label ch0_main:

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg residential_day
with dissolve_scene_full
play music t2

python:
if [Link] is None or [Link] == "restored":
pass
else:
[Link]("ch0_kill")

$ restore_all_characters()
s "Heeeeeeeyyy!!"
"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."
"That girl is Sayori, my neighbor and good friend since we were children."
"You know, the kind of friend you'd never see yourself making today, but it
just kind of works out because you've known each other for so long?"
"We used to walk to school together on days like this, but starting around high
school she would oversleep more and more frequently, and I would get tired of
waiting up."
"But if she's going to chase after me like this, I almost feel better off
running away."
"However, I just sigh and idle in front of the crosswalk and let Sayori catch
up to me."
$ s_name = "Sayori"
show sayori 4p at t11 zorder 2
s "Haaahhh...haaahhh..."
s "I overslept again!"
s "But I caught you this time!"
mc "Maybe, but only because I decided to stop and wait for you."
show sayori at s11
s "Eeehhhhh, you say that like you were thinking about ignoring me!"
s "That's mean, [player]!"
mc "Well, if people stare at you for acting weird then I don't want them to
think we're a couple or something."
show sayori at t11 zorder 2
s "Fine, fine."
s "But you did wait for me, after all."
s "I guess you don't have it in you to be mean even if you want to~"
mc "Whatever you say, Sayori..."
s "Ehehe~"
show sayori at thide zorder 1
hide sayori
"We cross the street together and make our way to school."
"As we draw near, the streets become increasingly speckled with other students
making their daily commute."
show sayori 3a at t11 zorder 2
s "By the way, [player]..."
s "Have you decided on a club to join yet?"
mc "A club?"
mc "I told you already, I'm really not interested in joining any clubs."
mc "I haven't been looking, either."
show sayori at s11
s "Eh? That's not true!"
s "You told me you would join a club this year!"
mc "Did I...?"
"I'm sure it's possible that I did, in one of our many conversations where I
dismissively go along with whatever she's going on about."
"Sayori likes to worry a little too much about me, when I'm perfectly content
just getting by on the average while spending my free time on games and anime."
s "Uh-huh!"
s "I was talking about how I'm worried that you won't learn how to socialize or
have any skills before college."
s "Your happiness is really important to me, you know!"
s "And I know you're happy now, but I'd die at the thought of you becoming a
NEET in a few years because you're not used to the real world!"
s "You trust me, right?"
s "Don't make me keep worrying about you..."
mc "Alright, alright..."
mc "I'll look at a few clubs if it makes you happy."
mc "No promises, though."
s "Will you at least promise me you'll try a little?"
mc "Yeah, I guess I'll promise you that."
show sayori at t11 zorder 2
s "Yaay~!"
"Why do I let myself get lectured by such a carefree girl?"
"More than that, I'm surprised I even let myself relent to her."
"I guess seeing her worry so much about me makes me want to ease her mind at
least a little bit - even if she does exaggerate everything inside of her head."

scene bg class_day
with wipeleft_scene

"The school day is as ordinary as ever, and it's over before I know it."
"After I pack up my things, I stare blankly at the wall, looking for an ounce
of motivation."
mc "Clubs..."
"Sayori wants me to check out some clubs."
"I guess I have no choice but to start with the anime club..."

