Chapter 2: Nighttime Conversations

(MC's/My House, Night)

Shopping didn't take long with Monika's help, and soon enough I had gathered some interesting ingredients for a meal I learned how to cook a while ago. Monika looked at them and me curiously; she had a thousand questions on her mind but waited until the quiet of my home to ask anything. The sun was starting to go down and shadows danced across the ground as I opened the door and flipped on the lights.

"Ah, that was easy. Thanks for the help Monika; wouldn't have gotten everything so fast without you." I smile at her as she gives that flirty little leaning pose like she does in the game and smiles.
"Ehehe~ glad to be of help. Although seeing what you bought does make me curious." She questioned, but I just wagged a finger and grinned.
"Ah ah- no spoiling your surprise. But... you do have questions I assume? Ask me while I cook dinner." I reply as the tone gets a bit more serious. Her emerald orbs looked to me before nodding and I couldn't help but stare back. God her eyes were beautiful. Seeing me staring she coughed politely to regain my attention and I blush before chuckling.

"Ah, sorry... you just have b-beautiful eyes is all." I reply which actually makes Monika's cheeks heat up, before that smile of hers appears.
"Hmm... you know you're more of a flirt now then... well when I've seen you the other times." She muses as I shrug.
"Well... I'm not bound to any scripted choices, nor am I going to waste this opportunity. Besides, you already have a solid idea of how I feel about you." I glance back at her while walking over to grab a cutting board, knife and so on. Getting a pot heated on a stove I poured some olive oil and a diced tablespoon of garlic inside of it, setting the heat to medium as I began to pick up a pace. Monika watched me for a moment before sitting at a high-chair at the table as she was content to watch.

"So, first question. What happened for you to get here? Specifically. You were vague about it earlier and I'd like to know." She asked. As I cut up a solid ball of fresh mozzarella into thick slices I considered my words before speaking, feeling her emerald eyes burning with questions.
"I remember playing Doki Doki again late at night. I was simply repeating it, getting the "true" end by helping all the girls and not having you delete the world. I had tried this time some different answers and techniques to try and save you but... it didn't work." I mutter that last part coldly, before continuing on.
"Anyways, after that I felt dejected and sad. I got out of my chair, put my headphones away and then went to bed. Last thing I recall before waking up here was the thought about making you happy." Monika stared at me for a moment after I finished my story, considering what I had sad. Her concentrated face looked so focused and peaceful... damn I really did like her already.

"Hmm.. so no idea how you physically wound up here? Then we do not know if you wont return at some point pre-determined or otherwise. You could end up just playing through these days like it was a normal run of the game and then suddenly return. Or you could never return. Not that you'd dislike that I think, ahaha." She smiled a little at that and I smiled back.
"I mean... forever with you doesn't sound so bad. But I have a question myself. Do you remember anything from your past? Like... before the game began or your childhood or anything?" I ask her. Monika frowns a bit in confusion before realization dawns. Concentrating she thinks back before her eyes open and she nods.
"I... I do. I remember bits and pieces of these memories but they are there." The club president answers and my own expression gets serious as I set a skillet onto the stove and put some butter in it, letting it heat up and melt.

"Then it's as I thought; this isn't just a game anymore. It's like your game and my reality have blended together; the world itself and all of the people in it are a lot more human. Whether it's because of me entering here or to create a very complex illusion though I don't know. But I do get the impression that I won't be leaving any time soon." I respond while Monika nods, watching me.
"Yes... I can definitely tell there is something different. Hold on for a moment." Closing her eyes Monika began to glitch; my eyes widened and I prepared to run to her when she opened them again.
"Sorry I was checking the code. And it's MASSIVE. New lines are being added every moment it really is like the whole world is being built up as we go. So your thought of reality and this world blending together wouldn't be wholly unaccurate." She replied as I continued cooking. After the garlic had browned a bit I had added tomatoes, salt, sugar and tamato paste for consistency to the mix before grabbing out some sourdough bread and beginning to toast it on the skillet. Monika's eyes drifted from me to the skillet and I smiled.

