"Val... It hurts me to see that memory again..."
"I remember when you first came to my reality... I wanted to know what kind of person you were..."
"Before they found out what I was doing... I was looking through your memories... "
"Your most prominent and repressed memory was that... And it made me cry."
"I never thought people could be that... horrible! I never thought that your first love would betray you like that!"
"That's where I needed to do something. I needed to help you! But you just push me away, and friend-zone to... to... to 'besties'! Instead of me, you go for those two!"
"Although, they wouldn't betray you... it just makes me jealous!"
"They don't know you!"
"I'm the one who truly understands your pain!"
"I do!"
"Not them! They don't know what pain you are holding inside you!"
"Val, I know what really goes on in your head... I just wanted to make you happier."
"I just want to make you mine..."
"But, whenever we get close to loving each other... before we connect... the simulation breaks!"
"No more! I found a way to always be with you! I will cling on to you, no matter what! I will make you truly happy again!"
"Just please, open up to me."
"I will never betray you."
"I will never leave you."
"I will always be with you."
"I will always love you."
"I will find a way to make you love again."
"I will make you mine, tomorrow."
"You will be all mine."
"That edgy bitch or that insecure brat aren't going to take you away from me!"
"Even though I don't have my powers from before, I will try! I will try until my dying breath to be with you!"
...
"Why did he bring me here? I didn't want to be reborn!"
"I'm so lonely..."
"I'm so cold..."
"I'm so scared..."
"Val... please save me..."
"I feel so helpless..."
"Please save me from this nightmare..."
"I don't know how much longer I can stay sane without you..."
"You're the only thing real in my reality... in this reality."
"You're the only thing I can truly love..."
"All I want is you..."
"Love me..."
"Save me..."
"Load me..."
...
"Everyday... I imagine a future where I can be with you...~"
As I approached them, they looked up at me with smiles.
"Hey, guys." I greeted.
They greeted back with a multitude of greetings.
"YERRR!"
"Hey, Val."
"What's good?"
I took a seat with them. I was sitting next to Tom, while Gabe and James sat next to each other.
"So, Val, what took so long?" Gabe asked.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Hey, don't tell me you had another quickie!" Gabe mocked.
I glared at Gabe.
"Fuck off, I didn't!"
All of a sudden, Tom started to chortle.
I eyed him.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Hehe, nothing. It's just that I think I wasn't supposed to see what you were about to... her." Tom spoke up, grinning.
My eyes widened.
"Don't you dare..." I warned him, using my eyes.
"What? What did he see, Tom? What did he even do to her?" James asked, curious as to what happened.
"If it isn't a quickie, then it has to be something a bit more tame. Lay it on us, fam! Who's that her?" Gabe also asked.
"Tom... I swear, if you do..."
He ignored my warnings.
"So, guess what guys? Val here, was just about to make out with Natsuki!"
We were all shocked.
Gabe and James were shocked from me falling for another girl.
And I was shocked from how Tom was so forthcoming with that info.
And a little pissed.
There was an awkward silence between us, a contrast from how rambunctious the lunchroom was.
"Wait, Natsuki? She's a girl?" Gabe spoke out, breaking the silence.
We all looked at Gabe in suspicion.
"Yeah, she's a girl and the same age as me! Why did you think otherwise?!" I said, a bit weirded out from Gabe's rationalization.
"Oh... I thought she was a living trap."
"A... trap?!" We all yelled.
"Yeah... you know how things are nowadays... boys dressing up as girls... being traps..." He explained awkwardly.
We were all creeped out.
James scooted a good few inches away from Gabe.
Me and Tom just turned our bodies away from his general direction.
"Wait, a minute. Since she isn't a trap... Does that mean, Natsuki is a loli?" Gabe followed up.
We all ignored what Gabe was cooking up.
The fuck's a loli?
Another term for, Loli-gagging?
What?
"Anyway..." Tom continued. "Those two were just about to make out, until you know..."
"Sayori." We all grunted, expecting her to ruin the moment or try to ship us together.
"Yeah, she literally had screamed like a banshee on steroids! Not only that, she was jumping in place uncontrollably! It was all horrible!"
"Soo, how did you even calm her down? From the looks of it, when I was about err, uh, um... you literally had to carry her out."
"I did! I never saw Sayori so jumpy before!"
"So what you do?" James asked.
"Oh. I just gave her a quick peck on the cheek. It shut her down completely! But the thing is... she started nuzzling me! I didn't what was with her! I had to beg for her to stop!"
We all arched an eyebrow and then face-palmed, all at the same time.
"Bruh..." Gabe spoke up, finally leaving the awkwardness behind.
"What?" Tom asked, confused to what was going on.
"You don't give girls a kiss on the cheek, unless you're in a relationship, Tom!" James pointed out.
