Chapter 55: The Guilt

*Flash Back*

Michael: "Please stop." He raises his arm shakenly. "Please …"

Sara: "Uh! Fine, I'm all satisfied now and I got shit to do." She puts on her clothes back on. "See you next week babe and make sure to save up until then."

Michael: "Y-yes"

Sara: "Lock up when you leave."

Michael: "Will do." He gets up slightly off the bed. "L … love you."

Sara: "Love you too." She smiles to him before leaving the room.

*Flash Back Ends*

The alarm goes off as he slowly wakes up. He saw the time and got ready for the day. After some time had passed during lunch period, he walks down the halls with Sayori.

Sayori: "Are you ok MC? You look tired."

Michael: "I'm fine, just didn't sleep well."

Sayori: "If you need to, you could sleep in the nurse's office. I'm sure they can give you a note for missing classes."

Michael: "I guess so. It's a shame that I can't just leave since I don't have a ride home."

Sayori: "Sorry"

Michael: "Why are you apologizing for?"

Sayori: "If I haven't been messing up in school then I could have asked if I could leave early so I can take you home. Not only that, but I'm the reason you're like this in the first place."

Michael: "You worry too much." He pets her. "I'll just go to the nurse's office to rest and meet you at the club."

Sayori: "Are you sure? We could just leave for home. I'm sure the others would understand."

Michael: "Nice offer, but I'll decline. Come on let's go enjoy lunch while we still have the time.

Sayori: "Yeah sure." They continued walking for a bit until someone unexpected appeared.

Lily: "Hey that's him!" Both Michael and Sayori turned to see who it was.

Jane: "So that's who he looks like? To be honest I thought he would be taller."

Sakura: "Hina's not going to like this you know?"

Lily: "What? We're doing nothing wrong but serving justice to this rapist."

Sakura: *Sigh* "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Jane: "Whatever, hey you Connor! We have a bone to pick with you."

Sayori: "Aw man more of them?"

Michael: "Get back Sayori."

Sayori: "But?"

Michael: "This is my problem not yours."

Sayori: "MC" She says worryingly.

Michael: (I'm way too tired to put up much of a fight. Not only that but fighting against girls might make this situation worse. Guys I can handle, but girls are a whole other problem.)

Lily: "Ready?"

Jane: "Ready!"

Lily: "Then let's go!" Both of them run up to him as he prepares to make his move.

Sebastian: "Stop!" Both girls stop in their tracks.

Jane: "Sebastian?"

Lily: "What? What's wrong?"

Sebastian: "What's wrong!? What's wrong is the fact you're about to attack this man! Stop now!"

Jane: "But this is Michael Connor. We need to make him pay."

Sebastian: "For what? For the actions his dad did? This man may have his blood, but he's nothing like that."

Jane: "And how would you know?"

Sebastian: "I can trust the words from The King himself."

Jane: "Wait, he said that?"

Michael: "The King?" (Wait does he mean?)

Hina: "Hey what's all the shouting?" She looks at the scene in front of her. "Oh, hey babe."

Sayori/Michael: "Babe!?"

Hina: "What I miss?"

Sebastian: "Lily and Jane were about to attack Connor."

Hina: "Oh that so?" She looks at both culprits. "Oh, you two."

Lily: "Hey wait a minute. How come we're getting in trouble and not Sakura?"

Sakura: "Maybe because I actually listen." She texts on her phone again.

Hina: "Case close. Sorry about all that you two."

Michael: "Uh?"

Hina: "Sorry if they said anything offensive."

Michael: "It's fine. You get used to it after a while."

Hina: "That so? Come on. Let's go get lunch I'm starving."

All Three Girls: "Yeah!"

Michael: "…"

Sebastian: "Sorry about that."

Michael: "It's fine. Thanks for the help." Sebastian nods before leaving with the girls.

Sakura: "So was he really like that as they say he looks?"

Hina: "In what way?"

Sakura: "They say he had long hair that covers his eyes and yet he had a ponytail with one eye revealed."

Hina: "Oh yeah, you're right?"

Lily: "Well I hate to admit it, but his eye was like a gemstone."

Sakura: "So you can complement people?"

Lily: "Bite me!" They all continue to walk down the halls.

Later near the end of class.

Michael: *Yawn* (Man despite me taking a nap, I still feeling tired. Those nightmares are starting to be a real problem. To think I would be dreaming of my past. No point in waiting for the bell to ring. Might as well head to the club room right now, so the others won't have to wait for me.)

As he walks up the stairs carefully, headed down the hallways to where the club is. Not wanting to cause a disturbance for the class in session, he decided to go somewhere else and wait. When he went further down the hallways, something caught his attention.

