Chapter 51: Tell Me

Walking through the hallways as lunch is in place. Walking passed her fellow classmates as those classmates say certain things behind her back.

Random Student: "I hear she likes to harm herself."

Random Student 2: "I hear she thinks she's too good for us."

Random Student 3: "That sucks, because I hear she's got a nice rack. I mean have you seen those melons?"

Random Student 4: "She spends most of her time in the library."

Random Student 5: "That could explain how she got those grades?"

Random Student 6: "She may be smart, but she can be so creepy as hell."

More and more students continue on with their discussion as Yuri walks alone. While everyone enjoys their lunch, Yuri would make her way to the farthest restroom where no one ever visits. Those who do use it only use it because the rest of the stalls are being occupied. After entering the girl's restroom alone with no one in site, she used that opportunity to freshen up. Splattering cold water on her face before drying herself. She looked at her reflection. Those purple eyes staring right at her.

She examined herself, face and body. She looked down unable to see her feet due to her posture. Grabbing herself in displeasure, she reminds herself what those students said about her. The rumors, her appearance, her personality. The more she thought about them, the more upset she got as all she could hear are those comments about her bust size. Lifting her arm and rolling up the sleeve a bit. She looked at her now naked wrist, but why? Spending a good minute staring at her exposed wrist, she then looked back at her reflection.

Yuri: "… I … I still have time … before class starts again." (I need time to relax.) She forces a smile on herself to her reflection. (Ugly, ugly girl.)

Later on, that same day after classes came to an end. Setting aside her novel as she already finished her assignments in class while others around her continues to work. She packs up her belongings and leaves to join the Literature Club once again. When she arrived, she saw that no one had arrived yet. Taking her seat, she pulled out her novel again and began to read only to be interrupted by the next member of the club.

Monika: "Looks like I arrived early today." She notices Yuri. "Oh, hey how's it been?"

Yuri: "I-I'm doing well. Thank you for asking."

Monika: "?" (She seems down today? Wonder what happened?) "Yuri …"

Yuri: "Yes?"

Monika: "Nothing, sorry to interrupt you."

Yuri: "Please don't worry yourself. It's rude of me to read while you took the time out of your day to talk to me. Sorry."

Monika: "No it's fine, it's just …" The door opens suddenly as both girls look to see who showed up.

Natsuki: "Told you this would be easier if you just let us help you."

Michael: "I get it alright?"

Natsuki: "Hmph!"

Sayori: "Now be nice you two. Hey you two." She says happily to Yuri and Monika.

Natsuki: "Oh hey you got here on time."

Monika: "Gonna ignore that comment." Natsuki grins. "Alright since everyone is here. We can begin our club activities."

Natsuki: "Hey wait a minute. You didn't say your catch phrase again."

Monika: "Dang it Natsuki. Just enjoy your free time until it's time to share our poems."

Natsuki: "Ok?" Sayori giggles. "What's so funny?"

Sayori: "Nothing, but hey. Since it's free time you and I can talk now."

Natsuki: "About what?"

Sayori: "Follow me and find out." She head locks her.

Natsuki: "Hey wait a minute!"

Michael: (Never change Sayori.) He looks over to Monika as she sets up her belongings. "…" (Well better late than never. I just hope things will work out. Need to make things right.) He walks up to her. "Hey Monika."

Sayori: "And then boom!"

Natsuki: "What?"

Sayori: "For real. I'm not making that up."

Monika: "Hey you two. What are you talking about?" She walks up to them ignoring Michael as she walks past him.

Michael: (So it's true. She's feeling regret and doesn't want to talk to me. She must find this awkward to be in the same room with me?)

Monika: (I'm sorry Michael. I really want to make things right with you, but I can't right now. It's still too awkward for me to face you. Forgive me.) She puts up a fake face and joins in on the conversation with Sayori and Natsuki.

Michael: "…" (This is awkward. Now what?)

Yuri: "They seem very talkative today?"

Michael: "Not going to join them?"

Yuri: "N-no, I have nothing interesting to say."

Michael: "But you could always listen in?"

Yuri: "T-true, but …"

Michael: "Relax, I'm not forcing you to join them, but you seem off today?"

Yuri: "A-am I?"

Michael: "Are you feeling sick? Do you need to leave early?"

Yuri: "N-no I'm doing well. What would you make you say that?"

