Chapter 49: New Year, New Drama

*Flash Back*

Michael: "Ga!" He shouts in pain as he hits the wall.

Sara: "Have you learned nothing!? When I say it, you do it!"

Michael: "I'm sorry." He tries to pick himself back up, but before he could Sara slams her foot on the wall just inches away from his head.

Sara: "Don't think an apology will fix everything. You need to service me to please me."

Michael: "I … I understand."

Sara: "Good" She kneels to reach his face placing her hand on his chin lifting it up to her face. "You took your next step to being better than him. Let me reward you." She kisses him and places both her hands on his face. "I'm sorry babe. I don't want to hurt you, but I have so much stress building up."

Michael: "I understand." He places his hands on her ass.

Sara: "Good boy. Let's go to the bedroom."

Michael: "Yes mam."

*Flash Back Ends*

?: "wake up … hey wake up … Wake Up MC!"

Michael: "Gasp!" He opens his eyes immediately.

Sayori: "Finally you're awake."

Michael: "Sayori?" He groans. "What time is it?"

Sayori: "It's almost ten. Got to get up now or your inner clock will get all messed up."

Michael: "Right, I'm up, I'm up." He sits up and rubs his eyes.

Sayori: "Good morning MC!"

Michael: "Good morning to you too. You're up early today."

Sayori: "I'm just so excited that's all."

Michael: "That so? How was your Christmas with your family?"

Sayori: "It went great. I just wished you came along."

Michael: "Maybe next time. Right now, I needed some alone time."

Sayori: "I guess so, but on Christmas?"

Michael: "There's still plenty of holidays coming up, so don't worry too much about me." He pets her. "So did you get anything for Christmas?"

Sayori: "Yeah! I got a lot of cool presents. My mommy got me this new head band." She shows off her new light blue headband with a sunflower on it.

Michael: "That's cool to see. Looks good on you."

Sayori: "Yup and thanks for the gift you gave me."

Michael: "I see, so you liked it?"

Sayori: "Yup! Now Mr. Cow isn't alone anymore. He's got a new friend now."

Michael: "I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed my gift." (Thank goodness she liked the little duck plush. Just wished I had enough time to get Monika something better than a calligraphy pen and I still need to get something for Yuri, but what?)

Sayori: "So what did you get from Gabriella?"

Michael: "You remember that Duel Disk we bought together when we were kids?"

Sayori: "Yeah?"

Michael: "My mom got me the newer model. Check it out." He gets out of bed and shows off the new shiny model.

Sayori: "Woah! I was wondering what was in that huge box?" She looks at his new Duel Disk. The shine the texture and the color. "Is that thing made of metal?"

Michael: "Yeah. It's a lot sturdier than that old plastic one we got."

Sayori: "What are you going to do with the older one?"

Michael: "Most likely keep in the same place as always. It's not like I'm getting rid of it anytime soon."

Sayori: "Seems legit."

Michael: "Did you want the old one?"

Sayori: "Well if you insist?" She says sarcastically.

Michael: "Should've known. It's in the closet. You can have it if you want?"

Sayori: "Sweet! Thank you, MC." She rushes to his closet and back to him with the old Duel Disk in hand. "Hey MC since we both got a Duel Disk want to play a couple of rounds just like in the show?"

Michael: "Sure, but first let me freshen up."

Sayori: "Sure thing. I'll be downstairs if you need me."

With her gone and out of his room. Michael takes his towel and heads to his personal bathroom as he showers, he becomes lost in thought. Thoughts that would not leave his mind no matter how hard he tries to suppress it.

Michael: (Why am I getting these dreams all of a sudden? They never bothered me, so why now? Sara … I broke up with you because I couldn't handle your love any longer and yet … my body feels cold. Maybe because I miss the screams, the pain, the sex.) He clenches his hands. (Stop thinking about that bitch. I'm in a better place now. My mind is at ease. The demons no longer linger and yet a part of me still wishes to go back to the past. The violent, dirty, shameful past of mine. I need to keep myself busy, to forget it all. I owe it to everyone. Time to stop thinking about it. I owe Sayori a rematch.)

