Chapter 15: The School Festival
[September by Chris Daughtry]
The alarm clock ringing ever so loudly. Yuri immediately shuts it off and gives off a cute yawn. She got up and looked at the calendar. Monday October 12th the day of the School Festival. When she realized it, her heart ended up skipping beats. It was time to perform her poem in front of thousands of people. She immediately walked out of her room through the hallways to the bathroom to wash her face. When she finishes, she took the time to look at herself in the mirror.
Yuri: (It's finally here. I'm so nervous I could just drop dead at any moment, but if do that, then it'll be unfair to the others after all their hard work.) She looks down at her sleep attire. She wore a white top and purple shorts. (Why do I wear these? What would people think of me when they see me like this?) She looks at her arms. "I need to start wearing longer sleeves." She walks to the shower and gets ready for school. When she put on her school uniform, she got a text from Monika.
"Yuri could you and the others go help Michael with the preparations. I was told that each of us left our stuff at his place and it would seem unfair for him to take all of the pamphlets, decorations, and cupcakes to the club all by himself. I'll be at the clubroom getting things set up. Thank you."
Yuri responded with a yes and went downstairs to leave. Before she could reach the front door.
Yuri's Mother: "Good morning sweetie."
Yuri: "Good morning mother and father."
Yuri's Father: "Off to school so soon?" He looks away from his phone to see his daughter.
Yuri: "Y-yes. Todays the School Festival." She avoids making eye contact with her father's dark blue eyes.
Yuri's Father: "Well you should probably eat something first before you head out. Breakfast is ready so eat up." He says as he moves a strand of his black hair away from his eyes.
Yuri: "Yes father." She walks to the kitchen and sits down to eat.
Yuri's Mother: (She seems upset? Wonder what happened?)
Yuri: "Thank you for breakfast."
Yuri's Mother: "Sure thing. I hope you do well sweetie."
Yuri: "Thank you mother."
Yuri's Father: "Try to have fun." He waves to her before she leaves.
Yuri: "I'll try."
After exiting the house her father looks to his wife with a look of concern on her face.
Yuri's Father: "What's wrong?"
Yuri's Mother: "She looks upset."
Yuri's Father: "Maybe she's just nervous because of the Festival. I can't blame her. She did get her personality from me."
Yuri's Mother: "I don't think it's the Festival. I think there's something else?"
Yuri's Father: "Like what?"
Yuri's Mother: "I don't know." (Was she rejected by that boy or is there more to the story?)
[Song Ends]
On her way to Michael's house. Every step Yuri takes her heart beats faster and faster. It was clear that she isn't nervous about the Festival. She was nervous to see him again after they almost kissed. Yuri shakes her head to forget about it and ends up bumping into someone.
Natsuki: "Hey watch where you're going!"
Yuri: "N-Natsuki?"
Natsuki: "Oh Yuri. I guess you got the message too?"
Yuri: "Y-yes"
Natsuki: "Well come on then. We got a lot of things to carry to the club." Yuri nods. "You seem off? Is everything ok?"
Yuri: "Y-yes I'm doing well. I'm just nervous is all."
Natsuki: "Well ok then?" (Is she hiding something?)
After walking a couple of blocks to Michael's house they spotted his place and notices someone is just about to enter his home.
Natsuki: "Hey Sayori!"
Sayori: "Oh hey you two! How have you been? Ready for the Festival?"
Natsuki: "A little. I'm surprise it took you this long to get to his house considering you live close to him."
Sayori: "Well I overslept a bit. When I saw the message and the time, I immediately got ready and came straight here. I didn't really eaten anything besides toast."
Natsuki: "Well there's going to be plenty of food at the Festival so you could eat something there before we start the performance?"
Sayori: "You're right. Ready to help out MC?"
Natsuki: "Yeah as long as you don't eat any of the cupcakes."
Sayori: "Hmph Meanie."
Meanwhile with Michael just before the girls made it to his house. He is seen putting on his uniform before he heads downstairs to get something to eat. When he finishes eating, he went back to his room to pack up his belongings and by belongings, I mean his poem that he'll be performing with. He looks at all the stuff the girls left behind and wonders how he's going to carry all the pamphlets, decorations, and cupcakes to the club.
