Chapter 53: A path you can't take

Early morning Saturday, January 9th.

Michael: "Ga!" He says in pain as he breathes heavily.

Sayori: "Relax MC. I got this." She breathes heavily as well.

Michael: "F-fuck, it's tight."

Sayori: "Try to endure just a bit longer."

Michael: "I can't, I need to stop now."

Sayori: "Hang on. Just a few seconds and … done." She gently puts his leg down.

Michael: "Phew, who knew these exercises would be so difficult? That took a lot out of me."

Sayori: "Well we only have to do this every other day right?"

Michael: "That's what the doctor said."

Sayori: "Well now that we're done for the day. What do you want to do today?"

Michael: "Hmm?" He thinks intensely. "Oh, I got it. Do you think you can take me to the bookstore?"

Sayori: "Bookstore? Why do you want to go there?"

Michael: "Well it's a bit embarrassing, but …" She smiles.

Sayori: "Say no more. We can take the next bus over."

Michael: "Thanks"

Sayori: "Anytime" (Yuri really influenced him these passed months. Those two are always reading together. It's kinda cute. Ah crud! Who do I root for? Who do I want MC to be with!? It's too hard to pick between the three of them.)

Michael: (What's up with her?)

During that time, Monika readies herself for the day as she brushes her hair before tying it into her usual ponytail. Despite her not having any plans to go out, she felt she could at least make herself look presentable. After getting ready and looking at herself in a mirror, she headed downstairs. When she reached the kitchen, she saw both her parents eating breakfast all suited up for another day of work.

Monika's Father: "Good morning, Monika."

Monika: "Morning"

Monika's Father: "Breakfast is on the stove."

Monika: "Thank you." She walks to the stove and saw a bag with a couple of boxes in it. (Wonder where they went to get this?) She takes out one of the boxes and opens to see it had some bacon in it.

Monika's Father: "We'll see you soon."

Monika: "Heading off now?"

Monika's Father: "Yes, we have business out of town and won't be home anytime soon."

Monika: "Figures, I hope you two have a safe trip."

Monika's Father: "Take care of the house while we're gone." He says as he adjusts his tie and combs his silver hair.

Monika's Mother: "Ready for the drive Richard?" Adjusting her suit.

Monika's Father: "Yes, let's get going now. We don't want to deal with traffic."

Monika: "Bye you two." She says as both her parents left without saying another word. She had hoped that her mother would at least say something, but at the same time did she really want to hear anything from her other than negativity. (Well, looks like I'm all alone again. In this empty building I call a home.) She looks around the kitchen. (Why do we even have another table in the kitchen, we have a dining room? Whatever, I can't be here any longer than I need to. I need fresh air to clear my head. If I finish quickly, I should be able to take the next bus to town.

Later on, after arriving to her destination. She walked around town enjoying the view as the streets seemed lively today. While walking around town she did a bit of window shopping, talking to people, and enjoying the fresh air of the outside world. After doing some walking for more than an hour, she decided to stop by at a nearby park. Taking a seat on one of the benches she looked up at the clear blue sky as the clouds take form.

She takes a deep breath. (Ah, the air is so fresh and the sky is so beautiful. The clouds look so puffy and comfy like pillows. What more could a girl ask for?) She looks back down to her left at an empty spot in the bench she's sitting on. She looked away to her surroundings and saw a bunch of couples out there. All holding hands, flirting, kissing, and spending time with their families.

(Wonder if that could be me someday? It would be nice to spend this beautiful day with someone I love. Someone to share this experience with me. I should've brought a pen and paper with me. This would've been the perfect opportunity to write a new poem.) She pulls out her phone from her purse. (Good thing we have technology. I could just type it in here before writing it down at home.) She types in her phone as the day passes. By the time she finished, she heard a very warm voice calling out to her.

Michael: "Monika, is that you?" She looks away from her phone and sees a friendly face with a bag in his left hand.

Monika: "Oh hey Michael, what's up?"

Michael: "It's all good. What are you doing here?"

Monika: "Just typed in a poem in my phone. Looking at the sky above gave me an idea and I didn't want to lose that spark."

Michael: "I see."

Monika: "What about you? Did you come to town on your own again?"

Michael: "No I was with Sayori until …"

*Flash Back*

"Wonder where we should go? What do you think Sayori? Sayori?"

Sayori: "Help MC! There's too many people here!" She gets dragged by a crowd of people.

Michael: "Sayori!"

*Flash Back Ends*

"And that's what happened, so I decided to just stay here and wait for her. I already called her and apparently she was dragged far away from where we are now."

Monika: "That sucks. Sorry to hear that."

Michael: "Mind of I sit there?" He points at the empty spot.

Monika: "Go right ahead."

Michael: "Nice" He sits down and groans. "Feels nice to sit after a long walk."

Monika: "How's your foot?"

Michael: "Well it doesn't bother me much as it used to."

Monika: "Got used to it." She whispers to herself sadly.

Michael: "Nice day it is, right?" She looks up and sees the sky again.