He continues with his shower and after finishing up and putting on his clothes. He heads downstairs with his hair still slightly wet. When he reached downstairs, he saw Sayori looking through her cards preparing to Duel until she notices him and the clicks of his crutches.

Sayori: "Need help?"

Michael: "No I'll be fine. I just hope you're ready to lose again."

Sayori: "As if. I'm going to win this time."

Michael: "Then let's find out."

Throughout the rest of winter everyone continued to enjoy their winter break. They spent time with their families' playing games, watching movies and shows. Sayori would continue hanging out with Michael, Natsuki would watch Anime with her dad, and Yuri would watch movies with her parents. It was a lot of fun for them all, at least that's what everyone wanted. As the last few days of December draws to its end. With New Year's just around the corner. Everyone began making their plans to celebrate the new year. Just the day before New Year's Eve, while Michael was listening to music, he received a phone call.

Michael: "Hello?"

Monika: "Hey Michael it's me."

Michael: "Oh hey how's it been?"

Monika: "I've been doing well. How about you?"

Michael: "I'm doing good. So, what is it you want to talk about?"

Monika: "I was just wondering what you're going to do on New Year's Eve?"

Michael: "Nothing really. My mom is forced to work again and won't be back until after midnight."

Monika: "Oh I see, I'm sorry to hear that."

Michael: "Yeah it's dumb right? What about you? Are you going to celebrate it with your folks?"

Monika: "No, unfortunately there going to be busy as well."

Michael: "You too huh?" (Who the hell wants to work on New Year's? What kinda boss does that? Talk about a Scrooge and plot contrivance.)

Monika: "Yeah, I'm guessing Sayori wanted you to join her somewhere?"

Michael: "Yeah, but I'm not feeling well to travel anywhere."

Monika: "Are you sick?"

Michael: "No, I just thought I should take it easy since you know I did all that and all."

Monika: "And Sayori can't stay to watch over you?"

Michael: "She wanted to stay since she felt bad for not doing her job correctly, but her grandma really wanted to see her again, so I convinced her to go."

Monika: "Aye Michael."

Michael: "What?"

Monika: "You should really let us take care of you."

Michael: "Sorry."

Monika: "Listen if it's okay with you? I was wondering if you want to hang out tomorrow?"

Michael: "Sure, I don't mind."

Monika: "Great, I'll see you at your place tomorrow in the afternoon."

Michael: "Yeah see you then." Both hung up the phone. "Hmm, I wonder what the others are going to do? I sure hope Natsuki and her dad are getting along just fine."

Meanwhile at her house.

Natsuki: "Yeah boi!"

Natsuki's Dad: "I call hacks. How'd you do that?"

And now back to Michael.

Michael: "I should call her to check up on her." He dials her number.

The next day. New Year's Eve has arrived. Sitting across from each other, both Michael and Monika drink their cups of coffee not saying a word to each other. Only speaking when asking a question. It's unknown why no one broke the ice, but some could guess why. A single thought came to them.

Michael/Monika: (I've made a terrible mistake!)

Michael: (What was I thinking of just letting her come over?)

Monika: (What was I thinking? I should've known it was just going to be the two of us alone in his house?)

Michael: (The one time I wanted Sayori to be here. Make things less awkward. No, maybe it wouldn't be awkward so long as I remain calm and don't say anything stupid, I'm fine.)

Monika: (Everything will be alright. He isn't the type of man to do something inappropriate to anyone, but if he does then I … no stop thinking about it. It's perfectly natural if he's interested. He's a man after all.)

Michael: (I'm a heathy young man so it's fine if I'm interested. Wait a minute? Why does this sound familiar?)

Monika: (Everything is fine, he can't do anything with his injured foot. I need to say something now before things get more weird.)

Michael: (I need to say something before things get more awkward between us. Well here goes nothing.)

Monika & Michael: "Do you want to do it!" (Shit!)

Monika: "Sorry to burst out like that."

Michael: "No it wasn't your fault. Sorry for shouting something so stupid."

