I woke up in an unfamiliar room. The smell of a strong

fragrance overtook me as I rose from a bed, far more comfortable than my own. How did I arrive here? Was I not just at the school a moment ago? Then, I remembered how I was filled with despair at the time. I would never even think of something like suicide, especially at this time.

I was in a flurry of trying to understand

how It came to be like this. I remember wanting to end myself, but thinking that still seemed odd. My memories flooding back to me was another bizarre event. Why would they? It's not as if I was dying. I had no reason to be so afraid.

Then why was I acting so hopeless? I had no reason to.

It is not as if Sonia and Monika were gone forever. I just simply couldn't find them. Why did I think the world was ending right before me? I couldn't shake the feeling that I felt those emotions for a reason. Some external force made me think like that.

I rose from the bed, still unsettled that the room was not mine. It was so unfamiliar and bland and seemed like a boys' room. My breathing intensified as I could hear voices coming from outside the bedroom. I listened to a man's voice as well as two different women. I recognized those voices, I thought as I slowly opened the door to the bedroom and began creeping downstairs.

The voices were more understandable now that the door did not drown them out. They were speaking of me.

"How long will it take her to wake up?" One voice asked the others.

"It's hard to say she was pretty much incoherent when we got her out of that school. It was difficult to wrestle that knife from her before she used it on herself."

Their conversation intrigued and confused me. I couldn't remember what occurred after I seemed to have given up on living. I recall contemplating taking my life, knife in hand, and such. However, I do not remember anyone trying to help me.

I moved slower downstairs and peeked at the origin of the voices. I had to hold in a gasp. As my body froze and my blood ran cold, I saw the dead genuinely alive. Elias, Sayori, and Natsuki. All here. All alive. I stared at them, scared to move. Afraid to make a sound. I unwillingly remembered what they did that night. On the night of the flood. The things they did to Sonia.

I continued not to move, mouth agape and horrified. I was not very good at quiet, as I caught the attention of Elias.

He looked straight at me, smiling, "Yuri, are you okay?"

Without hesitation, I returned to the bedroom and promptly closed the door. I couldn't believe I had just seen Elias and the others alive. It was hard to believe. Monika was alive, but she didn't try to kill me.

I remained holding the door closed, fearful of what may become of me if they would reach me. I was terrified of them. However, I would defend this room to the best of my ability. I may not be as courageous as Sonia, but I would not give up without resistance. I began moving a nearby desk to block the door from opening. I was thankful that it opened inward.

Footsteps running up the stairs could be heard as I moved the desk to block the door. I waited for them to try and open the door, but they didn't. I could hear them talking from beyond the door. It was muffled, and no words could be understood from it.

I looked out the window; it was a two-story fall, but it seemed higher than that. I don't know how I could get out of here. No noises were coming from the door other than the sounds of discussion. They were not trying to get inside oddly. I got closer to the door. They were speaking in hushed voices, but it was still audible.

"Why would she be scared of us?" Eli asked.

I could hear Natsuki sigh heavily, seemingly annoyed at the situation, "She's probably just freaked out. Maybe she has been through something we don't know about."

I thought about it for a moment. Could I reason with the three? When I glanced at them earlier, they did not seem the same as that dreadful night when they attacked me and Soina. Their eyes are normal. No longer devoid of any life or color. Just normal.

I braced myself to speak loudly, hoping they were finally back to their senses, "Are you going to hurt me?" I asked. Their hushed tones fell silent at my question. There was no response for a few seconds. It is as if my question dumbfounded them. They most likely wonder why I am asking such a question. If Monika were alive after her death and does not recall anything, perhaps it would be safe to trust them.

I shook the thought away. Monika's memory ended after supposedly Natsuki Showed up at her door. Thus, that must be the point where memory ended. Then, by that logic, Elias, Sayori, and Natsuki's memories are, by assumption, tact up to the point of their death. Thus, they make me believe they do not recall while striking me in the back. They want me to trust them blindly as if I were a bat. However, I will not spring their trap so quickly.

Recalling back to that night, they did not seem like their usual selves. That much would be obvious, considering their hostility. One could conclude that a higher force perhaps controlled or manipulated them. This theory might be accurate as it could be the same force that drove me almost to commit suicide. How the said higher power gained control is hard to tell. It must have something to do with the target's emotional state. However, this is all speculation at the moment. There is nothing concrete about this proposal.