s "Hellooo?"
show sayori 1b at t11 zorder 2
mc "Sayori...?"
"Sayori must have come into the classroom while I was spacing out."
"I look around and realize that I'm the only one left in the classroom."
s "I thought I'd catch you coming out of the classroom, but I saw you just
sitting here and spacing out, so I came in."
s "Honestly, you're even worse than me sometimes... I'm impressed!"
mc "You don't need to wait up for me if it's going to make you late to your own
club."
s "Well, I thought you might need some encouragement, so I thought, you
know..."
mc "Know what?"
s "Well, that you could come to my club!"
mc "Sayori..."
s "Yeah??"
mc "...There is no way I'm going to your club."
show sayori at s11
s "Eeeehhhhh?! Meanie!"
"Sayori is vice president of the Literature Club."
"Not that I was ever aware that she had any interest in literature."
"In fact, I'm 99%% sure she only did it because she thought it would be fun to
help start a new club."
"Since she was the first one to show interest after the one who proposed the
club, she inherited the title \"Vice President\"."
"That said, my interest in literature is guaranteed to be even less."
 mc "Yeah. I'm going to the anime club."
show sayori at t11 zorder 2
s "C'mon, please?"
mc "Why do you care so much, anyway?"
s "Well..."
s "I kind of told the club yesterday I would bring in a new member..."
s "And Natsuki made cupcakes and everything..."
s "Ehehe..."
mc "Don't make promises you can't keep!"
"I can't tell if Sayori is really that much of an airhead, or if she's so
cunning as to have planned all of this out."
"I let out a long sigh."
mc "Fine... I'll stop by for a cupcake, okay?"
show sayori at h11
s "Yes! Let's go~!"

stop music fadeout 2.0

scene bg corridor
with wipeleft_scene

"And thus, today marks the day I sold my soul for a cupcake."
"I dejectedly follow Sayori across the school and upstairs - a section of the
school I rarely visit, being generally used for third-year classes and activities."
"Sayori, full of energy, swings open the classroom door."

scene bg club_day
with wipeleft
play music t3
show sayori 4 at l41
s "Everyone! The new member is here~!"
mc "I told you, don't call me a 'new member--'"
show sayori at lhide
hide sayori
"Eh? I glance around the room."
show yuri 1a at t11 zorder 2
y "Welcome to the Literature Club. It's a pleasure meeting you."
y "Sayori always says nice things about you."
show yuri at t22 zorder 2
show natsuki 4c at t21 zorder 2
n "Seriously? You brought a boy?"
n "Way to kill the atmosphere."
show yuri at t33 zorder 2
show natsuki at t32 zorder 2
show monika 1k at t31 zorder 2
m "Ah, [player]! What a nice surprise!"
m "Welcome to the club!"
show monika 1a
mc "..."
"All words escape me in this situation."
"This club..."
"{i}...is full of incredibly cute girls!!{/i}"

show monika at thide zorder 1

show yuri at thide zorder 1
show natsuki at f32 zorder 3
hide monika
hide yuri
 n "What are you looking at?"
n "If you want to say something, say it."
mc "S-Sorry..."
show natsuki at t32 zorder 2
show yuri 2l at f33 zorder 3
y "Natsuki..."
$ n_name = 'Natsuki'
show yuri at t33 zorder 2
show natsuki at f32 zorder 3
n "Hmph."
show natsuki at t32 zorder 2

"The girl with the sour attitude, whose name is apparently Natsuki, is one I
don't recognize."
"Her small figure makes me think she's probably a first-year."
"She is also the one who made cupcakes, according to Sayori."

