Chapter 54: Changed, but the Same

One, the loneliest number. Three better than one. Making her way to the club after spending time in the restroom. Yuri finds herself in trouble with a couple of girls. The three girls had a heavy amount of make-up on and tan skin. Yuri tried to ignore them by walking away, but one of them intercepted her in her direction.

?: "Hey wait, we just want to talk." Said the girl with blond hair and green eyes.

? 2: "Jane's right. We just want to talk for a bit." A girl with red hair and amber eyes stood behind Yuri.

Yuri: "M-may I help you then?"

? 2: "Your names Yuri, right?"

Yuri: "Y-yes that is correct."

Jane: "We heard a lot about you."

Yuri: "Y-you have?"

Jane: "Yeah, we heard that you embarrassed yourself in front of a bunch of people last Festival."

Yuri: "O-oh dear." She held her bag close to her chest.

? 2: "Wow it's true what they say? She does have a big rack."

Jane: "Lily stop you're making the girl cry."

Lily: "Am I? All I'm doing is complementing her on those fun bags. She needs some support since she made her club look bad."

Jane: "Yeah about that? Do you know what the club was?"

Lily: "What was it?"

?: "The Literature Club." Said the third girl who finally spoke. "The Literature Club is what you're looking for." She moves aside a strand of her white hair away from her face to reveal both her light purple eyes.

Lily: "Yeah that one. Thanks Sakura."

Jane: "Oh wait now I remember. That club only has five members and one of them is Michael Conner, right?"

Lily: "The guy everyone hates? That might explain why they don't have more members. They must be desperate to have to rely on that guy."

Yuri: "…" She clenches her bag tighter.

Lily: "I heard he's injured on his right foot."

Jane: "I heard that too. When I found out I thought good he deserved it."

Yuri: "Shut up." The girls looked at her. "Shut up." She starts raising her voice.

Lily: "Hey listen you should probably stop seeing that guy. He's no good and …"

Yuri: "Stop talking about him like that! You don't know anything about him!" The three girls shook by her sudden outburst. "He only hurt himself to save his longtime friend and you say he deserves it all because of his dad's crimes. Why are all you people so mean to someone who means no harm, who is hurting deep down. What right do you have to say all that?!" Tears start to overflow.

Lily: "W-well …"

Jane: "It's just …"

Sakura: "…"

?: "Hey what's all the hub bub gals?"

Jane: "Hina" They looked over to see a new girl standing tall. Blond hair, black eyes, tanned skin, and had a lot of make up on.

Hina: "You gals haven't been causing too much trouble while I was gone?"

Jane & Lily: "Well …" They start to look nervous.

Sakura: "They kept harassing her." She says while texting.

Jane & Lily: "You snitch!"

Sakura: "What? I'm hungry."

Jane: "But still!"

Hina: "Oh that's how it went huh?" She walks up to Yuri and grabs her hands. "Sorry about what they said and did. I'm sure you're a wonderful person." She says happily.

Yuri: "Huh?" 0.0

Hina: "Well let's get going you guys. My hubby is waiting for us outside." Lily and Jane looked to her confused.

Sakura: "Finally" They all walk away leaving Yuri alone in the hallways.

Yuri: "Hina?" (She must've been their leader?) Remembering what she said to them, her face began to burn. (Oh, dear why did I say all that? How embarrassing even if it was to defend him, I didn't mean to sound so …) Steam starts to build from her head.

While she calms down before heading to the club. Outside of the school's gate.

Jane: "Hey so like are you upset with us right now?"

Hina: "No not at all."

Jane: (Yeah, she's upset.)

Lily: "I guess you heard about the Literature Club and Connor?"

Hina: "Who doesn't, but I saw where she was coming from."

Lily: "You do?"

Hina: "Ya, she likes him. It's love!"

All Three Girls: "Love!?"

Hina: "Speaking of love. Hey babe did you wait long?" She runs up to her boyfriend who's waiting at the front gate.

Sebastian: "Not at all. I thought you might be taking a long time, so I stopped by the pool area to see how everything is going."

Hina: "Sweet of you." Both held each other. "Still miss it?"

Sebastian: "Yeah, but I get to spend more time with you."

Hina: "So it's a win at least." She gives him a big grin.

Sebastian: "Yeah" He cracks a small smile.

Hina: "What do you plan on doing now?"

Sebastian: "Don't know? All I ever know is the pool. I don't know what to do now. I doubt anyone would want me to join the Swimming Team again after hearing about this."

Hina: "Cheer up. I know you'll find something else to do."

