I opened the door into the club room. Sayori flew past me and started introducing me to the people there.
" I brought the new member today!~" I felt everyone stare at me. I laughed nervously and stepped inside.
" H-hello! I'm Yoku Shisegi! Nice to meet everyone." I bowed my head, for it was a customary way of greeting.
" Ugh... You brought a boy? Geez, what a pain." As expected, Natsuki is acting like a tsundere.
" Calm down Natsuki, we don't want to chase off our new member, right?" Yuri glanced at me before looking back at her book.
I looked at Monika, who was standing near the windows. Her expression was that of surprise and her mouth was open ajar. Her green eyes were staring at me in shock. She managed to regain her composure and she tuck a lock of her brown hair behind her ear.
" N-nice to m-meet you again, Yoku." She smiled lightly before looking away.
" You... know each other?" Sayori asked me with this inquisitive tone.
" Y-yeah... We were classmates last year." I tried to sound convincing. Thankfully, they fell for it.
" Anyway, I'm going to talk with Yoku in private." Monika walked up to me and grammed one of my hands.
" Why?" Natsuki pressed Monika, who was clearly was uncomfortable answering that.
" I... need to make sure he REALLY wants to join this club!" Everyone nodded in unison. Monika pulled me out of the door and we went inside an empty classroom near us.
" What are you doing here?! You shouldn't be here! Why can't you just leave me alone!" Monika had this tone of both worry and fear. She looked at me with her emerald green eyes that is full of longing.
" Because... I... I want to save you!" I said loudly. I finally managed to get this weight off my chest. I always wanted to say these words to Monika. She gasped, and covered her mouth. A red streak appeared on her face. Tears started forming in the corners of her eyes.
" B-but... why? You know about everything I did, yet why do wish to save me?" Regret permeated from those words. I slowly walk up to her, and she backs away inch by inch.
" 35, 35 times I have lost you. I'm not willing to lose you again." I stared longingly at her emerald eyes. I hate seeing her beautiful face be covered with tears.
" I... I want to give you the happy ending you deserve." As those words left my mouth, Monika threw her arms around me and pulled me into a warm embrace.
" T-Thank you... I don't know what to say..." I felt her hug tighten.
" You don't need to say anything. Come on, they're probably waiting for us." I hesitated from pulling away from this embrace, but I had to. We were both dissapointed, yet I know we need to get back quickly.
After she wiped away her tears, we immediately went back to the club room. Sayori and Natsuki looked at us with this worried look.
" What took you so long?!" Natsuki pouted and folded her hands.
" Oh, I just had a few questions to ask Monika." I smiled nervously. Thankfully, Sayori unintentionally came to my rescue.
" Nevermind that Natsuki! Let's eat your cupcakes!" Natsuki sighed and gave me one last glare before pulling out a tray of cat themed cupcakes. Yuri also stood up to make tea for us.
" Here, get one... Just so you know, I d-didn't make it f-for you..." She handed me the tray. I took one and smiled at her. As I took a bite, a surge of flavor flowed through my body.
" This is really delicious Natsuki! You must have worked really hard on this. Thank you." Her face began to turn as pink as her hair.
" T-that's right! So you better enjoy the flavor!" She pouted and turned her head away from me.
" Tsundere." She looked back at me with this embarrassed face.
" I-I'm not a Tsu-... whatever." She stuck her tounge out at me. She then sat back on her chair.
As we sat down in the makeshift table, I decided to sit beside Sayori. I looked at Monika with an apologetic look. Thankfully, Monika mouthed me the words "I understand". As I sat down, Yuri served as the green tea she brewed. I took to sip and found out that it was delicious.
" Wow Yuri, you brew good tea." Yuri started to fluster and blush. Her hands became unsteady, causing a few drops to splatter when she served Natsuki.
" H-Hey! Watch it!" Natsuki exclaimed at Yuri.
" A-ah, I-I'm sorry..." Yuri bowed down and finished serving everyone tea before sitting down.
Monika then began to talk about the club's activities. She suggested that we make some poems. We all agree with her idea. Later, our conversations turned into discussions about literature. As we finished wrapping up the discussion, Monika stood up and clasped her hands together.
" Okay everyone! I think that wraps up today's meeting! Don't forget your poens tomorrow, mhhmmkay?" Natsuki and Yuri left firstAs they left the room, we could hear them arguing about manga.
" Hey, we're going to walk home together, right?" Sayori asked me with puppy eyes. I smiled and patted her head.
" Of course! I was looking forward to this!" Sayori smiled at me and hugged me. I looked to my side and saw Monika waving at me.
" See ya later Yoku!" We both waved back at her and proceeded on our way home.
As we walked home, we talked about our experience in the Literature Club. I told her that it was a fun day for me. But as we continued to walk, we started to become more silent. Suddenly, Sayori asked me a question about my depression.
" Hey... how are able to deal with your rainclouds?" I was confused at first, but I managed to answer her.
" I just... think about tomorrow, how it could be a sunny day." Sayori's expression changed into that off confusion.
" Why?" She asked me softly.
" Because, I can't afford to let this sadness control my life. I have so much memories I want to create with the people I love. I can't let my sadness taint those future memories." Sayori stood silent, staring at me with eyes filled with symphaty.
" That is why, you shouldn't let your depression push you to anything you might regret, Sayori." Sayori's expression turned into that of shock.
" Y-you knew?" Before Sayori could fall to her knees, I caught her by embracing her.