Michael: "Maybe because you're reading your book upside down."

Yuri: "Huh!?" She looks and sees the words as he said. "So embarrassing." She covers her red face with her hands. "Yuri, you idiot." Michael chuckles a little. (Now he thinks you're stupid.)

Michael: "You know with Natsuki back, there's a lot to catch up on."

Yuri: "I-I suppose that's true."

Michael: "You made a difference once again." She looks up to him confused.

Yuri: "W-what?"

Michael: "If it wasn't for you none of this could've happened."

Yuri: "P-please don't make it a big deal. All I did was tell you where she lived. Something I should've said in the beginning. You did all of the work."

Michael: "True, but you also helped me with my problems." He says as he looks away from her while she blushes.

Michael: "Well anyways, you plan on reading again?"

Yuri: "Y-yes, I recently bought this new novel." She shows him the book. The title being City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Michael: "You just got this?"

Yuri: "Y-yes, I'm just about ready to read this."

Michael: "That's cool."

Yuri: "…" Her face turns pink … again.

Michael: "…" And so does his. Silence between the two.

Yuri: "M-Michael, if you would like. W-would you like to join me in reading this n-new story?"

Michael: "Are you ok with that?"

Yuri: "I-I don't mind if you don't."

Michael: "Well if you're ok with this then sure. Just let me get the seats ready."

Yuri: "Y-yes that first." He attempts to set the seats next to each other, but … "P-perhaps I should do this?" She gets up and helps with the seats.

Michael: "Ah no I can do this." He struggles lifting the desk while balancing on his good leg.

Yuri: "Michael please, allow me to do this. You sit down and relax." She says with an assertive tone which took him by surprise. After he took his seat and she got the desks together. She took her seat beside him.

Michael: "Ready?" She nods to him happily.

Yuri: "Of course."

Michael: "… B-beautiful"

Yuri: "What was that?"

Michael: "Nothing, just looking at the cover art. The arts beautiful."

Yuri: "R-right" (Despite the cover being photoshopped. The two of us sitting like this. It feels right. It feels so nostalgic. He … he drives away all my problems.)

While the two read the first chapter together, another is watching from afar as the others talk.

Monika: (I'm not good at dealing with people, but what I see is obvious. It was there since the beginning and I never noticed it until now. How foolish of me. How foolish of me not to notice this until now. When we just shared our kiss. You love him too and I chose now to interfere. I'm an awful person.)

Natsuki: "Monika, Monika, hey Monika."

Monika: "Huh?"

Natsuki: "You feeling, ok?"

Monika: "Yes I'm doing okay. What's the problem?"

Natsuki: "Uh it's time to share our poems, remember?"

Monika: "Oh? … OH!"

Natsuki: "Uh? Ok?"

Monika: (Oh lord, what have I done? I just ignored him and promised myself that I needed time for myself. I completely forgot that I don't have a choice but to face him now. Monika you idiot!)

Natsuki: "-.-" (Everyone is acting crazy today. Must be the weather?)

With that all settled. It was time to once again share poems just like old times. Yay.

Michael: (It's been a while since I last shared my poem. I don't even remember the last time we done this, but I'm sure someone will mention it at some point.) He looks to You, to Monika. (This could be the only chance I get to talk to her. She's been avoiding me and I be lying if I said it doesn't bother me. I can't run from this so there are no excuses. Unless some convenient cockblocker occurs. God, I hate it when that happens in stories.)

Monika: (Oh lord, my heart is beating so fast. Is this what it feels like to be Yuri? No, snap out of it. You have a job to do. As a leader you must set the example. No running from this, no excuses. No … excuses …)

"No excuses got it! Now get back to work! You must win at all costs against them. Disappointing daughter of mine."

(Yes … mother.) All five of them stand in a circle.

Michael: (This is my chance.) "Monika could you …"

Monika: "Sayori, want to share with me first?"

Michael: "Ga!" (Right at the heart.)

Sayori: "Sure!" She says enthusiastically.

Natsuki: "What's up with you?" She places her hand on his shoulder.

Michael: "W-well …"

Natsuki: "Changed styles again and wanted Monika's advice?"

Michael: "No, but my poem could get some pointers." (It's not a complete lie.)

Natsuki: "Want to give it shot with me?"

Michael: "Will you?"

