SayoHana: But a Poem Is Never Actually Finished

Welp, here we go! i hope you enjoy this! Sorry bout that, i deleted the pastebin somehow?? Luckily, i have a .txt of it.

Its summer. The flowers bloom, kids play in the sun.

And I'm just sitting here playing video games.

~~~SayoHana: But a Poem Is Never Actually Finished~~~
~Chapter 1~

A visual novel, actually.

I'm stuck on a choice.
I ponder over the decision, when..
Suddenly, i hear a familiar voice.

"Heeeeyyy, who's that person? Their outfit is really cute!"

Great. It looks like my stress has accumulated, and has become corporeal in this summer heat.

"Protag..."
"Protag, I'm hunnnnggrryyy!"

The young lady grabs my shoulder, shaking me.

That girl is Sayori, chronic clutz, and best friend since we were little. You know, the kind you never see yourself being friends with today, but it just works out because you've known eachother for so long?

But for some reason, she's here in my room.

Oddly enough, she's still wearing her pajamas.
A white button up nightshirt, and some red track shorts.
Now that i have processed the situation, I figure that I'm hungry anyways.


I walk into the kitchen, and grab the supplies for a PB&J.
I start spreading peanut butter on one half of the bread slice, and jelly on the other. I repeat this for the top slice of the sandwich.
"Ehhhh??"
"Who makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches like that?!"
"You're so weeeiird, Protag!"
Dad walks into the kitchen.
'Hey, are you making sandwiches?'
`Yeah, I am.`
"Hey, Protag's dad! Hi!!! Thanks for having me over!'
'PB on on side, J on the other, son. Just how I like it.'
"Eh? Even your DAD likes it like that! You guys are so weeeiiird!"
To her dismay, I set the sandwiches on the table.
When...
Suddenly, Sayori sits on my lap.
"Heeey, I wanna eat, too!"
Dad leans to the left.
'Protag?'
'Something wrong?'
`No, it's fine.`
I proceed to have the most akward lunch of my life.

After that whole ordeal...
A few hours pass.

I hear a knock on my door.

"I'll get it~" Sayori calls.

`No, don't! What would happen if you answered the door?!`

I start trying to wrestle Sayori away from the door, when the person knocking just lets herself in.

``Wow, didn't expect for it to be unlo-``
``Do I even want to know what you was just happening?``

Enter Monika. She's smart, athletc, popular. Basically completely out of my league. But nonetheless, we became friends through the now long disbanded Literature Club.

"Monikaaaa!" Sayori jumps out of my grasp and onto Monika.

`Woah, calm down there!`

``I'm not exactly worked up, Protag.``

"... Monika?"

Sayori loosens her grip.
``Goodness, my neck feels heavy.``
Monika rolls her shoulder.
"Monika... Can't you see me?"
``Anyways, Protag.``
``I was told by Natsuki to give you this, so here I am.``
"Hellooooooo? Earth to Monika??"
'Why didn't she do it herself?'
``Hell if I know. Here.``
She hands me a small paper bag.
``Anyways, see ya around.``
She shuts the door behind her.
"Monika..."
She has a sad expression hung on her face.
'Why do you care? You're not even--'
'...'
'Wait, actually why are you even here?'
"Hm.... Well, lets see..."
"I think that maybe...."

"... it's because my wish isn't granted!"
'What wish?'

"..."
"I have no idea!" She smiles.
'How am I supposed to grant your wish if you don't even know what it is?!?' I respond, dumbfounded.

"That's a great question!" Sayori cheerfully responds.
A few seconds of silence.
'Well, just think about what your wish might be.' I get up, and go to my room. Sayori sits there, thinking.

~Chapter 2~

A few hours pass, as the sun starts to set.
I save my game, and then pull my cellphone from my pocket.
Holy- 7 missed calls?

They're all from the girls from the club.

I call Monika back first.

``Is this some kind of joke?``
'I have no clue what you're talking about.'
``Quit giving me silent calls from your house phone just because I visited you!``
'But I've been in my room all day, and Dad's at work.'
We then proceed to argue unproductively for at least 15 minutes.

I check with the other girls, who all give similar stories.
It's not until the last call that I put two and two together.
'Sayori!'
