AN: Let me clear up any confusion on what happened in that dream scene. It is actually a dream, and a imagining if the destabilization never occurred. But the hicky that Val got? That is all up to you.

We ended up doing that demon cat-girl thingy-majiger visual novel. I scooted up my seat to get closer to the screen and see what the novel has in store.

Hey, at least it isn't a flash game. I played so much of those to the point that I outright hate them.

"Hey, Val. Do you want me to read the choices and dialogue, or do you want to do that?"

"I'm down for whatever, Mon. I guess you can do any female parts and I can do any male parts, considering if there is any."

I looked at main menu, it was flooded by those cat-girls. There was no hint of males anywhere.

Oh well.

We clicked on start and the game loaded up. Monika moved her seat up to me. She was dangerously close to invading my personal space, but her eyes were glued to the screen. She was completely unaware that she was really close to me.

Don't worry, Val. She's just a friend. Monika isn't the type of person to forcibly kiss in you public... or is she?!

That last thought, made me shiver in fear.

The visual novel is a simple point and click game. I actually found the two characters in the game pretty interesting. The main character was a male and he has little to no personality, besides being a sheltered man who plays video games and watches anime until he sleeps. He also has one friend.

Jesus, he doesn't seem to be the social type at all.

His only friend was a female cat-girl, whom she has known the main character when they were kids. She is outgoing and happy go-lucky, and also really cares about the main character's well being. Apparently, the main character has never joined any clubs or done any extracurricular activities, and his best friend was urging him to do something.

Why does this all seem familiar? I swear, I know this has happened before, somewhere. I just can't place my finger on it...

The game has progressed to the point where the friend gave us the first question and choice.

"Which Club are you most interested in joining?"

Music Club

Video Game Club

Cooking Club

Anime Club

"It's our first choice! Choose the Music Club!"

"Lemme think this out, it gave us choices right? Hmm... I don't like cooking that much, I only find it a skill handy for making ordinary food have a 'wow' factor. Anime? I have an open mind about it, but I don't think I can tolerate on an everyday basis... Music? I have years of experience playing the trumpet and clarinet, and sang in my school's honor choir, but that doesn't mean I would like to join a club based solely on that.

"Wait Val. You have musical experience?"

"Well, I kind of just said that. Yeah, why?"

"Hehe! You can help me with my song! You are going to help me with the lyrics!"

"You see, that's exactly why I quit doing music. Okay! So I going with The Video Game club!"

Monika grabbed a hold of my arm and hugged it, preventing me from making a choice.

"No!"

I turned my head to see Monika glaring at me and at the same time giving a pout.

I could feel my arm being enveloped by her breasts...

Argh. Not this shit again...

I let out a grunt.

"Why not? I like Video Games..."

"Because! It's the title of the novel, so it is obviously the wrong choice! And also, you are going to help me with my song! I didn't give a choice in the first place! Grrr... you are just so ignorant sometimes!"

"Okay, okay! I'll help you with your song. And also, why didn't you tell me about the title? I didn't know..."

"Well now you know!" Monika said with false ferocity.

I clicked on the choice, which was Music Club and the game progressed normally.

This was the cue for Monika to let go of my arm. I even wiggled my arm to give the signal, but she wouldn't budge. Wait... did my arm just wiggle her...!

Play it aloof, Val! Don't even mention it!

"Uh... Monika, can ya let go of my arm, please?"

"No!"

Why do I put up with this?

I turned my head to face her. From the looks of it, Monika was probably aware of what I did. Her face was somewhat red, but she gave the impression that she understood what I did was an accident. Not only that, she had an adorable scowl on her face.

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, why not?"

"Your arm is my property! Just me! Just Monika's!" She then rested her cheek on my arm and squeezed my arm.

Did you really have to go third-person to emphasize your point?

"Alright fine, have it your way..."

As soon as some dialogue finished right after I made my choice, the game abruptly gave two choices. The question had a garbled text which read:

ZG8geW91IHdhbnQgdG8gZGllPwo=

Each of the two choices read:

eWVzCg==

eWVzCg==

Okay... That's weird.

"Monika, is this a part of the game?"

"No... it isn't. And it looks as if the choices are same from the looks of it. That is strange..."

