(I started to wonder as to who the father of Sayori’s baby is. After all, I was a little shocked when Sayori announced her pregnancy last month - and Monika was, too. Just then, Natsuki enters the room.)

Natsuki: “Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late. I had some personal things back home.”

Monika: “It’s okay, Natsuki.”

Sayori: “Jeez…my cravings are just out of control today.”

Monika: “Of course they are. So…how are you feeling, Yuri?”

(I felt like I was going to throw up, but decided to hide the fact I was sick.)

Yuri: “I’m feeling okay. How about you, Natsuki?”

Natsuki: “I’m good. So, what are we talking about?”

Sayori: “Well, we were just wondering who the father of my baby is.”

Natsuki: “Oh, wow. That’s a big question.”

Monika: “Yes, it is. Sayori hasn’t told us yet.”

Sayori: “That’s because I don’t know who the father is.”

Yuri: “What do you mean you don’t know?”

Sayori: “I mean, it could be one of three guys.”

Natsuki: “Three guys?! Sayori, how could you not know?”

Sayori: “I know, I know. But I was going through a rough patch and was feeling pretty reckless. I don’t even remember who I was with when I got pregnant.”

Monika: “This is not good, Sayori. You need to talk to each of them and find out who is the father.”

Sayori: “I know, I know. I’m just scared and not sure how to bring it up.”

Yuri: “We’ll help you, Sayori. Just tell us who they are.”

Sayori: “Okay, well…there’s Mark, Jake, and David.”

Natsuki: “I know Mark. He’s not the most responsible guy.”

Monika: “Jake is a nice guy, but he’s not really looking for a relationship right now.”

Yuri: “David is more mature, but he’s also been in a long-term relationship. Maybe he’s not the best option.”

Sayori: “I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.”

Natsuki: “You’re not a burden, Sayori. We’re here for you.”

Monika: “Yes, we are. And we’ll help you figure it out.”

Yuri: “We love you, Sayori. And we’ll support you no matter what.”

Sayori: “Thank you all so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

Natsuki: “Don’t worry, Sayori. We’ll get through this together.”

(Just then, my phone started ringing. It was Ayano - one of my friends from the school I used to attend before I joined the literature club.)

Yuri: “Excuse me, I’m getting a call.”

(I step outside to answer the call.)

Yuri: “Hello?”

Ayano: (in the dance studio, rubbing her friend’s massive triplet bump) “Hey, Yuri. Long time no talk.”

Yuri: “Ayano, it’s nice to hear from you. How have you been?”

Ayano: “I’ve been good. Busy with the dance studio lately. Kokona wants to talk, too.”

(Kokona grabs the phone from Ayano.)

Kokona: “Hello, Yuri!”

Yuri: “Hey, Kokona! How are you feeling?”

Kokona: “Well, I’m a little tired, but otherwise good. The triplets are moving around a lot.”

Yuri: “Oh, that’s good to hear. How many weeks are you now?”

Kokona: “I’m at 36 weeks now, so it won’t be long until they’re here. So how are you feeling, Yuri?”

(I still felt like I was going to throw up, but I knew Ayano and Kokona were worried about me.)

Yuri: “I’m fine, just a little tired. But I’m happy to hear that you’re doing well, Kokona.”

Kokona: “Thanks, Yuri. We should all catch up soon.”

Ayano: “Yeah, we could go out for lunch or something.”

Yuri: “That sounds great. Let me know when you’re free.”

Kokona: “We will. Take care, Yuri.”

Ayano: “Bye!”

(Yuri hangs up the phone and heads back inside.)

Yuri: “Sorry about that. It was Ayano and Kokona.”

Natsuki: “How are they doing?”

Yuri: “Kokona is still pregnant with triplets. They’re due in a few weeks.”

Sayori: “Wow, triplets. That’s amazing.”

Monika: “We should definitely all go out and celebrate once the babies are born.”

Yuri: “Yes, that would be nice.”

(Suddenly, I feel the urge to throw up again. But this time, I can’t hold it in any longer.)

Yuri: “I’m sorry, I have to go. I’m feeling really sick.”

Natsuki: “Are you okay, Yuri?”

Yuri: (running out of the room) “I’ll be fine, I just need to go lie down for a bit.”

