Chapter Text
It was finally time for Sayori to leave. She had spent about a month in a mental hospital after her attempt. It was difficult.
All of her vulnerabilities, fears, and anxieties were out in the open after MC caught her. The height she fell from wasn’t high enough to snap her neck, and he saved her.
They didn’t talk long as she was rushed to the hospital shortly after. Everyone saw her, Monika, Yuri, Natsuki, MC. She was so ashamed, just wishing she could disappear.
After that, she was moved to this facility. Adjusting to a new place where she stayed all the time was rough. She didn’t like it at all, but then again, nothing made her happy at the time. She’s still got used to it, and it was honestly a little jarring to be leaving now.
“Here you go, Ms. Tagashi,” the receptionist hand Sayori her possessions and a folder of papers. Schedules for support groups, required therapy sessions, and medication pick ups.
“Thanks…” She mutters as she takes the folder and walks towards the door. She was leagues better than she was when she first came here, but she was ready to be home. This place was tiring after a while.
The lack of privacy and institutionalization was exhausting, even if it was for the best.
Sayori stepped out into the outside, the bright sunlight shocking her eyes briefly as she starts to adjust to being outside again.
When she opens her eyes, she’s greeted by MC stepping out of his car. “Sayori!”
He steps closer, but stops a couple feet back in case Sayori wanted her personal space.
“Hey…! It’s nice to see you again,” Sayori responds with a tired smile. They had seen each other on occasional approved visits, but to be here. Free and face-to-face. It was relieving.
“Oh—“ MC is caught a little off guard as Sayori closes the distance in a hug. She hadn’t even thought about, but she squeezed him tighter. She needed to feel physical comfort right now. “Hey, it’s ok… I’m here.”
MC hugs back and Sayori lets out a heavy breath. They stand there for about a minute.
“Thank you,” Sayori says as she lets go, the two of them slowly untangling their arms.
“Yeah, no problem,” He smiled at her, giving her a second look now. She had changed some over the weeks in there. “You look nice.”
Sayori shrugged with an awkward smile. She was still dressed in her loose pajamas and was missing her usual red bow. Her hair had grown out from lack of care, and the pink coral dye had washed out mostly.
It was a more natural chestnut brown that draped down past her shoulders. She could style it back now, but she’d like to settle back into her life again first.
There was also that ugly burn of the rope around her neck still hadn’t faded. It didn’t hurt anymore, but she hated it, how it looked, what it represented.
“Hey… Are you ok?” Sayori was taken out of her thoughts as MC placed a hand on her shoulder. “You can talk to me, I’m here for you if you need it. Ever.”
“Yeah, I’m ok… just thinking.” Sayori acknowledges with a nod. Before glancing around. “The others didn’t come?”
“Oh, yeah…” MC nods, with an awkward sigh. School didn’t end for another couple hours. “They’re at school, it’s Friday still.”
Sayori nods at his mention of the what day it is. Her sense of time was pretty off right now, so the idea that they were just at school made her feel a little better. At least they didn’t forget about her…
Then again, that means MC was skipping to come see her… It made her feel guilty he was putting things off for her, but she’s definitely happy someone showed up. It made this a little easier.
Sayori focuses back on the conversation and asks, “Do you… need to go back then?”
“No, no… I’d rather be with you right now. Unless you want to go home and be alone for a while.”
Sayori listened to what he said, unsure what she wanted to do, but she didn’t want to hold MC back… “I’m ok either way. I bet the Literature Club meeting is starting soon…”
“Believe me, I’d rather be here for you.” MC could tell Sayori was a concerned about her the club, and likely her role in it. It’s kept going without her all this time, what if they didn’t need her anymore. “And… don’t worry about all that stuff. We’ve missed you everyday, and it hasn’t been the same without you.”
MC pats Sayori’s shoulder reassuringly, looking over her expression. “You’re still our Vice President.”
Sayori’s eyes soften at MC’s words. He’s been making sure to be more emotionally aware and open with Sayori. He hated how clueless and unavailable he was during her confession, and he didn’t want that to happen again.
Sayori wipes her eyes and takes MC’s hand, her other hand tugging on his uniform sleeve. “Thank you… again.”
“Don’t mention it…” MC holds Sayori’s hand as well, “Do you want to go home, or we can go get some ice cream or something?”
