Chapter 33: The Change

After having a heart-to-heart talk with Sayori's dad. Michael decided to take the time to rest as everyone else talk amongst themselves. When everyone arrived back to his room, his mom gave him a huge lecture while Sayori and her parents left the room. When all that was settled, they all returned.

Sayori's Dad: "Well it was nice to see the both of you again, but it's time for us to head home."

Mom: "Already?"

Sayori's Dad: "Yeah we have work tomorrow, but don't worry. Sayori will be coming over to visit him after school is over."

Mom: "That's good to hear. I have work as well so I won't be able to visit him often."

Sayori's Mom: "They're still forcing you to work long hours?"

Mom: "Yeah, tomorrow I'll be working even later since I left my station when I got the call from the hospital. They're going to have me work harder to make up for the time I lost."

Sayori's Mom: "Your job sounds awful to make you do that when your child is in the hospital."

Mom: "I know, but it's the job that pays the bills since I'm single and I need to support him." She looks over to her son.

Sayori's Mom: "I do hope things would go well for you then."

Mom: "I'm sure it will in due time."

Sayori's Dad: "Then I say it's time for us to leave now. I do hope you recover soon kiddo."

Michael: "Thanks, but I'll be alright."

Sayori's Mom: "Take care Michael and you too Gabriella."

Mom & Michael: "Take care as well."

Sayori's Mom: "It was nice to see you two again."

Sayori: "See you tomorrow MC."

Michael: "Right"

Mom: "Take care Sayori." After all of them left she spoke up. "Michael"

Michael: "Still more?"

Mom: "No, I just want to let you know that you have a lot of guts to pull that little stunt. You never did tell me where you got that gun from?"

Michael: "The Revolver was dads. It was the only gift he gave me in a way."

Mom: "You must despise him a lot?"

Michael: "Why wouldn't I?"

Mom: "That makes us both then."

Michael: "Mom?"

Mom: "You may look like your dad, but you got your strength from me."

Michael: "What do you mean?"

Mom: "I always told you. Mothers are always strong, but for you. A real man always makes the right choice even if it means injuring himself. I should know. After all I'm the one who raised you."

Nurse: "Excuse Ms. Adams, Mr. Conner. Visiting hours are over."

Mom: "Yes I'll be leaving soon. What's wrong son?"

Michael: "Nothing, I'm still not used to hearing your last name Adams instead of Conner."

Mom: "Well maybe if your dad actually proposed then it wouldn't be weird, but he didn't. Oh well it's for the best. Though I do hope you get married someday rather than just get a girl pregnant."

Michael: "Mom" His face turns slightly pink as his mom giggles.

Mom: "I'll see you next time whenever I get off work."

Michael: "Try not to push yourself too hard."

Mom: "Oh you. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Michael: "Mothers are always strong. I know. You don't have to remind me."

Mom: "You got that right. Get plenty of rest. Bye son."

Michael: "Bye mom." His mom leaves as the room starts to get dark. (Guess it's sleeping time? Good thing they gave me some pain relief or I might not be able to rest easily. Time to get some rest. It's been a long day. I hope Sayori will be ok.) He lays himself to bed and closes his eyes until he finally went to sleep.

The next day Michael spent all day in the hospital bed. The nurses kept watch over him to make sure he doesn't move too much. When it would be time to eat the nurses delivered him his tray. Soon after Dr. Feelgood would appear time to time to check up on him and to run some tests. When he finished gathering enough data he would then go back to Michael's room and tell him about his injury. According to Dr. Feelgood, Michael should be all healed up by next year. That helped relieved him a bit, but wonder when exactly? It's almost the end of November and December is just around the corner.

While he waits for dinner to be served, he is given a remote to watch TV. Lucky for him he doesn't have a roommate, so he can watch whatever he wants without needing to argue or listen to someone else whine. While he channels surfs a familiar face came by for a visit.

Sayori: "MC are you up?"

Michael: "Oh hey. Yeah, I'm up."

Sayori: "How's your foot?"

Michael: "Can't really feel it at the moment, but the doctor said I should be better around next year."

Sayori: "That's great to hear." She walks up to him nervously. "MC"

Michael: "Yeah?" He lowers the volume of the TV.

Sayori: "I just … I want to say I'm sorry about everything. It's my fault that you got hurt trying to save me."

Michael: "Don't apologize. This was my choice. You're not to blame."

Sayori: "Maybe, but if I hadn't done that then maybe you wouldn't be in here."

Michael: "I have no regrets."

Sayori: "Huh?"

Michael: "I don't regret what I did. The pain I felt on my foot is nothing if you're not around."

Sayori: "MC? … How are you this strong and so forgiving? Why don't you hate me?"

Michael: "... It's simple. You're my friend. You can be annoying at times, but I'm glad you're around, because if you weren't around my life would be boring."

Sayori: "... I'm glad to hear that. I'm happy to know you're here."

Michael: "You're happy that I'm in the hospital?"