[Chocolate by TCY FORCE feat. Mariya Ise]

(What is that sound? Music?) Going further down to a dead end. The music got louder. (Doesn't sound like a class is in session? Maybe the Music Club? No, they meet at the same time we do. I only hear one voice, but who's?)

He slightly opens the door and saw who it was.

Monika: "I see you before me you see me before you

Never thought I'd fall in love with you

I will take your soul if you take my heart

Fly away together, far away forever."

Michael: "Monika?" Singing alone with no one in front of her, but the wall. Soft echoes, so sweet, so innocent, and yet, so sad and lonely.

Monika: "Chocolate, chocolate you make me feel

Chocolate, chocolate so sweet and pure

Chocolate, chocolate I'll wear the ring

So take me to heaven and hell, I don't care where."

Taking another step forward and hearing the door open.

Monika: "Michael?"

Michael: "Don't stop singing. That was beautiful."

Monika: "Thank you. What are you doing here? Classes aren't over."

Michael: "I wasn't feeling well, so I took a nap in the nurse's office. I didn't want to cause a disturbance, so I just came here to wait until it was time to head to the club. That's when I heard the music and your voice."

Monika: "I see. This is quite embarrassing."

Michael: "What is this classroom?"

Monika: "You can call it my secret room. The staff lent it to me since no one is using it."

Michael: "Must be nice to be The Queen?" He checks out the almost empty room with the piano in the corner.

Monika: "I suppose so, but I'm not complaining. This room is my safe haven. A place where I can think to myself, to calm myself, to practice in peace."

Michael: "I see, well sorry for finding out this place."

Monika: "It's quite alright. I'm actually happy to see you."

Michael: "That so?" He blushes.

Monika: "Could I ask you something?"

Michael: "Go for it."

Monika: "Is there someone you're in love with?"

Michael: "W-what?"

Monika: "Are you in love with anyone? If so, how does it feel?"

Michael: "I don't know to be honest with you. We're still young, still immature. I don't know how to think or feel."

Monika: "I see well thank you for your honesty."

Michael: "Sorry"

Monika: "No don't be. I was the one to ask a silly question, but I just want you to know something."

Michael: "What would that be?"

Monika: "You deserve far better."

Michael: "What do you mean by that?"

Monika: "Just as you think. You deserve someone who truly loves you, who wouldn't hold you back, to stand next to you, to love you, to take care of you. That is what all of us want for you."

Michael: "All of you?" The bell rings.

Monika: "Seems it's time to meet up at the club?"

Michael: "Y-yeah" He says disappointingly.

Monika: "Will you assist me?"

Michael: "You sure? I don't want to stain your reputation or see me at my worst."

Monika: "Forget about my reputation. I proudly walk beside you and I accept you for who you are. Your strengths and weaknesses. Never forget that."

Michael: "Thanks" He smiles a bit.

[Song Ends]

Walking together, arm and arm. On the other side of school, making her way to the club alone. Yuri walks the lonely path as the rest of her classmates leave in groups. With everyone gone, she decided to freshen up at the restroom. There she splattered cool water to her face hoping to wash away the stress that's been building within her.

Day by day people would always talk about her. Every day was hell as her reputation got worse and worse. She could remember a simpler time when she first arrived to school. The first year everyone would just ignore her and only think of her as just another girl. However, when second year came around, that's when people started taking notice of her. Boys staring and talking about her body while the girls talk about her personality. She did her best to ignore it all and continued on with her life, that is until the School Festival.

Ever since her stage fright and the booing crowd. Her life changed for the worse. The people's insults, their gossips, their phrasings. It was all hell for her. To this day she hasn't gotten over her failure to the club, the humiliation she caused herself and to the club. Feeling the pressure and stress building again. She decided to enter one of the stalls again. By the time she finished, she left for the club as she spent too long in the stall.

Taking the stairs up she saw someone walking up to her.

Sky: "Oh hello there."

Yuri: "H-h-hello."

Sky: "What are you still doing here?"

Yuri: "M-m-my c-club." She whispers.

Sky: "What was that?"

Yuri: "M-my c-club is over th-there." She points in the direction.

Sky: "Ah I see. You're going to your club?"

Yuri: "Y-yes"

Sky: "What club do you go to?"

Yuri: "Th-The L-Literature Club."

Sky: "Wait? You go to the Literature Club? I have a friend who's a member as well."

Yuri: "W-who may th-that be?"

Sky: "Sayori"

Yuri: "S-Sayori?"

Sky: "Yeah, you know her, right?"

Yuri: "O-of course I do."

Sky: "Is she doing okay?"

Yuri: "Y-yes I believe so."

Sky: "Good and I take it Connor is a member too?"

Yuri: "He is."

Sky: "Tell me, what do you think about him?"

Yuri: "W-what I think about him?"

Sky: "Yeah, like has he been causing her trouble?"

Yuri: "No, he would never do that."