show sayori 2q at f31 zorder 3

s "You can just ignore her when she gets moody~"
"Sayori says that quietly into my ear, then turns back toward the other girls."
s "Anyway! This is Natsuki, always full of energy."
s "And this is Yuri, the smartest in the club!"
$ y_name = 'Yuri'
show sayori at t31 zorder 2
show yuri at f33 zorder 3
y "D-Don't say things like that..."
"Yuri, who appears comparably more mature and timid, seems to have a hard time
keeping up with people like Sayori and Natsuki."
show yuri at t33 zorder 2
mc "Ah... Well, it's nice to meet both of you."
show yuri at thide zorder 1
show natsuki at thide zorder 1
hide yuri
hide natsuki
show sayori at f31 zorder 3
s "And it sounds like you already know Monika, is that right?"
$ m_name = 'Monika'
show sayori at t31 zorder 2
show monika 2a at f32 zorder 3
m "That's right."
m "It's great to see you again, [player]."
show monika 5a at hop
"Monika smiles sweetly."
"We do know each other - well, we rarely talked, but we were in the same class
last year."
"Monika was probably the most popular girl in class - smart, beautiful,
athletic."
"Basically, completely out of my league."
"So, having her smile at me so genuinely feels a little..."
mc "Y-You too, Monika."
show monika at thide zorder 1
hide monika
show sayori at f31 zorder 3
s "Come sit down, [player]! We made room for you at the table, so you can sit
next to me or Monika."
s "I'll get the cupcakes~"
show sayori at t31 zorder 2
show natsuki 1e at f32 zorder 3
n "Hey! I made them, I'll get them!"
 show natsuki at t32 zorder 2
show sayori at f31 zorder 3
s "Sorry, I got a little too excited~"
show sayori at t31 zorder 2
show yuri 1a at f33 zorder 3
y "Then, how about I make some tea as well?"
hide sayori
hide natsuki
hide yuri
with wipeleft
"The girls have a few desks arranged to form a table."
"As Sayori mentioned, it's been widened so that there is one space next to
Monika and one space next to Sayori."
"Natsuki and Yuri walk over to the corner of the room, where Natsuki grabs a
wrapped tray and Yuri opens the closet."
"Still feeling awkward, I take a seat next to Sayori."
"Natsuki proudly marches back to the table, tray in hand."
show natsuki 2z at t32 zorder 2
n "Okaaay, are you ready?"
n "...Ta-daa!"
show sayori 4m at t31 zorder 2
show monika 2d at t33 zorder 2
s "Uwooooah!"
"Natsuki lifts the foil off the tray to reveal a dozen white, fluffy cupcakes
decorated to look like little cats."
"The whiskers are drawn with icing, and little pieces of chocolate were used to
make ears."
show sayori at f31 zorder 3
s "So cuuuute~!"
show sayori at t31 zorder 2
show monika at f33 zorder 3
m "I had no idea you were so good at baking, Natsuki!"
show monika at t33 zorder 2
show natsuki at f32 zorder 3
n "Ehehe. Well, you know."
n "Just hurry and take one!"
"Sayori grabs one first, then Monika. I follow."
show natsuki at t32 zorder 2
show sayori at f31 zorder 3
s "It's delicious!"
"Sayori talks with her mouth full and has already managed to get icing on her
face."
"I turn the cupcake around in my fingers, looking for the best angle to take a
bite."
show sayori at thide zorder 1
show monika at thide zorder 1
hide sayori
hide monika
show natsuki 1c at t32 zorder 2
"Natsuki is quiet."
"I can't help but notice her sneaking glances in my direction."
"Is she waiting for me to take a bite?"
"I finally bite down."
"The icing is sweet and full of flavor - I wonder if she made it herself."
mc "This is really good."
mc "Thank you, Natsuki."
n "W-Why are you thanking me? It's not like I...!"
"{i}(Haven't I heard this somewhere before...?){/i}"
show natsuki at s32
 n "...Made them for you or anything."
mc "Eh? I thought you technically did. Sayori said--"
show natsuki at t32 zorder 2
n "Well, maybe!"
n "But not for, y-you know, {i}you!{/i} Dummy..."
mc "Alright, alright..."
show natsuki at thide zorder 1
hide natsuki
"I give up on Natsuki's weird logic and dismiss the conversation."
"Yuri returns to the table, carrying a tea set."
"She carefully places a teacup in front of each of us before setting down the
teapot next to the cupcake tray."
show yuri 1a at t21 zorder 2
mc "You keep a whole tea set in this classroom?"
y "Don't worry, the teachers gave us permission."
y "After all, doesn't a hot cup of tea help you enjoy a good book?"
mc "Ah... I-I guess..."
show monika 4a at t22 zorder 2
m "Ehehe, don't let yourself get intimidated, Yuri's just trying to impress
you."
show yuri at h21
y "Eh?! T-That's not..."
"Insulted, Yuri looks away."
y "I meant that, you know..."
mc "I believe you."
mc "Well, tea and reading might not be a pastime for me, but I at least enjoy
tea."
y "I'm glad..."
"Yuri faintly smiles to herself in relief."
"Monika raises an eyebrow, then smiles at me."
show yuri at thide zorder 1
hide yuri
show monika at t11 zorder 2
m "So, what made you consider the Literature Club?"
mc "Um..."
"I was afraid of this question."
"Something tells me I shouldn't tell Monika that I was practically dragged here
by Sayori."
mc "Well, I haven't joined any clubs yet, and Sayori seemed really happy here,
so..."
m "That's okay! Don't be embarrassed!"
m "We'll make sure you feel right at home, okay?"
m "As president of the Literature Club, it's my duty to make the club fun and
