14 Voices

Sayori: Calling me a monster is just rude. The ghosts in the mansion are just misunderstood.

Y-Yeah, that makes sense.

Some Guy: ...Whatever.

[Upon making it back to the mansion, the guy made sure to stay several meters away from the entrance, while Sayori just went back into the house. She sat down on one of the many couches in the place with a small pout.]

Sayori: Mm... what is there to do?

Er, what about reading the book? Though, I guess skipping ahead might be a bit rude to Yuri. Ah, wait, she can't hear me. What am I even doing?

[Sayori tapped her foot on the ground in boredom. She thought about going to the "bookstore" in order to get another book to read, but since she could only buy a single one each day, she would have to wait until tomorrow.]

Sayori: ...Do I just go to sleep now?

I guess if only the ghosts are willing to talk to you, it wouldn't be too strange to match up your sleep schedule with theirs. Seems like you plan on being here for a while, no?

Sayori: I guess that makes sense...

Ah, yeah. Someone listened to me... Wait, you heard me?

Sayori: ...

...Oh, I guess she just coincidentally said that. I'm deluding myself into thinking she was talking to me.

[Sayori went back to the bed she was in, and attempted to fall asleep. She wasn't tired, so it took quite a while, but she was eventually able to doze off. She proceeded to wake up in the middle of the night, where a ghost she hadn't seen before was looking at her strangely.]

Some Ghost: U-Um, this is my room. Could you sleep in another?

Sayori: Ah! Sorry, which rooms are free?

Some Ghost: ...Oh, all of them are taken.

Sayori: E-Eh? Then where else can I sleep?

Some Ghost: Oh, oh, how about this? Um, I only need this room while I'm awake, so at night time, you go somewhere else, but during the day it's all yours!

Sayori: Ah, that works! I'll just sleep in here during the day then.

Some Ghost: T-Thank you so much!

Sayori: No, no, thank you for letting me sleep here!

Wow... the ghosts really are so nice. That guy must have misunderstood somehow. I bet he just rushed into the knife or something and it was just a freak accident.

[Sayori got out of the room and passed by several ghosts along the way. The moment they noticed her, their eyes locked on her. However, after a few moments, they just continued on their way, completely ignoring her. Sayori felt a little confused, but it seemed like they had their own business, so she just ignored them.]

Hmm... she's the only living person in this place, but it's so crowded.

[Sayori reached the kitchen once more. Both Yuri and Natsuki were there, but there were also quite a few other ghosts lingering around. Upon noticing Sayori's arrival, Yuri stood up excitedly.]

Yuri: Ah, you are so early this time!

Sayori: Ehehe... I just thought I could go to bed early since you guys did the same.

Natsuki: Huh, well that makes sense.

[The other ghosts in the room suddenly whipped around to stare at Sayori, which was quite creepy, though the person being stared at didn't think so. Then, they just turned away, proceeding to do what they had been before. One of the ghosts was currently at the stove, making something on their own.]

Cooking Ghost: So this is the new person? I was making some stuff and planned on throwing it out later, but if you want, you can have it.

Sayori: Ah, really? You're so nice!

Cooking Ghost: Ah, no. I was going to do this regardless of whether someone was going to eat it or not. I planned on throwing it away, but if you want it, you can have it.

Sayori: Thanks!

[Natsuki let out a small sigh]

Natsuki: Hey, can the rest of you leave? Yuri and the new person, Sayori, had plans. It would be nice of you to give them privacy.

Sayori: O-Oh! There's no need for that!

Cooking Ghost: I was just leaving anyway.

[The rest of the ghosts seemed slightly reluctant, but all of them left without a single complaint. For whatever reason, it seemed like Natsuki held quite a bit of sway among the ghosts.]

Yuri: We can start after you finish eating!

Sayori: Alright!

[There was a normal breakfast of eggs and some toast on the table, which Sayori ate up readily. She let out a small sigh after finishing.]

Sayori: That tasted great!

Natsuki: Eh? But it was literally just a fried egg and toast.

Sayori: But it still tasted great!

Natsuki: ...Ok then.

Hey, don't hate on eggs and toast! They are underappreciated!

Yuri: S-Should we continue?

Sayori: Of course!

[After seeing that the two of them were fine, Natsuki left once more, seemingly off to tend to her own business. As Yuri got the book open, Sayori couldn't help but continue looking at where Natsuki went.]

Sayori: What does Natsuki do in the mansion anyway?

Yuri: Oh, she just takes care of everyone, no need to worry about that.

Sayori: Aw, that's so nice!

Yuri: Hehe, she is a nice person. She even let us have a quiet space to read for ourselves.

Sayori: Then let's start!

[They continued in their story, which contained many events about the girl spending more and more time with their special person, getting much closer to them. They went to places like spas, clothing shops, and sometimes even hairdressers.]

Yuri: ...This special person seems to be a girl.

What.

Sayori: Eh? Why do you say that?