Reverting to the current situation, Elias was the one to respond to my question, "No, what makes you think that?" I scoffed. Either they genuinely do not recall the events of that night, or they are still as vile.

I responded louder, "You wouldn't believe me. I can't trust any of you." This response was met with more hushed whispers. They seemed to be arguing how to get me out of the room. They still have yet to try brute force. I can't think of a reason as to why.

Sayori responded in the most sincere tone I have not heard in ages, "Yuri, I'm sorry. We don't know what we did. We want to try and understand. We want to help you. Please, Yuri," I could hear her voice start to whimper, "It hurts so much that you don't trust us. We just want to fix that." I could feel the guilt of being like this well up in my heart. I had made Sayori border on the edge of crying. I never would have thought I'd do such a thing.

Before officially starting in the literature club, I read daily in an empty classroom. I enjoyed it more often than when I didn't. One of those days, I noticed a girl staring at me from the door. She had opened it enough to take a peak, seeming interested in who could be inside. That girl turned out to be none other than Monika. She came inside and dropped off a flyer for the club. It wasn't until later that I learned from Monika that she couldn't have gone there without Sayori's Support.

It wasn't until the next day I joined the literature club. I was nervous yet so excited that people were as interested in literature as I was. At least, that is what I had thought. I soon realized that the only two members at the time, Sayori and Monika, were not as invested as I was. It was disheartening to a certain extent. Seeing them both try to understand my passion for literature was something I still think about as my many faults.

One day, Monika was busy, and the club only consisted of me and Sayori. I had been so excited the entire day to read that I wanted her to read with me so she could experience the joy I received from it. I knew I had pushed it too far when Sayori began asking me simple questions about the story already articulated by the text. She seemed to be an amateur, Not good at understanding context clues and deeper meanings in the text. I was so frustrated that day that I simply told her we would not be reading the book and left with haste.

I was so scared to encounter Sayori the following day that I asked Monika if I could help her spread the club's publicity. During that time, I expressed concern about my lack of social skills and belief that Sayori was taking pity on me. I believed she was too nice to me. I was stupid for not realizing she would do whatever I pushed onto her. No one deserves to put themselves through that much discomfort just because they pity an outcast who lacks the social skills to make friends.

I still remember my sharp words cutting through the tense air. The unease of waiting for Monika's response. Her opinion on the matter, her words of wisdom. She did eventually provide advice. "You should tell her that." I had never thought of such a solution. I still hate myself for not understanding sooner. Monika told me Sayori was just a girl who wanted to make sure the people around her were happy. Thus, that was what she was doing with me. I just thought it was because of her pity for me. At that moment, I decided to tell her, no matter how uncomfortable.

Shortly after my conversation with Monika, I entered the clubroom to confront Sayori. When I entered, Sayori was frantic about my arrival. I assume she was not expecting me to arrive so soon after what happened the past day. I found out she was trying her hardest to understand the book. She had pages of notes and timelines, all organized and color-coded, to gain my respect. The pain of making someone go through this was tearing me apart. I had forced her to do this. I was so cruel. I keep putting people in situations where they are forced to treat me differently. I don't want to be treated differently from everyone else because I lack social skills.

When my argument confronted Sayori, she denied treating me differently, saying she just wanted me to be happy. She was lying to me. She was treating me out of pity. I had loudly exclaimed that I did not want her pity. I regretted doing so as the air around us fell silent, and the uneasy tension was so uncomfortable. I could see the surprise in her eyes. Yelling like this was the first time I raised my voice.

I still remember what happened after that. I fell to my knees, my voice becoming relatively quiet, and I felt like crying.

"I'm sorry," was all I could muster before tears of guilt and self-loathing fell down my face. This isn't how it was supposed to go. Why can't I articulate my thoughts? Why do I just push everyone away? My mind was being pounded with my internal accusations as I had shut my eyes. I could not face Sayori, or the world, for that matter. I figured I should leave before Monika returned from her departure, and Sayori informed Monika of what I did.

However, before standing up, I felt a warm pair of arms gently wrap around me from behind.

"It's okay," Sayori whispered in a soothing voice. "It's okay," She said softly, tightening her hug. "It's okay," She repeated. I could not even begin to struggle as I was overtaken by despair. "I understand that the things in your head are different from what you're trying to say. I know that must be what you're feeling right now. I promise, I understand that. So I'll give you as much time as you need. When you're ready, just tell me your feelings, and we'll talk about them together, okay?"

