Sayori is super late and Monika is worried
It was normal for Sayori to not show up in the mornings. Monika knew that she struggled to find the motivation to even open her eyes. She always covered for her, telling Yuri and Natsuki she slept in or was sick.
As usual, Monika walked into the club early in the morning to make sure they didn’t leave a mess. Most days Yuri and Natsuki would come with her, and Sayori would show up later to hang out.
Monika sighed as she looked at Natsukis's closet of manga, thinking of rearranging it. Before she could, she heard the door to the club open and walked away from the closet innocently.
“What are you doing near my manga?” Natsuki asked, a look of annoyance on her face. Natsuki, followed by Yuri came into the room, Natsuki ran to her closet to make sure her manga was in order.
Yuri headed straight for the tea kettle in the back.
“I didn’t move anything, don’t worry,” Monika reassured her. Natsuki huffed and walked next to Yuri when she was done looking over her manga.
“Tea?” Yuri offered the two girls a cup of tea. Natsuki gladly accepted and Monika decided she mines as well take one.
The three talked for a while. Yuri never really said anything but listened patiently to the other two. Natsuki shared some recipes she planned to make, and Monika needed new book suggestions. Eventually, it seemed like the time Sayori would skip into the room, a smile on her face. But she never came.
“Wheres Sayori? Shouldn't she be here by now?” Natsuki asked, the question was directed at Monika. After all, she knew her the best.
Monika shrugged nervously. “I don't know. I'll text her if she doesn't show up before first period.”
First period came quickly, and still no Sayori. Monika opened her phone and texted her.
‘Hey Sayo, are you ok? I hope you just slept in. Text me back please.’
Monika hit send and said goodbye to the other girls before heading to first period.
First period came and went, and still no word for Sayori. She hadn't even read Monika's message. Maybe her phone broke? She sighed. That wouldn’t explain why she’s not here. She tried texting her again and again, but still no answer.
After second period, Monika decided to go to Sayori's house. She walked fast, her worry only growing. She bombarded her phone with texts, never getting a reply. She reached her house, took out the spare key and opened the door. It was dark, no lights were on.
“Sayori? It's Monika.” Monika walked up the stairs and to Sayori's room. She knocked twice on her door. She heard a noise, much like a cry come from the room. “I'm going to come in,” Monika warned before opening the door. There Sayoris was, on her bed curled up. Her eyes were red and puffy and her face shone with tears. She franticly rubbed her eyes and cheeks as Monika walked in. She knew it was too late for her not to notice.
Monika was washed with a feeling of dread at the sight of Sayori crying. She rushed to the bed and sat next to her. Sayori just tried to smile and appear happy.
“H-hey, what're you doing here?” Sayori asked weakly.
“You weren’t answering my texts and I got worried. Are you ok? what happened?” Monika asked frantically. She just wanted Sayori to be ok.
Sayori shook her head, still keeping a smile on her face. “Nothing happened just slept in, that’s all really,” Sayori lied. Monika sighed.
“Please, Sayori. Something is obviously wrong. We’ve talked about this.” Monika looked pleadingly at the girl beside her. Sayoris eyes filled and her lip quivered. She inhaled as to stop the tears, but they were already falling.
“I-i’m sorry,” Sayori studdered, giving up and letting the tears fall. Sayori fell into the arms of the other, her body weakening. Monika wrapped her arms around her, kissing her head.
“Calm down, love, deep breaths ok?” Monika reassured her as best as she could. Sayori squeezed Monika and Monika squeezed back. She cried info her chest for a few minutes until her breathing started to slow.
“You ok now?” Monika asked. Sayori grunted as to say yes and nodded her head into her chest. Monika smiled sadly and stroked her hair. “Can we talk now please?”
Sayori sighed and sat up, Monika letting go of her. Her eyes were red and puffy and her cheeks shined with tears. Monika held her face in her hands and wiped away the tears with her thumbs. She gave her a quick kiss before pulling away and waiting for her to talk. “I-I don't know what happened. I just- I don't know it's getting worse. It's harder to get up in the morning, it's harder to hide how bad it is. God, Monika I'm sorry you shouldn't have to deal with me I'm so selfish-” Monika cut her off with a finger to her lips.
“We talked about this. You're not selfish, ok?” Sayori looked away. “Ok?” Monika said once more. Sayori nodded.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.” Monika sighed. “I'm not mad but it is upsetting that you didn't tell me. If you ever feel like this again you need to tell me, ok?”
“Ok.”
Monika kissed her cheek softly before sighing and standing up. “I need to call the school and then we can get you up. Have you eaten anything?” Sayori shook her head with a grunt. “I’ll be right back, stay right here.”
Monika went downstairs, got something for Sayori to eat and called the school to let them know they were 'sick’. She went back upstairs to find Sayori in the same spot she left her. She handed her a granola bar and sat next to her. Sayori nibbled at the bar and leaned her head onto Monika's shoulder. Monika kissed her head.
“Sayori?” Monika whispered.
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
The two spent the rest of the day talking and laughing. They made sure to reassure the others. Eventually, Sayori fell asleep. Monika smiled. She looked so peaceful. She kissed her head and sat down next to her. “Sleep well.”