Chapter 9: Wanting to know you

A long day of school has ended as Monika packs up her belongings. During her walk to the club, she saw many girls looking at her with jealously in their eyes. While others look at her as the Queen of the school. When she started walking up the stairs, she heard some boys talk about her. When she reached the end of the stairs one boy appeared before her.

Random Boy: "H-h-h-h-hel-l-lo."

Monika: "Hello there. How are you today?" She smiles at the shy boy.

Random Boy: "I-I'm doing great. I-I-I Just want to ask i-i-i-i-i-if you …"

Monika: "Go on."

Random Boy: "I wanted to ask if you l-l-l-like to go … K bye!" He runs away while Monika gets an annoyed look on her face.

Monika: (Boys these days. Why can't one just talk to me normally? Oh, wait there was one, but …) "Better get to the club before Natsuki gets upset with me again."

She continues walking unknown to her that around the corner a boy can be seen with a concern look on his face. When Monika reached the club room she is greeted by a friendly voice.

Natsuki: "Late as always Monika."

Monika: "I know, I know, I've been busy, sorry."

Natsuki: "Well you are the Queen of this school so it makes sense that people would ask you a lot. Well, I'm going to continue reading some Manga."

Monika: "Sure, you do you." (Yeah, people ask way too much from me.)

Time had passed during everyone's free time. Earlier Michael headed off to the restroom leaving all four girls in the club room. During that time a random student dropped by to visit and by visit, I mean tell Monika about the Student Council's work. Monika and this student walked out to the hallways to discuss this work she has to do.

"What is it? I'm in the middle of club activities."

Random Girl: "S-sorry mam, but I was informed that you have to let the rest of the Student Council know what you and the Literature Club have plans for the School Festival?"

Monika: "Let them know that I still haven't made plans for it. I'll let them know as soon as possible."

Random Girl: "Yes Mam." She salutes to her before leaving.

Monika: *Sigh* "What am I going to do?"

Michael: "Is something the matter?" She looks behind herself.

Monika: "Oh hello Michael. No nothing is wrong. Don't worry too much."

Michael: "Well ok if you say so?" He makes his way into the room, but before he places his hand on the handle.

Monika: "Hey Michael, can I ask you something?"

Michael: "What is it?"

Monika: "How come you don't get a haircut?"

Michael: "Why ask that?"

Monika: "I'm just curious on how your able to see?"

Michael: "I'm able to see just fine."

Monika: "But ever other boy has short hair. How come you don't?"

Michael: "I … I just felt like being different is all. Nothing wrong with a boy having long hair."

Monika: "Oh come on Michael, I bet no one knows what your eyes look like?" She attempts to brush his bangs to the side to see his eyes, but he pushed her hand away from him.

Michael: "Then it's for the best."

Monika: "Oh sorry about that? I didn't mean to."

Michael: "It's fine. Let's return to the others."

Monika: "Yes you're right. Let's return to the others." He enters the club room first with Monika behind him. (Wonder what that was about? No, it was my fault for trying to touch him. If he hadn't stopped me then that would have been harassment, but why does he not want a haircut? Not even Sayori knows why? Bet he would look a lot more handsome if he did cut it? Oh well, he did bring up a point about having it long. I'll let it be for now.)

With all those thoughts rushing towards her head she enters back into the club room to continue on for the rest of the day until it was time to end their meeting.

The following day Sayori is seen running through the halls to get to the club. The reason for this is because she accidentally fell asleep during class and no one bothered to tell her classes were over, not even the teacher bothered to wake her up. By the time she got there, she was the last to show up. When she entered, she saw all of them having a conversation.

Sayori: (Wonder what they're all talking about? I should join!) She quietly walks towards them, but for some reason she stopped herself. (Wait … they all look like their having a good time? Hmm, they should be, but why do I feel so lonely just seeing them?)

Monika: "Oh hey Sayori glad you made it." She smiles to Sayori as the others look at her.

Sayori: "Yeah sorry for being late. What are you guys talking about?"

Monika: "We're having a discussion about what to do for the School Festival."

Sayori: "Oh cool so you decided what we should do?"

Monika: "Not yet, at least until you showed up."

Sayori: "Aw thank you for waiting."

Natsuki: "So what are we going to do anyways? We ran down the list of what we could do and most of them don't seem to work out."

Monika: "I know, but we shouldn't give up yet. Say Sayori got any ideas?"

Sayori: "Hmm?" A moment of silence passed as everyone has their eyes set on her. "Oh, I know! How about a poetry performance?"

Monika: "Of course! Why didn't we think of that sooner?"

Natsuki/Yuri/Michael: (Maybe because we would rather avoid that!?)

Monika: "Great idea Vice President Sayori."

Sayori: "Why thank you." The both of them shared a handshake of agreement and respect.

Natsuki: "How about we don't do that? Better yet how about we avoid doing anything?"