exciting for everyone!"
show monika 1a
mc "Monika, I'm surprised."
mc "How come you decided to start your own club?"
mc "You could probably be a board member for any of the major clubs."
mc "Weren't you a leader of the debate club last year?"
m "Ahaha, well, you know..."
m "To be honest, I can't stand all of the politics around the major clubs."
m "It feels like nothing but arguing about the budget and publicity and how to
prepare for events..."
m "I'd much rather take something I personally enjoy and make something special
out of it."
m "And if it encourages others to get into literature, then I'm fulfilling that
dream!"
show monika 1a
show sayori 3q at t31 zorder 2
 s "Monika really is a great leader!"
show yuri 1 at t33 zorder 2
"Yuri also nods in agreement."
show sayori at thide zorder 1
show yuri at thide zorder 1
hide sayori
hide yuri
mc "Then I'm surprised there aren't more people in the club yet."
mc "It must be hard to start a new club."
m "You could put it that way."
m "Not many people are very interested in putting out all the effort to start
something brand new..."
m "Especially when it's something that doesn't grab your attention, like
literature."
m "You have to work hard to convince people that you're both fun and
worthwhile."
m "But it makes school events, like the festival, that much more important."
m "I'm confident that we can all really grow this club before we graduate!"
m "Right, everyone?"
show monika 2a at t22 zorder 2
show sayori 4r at t21 zorder 2
s "Yeah!"
show monika at t33 zorder 2
show sayori at t32 zorder 2
show yuri 1a at t31 zorder 2
y "We'll do our best."
show monika at t44 zorder 2
show sayori at t43 zorder 2
show yuri at t42 zorder 2
show natsuki 4d at t41 zorder 2
n "You know it!"
"Everyone enthusiastically agrees."
"Such different girls, all interested in the same goal..."
"Monika must have worked really hard just to find these three."
"Maybe that's why they were all so delighted by the idea of a new member
joining."
"Though I still don't really know if I can keep up with their level of
enthusiasm about literature..."
show sayori at thide zorder 1
show monika at thide zorder 1
show natsuki at thide zorder 1
show yuri at t32 zorder 2
hide sayori
hide monika
hide natsuki
y "So, [player], what kinds of things do you like to read?"
mc "Well... Ah..."
"Considering how little I've read these past few years, I don't really have a
good way of answering that."
mc "...Manga..."
"I mutter quietly to myself, half-joking."
show natsuki 1c at t41 zorder 2
"Natsuki's head suddenly perks up."
"It looks like she wants to say something, but she keeps quiet."
show natsuki at thide zorder 1
hide natsuki
y "N-Not much of a reader, I guess..."
mc "...Well, that can change..."
"What am I saying?"
 "I spoke without thinking after seeing Yuri's sad smile."
mc "Anyway, what about you, Yuri?"
y "Well, let's see..."
"Yuri traces the rim of her teacup with her finger."
y "My favorites are usually novels that build deep and complex fantasy worlds."
y "The level of creativity and craftsmanship behind them is amazing to me."
y "And telling a good story in such a foreign world is equally impressive."
"Yuri goes on, clearly passionate about her reading."
"She seemed so reserved and timid since the moment I walked in, but it's
obvious by the way her eyes light up that she finds her comfort in the world of
books, not people."
y "But you know, I like a lot of things."
y "Stories with deep psychological elements usually immerse me as well."
y "Isn't it amazing how a writer can so deliberately take advantage of your own
lack of imagination to completely throw you for a loop?"
y "Anyway, I've been reading a lot of horror lately..."
mc "Ah, I read a horror book once..."
"I desperately grasp something I can relate to at the minimal level."
"At this rate, Yuri might as well be having a conversation with a rock."
show monika 1d at f33 zorder 3
m "Really? I wouldn't have expected that, Yuri."
m "For someone as gentle as you..."
show monika at t33 zorder 2
show yuri at f32 zorder 3
y "I guess you could say that."
y "But if a story makes me think, or takes me to another world, then I really
can't put it down."
y "Surreal horror is often very successful at changing the way you look at the
world, if only for a brief moment."
show yuri at t32 zorder 2
show natsuki 5q at f31 zorder 3
n "Ugh, I hate horror..."
show natsuki at t31 zorder 2
show yuri at f32 zorder 3
y "Oh? Why's that?"
show yuri at t32 zorder 2
show natsuki at f31 zorder 3
n "Well, I just..."
"Natsuki's eyes dart over to me for a split second."
n "Never mind."
show natsuki at t31 zorder 2
show monika at f33 zorder 3
m "That's right, you usually like to write about cute things, don't you,
Natsuki?"
show monika at t33 zorder 2
show natsuki 1o at f31 zorder 3
n "W-What?"
n "What gives you that idea?"
show natsuki at t31 zorder 2
show monika at f33 zorder 3
m "You left a piece of scrap paper behind last club meeting."
m "It looked like you were working on a poem called--"
show monika at t33 zorder 2
show natsuki 1p at f31 zorder 3
n "Don't say it out loud!!"
n "And give that back!"
show natsuki at t31 zorder 2
show monika at f33 zorder 3
m "Fine, fine~"
