smart."

Monika: "Ha, you don't have to be that modest. It's just really impressive to finally meet you that's all."

Yuri: "I-I see, well I hope th-that I'm good enough to join. I-if that's okay with you?"

Monika: "Now, now, we don't judge here. You're more than welcome to join if you want to. We're glad to have you on board. That makes our club total three now. Two more to go to be official."

Sayori: "Yeah!"

Yuri: "I-I'm glad to be useful."

Monika: "So tell us about yourself. We love to know more about you."

Yuri: "O-okay, if that's what you want then …"

"So shy and cute. She had elegance from what I heard, but seeing her she can be quite adorable. We spent the next couple hours talking. Obviously us asking her questions and waiting for her responses, but we enjoyed our time together. She told us her hobby's, her favorite foods, drinks, movies, stories, and so on that you can think of. Unfortunately we didn't get all the answers we wanted as she was still too shy to tell us more about herself, but what she did tell us was more than enough to enjoy her company.

I'll admit that I was intimidated by her intensity when it comes to literature and the fact that I learned that she has a habit of talking a lot when she's happy or in deep thought when she reads. Still I welcomed her with open arms. Soon enough the day was almost over and we decided to end today's club meeting. Before we left I promised Yuri that I would tell her more about the club as she promised to bring her novels. A fair trade I suppose. When I got home I started thinking about her.

When Sayori told me about Yuri I thought she didn't want to join, but when we talked she told the truth about how shy she was and how intimidating Sayori can get with her happy personality or the fact that she has another habit of thinking too deeply in what others thought about her or what she could say by accident. Either way I was looking forward to the next day and that day finally came. During club hours I was the second to show up as Yuri was the first to arrive."

"Oh you're here early?"

Yuri: "Y-yes, my class was close by um …"

Monika: "Well that's good to hear. Anyways it's just going to be us today."

Yuri: "Really?"

Monika: "Yeah, Sayori decided to use the time to find two more members to join, so until then I hope you're ready to spend the day with just me."

Yuri: "I-I'm fine with that."

Monika: "Good to hear that, so let's get started." The two enter the club room. Both taking their seats, but both not knowing what to say to each other. (What should I say? We talked enough yesterday so now what? Maybe I should've gone and recruit myself and have Sayori do the talking?)

Yuri: "…"

Monika: "…" (Ah that's right.) "Hey Yuri …"

"Being alone with her without Sayori around made me nervous and made me completely forget the promise I made to Yuri. I promised her that I would tell her more about the club and when I finally remembered. You can guess what happened next as now I have officially ran out of things to talk about, so we stood in silence again. That is until she spoke up."

Yuri: "You must work really hard to make this club happen?"

Monika: "Hm?"

Yuri: "Oh s-sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that."

Monika: "No, no it's fine. You have the right idea. I have been working hard."

Yuri: "Indeed, you truly are remarkable as The Queen."

Monika: "Of course you heard that." She whispers to herself.

Yuri: "I did not catch that?"

Monika: "Nothing, it's just … you shouldn't sell yourself short. You got a lot of good quality about yourself. You're really smart."

Yuri: "I-it's nothing really. The tests we were given were just things I studied for. E-even then I have my limits of what I can do. F-for example I-I may be smart when it comes to mathematics, but I'm horrible when it comes to interacting with others. To me someone like you is far more amazing than I am."

Monika: "… Maybe so, but even I have flaws." She whispers again.

Yuri: "M-Monika?"

Monika: "Oh sorry about that. I was just thinking about how long Sayori is taking."

Yuri: "I see."

"She thought I was more amazing than her? What a joke I told myself. I may be the Queen, but I was nothing but a fool. Yuri had me wrong, her along with Sayori are far more amazing than I could ever hope to be. That was how I felt and I was jealous of them deep down."

Sayori: "Sorry for the wait you two."

Monika: "Ah you came back. How did everything go?"

Sayori: "Well I told as much as I can, but no one seemed interested even when I made things sound interesting."

Monika "I see. That's a shame, but nothing we can do."

Yuri: "That is quite disappointing though. We need five members to make the Literature Club official."

Monika: "I know what you mean. We have three so far. We just need two more."

Sayori: "Oh one more thing! I did manage to find the other person that could be a potential member."

Monika: "You did? That's awesome."

Sayori: "Yeah about that …" Both Monika and Yuri wait in anticipation.

