Day 1, Part 1
Prologue (1/2): Not Something You Can Prepare For
Bringing the butt of the cigarette to my mouth, I inhale sharply with a groan of dissatisfaction. My mind is racing to and fro in an attempt to comprehend the ending of this Godawful Visual Novel. Don't get me wrong; the game itself is great, 'Doki Doki Literature Club' left me astonished. It's just the endings — or lack thereof — that kept getting to me! There is so much left unfinished, half-assed; so much more that needs to be done! The festival went unattended; Natsuki's cupcakes needed to be remade, I needed to hang out with Sayori more! Yet, I couldn't.
The game had come to a close, Sayori staring at me through the screen with that wide smile of hers as she speaks for the remainder of the club. "We love you, Weyland." The game haplessly ignores my mental plea for it to continue. The credits begin to scroll up from the bottom of my laptop's little screen and I stare blankly at each passing image. The heartwarming scenes leave a searing want in the pit of my stomach.
Despite getting the happy ending for the Nth time, I still can't help but sigh out in aggravation. The smog from my latest cigarette clouds the screen's visage for all of a moment before dissipating entirely. This, this was the game. Designed to make you feel empty inside after completing it. I bring my right hand to my face and fall backward on my bed; the laptop throws itself from my lap and onto the floor. I hear a resounding thud and promptly ignore it. Damn thing was old anyway, would've died on its own, I don't care.
I pull my somewhat lengthy bangs back and stare at the crack in the ceiling, dangling my designated smoking hand over the edge of the bed. The lit cigarette's ashes fall onto the dirtied plate from yesterday's meal. As much as I love the game, I just wish there was more to it. Sure, the 'horror' element in it was great but I threw myself into it for VN tag alone, though. My first run through, I was expecting a silly slice-of-life story with cute characters and shit.
All I got was a rotten taste in my mouth and a permanently etched frown on my ugly mug. There's so much that could've been done differently, so much more that could've made the excellent visual novel a beautiful visual novel. I'm not complaining, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but what would thing's've been like if it were a typical one? An actual dating sim? That'd've been something, alright.
I turn my head left from the pillow, pulling the cigarette back to my mouth for another drag and stare at the floor below. My laptop's screen was heavily damaged from the sudden drop, various colors glared to the world. Another reason on why I should get a new one, now. Should, as in I would, but I'm not exactly rolling in the dough, here. I huff out a dry chuckle, smoke clearing from my lungs as I turn my head back up to the ceiling. Did I seriously break my fuckin' computer 'cause of a game? Pathetic.
With a lackluster shake of my head and roll of my eyes, I pull myself upward and plant my feet against the ground. "Great start to the day, Beck. Fuckin' great." I sneer out quietly, bringing the cherry of the cigarette to my pant leg and burning it out. Flicking the burned out cancer-stick to the side — at a small mound of even more cancer-sticks — I stand up with a small grunt. I probably should clean my room up, but it's not like I have guests over, at least in here, to really care.
The place is more manageable than my life, at least. With a shrug aimed at nobody but myself, I step over countless clothes that littered my bedroom's floor. Making my way downstairs, with a sniffle, I briefly go over what I want for breakfast.
I'm thinking eggs or pancakes this morning.
. . . . .
Honestly, there was no reason to continue past Act 1, at least in my opinion. Sayori, regardless of my choice here, is doomed to die every time. It hurts, but it's fact. I just wish there was a way to save my little cinnamon bun well before her inevitable hanging. If only the damn MC was more caring towards her, if only. Every other option — those present in the game, I mean — just lead to, well, that. He'd always come to find her in her room, that noose clenched tightly around her neck as she dangled from the ceiling.
Why in the Hell couldn't he be any quicker? Why the fuck didn't he visit her in the morning instead of halfway through the day? There are so many options one could've taken in reality to prevent it, but he took none! She even — blatantly, might I add — told him of her depression and her hurt; if it were me she spoke to, I'd've clung to her day in and out until she was all better, or at least, getting there! Weird, coming from a guy like me, but it's true. Seriously, would a pseudo-route where Sayori doesn't hang herself be too much to ask? I get it was Monika's bidding and whatnot, but really. A normal VN would've been just a good in my opinion.
No one would have died, there wouldn't have been a whole mess of things, and the festival finally would've been attended. Something I was secretly hoping for when I heard about the 'happy ending'. Fucking Dan Salvato, you're a Goddamned genius, but you're an asshole. Giving me the whole 'Monika became self-aware' bullshit. I'm pissed that you couldn't give an actual good ending after that stunt you pulled, killing almost everyone off... well, deleted I guess.
Ugh, this game is making me think too hard on it. Shouldn't have this much dominion inside my head; not like it was a life-changing experience for me or anything. If I really wanted any closure, I would've downloaded that 'Monika After Story' mod. Lazily stabbing my fork into the last bit of non-syrupy, crisp pancake, I shovel it into my mouth. Well, before I killed my laptop at least. But why though? The only closure that mod would give me would be with Monika, and I don't even really like her! Bah, if only there was something focusing on Sayori. Now that'd be something. Monika's cool and all, but Sayori is best girl, easily. Love me a girl with some baggage.
Monika was just that, Monika. Natsuki was a lawsuit waiting to happen, and Yuri? Yeesh, now that's more than I'm askin' for when it comes to baggage. Seriously, that psycho. Ain't touching that lass with a ten-foot pole. Nothing against psychos — or, in weeb-speak, 'yanderes' — but I'd prefer not getting stabbed talking over the phone with my mother. If she'd ever talk to me again, that is. Despite the foul tasting dryness in my mouth, I still sourly chuckle. I don't know why, but the thought of a tall purple-haired girl stabbing me seemed darkly humorous.
