(In the clubroom…)

Natsuki: (already fuming) “I can’t believe she’s late! She’s usually the first to arrive!”

Yuri: (nervously) “C-C-C-Calm down, Natsuki! Your anger isn’t going to solve anything!”

Sayori: (cradling her newborn daughter Sky.) “There, there, little Sky. Don’t cry - your mama’s here for you.”

Monika: (entering the clubroom) “Sorry I’m late, everyone! I had to finish up some work.”

Natsuki: (crossing her arms) “Well, it’s about time you showed up!”

Monika: (sighs) “I apologize, Natsuki. I didn’t mean to keep you all waiting.”

Yuri: (softly) “It’s alright, Monika. We understand.”

Sayori: (smiling) “Yeah, we know you wouldn’t be late on purpose. How about we all sit down and get started?”

Natsuki: (grumbling) “Fine, but don’t expect me to go easy on you today!”

Monika: (laughs) “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Natsuki.”

(They all gather around the table, with Sayori gently rocking baby Sky to keep her calm.)

Monika: (looking at Sayori and Sky) “She’s such a precious baby, Sayori. How have you been adjusting to motherhood?”

Sayori: (beaming) “Oh, it’s been an amazing experience, Monika. Sky brings so much joy into my life.”

Yuri: (curious) “May I… may I hold her, Sayori?”

Sayori: (carefully handing Sky over to Yuri) “Of course you can, Yuri. Just be gentle, okay?”

Yuri: (cradling Sky) “She’s so fragile… almost like a delicate flower.”

Natsuki: (rolling her eyes) “Yeah, yeah, babies are cute and all. Can we get back to the poetry now?”

Monika: (smiling) “Of course, Natsuki. Let’s start sharing our poems then.”

(They proceed with their poetry reading and discussions, occasionally glancing over at Yuri who is still mesmerized by baby Sky.)

Natsuki: (whispering to Monika) “Think Yuri’s gonna have baby fever now?”

Monika: (giggling) “Who knows? Maybe this experience will inspire her to write something beautiful.”

(As the meeting continues, the club members enjoy their time together, bonded not only by their love for literature but also by the newfound joy of welcoming a new life into their world.)

(7 months later, and the club has just gained a new member - Kotonhoa, a 17-year-old girl with magenta eyes and long silver hair that had recently moved from Hawaii.)

(At their usual meeting spot in the clubroom…)

Monika: (smiling) “Welcome, Kotonhoa! We’re so glad you decided to join the literature club.”

Kotonhoa: (nervously) “Thank you, Monika. I’ve always enjoyed writing, so I thought it would be nice to join a club where I can share my work and meet new people.”

Yuri: (softly) “We’re delighted to have you here, Kotonhoa. I’m Yuri, and these are Sayori, Natsuki, and Monika.”

Kotonhoa: (shyly) “Nice to meet you all. I hope we can become good friends.”

Sayori: (gently bouncing baby Sky in her arms) “Oh, don’t worry. We’re all about making friends and having a good time here.”

Natsuki: (raising an eyebrow) “Yeah, as long as you don’t mess with our cupcakes.”

Kotonhoa: (giggling) “I promise, Natsuki. No cupcake stealing from me.”

Monika: (leaning closer to Natsuki) “You know, Kotonhoa, Natsuki can be a bit feisty sometimes, but deep down, she’s a big softie.”

Natsuki: (crossing her arms) “Hey! Don’t go spreading false rumors about me, Monika!”

Kotonhoa: (chuckles) “I’ll keep that in mind, Monika. I actually brought some leis from my home back in Hawaii.”

Natsuki: (shocked) “You’re from Hawaii, Kotonhoa?”

Kotonhoa: (smiling) “Yes, I am! I moved here recently, but Hawaii will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Sayori: (excitedly) “Oh, that’s so cool! I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii. How was it living there?”

Kotonhoa: “Living in Hawaii was incredible. The beautiful beaches, the warm weather, and the vibrant culture made it such a unique experience.”

Yuri: (intrigued) “Did the Hawaiian culture influence your writing in any way?”

Kotonhoa: (thoughtfully) “Absolutely! The rich folklore, legends, and traditions of Hawaii have inspired me to write poetry infused with the spirit of the islands. I hope to share some of them with you all sometime.”