"Since you are real now does that mean you know how food tastes, or is it more like memories describing it?" I questioned. Monika paused to recall this and slowly shook her head.
"I get the feeling that if I tasted something I'd know what it's called but otherwise only descriptive words." She replied as I gave her a grin.
"Ha, so that means I can be here for all of your first experiences with the real world? Nice!" I laugh as she blushes a bit. However, that same charming smile of hers comes back and she crosses her fingers, reminding me of the space classroom.

"Well, as long as I have you with me I don't mind trying anything."

Her words rang out and a tense silence suddenly filled the room. Part of it was from the blush on my face and part was from me trembling at that pose a bit. While I did love her character in the original game it was... unnerving to see that pose in real life considering every memory attached to it. Monika looked at me for a moment, confused as to why I stopped when she looked down and realized what she was doing. Her eyes widened and quickly she put her hands down and smiled.
"Ahaha~ sorry about that. I forgot about that pose for a minute." She apologized but I continued staring. After a little bit of this she began to get uncomfortable, but before anything could be said I moved to her and gave her a hug.

"I won't let that ending happen. I promise." I murmur, and she stiffens but then melts into the hug. Her body... I can actually feel her warm body and once more I'm reminded of how amazing this was. We don't part for a moment, just enjoying the hug and each others company before I return to cook. Chopping up some basil leaves and adding the finishing touches to the toasted bread, I finally add on the cheese slices and the homemade sauce while continuing to grill them. My own stomach growled as the lovely smell wafted through the air and soon enough my creation was complete. Monika closed her eyes and hummed pleasantly at the smell.
"It smells... delicious. I never even knew what that like until today. What is it?" She asked as I grinned and presented her with the plate.

"A little creation I learned how to make; a margherita pizza grilled cheese. It's completely vegetarian too with only tomatoes, cheese and basil leaves with a bit of sugar, salt and such between two sourdough slices. It's a bit messy though so be careful." I state as I pass her a napkin and then cut the sandwich in half so it was easier to it. Looking at it curiously Monika lifts one of the halves up and brings it to her lips. I watch with a satisfied grin as she takes a bite and her eyes light up. Her emerald orbs are full of happiness and excitement as she tastes the food and finishes the first bite before looking over at me.
"Well?" I smile innocently.

"It's delicious! I don't know why but all these memories of food in my life are coming into context so much better now! I don't think I could have ever dreamed of something like this!" She begins to speak so passionately; her eyes glint and I just sit back and listen with that smile on my face as Monika tries food for the first time in her life. My stomach grumbling does make me stop though as I grab my own sandwich and take up a seat beside her, eating and savoring the meal. We both sit in relative silence as we eat our meal and enjoy it; I grab some milk from the fridge and pour some for us both about halfway through my grilled cheese. I end up dripping a little sauce on my face and earn a stifled giggle from Monika; she was cute though so I let it slide and laugh back. Finally with our stomachs full and content I take the dishes and wash them off before setting them all in the dishwasher, while also taking the remaining ingredients and storing them away for later. Maybe I'd make the group my sandwiches tomorrow as repayment for the cupcakes? Well, I'll figure it out later.

Turning back to Monika I catch her staring at me and almost let myself get lost in her eyes again. Damnit, eyes really are my weakness.

"If you keep staring like that I'm going to lose myself too." I replied in a half-joking manner. However Monika at this point keeps eye contact and I see her emotions swirling; joy, happiness... love.
"Would that be such a bad thing?" She asked quietly, her emerald orbs watching my face as if she could stare past it into my very soul. I don't know how to respond to that, so instead I just blush a bit and nod to the couch.
"C... Come on, we have a little more to talk about." I reply. Monika flashed a smile in victory before following me over to the couch as we sat.

"Now... before I say anything do you have any more questions about how or why I am here, or something like that?" I ask. Monika thinks before shaking her head as I clear my throat and nod.
"Alright then. So I've been thinking this but we are no longer on the script; otherwise you wouldn't be here. But at the same time we are still *in* the game right?" I double-check to which Monika nods with an uncertain expression.
"Okay then. Monika, today played out very similar to the first day in the actual game didn't it? Of course their were deviations but it still all in all felt like the first day?" I question to which she nods again. I consider my words carefully for the next part.

"So... if it still is the game, and felt like it... won't the game try to force us back to the original path? Or more specifically, you and the others in the Club?"

Monika's eyes widened.