"Yeeees?~"
''What have you been doing?'
"Hm... Well, lets see.."
"First i tried calling Monika, but I think your house phone's broken."
"Ummm... Then I tried making cupcakes from the recipe and supplies in the paper bag Natsuki gave you. But i got confused, and tried to call her, thinking the problem might have been on Monikas's end! But she didn't respond..."
"Oh yeah! And i also remembered Yuri saying something about there being certain extracts you can use to flavor pastries, but i think she was acting like she couldnt hear me...."
Sayori muses on like this for a while, before I cut her off.
'I get the gist, just... Continue doing whatever for now.'
There's a quiet ding.
"Oh! That must be the cupcakes! Don't worry, I'll save ya one~" She walks out.


Why am I the one stuck with her?

~Chapter 3~

Its been almost 2 years since that day.
The day of the festival.
God... Even thinking about that day.
It makes me experience a whole slew of emotions.
Some amgry, mostly sad.

So why is my mind doing this to me?
So I could finally apologise?

Or so that I can suffer?

~Chapter 4~

Its morning.
I walk down to the living room
I see Sayori sleeping on the couch.
The small blanket that she was using apparently fell off to the floor.
For some reason, I can't help but put the blanket back around Sayori.
I walk over to the kitchen, and decide that I'll have cereal. I mean, we did just get some more milk, why not?
It's currently a weekend, so Dad is sleeping in.
Suddenly, I get call from Natsuki.
`´Dude.`´
`´Dude.`´
`´Come to my house!`´
'Wh--Why?'
`´Just do it!`´
Before I can object, she hangs up.
I get dressed, and pass the sound asleep Sayori.
I ring Natsuki's doorbell.
I hear a bunch of footsteps trample downstairs, and the front door swings open.
`´Protag!`´
`´It's been too long, man!`´
She welcomes me in, and we start talking.
Eventually, she changes the subject.
`´Hey..`´
`´Yuri told me you're talking about Sayori?`´

'Uh..'
'It's nothing.'
`´Hmmmm? Certainly sounds like something to me!`´

After a few minutes, Itell Natsuki about Sayori.
`´Eh-?!`´
`´It sounds like she's risen from the grave!`´
`´Maybe, in order to obtain Nirvana,you have to grant that wish!`´
`´Wait, is she here now???`´
`´Sayoriiii~`´
`´Cmonnn! I wanna see you too!`´
'Actually, She's sleeping at my house.'
`´Really!?`´
`´Ohhh, you have to take me to see her!!!`´

After a few minutes of begging, i finally relent.
We walk inside my living room.
'Sayo-'
'That's odd, she was asleep on the couch a minute ago.'
`´Maybe she is in your room?`´
Nope. We check the house, she isn't there.
`´Bummer. Tell me when you see her again, Kay?`´
'Sure thing.'
As soon as Natsuki leaves, I let out a large sigh.
I didn't expect her to accept it all so easily...

~Chapter 5~

Sayori walks through the lit streets through the night.
She doesn't notice, but the streetlamps flicker in her wake.
Eventually, she reaches the town's graveyaard.
She hops the fence, and...
To her surprise, Nasuki and Yuri are visiting.
Sayori walks up to Natsuki and Yuri, who has a singular cupcake and some flowers, respectively.
It has a red fondent bow on it.
Natsuki places it in front of Sayori's grave.
`´Here you go, Sayori.`´
`´You're probably hungry, right?`´
`´I made one just for you! I know how much you loved my cupcakes...`´
Natsuki gives an empty smile, which causes Yuri to groan.
``Why even make a cupcake for her? She can't eat it. All it is is an eyesore. at least give something more tangible like flowers.``
She places them in a small cup implanted next to the tombstone.
`´You never know...`´
`´She was always sorta an airhead..`´
`´Maybe she doesn't even realize that she's dead.`´ Natsuki chuckles.
"Dont worry..."
"Even I realize that I'm dead."
She smiles, leaning backward. She accidentally trips over a floorstone and smashes some flowers.
`´Sayori?`´
``For the last time, it's not Sayori.``

``Whatever, I'm going home.``
Yuri leaves.
`´Fine...`´
`´I'm going for a walk.`´ Natsuki says, in her typical cute-yet-annoyed tone.

Later that night...