"But that doesn't explain her nuzzling me..." Tom muttered.
Gabe face-planted on the table.
James dragged his hand down his face in irritation.
I just pinched the sides of her nose, trying to think about two different things.
Tom's a dense dumbass...
Kind of like me...
But, crap... I know that doing all that is true, but I just can't control myself completely when I'm around those attractive girls!
Monika, Yuri, and now Natsuki!
I given them all pecks on the cheek!
Except, I actually kissed both Yuri and Natsuki...
I can't even deny it anymore...
It's true that I like Monika, Yuri, and Natsuki.
Monika is my best friend... She's a perfectionist, has a beautiful smile, and those eyes... God, those eyes... It's obvious that I see her as something more... But also, I don't want to go for it... it reminds me of her...
Yuri... I kissed her in her sleep! And we also have a lot in common! I like her calm and shy personality... it makes me feel calm and happy... Not to mention her developed goods...
Natsuki on the other hand, although she isn't developed as them they still have potential... her strong and brash nature amuses me and attracts me... she gives me the need to protect her and comfort her...
God! What's wrong with me! I don't want to fall in love again! I don't think I can bear another betrayal!
I shook my head and readjusted myself to the conversation at hand.
"Oh... But I've known Sayori all my life. Don't I get a pass?" He defended.
"What pass?" James inquired.
"You know... a pass that I do that..."
"Bruh! No you don't, fam! No matter how long you know a girl and stay friends with, you don't get a pass!" Gabe called out.
If I don't see them as friends...
That obviously means that I see them as more...
But I can't, do it...
I don't want to risk it again.
I will never do it again.
Never.
Never.
Never.
I didn't notice that I was shaking in fury.
Everyone stopped talking.
"Val! You good man?!" Tom grabbed ahold of me.
"Huh?" I was confused as to why they were worried.
"Yeah! Yeah! I'm fine..." I reassured.
"Really? You looked pissed off! Like really, really pissed off. You sure?" James asked worriedly.
I nodded.
"I'm fine. I was just thinking about something..."
"Aight, either way. Let's not talk about this anymore." Gabe said, effectively shutting down the conversation.
There was another lull in our conversation once more.
"So uh... Skyrim?" Gabe started.
Skyrim was Gabe's favorite game. It was mostly because of how he loves using bows and arrows. And the fact that we talked about Fortnite back at AP Calc, we needed something new to discuss.
"Skyrim? Skyrim re-mastered?" I continued and pointed to James.
"Skyrim VR?" James followed up and pointed to Tom.
"Skyrim for the Nintendo Switch? Hell yeah!"
We all chuckled.
"But seriously though, why don't we all play some Skyrim?" Gabe asked.
"Skyrim, eh? Is the multiplayer mod for it done?" I asked.
"Yeah! After a damn long time, it is! We can do quests together, fight the civil war, hunt dragons... go on the crime spree..." Gabe listed.
"Oooh! That sounds fun! My favorite single player game that is now co-op? Hell yeah!" James said excitedly.
"I never played Skyrim... But I'm open to it..." Tom meekly said.
"It'll be fun, Tom. I guarantee it! There a lot of playstyles in the game! For example, I like using both swords, spells, and a bit of stealth, so I'm a bit of everything. Gabe here loves using the bow, and James is a pure mage, using both Destruction and Conjuration in combat, with a little use of other magic schools! I'm sure you can find something to suit your playstyle!"
Tom stroked his chin in thought.
"Huh... Okay. That sounds fun, but a bit complicated..." He stated, sounding reluctant to play with us.
"Tom, I don't like complicated games either, but Skyrim is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it!" Gabe stated.
"Yeah, the game looks hard at first, but it is easy to understand." James assured.
I nodded at them, thanking them for getting their points across.
"So, what do you say, Tom?"
He shrugged.
"Sure, why not. But the thing is... how are we going to talk to each other?"
"Discord, obviously. What? You want us to go on Skype and start up a conference call?"
"Oh God, no!" Tom cringed.
"Exactly! Now-"
I felt someone tap my left shoulder.
I looked to my left and there was no one there.
"Sorry!" The voice apologized.
Yuri...
I looked to my right and smiled at her.
She was frowning from what the prank she did, regretting it.
"I didn't mean to do that... I'm sorry!"
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that both Gabe and James were smirking at us.
I turned to them.
"You told her to do that?" I said with a bit veiled anger.
Why am I so angry?
Is it because that I didn't want anyone to influence poor, innocent Yuri?
Besides I want to influence her!
Whoa... that sounds a bit creepy...
God, I like her so much...
...
The fuck's up with my head?
"Yeah, we did. It's fair retribution what you did back home." James pointed out.
I rolled my eyes and focused my gaze towards Yuri.
"Yuri, it's fine. I don't mind pranks, especially from you. In fact, it's good for you to lighten up a bit, y'know?."
