࣪ ֶָ֢ ⊹ ࣪ ໒꒱ Unstable Smp

✦ ── 「 FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS 」 ── ✦

The Literature Club's festival was only a few days away.

Which meant there was one very important problem.

The cupcakes.

Wemmbu had decided that the club needed something homemade for its festival booth, and after a short discussion, everyone had agreed that Flame was probably the best person to handle the baking.

There was only one problem.

He didn't want to do it alone.

So now, after school, you found yourself standing outside Flame's house with a small bag of ingredients in your hands.

You knocked.

There was a pause.

"It's open."

You stepped inside.

"Flame?"

"Kitchen."

You followed his voice and found him standing at the counter, already wearing an apron.

He looked at you for a moment.

"You're late."

You glanced at the time.

"I'm literally two minutes late."

"That's late."

He turned back toward the counter, trying very hard not to smile.

"Anyway, put that stuff over there."

You set the ingredients down.

Flame had already arranged everything across the kitchen counter: flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, mixing bowls, cupcake liners, and several bags of colorful decorations.

You looked over everything.

"Wow. You really prepared."

"Of course I prepared."

He crossed his arms.

"We're making cupcakes for the festival. They have to actually be good."

"I thought you trusted me."

"I trust you to eat them."

"Hey!"

Flame snickered.

"I'm kidding."

He grabbed a mixing bowl and handed it to you.

"Come on. We have a lot to do."

✦ ───────────── ✦

The two of you started mixing the batter.

At first, everything went surprisingly smoothly.

You measured the flour.

Flame cracked the eggs.

You added the milk.

Flame carefully mixed everything together.

"See?" he said. "Easy."

You nodded.

"This isn't so bad."

"I told you."

He turned toward the oven.

"Now we just—"

THUMP.

You both froze.

The mixing bowl had somehow tipped over.

Flour covered part of the counter.

And a small cloud of it had landed directly on Flame.

Silence.

You stared at him.

He stared back.

There was flour on his hair.

There was flour on his apron.

There was even a little bit on one of his tiger ears.

"Don't."

You tried not to laugh.

"I'm not laughing."

"You're literally smiling."

"I can't help it."

"You'd better."

You laughed.

Flame sighed dramatically.

"Great. Now we're going to be here all day."

Despite his complaining, he was smiling too.

✦ ───────────── ✦

Eventually, the batter was ready.

You carefully filled the cupcake liners while Flame prepared the decorations.

"Chocolate frosting?" you asked.

"Definitely."

"And these?"

You held up a container filled with colorful sprinkles.

"Those too."

"That's a lot of sprinkles."

"There's no such thing as too many sprinkles."

You looked at him.

"You just said that?"

"Yes."

"I thought you were supposed to be the serious one."

"I can be serious and like sprinkles."

He paused.

"Now hand me those."

You passed him the decorations.

The cupcakes went into the oven.

For the first time since you'd arrived, the two of you actually had a moment to sit down.

Flame leaned back in his chair.

"You know..."

He glanced toward the kitchen.

"This is actually kind of fun."

You smiled.

"Even with the flour explosion?"

"Especially without the flour explosion."

"You mean with."

"Whatever."

He looked away, a faint smile still on his face.

"I'm glad you came."

The words came out quieter than expected.

You looked at him.

Flame immediately looked embarrassed.

"Don't make it weird."

"I didn't say anything."

"Good."

The oven timer suddenly beeped.

Flame jumped up.

"Cupcakes!"

✦ ───────────── ✦

After cooling the cupcakes, the real work began.

Frosting.

Decorating.

And, apparently, attempting to make every cupcake look completely different.

Flame carefully piped frosting onto one cupcake.

"Look."

He held it up.

It was surprisingly neat.

"That's actually really good."

"Obviously."

You decorated your own.

It came out a little messier.

Flame stared at it.

"You know..."

"What?"

"It's not terrible."

"Wow. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

He grabbed another piping bag.