Monika: (encouragingly) “We’d love to read your work, Kotonhoa. It sounds like you have a unique perspective to bring to our club.”

Natsuki: (reluctantly) “I guess it could be interesting to have someone with a different background in the club.”

Sayori: (gently) “Exactly, Natsuki! Our club is all about embracing diversity and different perspectives. We can all learn so much from one another.”

Kotonhoa: (grateful) “Thank you all for being so welcoming. I’m really looking forward to being a part of this club and getting to know each of you better.”

(And so, with the addition of Kotonhoa, the literature club embraced new friendships, cultural diversity, and the power of words to connect people from different walks of life. Together, they continued to support and inspire one another in their creative journeys, creating a space where each member’s unique voice could flourish. And as they delved into new themes and perspectives, their love for literature only grew stronger.)

(Several months later, and both Kotonhoa and Yuri are in their last two months of pregnancy - with Kotonhoa having twins. Monika has also recently given birth to her daughter Minika - who looks exactly like a baby version of Monika.)

(At their meeting, the club members gather around with Kotonhoa and Yuri seated closer to the windows for fresh air.)

Sayori: (excitedly) “Oh my gosh, Kotonhoa! I can’t believe you’ll be having twins! That’s so amazing!”

Kotonhoa: (smiling) “Thank you, Sayori. It’s both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking, but I’m looking forward to meeting them.”

Yuri: (gently rubbing her baby bump) “I can relate, Kotonhoa. It’s a mix of emotions, isn’t it? But I’m sure we’ll both do just fine.”

Natsuki: (teasingly) “Hey, you two, don’t go into labor during our meetings, alright? I can’t handle all this baby stuff.”

Monika: (laughing) “No worries, Natsuki. We’ll make sure to give advanced notice if that happens.”

(As the meeting goes on, they share their poems and discuss different writing styles, offering each other constructive feedback.)

Monika: (looking at Kotonhoa’s poem) “Kotonhoa, this poem about your Hawaiian roots is incredible. The imagery and the emotions it evokes, it’s really beautiful.”

Kotonhoa: (blushing) “Thank you, Monika. It means a lot coming from you.”

Yuri: (curiously) “Kotonhoa, how has becoming a mother influenced your writing? Has it changed your perspective in any way?”

Kotonhoa: (thoughtfully) “Yes, definitely. Being pregnant and now preparing to welcome my babies into the world, it’s made me appreciate life and the power of love even more. It has given me a deeper sense of empathy and a desire to explore themes of motherhood, growth, and family in my writing.”

Natsuki: (surprised) “Wow, that’s pretty deep, Kotonhoa. I didn’t expect that from you. I guess becoming a mom does change people.”

Kotonhoa: (smiling) “It does, Natsuki. It’s a transformative experience that opens your eyes to a whole new world.”

Sayori: (sincerely) “I can’t wait to read your new poems, Kotonhoa. I’m sure they’ll be amazing.”

Kotonhoa: (gratefully) “Thank you, Sayori. I hope my writing can touch others’ hearts, just like yours always does.”

(In the midst of their conversation, the club members notice a familiar face passing by the clubroom’s open door.)

Monika: (excitedly) “Look, everyone! It’s Kotonhoa’s babies’ father, Tyler!”

(They all wave at Tyler, who returns the gesture with a smile before continuing on his way.)

Natsuki: (teasingly) “Hey, Kotonhoa, isn’t it nice to have a supportive partner? I bet that guy’s gonna be changing diapers and making midnight runs for baby supplies.”

Kotonhoa: (blushing) “He’s been amazing throughout, Natsuki. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. We’re in this together.”

Monika: (as she cuddles baby Minika) “Having a supportive partner makes all the difference, Kotonhoa. Parenting is a team effort.”

Yuri: (softly) “Yes, it truly does. The journey of parenthood can be challenging, but with love and support, we can overcome any obstacles.”

Sayori: (squeezing Kotonhoa’s hand) “You’re not alone in this, Kotonhoa. We’re all here for you, every step of the way.”

(And so, the literature club continued to support and inspire one another, cherishing the power of their friendship and the joyous moments that life brought them. They celebrated the arrival of new life, finding solace and strength in each other’s presence. And as they embarked on their individual journeys of motherhood, they knew they had a community that would always stand by their side.)

(5 years later, at Monika’s house…)