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Login accepted. Project Sovereign initialized. Beginning startup sequence …

"Heeeeyyy!" a familiar voice calls out to me from down the block. I look over to see an annoying girl running toward me from a 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?

Woah, deja vu. Why do these random thoughts keep popping into my head from time to time as if I'm having a conversation with someone that can never answer me back? Also, why do I feel like I've had these exact thoughts before whenever I experience them? Before I can continue to ponder on this, Sayori catches up to me, trying to catch her breath.

"I overslept again!" she says in between gasps of air. "But I caught you this time!" She neglected to button her charcoal school uniform jacket, revealing the brown vest she wore underneath atop a blue skirt, as well as her signature red bow to accent her coral-red hair.

I remember growing up that we used to walk to and from school every day, but ever since high school started, Sayori has been sleeping in more and more. Eventually, I got tired of being late to class, so I stopped waiting for her, but it seems like today she managed to get up a little early by her standards. I'm rather impressed considering she also managed to look presentable.

"Only because I decided to stop and wait for you," I tease with a smirk. Sayori pouts.

"You say that like you were thinking of ignoring me. That's mean Mal!" She gives me a look with those cerulean eyes that would have convinced me she was hurt if I didn't already know better.

"Well, if people stare at you for acting weird then I don't want them to think we're a couple or something."

It's strange. As the words leave my mouth, something feels … off. Like I made that joke countless times before. Like it was scripted even. I wonder if Sayori noticed that too.

"Fine, fine," she says. By now she's regained her breath. "But you did wait for me. I guess you don't have it in you to be mean even if you want to."

I guess not. I shouldn't be surprised, I suppose. Sayori gives me a charming smile; it's almost picture-worthy.

I want to say that to her, but instead what comes out is, "Whatever you say, Sayori…"

Why did I say that?

She giggles and seems oblivious. We continue our walk to school, the sun caressing the city streets and a soft breeze carrying the melodies of nearby birds — a perfect, tranquil day. As we draw closer, we begin to see other students walking as well, some alone and others with groups of friends. Soon after, the murmurs of other students joking and sharing their weekend stories float within earshot.

"By the way, have you decided on a club to join yet?" Sayori asks.

"A club? I told you already; I'm not interested in joining any clubs. I haven't been looking either." I don't know why I felt the need to lie. The truth is that I did find myself wanting to at least see what as out there, but every time I told myself that I would look into it, I would just … forget. I don't consider myself a forgetful person, especially when compared to Sayori, but for some reason when it came to this, it was a problem. Maybe I'm just embarrassed, and I want to save face?

Her brows furrow in confusion. "That's not true. You told me you would join a club this year!"

So much for that. I scratch my head and look away. "Did I … ?" Surely I would have remembered committing to something like that. Then again, I had caught myself blindly agreeing to things unintentionally; mainly when I was otherwise preoccupied with video games and anime. Like that one time, I ended up not only going with Sayori to the Hello Kitty convention, but I also did a cosplay with her. So … much … pink.

"Uh-huh! I remember because I was talking about how I'm worried that you won't learn how to socialize or have any skills before college. You can't just get by for the rest of your life by being a lazy bum." Sayori crossed her arms over her chest while giving me a worried look and stops walking. "Your happiness is really important to me, you know? You say 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!"

Did she use the word NEET in a sentence? Who says that anymore?

"You trust me, right?" she continued. "Don't make me keep worrying about you."

Sayori is a sweet girl. Part of me wanted to think of another objection, but there was something about the way those blue eyes of hers looked at me that made me feel like she was staring into my soul. "Alright, alright," I relent. "I'll look at a few clubs if it makes you happy. No promises, though."

I'm not sure why I still feel the need to keep up this facade, but hopefully this time I'll remember to check some clubs out.

"Will you at least promise me you'll try a little?"

"Yeah, I guess I'll promise you that."

Sayori claps her hands together and stands on her toes, beaming. She may not seem like it at first glance, but Sayori had a unique charm about her that sometimes made it very difficult to refuse. We continue walking toward the school, and I feel a smile creep on my lips. I'm lucky to have someone care so much about me.

Initialization at 17%

I hear the bell ring to signal the end of the school day. I'm a little surprised; I don't even know where the day went. I try to think back to my classes, but it's all just … a blur. The faces of the teachers sort of melded together and my classmates looked like faceless drones. I must've zoned out pretty hard all day. Right?