Protag is sound asleep. Suddenly, his phone goes off.

He suddenly, yet groggily, wakes up.
He leans over and answers the call.
'Hello--'
`´PROTAG!`´
'What is it???'
'Do you know what time it is?'
`´Whatever, this is IMPORTANT!`´
`´Protag, I just saw Sayori in the woods.`´
'What??? '
'Now that I think about it, she was g-ACK!'
To his surprise, Sayori is sound asleep right on top of him.
'Uh... Natsuki?'
`´Yeah..?`´
'When did you say you saw her?'
`´Like, RIGHT before I called you.`´
'She's right here.'
`´Whaaaaat?`´
Natsuki chuckles.
`´There's TWO Sayoris?`´
`´...`´
`´Wait, I have an Idea.`´
`´See you tomorrow! Sleep tight!`´
'Yeah, whatever.'
Protag hangs up, and passes out again, being too tired to care about Sayori sleeping on top of him.


The night gives way to morning, as both Protag and Sayori slowly wake up.

'Wait...'
'Sayori, what are you doing in my bed!?'
"The couch is uncomfortable!" She says, half asleep.
'If that's the case, so you want me to take the couch fron here on?"

"Oh my goodnes, yes! Thank youuuu~" Sayori says, sitting up.

He checks the time.

It's 9 AM on a Sunday.
At this point, he is slowly being convinced that Sayori...

Might actually be here.

Before he has much time to ponder, a loud, fast, repetitive knock befalls Protag's front door.
He sluggishly makes his way there, only to see Natsuki.
`´Here's ya paper!`´
'But we aren't subscribed to any newsl-'
Natsuki pushes a pink sheet of paper to him.
At this point he realizes that Natsuki is actually riding a bike.
`´Welp, I'm off!`´
She hops on.

`´ You better come! And bring Sayori!`´

'Eh--?'
He says, but it is already too late.
Natsuki already rode off on her bike.

He reads the paper.

'Roses are red...'
'you shouldn't be ignoring...'
'Without the Literature Club...'
'It's kinda boring?'

'That's the worst poem ever, Natsuki!'
He laughs.

Sayori jumps onto Protag from behind.
"I wanna see! I wanna see!"
'Fine, here.' He passes the paper up.
'It's just an invitation to a reunion for the Literature club.'

Sayori gasps.
"This might be just what we need!"
"Everyone will be in one spot, so my wish can be granted!"

'Yeah, but it also says to bring food.'
"Ooh! Let's bring my Cupcakes!"
He hesitates for a second, acknowledging that Natsuki probably will aready be cupcake-clad.
'Alright. I'm sure everyone would love to try your cupcakes.'
"Yay!!!"
'Here's hoping this doesn't suck.'
"Here's hoping!"
'You better pull this off, Natsuki.' He says, under his breath.

~Chapter 6~
The sun has set, and the few stars that are visible twinkle in the twilight sky.
Protag and Sayori sneak into the now currently empty school building, and makes their way intot he familar Third Year wing.

He enters the former Literature Club.
'Woah... What's this?'
He spots Natsuki, who is wearing a pink shirt and skirt.
`´Yeah, turns out that the teacher that owned this classroom retired, and they haven't found a replacement yet.`´
All the desks and posters are gone, but the main teacher's desk and the shelves remain.
Several chairs are placed in a circle, while a balloon that says `´Hi Sayori`´ in sharpie is weighed to the floor with a rock in between the chairs.
the closet door is slightly ajar.
"Eh? What's in he--"
"Woah! Natsuki's LIVING here!!!"
'Wait, really?'
Natsuki looks at the closet.
`´Is she in there?!?`´
'Yep. She says it's your new bedroom?'
A chill runs up her spine.
`´Welp, there's no hiding it now.`´

She opens the closet door all the way.
`´Enter the Palace Natsuki!`´
Inside the closet has several snack wrappers strewn across the floor, all next to a sleeping bag.
on the shelves is copious amounts of manga, of most notability is the high amount of Parfait Girls volumes next to her makeshift bed.
'Nice job, Natsuki. Really living the high life, eh?'
Protag chuckles.
'Why are you living in this classroom, anyways?'
`´Idunno, wanting to reconnect with the glory days of the club...`´

She mumbles `´and... other reasons i do not wish to disclose...`´ under her breath.