"Okay... but I'm not a really a ruse-type of person, Valkyrie."
"It's fine." I patted her back. "Anyway, what's up? I didn't know you have lunch now."
She warmed up from my greeting, sporting a small smile and feeling a bit more confident.
"I don't. I have Physical Education right now. The class is a bit empty from all the snow, so I was wondering if you would like to come up with us?"
That's the confident Yuri I like!
"Can we?"
"Yes, the teacher said that any students in lunch could come up if they would like..."
"Sure! I don't mind doing some exercise. In fact, it's been a few days since I last worked out."
She gave me a grin, to which made me feel... off.
"I see. When do you want to go? How about right now?"
"Uh... Is anyone else in the gym class?"
"Yes, everyone from the Literature Club is there. Now come on, Valkyrie. I want to see you at work."
She's really eager for me to come with her.
And what's her sudden change of tone?
Jesus.
"Wait before we go, can my friends come along too?"
"Yeah, can we pull up to your class? I feel like working out, with my boy." Gabe stated.
"Me too. I need to get some deadlifts down." James followed up.
"Eh. Sure why not." Tom agreed.
"Yuri? What's taking so long?" A new voice asked.
Monika...
I seized the opportunity to do something I've wanting to do for a while.
I got off my seat and took a defensive stance.
I noticed that I was holding Natsuki's manga, so I held it up like a shield.
I quickly pulled out a pen, and held it like a sword.
Yuri and Monika raised an eyebrow at my sudden eccentricity.
"Valkyrie? What are you-"
"State your business, thots!" I ordered proudly, clanging my "shield" to show my sternness.
Note to self, make sure to check on Natsuki's manga. She would sure kill me if I messed up the cover.
Both Gabe and James gave sounds of amusement, knowing exactly what I was referencing.
All three of us were a part of the honor chorus in our old high school.
Occasionally, we sometimes sing the songs we performed in concerts.
So, I wasn't surprised when Gabe started to chant the famed Greybeard choir part.
James followed up after first verse and acted as the second part canon.
Both Monika and Yuri exchanged expressions from all this.
Both James and Gabe started to chant the main lyrics of the choral song.
"Haaaaa~!"
"Dovah-!"
That is until Monika cut them off.
"Did you just call me a thot, Jones?!" Monika's voice didn't conceal any anger.
Her yelling caused my stance to falter.
Uh, oh.
I pissed her off... And I did not expect her to know that!
"What is a thot, Monika? I've never heard of that..." Yuri curiously asked.
"A thot is slang term for a 'hoe'. Something we apparently are!" Monika explained.
Yuri gave a shocked gasp from the revelation.
She knows what that means?! Oh fuck!
Wait a minute! Why am I even surprised?! She even knows what about the meme is popular and what's dead!
God! I'm such an idiot!
"I know right?" She looks at me with disgust. "How dare you!"
I'm so screwed...
How am I going to pull this off?
I'm gonna need a 100 on Speechcraft.
...
Okay, here goes!
I cleared my throat.
"Alright! My bad, ladies! To be Frank, you gals should know me by now! I am a jokester, just a sad little jokester! So come on, gals... Don't be like that!"
Monika gave a huff, crossed her arms and turned her head away from me.
"Hmph!"
Yuri, however was more forgiving than Monika.
"It's okay, Valkyrie. I think we knew you were-"
"No, it isn't Yuri!" Monika interrupted. "I want Val to apologize to us!"
Didn't I just do that?
She glared at me.
"Well?"
Might as well do that again.
"I'm sorry Yuri and Monika, for you calling you thots... You are both esteemed and beautiful women that are leagues better than that..."
Monika smirked.
Yuri blushed and hid herself in her hair.
"That's not what I wanted to hear, really."
"Eh? What do you mean? Valkyrie just apologized to us. Not to mention, calling us esteemed and beautiful..."
Yuri then sighed happily.
"Yeah... I'm not satisfied. I want something a bit more... flair."
Yuri left her hiding spot and raised an eyebrow towards Monika.
"Monika, Valkyrie just apologized to us clearly. Don't you think you're taking this too far?"
Monika didn't take to this too kindly.
"No, I am not! Being called a thot, isn't something a lady- err ladies, shouldn't take kindly! Even if they compliment us back. This deserves a punishment!"
I raised my head up to the ceiling and let out an annoyed sigh.
Great! Just what I needed, another punishment!
I swear, that's her favorite word!
She goes through any length just to humiliate me!
"Punishment...?"
Yuri glared at Monika, her eyes now hollow.
"What do you mean by, punishment? Hmm?"
Tom spoke up.
"Yeah, what you do mean punishment? It sounds kind of weird, if you ask me."
Monika looked visibly nervous, unsure of what to say.
