"Man, I hate Mondays."

With half-lidded, tired eyes, MC made his way down the stairs. Only on a Monday could someone get a full night's sleep, shower, and then still feel tired. As he snatched a bowl and box of cereal from the cupboard, he yawned. He wasn't really hungry at the moment, but breakfast was the most important meal of the day. He had just grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge when he heard a familiar noise at his front door.

Ding-dong!

"Oh boy," MC sighed, placing the carton of milk back in the fridge. "Must be that time of the morning again."

It was a safe bet to guess who exactly rang. After all, she had done so every day for the past two weeks. Frankly, MC didn't understand why she didn't just give already; the countless rejections had to give some sort of hint. Part of him wanted to just ignore her, to pretend he wasn't home. However, just the thought provided him with a pang of guilt. She loved him, she really did, and he knew that. No matter how hard he tried to force himself to, though, he could not find those same feelings in his heart.

Still, she was a friend, a very important one. For this reason, as well as for all the existential suffering she endured alone, he felt an obligation to be with her during these troubling times. So, with a newfound sense of duty, he walked over to the front door and prepared to greet his friend.

"Morning Monika!" MC greeted in the friendliest tone he could muster. "How are you. . . Doing. . . Today?"

"Good morning, MC!" The visitor replied. "I'm doing very well, thanks for asking."

Of course, it was Monika; her lovestruck emerald eyes were enough to prove that alone. However, in place of a sweet smile, she wore a rather large, bushy, and well-groomed handlebar mustache. Upon noticing MC's fixation with her facial hair, she quickly twirled one of the edges in a flirtatious manner. "How are you?"

MC found himself enthralled by this sudden change, though not exactly in a positive way. It took him a second to understand what had just been asked. "Fine, thanks for, uh, asking."

Monika giggled, leaning in a little too close for comfort. "I see you've noticed my new mustache. Do you like it?"

"Not really," MC answered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I like my women a little less. . . hairy."

Monika's happy demeanor seemed to falter for a second, but she made an effort to recover as quickly as possible. "Come on, MC. I overheard what you said to Sayori yesterday."

"That I like mustaches?" MC recalled. "Well yeah, but I meant for myself," to punctuate this point, he rubbed his own hairless lip. Damn genetics and the difficulties of growing awesome mustaches. "Can you take that ridiculous thing off, please?"

Monika chuckled nervously. "That's not gonna be so simple."

MC raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"It's not a false mustache," Monika elaborated. "I sorta downloaded a mod last night. Apparently there is someone who does like mustaches on their dokis."

Awkward as the situation was, MC couldn't help but chuckle at such a strange thought. "I guess you need a shave, then?"

"Yes!" Monika exclaimed, unable to maintain the facade anymore. "Please! Mustaches are so itchy!"

"C'mon in," MC laughed, stepping back. Bathroom's upstairs on the left. I should a few spare razors in the cabinet."

"Thank you so much!" Monika cheered, wrapping MC in a hug that was tight and lasted longer than a hug between friends should last. "You're such a good friend," she sighed dreamily.

"Yeah, uh, no problem. I'd do anything for a good friend," he assured.

There was an awkward silence.

"You can let go now."

Monika suddenly yanked herself back, and MC thought he saw a pair of red cheeks hiding behind the mustache. "Yeah, I'll go ahead and shave."

True to her word, Monika climbed up the stairs and disappeared down the hall. About ten minutes later, she returned. Her face was certainly less fuzzy than it had been before, but much of her upper lip was now covered by bandages.

"Ooooh," MC winced. "Looks like you didn't have much fun shaving."

Monika rolled her eyes as she absentmindedly pawed at her upper lip. "Yeah, I think that's the last time I'll grow a 'stache. Having a clean face is so much better."

"That's what they all say," MC chuckled, though deep down he still dreamed he could have half the mustache Monika had.

"Do you know what the best part of not having a mustache is?" Monika asked as she sat down on the couch.

"What?"

Monika leaned in closer, her lips now inches away from MC. He could feel her hot breath as he stared deep into a pool of emeralds. She was beautiful, and yet, he still felt nothing for her.

"There's nothing in the way when we share our first kiss," Monika purred. Then, she puckered up and leaned in.

"Woah-hoh!" MC exclaimed, suddenly rising up from the couch. "Look at the time, Monika. We're gonna be late for school!"

Monika gave him a quizzical look, then glanced at the clock mounted on the wall. 7:38.

"Oh, crap! You're right!" She exclaimed, rising up and dashing toward the front door. "My calculus teacher is gonna kill me."

"I know that feel. See you at the club, Monika."

"See you then!" Monika called out. She got halfway out the front door when she paused. "Oh, and MC?"

Crap. So close. "What?"

"I know you still don't feel the same way about me," Monika informed. As tragic as such a fact might've seemed to her, she nevertheless maintained that sweet smile she had come to be known for. "Don't worry, because one day I'll find out what you like in a woman. Then, you'll be all mine!"

MC was silent for a moment. She certainly was forthcoming about her intentions. Whether that was admirable or frightening, he couldn't say. "We'll see about that, Monika."

"Bye," she said, then blew a kiss and shut the door.

MC climbed up the stairs to fetch his own backpack. On the way down, he blew a sigh of relief. If nothing else, he now found himself awake enough to take on the day.