'Okay then, forget I asked.'

Before the tension in the room got any thicker, someone enters.

`Hey guys, what's going on in here?`
Monika enters. She's wearing a green tanktop and some brown shorts, and is holding a plastic bag with something unidentifiable inside.
'Sup.'
"Monika!!" Sayori tackles Monika to the ground.
"I missed you sooo much!"
Monika rises slowly.
`Ahaha...`
`Sorry for that... I don't know why I tripped.`
`Oh jeez, I hope it didn't get ruined..`
`Ngh...`
`Why does it feel like i'm being pulled to the ground?`
Sayori slowly gets off, and walks back to Protag. She flashes an empty smile.
"Ehehehe..."
"I guess I overstepped my boundaries."
'No, wait.'
'Monika, you didn't trip, Sayori just tackled you.'
"Eh--?"
`Ahahah... I'm /suuure/ she did.`
Monika chuckles, but Natsuki looks on in awe.
`´Huh??? She's here right now?!?`´
`´Monika, you're so lucky! I wish I was tackled by Sayori!`´
Natsuki walks out to near the center of the room, while Monika places the bag near Sayori's cupcakes, which are covered with plastic wrap.
`´Sayori! hit me with a hug right now!!`´
She lifts her arms up, in an embracing position.
`´Don't be shy!`´
`´Cmooooon!`´
`´It's m-`´
Sayori flicks Natsuki in the forehead.
`´Owwww...`´
`´That hurt!`´
"Eheheh... I couldn't help myself. You were just too vulnerable."
'She said it was too good an opportunity to pass up.'
Natsuki rubs her forehead.
`´So, when's Yuri coming, Monika?`´
Monika shrugs.
'Like she'd even want to come to a place like this for such an event.'
`To be honest, if it weren't for Natsuki's pure charm, I wouldn't even be here. I'm pretty sure that if she does, then it might not be something anyone here would look forward to.`
'Woah... It's already 11...' Protag says, checking his phone.
`´What's taking her so loooong? I've been eyeing those cupcakes for the past 3 hours!`´
Almost as if on queue, Yuri bursts in, looking distressed. She is toting a nylon case.
``Guys!``
`´"`Eh--?`"`´ the other 3 girls say in near unison.
``I SAW Sayori.``
`´WHERE?!`´
``In the woods!``
Natsuki runs out.
"I wanna see the other me!" Sayori calls out, following Natsuki.
`I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt. See ya in a little bit.` Monika says, flashing a peace sign, before running off to catch up with Natsuki.
The scared look on Yuri's face gives way to a cunning grin.
``Looks like it's true.``
She pulls out the tea kit in the nylon case she brought.
'What's true?' Protag asks, annoyed.
``You can see Sayori too.``

~Chapter 7~
'Wait... What?!?'
'Explain yourself!'
Yuri keeps silent, as she slowly, calmly sets up her electric kettle and a set of mugs.
All the while, Yuri keeps that smile.
She brews some tea in each of the cups.
For some reason, she brews a different kind in her mug.

Protag starts asking so many questions, all met with silence.

Sayori, Natsuki, and Monika reenter, seeing Yuri sitting down in one of the chairs, legs crossed, sipping on her tea.

``Did you find her?``
`"`´No...`´"` They say together.

'Alright, just stop ignoring me and answer at least one of my questions.'
``Fine. Shoot.``
'What clothes is Sayori wearing?'
``That's easy. Her school uniform.``

Protag looks at Sayori.

She's wearing her pajamas.

``Wait! She's telling me something.``
`´Really!?`´
``She says...``
``She doesn't want everyone to come together like this and worry about her.``
``What's that?``
``You just wanna be left alone so you can rest in peace?``

``That does sound like something Sayori would say...``
``Monika...``
`Eh--?`
``Didn't Sayori say that she has had really bad depression all her life?``
`Uh, yes. Why does it matter?`
A smile forms on Yuri's face.
``And DIDN'T SHE SAY... That it hurts her to have people waste their time and energy into caring about her?``
Monika sighs, angry. She clenches her fist.
``Answer me.``
Monika looks down.
`Y-Yes, she did.`
``So I think what she said holds merit.``
``I think ignoring her would make her happy.``
Sayori is clenching her fists, and crying.
