Chapter 11: Lending a helpful hand

After a peaceful walk back to the club room. Michael and Sayori made it back and were greeted by Monika.

Monika: "How did it go?"

Michael: "We got what we needed."

Monika: "Perfect. By the way what happened to your head?" She looks at Sayori.

Sayori: "I'm a unicorn!" She says doing a pose.

Michael: "She hit her head. Perhaps too hard."

Monika: "Right? Well, it's time to perform our poems again. We're doing what we did yesterday again, so everyone hand over your poems to each other and get ready to perform."

Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"

Everyone grabbed their poems and handed them over to each other. They once again perform each other's poem and things went a lot better thanks to everyone's advice from yesterday. After a better success than before. It was time to end today's meeting. Despite everyone getting better performing. It did not help as the School Festival draws nearer.

The next day at the club it was time to share poems again. Only this time things were going to be a lot different.

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

Natsuki: "Same order, right?"

Monika: "No this time you're reading your own."

Natsuki: "What!?"

Monika: "You heard me. This time everyone is going to perform their own poems instead of having each other do it."

Yuri: "B-but why now?"

Monika: "You know why. The first two days were to help you perform using someone else's work. This time you're going to have to read your own."

Michael: "Crap"

Monika: "Okay everyone. Who want to go first this time?"

Sayori: "I'll do it!"

Monika: "Ah a volunteer. Go on ahead Sayori."

Sayori: "Right" She stands at the podium.

Sayori went first reading her poem out loud for all to hear. She stuttered a bit, but not as much as Yuri did when it was her turn next. The only good thing about Yuri is that she didn't stutter as much as before when she read Natsuki's. Natsuki read hers in a nice slow pace. Which is a lot better than before as she would quickly read through it and say she's done. Michael was up next and he managed to read his the way Monika hoped and when it was Monika's turn, she read it with grace.

Monika: "Great job everyone. With just some more practice you'll all do great."

Sayori: "Hurray!" She yells with enthusiasm.

Michael/Natsuki/Yuri: "Hurray" They say with less enthusiasm.

Monika: "Well it's time to call it a day. See you all tomorrow. Oh, one more thing. I'm going to have each of your assignments ready for the Festival."

Yuri: "Assignments?"

Monika: "Each of you are in charge on what we're going to do for the club. I'll explain more tomorrow. Until then make sure to practice at home. Bye everyone."

As everyone heads home Michael and Sayori walked home together as usual. When they reached Michael's house. Sayori spoke up.

Sayori: "Hey MC?"

Michael: "Hm?"

Sayori: "Can I ask you something?"

Michael: "What is it?"

Sayori: "How would you feel if one of the girls were to confess their love to you?" He looks at her confusingly.

Michael: "What do you mean?"

Sayori: "Like what if Monika asked you out. Would you accept her confession?"

Michael: "… That's something I can't answer. Sorry."

Sayori: "No, no, don't be. I'm the one who asked a silly question. Well anyway see tomorrow." She starts running ahead.

Michael: "Yeah see you?" (If any of the girls were to confess to me. They would be making a huge mistake. Why would any other girl fall for me? I can't escape even if I want to.)

The following day during everyone's free time again.

Monika: "Okay everyone, gather up." Everyone stopped what they were doing and moved up to her. "Okay listen up. Tomorrow, we have no school, so this gives us all the time we need to prepare for the Festival on Monday."

Yuri: "Already?"

Monika: "I know time flies when you're having fun."

Natsuki: "So what are the tasks you told us about yesterday?"

Monika: "After having a conversation with Sayori. We have decided what jobs each of us must do for the club. Natsuki, you're in charge of baking cupcakes for the students that stop by to see our performance. Do you think you can handle that?"

Natsuki: "Of course I can! Baking ain't hard for me you know?"

Monika: "Great, Sayori and I will be in charge of making pamphlets and Yuri will be in charge with … uh?"

Michael: "Wait you didn't think of what Yuri can do?" Monika smiles nervously.

Monika: "Unfortunately no. I tried thinking of what Yuri could do, but nothing came up. Sorry."

Yuri: "I knew it. I'm useless."

Monika: "No you aren't it's just uh? You like atmosphere, do you? How about you be in charge of decorating the club room?"

Yuri: "Atmosphere?"

Monika: "Yes"

Yuri: "Atmosphere … I love atmosphere!"

Monika: "Great to hear and now for Michael."

Michael: "Yeah the real useless one here."

Monika: "Now don't beat yourself up. I'm giving you the option of helping one of us during the weekend. We each have difficult jobs so why not pick the one you feel comfortable with?"

Natsuki: "Hey wait a minute? Why does he have to help you and Sayori? The both of you have the easiest job out of the both of us."

Yuri: "I agree with Natsuki. It's not fair to give us all this work if Michael decides to help you and Sayori."

Sayori: "Come on girls?"

Natsuki: "Well you know it's true."