I clicked on the top choice. For some reason once, I've clicked that, the game started lagging terribly, to the point it was getting irritating to read the dialogue.

We both shrugged it off, thinking it was a broken script repeating itself or something.

The scene changed to a music club. Quarter notes, eighth notes, treble and bass clefs, all were decorated on the walls of club. When the MC's best friend came up to talk, there was loud static sound accompanied by pixel distortion of the sprite, all of which stopped within a second. Monika gave a surprised gasp on that and jumped in her seat. She squeezed my arm, in fear.

"Hey. You okay? I think it was just a harmless glitch or something..."

"Yeah... It just startled me, that's all. The weird thing is that, the website moderators are supposed to make novels like these, bug-free..."

"You might be right, but who knows? Maybe this one slipped right past them."

Another character appeared on screen, she too was a cat-girl, a purpled haired one. The same glitch happened again, I was unfazed by it, but I couldn't say the same for Monika. But the sprite the character seemed to be glitched. There was ominous smile right next to the sprite, and the character had a creepy stare that was set on both us. Her dialogue was polite and eloquent, but it didn't help the unsettling appearance of the character.

"Uh... Monika... You want to reload the page? This looks a bit... freaky.

"Y-yeah. Please do..."

I reloaded the page, and the game was still stuck at that screen. Each time I reloaded the page, the game subtly grew more distorted. The decorations on the walls were peeling off, the strange smile became a psychotic grin. The stare from the character became animated and the eyes were moving. It's as if it was examining us closely.

"This is getting retarded. I'm going to reload the page, and if it doesn't work, I'm closing it." I turned to face Monika. "Okay?"

She was clutching to my arm for dear life. "O-okay..."

I reloaded the page again. I scrolled down to the game, a white screen appeared in place of the visual novel.

"Huh. I think the novel broke, so I guess that-"

The game interrupted me. It came back, as if on cue, but it was stuck in the Music Club room but it was focused at a door.

"Okay... This is some creepypasta shit going on..."

The door suddenly opened and a cat-girl was crawling on all fours, with a broken neck dangling. The clothes of this... creature was covered in grime and blood. There was blood hemorrhaging from the eyes and mouth. It looked around frantically, as if it was desperate for something. The monster locked eyes with us and rushed towards us with a deafening, blood curdling scream.

I closed the browser immediately with a flick, before the monster got close in a centimeter's range.

Everyone in Study Hall was apparently unaware of the scene we just witnessed. The scream was audible enough, so that the other side of the room could hear it clearly.

I rested my forehead with my free hand. I couldn't believe what I just saw.

"My god. What the hell was that?!"

"I don't know! I think the novel was just sort of sick joke or something." Monika, still clutching onto my arm, was breathing heavily and shivering. It's as if she has outran something.

"Are you alright, Mon?"

"I-I'm fine..."

That answer didn't make me believe her. I gently pulled my arm out of her grasp, to which she whimpered. I quickly followed up by hugging her tightly, anything to comfort her. She in turn returned the hug with the same strength.

For some reason, I couldn't help but rest my head on top of hers. That desire got the best of me and I obliged.

I buried my nose into her amber colored hair, to which it smelled like pine trees. The aroma of her hair was intoxicating.

What's wrong with me...? Why do always do this to myself? Especially around, her?

She giggled in response. "Val? What are you doing?"

I couldn't get enough of the aroma...

It didn't take long until she decided to return the favor. She dug her nose into my chest and took a deep whiff.

God damn it.

"Haaah... It smells just like you... perfection. "

I brought this on myself. I just can't help it...

Play it aloof, you fucking idiot.

"Thanks, Monika. I appreciate the compliment."

Our exchange was interrupted by school bell. Study Hall was over.

"Tee hee! I'll see you at the club, Val!"

She gave me a kiss on the cheek and walks away with a vibrant smile and her hands behind her back. I smiled back as she left the room, we never broke eye contact.

Wow... What a woman... I thought while rubbing my cheek.

Wait. My eyes widen.

Am I... falling to Monika?

I shook my head in an effort to rid those thoughts.

That can wait. I have to get to the club.

I got my bag and left the room, grinning like an idiot. I couldn't help but feel euphoric.