Sky: "Huh?"

Yuri: "He would never cause us any trouble. He's always there when we're in trouble. When we're hurt, he always tries to cheer us up. When we're alone, he's there. Whenever I see him in pain I cry. It pains me to see people always talking bad about him. They know nothing about what he's been through and yet, he always pushes it aside for us. He deserves …" She remembers back to yesterday when Michael and Monika kissed. "He deserves better."

Sky: "I see."

Yuri: "Oh I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to ramble."

Sky: "No it's alright. I think I have a better understanding about him now. Thanks for telling me. I'll head home now. Go to your club. I'm pretty sure they're waiting for you. Bye for now." She runs downstairs.

Yuri: (He … Michael …) She starts seeing them kissing again. (You deserve happiness. Happiness that I can't give you. I'll just hold you back.)

Monika: "Oh Yuri there you are."

Yuri: "Oh Monika? What brings you here?"

Monika: "I got a little worried when you didn't show up. You're usually at the club before me and the others."

Yuri: "Sorry"

Monika: "Don't sweat it. Come on, let's get to the club." She offers her hand to her.

Yuri: "Very well." She takes her hand and they both enter the club room together. Later during free time as everyone does their own thing as usual. Yuri attempts to read but finds it difficult to concentrate. She set aside her book to see what everyone is up to. Seeing everyone doing their normal thing, her eyes turned to Michael as he rests his eyes with his ear buds on.

(I wonder what he's listening to?) She picks up her book again and tries to read but found it more difficult to read when she realized the story she's reading had romance. (Oh dear, why did I have to read this one now of all times? The story, the drama, the romance. I shouldn't be reading this now. Not after what I witnessed yesterday. Michael.)

Looking away from her book again, she turned to face Michael still resting. Seeing him at peace, she turned back to her book and tried once again to read. However, every time she sees the names of the characters all she could see was her own, Michael's, and Monika's names in the book. After seeing that she closed the book again.

(I'm not feeling well. I need to freshen up again. Take my mind off of this.) "Monika, I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom.

Monika: "Hm? Yeah, sure go on ahead."

Yuri: "Thank you." She leaves to the nearest restroom. Splashing cold water on her face again. (Why am I like this? Why do I have these thoughts? Why am I asking these silly questions? It's obvious. I like him, but to see him with another … it hurts. It hurts to see him with another woman, but I'm glad to see its Monika.

He deserves what's best for him and Monika is the right choice. I'm sure she can take good care of him. The love he deserves. The love I can't provide for him.) After spending some time in the restroom Yuri makes her way back to the club, but something was off. Holding her wrist like she's in pain, with a bit of tear marks on her face. What was she doing in there? No one knows except for her.

(Perhaps I went overboard? I can still feel the stinging sensation on my wrist. It's a lot more difficult to concentrate now.)

*Bam*

"Ky! Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going and …" Her eyes widened when she saw who it was. Standing in front of her a tall man well-built stares her down.

Johnny: "Oh it's you again. The girl who couldn't even read a poem. Never thought I would see your face after that embarrassment."

Yuri: "J-Johnny"

Johnny: "If I were you, I look where you're going or it might cause you sever trouble. Then again maybe you shouldn't be here."

Yuri: "I …"

Johnny: "Hmph! Well just my luck. I get to see a member of the club I hate. After what your friend did to me. That no good son of a bastard."

Yuri: "T-take it …"

Johnny: "What was that? You said something?"

Yuri: "Take it back. What you said about him." She says upsettingly.

Johnny: "Defending Connor? Never thought I hear it, but I don't care if Monika is The Queen anymore. Anyone who defends that bastard deserves punishment." He cracks his knuckles. "Hope your ready bitch cause I'm not going to show mercy to a girl."

Yuri: "…" She gets up on her feet still holding on to her wrist.

Johnny: "I'll give you a head start to run. Make good use of it."

Yuri: "… I … I won't let you tarnish his name."

Johnny: "You don't know anything about him. The fact that his dad was the reason for my family being no more. What I lost, what was taken from me."

Yuri: "It's not his fault for his father's sins."

Johnny: "But he has to pay for those crimes." He gets ready to attack Yuri.

Michael: "Get away from her!"

Johnny: "What?" He turns and quickly blocks a crutch with his arms.

Michael: "Are you ok Yuri?"

Yuri: "Y-yes I'm fine."

Johnny: "Connor, good to see you again. You're looking healthy as ever." He looks at his right foot.

Michael: "Run Yuri."

Yuri: "W-what?"

Michael: "This is my problem, not yours. I'm sorry to drag you into this."

Yuri: "…"

Johnny: "I've been looking forward to this for a while now. After what you did to me. Humiliating me in front of my gang. It's because of you and your father that I lost everything!" Michael doesn't say a word but stares intensely at him.

