Chapter 7: Reading time with Yuri?

A long week had passed since Michael joined the Literature Club. A lot has happened since his first day, as of right now, he is trying to relax during his weekend break, but is unable to as he has to write a new poem for the club to share on Monday. Throughout the entire time, his poems were awful. Monika recommended him to talk with the others to not only write a better poem, but to find a style best suited for him. Yesterday Sayori offered to let him copy her poem and style to give him an idea on how to write one and to see if her style suits him. At first, he wasn't sure if he could, but Sayori convinced him to give it a shot.

In the end he took Sayori's poem as notes to write using her style. Throughout the entire weekend Michael was stuck in his house trying to write a new one based off of hers. He wrote, erased, wrote again, erased again only to rip the paper before throwing it away, and repeat. In the end he ran out of paper to use. He was planning to go out to the store to get more, but by the time he looked out the window it was already getting dark and decided to go to the store tomorrow. He took a look at his watch and the date only to realize that he wasted his entire Saturday. Too tired to do anything else he just called it a day and went straight to sleep.

The following day he got ready to go to the store to get more supply. When he arrived, what should've been at least five minutes lasted for thirty minutes instead. The reason for this is because he took the time to get a new pen but wasn't sure what to get as there are so many different types of pens. After staring at each one, one by one it then occurred to him.

Michael: "What the hell am I still doing here?" He looks at the pack of papers he was originally going to get before he got sidetracked. Just when he finally made his decision and went to grab the calligraphy pen, he felt a disturbance in the force.

Monika: "Michael?" He looks to his side as his heart races.

Michael: "Oh hey?" He said nervously.

Monika: "What brings you here?"

Michael: "I ran out of paper, so I came by to get more."

Monika: "I see."

Michael: "What about you?"

Monika: "I came to get myself some new pens. I ran out and I'm going to need them for my paperwork."

Michael: "Makes sense?"

Both stood there in awkward silence. It was clear to both parties seeing each other outside of school was a bit strange to say the least. After all they only ever seen each other in school both in their uniforms never in their casual wears. Michael looks at Monika's outfit. She wore light blue jeans and a green shirt. He tried to look away but couldn't as her shirt matches her eyes.

(Beautiful, those emerald green eyes.) He thinks to himself as he feels his face burning.

While he tries to calm himself, Monika felt nervous as well. She looked at his outfit as well. He wore dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt. Monika herself tried to look away but couldn't as even though he was wearing a shirt something caught her eyes.

Monika: (He's got a strong build.) She thinks to herself as she feels her face burning. The way it looked, Michael had a strong build, but not too muscular like any of the Sports Clubs, but strong looking enough to take part in them. The more she looks at him the more her face burns. (How does he look like that? When he's wearing his uniform, he looks scrawny?)

Michael: "Well anyways I should be heading out now?" He says as he grabs the calligraphy pen.

Monika: "Oh yes go on ahead. I'll see you tomorrow at the club."

Michael: "Yeah, later." He waves to her before leaving. (Now I can't concentrate for the rest of the day.)

The next day after that awkward situation. We see Michael packing up his belongings as school finally ended. Now on his way to the club he couldn't shake the feeling like someone was following him. Not in a stalker vibe, but an envious vibe. Choosing to ignore it, he continued his way to meet with the girls. When he reached his destination he entered, as he did the people who were following him revealed themselves.

Random Boy: "Is that him?"

Random Boy 2: "Yeah that's the guy. That good for nothing."

Random Boy 3: "Why hasn't he been kicked out of the school yet?"

Random Boy: "Beats me, but he's in there with the school's Queen."

Random Boy 2: "I bet he's been doing awful things to her and she isn't able to say anything."

Random Boy: "You think so?"

Random Boy 2: "Damn right. Just like his old man."

Random Boy 3: "So it is true?"

Random Boy: "Yeah I mean look at him. That hair just screams hentai protagonist. In other words, he's been doing awful things to them against their wills."

?: "How about instead of talking behind his back, say it to is face."

All three boys jumped and looked behind themselves.

Random Boy: "Ah shit! It's him."

?: "Leave now or else I'll make sure you guys get into severe trouble with the school principle." With nothing to say all three boys left the hallways. "Figures they were cowards." He looks at the Literature Club room. (Hope things are going well for you Michael?)

Meanwhile in the club room. Michael is looking around to see what everyone is doing. He sees Yuri reading a book while Natsuki reads her Manga. Monika is seen writing on a piece of paper and Sayori sitting alone. He decided to go talk to Sayori and to say thanks for her letting him borrow her poem.

Michael: "Sayori" She looks up to see him.

Sayori: "Hey MC, how's it been?"

Michael: "Alright I guess … here's your poem you let me borrow." He hands her back her poem.

Sayori: "Thank you, so how'd it go?"

Michael: "I still had trouble, but I think I did a much better job at writing one."

Sayori: "That's good. Well thanks for returning it. I better go talk to Monika. We still haven't decided on what to do for the School Festival."

Michael: "Well alright then talk to you later."

Sayori: "Sure thing." She says with a smile on her face as she walks to Monika.