"You mean... with the events that play out in the story? I mean it is possible since we are still in the game, but now I'm here and you are too. That's completely different." She reasons while I close my eyes and nod my head.
"I know. I think since I'm here I'm not technically part of the code but I also am; like... I am the MC but I'm not *the* MC from the game who only had a limited number of choices to make. And you... Monika you are more in-tune with the coding and game than anyone else, so you are safer than the others. But what happens if the game starts following its code again, even without your interference? Sayori will become more depressed as these days go by before hanging herself, Natsuki will have her neck snapped and Yuri will stab herself to death. Heck, even though you are different you could end up getting pulled to try and destroy everything but you and me. We don't know what we are up against here Monika." I finish my thoughts and look at her grimly. I can tell my words chilled her and I feel a twinge of pain seeing her this upset. Scooting closer I wrap a comforting arm around the club president, holding her as we sit in silence.

"So... let me guess your plan. You said you want to save everyone so you and I will be watching the girls. We'll make sure nothing goes wrong for them and if it does we will intervene and save them, bringing them into our loop hopefully so that we can prevent the deaths that would otherwise occur in the next few days. That is if the game even follows the script anymore." She asks me to which I nod.
"That sums it up, yes. I want to protect you all so in order to do that we need to be vigilant. The first one who dies is Sayori so we'll need to watch for her drop in attitude, moodiness, distancing herself and so on. If this does follow the game in any way than I'll need to reach her before she leaves after confessing." I explain before hesitating.

Right, this was still a dating sim-based game. Sayori... confesses to me. Oh boy. Monika notices my expression and I look at her with worry.
"I mean I love all of you but not in that way for her. Sayori is... my best friend here. And I want to keep it that way. But with her depression... wouldn't that hit her too hard?" I question. She seems to hesitate before frowning and nodding.
"I see what you mean... it is tough. But I also know that you can do this. You've already made friends with the group and have started connecting with them all. And it's only been a day!" She smiled happily as I nodded and gave her a smile back.
"You are wrong, we have got this. Cause we're in this together and I won't abandon you again." I nod as Monika blushes, before curling closer to me.

After that we talked for a few more hours, mostly just filling each other in on how the others worlds worked. I told Monika all about the wonders of my reality and my family, my home and such while she told me about coding, her own life and memories that were appearing and so on. We almost would have kept going if a chime on the clock letting us know it was midnight. Both of us blushed a bit and chuckled.

"We uh, really got into that talk huh?" I muse as Monika giggles.
"I would think so, I am so glad I got to know you better though. This feels like a dream come true actually being here with you." Monika sighed happily. I couldn't help but smile a little and nod.
"I agree. It's nice to finally meet the real Monika... the Monika I've wanted to see all this time." I respond and make her blush before slowly getting up.
"But we need to get ready for we have a long road ahead of us. Plus we need to write those poems. So how about we break for tonight and pick this up later?" I state but a hand grabbing mine stops me. Turning I see Monika staring at me with an unreadable expression.

"I... can I stay with you? Maybe this was only a one-time thing, or maybe you'll be here tomorrow. Either way... I don't want to lose you. Not after all this." She asked and my eyes softened. Nodding slowly I nod to the couch.
"You can sleep here for tonight, but we'll have to split up tomorrow or Sayori will see us and I don't know how she'll take that." I explain. However Monika still looks unhappy as she shakes her head.
"I want to sleep in your bed, with you. Please." My face heats up even more but the sadness in those twin lakes of hers puts any objections away. Letting out a sigh I nod and help Monika up.
"At least tell me you can summon appropriate sleepwear." I ask as Monika beams before laughing.
"Ahaha~ of course. Why, do you want something else~?" She teased as I let out a sigh and reach my bedroom. I leave Monika outside and change into the sleep clothes I was wearing when I woke up before letting her in. Crawling into the bed I move to the opposite corner and let Monika lie down; she switched to a pair of sleep pants and a sleep shirt when I wasn't looking. Damn her coding is getting better.

My eyes stare into Monika's as we lay down and neither of us spoke a word, however our faces end up smiling. Slowly my eyes close as exhaustion finally catches me and I pass out while staring at Monika's serene expression.

One day down. Now the real challenges will begin.