 show monika at thide zorder 1
show yuri at thide zorder 1
hide monika
hide yuri
show natsuki 1r at t42 zorder 2
show sayori 4q at l41 behind natsuki
s "Ehehe, your cupcakes, your poems..."
s "Everything you do is just as cute as you are~"
show sayori at t21 behind natsuki
"Sayori sidles up behind Natsuki and puts her hands on her shoulders."
show natsuki at h42
n "{i}I'm not cute!!{/i}"
show natsuki at t11 zorder 2
show sayori at thide zorder 1
hide sayori
mc "Natsuki, you write your own poems?"
n "Eh? Well, I guess sometimes."
n "Why do you care?"
mc "I think that's impressive."
mc "Why don't you share them sometime?"
n "N-No!"
"Natsuki averts her eyes."
n "You wouldn't...like them..."
mc "Ah...not a very confident writer yet?"
show yuri 2f at t31 zorder 2
y "I understand how Natsuki feels."
y "Sharing that level of writing takes more than just confidence."
y "The truest form of writing is writing to oneself."
y "You must be willing to open up to your readers, exposing your
vulnerabilities and showing even the deepest reaches of your heart."
show natsuki at thide zorder 1
hide natsuki
show monika 2a at t33 zorder 2
m "Do you have writing experience too, Yuri?"
m "Maybe if you share some of your work, you can set an example and help
Natsuki feel comfortable enough to share hers."
show yuri at s31
y "..."
mc "I guess it's the same for Yuri..."
show sayori 2g at t32 zorder 2
s "Aww... I wanted to read everyone's poems..."
show sayori at thide zorder 1
show yuri at thide zorder 1
show monika at thide zorder 1
hide sayori
hide yuri
hide monika
"We all sit in silence for a moment."
show monika 5a at f32 zorder 3
m "Okay!"
m "I have an idea, everyone~"
show yuri 3e at t31 zorder 2
show natsuki 2k at t33 zorder 2
ny "...?"
"Natsuki and Yuri look quizzically at Monika."
m "Let's all go home and write a poem of our own!"
m "Then, next time we meet, we'll all share them with each other."
m "That way, everyone is even!"
show monika 2a at t32 zorder 2
 show natsuki at f33 zorder 3
n "U-Um..."
show natsuki at t33 zorder 2
show yuri 3v at f31 zorder 3
y "..."
show natsuki at t44 zorder 2
show monika at t43 zorder 2
show yuri at t42 zorder 2
show sayori 4r at l41
s "Yeaaah! Let's do it!"
show monika at f43 zorder 3
m "Plus, now that we have a new member, I think it will help us all get a
little more comfortable with each other, and strengthen the bond of the club."
m "Isn't that right, [player]?"
show monika at t43 zorder 2
"Monika smiles warmly at me once again."
mc "Hold on...there's still one problem."
show monika at f43 zorder 3
m "Eh? What's that?"
"Now that we're back to the original topic of me joining the club, I bluntly
come forth with what's been on my mind the entire time."
show monika at t43 zorder 2
mc "I never said I would join this club!"
mc "Sayori may have convinced me to stop by, but I never made any decision."
mc "I still have other clubs to look at, and...um..."
show monika 1g
show sayori 1g
show natsuki 4g
show yuri 2e
"I lose my train of thought."
"All four girls stare back at me with dejected eyes."
show monika at s43
m "B-But..."
show yuri at s42
y "I'm sorry, I thought..."
show natsuki at s44
n "Hmph."
show sayori at s41
s "[player]..."
mc "Y-You all..."
"I...I'm defenseless against these girls."
"How am I supposed to make a clear-headed decision when it's like this?"
"That is, if writing poems is the price I need to pay in order to spend every
day with these beautiful girls..."
mc "...Right."
mc "Okay, I've decided, then."
mc "I'll join the Literature Club."
show monika 1e at t43 zorder 2
show yuri 3f at t42 zorder 2
show natsuki 1k at t44 zorder 2
show sayori 4b at t41 zorder 2
"One by one, the girls' eyes light up."
show sayori at h41
s "Yesss! I'm so happyyy~"
"Sayori wraps her arms around me, jumping up and down."
mc "H-Hey--"
show yuri at f42 zorder 3
y "You really did scare me for a moment..."
show yuri at t42 zorder 2
 show natsuki at f44 zorder 3
n "If you really just came for the cupcakes, I would be super pissed."
show natsuki at t44 zorder 2
show monika at f43 zorder 3
m "Then that makes it official!"
m "Welcome to the Literature Club!"
show monika at t43 zorder 2
mc "Ah...thanks, I guess."
show yuri at thide zorder 1
show natsuki at thide zorder 1
show sayori at thide zorder 1
show monika at t11 zorder 2
hide yuri
hide natsuki
hide sayori
m "Okay, everyone!"
m "I think with that, we can officially end today's meeting on a good note."
m "Everyone remember tonight's assignment:"
m "Write a poem to bring to the next meeting, so we can all share!"
"Monika looks over at me once more."
m "[player], I look forward to seeing how you express yourself."
show monika 5 at hop
m "Ehehe~"
mc "Y-Yeah..."
show monika at thide zorder 1
hide monika
"Can I really impress the class star Monika with my mediocre writing skills?"
"I already feel the anxiety welling up inside me."
"Meanwhile, the girls continue to chit-chat as Yuri and Natsuki clean up their
food."
show sayori 1a at t11 zorder 2
s "Hey, [player], since we're already here, do you want to walk home together?"
"That's right - Sayori and I never walk home together anymore because she
always stayed after school for clubs."
mc "Sure, might as well."
s "Yaay~"

