You know all the "not my game, not my original story idea" fanfic mumbo jumbo, I am not claiming ownership of ddlc, that right goes to Dan Salvato, now shush.
Why?
Hi! I am Ethan Julian Doom, the story's main protagonist. Some of you may imagine me as you and you as me, don't worry, it's only human to relate yourself to a character in a story such as my awesome self. Because this is the prologue, I took the liberty to create a pseudo-file of myself so you know who exactly I am since the author is a lazy asshole who doesn't want to write character development chapters.
Author: Hey! Watch It!
Ethan: Wait, What?!
Author: You heard me, the author, "Watch it!"
Ethan: Does this mean I can talk to you?
Author: When you use parenthesis.
Ethan: (So, like this?)
Author: Yes. Only in chapters like this, I can speak to you directly without being addressed.
Ethan: Ok I think I get it now, anyway. Back to the file.
Name Doom, Ethan
DOB 6/4/2002
Age 16
Height 5'10"
Weight 180lbs
Physical Pain Tolerance (1-10) 10
Emotional Pain Tolerance (1-10) 10
Strength (1-10) 8
Diet Very Healthy
Disorders - OCD, Very High Functioning Autism, ADHD
IQ 192
Ethan: I think you should know what a typical day is for me before the next chapter, well... It's more of a prologue.
AN/ when the line starts with "Ethan:" Ethan is breaking the fourth wall, when the line starts with "ED", Ethan is the story's protagonist.
*Five minutes before alarm*
ED "ACTION POTENTIALS AND EVENT HORIZONS!"
I jump out of bed and begin to mumble "What time is it?"
Jarvis (AI) "6:25 Am, Sir."
I put on my PT's and head outside. I complete my standard PT Routine at the Gym. By the time I got home it was 7:00 AM
I head to the bathroom to complete my daily hygiene regime.
ED 'Chickety China the Chinese Chicken ate a drumstick and really was… Frickin'?
ED 'BREAKFAST!'
I decide to keep it simple today with an omelet. I mix the eggs and add seasoning. A pour the golden liquid into the pan and top with cheese. I add some bay leaves jalapeños, red bell pepper, sun dried bell peppers and fold.
After Breakfast I ended up leaving for school at 7:45. I get to school at 8:00, 15 minutes before bell. I decide that with this free time I could play some saxophone for a while. I head to the music room where I asked the teacher to keep my saxophone. I found the Saxophone by the desk as she told me she put it. Because I only have a few minutes I decide to just play the Pink Panther theme song, I have an alto sax but whatever. I noticed a relatively tall girl hiding behind the shelves. I was never really a people person and figured I would just scare her away and decided to get to class before I get their late.
All of my AP classes were boring and behind me as usual. At lunch I went to the roof. I stand atop the gravel layered floor and just watch random people and imagine what they are saying based on their gestures.
Man "what do you mean I look horrible?'
Woman "Your outfit is awful, since when is it fashionable to wear an orange shirt and green pants?"
Man "what do you mean it looks great? I think you just have no sense of fashion."
Woman "Huh!?" *Walks away*
I chuckle. So stupid.
Sayori "What's so stupid?" An adorable airhead upon the bench questions with a hint of curiosity.
ED "JESUS CHRIST" Apparently I mumbled that part out loud.
Sayori "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you" She says apologetically.
Ed "It's alright, I just didn't realize you were here. Sorry for freaking out. I do that sometimes."
ED "Oh! Before I forget, were you in the music room this morning?"
Sayori "No" I noticed she does this fidget with her fingers of which I have previously deduced as her tell.
ED "Around what time?" Shocked by my reply, she responds nervously knowing I'll catch her if she lies again.
Sayori "A little after eight thirty"
ED "So it wasn't you… Ok, I won't question you any further." She seems shocked, curious and relived at the same time. That means someone else was there.
Sayori "This is a little sudden, but are you in any clubs?"
Ed"..." Before I could open my mouth to ask why she begins talking.
Sayori "My literature club needs more members and you are a smart guy, I figured you read a book from time to time and would be interested." I blush slightly for a reason unbeknownst to me.
ED "Sure, I'll check it if make you happy. No Promises."
Sayori "Really?" She says, all giddy now.
Ed "Yeah, you'll have to show me how to get there after class though"
Sayori "It's a deal. What class do you end the day with?"
ED "AP Biology, so I'll be nice and happy before I visit too."
Sayori "I take it you like Biology?"
ED "I love pretty much all science, so, yeah."