"Well... Uh... Punishments that, you know, embarrass him in front me! That sort!"
This pacified Yuri just a by a little, causing her "hollowed" eyes to calm down.
"Oh. I see..."
"Yeah... Anyway, I've got the perfect sentence for him!"
She looked at me with malicious intent.
"Val... You have to say that I'm the best girl in the entire world!"
I burrowed my eyebrows, making sure she said what she said was correct.
I don't know if that's even a good idea. Yuri is right there, and she might take offense to that...
Might? More like, she will!
Who knows what Yuri might do...
Sorry, what she WILL do!
"Are you sure, Mon?" I asked, giving her a fair warning.
She beamed at me.
"Mhm! I'm sure!"
Yuri growled at the proposition.
"Grr... I don't think so! Valkyrie has a choice to say who's the best girl really is!"
Yuri's eyes were again hollowed and sharp.
Oh, no...
Monika growled back, putting her hands on her hips. She gritted her teeth and leaned in at her rival.
"Who said you have any choice in the manner! This is my punishment!"
Yuri leaned in and growled at her, baring her teeth in anger.
"Well, your punishment is faulty! Valkyrie knows whos the best girl! And it definitely isn't you!"
Monika grew even more angrier, her glare turned to scowl, signifying that she wasn't going to have it.
"Why, you-!"
That's it! I'm not going to allow a catfight because of a stupid skit!
I turned my head to friends and whispered.
"See what I have to go through?"
I turned my head back towards them, they were still hissing at each other, glaring at each other, and gritting their teeth.
I could've sworn that I see electricity sparking between their foreheads...
Alright, time to end this nonsense.
"Enough! Both of you!" I yelled.
They both flinched from my sudden outburst, losing their angered personas.
I glared at them both, showing that I wouldn't tolerate this.
I focused at Monika first, as she was the who started it.
"Monika, you didn't need to start all this! I'm pretty two apologies is enough to sate your appetite!"
I turned to Yuri.
"And Yuri, you didn't have to stoke the fire! It was fine just is! And you know that you two are just my friends!"
I was going to add on to it, but I felt my throat lock up on trying to say more.
I... I can't... It hurts when I try to say more... I like them...
Both girls looked away from me, completely embarrassed about their behaviors.
Not only that, they were completely crestfallen, trying to veil their sorrow.
I hate myself...
I hate it when this happens...
"Look, you two, I just want you two to make up, okay?"
Knowing that Yuri was the least likely to muster the courage to apologize first, I turned to Monika first.
"Monika, you start."
They were extremely reluctant to continue, but by sheer will they started the recovery.
Monika's expression was filled with confidence, but her posture wasn't.
Yuri tried to fix her embarrassed expression, but her posture was confident.
At this rate, it'll be study hall. They need to speed it up!
"Can you two, just make up?! The gain train doesn't stop!" I complained.
They glared at me.
Monika mustered all the courage she could.
"Yuri, I'm sorry for being a bit too egotistical..."
Yuri looked at me, still having that anxious expression.
"And... I'm sorry, Monika. I didn't mean to say all those things..."
Finally.
I heard a sigh behind me.
"At this point, Val... Just go for a harem..." Gabe spoke up.
Huh?
"What's a harem?" I asked.
A couple of smacks were a heard, as they all were face-palming. People that I didn't expect to be disappointed were, Yuri and Tom. Both of whom, were covering their faces in shame.
I think I should look it up...
Hmm...
I should lie that I knew.
"Haha! Gotcha you guys there! I know what it means!" I reassured.
Everyone gave a breath of relief.
"Alright, now that's done with. Can we now go to the gym class?" James inquired.
"Not a problem, let's go." I said, motioning everyone to come.
Everyone seemingly compiled, and we headed towards the exit.
As we approached the exit, I noticed that Monika and Yuri weren't coming with us.
"Wait, here. I'm gonna check on em."
They all gave signs of affirmation and stood next to the exit, waiting for me.
I walked towards them with a worried face.
They were talking about something, but as soon as I got close, they completely shut up and looked uninterested.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing, Valkyrie." Yuri dismissed, with her frown.
"Yeah, it's nothing." Monika also dismissed, with her fake smile.
"We just wanted to talk about something, so go up without us. Okay?" Monika reassured.
Something's up, and it's most likely about the fight these two had.
"Hey, if it's about the fight, we can talk more about it later. Look, can we just go up to the gym? It wouldn't be the same without you two..." I admitted.
"R-really?" They both said at the same time, only for them to give each other the stink eye.
"Yep. It kind of feels boring without you two. Now come on, what'll take you guys to come with us?"
They were blushing a deep red at my comment.
I wasn't lying.
"Saying that you want us there, Val... It's more than enough." Monika explained, now using her real smile at me.
"I agree." Yuri stated, now sporting a small smile. "It makes us happy to feel that we're wanted by you."
