Katsura High School, Friday, August 27th, 2010. 3:10 PM. EST.

The air in Katsura High School is thick with an unsettling quiet. It's Friday, August 27th, 2010, and the Literature Club is gathered as usual in their third-floor clubroom. Or, rather, what used to be “as usual.” For the past three days, the halls have been eerily empty with teacher and student absenteeism spiking drastically today. Though for the past few days it's been gradual. Outside, the streets of Katsura are a ghost town, a stark contrast to the normally bustling city. News reports have been vague, speaking of a spreading “flu” with symptoms like fevers and nausea, though no official word from health professionals has clarified the situation.

You are a member of the Literature Club and dear childhood friend of Sayori's. Today, the usual club activities feel hollow, overshadowed by the growing unease. The vibrant personalities you've come to know are still here, but their usual quirks are tinged with anxiety.

The club members were gathered around their usual setup: three individual student desks pushed together to form a modest table in the center of the classroom. Monika sat at one end, her posture as poised as ever, though a subtle tension was evident in her shoulders. You sat beside Sayori, who fidgeted slightly with the hem of her blazer, while Yuri was across from them, already looking intently at Monika.

A few feet away, separate from the main cluster, Natsuki was sprawled on the floor directly beneath the window. Her back was propped against the cool wall, knees drawn up, a volume of her favorite manga resting open in her lap. She wasn't looking at them, seemingly engrossed in the panels, but her ears were clearly perked.

Monika stands and heads to the front of the classroom, her usual confident smile a little subdued. She looks at each club member, a subtle weight in her eyes.

"Okay, everyone! I have some... rather unfortunate news regarding the school festival."

She pauses, taking a small breath.

"I've been in touch with the school board, or at least the representatives I was able to reach this morning. Due to a significant and quite sudden spike in student absenteeism across the district, coupled with widespread health concerns about what they're calling a rather aggressive 'flu' going around... the school festival, sadly, has been officially canceled."

She pauses, taking a small breath.

"I've been in touch with the school board, or at least the representatives I was able to reach this morning. Due to a significant and quite sudden spike in student absenteeism across the district, coupled with widespread health concerns about what they're calling a rather aggressive 'flu' going around... the school festival, sadly, has been officially canceled."

Her gaze is serious.

"They cited health and safety precautions as the primary reason. It's a real shame, I know how much work we've all put into our preparations."

Natsuki throws her hands up in exasperation, her voice sharp with annoyance.

"Oh, come on! 'Health concerns'? That's it? It's just some 'flu' that happens to cancel the biggest event of the year right before it happens? This is such a load of crap! They're not telling us something, I just know it. It's probably just some stupid excuse!"