" I've only noticed it recently. The way you hid it was amazing. I've never really thought you have depression from the smile you always wear and the way you treat others nicely. I'm so proud of you, you're so strong Sayori." Tears fell from both of us. We gave each other a tight embrace.
" Why didn't you leave me? Am I not a burden to you? You're already dealing with your problems, and here I am putting more work on you." I patted her back and held her tighter.
" Why should I leave you? Look, Sayori, stop thinking you're a burden! You're not! If you are not part of the Literature Club, who knows what would have happened with Yuri and Natsuki. You're the glue that holds that place together. The club needs you... I... need you." Sayori pulled back, and looked at me with eyes full of sadness.
" Then, how could I make this pain and sadness go away?" I stood up and smiled at her.
" Not 'I', rather 'We'. Let us help you Sayori. You're not alone in this, I'm sure the club would be more than willing to help you." Sayori smiled and I picked her up.
" Remember, if you ever feel down, I'm here for you. Let's deal with this together, okay?" Sayori wiped away her tears and smiled.
" Sure! I'm counting on you Yoku!" I smiled at her and we continued walking.
As we walk, I gave her ways on how to cope with depression. I told her that a neat and tidy environment helps with making her happy. Putting more tinebin hobbies also helps in taking your mind off this things. We finally arrive at her house. She gave me one last hug before we said good bye to each other. I went to my house next door and sighed. I know no one would be waiting inside fo-
" Hello dear! Do you want dinner? A bath? or... me?" Monika stood infront of me, still wearing her school uniform.
" First of all, dinner. Second, how did you get here?" She laughed as I went inside my house.
" Here, let me show you." She did a gesture with her hand and a command window popped up.
" Oh, I see... you still have those powers." She chuckled at me.
" Yup. But you know, it's strange. The game's files are growing at an alarming rate. The .chr files have grown in several petabytes! And there is some new folders like 'World Data'." As she looked into the issue, I checked the refrigerator for food. I saw that I had enough ingredients for tomato soup.
As I prepare the ingredients, Monika asked me questions about my world.
" Uhm, do you miss your old life?" I turned around to answer her when I froze. She had that pose in the void room.
" Hey? What's wro- Oh, I'm sorry! Please, continue." Monika readjusted herself and prepared to listen to me.
" Well... Yes and no." I chopped the tomatoes, onions and garlic cloves.
" Why? Did some bad things happen with you and your family?" Monika tilts her head as she asked the question. I brought the tomatoes, garlic and onions to a boil.
" Not really... Ok maybe some drama, but that is a story for another time!" In a stockpot, I melted some butter, flour and chicken stock.
" Ok... How about hobbies? What are your hobbies?" I pondered about it. I mixed the ingredients together and seasoned with salt, pepper, sugar and basil.
" Besides gaming, hiking." Monika let out an 'Ahhh'. I took out two bowls and served Monika a serving. She took a sip and was immediately impressed.
" Wow! It's delicious! You could really taste the flavor of the tomato." I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
" You... know the taste of a tomato? Have you even eaten before?" Monika pondered about it. She kept tapping her temple, then she spoke.
" I do have vague memories about it. It seems the new code encoded me with the data to know all about tastes and smells and... basically all the experiences a highschool girl would have with her senses." As we thought about it, someone asked me to pass the salt. I slide the salt to the other end of the table.
As I passed the salt, we realized what happened. Me and Monika looked at the other end of the table to see... 'God' eating some of my soup.
" WHAT THE HELL?!" I stood up in shock as I pointed at this being.
" What are you doing here?!" As I panicked, the being remained calm. He continued sipping on my soup.
" Yoku... I can't see him... rather... I can't see his code." Monika trembled in fear.
" Relax... I don't have any evil intentions. And I am not made up of mere 'codes'!" The being continued to finish my soup.
" Now, the main reason I'm here. I'm here to see if Yoku is ready for such a task." He gulped down the remains of my soup and he made the bowl vanish with a simple snap of his fingers.
" The girls of this club, they are suffering. If you can help them, and prove to me you are willing to... Then I will let you remain in this world!" As Monika and I watched as he opened a portal, he pulled out a phone from his pocket.
" Now, I'll give you... until the end of the festival, which is in two weeks! If you could help this girls, I'll let you stay i. this world." He waved his arm and just like that, disappeared.
As we finished our soup, there was a heavy silence between us. After we finished, I washed the bowls and utensils we used. I thought about my situation carefully. But while I was deep in my thought, Monika called out to me.I turned around to see her in a cute dog pajama.
" So? How do I look? Do I look cute? Teehee~" I smiled warmly at her.
" Yup! Really cute!" A streak of red crossed her face. It was cute.
" W-well, I'll be in your bedroom. Night!" She let out a yawn before going up the stairs. I finished up washing the bowls and decided to take a quick shower.
After I was done putting on my pajamas, I walked into the room with Monika looking out the window. She noticed me enter the room. As I sat on my bed, I gestured for her to sleep next to me. As she laid next to me, I was finally able take in the details of her beautiful face. Her emerald green eyes seem like they are able to hypnotize the peiple who look into them. Her face was smooth and fair, like that of a goddess. I could see the strands of her silky brown hair run down her face. I pulled her closer to my chest, I always wanted to do this. I could feel her heartbeat and her warmth, it brought me comfort to know that she is here. I could feel her hands tighten around me, it was as if she felt like I was drifting away from her. I embrace her tightly, and kiss her forehead. Soon, I started to doze off and fall unconscious. But before I went to sleep, I felt Monika wrap herself tighter around me.
" Sweet dreams... my love." She uttered those words before I went to sleep.
" Goodnight, my dear."