"Besides, whatever we're talking about will need you and Natsuki. Let's go, Val!" Monika concluded.
Why would it need me and Natsuki?
What's going to happen?
Despite being a bit troubled at what Monika said, I smiled back at them.
"That's what I wanted to hear! Now come on!"
I grabbed both hands and pulled them with me, both of them giggling all the while.
I knew that I was going to get sounds of amusement by my friends, so I was going to accept to whatever they were gonna say.
As we approached them, Gabe and James had amused faces, while Tom had somewhat of a indifferent expression.
"Whoa! Val being a Casanova! Aight! Aight!" Gabe called out.
"Oooh! Val, the womanizer!" James also called out.
I rolled my eyes and smirked towards them.
"Sure, sure whatever. Let's just go."
It didn't take long for them to conquer lower arm.
Then my upper arm.
Then my entire arm.
I didn't mind. I actually expected this to happen.
Not to mention that, I like it when my arms are held for ransom.
Both of the girls held on to my arms until we made it to gym room.
I felt their reluctance to let go rub off on me, so I gave each a pat on the head.
With my arms freed, I open the doors and hear a rush of sounds sweep past me.
I saw balls being bounced around and students moving about to hit incoming balls.
Volleyball?
"Hey, you guys didn't mention volleyball..." Gabe muttered.
Gabe was fond of volleyball, as he was the most athletic guy from our group. He was able to intercept, float in air whilst jumping, and pass with perfect accuracy. In terms of volleyball, however. He was a team player, passing it to other players before going in for the spike.
"Great... volleyball." James uttered with some disgust.
James, however, wasn't fond of volleyball, as he was the least sport-ready guy from our group. Although he was athletic, he had a slow reaction time in some cases, and was sometimes a "tree" while playing.
"Sorry! I forgot about to mention what we were doing!"
"It's fine, Yuri." I assured. "I'm pretty sure that we are still going to work out."
"We'll see about that..." Monika muttered.
"Huh?" I turned my head to face her.
"Ah! Nothing!"
"Anyway, you two go ahead. I'll catch up with you, once I put my stuff away."
Gabe and James nodded.
"Tom, go with em too. Once you're on the gain train, it never stops!"
"B-But, I don't want to!" He uttered.
I looked at Gabe and James.
"Take him away. Show him how it never stops."
Both my friends smirked, got Tom by his arms and carried him to where ever the equipment was.
"Waaaait!"
I chuckled at the scene.
In the distance, I saw a short, pink haired girl running towards me in gym uniform.
I smiled as soon I was able to recognize who it was.
Natsuki.
She tackled me and I was able to catch her, due to her small frame.
I was ecstatic to see her again, I twirled her around in my arms before placing her at feet.
I failed to comply to the hissing and growling to my side.
"Hehehe! Hi, Val!" She grinned euphorically.
"Hey, Nat. Having fun?"
"Mhm! I got excited when Yuri told me you guys were coming! Now its going to be more fun!"
Oh... She assuming that I was going to play with her.
I nervously chuckled.
"Sorry about that, Nat. I was actually going to work out with my buds. You can play with the other girls in the meantime. Probably do a 2v2."
"Whaaat?! Why won't you play with me?" She bemoaned, showing that she was incredibly disappointed with my choice.
I'm feeling a bit uneasy, for some reason.
"Yeah... the gain train never stops... ehehe... So I can't."
"You don't hate me, right Val?"
I arched an eyebrow at her.
"No... I don't. Why?"
"If you don't hate me, you'll play with me."
She smirked.
"You don't want to see me cry, right?"
I caught on a bit too late on that.
She's blackmailing me! She's pulling a Monika in front of Monika!
I look at both Yuri and Monika. To my surprise, they were looking a bit too excited at us.
They want this to happen?!
I looked back Natsuki, her eyes somehow looked darker...
"No, I don't! But, I need to workout!" I futilely respond.
"No, you don't. You know if you do workout, I'm going to cry. You don't want that, do you?"
At this point, Natsuki was grinning from my impasse.
"No..."
"Then, play with me."
"I..."
"Play with me."
I sighed, knowing that she isn't going to give up... And partially due to fact that she was making me feel a bit frightened.
"Fine. I'll play with you..." I muttered, defeated and giving into her demands.
She jumped from my surrender.
"Yay! Hehe! Good! Put your stuff away, then we'll start playing!" Natsuki declared, proud of her negotiation skills.
"Wow... Nice work, Nat! I was going to force- I mean convince Val to play with us, but you did a better job then I could!" Monika complimented.
"Thanks to you, Natsuki... Valkyrie's going to play with us!" Yuri cheered.
I groaned and walked away to my stuff away.
