The beginning of something, but what exactly of?
Monika stayed up the whole night. What’s even the point of dreaming or resting if it's all fake?
Her room is nothing but 2D assets and code. Her personality, her memories, her friends, her school; everything is carefully manufactured.
The alarm clock had already rang twice and she ignored it. Her mom was downstairs making breakfast. Usually by this time she'd get up and start changing into her uniform, but she was busy staring at the ceiling with. Finally she got up and started getting out of her pink strawberry patterned pajama set.
— Monika breakfast is ready!!! — a voice from downstairs yelled out.
— Coming!! — Monika shouted as she tied her long coral brown hair into a high ponytail.
She then ran down the stairs and quickly ate her omelette. The entire day passed the slowest it had in her entire life. Usually she'd be an active participant in class but today she just sat with her head in her hands; what would even be the point of trying if everything is fake?
Finally classes ended and she could go over to the literature club. She dashed over to the class, opened the door where Yuri, Sayori and Natsuki where peacefully working on their poems.
— Hello everyone~~~. First of all I'd like to apologise for being late. Secondly, how were all of your weekends~~?
Monika said with her usual smile as she sat on top of a desk. Placing her backpack next to her. Yet her eyes were on one particular member, Yuri. She's been slowly but surely developing a crush on the loner. Though she quickly looked away the second she realised she was being obvious about her starring.
Sayori waved at Monika’s greeting. — It was okay!
Natsuki shrugged. — It was fine, I suppose.
Yuri takes a quick glance at Monika, as she greeted everyone, her cheeks already reddened slightly. — I-it was splendid.
— Oh well that's great to hear. Now, do you need some more time on your poems or can we start reading them now? — Monika said.
Her eyes traveled to Yuri again before drarting them back to the rest of the girls. God, how could she not stare at someone whose beauty Aphrodite herself would be jealous of?
Sayori glances at her paper before shaking her head. — It’s fine.
Natsuki scoffs. — I’m all done.
Yuri holds up their poem and smiles, her hands shaking a bit.
— Oh perfect then!! Who wants to go first then? — Monika exclaimed loudly.
Sayori grinned. — I’ll go first!!
Natsuki scowls but sighs. — Fine. I’ll go after her.
Yuri smiles, holding onto their poem. — I-I’ll g-go last then. — They mumbled under their breath.
Everyone had read their poems; but Monika couldn't be bothered to pay attention to anyone. It's not like she wanted to though, she tried to make eye contact here and there with whoever was reading but her attention always seemed to turn back to Yuri.
Once Yuri finished and looked up from their paper; their eyes ended up meeting one and other. They swiftly looked down at the floor as their cheeks reddened before sitting back down in their seat.
— Hey… — Natsuki suddenly blurted out. — Monika, you seem to be staring at Yuri an awful lot recently.
Yuri's face turned redder than a tomato and their porcelain doll-like eyes widened. Sayori, also noticing Monika's persistent staring, decided to stay silent.
— Really? Hmmmm… I guess I am, aren't I? — Monika replied with a smile on her face.
Natsuki smirked at Monika's answer. — Yeah, you are. You keep staring at Yuri. I mean look at how red they are!
— S-shut up! — Yuri mumbled as they hid their face in their hands.
Sayori grinned while Natsuki started to laugh.
— Yeah look, look! They're blushing like crazy! — Natsuki loudly exclaimed.
Monkia let out a quiet chuckle before speaking again.
— In all seriousness. I'm sorry that I made you uncomfortable, Yuri. I won't do it again. — Monika said said while looking away and toying with her ponytail.
Yuri peers between their fingers, their face redder than it has ever been. — I-it’s fine…I didn’t hate you for staring…
Natsuki chucked quietly. —. Oh? You liked her staring at you? Did ya?
Yuri glares at Natsuki, their face now being similar to the color of a cherry. — N-No! I-I didn’t-! — She mumbled loudly.
Monika chucked quietly. Without even realising, her green eyes traveled to Yuri before immediately turning them away. Why would she even feel this about lines of code that aren't real? She knows that Yuri isn't real but…She still feels this way towards them.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the club meeting.
— Well, thank you for coming here and blessing our ears with your poems. — Monika said.
Sayori nodded and smiled at Monika's words. — Yeah, thanks for sharing, everyone!
Natsuki nodded and threw her backpack over her shoulder. — Yeah see you all later. — Star said as she left the class, Sayori following right behind star.
— Y-yeah, see you tomorrow. — Yuri mumbled quietly as they hid their poem back into their backpack.
Everyone, except for Monika and Yuri, left the classroom. Yuri glanced at her; running their fingers though their long purple hair. Their eyes met each other again, they then finally spoke up.
— Monika… — Yuri said quietly.
— Yes? — Monika replied.
Yuri fiddles with her hair once more. — I-I have something I have to ask you…
— Sure, ask away love~.
Their cheeks flashed even more at the nickname.
— …Love?...Uh- anyway! I have a question…— They continued to toy with their hair. — …Y-You've been staring at me for quite a while now…Why?
Monika stood there for a couple of seconds. She didn't plan on confessing today or even at all considering Yuri isn't real. Her mind was overflowing with a million variations of how this could go. Finally, after a couple more seconds, she finally spoke again
— Before I proceed, I'd like to ask: are you into women in any way?
Once those exact words left Monika's lips, Yuri's blush only intensified as they processed the question that had just been asked.
— Uh….I s-suppose I am!! — They glanced down at the light hardwood floor of the classroom — Why do you ask though?
— …Fine then, when are you free?
You couldn't really tell by just looking at Monika right now, but internally, she was screaming out of joy.
— Uh…I'm free right now… — Yuri replied.
— Ok then, at what time and where do you want to meet up?
Yuri's fair complection reddened with each new word that slipped out of Monika's mouth.
— Ummm…How about now the park in a few m-minutes? I reside fairly close to it.
— Ok great! See you there! — She exclaimed loudly.
Monika threw her backpack and waved at Yuri with a wide, since grin on her face.
— Bye!!!!
She then proceeded to swiftly run out of the classroom; fantasising while simultaneously dreading the outcome of their little hangout later.