"The Queen won't save you and neither will The King and don't expect any of the Council Members to either. They all want you dead and I'm willing to commit the deed." He gets ready for an attack while Michael grips his crutches as weapons. "HA!" Time froze as he felt someone was holding him back. "R-Ronald!?"

Ronald: "Don't do it. If you do, then you'll be sent to prison."

Johnny: "Tsk!"

Ronald: "I know how you feel and I know it's just Connor, but still."

Johnny: "... Fine, I'll stop here, but the next time I see him. I won't hold back got it?" Ronald nods. "You hear that Connor. If I see you again. I'll kill you."

Michael: "Do your worst." The two stare down at each other.

Johnny: "Let's go Ronald. I got what I need from here."

Ronald: "Right" The two leave.

Yuri: "M-Michael"

Michael: "Are you ok?"

Yuri: "I-I'm fine. Why are you here?"

Michael: "Everyone started to get worried when you were taking a very long time in the restroom, so we left to go see if you're ok. I mean I wouldn't be able to do much considering you're in the girl's restroom, but still. That's when I saw you and Johnny. Did he hurt you?"

Yuri: "No he hasn't."

Michael: "You sure? I could see a bit of blood on your sleeve."

Yuri: "Gasp!" Covering her arm.

Michael: "Let me see it."

Yuri: "N-no you can't."

Michael: "Why not? You're leaking."

Yuri: "I-I'm fine. You don't need to trouble yourself for me."

Michael: "Come on. Let's go to the nurse's office." He leads the way.

Yuri: "B-but the club?"

Michael: "You can't go to the club looking like that. Now come on. Let's get you patched up at least."

Yuri: "O-okay" (He is kind.)

Arriving to the nurse's office.

Michael: "Is anyone here?" He looks around to see no one. "We need to borrow some bandages. Hope you don't mind?"

Yuri: "Perhaps she left?"

[Fallen Angel by Mitsunori Ikeda feat. Aimee B.]

Michael: "Well whatever. The bandages should be around here. You can take care of yourself, right?"

Yuri: "Y-yes"

Michael: "While you're doing that, I'll leave a text for everyone to know where we are." He takes out his phone and leaves the message only to receive a text back. "Hey Yuri?"

Yuri: "Yes?" Wrapping the bandages around her arm.

Michael: "Do you know how long it's been since you told me that story?"

Yuri: "Story?"

Michael: "You know that one story from your childhood?"

Yuri: "Oh that one? What about it?"

Michael: "I was wondering if you could tell me more about it. The last time you told me the next part of it, it was during our club trip to the indoor pool."

Yuri: "That long?" She starts to remember him storming off.

Michael: "Yeah and with all that's been going on I never had the chance to hear the next part of the story."

Yuri: "We have been busy lately."

Michael: "Do you … do you think you could tell me what happens next?" She smiles when he asked.

Yuri: "If that is what you want then please give me time to remember where we left off."

Michael: "Of course." He waits patiently for her as she finishes wrapping the bandages on her arm.

Yuri: "Okay, If I recall correctly, I believe we left off after the prince and princess met once again?"

Michael: "Then continue."

Yuri: "The last time I told you this story I left off where the princess found out that the prince was getting married, but he didn't really want to. I told you that the princess was happy to see him, but sad to lose him. After sharing their conversation, the prince held the princess and she did the same. Feeling his warmth, she never wanted to let go.

She wanted to spend more time with him. She wanted to see more of the world with him. When they were spotted by the guards they were once again separated. It was on that day she realized something about her feelings. She was in love but was too shy to admit it. Her only wish was to tell him that, but now she could never. With him taken away from her, she now knows that despite how scary the world can be, she always knew that he was there for her, but now … all she could ever feel is loneliness."

Michael: "I see and then what happened?"

Yuri: "You're going to have to wait."

Michael: "Hmph, you tease." He looks at his hand and felt a sudden warmth. "Y-Yuri?" He finds himself being embraced by her from behind.

Yuri: "S-sorry, it's just … I'm scared." He says nothing. "I'm scared, I'm sorry for telling you this, but it's true." She starts crying. "He said such awful things about you, about the club, all of them and I couldn't do anything but cry. It's because of me that our club has a bad reputation, all because I couldn't read a stupid poem. It's my fault that we didn't get any new members."

While she bares her soul to him. Knowing nothing to say to her. Both unaware that there was someone outside the office. Yuri keeps crying while clinging to him.

Monika: "…" (It's my fault. If it wasn't for my dumb idea. I wouldn't have pressured her to go through all this, all because I wanted to have more members. Instead, I made her humiliate herself in front of the school. I'm the worst as a President, as a leader, as a friend.) Hearing enough she went back to the club.

(Mom was right. I am a failure.)

[End of Song]

End of Chapter 55