Her words were comforting. I could not even speak, but a simple nod was affirmation enough to tell her yes.

After giving myself enough time to compose my thoughts, I was ready to talk to Sayori, "I think I have gotten so used to people being weirded out by me that it feels like anyone nice to me is doing it out of pity. I am so horrible with people. It is the main reason I can not believe someone could like me for who I am."

I paused, expecting Sayori to interject, but she did not, as if she genuinely wanted to understand. "I was so excited when I joined the literature club. I believed it was finally my chance to make friends through my interests. The reason is that It is the only way I know how to talk to people correctly. However, when I catch myself being overly obsessive in front of other people, it feels like I am making myself out as a fool. Ultimately, I want nothing more than to be treated like an average person, but how do I expect that when I cannot behave like one? I just want to get along with people and stop ruining things for myself. That's all."

I finished my thoughts feeling more steady after releasing them. Sayori knew I had ended as she began speaking, "Thank you for helping me understand you better. You know you were so great when you were helping me out with reading. So I'll help you with the things you need, too."

I interjected, "But, I feel like it would just be frustrating with you with how much patience I require sometimes."

She chuckled a bit, "That sounds kinda familiar. I couldn't stop worrying about that when we were reading. I was so afraid you'd get frustrated with me."

"But, I would never do that. I did my best to reassure you by mentioning how I have a lot of patience."

"Yeah, I know. But my irrational feelings just won't be quiet sometimes. I am sure it is the same for you, right?"

"Yeah," I paused, "Irrational fears."

"Well, there is no way you could frustrate me because I already like you the way that you are. I know it is hard to believe, but it's the truth. You don't have to be social to have people like you. I think you're considerate in your way, you know? Worrying so much about people's feelings, everyone is weird. But that is a good thing. We're all different and have different interests. Like about the book, I am reading it because I want to. I promise that's what I like. It's a bit of a struggle, but try not to mistake that for me not enjoying it. We could never discover new things if we didn't try them first, right? I want to learn the reasons why you love it so much. And In the end, if it's not for me, then I can say that, but I'll be glad that I tried it and learned more about you. Plus, you're super duper smart, and I want that to rub off on me."

She let out a little laugh as she finished. I fought back the urge to smile at that comment. I had not noticed, but the heavy atmosphere had dissipated, all thanks to Sayori.

I began moving the desk away from the door. The memory of Sayori's kindness and care prompted me to trust her. I opened the door. There stood a concerned Elias, a frustrated Natsuki, and a crying Sayori. I rushed to hug her, disregarding the other two. I felt no malice, no anger, no evil. It was just Sayori. I began to cry in her arms as she cried along with me. Elias and Natsuki stood over us, observing, but I could feel their concern. I knew that these three were not going to hurt me.

"I'm sorry," I said, repeating history. Elias placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. It's okay." His words were like fine wine. I looked up at him as I was still hugging Sayori. He gave me a reassuring smile. I was glad he was alive.

The same could be said for Sayori and Natsuki.

After the embrace, we all went downstairs to discuss our current situation. I then informed them of what had transpired up to this point. I merely excluded the fact that they assaulted Sonia and me. Natsuki and Sayoir seemed Scared. Elias was more confused than worried. It appeared he was trying to figure this world out.

"So this place is some kind of cult facility within another facility trying to contain it?"

Elias asked. I nodded. "I see. It's a bit hard to understand. But it seems like from those dolls at the school, we're the only real ones here." I remembered the school. Then, I drew blanks at what happened after that.

I questioned Elias, "How did I arrive here?"

He sighed, "You were asleep when we were exploring the school. When Sayori ran to you, you woke up frantic, like you didn't know who we were. You were just swinging your knife around like crazy." I grew distressed imagining it. "Luckily, I managed to disarm and hold you still, and then you passed out. It's weird. It felt like you were an entirely different person."

"I didn't hurt you, right?"

"Oh no, you didn't. I was okay."

I sighed with relief, although the fear of such a thing happening again remained in my mind.

As we drank tea in the kitchen, the doorbell rang, startling all of us. Elias slowly walked to the door. I trailed behind him.

He looked through the peephole, "Oh, it's just Sonia and Monika."

He opened the door. I could not stop him in time.

There, both Monika and Sonia stood.

Monika was surprised.

And Soina had already punched him.