"Here. I'll show you how to do the frosting."

He moved closer to demonstrate.

"You squeeze here, then move your hand in a circle..."

You followed his instructions.

The frosting came out much better.

"See?"

"Oh! I actually did it!"

Flame grinned.

"Told you."

Soon, the counter was covered in finished cupcakes.

Some were perfectly decorated.

Some were lopsided.

Some had far too much frosting.

And one had so many sprinkles that you could barely see the frosting underneath.

You both stared at the enormous sprinkle-covered cupcake.

Flame slowly pointed at it.

"That one is yours."

"What?!"

"You made it."

"I did not put THAT many sprinkles on it!"

"You absolutely did."

You both started laughing.

✦ ── 「 FESTIVAL DAY 」 ── ✦

By the time everything was finished, the cupcakes were packed carefully into containers.

Flame looked over the finished collection.

"Think they'll like them?"

"Definitely."

He smiled.

"Good."

He picked up one of the boxes.

"Then we'd better get these to the club before Spoke eats half of them."

You laughed.

"That's probably going to happen."

"I know."

Flame sighed.

"I should've made twice as many."

The two of you headed toward the door with the cupcakes safely packed away.

The festival was still a few days away.

But somehow, the afternoon spent baking together already felt like one of the best parts of it.

✦ ── 「 ♡ 」 ── ✦

✦ ── 「 FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS 」 ── ✦

The Literature Club's festival was getting closer.

The bedroom was already becoming a mess of supplies. Paper was scattered across desks, boxes of decorations were stacked against the walls, and someone had left a roll of ribbon sitting in the middle of the floor.

But there was one thing the club still hadn't finished.

The banner.

Parrot had volunteered to make it.

And, after a little convincing, he had asked you to help.

✦ ───────────── ✦

You found Parrot sitting on the floor of the empty room, surrounded by enormous sheets of paper, paint bottles, brushes, pencils, and several rolls of colorful fabric.

He looked up when you entered.

"Oh... you're here."

He gave you a small smile.

"I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to make the entire thing myself."

You looked at the enormous blank sheet spread across the floor.

"That's... a pretty big banner."

"Yes."

Parrot glanced down at it.

"I may have underestimated how large it needed to be."

He carefully moved a paintbrush out of the way so you could sit beside him.

"I thought we could make something simple. Maybe something elegant enough to fit the club."

He picked up a pencil.

"I was thinking we could write the name across the center and decorate the edges with little flowers and leaves."

You nodded.

"That sounds nice."

Parrot's expression brightened.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"I'm glad."

He lowered his gaze, slightly embarrassed.

"I spent quite a while thinking about it."

✦ ───────────── ✦

The two of you began sketching.

Parrot carefully drew the letters while you worked on the decorations surrounding them.

For a while, neither of you said much.

The classroom was peaceful.

Just the sound of pencils moving across paper.

Occasionally, Parrot would lean closer to examine your work.

"That's really good."

"You think so?"

"Yes."

He paused.

"Your lines are much more confident than mine."

"I don't think that's true."

"It is."

He smiled softly.

"But that's not necessarily a bad thing."

You continued working.

After a few minutes, Parrot reached for a dark green paint bottle.

"Would you mind helping me with this part?"

You moved closer.

"The leaves?"

"Yes."

He handed you the brush.

"I thought you could paint the larger ones while I work on the smaller details."

You dipped the brush into the paint.

"Like this?"

"Exactly."

Parrot watched carefully as you painted.

"That's perfect."

He paused.

"Actually..."

He reached for another brush.

"Would you like me to show you a different technique?"

You nodded.

Parrot demonstrated, carefully brushing the paint across the paper in thin strokes.

"If you make the edges lighter, it gives the leaves a little more depth."

You tried it yourself.

Parrot smiled.

"See? You're getting it."

✦ ───────────── ✦

Eventually, the banner began to take shape.

The large lettering stretched across the center.

Leaves and flowers surrounded the edges.