It didn't take long before I got to the Literature Club. Everyone was waiting for Monika, which was strange, considering that she left before me.

I took a seat next to Tommy, who was dozing off. I slapped his back as act of a friendly gesture, masking the fact that I wanted to irritate him and wake him up.

"Hey! *slap!* Tommy! How's it going?!" I added a smile to further my act of obliviousness.

"Argh!" He gave an annoyed glare, which somewhat dissipated at the sight of my "obliviousness". He sighed. "Hey, Val." He brought up his fist and I brought mine to pump it.

"So, Tom. Did you do your poem?"

"Yeah. I had to rush mine, the school canceled the day-off!"

"I know right? I wanted a day just so I can chill out."

"Yeah, me too. Gosh, I need a break."

We both see Sayori, skipping towards us, filled with energy and sunshine.

"Hi you two!"

"Hey." I gave a two fingered salute.

"Yo, Sayori. It looks like you're in a good mood today." Tommy greeted back.

"Ehehe... I'm just used to that my best friend, is in my club!"

"Really? That's a small thing to be happy about... But I guess you like simple things with you, anyway."

"Speaking of which... can one of you guys come with me to buy a snack?"

"Nope." We both simultaneously say.

"Jinx!" I said, as I knocked on the wood of the table. I punched Tommy's arm, to which he gave an "Ow!"

"Wha-?" Sayori placed her hands on her hips.

"I know that Tommy is a big old meanie, but I didn't know you would be one too, Val! It isn't like you at all!"

I crossed my arms."Heheh, me and Tommy have our reasons as to why we said no." I nudged at Tommy to continue.

"Yeah. Why don't we take a look at your purse, Sayori?"

Her demanding posture diminished almost instantaneously. She started to tap her index fingers together, in an act of nervousness.

"Wha-what? Why that did you say that all of a sudden...?"

"Don't worry about it. We just want to take a look."

I gave a glare at Tommy.

"What?"

"That's my catchphrase! Grr! Why does everyone use it!"

"Hehe, my bad. I guess it's so easy to use, that's why."

"Whatever."

By this time, Sayori has already retrieved her purse.

"Come on now. Open it." Tommy encourages her.

She opens the latch and lets out all the content inside onto our desks.

*ping* *ping*

"Just as we thought."

"Yeah, we knew it. We can see right through you, like a piece of glass!" I continued.

"B-b-but that's not faaaair! How did you two even knoooow!"

"Well." I started. "It's simple really, you had enough money in the first place, you would've bought a snack before coming to club." I nudged at Tommy to continue.

"Yep! So, it's either that you aren't hungry and wanted an excuse to take a walk."

"Or!" I interjected. "You conveniently forgot that you spent all your money, so one of us would lend you some money. Better yet, get us both to give you money so you can buy double the snacks!"

"And therefore! It leaves us with only one option!" Tommy concluded.

"Dude, we are totally in sync!"

"I know!"

Sayori stomps in frustration. "Alriiight! I give up! I'm soooorry! I don't want to feel guiltttty!"

"Sayori, if you feel guilty, then you probably deserve to feel guilty." Tommy states.

I heard a giggle from a few desks away. I look up to see Yuri giggling at the scene. When we make eye contact she immediately cowers and hides her face into her book.

I jokingly smile. "Yuri, you haven't been eavesdropping now, were you?"

She peeks out from her book. "A-ah! No, no! I wasn't eavesdropping! I was just re-reading something in my book."

Sayori comes up to Yuri's side.

"Yuri! Yuri! Tell them to let me borrow some money! Pleasssse!"

"B-but u-uh..." Yuri looked visibly nervous, she sneaked glances on me, possibly to help her get out of the situation. I wasn't going to have none of that, I motioned her to breath in. She took a deep breath.

"Do not get me involved into this, Sayori." Yuri said, with frightening professionalism. "You should only buy what you can responsibly afford. Besides, after baiting both Thomas and Valkyrie, your suffering is fair enough retribution."

The room was silent. No one believed Yuri had it in her.

Wow. Now that's impressive.

I heard soft sniffling, it wasn't either Yuri or Tommy doing that. It was rather...

"Ah! Sayori! I'm so, so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry! I-I'll do anything! Please forgive me!"