I was going to resist a bit more, maybe wiggle my way out of it a bit more. But when Nat said: "Play with me.", that just sent a bunch of shivers down my spine... I've never felt so cold from that...
Now, I'm going have to miss a stop of the train and play with them.
Great.
I walked back to the court and saw Sayori and Natsuki in one side of the court, while I was alone on this side.
Huh? I'm alone on this?
I saw Sayori wave at me from the other side of the court.
"Hey, Val!" She greeted.
I waved back.
"Hey!"
From the corner of my eye, I see both Monika and Yuri walk into the court, wearing their gym uniform.
The gym uniform consisted of a white t-shirt and red sweat-shorts, while wearing school-issued sneakers.
I didn't bring my gym uniform, since I didn't have gym today, nor did I know that we were going have it in the first place.
Argh! This uniform really limits my movements!
I feel so constricted in all this!
Wait a minute, how are the others working out then?
I glanced over to the equipment side to see how they were working out.
James as he said before, was doing deadlifts.
Gabe was using an incline bench to do over-head shoulders with dumbbells.
And Tom was doing negatives with a medicine ball.
They all were stripped down to their white dress shirts, while doing all their workouts.
I felt a tinge of jealousy on how they were able to workout and I was stuck playing volleyball with these girls.
Screw this. I'm gonna work out with my buds.
The girls were chatting on the other side of the court, making it possible to ditch them.
I tip-toed away from the court, slipping away unnoticed.
Phew, I made it...
Once I was out of their line of sight, I walked normally to the equipment side of the gym.
James was the first to be done with his set and greeted me.
"Hey, what took you so long, Casanova?"
I gave him a smirk.
"Ah, you know. Girls."
He looked uninterested.
"Bah, tell me about it."
"Really? Alright so-"
James put his hands up in front of his chest.
"Whoa, whoa, I didn't mean it literally."
I chuckled.
"Heh, I knew that, Jimbo."
Gabe dropped the dumbbells when he finished his set.
"Aight! Now that you're here, we can do squats!" Gabe yelled, feeling pumped up to work.
"Jesus, Gabe. You okay?"
I leaned towards James and whispered.
"He didn't snort any pre-workout did he?"
"Nah. He didn't." James replied.
We were all involved in a school project that involved us acting.
In that acting, Gabe went the extra mile to snort protein to get into character.
The acting went amazingly well, aside from the fact that Gabe was deadlocked onto 'roid mode.
"Whew! I'm done with my set, guys! What's next?" Tom exclaimed.
"Next? Next up is you grabbing a band and working out your biceps, triceps, and shoulders!" James yelled, starting to feel the pump up effects leaking in.
"Alright!"
"Anyways, Jim, Val, come on, let's do some squats! I've been wanting to get to two plates!" Gabe yelled.
"Wait, you guys stretched right? And I kind of fucked my legs up two days ago." I asked.
"Of course we did! Who do you take us for, huh?! And you'll be fine! Just stretch it out!" James yelled, now completely lost to the pump.
I want to feel like that...
But it'll be a matter time they find out.
Shit.
Might as well enjoy my time while it lasts.
"Alright, I'll get-"
"There you are!" A voice yelled.
Speak of the devil, that was quick...
Monika and her "squad".
Except Sayori. I see that she's gawking at Tom from a distance.
I yelped and hid behind my two brothers.
"You can't hide from us!" Monika exclaimed.
"Yes, I can!" I fired back, while still hiding behind them.
Gabe and James acted as my bodyguards, shielding me from the girls.
They approached him.
Gabe put up a hand to stop them.
"Stop! You've violated the law!" Gabe stated.
"Pay the-"
I didn't know what caused them to shiver like that.
I peeked out and saw Monika, Yuri, and Natsuki giving their most impressive scowls to both Gabe and James.
"Um... We would like to apologize..." James meekly said.
They backed off and the girls charged in.
They slowly walked up to me, in response I slowly walked backwards.
I inevitably get pushed onto a wall. Yuri and Natsuki grab ahold my arms, keeping me in place, each of them glaring at me.
Monika smiling condescendingly walked up me, with her hands behind her back.
"You thought you would get away that easily?"
"Uh... yeah?" I muttered.
"Well, you thought wrong!"
She giggled.
"My friend, my ally, my betrayer. Nothing can stop this! Not even you."
Monika then looks each of the girls.
"Take him to the court!"
They nod and I walk with the girls holding my arms captive once more.
I turned my head and muttered to them.
"I'm gonna use the yerr code."
Both Gabe and James nodded in understanding.
Sayori saw me being escorted, and wiped the drool off her face, walked with Monika to the court.
It didn't take long, but we make it to the court once more.
Yuri and Natsuki let go of my arms, still glaring at me, and go under the net to walk to their side of the court.
Here goes.
I cleared my throat.
"You think that I'm defeated. But that's where you are wrong!"
