Literature Club: Return to their reality

Chapter 11: Realities

Monika sits at the piano, everybody else standing around her. I stand right beside her, my hand on her left shoulder (she insisted), touching her very gently as not to impede her movements. She quietly sighs, positioning her hands. The first few notes are drawn very carefully, like first steps in a dark room, but then, having regained confidence in her skills, Monika closes her eyes, and her hands start dancing on the keys.

From the very first moments, I recognize the song (not that I expected anything else). The very song she dedicated to someone on the other side, the song she first presented as her last gift in her darkest hour – as her final farewell at the end of her world. I gently squeeze her shoulder in reassurance as she starts singing.

Monika's performance is extremely good. No, this doesn't give it justice. With me here by her side, with her dreams finally within reach, she puts her entire heart into the song. All the swirling feelings being poured out make it much more breathtaking and much more... personal. Yes, to me it sounds both extremely familiar and completely new at the same time. I really want to just hug her tightly and reassure her that I'm here and I'm not going anywhere – but I'm definitely not ruining the moment. Even without looking at the others, I can tell that they are barely even breathing, also captivated by Monika's song.

As the song finishes, there is thunderous applause for the musician. And I just sink to my knees and give Monika a tight hug. Then we are suddenly interrupted by the door opening.

"Excuse me, is this the Music Club?" A teacher peeks in.

"Uhm, well... not really," Sayori stumbles, still a bit enthralled by the song.

"Literature Club," Monika replies. "We were just discussing relations between poetry and song lyrics. We'll be going back to our room."

"Ah, thank you. I'm sorry for the intrusion," the teacher says and closes the door.

Monika looks at the door for a few seconds, then sighs. "Why did I even bother?" And then she turns to me. "And why did you bother?!"

I, realizing what I've done at the first signs of authorities, materialize back. "Sorry, reflex."

"What the heck?!" Natsuki looks at me like at some weird creature. "You can turn invisible?!"

"And walk through walls as well," Sayori adds.

"Yeah, kinda," I confirm.

"And there I thought it was all a prank." Natsuki turns away, giving us only sideways glances. You were really serious about this being a game, weren't you?"

"I'm sorry," I say. "I know it's hard to accept."

"Oh, and if you claim to be so close with Monika," Natsuki switches to counter-offense, "how come you weren't there at our event at the festival?"

"Maybe I was there." I wink. "By the way, you've all done great, but Sayori's poem recital impressed me the most."

"Yeah? Just where were you hiding then?" Natsuki presses on.

"Have you noticed Monika shooting glances at the wall? I can't hide from her eyes."

"Right... Monika, what did you ever find in someone who can only hide from everybody?"

Monika chuckles. "Ah, Natsuki... thank you."

"What for?" Natsuki wonders.

"For being honest – and being yourself," Monika replies. "You don't realize how much it relieves me to see you – all of you – just acting on your own without the influence of that damn script."

"What script? I don't see the difference." Natsuki shrugs.

"I suppose it's set up to feel natural," I say. "So whatever it makes you do seems like a decision of your own free will."