Yuri: "I-I agree with Natsuki."

Sayori: "Aw, but why?"

Natsuki: "Because it's way too embarrassing! Why the hell would any of us put ourselves up there only to make ourselves look stupid?"

Sayori: "Aw, but …"

Yuri: "Natsuki's right. Standing up front of thousands of people reading poems we wrote ourselves is too embarrassing. Just thinking about it would kill me."

Monika: "Yuri I think your overreacting?"

Sayori: "Aw, but I want to see each of you perform." She looks at her old friend with puppy dog eyes. "MC, you agree we should do this, right?"

Michael: "Please don't drag me into this." He crosses his arms and looks away embarrassed.

Sayori: "MC! Pllleeeeeeease?"

Michael: *Sigh* "Look Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri have a hard time sharing their poems with us. Asking them to read in front of thousands of strangers is asking way too much of them."

Sayori: "But MC."

Monika: "No Sayori, Michael's right. We shouldn't force Yuri and Natsuki to perform, but in order for them to improve they have to."

Natsuki: "What?"

Yuri: "Huh?"

Monika: "We're going to do this. We need to push pass our limits, so that way we can have more people to join."

Natsuki: "But …"

Monika: "I know, it sounds tough that you're going to have to perform in front of others, then just us, but this will help to improve yourself. We have until the following week after next week to practice."

Natsuki: "But still."

Monika: "I have faith in all of you that you'll do well."

Natsuki: "… Fine I'll do it, but I won't have to like it."

Monika: "Michael, what about you?"

Michael: (There's no telling what will happen if I agree or not? I'm too scared, not just with my poems, but with everything else. Should I just quit now and avoid all this or should I stay?)

Monika: "Michael?"

Michael: "… Very well, I'll give it my best shot."

Sayori: "Yay! I knew you would make the right choice." She gives him a hug as they all stare towards Yuri.

Monika: "Yuri, will you be joining us?" Yuri remains quiet as everyone else stares at her.

Yuri: "… V-very well then."

Monika: "Alright so we all agree to do a poetry performance for the School Festival?"

Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"

Monika: "Perfect" She smiles greatly.

Yuri: "I swear this club is going to be the death of me."

Monika: "What was that, Yuri?"

Yuri: "N-nothing"

Monika: "Well then, now that, that's settled today we won't be sharing our poems this time. However, your new assignment is to write a new poem that you will be sharing for the performance. Next week on Monday we'll be sharing them and helping each other make improvements on not just our poems, but help on how we're be performing. We still have time before calling it a day, so all of you enjoy your free time till then."

Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"

With free time now taking affect. Everyone separated doing their own thing. Natsuki went to the closet to get her Manga collection while Yuri reads her novels. While that is happening Sayori and Monika got together to discuss on what they could do to help them confront stage fright.

Sayori: "So what do you have in mind?"

Monika: "Ah you know just the usual like reading out loud to each other and so on." While she continues to ramble on Sayori takes a peek of what's happening behind Monika.

She saw Yuri and Michael sitting close to each other talking. The more she looks at them the more pain she feels in her heart. In her imagination she sees Michael and Yuri holding hands and doing couple things. The thoughts about what happened a couple of days ago still bugged her.

"Hey Sayori, are you feeling okay?"

Sayori: "Oh! Yeah, I'm feeling ok."

Monika: "You sure?"

Sayori: "Yeah continue with what you were saying."

Monika: "Very well then, so I was saying we should let each other read everyone else's poem before reading our own."

Sayori: "Great idea."

Monika: "Why thank you." Hours had passed and it was time to call it a day. "Okay everyone, don't forget your assignment. Hope you all have a great weekend and I hope to see all of you Monday."

Everyone packed up their belonging before leaving. On the way home Michael and Sayori didn't say much throughout the entire way home. When they reached home Sayori spoke up.

Sayori: "Hey MC? Are you and Yuri going out?"

Michael: "Huh, what? No, we aren't" He says as his face turns slightly pink.

Sayori: (Liar, I know what I heard during your conversation.) "Come on MC you don't have to be shy about it."

Michael: "I'm telling you the truth. What makes you want to ask a question like that?"

Sayori: "Because I notice how much she's been opening up to you. You're doing a much better job at it then the rest of us."

Michael: "I … it's …"

Sayori: "Well I'm glad you two are getting along. I better get home now before it gets dark. See you later MC." She says while waving and jogging forward.

Michael: "Yeah see you later." He waves back.

On her way home Sayori looks down on the floor.

Sayori: (I'm glad everyone's getting along, but still … where's my happiness?) She looks back up. (No, I have to make sure everyone's happy. If I don't then I'll be the one being selfish. My happiness comes second to MC's. Even if I won't be around for long, but when I'm gone.) She looks back down. (Will I be forgotten?)

End of Chapter 9