Natsuki: "If you're cool with that or whatever."

Michael: "Thanks, just try to hold off being too cruel."

Natsuki: "No promises, but I'll give it shot." He smiles to her and she winks as the two share poems with each other.

Yuri: (Seems those two have gotten closer. I'm glad to see them getting along better now.) She smiles a little. After sharing each other's poems, it was time to switch partners.

Monika: "Hey Sayori why don't you partner up with Michael next?"

Sayori: "Huh, well if you say so?"

Monika: "Good"

Sayori: (She's acting kinda weird all of a sudden? Wonder what's up?) She starts thinking. (Maybe she ate a bad squid?)

Michael: "Sayori, are you ready to share?"

Sayori: "I think bad squid could ruin your stomach."

Michael: "Huh?"

Sayori: "Oh, ready to share?"

Michael: "Y-yeah?" (What the fuck? What a strange childhood friend I have.)

Natsuki: "So how was it?"

Monika: "I'm impressed. Your poem has gotten even better. When I read it, it felt as if you matured and yet stayed the same."

Natsuki: "That so? Tell me, do you think it's better than Yuri's?"

Monika: "Don't push it."

Natsuki: "Got you." She grins. "Speaking of which, your poem … it's uh?"

Monika: "Go on?"

Natsuki: "It's weird."

Monika: "Weird how?"

Natsuki: "Well it's not like your usual style. It's more …" *Cough* "Lovey dovey."

Monika: "What? Lovey dovey? No it's, I just thought …"

Natsuki: "You're acting weird today?"

Monika: "No I'm not. You're tripping."

Natsuki: "Fine whatever I'll drop it, but just so you know." She leans to Monika and whispers. "If you keep acting like this, he will find out." She steps back again. "He went through hell and back for me, so keep that in mind." She walks away to talk to Sayori.

With that said and done after everyone shared their poems, all that remained was Michael and Monika. Standing face to face. The first time since New Year's. Both said nothing while the others shared their opinions with each other.

Michael: "Monika" He breaks the ice. "Do you hate me? Do you regret it?" He says sadly and suddenly, but Monika says nothing. She kept her mouth shut after he asked the question. "You've been avoiding me since that night. I just want to know why? Why do it, why avoid me?"

Monika: "…" She held on to her poem tightly.

Michael: "I see." (Perhaps I did pick a bad time to talk about this, in front of everyone.)

While he thinks to himself, Sayori notices this, but chose not to say anything or bring it up to the others. She felt there was something important that needed to be said between them. Ignoring them and continuing the conversation with Natsuki and Yuri. She minded her own business while the two talked things out.

"Sorry for bringing this up now. I understand if you don't want to talk about it. To be honest I would rather talk about this alone, but … I was too much of a coward to do it. Being forced to say it now when we should be having fun sharing our poems."

Monika: "It's ok. I'm sorry for avoiding you. It's just … I have a lot on my mind right now, so I can't give you a proper answer, but there is one thing I can guarantee with you and that is …" She places her hands on her heart. "I could never hate you. When I ran into someone from my past and they talked about you. I proudly told him he was wrong. I'm happy you joined and I have no regrets about that, but after that night. I don't know what to think. I'm sorry for making you feel that way. Sorry that I can't give you a proper answer. I'm being petty I know."

Michael: "Don't be. I'm just glad we sorted out one problem." He smiles to her. "Thanks"

Monika: "Right"

"He went through hell and back for me, so keep that in mind."

(I will, but what can he do for me? Can he relieve me of all this stress? I doubt it but seeing him makes it all go away. I'm in love with him now, but I don't have the right to say that.)

Later after everyone has shared their poems with each other and have left for home. Walking down the cold streets.

Sayori: "Hey MC."

Michael: "What is it?"

Sayori: "I just want you to know that if you ever feel those rain clouds on your head. You can count on me to help."

Michael: "Just make sure you have a jacket on, ok?" He pats her head.

Sayori: "Deal" She smiles brightly.

As they walk home together, on the other side of town. Monika walks through the streets on her own. Having no one to talk to, all she could do was walk alone. When she made a stop, she looked towards the orange sky as the snowy season had finally ended, but the cool breeze still lingers.

Monika: (How could he ever ask me that? How could I ever hate him? He is …) She shakes her head. (The only thing I hate … is myself.)

End of Chapter 51