"When she said that. I was hurt, because I knew what she was going to say. I knew that this girl Sayori was talking about had no interest in literature. I hoped that was not the case and that maybe this mystery girl was shy like Yuri. Even now, when you think about it. The two are just like each other in their own way. In the end. Just as she was about to tell us the bad news, that was when she suddenly arrived. So short, so tough, so honest to some extent, so cute. That was when she made her debut."

Natsuki: "Hey is this the Literature Club?"

"There she was. Our fourth member. When she first came she wasn't all that honest about herself. The fact that she secretly wanted to be a member, but didn't want to show it. The fact that she knows Yuri, but only gave a half excuse. Now knowing the truth about their history, but at the time I paid no mind to it and just let her join. With that we now had four, but things didn't go exactly the way I wanted it. After telling Natsuki how the club operates, the last two days of the week was hectic. That was when me and Sayori found out how sensitive Yuri can be whether she said something wrong or when others said something wrong to her."

Monika: "Okay everyone. Now that our total is now four. I thought it would be fun to have a club activity that we can do together."

Natsuki: "What do you have in mind?"

Monika: "I'm so glad you asked. I was thinking that we should discuss our preferred literature tastes."

Natsuki: "Huh, what do you mean by that?"

Monika: "Well I just noticed you brought your Manga collection."

Natsuki: "Ah,, well Manga is literature don'tcha you know?"

Monika: "Well that may be a case, but I would like to know how each of you felt about each topic I'm going to bring up."

Yuri: "… Monika if I may say this, I do feel that might be a horrible idea."

Monika: "What makes you say that?"

Yuri: "I-it's just …" She quickly looks over to Natsuki.

Monika: "Come on it'll be fun and very informative for us all."

Sayori: "Yeah Monika's right, so why don't we give it a shot?"

Yuri: "… Very well."

Monika: "Great, so how about we start with Manga. What do you each of you think about Manga as a concept?"

Sayori: "I think it's cool. Especially the pretty pictures."

Natsuki: "I enjoy it because it's easy on the eys for me and can really grab your attention."

Monika: "Good, good we're off to a great start. Yuri, what about you? What are your thoughts about it?"

Yuri: "Uh … Well … Is it okay if I not answer?"

Monika: "No"

Yuri: "Oh dear …"

Sayori: "What's wrong?"

Yuri: "I-it's just … I don't want to cause any trouble or anything. I think it would be best if I keep to myself."

Natsuki: "Who cares, come on and tell us your opinion already."

Yuri: "But …"

Natsuki: "Stop being so scared and tell us what's on your mind already God!"

Monika: "Natsuki, I think you should …"

Natsuki: "Now speak up already!"

Yuri: "… V-very well." She clears her throat. "I-I'm not one to judge anyone for their preference, but personally I enjoy reading novels more than Manga. Yes I admit that the images the artist drew can be amazing, but I enjoy the more imaginative world that novels grant me and compelling stories."

Natsuki: "How nice of you to say that, but I have to disagree with you as Manga can in fact do the same thing as your books can. If you just read one then you can understand why I prefer it more than books as they too can tell a great story."

Yuri: "Well I won't deny that they do as I'm not ignorant to it as others might think. I used to read some when I was younger."

Monika: "Wait you did?"

Yuri: "Indeed, but now I'm at the point where I prefer novels more than Manga."

Natsuki: "What do you mean by that?"

Yuri: "What?"

Natsuki: "What are you saying, that Manga is just for kids is that it?"

Yuri: "N-no it's just …"

Natsuki: "I'll have you know that just because I enjoy Manga more than anyone does not make me immature. Got that."

Yuri: "B-but …"

Monika: "Natsuki didn't you just …"

Natsuki: "Stay out of this! This is between us. Yuri, let me tell you this. I find books just as boring as the next person."

Monika: "Natsuki" She says annoyingly.

Yuri: "I knew this was a bad idea. I told you this would cause trouble and cause someone to get upset."

Natsuki: "Hey I ain't upset! You're the one who's judging here."

Monika: "Now hold it this wasn't how it was supposed to go."

Yuri: "Natsuki, it's very rude to assume that someone would …"

Natsuki: "Stop looking down on me! Just because you think you're so much more mature or that you're better than the rest of us. You think you can get a way of saying these things! Fuck you!" The room became quiet.

Yuri: "…" She grabs her things and leaves the club room.