I stare at the blackboard as something tugged at the back of my mind. There was something I was supposed to do today, but I have trouble remembering. I guess it wasn't that important; maybe it will come to me later. A blue skirt appears, blocking my view of the board. I look up to find a pair of ocean-blue eyes, returning my gaze.

"Sayori?" I look around and realize that we are the only two people in the classroom. How long have I been sitting here?

"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. Honestly, you're worse than me sometimes, I'm impressed!" Sayori giggles.

Sayori has a point though. Spacing out has become a much more frequent problem for me lately. If this keeps up, I might have to get my head checked. Suddenly, without thinking, I blurt out, "You don't need to wait up for me if it's going to make you late to your club."

Clubs. That's what I was forgetting. But how did I remember to say something about it? This is starting to become unsettling.

"Well, I thought you could use some encouragement, so I thought, you know …" Sayori trailed off and looked down at her feet while she fidgeted.

"Know what?"

"That you could come to my club!"

"Sayori …"

"Yeah?" Sayori's eyes light up as she stares at me in excitement for my response. This doesn't sound like a bad idea. She's Vice President of the Literature Club if I remember correctly, which is a little odd seeing as how I don't think she's ever taken an interest in literature. I'm almost sure she only did it because she thought it would be fun to start a new club. Since she was the first one to show interest after the one who proposed the club that's most likely why she's Vice President. Now that I think about it, I've never had much interest in literature myself, so I don't know a whole lot about it.

I did promise to give it a shot, however, and her club seems just as good a place as any to start. Plus it would be nice to join a club where I already know someone instead of having to meet a bunch of strangers. Why not?

"There is no way I'm going to your club," I say flatly. I'm not sure who looked more stunned at that moment, Sayori or myself.

What is going on with me?

"Meanie!" Sayori pouts and pokes her index fingers together, and I feel bad. She seemed so excited at the thought of checking out her club, and now I've hurt her feelings.

When I open my mouth to apologize, instead I say, "Yeah. I'm going to the anime club."

"C'mon, please?" Sayori begs, giving me puppy-dog eyes. I've never wanted to slap some sense into myself more than that moment, but I can't control myself.

"Why do you care so much, anyway?"

"Well, I kind of told the club yesterday that I'd be bringing in a new member. Natsuki made cupcakes and everything … Ehehehe …." Sayori looks off to the side and pokes her fingers together again. I would have found it adorable if I didn't feel so bad for being such a jerk.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," I say coolly.

Why am I acting like this?

Before I know it, I continue with, "Fine. I'll stop by for a cupcake, okay?"

Sayori pumps a fist in the air before bouncing in triumph. "Yes! Let's go!" She takes me by the hand and leads me out of the classroom. As we round the corners and walk the halls, I can't help but rack my brain as to what's been going on with me today. I don't space out or forget things. I'm not always so mean to Sayori. I'm a good person. Right … ?

Initialization at 24%

The sound of Sayori swinging the classroom door open snaps me out of my trance. "Everyone! The new member is here!" Sayori called, pushing me into the room.

"Now wait for just a second, don't you think calling me 'new member' is a little-" My train of thought stops short as I see who all is in the room.

A tall, beautiful girl with gorgeous violet eyes with matching hair cascading from her back to her waist like a lavender waterfall approaches me. Her posture is excellent as she stands politely with her hands behind her back and a small smile on her lips before giving a respectful bow.

"Welcome to the Literature Club. It's a pleasure to meet you," she says. Her voice is delicate but refined; each word eloquently spoken. "Sayori always says nice things about you."

"Seriously? You brought a boy?" says a much smaller girl after practically stomping her way over to me. She has bright pink hair that falls just above her shoulders and styled with red pins and ribbons. This girl is much shorter than the other, and judging by her small frame, I find it surprising she isn't a middle school student. Despite her attitude, there is something I find charming about her. Her pink eyes slightly narrow as she puts her hands on her hips and mumbles, "Way to kill the atmosphere."

"Ah, what a nice surprise! Welcome to the club!" A third girl approaches me, and the moment I see those emerald-green eyes, I recognize her. Monika. She is one of the most popular and coveted girls in not just our class, but the whole school. Monika excels both academically and athletically; a rare combination made even more extraordinary by her beauty. A perfect trifecta. Her brunette ponytail flows to the hem of her skirt like silk, held perfectly in place by a pristine white bow atop her head. Her stunning eyes only comparable to the alluring smile she wore on her face that almost seemed to glow.

Anomaly detected. Creating log …