Monika: "Oh lord, just pick Michael. Don't let the pressure get to you."

Natsuki: "Pressure! You're the one pressuring him with your popularity."

All four girls argue with each other whether or not it's fair for Michael to choose Monika and Sayori. While they argue with each other, Michael keeps to himself and thinks about who he should help. Should he help Natsuki with baking cupcakes, Yuri with decorations, or Monika and Sayori with pamphlets. He had to think carefully as depending on who he chooses may cause problems in the future.

Michael: "Ok I made my decision." All four girls continue to argue until he raised his voice higher for them to hear. "I said I made my decision!" All four girls stopped and looked at him.

Monika: "Oh sorry Michael. So, who do you choose?"

Michael: "You said Friday we have no school and the Festival is Monday?"

Monika: "Correct"

Michael: "Then how about I help you all?" All four of them look at him with shock.

Natsuki: "What? Why!?"

Yuri: "Y-yes why do all this work?"

Michael: "Because I have nothing else to do this whole weekend. So, in other words I have all the time in the world to help you all."

Sayori: "MC?"

Monika: (Wow I never thought he would be willing to do this?) "If that's what you want then I don't have any problems with it. What about the rest of you?"

Sayori: "I'm fine with it."

Monika: "Yuri?"

Yuri: "W-well if it's his choice then I will respect his decision."

Monika: "Natsuki?"

Natsuki: "I guess that's fine, but how is he going to help each of us?"

Monika: "Hmm, that's a good question."

Sayori: "Ooh I know. How about he helps each of us one at a time during the weekend? Like he could help one of us on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday."

Monika: "That's not bad idea. Not only will he be able to focus on one task, but it could give him the time he needs to rest. Great idea Sayori." Sayori smiles at Monika.

Natsuki: "Okay but who does he start off with? What days should we do our tasks?"

Monika: "Hmm? Oh, I know! How about he helps Sayori and me with the pamphlets tomorrow and he helps you with the cupcakes on Sunday?"

Natsuki: "Why me on Sunday?"

Monika: "Because Sunday is when your cupcakes are at their freshest, right?"

Natsuki: "Oh yeah that's a good point."

Monika: "Yuri, do you have any objections?"

Yuri: "N-no, I'm fine with this plan."

Monika: "Okay everyone then its settled. Michael will assist me and Sayori on Friday. Saturday he'll help Yuri with decorations and Sunday he'll help Natsuki with baking. Does everyone agree?"

Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"

Monika: "Then it's settled. No poems today. However, I do hope you all practice your performance during the weekend. That will settle today's meeting."

Everyone Else: "Yes mam!"

With today's meeting coming to a close everyone packs up their belongings and leaves for home. As Michael and Sayori make their way to the front gate. A familiar voice calls upon them.

Monika: "Wait Michael!" Both Sayori and Michael look behind themselves. "Phew almost forgot." She breathes heavily after her short sprint.

Sayori: "What did you forget?"

Monika: "I forgot to exchange numbers with Michael." She tries to catch her breath.

Michael: "Wait, why didn't you just ask Sayori to tell you, my number?"

Monika: "Oh I …" (Crap why didn't I think of that?) "I-It's because it would be weird if I called you randomly and Sayori would probably forget to tell you that she gave me your number."

Sayori: "You are absolutely right about that."

Monika: "So anyways here's my number."

Michael: "Right?" Both him and Monika exchanged their numbers.

Monika: "Okay I'll be seeing you at your place. Bye you two." She runs past them.

Sayori: "Bye Monika!" While Monika leaves Michael felt someone tugging on his shirt.

Michael: "Hmm?" He looks behind himself and sees Natsuki and Yuri. "Oh, it's you two."

Natsuki: "We almost forgot to exchange numbers with you too."

Michael: "Oh, right?" (How did we all forget? Wait why couldn't they just ask Sayori?) He exchanges numbers with Natsuki and Yuri.

Natsuki: "See you at your place on Sunday."

Michael: "Until then." Natsuki waves to him without looking at him before leaving.

Yuri: "Uhm … I-I'm looking forward to working with you." She bows.

Michael: "Take care until Saturday."

Yuri: "I-I will. I-I'm looking f-forward to visiting you at your home." She bows one more time before running home as Michael and Sayori watch her leave.

Michael: "Ready to go?" Sayori nods and just as they were about to head home. "Wait a minute?"

Sayori: "What's wrong?"

Michael: "Why the hell are they all coming over to my place?" After hearing him Sayori started laughing. "It's not funny."

Sayori: "It so is." She continues to laugh.

Michael: "Whatever let's just go home now."

Sayori: "Whatever you say MC."

The both of them began their walk home. For the next three days are going to be a challenge for Michael as he has to help each of the girls with their tasks for the up-and-coming School Festival. What will occur in those three days and what will happened when the Festival begins? Nobody knows until then.

End of Chapter 11