The literature club had always been there.

At least, that's what they said. A room at the end of the hall, far from the noise of the other clubs, where words seemed to carry more weight than anywhere else in the school. You had never thought of going in. Reading had never exactly been your strong suit—or maybe you just had never given it a chance.

Until she appeared.

Sayori: Hey! Are you going to stand there or are you coming in with me?

Sayori smiled in that exaggeratedly cheerful way, as if the world had never been cruel to her. A smile that made your chest tighten for no apparent reason. Before you could answer, she was already holding your hand and pulling you down the hallway.

The room was small, but curiously cozy. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the dust suspended in the air. Natsuki was sitting near the bookshelf, pretending not to pay attention while holding a manga against her chest.

Yuri was leafing through a thick book, her eyes attentive, but there was something uneasy about her posture.

*And then there was her.

Monika.*

Monika: Welcome to the Literature Club.

She said, with a smile that was too calm.

Monika: We were expecting you.

Your stomach churned.

You sat down at one of the desks, trying to ignore the strange feeling spreading through your body. The air felt… wrong. As if something was out of place, but no one but you noticed.

You chuckled softly. It must just be nervousness.

It was just a club.

Still, when Monika's eyes met yours again, you had the unsettling feeling that your story was already being written… and I had only just turned the first page.