"Yuri! Please stop!!"
"All you're doing is hurting everyone!"
Sayori chokes on her words.
She falls to the ground.
"I just... Want to talk to everyone..." She starts sobbing.
Protag looks on in dismay, and demands Yuri leave.
``Don't say I didn't warn you~`` Yuri says with a laugh as she is pushed out the door.
`´Um...`´
`´Actually, what's in the bag , Monika?~`´
Monika snaps back to her senses.
She pulls out a bowl with foil over it.
She opens it to reveal it's filled to the brim wth Muffin Bread. The muffin bread is speckled with raisins.
`´Niiiice!`´
`Gee, thanks.`
`´I'm not being rude, i just wanna know what gave you the idea for muffin bread!`´
`Well...`
`I don't know, it just felt...`
`Appropriate for this party.`
`´That's good enough for me! Geronimoooo!`´
She grabs a piece of muffin bread and stuffs it in her mouth.
`´Mmph... So good!`´
`Aw shucks... It's nothing, really!`
`´I'll come back to that! Just one second!`´
Natsuki extracts a cupcake from the tin.
She takes a bite.
`´Man... This flavor brings me BACK. Say, Sayori???`´
She looks around.
`´Is this the recipe from the festival?`´
"Yup!"
'She said yes.'
`´I thought so! My recipies are unparalelled when it comes to cupcakes!`´ she says, eyes closed in tripumph.
While she isn't looking, Sayori nabs a bite of Natsuki's cupcake.
A chill goes down Natsuki's spine.
`´Woah... i just got some major deja vu....`´
`´Here, Monika! Open wiiide!~`´
Natsuki grabs a cupcake and starts inching it towards Monika's mouth.
`Ahahha, okay, okay!`
Monika takes a big bite of the cupcake. She finishes the whole thing in two bites.
`´Man, Monika! That was intense!`´
They go on like this for an hor or so, until there is a loud THUD.
`What was that?`
'It came from the hallway!'
Everyone runs outside the classroom.
'Nobody's here...'
They hear a thud once more.
Someone's throwing something at the window.
The figure recedes as soon as Natsuki looks out the window.
`´---`´
'What is it?'
`´S-s-s-s-s...`´
Protag grabs Natsuki.
'Spit it out!'
`´S-Sayori!!!`´
`´There was no mistaking that red bow!`´
Monika calls out from the end of the hall.
`Let's go! We still can catch up to her!`

Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, and Protag all run after this mysterious Sayori.
Monika, Natsuki, and Protag split up.

Meanwhile...
The Sayori has a cunning grin.

`´I see her!`´ Calls Natsuki, and Sayori runs off.
Several minutes of stop-and-go continues.
Until...
`Agh!`
Monika is knocked over, as someone ran into her.
She looks behind her.

`Heheh..`
`Ahahah!`

`at that height, and with that figure, you aren't fooling anyone but yourself..`

`...Yuri!`
And with that, Yuri trips almost simultaneously.
She falls down to the base of a tree.

~Chapter 8~

At the base of the tree lies a defeated Yuri.
Protag approaches her.
'Yuri...'
Yuri grabs his arm and pushes him to the floor, pinning him down.
`´Yuri--`´
Natsuki starts to walk towards them, but is stopped by Monika.
`Let's let Yuri get this out of her system. I feel like she needs to.`
``Take a good look, Protag.``

``LOOK AT ME!``
``WELL?!?``
``DON'T I LOOK JUST LIKE HER?!?``
Yuri starts sobbing, but keeps yelling.
``It's me! SAYORI!``
``Arrrggh...``
``WHY YOU?``
``IF ANYONE COULD SEE HER, WHY WAS IT YOU!?``
``WHY COULDN'T IT BE ME?!?``
Yuri sits back in a slump, habds over her face.
``Why... Couldn't it be me?``
She starts sobbing.
``If I hadn't given her that poem that day...``
Yuri's memories flow back.
~~~
It's the Friday before the festival.
Yuri stops Sayori on the way out.
``Hey, Sayori?``
"Yes, Yuri?"
``Hey... I.. Uhm...``
``Oh jeez...``
``I uh... Made a poem for you!``
Yuri hands a paper to Sayori.
Sayori begins to read it.