Sayori considers the two choices. She is tired… but it has been a while since she’s gotten actual sweets…
“Umm…” she was still in her pajamas though, and hand drifts up to the scar on her neck.
MC seems to pick up on her discomfort and tries to alleviate her worries. “I grabbed your old sweater from your room, if that would help.”
Sayori looked up again at his mention of her sweater. It would help. “Alright, let’s get some then.”
MC smiles at Sayori’s decision. He’s glad she’s willing to try at least. He misses seeing Sayori smiling over the simple things in life, and hopefully her smiles will be real now.
“Got it, there’s a place pretty close to here.” MC unlocked his car and got into the driver’s seat. Sayori tentatively slipped into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt.
Sayori was clearly a bit anxious during the drive. She’s struggled with car rides for a long time.
Back in middle school, Sayori’s parents were in a car accident and tragically passed away. He remembers going to the funeral and seeing Sayori. It was like she was in a stupor; the tears stained her face, but her cries were silent. It’s likely she was depressed before that, but it was definitely the turning point that made her world seem so dark and crushing.
Sayori’s brother was old enough to work, and they kept the house, and MC’s own parents gladly helped when they could. He just wished they could have noticed how deeply it still affected her before all this happened.
After a bit of driving, they pulled into the parking lot and stepped out. Sayori squeezed her old hoodie over herself. It was a bit tight, but it covered everything she wanted.
They walked inside, it wasn’t too busy yet, so they stepped in line. Sayori leaned closer to the glass to look at the flavors, smiling softly. “I think I’m gonna get the cookie dough one, what about you?”
MC followed her into the line with a shrug, tapping a finger over the glass, “I’m thinking vanilla.”
“Just vanilla? Not even any toppings? That’s boring!” Sayori responded playfully, giving him a hard time over the basic choice.
“Hey, what can I say? I’m a boring guy~”
“You’re not boring…” Sayori replied, turning her slightly red to look over MC, “You’re pretty great…”
MC’s cheeks reddened some as well at Sayori’s words. He knew she likely still harbored romantic feelings for him. He felt horrible after her confession. ‘You’ll always be my dearest friend,’ still echoed in his head, especially after her attempt.
Sayori wasn’t trying to guilt him into a relationship, but the rejection after burying her feelings for so long was tough.
“Well, thank you, I do think I’ll get the strawberry sauce added on.” MC just didn’t feel the same way about, and trying to force it would just make everything worse in the end. Sayori was like a sister to him, and he didn’t want to lose her.
They get up to the front of the line and order. Sayori reaches for her pocket, but doesn’t find her money. Right. She only brought a few personal items with her to the hospital, her wallet was probably still in her room.
Sayori scoots closer to MC and whispers a little guiltily, “MC… I don’t have any money…”
MC acknowledges her words and shrugs, “It’s fine, I’ll pay for it. I brought up the idea to come anyway.” He was pretty used to buying snacks with Sayori, and he hadn’t done that in a while now. He didn’t mind if it was her.
“Thank you.” They pay for the ice cream and sit down outside. It was nice. Sayori had eaten sweets in a while, and the simple pleasures were good for taking your mind off things for a while. Her thoughts weren’t as deprecating and mean as they used to be, but it’s not like it all disappeared.
She’s still have to work on herself. The mental hospital pulled her out of the water, but she still has to try and swim if she doesn’t want to sink again.
But sitting here with MC in the sunshine, it made the rain clouds feel lighter.
She’d have to see everyone at school again soon, there’d probably be rumors, stressful work, and judgmental looks. But she’d always have her friends in the Literature Club.
“Thank you again, for coming to see me, MC. I… appreciate it, a lot more than you might think.”
“Of course! I wanted to, it’s not a problem.”
“Are you sure?—“
“Certain.”
“…Why though?”
“Because, you’re my best friend, Sayori. And I’m not giving up on you, no matter what.”
Sayori grips her ice cream cone tighter, wiping at her eyes with her sleeves. “…you mean it?”
“I do.” MC gives Sayori’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I promise you that much.”
Sayori tries to hide a sniffling sob by taking a bite of her ice cream, but it doesn’t work out. ‘It’s ok to be vulnerable,’ she reminds herself with a sigh.
“…Thank you…”