Purist

Chapter Four: Something's Not Right

Monika: "Aw, man...I'm the last one here again!"

Nishikata: "Don't worry, I just walked in too."

Sayori: "Were you practicing the piano again?"

Monika: "Yeah. Ahahaha..."

Yuri: "You must have a lot of determination. Starting this club, and then picking up the piano."

Monika: "Well, maybe not a determination. But, I guess just passion. Remember that the club wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all of you. And I'm super happy that you willing to help out the festival too!"

Natsuki: "Aaah, I can't wait for the festival! It's gonna be great!"

Nishikata: "Eh? W-weren't you complaining it just yesterday, Natsuki-chan?"

Natsuki: "Well, yeah! I'm not talking about our part of the festival. But it's a whole day of school where we get to play and eat all kinds of delicious food!"

Nishikata: "You sounded like Sayori-san all of the sudden."

Sayori: "Eh?"

Natsuki: "Monika! Do they usually have fried squid?"

Monika: "Squid...? That's a pretty specific thing to look forward to..."

Natsuki: "Oh, come on! Are you saying like you don't like squid? You, of all people?"

Monika: "Eh? I didn't say I don't like it. Besides, what do you mean by 'you all people'?"

Natsuki: "Because! It's right in your name! Mon-ika!"

Monika: "Eh!?"

I and Sayori giggled at Natsuki's weird joke.

Monika: "That's not how you say my name at all! Also, that joke makes no sense in translation!"

Natsuki: "...?"

Monika: "Ah...Never mind! Let's just focus on our own event now, okay?"

Natsuki: "Ehehe. Fine fine, your reaction is nowhere close to Nishikata's. Isn't that right?"

Natsuki winked at me.

Nishikata: "H-Hey! Not funny!"

Everyone laughed, but I felt something's missing. I didn't hear the usual Takagi laugh that I know for years. My eyes glance around the room.

Nishikata: "Where's Takagi anyway? Oh, there you are."

Takagi is sitting at a desk in the corner of the room, looking down at nothing. I walked over to her.

Nishikata: "Takagi."

I waved my hand in front of her face.

Takagi: "Eh?"

Nishikata: "Were you spacing out?"

Takagi: "Yeah..."

Nishikata: "Is everything alright?"

Takagi: "..."

Nishikata: "It...just feels like you're a little off. Sorry for assuming things."

Takagi: "Don't worry too much about me."

Takagi still looking down, not wanting to look up at my worrying gaze.

Takagi: "Don't let me distract you from having fun with everyone else."

Nishikata: "A-are you sure? We can talk right now."

Takagi: "Nah, I'm fine. Just...need some time alone. I'll see you guys later okay?"