Monika: "It's okay. I should've been more clearer rather than what I said. If anyone else was to hear they would get the wrong idea."

Michael: "And that's something I want to avoid."

Monika: "True"

Especially when you're the ones reading it.

Michael: "So what did you really want to do?" (Let's just ignore what I said. Ok?)

Monika: "Of course. What I meant to say is if we could play that game again? The game we played at the club."

Michael: "Oh you mean you want to Duel?"

Monika: "Yeah, I had a ton of fun the last time we played. If you don't want to then we could always do something else?"

Michael: "N-n-no I'm fine with that. Just let me get my deck." He attempts to get up.

Monika: "How about I do it since I'm not the one injured?"

Michael: "Well alright then. My deck is near the TV in my room."

Monika: "Alright I'll be right back." She gets off the couch and heads up to his room. "Let's see, near the TV, he said. There it is." She grabs his deck and notices his Manga collection. "Wow this must be his collection?" She looks around her surroundings. "Now that I think about it. I never been in his room before. This is the first time I've been in here." She starts going through the titles of Manga Volume. (Hm, doesn't seem like he has anything inappropriate, but then again what kind of idiot would leave their collection out in the open? Wait why am thinking he has something dirty in here in the first place? We live in a year where everything is digital.)

She shakes her head. (Come on girl you've been in here for a long time now. Time to move on.) When she finished going through the rows, she noticed there was one different from the others. (Wait could this be it?) She grabbed it and saw it was a normal book with the title being The Odyssey. "Huh didn't know Michael had a book like this in his room?" She stares at the cover and realized it wasn't really his. (Should've known Yuri gave him this. I wonder how close those two have gotten? No, I shouldn't really be asking that? It's none of my business.)

She puts the book back in its spot and heads back down with Michael's deck in hand. "Sorry if it took so long? I didn't know which is your room."

Michael: "That's understandable. You ready for a couple of rounds?"

Monika: "You know it. I know just what to do to beat you."

Michael: "You're starting to sound like Sayori now."

Monika: "Guess a bit of her rubbed off on me." She winks at him.

Michael: "Then let's Duel."

A few hours later, after losing all her matches, but so close.

Monika: "Well dang. I almost got you there plenty of times." She goes through her deck.

Michael: "Got to admit it. You're pretty good with that deck. You almost beat me until I decided to summon my other Red Dragon Archfiend monsters. Even Sayori never saw them."

Monika: "Well this was your deck until you decided to give it to me. All I did was learn how it works." She looks at the D/D/D cards.

Michael: "Yeah I guess you're right."

Monika: "I wonder how the others are doing?"

Michael: "I already asked them yesterday."

Monika: "You did? What did they tell you?"

Michael: "Well first Sayori went out of town to see her grandma to watch the fireworks tonight, Natsuki went with her dad out to the park for the same thing."

Monika: "And Yuri?"

Michael: "I texted her and she told me she was going to dinner with her parents." (Again what?)

Monika: "You texted her?"

Michael: "You know how she is."

Monika: "True" She looks at her deck again. "Hey, are you hungry by any chance?"

Michael: "Yeah, what about you?"

Monika: "I'm getting there."

Michael: "Do you want to order take out? I know some places still open."

Monika: "That would be great."

Michael: "Alright let me just call. What would you like?"

Monika: "I'll eat whatever you're having."

Michael: "Well alright then." He makes some calls. After giving his order and address he finishes up and turns to Monika. "Food will be here later. What do you want to do now?"

Monika: "How about we watch some TV?"

Michael: "Well alright then. Here you can decide." He gives her the remote and she turns the TV on.

They both watched whatever seemed interesting on television. When the food arrived, they both went to the kitchen to eat and talk until they finished all of it. After eating they went back to the living room and continued watching whatever was good. Before they knew it, it was almost midnight. The end of the year and the beginning of a new one. As they both waited for the last minute to pass, they both shared a discussion.

Monika: "A lot has happened this year."

Michael: "Yeah, a lot." He looks at his right injured foot and remembers everything that has occurred ever since he joined the Literature Club.