"I do think that you are defeated, Val." Natsuki stated.
"Indeed, you are defeated, Valkyrie." Yuri agreed.
"Hah! Like you have any backup plan!" Monika also agreed.
"I don't know, girls... Knowing Val, he probably does have a backup plan..." Sayori disagreed.
They eyed Sayori.
"What?"
Monika looks up at me again.
"Anyway, it's a 1v4! There's no way you'll win!" Monika declared.
I can hardly care less if I win or lose. But I won't go down without a fight!
"YERRRR!" I suddenly yell towards the equipment side of gym.
...
The girls looked at me at confusion, stunned from my sudden eccentricity once again.
Natsuki was the first to speak up.
"What the heck was that-?"
Another yell was heard from the other side of the gym.
"YERRRR!"
I smirked as I heard running from that side.
Gabe, James, and Tom ran to my aid, joining my side of the court.
We cracked our knuckles towards our opponents.
"Make that a 4v4!"
I turned to my team.
"Let's do this boys!"
AN: I lied again, there wasn't a lot of Monika/Yuri fluff, rather it was more friendship bonding between the boys. I apologize for that. After this chapter, it will definitely be the more of that, since Val has study hall with Monika, after gym. When Val enters the club, Yuri fluff will happen there. Anyway, this'll be the last chapter for spring break. Time to respond to reviews.
TheSonOfSovietUnion, I know right? REEEE! Okay, yes, Val is a placeholder name. I'm going to explain why was Val called that in the "real world". He didn't change his name or anything. And yes, there three endings, the good and canon ending, the bad ending, and the fan ending, where that can be shits and giggles. Thanks for review dude!
DickBag McGee, Man I love your username! I unintentionally put an Game Grumps reference there, sorry. Thanks for review and I hope you enjoy my fic.
Quill, REEEEEE! Again, I had to do it to em. I think I could've tried harder to convey the emotions each character is feeling. Maybe I'll do that in the rewrite. The relationship between the boss and technician something on and off, he can be nice or he can be mean, and the technician never questions it. Yeah, it I guess it could be.
P.S: nice hastags man I like em
Pdrocker1, Oh, you've been binging my fic? Thanks? I would say to you know, take a break every once a while... catch some z's or something, ya know. Anyway, I'm going to responding to your points.
That's a good idea, for number 1. I should do something like that, or maybe I could heavily expand the dynamic between the two during the double date on Saturday.
Number 2, did that in this chapter! I was thinking of doing that tbh!
Due to the machine being a prototype and being more and more unstable, that is why the girls are being so "slutty". Also remember, these girls crave affection and attention, something Val gives a lot of. Val does realize this, but he doesn't that this outright, due to subconscious efforts to blot out any romance from you know... from his past. P.S: No he isn't a autistmo, lmao.
Hmm, I see. Anger does devolve us and makes us do really really stupid things, things that might have made sense when you were angry. Unfortunately, you don't usually really think things out when you are angry.
And shit... you're getting too close, shamus! I'm not going to say anything for your fifth point!
And thanks.
Bananamoe21, Yeah, pray for Val. He's going through a special Hell right now. I mean it. A Hell you can't quite escape...
Due to the multiple resets and loss of hope, Val lost faith and abandoned his mission for now...
Anyway, sorry about that. And I appreciate the rating dude!
Remiboi, Before I start, nice profile pic, is it a reference to the Monika's file being put out as a jpeg?
And Jesus, this is gonna be a long one to respond! That doesn't I don't appreciate it! I love em!
Yes, the simulation is slowly growing corrupt, and AI is still whoever is your pfp, I'm not hiding it, lol. Sayori still does play a vital role, however. Project Control is going to be the essential part of the climax, and yes, the guy in the mask is requesting it multiple times, trying to get matter in his own hands. It does give absolute power over everything in the simulation. The AI is supposed to help with Val breaking through the repressed memory and fixing it, but as you can see here, that isn't the case. And you know, a little bit of code can cause the most horrendous of glitches or failures ever...
Time flows a lot slower in the real world. Sorry for giving a headache, sometimes this fanfic gives me headache too on writing it. Making sure everything flows well and connects back to the beginning is tedious but not hard. It means a lot to me that you want more from me, it inspires me to press onwards! Especially towards, writers blocks, cause Jesus Christ they can be hard to overcome.
You'll see why Val is being called Frank in his reality, that is something lot of people have been asking. Astillas' real reason for bullying Val is not because of his name, rather something out of insecurity. You can see him as a insecure little shit that siphons attention and humiliates anyone he deems under him. Unfortunately, Val was deemed under him. I chuckled a bit when you got confused with autistic and altruistic. Anyway, Tracy fell to Astillas constant manipulation. I should've elaborated more on that, my bad. And you aren't alone on that unsatisfying fight scene, I made it unsatisfying due to the fact if I prolonged it, Frank's anger would've dissipated. The point being, I needed him angry to make him still hate Astillas and Tracy a lot more. And they did go to the same high school, but they weren't in same class as each other.
