A Judgement Session

After including Monika in my plan and granting her access to view logs, we started meeting every day. We would spend time together during and after class, during lunch breaks, and even during recess.

One day, as I was heading towards the clubroom, I noticed Sayori, Yuri, and Natsuki engaged in conversation. Curiosity piqued, I looked around the clubroom but couldn't find Monika anywhere.

"Hm?" I wondered where she could be.

I approached the group of girls and asked, "Hey, uhh... Do you guys know where Monika is?"

Natsuki was the first to respond, but she avoided making direct eye contact with me. "She's not here."

I furrowed my brows, sensing something was off. "Not here? But she's usually around. Did she say anything?"

"Who cares!" Natsuki snapped, her cheeks turning red as she hid behind Yuri.

Surprised by Natsuki's sudden outburst, I frowned and asked, "Ah... Why are you mad all of a sudden?"

"Shut up."

Oh, come to think of it... I've not spent much time with them.

Just then, my phone made a sound, indicating a new email. Curious, I picked it up and opened the message from Monika. "You forgot about them, didn't you? Well, it was part of the plan at first, but since your goal is to save them and achieve a good ending, I wouldn't mind letting you spend time with them~"

I closed my phone and looked at the three girls before me. With a sincere expression, I bowed apologetically. "I'm sorry."

"Eh? What for, Maki?" Sayori asked, looking puzzled.

"Well..."

"Raise your head, Maki," Yuri said gently, patting my head. "Though... We would like you to answer us first."

"Eh?" I looked at Yuri, who was smiling, though her smile seemed a bit unnerving.

"S-Sure."

I'm gonna get interrogated, aren't I?

As I took my seat, the atmosphere in the room shifted. It wasn't quite an interrogation, but more like a judgment session. The three girls, Sayori, Yuri, and Natsuki, formed a sort of informal tribunal, while I sat there feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Sayori leaned forward with a smile, her eyes sparkling with playfulness. "Okay, Maki, we've got some questions for you."

Yuri nodded in agreement, adjusting her glasses with a hint of mischief. "Indeed. We thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know you better."

Where did that glasses came from!?

Natsuki crossed her arms, trying to look stern but couldn't quite hide a suppressed grin. "Yeah, don't get too nervous. It's not like we're going to bite your head off."

I chuckled nervously. "Alright, go ahead. Shoot."

The atmosphere grew tense as the girls exchanged glances, and then Sayori took the lead. "Let's start with something simple. What's your favorite food?"

Yuri and Natsuki shared a brief, bemused look, causing Sayori to fidget. "W-What?"

"Seriously."

"I-I'm kinda hungry, ehehehe." Sayori awkwardly scratched her head.

Yuri sighed, "I'll go first." She cleared her throat. "So, Maki... What exactly is your relationship with Monika?"

I couldn't help but feel a knot forming in my stomach. Already diving straight into the heart of the matter?

I coughed to compose myself. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we are just friends."

"OBJECTION!" Natsuki's hand shot up.

"Huh!?"

Clearing her throat, Natsuki starts speaking. "I saw you two h-having... uh... lovey-dovey moments in the hallway in front of the music room." She glanced down, her cheeks tinged with pink.

I felt my face flush as I struggled to respond. "Your honor, that was a simple misunderstanding!"

"Silence, Maki." Yuri's authoritative tone cut through the tension. She turned to Natsuki. "Please continue."

"E-Erm... Th-They were holding hands!"

Yuri locked her intense gaze on me, and I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably. "Is that true?"

Well, if I think back, that was merely because we were in a hurry...

Swallowing hard, I admitted, "Y-Yes, it's true."

Natsuki pointed at me accusingly. "Guilty!"

"Wait, Natsuki... Let's give Maki the chance to defend himself."

"Tsk, fine." Natsuki crossed her arms, a mixture of annoyance and curiosity evident on her face.

"Okay, okay, just listen. It was because we were in a hurry!"

"Hurry?! That was around 4 PM!" Natsuki interjected.

How did she know that? Was she stalking me?

I clenched my fist slightly, then continued. "Yes, we were in a hurry."

"In a hurry? For what?"

I averted my gaze. "...Dinner."

"Dinner?" Yuri's voice held a tone of confusion.

"Ohhh~ Now that I think about it, Monika came to your house that night," Sayori chimed in, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"HUH!?" Natsuki practically exploded.

"She was teaching me how to cook more dishes, I swear!"

"Silence, Maki."

Yuri turned to Sayori. "Please continue."

Sayori nodded. "Around 5 PM, Monika entered Maki's house with a grocery bag, so I guess he's telling the truth."

"But why would Maki want to learn to cook more dishes?" Natsuki asked, looking at Sayori.

I shot Sayori a look that pleaded for her not to say anything more.

Just then, the door to the literature club swung open. "It's because Sayori wants to eat more!"

Natsuki hissed like a cat. "The criminal is here!"

Monika's voice broke through the tension. "Now, now, don't be like that, everyone. I was just helping Maki."

I let out a silent sigh of relief. Thank goodness she arrived.

"No, it's not enough yet." Yuri's focus shifted to Monika. "Monika, please tell us honestly, what is your relationship with Maki?"

Monika seemed momentarily caught off guard. "M-my relationship?"

She then glanced at me, a smile playing on her lips. "I suppose you could say that we're still... friends, for now."

"See!?" I exclaimed, feeling a glimmer of hope.

"Wait a moment, Monika," Natsuki interjected. "Why did you say 'for now'?"

Monika's smile widened mischievously. "Hehe~ I wonder?"

"Guilty." The three said in unison.

"Eh?! Seriously!? Guys!?"

"Oh my? Maki, it seems we're partners in crime now, huh?"

I clenched my teeth, restraining my frustration. "Just keep your remarks to yourself."

And so, with our club activities concluded, the judgment session ended. I had to admit, I was left with a guilty verdict.