"No silly! *sniff* I'm crying on how beautiful on how your little speech was!"

"Hooh?"

Me and Tommy gave a relieved sigh, with the latter giving a more intense sigh.

"I really, really like it when you speak your mind, Yuri! It honestly baffles me! Your voice and confidence has gotten my rapt awareness!"

...

"Sayori..." Tommy worriedly said.

"Hm?"

"Since when did you use baffle, rapt, or even awareness?"

"Oh. I dunno, Yuri just has this wave of knowledge that's makes me feel smarter. Anyway, even it doesn't happen much, it's a fun side of you. A side that I will welcome in open arms!"

"R-really? Thank you, Sayori..."

"Anytime! But you were right, though... It was a devilish act and now I have to accept the retribution."

"I never would have thought, something so sweet and innocent like you, would have the mindset do such a thing.

"Hehe!"

Tommy stands up and walks over to Sayori.

"Well, don't let her fool you, Yuri. Sayori always knows what she's doing." Tommy then proceeded to ruffle her hair, to which Sayori giggled. "After all, she told you guys that she was bringing me to the club before she even told me. Ah, Sayori you are so conniving... you can sometimes be a soft-hearted devil..."

"B-but! You wouldn't have come if Natsuki didn't make cupcakes... So you know, I had to trick her into making them."

"See, conniving."

"Well..." I joined, "You're right, she was so plotting to the point, that she was able to get me to join as well!"

"Ehehe... I-"

A quick but strong smack was heard. The object that hit Sayori, is a giant cookie wrapped in plastic.

"Woaaah! It's... it's a cookie! Yay! This has to be a miracle! Because I paid my restitution!"

Well, so much for that knowledge boost.

Someone was laughing behind us, we looked to see Natsuki laughing her head off.

"Ahahaha! That was hilarious! You know Sayori, I was gonna give the cookie to you, but I heard you talk about how 'you tricked me into making cupcakes'. So I had to give you a piece of my mind, and I gotta say, it was totally worth it! Haha!"

"Thank you, Natsuki! It's really nice of you!" Sayori then rips open the wrapper and takes a big bite.

"Mmm... it's so good..."

"Oh yeah! I made a cookie for you too, Valkyrie!" Natsuki hands me a cookie with a bunch of chunky chocolate chips, it looked significantly denser than Sayori's cookie.

From the looks of it, she made only two of these... Why couldn't she make some for Tommy, Yuri, or Monika? Why me?

"Oh. Thank you, Natsuki. I really appreciate it." I tear open the wrapper and bit into the hefty cookie.

"Yeah well..." She smirked evilly, with her signature fang poking out. "It's fair compensation for coming with me to do shopping tomorrow, right?"

All of sudden it got really hard to chew and process the sweet chocolate flavor of her cookie.

Wait what? I never agreed to anything like that...

I glance about the room in nervousness, Sayori looked ecstatic as to what I had to say and Yuri had a fiery glare set at Natsuki.

Why am I always backed into a corner?! It's as if these girls keeping hounding me to say whatever they want to hear me say!

I gulped down from the bite I took. My palms felt sweaty.

"I- um, I mean uuuh-."

"Hold it right there!" Yuri stood up with molten hot rage. "Valkyrie said, that he was coming to bookstore with me tomorrow!" She grabbed ahold of my arm and looked at me with those... "obsessive" eyes. "Isn't that right, Valkyrie?"

"What?! Since when did he say that?!" Natsuki yelled.

"He texted that, to be more precise. He wanted to go to the bookstore with me!"

What?! I never texted or said that either!

"Uh... If I may-" I tried to defuse the situation.

"Well, Val called me and said if I was free tomorrow! He didn't mention anything about your date to go to the bookstore!" Natsuki grabbed ahold of my other arm, which I was using to hold my cookie.

"Uuuu!" Yuri gritted her teeth and squeezed my arm.

What the hell is going on?! Date? Bookstore? Shopping? My arms?

"Tommy, help me!" I mouthed to him.

He nodded and walked up the pissed girls. "Guys! Guys! Settle down! I'm pretty sure Val has a very good explanation as to why he agreed to hang out with you two!" He looked at me. "Right?"

"Ye-yeah! I do... but, can you two let go of my arms? Please?"