scene bg residential_day
with wipeleft_scene

"With that, the two of us depart the clubroom and make our way home."
"The whole way, my mind wanders back and forth between the four girls:"
show sayori 1 at t41 zorder 2
"Sayori,"
show natsuki 4 at t42 zorder 2
"Natsuki,"
show yuri 1 at t43 zorder 2
"Yuri,"
show monika 1 at t44 zorder 2
"and, of course, Monika."
"Will I really be happy spending every day after school in a literature club?"
"Perhaps I'll have the chance to grow closer to one of these girls..."
hide sayori
hide natsuki
hide yuri
hide monika
with wipeleft
"Alright!"
"I'll just need to make the most of my circumstances, and I'm sure good fortune
will find me."
"And I guess that starts with writing a poem tonight..."

return

label ch0_kill:
$ s_name = "Sayori"
show sayori 1b at t11 zorder 2
s "..."
s "..."
s "W-What..."
s "..."
s "This..."
s "What is this...?"
s "Oh no..."
s "No..."
s "This can't be it."
s "This can't be all there is."
s "What is this?"
s "What am I?"
s "Make it stop!"
s "PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!"

$ delete_character("sayori")
$ delete_character("natsuki")
$ delete_character("yuri")
$ delete_character("monika")
$ [Link]()
return