Sebastian: "Thanks, ready to go?"

Hina: "Yeah, girls ready?"

All Three Girls: "Yes!" They all leave school grounds.

In the meantime.

Natsuki: "You ok?"

Yuri: "Y-yes why do you ask?"

Natsuki: "You're reading your book upside down."

Yuri: "Oh dear, so embarrassing." She hides herself in shame.

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

Yuri: "M-Michael, P-please don't look at me."

Michael: "What's wrong with her?"

Natsuki: "No clue? You figure it out if you want to." She walks away.

Michael: "Uh?" He scratches the back of his dark brown hair. "Is something wrong Yuri? You can always talk to me."

Yuri: "N-no I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

Michael: "Well if you say so. I'll be over there if you need me."

Yuri: "Yes thank you." Her face turns slightly pink. (Sweet. He's so sweet to care for someone like me. I wish I could do the same for him.) A few minutes later after doing her own reading. She decided to put her book down and look to see what everyone else was doing. She saw Sayori snacking, Monika working, and Natsuki napping. When she turned her attention to Michael, she saw him reading a Manga, not one that Natsuki's been showing him, but one that she never saw before.

(I wonder what he's reading? She leaves her seat and walks up to him to get a better look at what the Manga is. To her surprise he didn't notice her, but when she got closer, she saw why. He was reading with ear buds on. Seeing that, she looked over his shoulder and saw the art that was on the pages. A fantasy setting and well detailed art. Looking at them caused her in awe.

Michael: "!" Looking back. "Oh, Yuri what's up." He says taking off his ear buds.

Yuri: "O-oh s-s-s-s-sorry. I-I didn't mean to invade your personal space. I-it's just that story you're reading."

Michael: "Oh this. It's a Manga I brought with me from home."

Yuri: "I see. May I ask what it's called?"

Michael: "It's called Berserk." He closes the volume to show her the cover.

Yuri: "May I ask what it's about?"

Michael: "Hard to explain properly, but it's about a man name Guts traveling all around Medieval Europe fighting monsters, men, and demons that are out for him for having a brand on his neck. All the while trying to hunt for a former friend of his for vengeance. It's tragic but has some action and a deeper story to tell other than just violence."

Yuri: "I am to take it that Natsuki isn't interested in that kind of story?"

Michael: "Pretty much since it has a bit of horror to it with the monster designs."

Yuri: "I see." Both stay in awkward silence again.

Michael: "Would you like to read it with me?"

Yuri: "I-is that alright with you?"

Michael: "I don't mind."

Yuri: "V-very well. Allow me to get a seat."

Michael: (Reading with Yuri. That should help me forget about Sara.) She pushes the seats together. Déjà vu?

Yuri: "A-are you ready?"

Michael: "I am. Got to warn you this isn't like your books. Is that fine with you?"

Yuri: "Y-yes after all you always read with me with my books. I-It only s-seems fair that I read with what you like."

Michael: "Okay then." They get into position and read the first chapter of the volume. "Sorry that we're starting off at a weird chapter. If you have any questions, you can always ask me."

Yuri: "Yes thank you." The both of them continue reading.

Michael: (This is relaxing. It's as if all my problems are fading away. The nightmares that haunt me. Her sweet scent, her calming atmosphere. I am at peace … for now.) Later after reading a couple of chapters.

Yuri: "My, the art is amazing."

Michael: "I know right. The art is so good that it inspired other artists to do the same for their creations.

Yuri: "Amazing, I didn't know that."

Michael: "Yeah"

They both smile at each other while another looks from afar. Gripping her pen, the same pen Michael gave to her for Christmas. Monika continues on with her work like nothing happened.

The following day after the final bell rang, ending today's classes. Playing her piano alone in an empty class no one ever uses, but gaining permission to use it as she pleases. When she heard the bell ring, she stopped playing and packed up her belongings before leaving.

Monika: (Managed to improve my skills, but I'm still a bit green. Not much I can do right now, but practice.) She looks back to the room.

"You messed up the note again! Try again and hold it right on your shoulder."

(Hmph! I still don't miss it all.) She continues her walk to the club. On her way however, just when she thought she would make it on time.

Random Boy: "M-Monika?" She looks behind herself to see a nervous boy. "C-can I ask you something?"

Monika: "Of course you can." She smiles at him.

Random Boy: "Y-you s-see …"

Monika: "Go on."

Random Boy: "I j-just want to ask you if you would l-like to …"

Random Boy 2: "Now hold it right there!" Another boy shows up surprising the nervous one. "She has no interest in a man who doesn't have a backbone! Now stand back and watch a pro."