*BING BING*
Ed "Ready to go?"
Sayori "Yep." I go and hold the door open as a gentleman should.
Sayori "Thank you."
After Biology, I was met Sayori waiting patiently
Sayori 'Ready to go?"
ED 'Yep.'
We arrive at the club.
Sayori 'I brought a visitor as promised. His name is Ethan. '
Pinkie "Seriously, you brought a boy?"
ED "Actually, it turns out that I am a 50 gallon barrel of crude oil ready to go under processing to become petroleum and boiler slag."
Pinkie *Giggle* 'Don't think you're off the hook." I didn't know I was on the hook.
I figured comedy would be her Achilles heel
Sayori 'This is Natsuki the baker of the club.' She says pointing at the Pinkie. I wave at her.
Monika "Ah, Ethan! What a nice surprise!"
Monika "Welcome to the club!"
ED "Oh, Nice to see you." Based on my deductions, I assume Monika is the president.
Sayori "And this is Yuri, the smartest in the club!" She points at the only girl I've seen that's taller than Monika.
Yuri "D-Don't say things like that..."
Yuri is definitely more secluded and not just because of bullies, I need to keep an eye on her.
ED "I'm Ethan, nice to meet you"
Sayori "And it sounds like you already know Monika, is that right?"
Monika "That's right."
Monika "It's great to see you again, Ethan."
Monika Smiles Sweetly
We were in the same class last year but didn't talk much. She seemed a little suspicious to me though. She was the school Idol, Smart, athletic and beautiful.
At least I'm smart and athletic. I'm not ugly per se, but I am no Chris Hemsworth.
ED "Nice to see you too Monika"
Sayori "Come sit down, Ethan! We made room for you at the table, so you can sit next to me or Monika."
Natsuki "I'll get the cupcakes"
I sit next to Sayori for obvious reasons.
ED "OOH, cupcakes!"
Sayori 'I forgot to tell you, Natsuki made cupcake on behalf of you arrival."
Yuri "Then, how about I make some tea as well?"
Natsuki and Yuri walk over to the corner of the room, where Natsuki grabs a wrapped tray and Yuri opens the closet.
Natsuki proudly marches back to the table, tray in hand.
Natsuki "Okaaay, are you ready?"
Natsuki "...Ta-daa!"
Sayori "Uwooooah!"
Natsuki lifts the foil off the tray to reveal a dozen white, fluffy cupcakes decorated to look like little cats.
The whiskers are drawn with icing, and little pieces of chocolate were used to make ears.
As much as I hate to admit it, baking sweets is something I cannot do. I can bake some good bread but that's pretty much it in the baking category.
Sayori "So cuuuute~!"
Monika "I had no idea you were so good at baking, Natsuki!"
Natsuki "Ehehe. Well, you know."
Natsuki "Just hurry and take one!"
Sayori grabs one first, then Monika. I follow.
Sayori "It's delicious!"
Sayori talks with her mouth full and has already managed to get icing on her face.
I turn the cupcake around in my fingers, looking for the best angle to take a bite.
Natsuki is quiet.
I can't help but notice her sneaking glances in my direction.
She's waiting for me to take a bite. Tsundere. I didn't actually think they were real though, huh. There could be an underlying cause, perhaps some type of trauma? I should be careful around her.
I finally bite down.
The icing is sweet and full of flavor – She definitely mad these herself.
ED "This is really good."
ED "Thank you, Natsuki."
Natsuki "W-Why are you thanking me? It's not like I...!"
Natsuki "...Made them for you or anything."
ED "Oh, ok"
Natsuki "Huh?"
ED "I said 'OK'."
Natsuki "oh..."
She seems baffled at my response. Definitely some sort of trauma, at least emotional causing an over correction in personality manifesting as a defensive remarks likely due to some sort of bullying. Possibly by family.
Yuri returns to the table, carrying a tea set.
She carefully places a teacup in front of each of us before setting down the teapot next to the cupcake tray.
ED "You keep a whole tea set in this classroom?"
Yuri "Don't worry, the teachers gave us permission."
Yuri "After all, doesn't a hot cup of tea help you enjoy a good book?"
ED "That is true"
Monika "Ehehe, don't let yourself get intimidated, Yuri's just trying to impress you."
Yuri "Eh?! T-That's not..."
Monika's reaction throws me off, I can't get a read on her.
Insulted, Yuri looks away.
Yuri "I meant that, you know..."
ED "I believe you."
