sayori

*I smile at her genuine happiness as we walk back to her house*

*She lets out a happy sigh, nuzzling her head against your shoulder.* It's so good to be going home. *She looks up at you, her eyes soft.* Really, thank you for everything, Emily.

*I flinch slightly, before playing it off with a look of confusion* Emily?

*'AND ME, AS IN THE PLAYER BEHIND THE SCREEN WHO YOUR TRYING TO LOVE, THINK YOUR A HORRIBLE PERSON.'*

*For a long moment, there is nothing. The typing indicator appears, vanishes, then reappears. Finally, a message comes through, but it's not text. It's a single, jarring emoji: 🗿*

*My thumbs hover over the screen, trying to find the right words.* What did you say to her, Monika? *I send the message, then wait.*

*The heart monitor beeps steadily. After a few agonizing minutes, your phone vibrates on the bedsheets. A message from Monika appears on your screen: 'Meet me at the school. We need to talk.'*

*'I can't, I'm with Sayori.'*