He remembers his hesitation in joining the club only deciding that he would out of the goodness of his heart. The interactions he had with everyone despite the awkwardness. Reading Manga with Natsuki, reading novels with Yuri, playing around with Sayori, and talking with Monika. There were a lot of good things that happened and a lot of bad things.

He remembered the time he almost kissed Yuri only to deny her as it was during the time he was with Sara. The words Sayori told him that broke his heart as he found out she was going through depression. His fights with some bullies who blame him just because of the crimes his dad committed. The isolation he felt. The failure of the School Festival.

However, there was hope for him. The bad memories may still hurt, but they could never hold him back anymore. After all it was thanks to the club that he became the man, he is now. It was thanks to Monika that talked highly of him that he felt he can do anything. Sayori telling him who he truly is. Natsuki being truthful, and Yuri inspiring him to change.

It was thanks to them that he finally confronted his demons. He broke up with Sara as he had enough of her abuse, and finally told his dad how he truly felt. Everything he'd done up till now was because they were there for him and he wanted them to know that. He helped Sayori's depression by convincing her even if he had to injure himself to show that he does care for her and things won't be the same if she's not around.

He helped Natsuki confront her dad and for them both to continue to live on for their loved one. Where he is now was thanks to them and he has no regrets joining the Literature Club even though Sayori guilt tripped him into joining and yet he felt guilty. The rush he feels deep within. The dreams he's been having lately. It bothered him that he would want to go back, but if he did then everything will be for nothing. All he could do was ignore it and hope for the best. He held his head high and said what needed to be said.

"Thank you."

Monika: "What was that?"

Michael: "Nothing. I just wanted you to know that I had fun with all of you. Through the good times and the bad times."

Monika: "Same here." (Why is my heart beating so fast all of a sudden?)

Michael: "It's almost a new year. I wonder what else we can do?" He looks up at the clock reading 11:59 pm. (The scars remain.)

Monika: "I'm wondering too?" 5

"What can I do?" 4

"Will I, do it?" 3

"Can I do it" 2

"Or will you just chicken out?" 1

(I, I want to do it. I want it so badly. Please … don't leave me alone.) 0

[All Because of You by Saliva]

Michael: "Happy New Year's!" His eyes widened to what was happening right now. In front of him laid a shade of pink. So soft and so gentle, the scent so good. It took him time to realize it until it happened.

Monika was kissing him so passionately that it caused him to fall on his back onto the couch with her on top of him, not breaking the kiss. She held her grip as her arms wrapped around his shoulders so he couldn't move his head. When she did that it triggered something from his mind.

He remembered what Sara did to him when she did that to him. Images of the time he spent with her flashed before his eyes. The same images he's been dreaming about, but this time it was different and he knew that. This kiss was passionate, not hurtful. However, things won't be the same after this as he kisses her back. He closes his visible eye and returns the kiss, Wrapping his arms around her waist.

Monika was a bit surprised but happy that he's returning the kiss. They kept the kiss held with small gasps of air in between. As they separated for air, Michael could feel her hands moving away from his neck as she now places her hands on his face while he places his hands on her waist. Holding tightly to each other a lust started to build up. What could have lasted forever didn't as an image appeared before him. (Yuri)

Soon they broke the kiss with them both breathing heavily. Realizing what they just done.

Monika: "M-Michael I, I, I-I'm so sorry. I-I didn't know what came over me. I'm so sorry."

Michael: "I uh …" She gets off his couch and grabs her coat.

Monika: "Thank you for spending time with me today. I'll see you at school. Take care." She says as she quickly leaves his house.

Michael: "M-Monika?" He watches as she leaves.

Monika: (I can't believe it. I can't believe I actually did that. I actually kissed him, but he returned the kiss.) She starts breathing heavily after her short sprint. She places her hand on her lips still feeling the warmth of their lips pressed. (I … I want more, but … now what am I going to do?)

She continues her walk home during the night. (I'm sorry.)

Michael: "I can't believe I did that with her. What kind of man am I to do that? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He looks at his shaking hand thinking about what he has done.

"I guess there's a little bit of him in me after all?"

[Song Ends]

End of Chapter 49