Monika: "Yeah" She looks away only to look at him next to her. What bothered her the most however is what's in the bag he's been carrying. "Hey so what's in the bag?" He looks to her. "Oh, sorry I didn't mean to be nosy. I'm just curious is all."

Michael: "Oh it's just a book I got today." He pulls it out.

Monika: "A book?"

Michael: "Thought I might read something on my own rather than just reading with Yuri."

Monika: "I see now." (What is this feeling in my heart?) "So, what kind of book you got there?"

Michael: "A Detective Novel."

Monika: "A … Detective Novel?"

Michael: "Thought I might try something new. You know a different genre."

Monika: "And this?"

Michael: "I've been in a mood to read this kind of story for a while now. Though it was difficult to find which one would be worth the time to put in and Yuri could only help so much."

Monika: "Really? Yuri couldn't help you with that?"

Michael: "No, this is something she's clueless about since she never read one before."

Monika: "Really? I never knew that?"

Michael: "Yeah, so I just asked around and got what they recommended to me. True story."

Monika: "Okay I got it." She smiles softly before frowning. "Michael, could I say something to you?"

Michael: "Hm? What's wrong?"

Monika: "It's just … I wanted to tell you that I …"

"He can't help you, so just stop wasting his time."

Michael: "Monika?"

Monika: "I … I hope those books you got turn out great."

Michael: "Right?" He looks to her in doubt.

Monika: (Did he already figure it out? Oh no what have I done?)

Michael: "Hey so like …"

Sayori: "There you are! I finally found you MC." She says breathing heavily. "I, I need to, start, exercising more." She says in between breaths.

Michael: "Are you ok?"

Sayori: "Great, I just, need to, catch my, breath, oh hey, Monika, how are, you?" *Cough*

Monika: "I'm doing well and you?"

Sayori: "Perfect"

Michael: "Didn't sound that way to me."

Sayori: "Well anyways ready to head home?"

Michael: "Y-yeah, I'm tired as well."

Sayori: "Aright then, let's get going."

Michael: "Monika?"

Monika: "It's fine, don't worry about me."

Michael: "Well alright. I'll see you at the club then."

Monika: "Until then, take care of yourself."

Michael: "Will do." He walks away from her and to Sayori on his crutches.

Sayori: "Bye Monika! See you at the club!" She waves to her happily.

Monika: "Yeah, see you soon and take good care of him!"

Sayori: "You can count on me. Bye!" The both of them leave for home.

Monika: (I'm jealous of you two. Always together no matter what happens.) A gun shot can be heard in the background. (He went through so much despite everything he went through in the past. A victim to abuse not just from his dad, but from his lover as well. Despite all that he found his own path. A path far better than the one he originally thought he could only take. I'm so jealous of him. To choose his own road no matter what anyone thinks.

I … I want to be like him, but with all this weight on my shoulders, the pressure from my parents, from the teachers, from all my classmates who look up to me. I can't choose for myself. I may have started the Literature Club, but that was because it was made for me by others. I cannot choose for myself. Not now, not ever. I'm jealous of Sayori for being able to express her own free will. I want to be like her, I want to be like him, I want to stand by his side, but my path won't let me be near yours.)

With the weekend coming to an end and classes taking effect. During the last period of class, a meeting is being held.

Zackary: "There for we should use this as an opportunity to start a new year with a bang."

Wyatt: "Well I guess we could start making plans for it since you'll be leaving soon."

Patty: "I'm with him. This could be like a farewell party. Plus, everyone had fun last year."

Zackary: "I'm happy to hear that from you two. What about the rest of you?"

Todd: "Well I don't despise the idea."

Leo: "Same here. Let's get the party started."

Zackary: "What about you Monika?"

Monika: "Well I'm not opposed to it."

Leo: "You sure about that? Last I heard the Literature Club didn't do so well." He smirks.

Monika: "Low blow." She looks to him upset.

Todd: "I wouldn't be talking if I were you, Leo. Considering you almost broke all the windows with that stunt of yours."

Leo: "What? All I was doing was showing what the Soccer Team can do. You know inspire them to want to join?"

Todd: "Idiot, we wouldn't have a Soccer Team if you did break the windows."

Leo: "Cutting me real deep King."

Todd: "Hmph!" He crosses his arms.

Monika: "That isn't necessary Todd, but it is appreciated."

Todd: "Just try not to let things get out of hand."

Monika: "Dully noted."

Wyatt: "So what do you plan on calling this Festival? Last Festival we had it didn't have a name or anything fancy, just School Festival. Seriously it's like reading a generic story with no effort put into it."

Todd: "Shots fired."

Zackary: "Yeah you have a point. I'm not all that good with naming things. One of the main reasons I don't have a pet."

Patty: "That's sad."

Wyatt: "Well anyways, anything is good so long as it's better than School Festival."

Zackary: "Hm? What to call it?" The other members wait for his response. "How about we call it Best …"

Wyatt: "Yeah going to stop you right there."

Zackary: "What, but I didn't finish saying it."

