I woke up around three in the morning. I couldn't breathe, it feels like I was drowning, and now I know why. At some point last night, Monika buried my face in her chest. She held me tightly, like I was abour to float away any moment. But, as I pulled away, her eyes opened.

" Y-Yoku? Did I wake you up?" Her sleepy face just makes her so cute! She lestens her grip around me to rub her eyes.

" Nah, I just wanted to see your cute face, that's all!" I playfully tease Monika, whose face started turning red.

" O-oh, Um... Ahaha~ You flatter me!" Monika cuddles up to me.

" Uhm, hey... Can I ask you a favor?" Monika looked up to me with a dmile on her face.

" Anything for you, my love!" I pondered on how to say it.

" Could you check the character files? See if anything has changed." Her face contorted into that of a grim expression.

" Hold on." We both sat up and went trough the game's character files. We saw a note inside, it says 'read me'.

If you are wondering if I did something to the .chr files, rest assured! I did not do anything to it. I promise!" We didn't believe him, Monika went trough the. chr to look.

" None. No changes. He is telling the truth. Huh, I really thought hebwould tamper with it." As Monika said this, I felt some of my fears go away. Monika and I let out a sigh of relief.

I decided to lie down once again. Monika once again cuddled up to me. The warmth we shared with each other brought with it this nice feeling.It was like I'm under a few layers of comfy blankets. We continued to cuddle like this for at least another hour. I've tried to avert ny gaze towards her chest area, but now I'm this close, I can really see that they're pretty big. Monika giggled waved her index finger at me.

" C-cup if you are wondering. Although, I am a little mad that you keep glancing at them every few minutes." She giggled and hugged me. My face was red and I felt a little ashamed of what I did.

As we cuddled, I can't help but stare into her eyes. Being this close to her, being able to embrace her, it's a dream come true. I caressed the side of her cheek, it was soft and smooth to the touch, it was like a doll. She purred at my touch and held my hand. We gazed into each other's eyes for a few moments. We leaned closer to each other, and we closed our eyes.

" Monika..." I whisered to her softly.

" Yoku..." She whispered with a tone full of longing. Just as our lips were about to meet...

The alarm clock sounded. What the hell universe?! Does this look like some cliché anime scene to you?! We were startled and surprised that we had to pull away from each other. We looked at each other awkwardly and smiled. We stood up and prepared to go to school. I went to grab my uniform and readied it. I grabbed a towel and took a shower. As the warm water hit my back, I felt relaxed and energized. I finished my shower and brushed my teeth. I went to my room to get changed. As I finished getting dressed, I went downstairs to see Monika in her school uniform. She smelled like a bed of roses, her hair is still wet in some places.

" Where... did you take a bath?" I asked as I stood beside her.

" At my house. Why? Did you wanted me to take a bath with you? Ahaha~ I'm just teasing you Yoku! Don't get so flustered." Monika winked at me and headed to the kitchen. I felt my face turn red for a moment.

" But... how did... oh, Python, right." I murmur to myself as I enter the kitchen.

Monika said it was her turn to cook, so she told me to sit tight. As I watcged her move in the kitchen, I saw that from time to time ingredients appeared in front of her. She was making us tofu and eggs for breakfast. I asked Monika if she could make one for Sayori. She paused for a second and hesitated. I told her it's for Sayori's sake, and it will really help her self-esteem if we remember her. She relented to my plea and made a third serving for Sayori. We placed our breakfast in our containers and put them inside our bags. The smell alone is amazing, I can't wait to taste it. I told Monika to go ahead, cause it would be bad if Sayori sees the two of us leaving my hohse together. She sighed at the fact she had to leave my side. I reassured her that I'll meet her later. We gave each other a hug before I sent her off.

I headed to Sayori's place to pick her up. I was about to knock on the door when Sayori opened the door. We both had a surprised look on our faces.

" Sayori! That's a surprise! You're up early, and you're... smiling!" I can't help but hug her. Seeing Sayori like this gives me hope.

" Wah?! H-hey Yoku! D-don't hug me so suddenly!" She struggles free from my hug. But after she straightens her uniform, she looks at me and smiles.

" Yeah, I thought about what you said yesterday! I did struggle to get out of my bed at first, but I managed to do it! It was hard thinking positively, but I tried my hardest! Are you proud of me Yoku? I feel like I'm slowly getting rid of my rain clouds!" Tears of joy started falling from our eyes. I didn't see eyes full of emptiness and sadness from Sayori, I saw beautiful blue eyes glimmering with hope. I pat her on the head and gave a thumbs up.