Sayori: "That's not what I meant!"

Michael: "Kidding"

Sayori: "Heh, meanie." A moment of silence. "MC about what I told you before. I want to be honest with you right now. Face to face." He doesn't say a word as she takes a deep breath. "I … I love you. I loved you since childhood and not a day has gone by that I never thought of you. Do you accept my confession?" The both of them doesn't say a word to each other but knew something had to be said. Michael takes a deep breath before answering her confession.

Michael: "... I'm sorry, but I don't feel that way to you." She has a look of disappointment.

Sayori: "That's … ok. I already knew that you didn't feel the same way about me. You're free to like whoever you want. I already know that I lost. I was just hoping that maybe you did."

Michael: "Listen …"

Sayori: "You don't have to say anything to cheer me up. Sorry for asking this all of a sudden. I'll leave now."

Michael: "Sayori" He says with authority. "I want you to listen to me."

Sayori: "O-ok."

Michael: "I've been thinking a lot since our last talk. The day before you decided to hang yourself. When I heard you talk about your rain clouds. When we Dueled on Sunday. I wondered what I can do to help you. After you spent all your time helping me. I wanted to comfort you, but I didn't know what to say or do. I felt guilt when I left you alone. I felt you deserved better, but that's not the case. You needed someone who you could trust to be there for you. I wanted to tell you that I loved you, but I had no right to say that, because then I would be lying to you. I wanted to tell you that you're my dearest friend, but I couldn't. I drove you away, but now. After seeing everything that you and the others have done for me.

I can say it."

Sayori: "Say what?"

Michael: "Sayori, I don't love you as a lover, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. It's the opposite. You're more than just a friend. I love you as a sister."

Sayori: "A sister?" He nods. "Don't you already have a sister?"

Michael: "I do, but you know how she is. Always tormenting us."

Sayori: "You're right, but what gave you that idea?"

Michael: "Your dad."

Sayori: "My dad?"

Michael: "Yesterday he told me how him and your mom looked at me as their own son. After hearing them, it made me think. About you, about us and it clicked. When I'm with you I feel happy but when you're not here I feel lonely. I thought about it every second. I tried to force it, but I can't. That's when it finally hit me. Sayori, I love you as a sister. I want you to be there in my life through the good times and the bad times. Do you accept my confession?"

Sayori: "MC" She looks at him lost in thought trying to prosses his proposal. For a moment she seemed sad, but soon enough her frown turned. "I do big brother."

Michael: "Big brother?"

Sayori: "Well you are a little older than me."

Michael: "Yeah you're right." They both started laughing. (That's what I want to see. Her real smile.)

Sayori: (MC as my brother? That isn't so bad as I thought. We can always be together even when he does meet someone.) "MC can you promise something?"

Michael: "Sure"

Sayori: "Even when you do find that special someone. Please don't ever forget about me."

Michael: "How can I? You're always going to be a part of my life. You'll never be forgotten because you and I are now sibling." He opens up his arms.

Sayori: "We are."

They both hug each other as a new relationship now blossoms. From now on the two-childhood friend are now siblings. Sayori feared of being forgotten or loving him too much to get herself hurt, but with a new alternate way. She couldn't be anymore happier.

(I'm starting to have my old friend, my brother back piece by piece. I'm so much happier now.)

The following day after school has ended. Sayori immediately left school grounds to visit her brother again. However right before she could.

Sky: "Hey where are you going in such a rush?" Sayori stops in place and faces her blue haired classmate.

Sayori: "Oh I'm going to the hospital to see my friend."

Sky: "A friend of yours is in the hospital? How?"

Sayori: "Well stuff happens and well … Anyways I'm off. I'll see you next week." She starts running.

Sky: "Hey what about your club!?"

Sayori: "It's cool! I already told them the reason!"

Sky: *Sigh* "That girl. Oh well it's none of my business." (Just hope she doesn't do anything stupid.)

Later at the hospital.

Sayori: "Oh MC guess who's back?" She enters Michael's room and sees him watching television again.

Michael: "You know you don't have to visit me every day you know?"

Sayori: "I know, but I just want to see how you're doing."

Michael: "I'm feeling the same, speaking of which you seem happier than normal."

Sayori: "Am I really?"

Michael: "Yes"

Sayori: "Oh well." She looks at her phone as it buzzes.

Michael: "Something up?"

Sayori: "No not really. I'll be right back."

Michael: "Ok?" She leaves his room for a couple of minutes and when she returned.

Sayori: "Hey MC! Guess who I brought?"

Michael: "What?" He lowers the volume on the TV.

Sayori: "I brought some guests who came to see you."

Michael: "You did what now?"

Monika: "My goodness what did you do to yourself?"

Michael: "Oh shit."

Natsuki: "Heard you shot yourself in the foot. Did you mess up and took it seriously?"

Michael: "Well you see?"

Yuri: "Michael are you feeling well?" She pushes aside everyone else and stood by his bed side.