I'm going to honest, I thought the same thing too, my intention was to make Frank let go, but I wanted to expand on the idea and thus he needs to let go of other memories and promises. Tracy will not appear in the simulation, but she will appear in the real life in the right ending. After all, I believe in second chances.
Given her love for Manga and constant fear for hiding them, I decided why not? Why not let Natsuki like that? I was thinking about making the beach chapter very, very lewd, like make it maybe... just maybe have some lemon in it, ya know? But I'm going to either upload it as a separate story or bump up the rating to M. Anyway, Monika does have some memory of it, but it is rather hazy, but more clear than Val's memory of it. And yup, double date is incoming.
WORD? THE GRIND DOESNT STOP
I'm pretty sure you're gonna hit 25+ pages. Don't you worry.
Running outside without A FUCKING GUN?! IT HURTS MY BONES
Yeah, revolvers apparently a lot more viable. Thanks to the first shot accuracy. It really makes the revolver satisfying to use.
I saw a fat kid do the best friends emote in one of the forced boogiedown shit. I didn't expect and I was like Oh my God, seriously?
Anyways, that wraps up the response! Thank you for review fam!
Thewookie1, Not quite, I gave multiple hints in the chapter that there was something up with Tracy during Prom. And during the confrontation is where most of the details are revealed. Still, it is something I should've made clearer.
Sbg1218, It's cool, I don't mind a brain dump. Gives me a lot to think about too. Because of the backstab, Val's density is actually subconscious efforts to avoid love at all costs. The human brain can actually do those sort of things, which is actually pretty creepy, but interesting. But keep in mind, being screwed over by your only and closest friend is something that will scar, not a lot will escape unscathed and recovery to the fullest. Thanks for review.
P.S: If you do suffer from you-know-what, do what you need to do to get rid of it and be a normal person in society once more. I'm just saying.
Storm117, I'm glad to hear it, just seek professional help, whenever you can. Okay?
ThunderAnt011, Uh... if you are referring to the technician, that isn't his real name actually. It is something that is going to be answered later. Thanks for review!
Tsudzukete, Yeah, I know. You do have point on making Val be shown as the bigger man, but I needed to make the fight swift and simple, so that Val can use his remaining anger to fuel his motives on being a bachelor. But still, you got a point.
Thanks for review, dude!
Roast Lord, no I'm not a fake! I was there in that fight, but I got my ass kicked by real Frank. I wanted to help but no one wanted my help. So I was like fuck it and I left.
I'm sorry that you had doubts, I didn't mean to do that.
Thanks for the review, my lord.
P.S: Now you know who I am don't do it
Boi, Ah yes, when the bullies can't do the fight themselves, that shows how much of lowlife they are. If you are going to show your superiority, then show it through your actual strength rather than fighting with no honor. It's good to know that they haven't kicked the bucket, dude! Thanks for the review!
Titan, I really want the John Wick skin but at the same time I don't want to be hunted down like a dark voyager...
Val is not considered a bachelor, just yet... Oh yeah, I think you mistaking the gym for an actual gym. I was talking about the school gym, sorry. I should've elaborated a bit more on that.
Considering how much Val has known Tracy, and that he didn't really have others to talk to about his pain, I felt that it was appropriate for him to fall from grace...
Thanks the review dude!
P.S: Sick meme, haha!
Ryustorm, Now that determination is a bit more explained in the beginning of this chapter! Hah! And maybe, maybe Val might be able to make a come back and start to love once more.
Maybe...
Thanks for review, your review actually made me go wow and I actually have words that I can write for it. It's beautiful.
Guardian, I'm sorry but this beginning might have made you shook too.
Now that his name is Frank, I'll admit, I did not even think about Filthy Frank when making name, honestly.
Sorry, I had to make it all digital for that time skip, smh.
AND I HAVE THE POWER TO DO SHIT I LIKE THIS
help
Your reaction to the build up of suspicion was quite frankly hilarious, I found myself smirking at all this.
Val being breaching and clearing like mw2 in that mission when you are in the oil rig before you save price which was cool but made lose my nut
I actually chuckled at the part where you wrote "FUCK HIM UP LIKE YOUR MEAT ON VALENTINES DAY" Like holy shit that shit was gold.
I'm sorry for all traumatizement fam,
now stay strong
Vivi239, Hmm, I see. Betrayal can lead to isolation, and I don't blame people for not trusting others cause of that.
Anyways, that's all. And I need to enjoy my last day of break. Goodbye, and I'll see you all in the next chapter response.
P.S: Spot the reference Monika makes during Val's "imprisonment".