" I'm really proud of you Sayori. Very proud. Battling depression is a hard thing to do, yet here you are Sayori! You're still standing strong. Good job." As I said these words, Sayori pulled me into a soft and cool embrace.

" Thank you Yuko. You're a great best friend! You are the one who gave me strength to live and enjoy life." I pat her back and returned the hug.

" Let's get going then. I'm sure being late on a such a sunny day would be annoying, right?" I gave her the breakfast Monika made for her. She smiled and thanked me.

Sayori smiled energetically and ran ahead of me gleefully. As I close the door of her house and catch up to her, I notice a piece of rope dangling out of her trash can. I ignore it and try to catch up with Sayori. We continued to walk nonchalantly, talking about what kinds of fun activities we could suggest to the club. We managed to reach the school at least 30 minutes before the bell rings. I wanted to spend some more time with Sayori, but I had some really important things to do. Sayori understands, but she demands I have to spend my lunch with her. I agree and we went our separate ways. I ate my breakfast in the classroom. It's filled with rich, heavenly flavors that enwraps your mouth. I finished it quickly and began to work on the poem I forgot to do. I looked around and saw that the students here looked like... normal people. They have unique traits like body shape, voices, hair styles and faces that make them differ from each other.

" Yo, that's a nice poem you got there! Mind if I read it?" I heard a male voice from beside me with a calm yet curious tone.

"Sure, here y-" I stared once again at the being who called himself 'God'. Except he was wearing the standard school uniform and his height is that if a typical highschooler.

" Ehehehe~ Hi. Anyway, nice progress Yuko! Hope you continue the nice work." He waved goodbye and walked out of the door. My mind was left baffled and confused. But before I could properly realize what just happened, the school bell ringed.

Classes once again started. Once again, time flew by for me. The lessons were once again, easy. As lunch rolled by, I managed to finish my poem. It wasn't great, but you know, it's something. I folded it and placed it in my pocket. I headed out and went to pick up Sayori in her classroom that was just down the hall. I gently opened the door to see Sayori fixing her things.

" Sayori! You ready to eat?" She turned to my direction and was surprised, but she gave a nod to me.

As we walked to the canteen, I managed to show her the poem I made. It was in a haiku style but I think it passes as a poem. She began to read.

Raindrops

Tiny raindrops fell,

Sending ripples in the pond.

The pond stood silent.

" Wow! I never knew you write poetry Yoku!" She exclaims joyfully.

" Y-yeah, I don't really want anyone to know." I nervously laugh.

" Hmmm, but what does the poem mean Yoku?" She shot me an inquisitive look.

" I'll let you know all about it in the club room. For now, let's eat lunch. I'm famished." We managed to squeeze in line at the cafeteria and buy our food.

We just talked about school and the new friends we met as we ate our lunch. Sayori was concerned about me due to the fact I haven't really socialized with other people. I reasurred her that it's fine because I still manage to talk with other people. As we continue, I notice that Sayori's smile seems brighter today. I can't help but stare at her. She notices this and starts getting uncomfortable.

" Yoku? I-Is there something on my face? Yoku? Hello?" I snapped back in reality and apologized to Sayori.

" Sorry! I was just thinking of school stuff.Ehehe~" Sayori smiled at me and laugh.

" Ahaha, that's ok Yoku. Besides, I dobt mi-... Is that Monika?" I turned around to see Monika behind a corner with her head sticking out. She pulled back her head swiftly.

Before Sayori could question me about it, Lunch ended so we had to quickly go back to our classrooms. I waved goodbye to Sayori as I headed into my classroom. As time flew by once again, I became bored in class. As the last period ended and I prepared to go to the club room, I felt as if someone was watching me. I turned around to see no one else around. I shrugged off this feeling and headed to the club room. I opened the door to see that Monika was there, looking out the window. I coughed to signal that I was in there with her. She turned around to look at me. She had such a grim and serious expression on her face.

" Hey Yoku... Do you think that... this... is not real?" I pondered about it.

" Why do you say that?" I caught her off guard.

" Because... I can still feel the lines of code in the universe. Sure the size of the world increased and the people here acts like real people but..." She paused for a second, hesitation gripped her.

" I'm just... scared. I'm scared that this entire world might just be a simulation. I don't want to lose you again Yoku." I sighed as I went up to her.

" Don't worry. I'll do my best to save everyone." I was about to embrace her when the door flew open. We both stumbled and quickly acted like we were just talking about literature.

" Aww, Monika and Yoku were here first." Sayori entered the classroom and took a sit. Natsuki and Yuri followed after her.

As we sit in the makeshift table, we bgan our talks about the upcoming school festival.