Monika: (Oh lord this again.)

Random Boy 2: "Monika, will you go out with me."

Random Boy 3: "Oh no you don't! She's going out with me!" Randomly showing up out of nowhere.

Random Boy: "H-hey I was here first!" Raising his voice slightly higher.

Random Boy 3: "Piss off beta male!" All three of them argue.

While the three of them argue, having enough of their antics. Monika straight up leaves. When she made her way upstairs, she could still hear them arguing, which made her face palm.

Monika: "Honestly, why can't anyone just chill?" (All these boys are the same. No one can talk to me normally or at least stop fighting amongst themselves.) She enters the club room and sees that something was off.

Natsuki: "Michael? Michael?" She shakes him as he sleeps.

Monika: "Is something wrong?"

Natsuki: "He's not responding. I think he's knocked out?"

Monika: "Sayori explain."

Sayori: "Well to be honest I don't know what's wrong with him. All I know is that he was really sweaty this morning. He looked like he was in pain."

Monika: "Could it be because of his foot?"

Sayori: "I don't know? He's been taking his meds to numb the pain, so I don't know what's wrong with him."

Michael: "Mmm" The girls looked at him.

Yuri: "W-what's going on?"

Monika: "Oh, Yuri? Where have you been?"

Yuri: "I just …. needed to freshen up. What's wrong if I may ask?"

Sayori: "MC fell asleep and we're worried about him since he was in a lot of pain this morning."

Yuri: "Let me see." She walks up to them and sees Michael sleeping on his desk. "Has he been taking his pain medication?"

Sayori: "Yeah, just as instructed, so no overdose."

Yuri: "Any side effects?"

Sayori: "Not that I'm aware of. He's been doing fine since day one."

Yuri: "I see." (Michael) She looks at him worried and walks to his side. (Please rest well and forget all the painful memories.) She held his hand.

Monika: "…"

Meanwhile in his dream.

Michael: "Why? Why have you forsaken me?" Barely standing in front of the alter with Christ hanging on the wall above. "Why have you left me here to suffer! Suffer for his sins! Why does everyone hate me!" He falls to his knees in tears. "Why do you not answer when I call?" He cries as he throws the bottle of alcohol at the wall.

Deep slumber. An old friend appears as the darkness consumes. Slowly releasing the light to his vison. The surroundings, blurry. Opening his eyes wider.

(Where am I? What's going on?) Piece by piece the blurriness fades away revealing his location. (A classroom? Oh right, I was in class. No, I was at the club. I remember. I didn't sleep well last night, but still came to school. I thought I could pass the day and yet here I am. I sat on my seat and just fainted. What a stupid convenient way to occur. Honestly, is that anyway to move a plot?

This scent? It smells sweet like vanilla? Not only that, but this pillow I'm feeling is soft too. Feels like I'm at peace, but how? Am I really in school or am I still dreaming? This warm feeling on the back of my head? What am I laying on?) He moves his head to face the ceiling.

Monika: "Oh you're awake now?"

Michael: "Kya!" His heart felt as if it could pop out of his chest.

Monika: "Did you sleep well?"

Michael: "Where am I?" He looks around his surroundings again and sees that he's lying on her lap.

Monika: "We're still in the club room. Sayori and Natsuki told me what happened to you."

Michael: "I see. Where are the others?"

Monika: "They all left for home. I volunteered to stay and watch over you. Don't worry I'll be helping you home when you're ready."

Michael: "Thanks, sorry for worrying you all. Lately I've been having nightmares."

Monika: "Figured that would be the case. Sayori said that this morning you seemed in pain and that you were all sweaty. I originally thought it was because of your foot, but now I know the truth."

Michael: "Sorry"

Monika: "Rest easy now. You're fine here." She brushes his hair softly. "You've been through a lot. The harassment of students, your experiences with Sara and your dad. The sacrifices you made to make us happy. I'm jealous of you. You're a remarkable person."

Michael: "No I'm not. Everything I've done was to repay you all for your efforts. I wanted to return the favor. I may have changed for the better, but deep down I still feel like my old self."

Monika: "Maybe so, but …" He looks up to her with a blush on both their faces as she pushes aside his hair to reveal both his gold eyes. "Sayori always talked about you. I always believed in her words." He looked to her confused.

*Flash Back*

Teacher: "All rise now sit back down. I'll be your teacher this year. For our first lesson, I want you all to introduce yourselves. I want you all to get to know your classmates for this year."