Michael: "Crap. How am I going to carry all this?" The doorbell rings. "Coming!" He rushes down the stairs and answers the door. "Hello?"
Sayori: "Hey MC!"
Michael: "What are you all doing here?"
Natsuki: "Monika texted all of us to come over and help with the stuff."
Michael: "I see, thanks."
Natsuki: "I'll get the cupcakes."
Sayori: "I'll get the pamphlets."
Yuri: "I-I-I'll take the decorations."
All four of them gathered all the things needed for the Festival. Before leaving Michael made sure to lock the door. During the walk Sayori and Natsuki would argue about the cupcakes. Sayori wanted to eat them now, but Natsuki would constantly tell her that the cupcakes are only for the audience. While they argue up front. Yuri and Michael would remain behind not saying a word after they left his house.
Michael: (This is so awkward.)
Yuri: (Idiot. Just tell him your sorry about it.)
Michael: (She probably hates me for not telling her I was already in a relationship? I can't blame her.)
Yuri: (He probably hates me for almost causing him to cheat on his girlfriend?)
This would keep going until for a split second they would look at each other and attempt to say something, but then look away and say nothing. Sayori and Natsuki started to get worried when they notice this but thought it be best to leave them be for now.
[Lying is the Most Fun by Panic! at the Disco]
When they reached school, they started hearing music playing. When they arrived, they saw almost all the students hanging around having fun. Who could blame them since they don't really have to 'attend' school. On their way to the club Michael notices some people looking at him with disgust. They all stared whispering with him just ignoring them. The girls notices this, but kept their mouths shut, until Natsuki spoke up.
Natsuki: "Is there a problem!" She says with annoyance. As soon as she said that the other students kept silent. (Fucking bastards.) She looks at Michael, but he avoids eye contact. (Why do they hate him?)
As they kept going the other students started talking again.
Random Student: "Why is he here? Is he black mailing them?"
Random Student 2: "Probably?"
?: "How about you confront him and ask him or better yet keep your mouth shut." The two students look behind themselves to see a boy with short dirty blond hair standing behind them with an annoyed look on his face.
Random Students: "N-no sir!" They ran away.
?: (Fucking cowards. Talking about someone behind their backs. They should learn more about him before judging him.) "Better get going myself."
Meanwhile at the club. Everyone has gathered up to see Monika getting the seats and stage set up.
Monika: "Hey everyone. Glad you all came."
Natsuki: "So this is how we'll be performing?"
Monika: "That's correct. Listen everyone. I know you're all probably nervous about this, but I know you'll all do your absolute best. Now let's get ready and show just how awesome the Literature Club is!"
Everyone Else: "Yeah!"
With all the seats set up and the stage ready. Everyone separated to do their own tasks around the clubroom. Yuri and Monika set up the decoration Yuri and Michael made. Natsuki got the cupcakes set up near the door for anyone who wants any. Sayori sets the pamphlets on top of each seat and the remaining ones near the cupcakes. As for Michael, Monika gave him the order to sweep around.
[Song Ends]
With everything all set up it was time to perform. All five members got their poems ready as Monika tells them the order of who's going to share theirs. Monika being the first to start off, Sayori after her followed by Natsuki, then Yuri and finally Michael. While that is happening, students started to arrive taking a pamphlet and cupcake while Monika gives out her speech.
Monika: "Welcome everyone to the Literature Club. My name is Monika and I am the Club President. Thank you all for stopping by. Today me along with my club members will be performing poetry for you all. I know what you're all thinking. Why did we start this club about poetry and literature? The reason for this is because I wanted show you all just how much expressive literature really is.
The freedom to write a masterpiece using your own imagination and skills. It may seem like everything is the same, but just like us as human beings we are all different and so can literature. So, sit back and allow us to show you the talent we each possess from learning the world around us."
When she finished her speech. The audience clapped for her. When they quiet down, Monika began her performance. The way she performed with her poem captured the hearts of the audience. It didn't really surprise anyone, after all she is the Queen of the school. All the boys kept their eyes on her with lust which disgusted Michael and the girls, but also the female audience looked at Monika with envy or in awe.
When she finished everyone clapped for her. Whistles can be heard and Michael notices some of the boys howling like wolves. When it was Sayori's turn the crowd was less enthusiastic, but a large amount of students listened to her performance. When she finished everyone claps for her.