Michael: "Yyyyyyeeeeesssssss. Huh?" He got surprised when Yuri placed her hand on his cheek.

Yuri: "My goodness. When I heard you were injured, I didn't know what to do?"

Michael: "S-sorry, but …"

Yuri: "Huh?" She looks to where her hand is and how close she got to him. It was then she realized what she said and did as the others stare at her.

Natsuki: "Didn't know you two were already married." She smirks.

Monika: "You should've said something sooner."

Sayori: "Yup"

Yuri: "I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I d-d-d-didn't mean it that way. I-I-I-I was j-just worried is all."

Sayori/Monika/Nastuki: "Doubt."

Yuri: "Kya!" She explodes in bright red.

They all continued with this awkward scene until Monika decided to change the subject by asking him about what happened. Michael would try to answer her questions but couldn't until Sayori spoke up and told them all what was going on. After she told them all the details Monika started to lecture the both of them. Sayori for not telling anyone about her depression and Michael for shooting his own foot and so on.

Monika: "And that's why you shouldn't have made us worried."

Sayori & Michael: "Sorry mam."

Monika: "Well I'm glad that the two of you are safe and made up." She pats Michael on the head and hugged Sayori.

Natsuki: "Nice to see them both after all this time."

Yuri: "Yes, it is." (I'm so glad to see the both of them again.)

After that was all settled, they all started to talk to each other again just like they did at the club room. They all talked, watch TV together and laughed until visiting hours were over.

Monika: "Looks like it's time for me to head home now. It was nice having the both of you back. I hope to see you two at the club after you're set free. Bye everyone." She waves to everyone as they all say goodbye to her.

Natsuki: "It's time for me to get going too. I'll see you next time or not, but I guess I'll make you a cupcake."

Sayori: "Yay! Cupcakes!"

Michael: "See you later Natsuki."

Natsuki: "Just try to get better quickly." She waves to them before heading home herself.

Sayori: "Sorry I can't stay here much longer, but I have to get going too."

Michael: "That's fine."

Sayori: "I'll see again tomorrow. Take care MC."

Michael: "Same to you. Try not to get hurt."

Sayori: "Will do." She hugs him before leaving his room.

Yuri: "..."

Michael: "Is something the matter Yuri?"

Yuri: "It's nothing. Sorry to make you worry."

Michael: "Sorry to make you worried."

Yuri: "No please don't. You did what you had to do. If you didn't then Sayori wouldn't be here today."

Michael: "Yeah you're right, but still." He looks down in shame.

Yuri: "... I'm glad to see you again."

Michael: "Huh?" He looks back up to her as she leaves.

Yuri: "I-I'll try to visit you when I can. Please rest well." She bows before leaving.

Michael: "Y-yeah, see you … later?" *Sigh* He lays on his bed. (Monika, Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri. All of you wasted all your time and effort to help me. Why?) He looks outside to see the full moon.

[Black Clouds by Papa Roach]

(With everything that occurred up until now. I still have all these negative thoughts. Everyone gave up so much to help a worthless guy like me. They all showed how much they cared for me and yet I turned them away with every effort they made. Do I really deserve all this? Do I deserve my friends? Do I deserve to have them by my worthless side? My worthless life?)

He started remembering all the painful memories of his past. The pain his dad gave him, the scars he inflicted onto him. He took a look at his hand before grabbing a mirror a nurse left him and took a good long look at himself.

(People always compare me to my old man. They never looked at me as a different person. However, they never did.) Images of the girls' flash before his eyes. He took his other hand and moved aside his hair. (The reason I have long hair is to cover my eyes. The same eyes as that man and are a constant reminder of my cursed blood. I don't ever want anyone to look at me as my dad nor do I want them to see the Despair in them.)

The memories of his past started to fade away as new memories are formed. The memories he made with the Literature Club. The good times he had with the girls. (Can I really confront my past? Can I carve my own future? Can I escape my Despair?)

He puts down the mirror and looks forward. Continuing to remember everything about his life good or bad. The scars his dad inflicted him, the torment his sister caused, and the treatment he received from Sara. All those harsh memories he had soon turned to the ones where he was truly happy. Reading Manga with Natsuki, playing around with Sayori, talking with Monika, and reading novels with Yuri. He soon started to remember everything the girls went through to help him.

(I want to do better. If they are willing to go through all this for me, then I don't have the right to complain. I want to change for the better. Sayori was willing to confess her secrets and Yuri broke free from her shyness to speak up for me and here I am complaining about my past. They all gave up so much to help me and what do I have to show for them. Nothing but whining about myself. My constant complaining about my misfortunes. No more. I want to do better. I want to show them that their efforts were for nothing. I want to.)

He clenches his hands. (I want to be the man they can be proud of. A man who faces his problems rather than running away from them or complaining it to others. No more excuses, no more hesitation.)

"It's time, it's time to face my demons."

[Song Ends]

End of Chapter 33