Sayori: "Yuri wait!"

Natsuki: "Tsk! Damnit. I did it again." She says quietly.

Sayori: "We should stop her before …"

Natsuki: "Don't even bother."

Sayori: "But …"

Natsuki: "She may not look it, but she can be pretty quick. Just let her go. I'm out."

Sayori: "You're out?"

Monika: "Hold it. You can't just leave like that and …"

Natsuki: "We'll see you tomorrow."

Monika: "Excuse me?"

Natsuki: "We'll see you two tomorrow. Later." She grabs her stuff and leaves.

"At the time I didn't know what she meant. I just assume that she was talking out of her ass, but the following day she kept her word. Both her and Yuri came by to the club as if nothing happened. I was confused and nervous that it would happen again, but those fears soon fade away when Natsuki gave a small bag."

Monika: "What's this?"

Natsuki: "You blind Queen. It's cookies. Hope you enjoy them. I already gave some to Yuri earlier and I'm about to give Sayori hers." She waves to her before heading to the back to give a similar bag to Sayori.

"It was then I realized that Natsuki may be honest with how she feels, but when it comes to accepting the fact that she can be wrong and take things too far. She's unable to say sorry, but she always puts in the effort to show it with her baking. That was when I learned that she's a baker and it made me curious on why she never joined the Baking Club. Either way I'm grateful she chose to be here despite us clashing. To be honest with you, I'm quiet jealous of her. Ever since then we spent the rest of the day together, but soon faced the reality that our club won't last much longer."

"Okay everyone. I have an announcement to make. Since we have a total of four club members we're one member short to be official due to the school rules requiring we have five, so if any of you have any suggestions. I would like to hear them. What ideas do you girls have to get us a new member."

Natsuki: "When's our last day if we don't find another member?"

Monika: "We have two weeks. If we don't have five then we're good as dead."

Natsuki: "Ga! Why five?"

Yuri: "I agree with you. Perhaps the rule should be four. That would make things easier."

Natsuki: "Tell me about it."

Monika: "Well we don't have much of a choice. Rules are rules and we got to follow them, so do any of you have an idea on how we can get another member or by chance know someone who can join?" The rest of girls think to themselves, but Yuri and Natsuki couldn't think of anything and instead shook their heads. "I see …"

Sayori: "…" She gives an expression of severe thinking. "I think I might know one person I can ask."

Monika: "You do?"

Sayori: "Yeah a childhood friend of mine, but …"

Monika: "Something wrong?"

Natsuki: "Did you two get into a fight or something?"

Yuri: "Natsuki, don't be rude." Natsuki shrugs in annoyance.

Monika: "Tell us what's on your mind?"

Sayori: "Well the thing is we haven't really talked in years. Every once in a while we wave to each other, but hanging out is a completely different story."

Monika: "I see. If I may ask what's this friend of yours like?"

Sayori: "Oh he's super helpful! Back then when I was sick he stayed by my side to make sure I got better even if he got sick."

Monika: "Aw how cute."

Sayori: "Teehee, we even shared a bed together when I was scared after seeing a scary movie by accident."

Natsuki: "Wait how? How did you see one by accident?"

Sayori: "Well you see I walked in on my parents when they were watching a movie and the jump scare occurred, so I thought of spending the night over at my friend's house to help cheer me up and I got even more scared when the light went off. In the end he let me share his bed and I used him a s teddy bear. My big o teddy bear."

Yuri: "Your friend sounds reliable."

Sayori: "Yup"

Monika: "Sayori"

Sayori: "Yes?"

Monika: "I know that I'm being selfish here, but can you by any chance bring him."

Sayori: "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell"

Natsuki: "Hmph, how do all of you feel about having cupcakes Monday?"

Monika: "What?"

Natsuki: "Would anyone like to have cupcakes Monday. I know how to bake them too and since you all like my cookies I thought that maybe you like some cupcakes?"

"When she said that. I knew what she had planned. She was planning to motivate Sayori to bring in that friend of hers over. When I caught wind of that, I played along and so did Yuri."

Monika: "Well that would sound nice. Sure cupcakes sound good."

Yuri: "Indeed, if I get permission from the teachers I can prepare us tea if any would like some?"

Natsuki: "Sounds good to me."

Monika: "That would be great to have."