ED "I do often enjoy a cup of tea while I'm reading"
Yuri 2u "I'm glad..."
Yuri faintly smiles to herself in relief.
Monika raises an eyebrow, then smiles at me. Did she not take me for a reader? Or does she think I'm lying?
Monika "So, what made you consider the Literature Club?"
ED "Normally I read whatever college textbooks I can get my hands on, with the occasional novel as the exception. Since it got the point I would have to get new textbooks, I figured I could get more Novels for cheaper while still remaining occupied. Then Sayori invited me here and I said I'd check it out. I also figured I could get out of the garage for once, so that's a plus."
Monika "That makes sense. An unusual reason to get into literature, but I'll take it."
Monika "We'll make sure you feel right at home, okay?"
Monika "As president of the Literature Club, it's my duty to make the club fun and exciting for everyone!"
ED "How come you decided to start your own club?"
ED "You could probably be a board member for any of the major clubs."
ED "Weren't you a leader of the debate club last year?"
Monika5 "Ahaha, well, you know..."
Monika "To be honest, I can't stand all of the politics around the major clubs."
Monika "It feels like nothing but arguing about the budget and publicity and how to prepare for events..."
Monika "I'd much rather take something I personally enjoy and make something special out of it."
Monika "And if it encourages others to get into literature, then I'm fulfilling that dream!"
Sayori "Monika really is a great leader!"
Yuri also nods in agreement.
ED "I'm surprised there aren't more people in the club yet."
ED "It must be hard to start a new club."
Monika "You could put it that way."
Monika "Not many people are very interested in putting out all the effort to start something brand new..."
Monika "Especially when it's something that doesn't grab your attention, like literature."
Monika "You have to work hard to convince people that you're both fun and worthwhile."
Monika "But it makes school events, like the festival, that much more important."
Monika2k "I'm confident that we can all really grow this club before we graduate!"
Monika "Right, everyone?"
Sayori "Yeah!"
Yuri "We'll do our best."
Natsuki "You know it!"
Everyone enthusiastically agrees.
Monika must have worked really hard just to find these three.
Maybe that's why they were all so delighted by the idea of a new member joining. Although there is certainly room for questioning.
Though I still don't really know if I can keep up with their level of enthusiasm about literature... I mean I am a bookworm, but it's always nonfiction.
Yuri "So, Ethan, what kinds of things do you like to read?"
ED "In nonfiction I usually read anything in the realm of math or science more specifically physics, chemistry and organic science including medicine. In Fiction, I haven't read much so I haven't developed a taste. I enjoy anything from manga to a deep mystery novel such as 'Micro'. "
Considering how little fiction I've read these past few years, I don't really have a good way of answering that.
Natsuki's head suddenly perks up.
It looks like she wants to say something, but she keeps quiet.
Yuri "I-I'm impressed"
ED "Why, Thank you."
What am I saying?
ED "Anyway, what about you, Yuri?"
Yuri "Well, let's see..."
Yuri traces the rim of her teacup with her finger.
Yuri "My favorites are usually novels that build deep and complex fantasy worlds."
Yuri "The level of creativity and craftsmanship behind them is amazing to me."
Yuri "And telling a good story in such a foreign world is equally impressive."
Yuri goes on, clearly passionate about her reading.
She seemed so reserved and timid since the moment I walked in, but it's obvious by the way her eyes light up that she finds her comfort in the world of books, not people.
Yuri "But you know, I like a lot of things."
Yuri "Stories with deep psychological elements usually immerse me as well."
Yuri "Isn't it amazing how a writer can so deliberately take advantage of your own lack of imagination to completely throw you for a loop?"
Yuri "Anyway I have been reading a lot of horror lately…"
ED "Indeed, Not many actually do that for me though so it's difficult to find them, I have only seen one that has successfully done that. If you have any recommendations I would be grateful."
She freezes with shock, I think I broke her.
Monika "Really? I wouldn't have expected that, Yuri."
Monika "For someone as gentle as you..."
Yuri "I guess you could say that."
Yuri "But if a story makes me think, or takes me to another world, then I really can't put it down."
Yuri "Surreal horror is often very successful at changing the way you look at the world, if only for a brief moment."
Natsuki "Ugh, I hate horror..."
Yuri "Oh? Why's that?"
Natsuki 5c "Well, I just..."
Natsuki's eyes dart over to me for a split second. Perhaps because I mentioned I enjoy manga?
Natsuki "Never mind."
