Childhood Friend, Sayori

"Heeyy!"

I see an annoying girl running toward me from the distance, waving her arms in the air like she's totally oblivious to any attention she might draw to herself.

Her name is Sayori, my neighbor and my good friend or should I say my childhood friend. Well, I already know most of these parts so I just wish I could skip this introduction. I sighed.

"Haahhh... Haaaahhhh... I overslept again!"

"Isn't it normal?"

"Eeehh, How meanie."

Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, I'm actually talking to her! It's not just the dialogue from the game; it's real interaction with Sayori herself!

"F*ck," I muttered under my breath.

Sayori remained silent, staring at me before suddenly pinching my cheeks. "Bad," she scolded.

"O-ow! I... I accidentally blurted it out! I'm sorry!"

"Hmph. You've changed."

"Really?"

"Yeah! You were supposed to be the one scolding me!" Sayori exclaimed.

"Well, I don't feel like it since this is normal anyway."

Now then, I know what she will say next, She will say If I have interest in joining a club. As expected of me. I already replayed this game many times after all.

"Anyway... Uhm, Are you interested in joining clubs?"

"Clubs? Let's see... I'm gonna create my own club."

"Create your own?"

"Yeah! Will you join me Sayori?"

"I-I mean, I want to but... I'm already in a club."

"Ohhh?~ Interesting. Sayori joining a club is a miracle, So what did you eat that makes you join the club?"

Sayori puffed her cheeks, portraying a pout. "You were totally being a meanie there."

And then she would say... the Literature club when I ask her about the club.

"So, what did you join?"

"Ohh! The Literature Club!"

I paused and looked away, struggling to contain my laughter. "L-Literature club?"

"Hey! What's wrong with it!"

I chuckled. "N-Nothing, it's just... really a miracle that you joined a club."

"Heh~" She smirked at me. "Let me tell you this, I am also the vice president!"

I fell to my knees, desperately trying to hold back my laughter. "I can't."

"Maki-kun!~" she pouted.

"Right, right... I'll stop now." I stood up and rubbed her head, but then I paused for a bit.

Now that I think about it... I'm touching her head... and seeing her this close... She's really cute... But then, that time when Sayori's death made me depressed for a week and I stopped playing this game for a week. It feels nice seeing her again.

Suddenly, out of instinct, I tightly hugged her.

"Eh? Maki-kun?!"

"Sorry... Give me a second."

I held her tightly, not wanting to let her go... ever again. This time, I have the power to break, change, and fix this messed-up system. I gritted my teeth, determined.

I won't let you die this time, Sayori.

But then, Sayori's voice snapped me back to reality. "M-Maki-kun, I appreciate the hug, but it's getting embarrassing. Everyone is watching us~"

I immediately let go and covered my face, my cheeks turning red. "S-Sorry."

"Ehehehe~ Did Maki-kun have a nightmare?~"

"I-I guess you could say that."

"Ehehe~ Then..." Sayori hugged me, gently patting my back. "There, there~"

"Sayori..."

"I'll be here."

"Yeah."

I smiled and gently removed her hand from my head. "L-Let's go... I don't want to be late for class."

"Hehehe~ okay!"

We walked side by side, heading to school together until we reached my classroom.

"Looks like this is where I'll be. How about you?" I turned to Sayori.

"U-Uhh, actually, over there," she said nervously, pointing to another classroom.

"Ohh, 1-4 class... Sayori, did you perhaps...?"

"I gotta go!" She swiftly ran away towards her classroom.

She failed, didn't she... I sighed and walked to my seat. It looks like it's going to be a long day today. Let's see... I should check the logs first.

I walked out of the classroom and headed to the boys' bathroom.

Once inside, I closed the door and swiped the air, revealing the command system. I began reading the logs for today.

"Seems everything's normal for now."

But first, I should set up this command. I typed in the chat, "?Notification logs on." This way, if someone tries to use the system command, I'll be notified and can remove that system.

Now then, that should be all. I headed out of the boys' bathroom and returned to my seat.

A few hours later, The school day is as ordinary as ever, and it's over before I know it.

After packing up my things, I stared blankly at the wall, searching for even a glimmer of motivation.

"Clubs..."

I knew that after this, Sayori would come to me and ask me to check out her club. And there, I would meet the others.

"Hellooo?"

There she was...

"Sayori, let's go check out your club."

"Eh? But I haven't even asked you yet."

"Well, I know you well enough to anticipate it."

"...R-Really?" She slowly looked away.

"Don't look away."

"A-Am I really that an open book?"

"Yes."

"I-I see, so you're going to check out the Literature Club... right?"

"Yes, let's go before I change my mind."

"R-Right!"

I packed my things and walked alongside Sayori as we headed to the Literature Club. After a few minutes, we finally arrived, and Sayori entered first. I could hear their voices... Natsuki's, Yuri's, and Monika's.

This is it... The Literature Club... I took a deep breath, composed myself, and stepped inside.