Literature Club: Return to their reality

Chapter 18: Sleepover

After a while I pay a visit to Monika's room (I did check with her that it's OK) – yet I only find Yuri lying on Monika's bed, looking at the ceiling with empty eyes. She doesn't even seem to notice me – so I'll let her rest.

There are hushed whispers coming from the kitchen, so I quietly head there. Sure enough, here they are. Noticing Natsuki wearing something a bit oversize for her, I realize that Monika must have given her guests some casual clothes from her vast wardrobe (yeah, Yuri also got some of Monika's clothes, but at least the size fits).

"Do you really have to barge in?" Natsuki hisses. "And what if we were... you know..."

"Pizza delivery," I announce, bringing up the large box in my hands (and a few smaller boxes with cookies and other snacks on top of it).

Natsuki brightens up immediately. "Finally something to eat! You know, I ended up without lunch – and someone here has only got salad in her fridge. I'm so starving!"

"How considerate of you, darling," Monika says. "Where did you get it from?"

"Oh, I wasn't sure about what's where in your world, so I just quickly loaded the amusement park and got food from there."

"Mushroom pizza?!" Natsuki frowns. "Who's the vegan?"

"Vegetarian," Monika corrects.

"Of course it's you! Always showing off your moral superiority and everything."

"Actually, it's more for scientific reasons: environmental impact of meat farming is just unsustainable," Monika explains.

"Come on, aren't you the first one to claim the world is fake? Then why would it matter?" Natsuki objects.

"Still, even from here we might set example for the real world," Monika replies.

"Compelling narratives do have power way beyond the narrative reality," I agree. "Although, last time someone tried to put me on such diet, my brain glitched out on the third day from lack of protein."

"I may be able to help you balance it properly," Monika reassures. "And no need to try going all vegan – that really has even bigger issues with getting all the necessary nutrients."

"With your guidance – I might give it a try."

"Oh, stop with all the flirting already!" Natsuki groans.

"We haven't even really started," Monika retorts.

"So, what do we have for dinner?" Yuri asks, appearing in the doorway.

"Sorry, did we wake you up?" I ask. "At least you look a bit better."

"Thanks. It got a bit noisy here – but I think I wouldn't mind something to eat," Yuri replies. "May I make some tea for everybody?"

"Sure, no one is better at tea ceremonies than you," Monika says. "I had some tea somewhere in those cupboards."

"I guess, I'll go make myself some dinner as well," I say. "Bon appetite, ladies!"

---

Monika's bed turned out wide enough for two, so Yuri has joined her, while Natsuki has settled down on the sofa. But none of them found it easy to fall asleep after such a stressful day.

"Can you tell me more about him?" Yuri whispers to Monika.

"To think of it, I don't know that much myself," Monika admits. "I really barely knew anything until very recently."

"But I thought you've had quite a history together!"

"And most of it was rather one-sided. Yet, even if I couldn't see him behind the screen, I knew he was there with me – and that was enough to reassure me that I wasn't mistaken and my beloved really cares for me."