Small decorative details filled the empty spaces.

It was starting to look surprisingly beautiful.

Parrot sat back on his heels.

"Wow..."

He stared at the finished section.

"I think it actually looks good."

"It looks great."

Parrot's cheeks became slightly pink.

"Thank you."

He looked down at the paintbrush in his hand.

"I don't usually like working on things with other people."

He hesitated.

"Not because I dislike them. I just... worry that I'll make mistakes."

He glanced toward you.

"But this feels different."

You smiled.

Parrot returned the smile.

"I'm glad you're here."

Before you could respond, a sudden breeze from the open window sent one corner of the banner fluttering upward.

"Oh!"

Parrot quickly grabbed it.

"Careful!"

The banner nearly slipped out of his hands.

You grabbed the other side.

For a moment, the two of you stood there holding opposite ends.

Parrot laughed softly.

"I suppose it would be unfortunate if our entire afternoon's work flew out the window."

You laughed too.

"Very unfortunate."

"Especially after all those flowers."

He looked at the banner again.

"We should probably let the paint dry before we hang it."

He carefully placed it flat on the floor.

Then he looked at you.

"Thank you for helping me."

His smile was small, but genuine.

"I think it turned out much better than it would've if I'd done it alone."

✦ ── 「 FESTIVAL DAY 」 ── ✦

The next morning, the banner was finally ready.

You and Parrot carried it into the classroom together.

Wemmbu looked up from arranging the desks.

"Oh, wow."

"Spoke immediately ran over.*

"YOU GUYS MADE THAT?!"

Flame looked over.

"Huh. That's actually pretty good."

Parrot looked slightly embarrassed.

"Thank you..."

Wemmbu smiled.

"It looks perfect."

Parrot glanced at you.

Then at the banner.

For once, he didn't seem nervous about showing everyone his work.

"I'm glad we made it together."

✦ ── 「 ♡ 」 ── ✦

✦ ── 「 THE LITERATURE CLUB 」 ── ✦

The next afternoon, you quietly open the Literature Club door.

You expect to hear familiar voices.

You expect someone to greet you.

Instead, there's only silence.

The classroom looks almost exactly the same as yesterday.

Almost.

You step inside.

Parrot is sitting near the window with a book in his hands.

Flame is at his desk, working on something.

Wemmbu is standing near the front of the room, arranging a few papers.

You look around.

Something feels wrong.

There are only three people here.

Your eyes immediately move toward the desk near the window.

The desk where Spoke always sat.

It's empty.

You stare at it for a moment.

"Where's Spoke?"

Parrot looks up.

"Spoke?"

You nod.

"Yeah. Spoke."

Parrot tilts his head.

"I'm sorry... who?"

Your stomach drops.

"Spoke. You know, our friend? He was in the club."

Flame looks over.

"I don't know anyone named Spoke."

"What?"

Flame shrugs.

"I've never heard that name before."

You look at Parrot.

"You seriously don't remember him?"

Parrot shakes his head.

"No. Was he a student here?"

"Yes!"

Your voice comes out louder than you intended.

"He was here all the time! He sat right there!"

You point toward the empty desk.

Parrot looks at it.

There's no reaction.

"There's always been an empty desk there."

You stare at him.

"No, there hasn't."

Flame slowly turns toward you.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine."

You look toward Wemmbu.

Surely he remembers.

He has to.

Wemmbu has been standing completely still.

You approach him.

"Wemmbu... you remember Spoke, right?"

He looks at you.

"I'm afraid I don't."

Your heart sinks.

"But you were the club president. He was here. We all knew him."

Wemmbu's expression remains calm.

"There are only four members of this club."

He gestures toward the room.

"Parrot. Flame. You. And me."

Silence.

You look around the classroom again.

Four.

There should be five.

You know there should be.

You can remember Spoke perfectly.

His voice.

His jokes.

The way he'd complain about being bored.

The way he'd brighten up the entire room.

But nobody else remembers him.

Not even a little.

