"So Yuri now knows I'm an idiot. Kinda blew it with her a bit. And now Monika has joined the conversation. But she can't sense human emotion because I think she's a robot.
"'Really? I wouldn't have expected that, Yuri,' Monika says, 'For someone as gentle as you…'
"'I guess you could say that,' Yuri replies, 'But if a story makes me think or takes me to another world, then I really can't put it down. Surreal horror is often very successful at changing the way you look at the world, if only for a brief moment.'
"Natsuki pops up. 'Ugh, I hate horror…'
"'Oh? Why's that?' Yuri asks.
"''Cause it's scary,' Natsuki eyes dart over to me for a split second. She says, 'Never mind.'
"'That's right, you usually like to write about cute things, don't you, Natsuki?' Monika asks.
"'W-What? What gives you that idea?'
"'You left a piece of scrap paper behind last club meeting. It looked like you were working on a poem called-'
"'Don't say it out loud! And give that back!'
"'Fine, fine-' Monika concedes, completely emotionless. 'Processing...fine.'
"Sayori finally joins the conversation. 'Ehehe, your cupcakes, your poems… Everything you do is just as cute as you are~'
"'SHUT THE FUCK UP!' Natsuki squeals.
"Sayori ignores Natsuki's outbursts. 'I'm going to sidle up behind you…' Sayori sidles up behind Natsuki and puts her hands on her shoulders. 'I'm going to put my hands on your shoulders…' Sayori continues narrating.
"'I'm not cute!' Natsuki once again protests.
"'Natsuki, you write your own poems?' I ask.
"'Cute shoulders…' Sayori mumbles.
"'Well I guess sometimes. Why do you care?'
"'I think that's impressive. Why don't you share them sometime?'
"'N-No!' Natsuki averts her eyes. 'You wouldn't… like them… when they're angry…'
"'Ah… not a very confident writer yet?'
"Natsuki looks offended. 'No, I was just starting to tell you my poem. Fuck you.'
"'I understand how Natsuki feels,' I hear Yuri but can't see her. 'I'm over here now.' Oh. She was just standing on the other side of Natsuki where Sayori was. 'Sharing that level of writing takes more than just confidence. The truest form of writing is writing to oneself. I wish I was Clifford the Big Red Dog. You must be willing to open up to your readers, exposing your vulnerabilities and showing even the deepest reaches of your heart. For example, on the inside you might be a giant dog with a big ol' dog heart. And maybe you're red. I don't know, that's just off the top of my head.'
"'Do you have experience writing too, Yuri?' Monika asks, 'Maybe if you share some of your work, you can set an example and help Natsuki feel comfortable enough to share hers.'
"A single bead of sweat runs down Yuri's face. 'Dot...dot dot.'
"I suddenly see what looks to be a tiny monster hiding behind Yuri's foot. He seems to be relishing the awkwardness of the moment. He's kind of cute.
"'I guess it's the same for Yuri…' I chime in.
"'Aww… I wanted to read everyone's poems…' Sayori sounds so defeated. We all sit in silence for a moment. It's wildly uncomfortable. But then Monika EXPLODES through the TV! 'Okay!' she says calmly as if nothing happened. 'I have an idea, everyone~'
"'...?' Nat and Yuri don't say. Natsuki and Yuri look quizzically at Monika.
"'Let's all go home and write a poem of our own! Then, next time we meet, we'll all share them with each other. That way, everyone is even!' This is fucking hot.
"'U-Um…' Natsuki doesn't seem too thrilled at the idea.
"Yuri says nothing. There it is! The little monster guy is back. He growls, but it's not intimidating.
"Sayori jumps up. 'Yeaaah! Let's do it!'
"Plus, now that we have a new member, I think it will help us all get a little more comfortable with each other, and strengthen the bond of the club,' Monika continues. 'Let me just crinkle my neck for a second.' Her head turns to an unnatural angle. 'Processing… Processing pain… Receiving pain… Ow… In order to distract you from thinking that I am a robot and not a hu-man, please write poetry. I will not Google poetry and bring in a printed out copy of someone else's work. Isn't that right, FriendArin?' Monika smiles warmly at me once again. Or at least an approximation of what smiling might look like. It's very uncanny valley.
"'Hold on… there's still one problem,' I say.
"'Eh? What's that?'
