Literature Club: Return to their reality

Chapter 4: Aftermath

The next morning comes, and the President is the first to arrive at the Club. Ah, the early bird she is.

I'm really unsure if I even have the right to interfere with the event they worked so hard on, so I decide to just observe without materializing. Of course, Monika sees that and gives me the look, but does not press on, since she's a bit busy.

But first, while no one else is here, she quickly pulls a small thermos out of her backpack and drinks a few sips. Right, the early bird is actually caffeine-fueled. She then starts putting her pamphlets on the desks and arranging some minor things here and there... Or is she trying to bury her worries under busyness?

Minutes pass, and nobody still is here, and Monika is getting notably worried. Maybe we should have done something more...

Finally, the door opens. But it's Yuri, carrying several shopping bags of supplies. And she holds the door open for Natsuki, who is bringing a couple of large boxes – must be full of her famous cupcakes (I really wish I could taste them). Since when do these two come to school together? The girls quickly proceed with redecorating the clubroom – and the atmosphere begins to shift even with the lights still on. At least for a casual observer.

Yet, Monika slowly becomes more and more nervous (although, worried Monika still looks more confident than Yuri has ever been) – and same with me. Should we have done more? Should we have checked on Sayori first thing in the morning? No, should we have kept a watch on her through the night?..

I seriously consider going to check on those two, when finally the only male club member appears in the door, carrying a wrapped up banner in one arm, and in the other... he's practically dragging Sayori. At least she's alive, but the way she looks isn't much better: her uniform put on even sloppier than usual, her hair a complete uncombed mess, her signature red bow barely holding, pale face, bags under her empty eyes, and on top of that a huge bruise on her forehead! Monika and Natsuki quickly rush to them and help sit Sayori at the nearest desk.

Her "I'm fine" is, of course, completely unconvincing, so Monika just walks back up to MC and pretty much pushes him into the wall.

"What the heck happened there?! And don't you dare lying!"

Right now I'm glad I'm not seeing this through his eyes, because somebody really looks ready to tear a hole in the reality.

"I don't know! It wasn't me!" he mumbles.

"Can you be any more useless!?"

Natsuki also chimes in: "Really? That's how you take care of her?! Ugh! Can't rely on boys to get anything done right!"

"It... it looked like... like she got robbed."

"Robbed?" Monika releases her grip on him. "How bad was it?"

"Half the house turned over, especially in her room. And I found Sayori passed out on the floor. But she denies anything happened."

And at this Monika rushes back and hugs Sayori as tightly as she can. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... You should just rest. It will be alright."

"I'm fine," Sayori repeats once again in a lifeless voice. "I wouldn't want to miss our event. We worked so hard..."

"If you wish so. You can sit somewhere in the corner, no need to perform in such condition."

"No... I will recite my poem."

"Sayori! Are you really sure? You don't have to."

"I want to. I need to. Just something... something..."

"Fine, fine, if you're really sure. Let me help you." Then Monika turns to the others: "Yuri, could you please bring a teacup? Natsuki, get my backpack, please."

Monika starts with adjusting Sayori's clothes to somewhat decent condition, then pours her some coffee from the thermos, and starts brushing her hair. Meantime, the others decide to give them space and quietly proceed with decorations. Of course, everyone is shaken by this turn of events, but it would take somebody who knows Monika very closely to realize what kind of panic she hides while trying to take care of her friend.

Soon, Sayori looks somewhat presentable... if you don't look at her face. Sighing, Monika gets a makeup kit from the backpack.

"Is that even allowed at school?" Yuri asks.

"I won't use anything bright. And I brought it just for this occasion – I'm not letting skin issues or anything spoil my club's event!"

"Sorry, what's not allowed?" MC wonders.

Natsuki replies to him: "Never mind, that's not your business. Boys!"

---

In any case, the preparations are soon done and the room gets shrouded in darkness, with only a single relatively bright light illuminating the podium. Then the audience starts arriving. Monika greets the guests at the doors, while the rest of the club members are gathered in a dark corner, whispering affirmations to Sayori... affirmations they probably need themselves. It would be hard enough with half the Club anxious about public performances, but with what happened this morning they don't seem able to focus at all.

And so the event starts. The Club President is, of course, the first one to recite her poem after making the introductory speech. With a clear task at hand, she manages to look and sound perfectly confident, even to the point of being rather imposing and intimidating. Her ability to get thing done really makes me proud of her (well, as long as she doesn't cut through the very fabric of her world).

After receiving thunderous applause, she turns to her clubmates... and realizes that setting the bar this high doesn't help with the morale. A few moments of contemplation later, Sayori suddenly volunteers to go next. Monika gently guides her to the podium and introduces the Vice President.

At the start, Sayori's voice is quiet and slightly trembling, but as she goes on, it turns into a hurricane of emotions. She really was right about needing this release. As she finishes, a genuine gentle smile appears on her face for the first time in the last few days – and with this change of the mood, the others are also starting to feel more confident about their poems.

Even if nobody even attempts to outshine Monika and Sayori, the rest of the performances go quite smoothly. Sure, at some point some kids start to get noisy, but they immediately quiet down as Monika gives them the glare. The glare that probably threatens to delete the glitches on the spot. She can get quite scary when she wishes to.

Soon, the Literature Club's event comes to the conclusion. With the final speech from the President, the guests start leaving, and then the time comes to pack up and enjoy the rest of the festival. Sayori gladly offers to help with cleaning, but Monika straight up refuses and then gives MC his orders: "Just take care of her. Please."

Well, those two still have a cleaning duty of their own for this evening. After they leave, the three girls proceed with removing the decorations and soon Monika lets the others go as well, saying that she still has a few things to finish.