Next up was Natsuki. She gave her best performing, but the disrespect of some students only fueled her anger. She looks to Monika who watches in awe which kept her motivated and just ignored the students. Even still when she finished, everyone clapped for her, but it was obvious that it was less people compared to Sayori and Monika. After performing she left the stage and walk towards Monika.
Monika: "That was great. Good job Natsuki." She says with a smile.
Natsuki: "Th-thanks" She says while she tries to bottle up her disappointment.
Sayori: "Yuri you're up."
Yuri: "R-right"
Monika: "Listen Yuri you got this. Out of all of us you're the best at this. Have some confidence and let them know just how talented you are."
Yuri: "I-I'll do my best. For the club."
She sets foot on top of the stage and stares down at the crowd. She adjusts the microphone to her height and began sharing her poem. As she read her poem, she kept finding the crowd too intimidating and she kept on stuttering. She couldn't get past the first sentence and struggled to say the next.
Random Student: "Hey hurry up! You're wasting our time!"
Random Student 2: "I know right! Give us Monika back!"
Random Student 3: "Man who let this girl join?!"
Random Student 4: "Told you she was a bad person! Thinks she too good to perform huh!?"
The more they talked the more pissed off Natsuki got.
Random Student: "As expected from the weirdo who has no friends! Bet the club pitied her and just let her join!" Everyone started laughing as Yuri started to shed tears. Soon enough she couldn't take it and left crying.
Random Student 5: "This is some club you got here to let someone who can't read a poem to us!"
Sayori and Monika look at the students with disgust only to look back to see Natsuki getting ready to punch them. However, someone beat her too it.
Michael: "Would you all just shut up! She's just shy! Give her a break!" The room turned into silence.
?: "Well, well, well. Look who we got here. I wasn't expecting the son of a bastard to be here."
Sayori: (What?)
Natsuki: (He's a what?)
Monika: (What does he mean by that?)
?: "Oh don't tell me you forced these sweet girls to let you join them? As expected from you. Why do you even show up to school knowing damn well you're not welcome here?" A man appeared looking well-built tall amongst others with him, short black hair, and dark skin. Next to him was a short guy with red spikey hair and blue eyes along with the rest of his crew.
Bully: "Yeah after what your dad did to my family."
Bully 2: "Time to get pay back."
Michael: "You want to go then!" He takes a stance.
?: "That's fine by me. It about time to put you in your place. It's time to get rid of this sorry excuse of a human being. Do the rest of you agree?" As he said that more than half of the students agreed with him and the remaining students kept their mouths shut and decided to walk away.
Sayori: "Who's this jerk?"
Monika: "That's Johnny. Captain of the Wrestling team. Not only that, but I heard he's also the school's bully."
While all the other students left, the boy from earlier appeared looking ready to join in on the fight while another guy with short brown slick hair keeps watch as the students who supported Johnny cheered.
All Students: "Fight! Fight! Fight!" Over and over again. Ready to see Michael and Johnny clash. Just as both Michael and Johnny are getting ready for a fight Monika steps in.
Monika: "Listen up. People who come into my club and talks trash about my club members is an act I will not forgive. Leave now and never bother any of my members or else there will be hell to pay." She looks at Johnny and his crew with an ice-cold stare.
Johnny: "Fine, this was a waste of my time anyways. Let's go boys. I don't want to look at this bastard any longer." He leaves with his boys and so did the two boys who observed the entire thing.
Natsuki: "Fucking bastards."
Sayori: "Meanies" With everyone else gone all three girls look towards Michael. "MC are you ok?" He says nothing. "MC?" He starts walking away.
Michael: "I'm going to go look for Yuri." He says without looking at them. Just when he was about to leave.
Monika: "Wait Michael." He stops moving. "What did they mean about what they said? About you and your dad?"
Michael: "You don't need to know."
Monika: "But …"
Michael: "Just leave me alone." He walks out the room and goes searching for Yuri.
Natsuki: "Should we go after him?"
Monika: "… No let him cool off first."
Natsuki: "But?"
Monika: "Come on let's go find Yuri as well."
Natsuki: "..."
Sayori: (MC … What happened to you?)
End of Chapter 15