You walk toward the empty desk.

Something catches your eye.

A small piece of paper is sitting underneath it.

You pick it up.

There's handwriting on it.

You recognize it immediately.

Spoke's handwriting.

Your fingers tighten around the paper.

"This is his."

Parrot looks over.

"Whose?"

You slowly turn toward him.

"Spoke's."

Parrot looks confused.

"I don't understand."

Flame walks closer.

"What does it say?"

You look down.

The page is covered in messy writing.

Most of it has been crossed out.

But one sentence remains.

"Don't forget me."

You freeze.

The room suddenly feels much colder.

Wemmbu's expression changes.

Only for a second.

His smile disappears.

Then it returns.

"That's strange."

You look at him.

"You saw that, right?"

"Saw what?"

"The handwriting."

Wemmbu glances at the page.

"It's just a piece of paper."

"No."

You step backward.

"You don't remember him."

Wemmbu says nothing.

The computer on his desk suddenly turns on by itself.

The screen flickers.

Parrot and Flame turn toward it.

You don't.

Because you already know what you're going to see.

The Literature Club's member list appears on the screen.

WEMMBU

PARROT

FLAME

YOU

You stare at the list.

*There is no Spoke."

Not even a blank space.

Nothing.

You look toward the empty desk one last time.

For just a moment, you think you hear someone laughing.

You turn around.

Nobody is there.

Wemmbu closes the computer.

"You should probably go home."

You stare at him.

"Why?"

His smile remains perfectly calm.

"Because there's nothing left for you to find here."

✦ ── 「 ♡ 」 ── ✦

✦ ── 「 THE END 」 ── ✦

The classroom is silent.

Not the peaceful kind of silence.

The kind that feels like something has been removed from the world.

You slowly open the classroom door.

There's no Parrot sitting by the window.

No Flame complaining from his desk.

No Spoke rushing over to greet you.

There isn't even a trace that any of them were ever here.

Just Wemmbu.

He's sitting alone at the front of the classroom.

His long purple hair falls over his shoulders, and his eyes are fixed on the computer in front of him.

He doesn't react when you enter.

For several seconds, neither of you says anything.

Then he closes the computer.

"You're still here."

You look around the empty room.

"Where is everyone?"

Wemmbu doesn't answer immediately.

He slowly stands.

"There isn't anyone else anymore."

Your eyes move toward the empty desks.

"Parrot?"

Silence.

"Flame?"

Nothing.

"Spoke?"

Wemmbu's expression remains strangely calm.

"You already know the answer."

You look back at him.

"What did you do?"

Wemmbu gives a small smile.

"I fixed the problem."

He walks toward the window.

"The club was never going to work with all of those distractions."

He glances back at you.

"Now it's just us."

The classroom suddenly feels enormous.

There are rows of empty desks surrounding the two of you.

Wemmbu walks toward your desk.

"No more arguments."

He passes the desk where Flame used to sit.

"No more books."

He looks toward the window where Parrot used to read.

"No more cheerful interruptions."

His gaze briefly falls on Spoke's empty desk.

"And no more pretending everything is okay."

He returns his attention to you.

"Just you."

He pulls out the chair across from you and sits.

"And me."

The computer behind him flickers.

The classroom lights briefly go dark.

When they return, something has changed.

The classroom walls are covered with strange little pieces of writing.

Your name.

Over and over.

Wemmbu notices you staring.

"I thought you'd appreciate it."

He smiles.

"After all, you're the only person left who matters."

You glance toward the classroom door.

It's gone.

There is only a blank wall.

You look back at Wemmbu.

He seems completely unsurprised.

"There's nowhere else to go."

He rests his chin against his hand.

"So..."

His smile grows slightly.

"What do you want to talk about?"

The computer screen behind him turns on.

There is only one file left.

WEMMBU

Wemmbu looks toward it.

Then back at you.

"I suppose we have plenty of time."

✦ ── 「 ♡ 」 ── ✦

myos♡