Leo: "In all fairness, I already figured out what you were going to call it. Not happening."

Zackary: "Okay then how about …"

Patty: "Copy righted."

Zackary: "Oh come on!" Patty just shrugs. "This is more difficult than I thought." He snaps his fingers. "Okay I got it. How about we call it the New Year's Festival?" The other members talk amongst themselves.

Wyatt: "Seems alright."

Leo: "Better than the other name."

Patty: "Can't sue us now."

Todd: "Agreed"

Monika: "Same here."

Zackary: "You guys are mean. Well, whatever."

Leo: "So what are we going to need and do?"

Zackary: "Good question. I was thinking we could make things more brighter."

Patty: "You mean how we celebrate New Year's?"

Zackary: "Exactly, if any of you has suggestions, you are free to express it right now. Does anyone have any disagreements?"

All Council Members: "No sir!"

Zackary: "Perfect, then I believe that should be the end of this meeting until next time. Until then brainstorm until we pick a date to hold the New Year's Festival." All members get off their seats and leave waiting for the bell to ring. "Hey Monika, could you wait a little longer?"

Monika: "Well sure I can. What do you need?"

Zackary: "You seemed off today? Is something wrong?"

Monika: "Can't fool you, can I?"

Zackary: "We may have not seen each other that much throughout the years, but I know you well enough to know if you have a lot on your mind."

Monika: "If I tell you, you might think it's stupid."

Zackary: "Does it involve boys?"

Monika: "Stupid right?"

Zackary: "Does it have anything to do with you and Todd?"

Monika: "No, besides that was a long time ago."

Zackary: "True"

Monika: "Ever since we broke up all these boys started to dive right in."

Zackary: "Can't blame them though? I can't think of any man not liking you." She looks at him as he scratches his brown hair. "I'm your cousin that doesn't count."

Monika: "How right you are, but you are wrong about every boy liking me."

Zackary: "Do tell." His cousin smirks.

Monika: "That's a girl's secret, but I can tell you there's one out there that doesn't see me the way others do."

Zackary: "Interesting"

Monika: "Going back to what you said. You're right, all the boys in our school have a crush on me. They see me as a goddess, but in truth I much rather they don't."

"Would you like to go out? You, me, let's go, p-please accept these. I have a confession for you. Let's go out. You're so beautiful. Impressive right?"

(These boys. Honestly.) "So, you're planning on leaving after the Festival?"

Zackary: "Yup and after I'm gone the school will be holding an election between the Council Members to take my place when I'm gone."

Monika: "I really wish you wouldn't have to go." Her cousin doesn't respond. "Zack."

Zackary: "Sorry"

Monika: "For what?"

Zackary: "For not being any help to you. If it wasn't for my academics, I could've stayed."

Monika: "You don't have to feel guilty. You have your own goals to full fill and you can't reach those goals if you remain here. I don't want to be the one to hold you back."

Zackary: "Maybe so." He gets off his seat. "I'll be heading out now. Bells are going to ring and I don't want to be late."

Monika: "Planning to go see Marissa at her school?"

Zackary: "Yeah, we have a lot of planning to do before we leave."

Monika: "Oh so she got in as well?"

Zackary: "Yeah, so we'll still be together."

Monika: "Together huh?"

Zackary: "… Hey don't feel bad. If that special boy was here, what would he think?"

Monika: "W-what?"

Zackary: "Later" He quickly makes his way out.

Monika: "Zack!"

While she chases her cousin the final bell rang, ending today's classes. With everyone gone either home or to their respective clubs and activities. Left in the restroom alone a bizarre sound can be heard within one of the stalls. A heavy breathing, not of exhaustion, but one of pleasure. No one in sight to hear those sounds of pleasure. The small sounds of moaning. Such bizarre sounds coming to an end. After spending three minutes in one of the stalls. She finally came out.

Deciding to wash her face, ridding the sweat off herself before heading to the club. The cold water running down her face refreshing herself. Yuri finally looked at herself in the mirror. The cool water relieving her, but what was she doing in the stall? The obvious answer is she just needed to use it, but what about those moans of pleasure? To most people they would see her as that one girl with the big rack, the book worm, an attractive girl with a bad personality, but to Yuri herself as she looks at herself. All she sees is an abomination.

Drying her face and once again looking at herself, she reaches for her reflection. The sleeve that covers her wrist starts to reveal something, but what? Realizing it she quickly moved away from the mirror and left the restroom with her belongings. Making her way to the club she felt more guilt than ever before.

Yuri: (Oh lord, why did I do it here again? I shouldn't have done it in school, but … I need it. I need it so very much.) She continues rushing as the others wait for her arrival. (Maybe I should just head home now? I'm not feeling it today or perhaps it's because when I see him my heart will ache. I don't want to worry him or the others, but I don't want to bother them with my own personal problems.)

As she walks up a couple of stairs an unfriendly voice shouts at her.

?: "Hey where ya going!" A voice of a girl shouting at her. A voice that may cause her further despair for Yuri and send her to severe depression.

End of Chapter 53