Sayori: "Cupcakes? Tea? Cupcakes? Tea?" She repeats. "I love them both! Ah I got to tell him that we got the goods."

Monika: "So you'll invite your friend?"

Sayori: "Yes, I promise to bring my childhood friend to our club and to be our fifth member."

Monika: "Perfect, I can't wait to meet this friend of yours."

Yuri: "Same for me as well, you're friend sounds wonderful."

Natsuki: (Got em!)

Sayori: "Ok! Next Monday I'll try to find him and get him to join us. Then we can have lots of fun together as a club. You can count on me."

Monika: "Good, then I say that should be it for today's club meeting. If we succeed then we can be an official club."

Everyone Else: "Yes Mam!"

"At the time I didn't realized it at first, but looking back at it. It's quite funny now. That friend of hers. It slipped my mind as I was too excited to have a fifth member to realize her friend she talked so highly of was actually a boy when it was right there in front of my face. Then again I wasn't the only one. Both Yuri and Natsuki didn't realize it either and both thought her friend was a girl. How stupid we were, but that didn't matter anymore. In the end we were grateful to meet that childhood friend of hers.

However during our time together as we gather one by one. It was then I realized that each of us were hiding something from each other. What we thought about each other at first, we were only wearing a fake mask to hide the fact that we were all miserable. A fact that I was too scared of learning that I just ignored it all. Something that would haunt me for the rest of my life should things continue this way. I already knew that I was helpless and that I couldn't save any of my friends from themselves, not even myself. That's how weak I am and perhaps my parents were right about me? That is until …"

[Jealousy by Disciples]

Sayori: "Hey everyone I brought us a new member! My childhood friend."

*Flash Back Ends*

Monika: "Michael, I'm glad that you were the one who came that day. I know that our time together was difficult given the stuff we went through, with the stuff you went through, but I want you to know that everyone is in a better place thanks to you. Sayori a girl who always seemed so happy, but hiding away her own sorrow only to reveal it and to be far more happier than ever.

Natsuki a girl who has anger problems, who is honest with words, but not her emotions, finally opening up and is now more relax with who she is. Yuri, a shy girl who hides in the shadows, but is now open with how she feels, to be able to speak up for those she cares for. You truly are amazing Michael. You manage to do things that I couldn't.

Maybe it is you who should be President instead of me. A girl who doubts herself, who has to wear a mask to keep the illusion of what others want to see, who can't help her own friends, who only thinks of herself despite the aid of her friends who care. That's me, Monika. Just Monika." She looks away from him to not show him the tears building up in her emerald eyes. Suddenly she got off the bench.

"Still I had a great time in our date. I'm happy that you were thinking about me, but you're wasting your time worry about me. After all I'm the Queen of the school. I don't need to be comfort. I just …"

Michael: "For what it's worth. I think you're a great President, but more than that. You're a great person."

Monika: "!" Her eyes widening and he gets up. Back to back he spoke up.

Michael: "I only became who I am because of you. If it wasn't for you and your passion to start the Literature Club. Who knows what would've happen to me. All I ever known was violence, fighting to survive. I've been through so much before I met you all. I was caught up in some really messed up things before I joined. The pain the misery the loss of a friend. I've seen it all, but the trials we faced only made us stronger. Just like me, you always have a choice.

You owe it to yourself and I know whatever you choose will be the right one. Follow the path you believe in, not the path others had picked for you. I always believed I was my father, that I would follow in his path, but I'm not. I am Michael Connor, just Michael and I decide my own path and so should you as Monika. That's all I want to say." He walks away. "It's getting late, so we should head home now."

Monika: "… Sure." She follows behind. The two made their way home with him dropping her off first before heading home himself. The two said their goodbyes and nothing more with her just watching him walk away alone in the night. (I owe it to myself? What does he mean by that? Does he mean I should stop listening to what my parents want and take my own path? No I can't do that. If I do then …) She looks up at the dark sky.

Meanwhile as he heads home. Michael makes phone call. After a few beeps the person he called picked up.

Sayori: "Hello?"

Michael: "Hey it's me. Sorry for calling you so late."

Sayori: "It's ok. I was just getting ready to go to bed. Did you need something?"

Michael: "Yeah as a matter of fact I need your help."

Sayori: "Ok, so what do you need!?" She says excitingly.

Michael: "Do you by chance still have one of those old fliers you and Monika made for the club?"

[Song Ends]

End of Chapter 67