Author's Notes.
Took me this long to notice but apparently when I publish a chapter, the way I use to divide sections of the story automatically gets deleted, which I was not aware of, so sorry for any of the previous chapters where the transitions don't make sense. I had no idea this was a thing and I apologize. However this is my first story, and it's better to learn this way then not at all.
Monika awakes, she notices Sayori isn't laying next to her, she must've gotten up early again. Monika ceases the moment though, she finally has room to herself. Cuddling someone is great and all, but when that someone takes up more than half the space, you kinda appreciate your space. However this isn't the case for Yuri. Who wakes up to Natsuki awkwardly close to her. Should she move and possibly wake up the sleeping girl? Or lay there until she wakes up aswell? Yuri decides to stay, she can't possibly wake up the other girl. She feels trapped and no room to escape the hold of the tiny girl. Yuri takes a deep breathe.
"I'm gonna be here for a while..." She mumbles.
"Huh?"
Yuri jumps, she wasn't expecting Natsuki to be awake. "Oh! Sorry... I- I thought you were still asleep..."
"It's okay, I'm... Actually really comfortable..." Natsuki says. "You can leave though if you want... Im just gonna stay here a little longer."
Yuri doesn't say anything. Usually she would've got out as fast as she could, but her body refuses to move.
Suddenly the tent opens and Sayori's head appears. "I thought I heard voices! Hey guys! Want some smores?"
"No thanks." Yuri says.
"I'm good." Natsuki says aswell.
"More for me then!" Sayori vanishes.
Yuri suddenly finds the energy and exits the tent. "Uhm... See ya Natsuki." She doesn't wait for a response as she quickly leaves the tent.
"Hey Yuri." A warm voice says next to her.
Yuri jumps again. "H- Hi Monika..."
"Jeez, you're jumpy, need some coffee or something?" Monika chuckles.
"Erm... Sorry I... Get caught up in my own world from time to time..."
"We all do, don't worry." Monika pats Yuri on the back, and then glances over to Sayori. "At least one of us is fully awake!"
Sayori glances over and waves.
Monika smiles and waves back, as does Yuri.
Natsuki suddenly exits her tent and yawns. "Hi..." She grumbles.
"Grumpy again?" Monika asks.
Natsuki grumbles again, though this time, no actual words come out.
"Good morning sleepy head!" Sayori waves to Natsuki.
Natsuki mumbles something and sits down on a log.
"Aren't you freezing?" Monika asks. "Where's your coat?"
"Hey, I'm not a kid, I can handle myself!" Natsuki says.
"Okay, but don't freeze to death." Monika responds.
The four girls soon gather and start a fire.
"Hmmm... Ya know what?" Sayori asks.
"What is it?" Monika says.
"We need to leave a mark around this area! Tell people that team SYMN was here!" Sayori stands up proudly.
Natsuki gives a puzzled expression. "What, you mean? Like, carve our names into a rock or something?"
"No no no!" Sayori shakes her head rapidly. "Something meaningful or impactful like... Like... I don't know..." She shrinks down.
"I wouldn't know where to begin, Sayori." Monika says. "Not like we could just blow up a mountain and have it spell out 'SYMN' or something."
Yuri clears her throat. "Well, technically you already left something, Sayori." She gestures towards where Sayori buried the time capsule.
Sayori's eye twitches.
"What does she mean by that?" Monika looks at Sayori.
"N- nothing! She just meant I lost a shirt over there... Or something." Sayori lets out a fake cough.
Monika see's past the lie but chooses not to pressure her. "So... Leave a mark you say?"
"Ah forget it." Sayori says. "It was a dumb idea anyway..."
"I actually liked it." Natsuki says. "You probably should've thought of a plan first before sharing it though." She giggles.
Sayori pouts. "Hmph."
Monika stands up and stretches. "Come on guys!"
"Where are we going?" Sayori asks.
Monika points up at a mountain. "Up!" She chirps.
"Great, more walking..." Natsuki mumbles.
"Yep!" Monika squeaks. "We're headed for the top so prepare your legs."
"This is a good work out, I guess." Natsuki says.
"Whoa, are you seeing the good side of things for once?" Monika asks, sarcastically.
The girls start getting ready for the long hike, trying to dress as lightly as they can, while also trying to carry as much as they need.
Monika looks around the other girls and finds a spot to sit. She let's her mind wander again, many things go through her mind, many regrets, many great memories.
"Wake up princess Monika." Natsuki says, while tapping her on the forehead.
"Huh?" Monika's eyes must've been closed. "Sorry, I sorta spaced out. She stands up straight.
"Meh, Yuri does it all the time, ain't that weird." Natsuki hops away and Monika follows.
The four teens meet in a circle.
"Ready, ladies?" Monika asks.
"After you, Monika." Natsuki nods.
"You know the drill, follow me!" Monika marches along a path and the other teens follow.
"I don't want this day to end." Sayori says.
"All great things must come to an end." Yuri says.
"Well can this great thing be the thing that never ends?" Sayori asks.
"I... Don't think so...?" Yuri responds.
"This is the best thing I've had in these past years. I wish I could be with you guys forever!" Sayori explains.
"Me too." Monika says.
"Me three." Yuri says aswell.
The three girls look at Natsuki, who blushes.
"Okay so I might be enjoying myself here, so what?" She turns away to find a distraction.
"Awww, you do like us." Monika teases.
"Sh- shut up!"
"You guys are my best friends." Sayori gives a warm smile. "Oh, and don't tell MC I said that."
"MC?" Natsuki raises an eyebrow.
"Who's that?" Monika asks, intrigued.
"He's my childhood friend, he goes by MC now though, doesn't like his real name." Sayori explains.
"What's his real name?" Natsuki asks.
"I can't say!" Sayori zips her mouth.
"Uhm... Alright, what does 'MC' stand for?" Yuri asks.
"Mega cutie." Sayori blushes and smiles.
"Why didn't you invite him with us? It would've been nice to know your friend." Monika says.
"I doubt it. He won't even join the club!" Sayori's smile suddenly fades. "Even tricking Natsuki into making cupcakes didn't work!"
"H- hey! I'm right here!" Natsuki says.
"Sorry..." Sayori says.
"Hmph!"
"Is he cute?" Monika asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep!" Sayori chirps.
"Handsome?"
"Very."
"Available?"
"Ye- Monika!" Sayori screeches.
Monika giggles. "Worth a shot."
"And the shot missed." Yuri says, chuckling to herself.
The girls continue walking together, the easy part is almost over, and they're soon about to reach the mountain.