Chapter Text
Beep. Beep. Beep. Thunk.
With my hand still on the alarm clock, I groggily pushed myself up into a sitting position and slumped against the headboard. How many times had I snoozed the alarm? I blinked my eyes open and stretched, trying to force the sleepiness out of my body. I couldn’t afford to be late to school. Today was the day of the festival, the day that the Literature Club had prepared so hard for. I wondered whether students would actually visit the classroom. They probably would. Who in the world would pass up free cupcakes?
Readjusting my backpack, I stepped out of my house. Warm sunlight bathed everything in sight, the leaves of trees letting through dapples of it onto the ground and swaying in the light breeze. Colorful flowers of all shapes and sizes which were blooming in leafy bushes seemed like they were saying hello as I walked past. It was such a beautiful day. Beautiful…
I wish I were seeing this with Sayori right now, I thought to myself. So many things had happened yesterday, but Sayori was all that I could think of. Was she alright? My heart clenched at the thought of her hurting, alone, trapped under weighted darkness and suffocated by her thoughts. Maybe a walk in this kind of weather might lift her spirits, if only just a little. I hoped she wouldn’t wake up late again and miss the freshness that the morning had to give.
I wonder if I should go check up on her. I stopped in my tracks and turned my feet towards the direction of her house, then hesitated. She’s always late. What’s there to be different? She’ll be fine.
No. She wouldn’t. She’s not. Taking a deep breath, I started to walk in the direction of her house. Yesterday had made me realize just how much I needed to be there for her. I wouldn’t, couldn’t, leave her alone. Never again.
After a couple minutes, I arrived at the front door to her house. I couldn't see any movement from behind the windows, nor hear any sound come from inside the house.
“Sayori? Are you awake?”
Hearing no answer, I grabbed the handle of the door and pushed. Although it was made of metal and looked to be extremely heavy, it opened easily, as always.
Silence greeted me, the sound of my footsteps being the only noise to be heard in the dark hallway of her house. After hastily navigating my way through, I arrived at the door to her room and rested my ear against it. The cool wood was surprisingly comfortable.
“Sayori? It’s me. You know it’s time to go to school.”
Yet again, no answer. Was she seriously still asleep? The two of us were definitely going to be late now. I don’t have time to wait.
I slowly opened the door…