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[Monika and Ethan are walking to Monika's house. It was just a few blocks from the church. They had both been at the church for a few weeks, helping out Sarvente, the head of the church, with errands like grocery shopping, cleaning, and other odd jobs. It was only today that Sarvente had decided to allow Monika to return home and for Ethan to go along with her.]
Ethan: I'm excited to see your place and spend more time with you.
Monika: No problem, I hope you’ll like it!
[“If only he knew what I go through every day…” Monika thinks to herself.]
[After walking for a while, the two finally got to Monika’s home. She fumbles with her keys for a bit before unlocking the door.]
Monika: CJ! Ruby! I'm home! I bought a few things for you guys. If you want them, that is.
[Monika shouts in a lackluster tone.]
Ethan: Who are you talking to?
Monika: Oh right, I forgot to tell you. I have housemates.
CJ: “Okay, I’ll be there in a minute!”
[CJ shouts back offscreen.]
Monika: “That’s CJ. He’s annoying.”
CJ: “Hey! I heard that!”
Monika: “Like I said.”
CJ: “Okay, what did you get for me?”
[CJ asks as he walks into the kitchen.]
Monika: “Oh, just a few things from the marketplace…”
[She trails off, distracted while putting things where they should be.]
CJ: “And who’s the new guy?”
[CJ points towards Ethan while taking a sip of his drink.]
Monika: “That’s Ethan. I helped resurrect him back at the Renaissance ceremony.”
[CJ spits out his drink in shock.]
CJ: “WHAT!?”
[Monika turns to CJ with an expressionless face.]
Monika: “Listen, it’s not that big of a deal, alright?“
[Ruby runs down the stairs in a hurry.]
Ruby: “Hey, I heard screaming. Is everything ok-”
[She stops in the middle of her sentence and gasps after seeing Ethan.]
Monika: “Look, why are all of you making such a big deal about this?”
[She turns away from her bags to face CJ and Ruby fully.]
CJ: “Uh, haven’t you watched the news?“
Monika: “No, I haven’t. You know why? Because I never have the time to because I’m too busy trying to help us all not get evicted!”
[Monika puts her hands on her hips and glares at CJ.]
CJ: “Right…”
[He says nervously, fiddling with the can in his hands.]
Monika: “Alright, look. I found Ethan back at the ceremony. Sarvente told me that I needed to keep him with me until otherwise. So because of that, he’s staying here for a while.”
Ruby: "We understand, Monika. I wouldn't mind having a new person here."
CJ: "Wait. If we get one more guy, where will he sleep? I mean, there's only three bedrooms in this house."
Monika: "Well, Ethan could sleep in your room, and you can sleep on the couch, CJ."
CJ: (Irritated) "Hey!"
Monika: Well, you slept there just fine weeks ago.
CJ: Why don't he sleep on the couch, and I keep my room to myself!?
Monika: Why, is there something you don't want us to see?
CJ: No.
Ruby: Then you wouldn't mind letting him sleep in your room.
CJ: Well, I'm keeping my bed.
Monika: Then where is Ethan going to sleep?
CJ: The floor.
Monika: CJ!
Ruby: Guys, guys, fighting isn't going anywhere. Look, I'll let Ethan sleep in my room, and I'll just sleep on the couch.
Monika: Fine with me.
CJ: Whatever.
Ruby: Good. Let's just go to sleep.
[The night has arrived, and the moon is in full sight. Everyone goes to bed, and the room falls silent. Everyone is fast asleep. Except for Monika, that is. She'd stare at the ceiling for hours, overthinking everything that happened this month.]
Monika: (Thinking) So much has been happening this month. I participated in a religious ritual and brought some random person to life. Now, I’m trying to remember what got me into this mess in the first place. *Sighs* Oh well. Tomorrow's gonna be a new day, I guess.
*She heard the door open slowly*
Ethan: Monika?
Monika: What is it?
Ethan: I can't sleep. Can I…stay here for tonight?
Monika: *She sits up on her bed* Go ahead. (Thinking) My room is usually off-limits, but only when I need time alone. Occasionally, Ruby would ask me the same thing since she tells me that CJ gives her a hard time sleeping peacefully, and she'd usually sleep on the floor with a makeshift futon or something. But still, it's only a rare occurrence and never something so often and- (Stops thinking) Hmm?
*As she lays in her bed, she suddenly feels an unexpected pressure on the mattress, causing her to turn her head to the other side. To her surprise, she sees Ethan lying down next to her, with his eyes closed and his chest moving up and down as he breathes deeply. She's taken aback by his presence. Her mind races with questions.*
Monika: (Thinking) This isn't what I meant by staying here for tonight. *Sighs and places her hand over her eyes.* Forget it. I'm too tired to push him off my bed.
Ethan: Good night, Monika..
Monika: Good night.
*She closes her eyes and tries to get some sleep. She feels a wave of relief washes over her as she finally drifts off to sleep. She rolls over and closes her eyes, trying to sleep. Ethan's presence is a source of comfort, and she slowly drifts off to sleep.*
[The next day]
Monika: (Thinking) I can't believe I let him sleep here. What if Ruby or CJ saw us? What would they think? Ugh, this is so awkward.
*She quietly gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom to freshen up. When she returns, Ethan is already awake and sitting on the edge of the bed.*
Ethan: Good morning.
Monika: (Surprised) Oh! Good morning.
Ethan: Sorry about last night. I couldn't sleep, and I didn't want to disturb you.
Monika: (Blushing) It's okay. Don't worry about it.
*She goes back to brushing her hair*
Ethan: Monika?
Monika: Yes?
Ethan: You should...keep your hair down more. *Blushes* It looks so pretty.
Monika: (Blushing, flat tone) Thanks.
*Once she was done, the two left and headed downstairs to the living room. Monika couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious about her hair as they walked down the stairs. She wasn't used to receiving compliments from anyone. She quickly brushed it off and tried to change the subject. In the living room, she sees Ruby cooking breakfast.*
Ruby: Oh! Morning, Monika.
Monika: Hey Ruby.
Ruby: I'm making breakfast. I woke up before CJ did, especially when I promised to make breakfast for you guys this morning.
CJ: Eh. Nothing to worry about. Unless you want me to do the cooking.
Monika: No.
CJ: Whaaaat? I have my ways. I can burn the milk next time.
Monika: CJ, how the heck do you burn milk?
Ruby: Guys, bickering over how bad CJ is at cooking won’t do anything.
Monika: Right, right, of course.
*Ruby continues to cook but realizes she's missing some ingredients.*
Ruby: Oh, how come we’re out of eggs again. Didn’t we buy some weeks ago?
Monika: It’s ok, Ruby. I’ll go get some for you.
*Monika stepped out of her house with a clear purpose: to buy some eggs. She strolled across the neighborhood, taking in the sights and sounds of her surroundings. However, an inexplicable feeling of unease crept over her. It was as if something had subtly shifted, casting a veil of unfamiliarity over the familiar streets and houses. Despite her best efforts to shake off the sensation, Monika couldn't help but feel that something was different - and she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.*
Person 1: Hey Monika! Nice weather, huh?
*Monika didn’t respond but instead looked at them in confusion.*
Person 2: Hi, Monika! You look nice today!
Person 3: Love the outfit, ma’am.
Monika: (Confused) What’s going on?
???: Hey Monika!
*She turned around and recognized someone.*
Sayori: I’m so glad to see you again!
*Monika froze in shock at her presence. The last time she checked, Sayori was dead.*
Monika: (Thinking) The ceremony… When they took a fraction of my memory…It brought her back to life!?