Left alone again, Michael sat on a nearby desk. He closed his eyes to rest until he felt someone was staring at him again. He opened his eyes and looked to where he felt someone's gaze. He saw Yuri looking at him right before she looked away to stare back at her book. She tried to hide the fact that she was looking at him, but it was obvious she wanted to say something to him but couldn't. When he saw her looking away, he got up from his seat and walk towards her.

Michael: "Yuri."

Yuri: "H-h-hello M-Michael."

Michael: "Was there something you needed?"

Yuri: "N-no, I apologize for staring." An awkward silence began to build.

Not knowing what to say Michael looked back at his backpack and grabbed the book she gave him.

Michael: "Say Yuri, this book you gave me … what are your thoughts about the story?"

Yuri: "Well …" A couple of minutes had passed. What should've been a quick answer became a huge conversation. He had trouble keeping up with her, but seeing her talking without stuttering made his heart beat at how cute she is when she's talking about what she enjoys. Soon enough she stopped as she realized that she's been talking nonstop.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said so much to a simple question."

Michael: "Don't worry about it. It's nice to hear you talk about stuff you enjoy." He says as his face turns slightly pink.

Yuri: "You think so? I do have a bad habit of talking nonstop when I'm talking about my novels. If this ever occurs again, please stop me."

Michael: "I don't think I will, but I'll keep that in mind."

Yuri: "What about you? Are you enjoying the story?"

Michael: "Y-yes, I'm grateful you took the time to pick a story that I would enjoy. I'm really interested to see what happens next."

Yuri: "I-I'm glad." She says as she plays with her hair.

Michael: "Do you want to read it with me?" (What the hell you idiot!?)

Yuri: "I-if you're okay with that, then I don't mind." (Why did I say that!?)

Michael: "R-right." He sat on the closest desk next to her and opened the book. He tried to spread the book far enough so they can see the pages, but …

Yuri: "P-pardon me, but I'm having trouble seeing the pages."

Michael: "Oh let me fix that." He lays the book down so he could get up and move the desk closer to Yuri's. When he did, it then occurred to him. (What have I done?) He sat back down and both him and Yuri were able to see the pages a bit better, but still had difficulty reading it.

Yuri: "Michael could you hold the book with just you left hand and I'll hold it with my right?"

Michael: "S-sure" He did what she asked, but it made things worse as they are now sitting closer to each other. (Kill me.)

The both of them began reading, but Michael had trouble concentrating while Yuri remained calmed. He looked at Yuri's expression and notices how focus she is when she's reading. She didn't even notice how close they are, but in reality.

Yuri: (Must keep my focus and ignore this awkward situation. Why is he so warm!?)

Michael: (Why does she smell so good!?)

Yuri & Michael: (Someone help!)

Monika: "Okay everyone it's time to share our poems again!"

Yuri & Michael: (Oh thank you Monika!)

Michael: "Well we made some good progress right Yuri?"

Yuri: "Y-yes we have."

Yuri & Michael: (I couldn't read one sentence!)

After Monika gave her announcement, everyone gathered up with their poems and paired off. Michael went for Monika, Yuri went for Natsuki, and Sayori sat patiently for her turn.

Monika: "How did everything go with your poem?"

Michael: "I did what you asked and wrote mine based off of Sayori's, but I still think it turned out bad?"

Monika: "Well I'll be the judge of that."

Both hand out their poems to each other and began reading. Just like last time Monika's was confusing to understand, but at the same time understandable, as a matter of fact he believes her style is tragedy.

Michael: "Well yours turned out great."

Monika: "And yours is much better than last week."

Michael: "R-really?"

Monika: "Well you're getting there, but it's not nearly as bad as before."

Michael: "So it's still bad huh?"

Monika: "Don't be too down. You're only just beginning to understand Sayori's style of writing."

Michael: "What is her style anyways. I read through all of her poems, but I still don't understand it?"

Monika: "Well I would say Sayori's style is either funny or ironic."

Michael: "Ironic?"

Monika: "Well that's a conversation for you to talk to her about. Speaking of which, you should go talk to her right now." He looks to where Sayori's sitting.

Michael: "If you say so." He did what Monika asked him.

Sayori: "Hey MC how are things going?"

Michael: "Fine I guess? Here's my poem."

Sayori: "And here's mine." Silence occurred as they read carefully. Sayori's was just like what Monika said. Ironic, as a matter of fact it seemed sad. "Well MC …"

Michael: "Still bad huh?"

Sayori: "No I say you did great. I love it."

Michael: "Really?"

Sayori: "Yup"

Michael: (She's probably saying that considering it's based off hers?) "Say Sayori could you tell more about your style real quick?"

Sayori: "Sure, I wrote mine to be funny and/or ironic."

Michael: (She didn't even hesitate to tell me! Just told me straight away. Not even giving me deep detail.) "I can't get over the fact that your style is irony?"

Sayori: "Why's that?"

Michael: "It doesn't seem to suit your personality?"

Sayori: "Well it's just like what Natsuki always says, don't judge a book by its cover heh, heh."