(Sayori, Natsuki, and Monika exchange worried glances before deciding to check up on me later. As I run to the bathroom to throw up, I can’t help but wonder if I was experiencing pregnancy symptoms - even though I hadn’t been with anyone. And three weeks later, I decided to call Ayano and Kokona and update them on how I was doing. But when I called, Ayano was crying - and she was in the dance studio with Kokona. Kokona, however, sounded totally fine - she wasn’t labor at all, and she sounded…calm for some reason.)

Yuri: “Ayano, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Ayano: “I…I wanted to tell you this two months ago. You know my boyfriend?”

Yuri: “Yes…what about him?”

Ayano: “He…he dumped me. All because I told him something that he didn’t want to hear.”

Yuri: “Oh no, Ayano. I’m so sorry. What did you tell him?”

Ayano: “I told him that I was pregnant.”

Yuri: “Oh…my. Ayano, are you okay?”

Ayano: “No…I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared and alone.”

Kokona: “Yuri, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Yuri: “Sure, Kokona. What’s going on?”

Kokona: “I…I don’t know how to say this, but…Ayano’s not the only one who recently got pregnant. You know Musume?”

(Just the mere mention of Musume’s name sent a shiver down the spine. She always bullied me for my royal purple eyes.)

Yuri: “Yes, I remember her. What about her?”

Kokona: “She’s also pregnant…and the father is your ex-boyfriend.”

(I felt furious at the mention of my ex-boyfriend. He dumped me 5 months ago, saying he didn’t want to be with a girl with a knife collection.)

Yuri: “What?! That…that can’t be true.”

Kokona: “I’m sorry, Yuri. I overheard Musume talking about it to her friends. I thought you should know.”

Yuri: “No, it’s fine. Thank you for telling me.”

Ayano: “Yuri, are you still there?”

Yuri: “Yes, I’m here. Ayano, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. But I have to go now.”

Ayano: “Okay…thanks for listening.”

Yuri: “Anytime, Ayano.”

(I hang up the phone, feeling a mix of emotions. Anger towards my ex-boyfriend for getting Musume pregnant, and sympathy towards Ayano for going through the same thing. But I also couldn’t help but wonder if I was also pregnant - and if my ex-boyfriend was the father. The thought made me feel sick to my stomach. But when I took a pregnancy test, there was just one red line. I let out a sigh of relief. I wasn’t pregnant - at least not yet. But the thought of my ex-boyfriend being the father of Musume’s child still bothered me.)

Yuri: “I need to clear my head. I’m going for a walk.”

Natsuki: “Do you want some company?”

Yuri: “No, it’s fine. I need some alone time.”

(So I left the house and wandered aimlessly around the neighborhood. The fresh air and exercise helped clear my mind a little bit, but I still couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.)

Yuri: (thinking to myself) “Why do I care so much? He’s not my problem anymore. I should just focus on myself and my friends.”

(As I walked, I saw a nearby park and decided to sit on a bench. That’s when I noticed a man walking towards me - it was my ex-boyfriend. I felt a mix of emotions - anger, sadness, and confusion.)

Ex-Boyfriend: “Hey, Yuri. Fancy seeing you here.”

Yuri: “What do you want?”

Ex-Boyfriend: “Just to talk. I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been thinking about you.”

Yuri: “Really? You didn’t seem to care when you broke up with me.”

Ex-Boyfriend: “I know, and I’m sorry about that. I was going through a lot of personal stuff at the time.”

Yuri: (sarcastically) “Oh, how convenient.”

Ex-Boyfriend: “I know it sounds like an excuse, but it’s the truth. I see you’re doing well, though.”

Yuri: “What do you mean?”

Ex-Boyfriend: “I heard from Musume that you’re part of a literature club now. That’s great.”

Yuri: “Yes, it is. I’m happy with my life now. A life without YOU.”

Ex-Boyfriend: “Yuri, please. Hear me out.”

Yuri: “I don’t want to hear anything from you. You hurt me, and now you’re going around getting other girls pregnant.”

Ex-Boyfriend: “What are you talking about?”

Yuri: “Don’t play dumb. I know you got Musume pregnant.”

Ex-Boyfriend: “Well, you're right about me being the father of Musume's father.”