"'Where's the beeeers?' No one seemed to appreciate my humor. Now that we're back to the original topic of me joining the club, I bluntly come forth with what's been on my mind the entire time. 'Where's the blunt? I never said I would join this club!' There is a collective gasp from the girls. 'Sayori may have convinced me to stop by, but I never made any decision. I'm just here for the cupcakes and the hot, nasty tats.' Maybe I should work on my phrasing. I try again. 'I'm here for the cupcakes and the multi-colored hair!' Yeah that was good. 'I still have other clubs to look at, and… um…' I lose my train of thought. All four girls stare back at me with dejected eyes. Aw, that is super sad actually. One by one, they sink into the slowly expanding quicksand.
"'B-But…' Monika sinks.
"'I'm sorry, I thought…' Then Yuri.
"'WE'RE ALL SINKING!' Natsuki seems to be the only one aware of the present danger. 'HEEEEELP!'
"'Y-You all…' I… I'm defenseless against these girls. How am I supposed to make a clear headed decision when it's like this? I HATE GIRLS! That is, if writing poems is the price I need to pay in order to spend every day with these beautiful girls… '...Right. Okay, I've decided, then. I'll join the Literature Club. Now rise!' At that, all four girls rise from the quicksand, which disappears as quickly as it appeared. One by one, the girl's eyes light up. First Monika's left eye, then her right eye.
"'Lighting right eye… Wait… Only a figure of expression.'
"Sayori wraps her arms around me, jumping up and down.
"'H-Hey-' I say, although I can't say I wasn't enjoying it.
"'You really did scare me for a moment…' Yuri breathes a sigh of relief.
"'If you really just came for the cupcakes, I would be super pissed,' Natsuki warns.
"Monika's position changes and her stationary ponytail flies right into Natsuki's face. 'Then that makes it official! Eat my hair. Eat…' Natsuki tries to speak, but her mouth is full of Monika's hair. Monika turns back to me. 'Welcome to the Literature Club!'
"'Ah… thanks, I guess.'
"'Okay, everyone! Vanish!' Suddenly at Monika's words, everyone else is gone! I hear a beam sound. Monika continues normally, 'I think with that, we can officially end today's meeting on a good note. Everyone remember tonight's assignment. Write a poem to bring to the next meeting, so we can all share!' Monika looks over at me once more. 'FriendArin, I look forward to seeing how you express yourself. Ehehehehehehehehehe, tilda.'
"'Y-Yeah…' That's all I can say. Can I really impress the class star Monika with my mediocre writing skills? I can already feel the anxiety welling up inside me. Meanwhile, the girls, suddenly back, continue to chit-chat as Yuri and Natsuki clean up their food.
"'Hey, FriendArin, since we're already here, do you want to walk home together?' Sayori pops up in front of me. That's right - Sayori and I never walk home together anymore because she always stayed after school for clubs. Stupid clubs, that no one would ever want to join.
"'Sure, might as well. What better shit do I have to do?'
"'Yaay~'
"'Hang out with your stupid ass…'
"'Yaay~'
"With that, the two of us depart the clubroom and make our way home. The whole way, my mind wanders back and forth between the four girls: Sayori, Natsuki, Yuri, and Robot! Will I really be happy spending every day after school in a Literature Club? Perhaps I'll have the chance to grow closer to one of these girls… Perhaps I'll have the choice to grow closer to one of these girls… I'll just need to make the most of my circumstances, and I'm sure good fortune will find me. And I guess that starts with writing a poem tonight…
"I sit at my desk and get out my favorite pen from my backpack. I'd hate to lose a pen like this one. Maybe if one of the girls like my poem, we can smash. Hmm… I just need to figure out who I'd like to smash the most. I'll go with Sayori because I already know her muff is hot. I put my pen to paper and get to writing.
Wonderful
Incongruent
Breathe
Color
Bouncy
Promise
Papa
Giggle
Whistle
Parfait
Nightgown
Embrace
Bliss
Climax
Puppy
Awesome
Unrequited
Party
Vertigo
Boop
"I admire my wonderful poem of twenty words. Looking back over the poem, I think maybe it would appeal to Natsuki more than Sayori. Oh well.
"Next day, I walk into the Literature Club after school. Monika greets me with a friendly mechanical expression. 'Hello again, FriendArin! Glad to see you didn't run away on us. Ha. Ha. Ha. This is Day Two.'
