Literature Club: Return to their reality

Chapter 3: Rerouting

As we continue forward, Monika takes her phone out of a pocket. A cute emerald green flip-phone. Flip phone? Well, those were still widespread back when the game originally released, weren't they?

She quickly starts typing, holding the phone so that I see everything:

To: Sayori

Hey, Sunshine! I know it's hard for you, but I hope you feel better. See you at the festival! We are counting on you :) Our Club needs you!

Would these few words of encouragement be enough? Somehow, I get a weird feeling. As Monika sends the text, I reach out my hand – and she immediately gives me the phone without a single question.

I look through the phonebook – and sure enough there is my name. Well, it's clear whose number is that – and I write him a message:

Please check on Sayori in the morning. We are all worried.

I give the phone back to Monika, and she signs the message before sending it. So, they never properly shared the phone numbers...

Finally, we break the silence to try some small talk – but as neither of us is too good at it (and being worlds apart doesn't help), three phrases later we find ourselves discussing philosophy. Specifically, solipsism. Or would that be dualipsism, if we acknowledge each other?

By the time we arrive at the chocolate store, we both are dumbly grinning at the irony of this topic. Monika quickly orders some sweets; I adjust immersion settings to be able to get my chocolates... And here starts the weirdest cafe date: she is eating something I can't taste, I'm eating something she can't even see. At least, some chocolate really helps to alleviate the stress and get brains back on track...

"You know, my dear, you are not that good at telling half-truths," Monika suddenly says.

"Neither are you, sweetie."

"Just tell me about Sayori, OK? I know you know something big."

Why does even trying to think of that suddenly hit like a truck? Maybe seeing Sayori this lively really changes the perspective... Makes that scene way too real... Then, another thought hits me:

"OK, I'll tell you everything, but first, can you please help me with running a little script?"

Monika leans closer, curiosity written on her face. "Specifics?"

"Location: Sayori's house. Item filter: everything classified as rope. Action: delete all."

"Sure," she replies summoning her console – and the code appears there without her typing. One last glance at it before launching the script: "Delete all the... rope?!"

Monika turns completely pale as she presses the button. "Did she..? Will she..? Would she... strangle herself?!"

All I can do in reply is taking her trembling hands in mine (not too steady either).

"No... No... I didn't want that! I... I... Please don't hate me!" she cries.

So she is taking it much worse than when it actually happened. Does having reached me make this huge of a difference? Then... just why haven't I contacted her right away!?

"Hey, easy there. If I didn't believe in you, I wouldn't be here," I reassure her, trying to sound calm and confident (and failing at that, to be honest). "Besides, people are watching."

"Background noise," she mutters. Now that's a very Monika thing to say.

Our eyes lock in a rather confused stare. Someone's clearly expecting being scolded for letting that slip.

Instead, I chuckle. "You're right. Only the Club really matters."

And with that we finally get the mood back on track. Just calmly hanging out for a while, talking about random things, sharing some laughs. Unfortunately, good things have to come to an end: she still has some preparations to do, and tomorrow is the big day... tomorrow...