"No!" Both girls roared.

"Alright fine! Jeez..."

This is going to be a doozy. How am I supposed to come up with an explanation to something I never agreed with? Damn it!

I took a deep breath.

I'm going to have to lie. Again.

"The truth is... I had a rough day, yesterday. I had to ready the house for my parents and younger brother. They are coming back from overseas and they expected the house to be pristine. So I was really busy, so I didn't really pay attention to when you guys wanted to hang out with me... I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."

Man. I also miss my family. Hell, if they were here with me, it would make things so much easier to cope.

The grips on my arms loosened immensely.

Natsuki sighed. "It's okay Val."

Yuri continued. "Yes it's fine. I understand it must've been difficult to clean the house, ready it for your family and agree to hang out with us..."

"But! As punishment you have to choose one of us to hang out at Friday!" Natsuki grinned.

"Good thinking, Natsuki. It should be a fair punishment, for failing to comply to our terms."

What...? Ah, you know what fuck this! Thursday is my free day! No one is going to take that away from me! Time to lie! Yet again!

"Yeah... about that. Give me some time to come up with a decision. I'll you at the end of the club meeting."

"Hmph!"

"Very well."

The two looked at each other with a fierce competitive streak.

"May the best girl win." Natsuki took out her hand.

"May the best woman win." Yuri smirked. She took her hand and shook it.

Sparks were about to fly off between two. Sayori stepped in to stop it.

"Hey, guys... Where's Monika, anyway?"

The tense atmosphere dissipated immediately. I seized the chance to eat the cookie.

"Hum... Good question." Yuri pondered. "Have you heard of anything Natsuki?"

"Nope. I haven't heard anything. What about you Tom?"

"Nada."

"I did see her..." I meekly said, after finishing the cookie. They all turned to me, with Natsuki and Yuri being dangerously close to me, to which I simply ignored. "She has Study Hall with me, the last I saw her was when she left the room."

"Valkyrie, you have Study Hall with Monika?"

"Yeah... why do you ask Yuri?"

"Ah-! I'm just asking because... it's a bit unusual to go the club immediately!"

Sayori sighed. "I hope she's okay..."

"Don't worry, Sayori!" Natsuki reassured her. "She probably just had something to do today. She's the most popular girl in the school anyway..."

"Oh! You're right Natsuki! She might have a-" Sayori looked at Tommy with smirk.

"Ahaha. I wouldn't be surprised. I'm quite glad that she has a one. Whoever he is, he's quite lucky." Yuri concluded.

Who's quite lucky?

The door swings open. It was reminiscent to the novel me and Monika read last period...

"I'm sorry! Super sorry!"

"Hey Monika! We were just talking about you." Tommy welcomed.

"I didn't mean to be late... I hope you guys weren't worried or anything!"

"Huh? That's soooo impressive Monika! You chose the club over your boyfriend after all!" Sayori chirped.

Boyfriend? Since when did Monika have a boyfriend? I have to see if that guy is a perfect... wait... That's good! Now she won't be a nuisance anymore! Yes!

I ignored the venomous trickle in my heart.

"Wha-what?! I don't have a boyfriend! What on Earth are you all talking about?!

I actually expected her to confirm that she had a boyfriend. Damn!

Despite my thoughts, it didn't go with the relief I felt...

"Don't worry about it, Mon. What's kept you?"

"Ah, you see Val. The festival is coming up. It's next Monday, so I had to talk to the teachers and make sure we're in the list!"

"Aight bet."

"Err, what?"

"It's a way of saying Okay..."

"Oh. Uh... Aight bet?"

I cringed when Monika said that. It just didn't feel right and it didn't fit her at all.

"Yeah... don't ever say that. Please."

Monika shrugged. "So, I didn't miss anything, did I?"

"Nah. You're fine."

"Oh, alright everyone! Let's get ready to share our poems!"

Everyone takes a seat and readies themselves for poem sharing.

I take an isolated seat and take out my headphones, something I felt I haven't done for sometime. I paired them and put on something calm. I decided to play HOME's Odyssey album, starting off with Intro, by HOME.

I hummed to the tone of the song and took out my phone, to read about anything really. All I was doing was waiting for time to exchange poems.