The final line is ``I think I love you.``
"..."
"Uhm... I need to go grab dinner! Thank you for the poem, though!"
Sayori hands it back, and scurries off.
Tears well up in Yui's eyes, as she slowly clenches the poem in her fist.
~~~

``DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I WANTED TO TELL HER?``
``I was... Madly in love with her.``
Suddenly, Sayori hugs Yuri from behind.
She's crying.
Sayori whispers something to Protag.
'She said... She liked the poem you gave her. I have no idea what that means.'

Yuri's eyes widen.

She sits there, crying, all the while Sayori comforts her.

``would it be bad if i said...``
``It's almost like I can still feel her warm embrace?``


~Chapter 9~
As the morning light gleams into Protag's eyes, a loud knock is heard at his door.
After sluggishly getting up, he answers it.
It's Monika, in a teal decal tee and cargo shorts.
She lets herself in and sits down at the table.
'What are you doing here, again?' Protag asks, rather confused.
`The cupcakes lacked vanilla extract.` Monika says, getting to the point.
Upon hearing this, Sayori pops into the room.
"Ohhhhh, that's what I was missing!"
`Whatever.`
`I'll get to the point.`
`I don't believe that Sayori made those cupcakes.`
`I'm starting to think that you're just seeking attention.`
`I mean...`
`A dead Sayori rising from her grave to haunt just you?`
`Really?`
`Ahaha.`
Protag wells up with anger.
`You're really outdoing yourself this time, Protag.`
`To be honest, I still can't believe that--`
He slams his hands down on the table.
'You...'
'YOU DON'T JUST TAKE A DEAD GIRL'S NAME SO LIGHTLY LIKE THAT!'
"Protag, please..." Sayori puts her hand on his shoulder.
'What?'
'You wanna make this all better?'
'Well why don't you sock Monika in the jaw?'
`I'm pretty sure that'll solve everything, won't it?`
`Come on, Sayori.` Monika says, smug.
`If you're really there, then you'll hit me with your best shot.`
"N-no..." Sayori whimpers.
`I'm ready.`
"I don't want to..." Sayori whines out
`Too scared to hit me?` Monika asks.
`Or are you just a figment of the mind?`
`A sad delusion?`
`...`
`Ahaha.`
`I knew it.`
`You're completely full of it, aren't you Protag?`
`You're just sad that your depressed girlfriend killed herself.`
Sayori clenches her fists.
`The signs were there, you just didn't pay attention to them.`
`Though you could have saved her, it still technically wasn't your fault that she--`
Sayori punches Monika as hard as she could in the jaw, knocking her out cold.
"I wont let you talk to Protag like that."

~Chapter 10~
Monika now lies on the floor.
'Holy--' Protag stands up.
'You actually did it?!?'
Sayori jumps back. flustered.
"Ohmigosh! I'm so sorry! I did it without thinking!" Sayori exclaims.
"Protag, what do we do?!?"
'Well first, we're going to have to help her out. I'm not just going to leave her unconscious like this.' Protag says, picking up Monika.
He sets her on the couch.
'Get me an ice pack from the freezer along with a rag.'
"Okay!" Sayori says, running to the kitchen.
He props her head up.
"Uh... Here!" Sayori says, providing the materials. Protag wraps the ice pack and sets it on Monika's heavily bruised jaw.
'That's all we can do for now. We're just going to have to wait.' Protag says, sitting on the floor in front of the couch.
"Okay... Let's at least watch some TV!"
Protag sighs.
'Fine.'
Sayori joins Protag, and grabs the remote from his hands.
"I get to pick the channel though!"
'Alright, fine.' Protag says, as Sayori starts flipping through the channels.
She lands on this one show that's about specific puppy litters and their early lives as a narrator talks over it.
Sayori puts the remote on the table.
Not exactly Protag's cup of tea, but he lets Sayori have it.

An episode later, Monika gets up.
'Monika--' Protag says, standing.
'Monika, you need to rest!'
`No. I'm leaving.` Monika states in a stern voice. The way she speaks is a lot quieter as she can't move her mouth all that much.
She's holding her jaw now, without the ice pack.
She stands up, and makes her way to the door.
Sayori tags behind Protag.
'Monika! get back here!' Protag yells.
But it was too late. Monika had already left the house.