Yuri: Because males do not usually go to these kinds of locations. If these were dates between a man and a woman, there would be more dinner and movie dates.

Sayori: But they went to a fast-food restaurant!

Yuri: Yes, but in stories, if a guy and girl do go to someplace to eat, it will at least be slightly fancy. Going to fast food restaurants is far too casual.

Sayori: Eeeh? I didn't even pick up on that!

Yuri: It's not only that. They are going to spas and clothing shops too frequently.

Sayori: Eh? But the special person sounds really nice, I don't think they would decline the offer.

Yuri: That is correct, however, the special person recommended those places. Perhaps there are guys in real life that would do the same, but guys portrayed in stories would almost never do this under normal circumstances.

Sayori: R-Really?

Yuri: What made me most convinced was that they weren't even that embarrassed when the girl suggested using the same changing room.

Sayori: Wh-What! B-But the special person was clearly embarrassed!

Yuri: But the attendant with them didn't disagree. In fact, she even gave them permission. The only way that would happen is if they were both women. Otherwise, she would probably send them out of the store right then and there!

Hm... I didn't see any of these details.

Sayori: W-Wow, that does make sense. You're so smart, Yuri!

Yuri: E-Eh? N-No, just forget I said anything!

Sayori: Hehe, I guess they are just really good friends then.

Yuri: ...I'm not so sure about that.

Sayori: Wah! Do they have some secret conflict with each other?

Yuri: No, no... but I feel like the girl is actually romantically interested in the other, while the special person thinks they are just good friends.

Sayori: W-Woah! I didn't even suspect that.

Yuri: No, no, this is just a guess. I still can't know for sure.

[A small smile formed on Yuri's face]

Yuri: But... this novel went in a completely different direction than I was expecting. I was wrong to judge the plot before I even read it.

Sayori: Ehehe, I don't really understand, but it seems you are having fun!

Yuri: W-What? Well... y-yes I am.

Sayori: Then that's great!

[The two of them continued to read the book, and similar events continued to happen. Though, the interaction between the girl and this special person changed. At the start, the girl was quite shy and reserved with her actions, but quickly warmed up over the course of the story, which was quite endearing to see. However, this didn't exactly stop. She continued to become more and more passionate, to the point that it was slightly obsessive.]

Sayori: E-Eh?

Yuri: Is something wrong?

Sayori: N-Nothing!

Yuri: Ah, ok...

Huh? What happened? Please elaborate!

[At some point, the whole story suddenly changed. The girl began to target the other friends of this special person, finding ways to destroy the relationship between the two. This dark turn got Yuri somewhat excited. One by one, the special person began losing their friends, and was quite stressed out about it. However, the girl was there whenever they felt down.]

Sayori: U-Um, c-can we stop reading?

Yuri: Oh, you're right, we have been reading for a while... let's get back to it quickly though, it's getting quite exciting?

E-Exciting? It kinda sounds... messed up.

Sayori: S-Sorry, I don't know if I want to read it anymore.

What? Why is that?

Yuri: Ah... sorry, I must've forced you to read for so long when you didn't even want to. I'm... terrible.

Sayori: No, no... it's not that.

[A bitter smile formed on Yuri's face. She gently closed the book and looked at the ground. She was trying her best not to cry, but tears were forming uncontrollably.]

Yuri: Don't worry, I can just leave. You won't have to see me ever again.

Sayori: No, i-it's really not like that!

Yuri: You don't have to pretend that you enjoy being around me, don't worry. It's easier this way...

T-This is being a little overdramatic, right? She just said that she didn't want to read!

Sayori: Yuri! I-I actually wanted to continue reading, but I just wanted to... take a bathroom break!

Yuri: Eh? Oh, that's all it was?

Sayori: ...Y-Yes.

[Yuri put one hand over her chest]

Yuri: My apologies, I misinterpreted the situation. Take your time.

[Sayori rushed to the bathroom, which was inhabited by quite a few ghosts. They turned to look at her and saw that she was in quite a bad condition. They rushed out of the room while apologizing, letting her have it to herself. From there, she put her hands onto the sides of the sink and stared at the mirror while panting.]

Sayori: Why?...

G-Geez, it's just a book! I mean sure, the main character is a little morbid, but it's not like she can hurt you or anything.

Sayori: Why... am I in the story?

...Wait, what?

[Several voices began chittering inside of her head]

???: She's coming! She knows you're here!

???: Run! Run! Run! There's nothing else you can do!

???: Don't you get it, she predicted everything. She knows it all. She always knew!

???: You actually think you're safe? Are you sure? You aren't! She's still out there!

???: There's nothing you can do... but you already knew that from the start, right?

???: You don't need other people! Just dedicate your whole life to me!

What the... who are these people?

[Loading Choices...]

[1 - Scream until the voices disappear]

[2 - Talk back to the voices]

E-Eh? What is happening? R-Reader? I don't know what to do...