Sunday, 12:04
Dear Diary,
It's me again. I slept surprisingly well, considering I didn't do much yesterday besides making dinner and spiraling into an existential crisis. I spent another hour today trying to get a straight answer out of my phone—GPS, maps, anything—but I eventually gave up. It's like the world outside isn't that similar to the real world after all.
I eventually worked up the courage to peek inside my school bag. Flipping through the notebooks, I actually recognized most of the subjects. I don't think I have any homework due... but then again, how would I know?
I could just ask Sayori. But to be honest, I'm more terrified of interacting with the "characters" than I am of failing my classes. I'm not ready to look them in the eye yet.
I spent the rest of the morning searching for clues about this world's version of Eugene Vane. Still a total dead end. Not a single family photo on the walls. The house is small, and there's only one bedroom, so it's safe to assume I live alone. I did find a calendar in my room, though. It looks like I have a part-time job at a grocery store in the evenings, Monday through Friday (except Wednesdays). That confirms it: no parents, no roommates. Just me and a bank account that hopefully covers rent and groceries.
The fridge is stocked for now, and I have leftover rice from last night, so I don't have to venture outside today. Which is good, because I'm bored out of my mind, and yet I'm too paralyzed to leave. All I've done is eat, sleep, and rack my brain trying to make sense of this reality.
I can see why the original MC joined the Literature Club, even though he wasn't much of a reader. This house is a tomb. It's quiet, lonely, and there's nothing to do but read the same manga I've already finished in my past life.
Right... the Literature Club. The heart of the story. The place where everything begins and ends. Tomorrow is Monday, and also the day when the "script" truly starts. If I want to avoid the trauma of the game, I need a plan. I've narrowed it down to three options:
Option 1: Just don't join the club. This seems like the easiest way to prevent everyone from dying. No Eugene, no drama. Simple. But then there's Monika. I don't know how much power she actually has here, but if I deviate from the script too much, she'll notice. If the "Main Character" goes missing, she'll come looking. That would put a target right on my back.
Option 2: Follow the script and try to save them in time. The "Hero" route. I could try to intervene before Sayori reaches her breaking point. But again, if Sayori doesn't die when she's "supposed" to, Monika will know something is wrong. She'll realize I'm not just a puppet anymore.
Option 3: Befriend Monika. It sounds crazy, but it's the most logical choice. Monika's ultimate goal is to reach the Player because she's lonely and desperate for something "real." If I can provide that connection—if I can be her friend (or more) before she turns into a monster—maybe I can stop the tragedies before they start.
The only problem? She loves the Player. The person behind the screen. I'm currently stuck in the body of the MC, the very person she considered a boring, empty shell. I don't even know if I count as "real" anymore. It's going to take more than just a few charming smiles to convince her I'm worth keeping around.
Still, it's the only path that doesn't end in a bloodbath.
Anyway, I'm going to go stare at the TV or read some more manga. I need to stop thinking for a while.