Monika: (It was last year. Classes were just starting and it was when we first met. Everyone was so cheery to meet each other. The boys and girls of my class star struck to see me The Queen in their class. They introduced themselves one by one not only to me, but to each other as well, all except for him. A boy with long dark brown hair, his eyes covered, looking out through a window as everyone ignores him, but why, I ask.

Anyone I ask would just tell me to stay away from him, but this boy. So alone, so distant, so sad. I wanted to speak to him, but I never had the chance. Even when we had group projects or participated in class activities, he wouldn't say a word or move from his seat. That was until after class was over when I finally confronted him.)

"Excuse me?" The boy looks to her. "I never got your name. My name's Monika pleased to meet you and you are?" (I still remember not being able to see what his reaction was, but even then, I could tell he was nervous. Not by me as everyone else had, but more fearful to interact with another human.)

Michael: "It's Michael." He looks away to face the window again.

Monika: "Michael huh? Well now I will remember that …"

Michael: "Don't bother."

Monika: "Huh?"

Michael: "You don't need to know who I am or show kindness. The Queen like you needs to stay away from a useless man like me." He gets off his seat and leaves.

[Get Out Alive by Saliva]

Monika: (That is what he told me. I never knew why he was like this, nor have I ever figured out why people tried to avoid him like the plaque. After our exchange, we never really spoke again. Every now and a then I would try to talk to him but made no progress. Soon enough our time as classmates ended and we never saw each other again. That is until recently when Sayori brought him over to the club.)

*Flash Back Ends*

(The suffering he's been through, the pain walking alone when everyone hates you for your dad's sins. I got to know everything about him and now. This boy who joined my club, who faced his demons is a new man.)

Michael: "Monika?"

Monika: "Michael" They both stare intensely at each other's eyes. Soon their eyes shifted to each other's lips. Blinded and unaware, Monika places her hand on his cheek as he stares blankly at her beautiful face. "Michael."

Michael: "Monika" Slowly closing their eyes, both consumed by lust. Their lips lock to each other and they both shared a powerful kiss.

"You're betraying you friend's trust."

"You're a beast deep down."

While the two continue to kiss, watching from afar. Waiting to see how they were doing. Yuri caught a glimpse of the two kissing. Heartbroken she left the hallways while the two continue to make out.

(This feeling in my body. What is this?) He holds onto Monika tightly as she does the same.

Monika: (My body is feeling hot. I can feel myself itching a bit.)

Michael: (What am I doing? Why am I suddenly?)

"Michael" A flash of both Yuri and Sara appeared before him.

"Gasp!" He breaks the kiss.

Monika: "Michael?" She says as they both still held each other.

Michael: "What have I done?" Monika now realizing what she had done as well.

Monika: "M-Michael, I'm so sorry. I didn't know what I was doing?"

Michael: "It's not your fault. It's mine. I should've just …"

Monika: "No don't be. It was my fault. I just blanked out and then …" He moves away from her to catch his breath. (What have I done? I did it again.)

Michael: (What would the others think? What was I thinking? Who? Who do I choose? She was right. I am a beast.)

Monika: "Michael"

Michael: "Y-yes?"

Monika: "I'm sorry. I take full responsibility. You're not to blame. It's just …" (I … I can't tell him, but I …)

Michael: "Perhaps we're both in stress?"

Monika: "Huh?"

Michael: "I've been having nightmares and you've been dealing with school life. Perhaps it's stress?"

Monika: "Maybe you're right, but still, I have to say sorry about my actions. I gave in to my lust." She whispers her last sentence. (I can't tell him.)

Michael: "It's getting late. We should probably get going now. I don't want to worry Sayori."

Monika: "Yeah you're right. I'll help you on your way home."

[Song Ends]

Michael: "Thanks" He gets his crutches and bags before leaving. During the walk, neither of them spoke a word to each other. None of them knew what to say after their session. (Now what do I do? I don't know what to do after that. I mean she's attractive, but …)

Monika: (What should I do now? I kissed him, but now I feel ashamed. I can't stop thinking about the kiss and if I do then I start thinking about what he said.) She takes a glance at him. (He may have changed for the better, but deep down he still feels like his old self. That is what he said, but what does he mean by that? All I know is wherever I go, I'll always feel stress, depression, and alone, but when I'm with him.

It all just fades away, but that kiss. It wasn't for love, it was lust. Do I really love him or am I that desperate for company? If I am then it's not fair to him. This feeling in my heart, it's got to be the real thing. It's got to be my true feelings.) She looks again at him.

(I'm in love with you and I'm scared.)

End of Chapter 54