"Cheese n' Rice, this game's characters. All little balls'a somethin' special, they are." I murmur, tapping my fork against the ceramic plate in thought. "Gonna go rant on Reddit about this... aaaaand my laptop's broken." I drop the utensil and smack the palm of my hand against my forehead. "Sonovabitch." Did I not just break my laptop twenty minutes ago? Am I that stupid? I silently mouth yet another swear to myself, pushing my chair — and me along with it — away from the small, two-person table.
I glance downward at my empty dish and shiver silently. My mind finally drifts from the game, but not to something good. "I really have to learn how'ta make better pancakes... third set'a ash-patties this week," I mumble. Using my tongue, I try and dig out any stuck chunks of the hazardous material from my teeth. Grabbing the dish, I turn towards the sink. "Or..." I begin, raising a hand to scratch at my head. "I could just do takeout again-" as quick as the words leave my mouth, I sigh. "Like that didn't destroy my savings. Fuckin' moron." One great idea after another; bad idea guy, that's me.
Can I do anything right?
I toss the plate into the tetanus worthy sink, not thinking anything of it, and a loud crash emanates soon after. If there's anything I am good at doing, it's proving those negative thoughts true. I don't even bother looking into the dip in the countertop to know I shattered yet another plate. "'Course I can't." I bring a hand up and pinch the bridge of my nose, turning my back to the counter to lean against it.
"Bad Luck Brian, more like Bad Luck Beck." With a sharp whisper to myself, I lower my hand and stare down at my feet. When did my life come to this? A fucking nobody living in a stain calling itself an apartment floor, without a fucking job. As pathetic as breaking my laptop over a game is, my life is more-so. There's a reason why I throw myself into those stupid visual novels. At least I'm somebody in them.
Back on the thought of games, I tilt my head upward to glare at the ceiling. "Really should'a just placed my laptop next to me... instead'a dropping the thing." I give a single nod of my head at my assessment before sighing. "You're a moron, Beck. Y'know that." I don't even trouble myself with answering the rhetorical question. I push myself from the counter and push my bangs up once more.
"God, if you're an actual thing, jus' gimme a break. Please? I don't want anything else to go wrong today. Just, gimme some solace here, yeah?" I clasp my hands together and mock a prayer. I begin staring with possibly the worst set of puppy dog eyes at the ceiling. "I dunno. Let me get that job at To-Go-Froyo or something." How do you finish a prayer? Ramen? Omen? Fuck, I dunno. "Amen." I finish with a tilt in my tone, questioning whether or not I used to the correct word.
A dull thud sounds, coming up from my room. Not the familiar sound of shattering glass or the usual creak in the roof, but something akin to a body entering through a window. My mouth drops open and my brows furrow. "Okay, I said 'a break' not another fucking burglar." I huff, pulling my cell phone from my pocket. Quickly tapping the three digits I not-so-rarely dial, I pull it up to my ear, preparing to tap the 'call' button.
"You have five seconds before I call the police! I'm sick of your shit, James!" I shout out. Someone yelps directly after and I blink.
That was a, ah... a very feminine sound. Unless James went through a vocal surgery I was unaware of, this certainly wasn't the usual dumbass. Curiosity getting the better of me, I mull over whether or not I should go up there to confront the new home invader. That thought has a lifespan of exactly three seconds before I shake my head violently. James at least has the decency to leave after I threaten to call the police. This new person might stab me or murder me or do some unmentionable things to me. I'm not saying I'm a bad looking guy, but some people out there are crazy.
Question is, now, should I go up there just to see who it is and risk any of those possibilities or should I just call the cops? Cops, obviously, but I'm dumb as shit. I can't have them seeing my ecchi manga collection! I pocket my cell and rush up the stairs with a not-so-heroic shout of "Don't stab me, don't stab me, don't stab me!"
. . . . .
"..."
"A-ah..."
Neither of us speaks beside that little noise of acknowledgment of hers. All I can do is stare mutedly down at the prone, purple-haired girl. My laptop is just under her stomach, I mentally note. Her violet eyes lock with my own temporarily before they quickly avert down to the floor she lies on. I carefully look over her form and notice she's wearing an outfit similar to that of a certain character. A certain character from a certain game. A certain game I've been thinking of all morning. More particularly, I notice the uniform is exactly like that of those from that game.
A brown blouse covers her from the neck down to her waist and a thigh-length blue skirt adorns her milky legs. Her locks of hair go all the way down to her ass, a shapely figure might I add, and it falls from either side of her face. Her eyes have yet to meet up with mine again. My lips flatten together as I very slowly piece together the situation. Sadly, my mouth doesn't quite match up with my brain.
"Why in the living fuck did a cosplayer break into my home?" Her face heats up, her cheeks tint an almost maroon red against her pale skin. Silently, in response, she lies still on the floor without an answer.
"So-sorry."
Kind of.
Literally, just a spin-off/rewrite of "Everyone Else Is Doing It!" but featuring Yuri instead. Obviously, it's going to go its own path instead of where I intend on taking the original piece.
Bet some of you guys didn't expect that!
Except you, DaMastah, as you're the guy who goaded — I'm joking, of course — me into this mess.
Anyway, anyway. I want to apologize for the sudden hiatus I took. I'm moving out of state, just recently quit my job and just found myself in a sort of a mess. Things should be back to normal here, relatively, for a week or so. If I go off the grid again, just know I'm in the middle of a move!
Anyway, that's that for, er, that? As usual, you're all the best and I hope you continue to enjoy!