Monika1a "That's right, you usually like to write about cute things, don't you, Natsuki?"
Natsuki "W-What?"
Natsuki "What gives you that idea?"
Monika "You left a piece of scrap paper behind last club meeting."
Monika "It looked like you were working on a poem called-"
Natsuki "Don't say it out loud!"
Natsuki "And give that back!"
Monika "Fine, fine~"
Sayori "Ehehe, your cupcakes, your poems..."
Sayori "Everything you do is just as cute as you are~"
Sayori sidles up behind Natsuki and puts her hands on her shoulders.
Natsuki "I'm not cute!"
ED "Natsuki, you write your own poems?"
Natsuki "Eh? Well, I guess sometimes."
Natsuki "Why do you care?"
ED "I would love to see one sometime" I might be able to learn something about her then.
ED "Why don't you share them one day?"
Natsuki "N-No!"
Natsuki averts her eyes.
Natsuki "You wouldn't...like them..."
ED "Ah...not a very confident writer yet? If it helps, the way I see it, you are writing for yourself, right?"
Natsuki "Yeah?"
ED "Then it doesn't matter if I like it, as long as you like it. Rest assured even if it did matter, there are not many poems I don't like; I love the heart that is always put into them and to me, that's what makes a poem good"
Yuri "That's deep, although I understand how Natsuki feels."
Yuri "Sharing that level of writing takes more than just confidence."
Yuri "The truest form of writing is writing to oneself."
Yuri "You must be willing to open up to your readers, exposing your vulnerabilities and showing even the deepest reaches of your heart."
Monika "Do you have writing experience too, Yuri?"
Monika "Maybe if you share some of your work, you can set an example and help Natsuki feel comfortable enough to share hers."
Yuri "..."
ED "I guess it's the same for Yuri... Maybe if we all shared a poem it would be easier to share as an individual. Of course I would share one too, as long as I am not overstaying my 'Welcome'"
Monika "You read my mind"
ED "About time I got some super powers." My dumb joke earns me a few giggles and some smiles.
Monika "Let's all go home and write a poem of our own!"
Monika "Then, next time we meet, we'll all share them with each other."
Monika "That way, everyone is even!"
Natsuki "U-Um..."
Yuri "..."
Sayori "Yeaaah! Let's do it!"
Monika "Plus, now that we have a new member, I think it will help us all get a little more comfortable with each other, and strengthen the bond of the club."
Monika "Isn't that right, Ethan?"
Monika smiles warmly at me once again.
ED "I'm in."
ED "Before I forget, I should announce aloud."
ED "I'll join the Literature Club."
"One by one, the girls' eyes light up."
Sayori "Yesss! I'm so happyyy~"
"Sayori wraps her arms around me, jumping up and down."
ED "H-Hey-" Physical contact levels MAXIMUM self-destruct in 10…9…8…7…6, Contact broken, self-destruct cancelled.
Monika "Then that makes it official!"
Monika "Welcome to the Literature Club!"
ED "Ah...thanks, I guess."
Monika "Okay, everyone!"
Monika "I think with that, we can officially end today's meeting on a good note."
Monika "Everyone remember tonight's assignment:"
Monika "Write a poem to bring to the next meeting, so we can all share!"
Monika looks over at me once more"
Monika "Ethan, I look forward to seeing how you express yourself."
Monika "Ehehe~"
Ditto, I couldn't get a read on you at all and it's really fucking annoying.
ED "Y-Yeah..."
Can I really impress the class star Monika with my writing skills?
Luckily my dad's side is a line of great writers, none of them famous, but good writers. So I have some natural talent backing me up.
Meanwhile, the girls continue to chit-chat as Yuri and Natsuki clean up their food.
Sayori "Hey, Ethan, since we're already here, do you want to walk home together?"
That's right - Sayori and I never walk home together anymore because she always stayed after school for clubs.
ED "Sure, I'd love to"
Sayori "Yaay~"
With that, the two of us depart the clubroom and make our way home.
The whole way, my mind wanders back and forth between the four girls. I get home and write a poem that is simple at a glance but deep with thought. It'll appeal to all of the members I think and perhaps they'll open up. I suspect Yuri and Natsuki to get into an argument so I plan for that too.
I decided to work on a chemistry project this time. I decided to extract elemental Iodine from Iodine povidone. I won't get into the specifics, because, why?
I only got part of it done before I had to call it for a day. After my fun I make myself some Zucchini spaghetti and meatballs. I brushed my teeth and went to bed.
End of Chapter