Michael: "Right." (When has she said that?) "Well, I better go talk to the others."

Sayori: "Sure thing."

He walks away from her to go talk to Natsuki next and of course, he's welcome to her hospitality.

Natsuki: "Let's get this over with." She shoves the paper to his face and he hands off his. While Natsuki reads his, Michael looks at Natsuki's. Of course, it was written cutesy, but what bugged him was who the hell is Amy? It was clear this Amy girl likes spiders and he could understand why Natsuki would hate them considering he hates them too, but why a poem about a girl he never met? Either way he finishes reading her poem and waited for Natsuki harsh response.

"It's alright, but still not good enough." She gives him back his poem. "Just tell me you hate it and let's move on.

Michael: "It's not terrible, but who the hell is Amy?"

Natsuki: "Don't worry about it. Just go to Yuri already."

Michael: "Alright then?" (God that girl can be difficult sometimes unless it's about Manga. In which case she's a lot more fun to talk to. Oh well, got to confront Yuri.)

Natsuki: (Damn him, why is my heart beating so fast?)

Michael: "Yuri ready to share now?"

Yuri: "Y-yes, whenever you're ready." They both handed each other's poem and began reading it. Once again, her poem was kind of hard to understand, but when you do understand it. It's actually quite scary yet symbolic.

Michael: "Well here's your poem back." He says while Yuri finishes reading his and remains quiet. "Um Yuri?"

Yuri: "Oh, right? Well … it's better than before."

Michael: "And?"

Yuri: "... Y-you still have room to … g-grow … so please keep working hard! Oh, I'm sorry for shouting."

Michael: "No, no thank you for your words of encouragement." He says nervously.

Yuri: "Oh good I'm glad." Both remained in more awkward silence.

Michael: (Kawaii. Wait why did I think that I'm not Japanese? Wait what am I exactly? Ah whatever it's not plot important. Not like this is some story or anything?)

Monika: "Okay everyone it's time to call it a day. I hope you all learned something new today and remember to write a new poem for tomorrow."

Everyone Else: "Yes Mam!"

Monika: "Then I will see you all next time. Bye everyone."

With that said everyone began to pack up and left for home. Sayori and Michael walked home together again. During the walk Sayori spoke up.

Sayori: "Hey MC?"

Michael: "Yeah?"

Sayori: "What do you think about the others?"

Michael: "Well they're all nice to me and you."

Sayori: "No what I mean is … Let's say one of them decided to ask you to walk with them. What would you do?"

Michael: "Don't know?" (Me walk with them? I need to keep my distance away from them.)

Sayori: "I see … look your home." He looks to his side and sees his house. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow MC, bye."

Michael: "Y-yeah later?" (Something seemed off about her, but what? What was her question about?) *Sigh* (Whatever) He thinks to himself as he enters his house. After doing his normal night routine, he can be seen staring at the roof of his room wondering about Sayori's question.

(What I think about them? Natsuki doesn't like to open up, so I doubt she would ever consider asking me to walk with her? Monika is the Queen of our school and I don't want to start a fight with the other boys and Yuri is shy, but …) "Gaa! I shouldn't think about them that way. I can't be getting close to any of them. If I do, then sooner or later I'll just get hurt again and I'll be all alone again. Perhaps I'm better off alone?"

Meanwhile as he thinks to himself, Sayori is seen hugging her stuffed cow doll, thinking about Michael's poem.

Sayori: (That poem he wrote. It really made my heart flutter. Why is that? Is it because he wrote it in the same way I did? The way it was written, was he thinking about me?) She groans into her doll and begins rolling around on her bed until she heard a knock on her door.

Sayori's Dad: "Sayori are you doing, ok?"

Sayori: "Yeah daddy just thinking." She says as her dad enters the room.

Sayori's Dad: "Were you thinking about her again?"

Sayori: "No, I was just thinking about MC."

Sayori's Dad: "Well I'm sure he's doing ok since she was sent away, but the scars she left still remains huh?"

Sayori: "Yeah" She hugs her doll tighter.

Sayori's Dad: "Well she's gone now so you don't have to worry about ever seeing her again. Speaking of which me and your mother are going for another business trip. We won't back until next week."

Sayori: "Ok daddy. Don't worry about me. I can take good care of myself."

Sayori's Dad: "And that's what makes me worry."

Sayori: "Hey meanie." Both shared a chuckle.

Sayori's Dad: "Well we're both see you soon take care our little cinnamon roll."

Sayori: "Take care daddy and tell mommy too, ok?"

Sayori's Dad: "Sure, night Sayori."

Sayori: "Night daddy." Her dad leaves the room. (Why did dad have to bring her up?) She closes her eyes and remembers something from her childhood.

*Flashback*

?: "Come and get it!"

Young Sayori: "Give it back!"

?: "You want it then you can have it!" The mystery girl rips something that belongs to Sayori causing her to cry after what this girl did.

*Flashback Ends*

Sayori: (I hope I never see her again.) She says as she wipes away a tear before heading to bed.

End of Chapter 7