Author Note: I'm real sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up! I hope its length makes up for it (it's about 3,400 words, so a fair big longer than previous stuff)

I've been so busy with university assignments and other irl stuff, but those are finally out the way now. This chapter was a lot of fun to write; it gave me a chance to experiment with imaginative imagery. Haven't really done this sorta thing before so it probably won't be the best it can be, but hey, gotta start somewhere, right?

Anyway, I'll stop rambling - hope you enjoy chapter 4!

As ever, Doki Doki Literature Club! belongs to Team Salvato. I own none of the characters.

Chapter 4

The more I spend time with Monika, the more I realise how wrong I was about her. I'm slightly ashamed to admit it, but at first I thought she was probably just like all the other 'popular girls' at my school; judgmental, snobby and vain, the kind who look down on the quieter, more reserved people like me.
As I became acquaintances with her throughout the school year, I started to realise (with a bit of shame) that it was me who was the judgmental one, not even giving her a chance before getting to know her. She always struck me as confident; a trait I misinterpreted at first - initially I mistook it for arrogance, also thinking that her outgoing, social nature was just superficial at best, a hallmark of the stereotypical fakeness the cliched 'popular kids' are known for.

Thankfully, these initial preconceptions changed as I got to know her. As we got to know eachother more during our time at the Club, I really got to see how genuine and down to earth she was. She holds the presidential status diligently, never once misusing her power and being able to earn the respect of the other girls without flaunting her status. While I'm not exactly great at dealing with her flirtiness, I have to admit it adds to her charm. It really makes Monika well…Monika. I guess you can get away with it when you have that level of confidence…

And now, given it's just us two? I'm seeing a side to her I haven't seen before – during Club meetings she's obviously allowed to be social, but she does have to carry an air of professionalism, given that the runs an official organisation. Being honest? I'm really enjoying today so far. I had slight doubts when she first texted me, as I'm not the most confident, outgoing person alive. The thought of spending a day with one the most desired girls in the school…yeah, safe to say that put butterflies in my stomach. Despite that, I'm finding it surprisingly easy to get along with her. Perhaps it's because we had some time to get to know eachother in the club, but really, I think it's down to her personality; she's really got a knack for making people feel at ease around her. Open-minded and friendly, she's really got it all.

And now, here we are, in a park together, winding our way through the trees and walkways, without a care in the world. It's almost like we've been friends for years. We've just gone past the entrance of the park, already reaching one of my favourite parts. A pathway stretches out for as far as the eye can see, accompanied on either side by trees, the branches of which arch over our heads. While the branches cover us in a wide swathe of green, the sun still faintly shimmers through, adding its shimmering rays. If you look up, you can still see the blue sky, streaked with orange. It's a beautiful mix of colours, and it's always made me feel at home. I used to come here with Sayori when we were little. I loved it back then, and I still enjoy it now.

"You've been quiet for a little while MC, something on your mind?" she quips, jolting me back into the real world.

"Funny you should mention that. Yeah, I guess there is. Nothing bad or anything. I've just been doing some thinking."

"Oh? About what, if I can ask? Or…can I guess? Is it the Literature Club?" she smiles, twiddling a strand of hair in her hands.

"That obvious, huh?" I laugh, admitting defeat.

"Ahaha, just call it an intuition! A sixth sense, if you will," she says, laughing.

"Yeah, I've just been thinking about how different life's been since I joined."

"In a good way, I hope?"

"Oh yeah, of course! Don't get me wrong, it's been great. I haven't really seen much of Sayori recently and this club's given me a chance to hang out with her again."

"Ah yes, you two have been friends for a while, haven't you?"

"Yup. We're childhood friends. Must be around sixteen years now?"

"Ooh, I imagine you've got a lot of memories of eachother then?"

"Haha, you're not wrong. Would you believe me if I told you Sayori is just as clumsy now as she was when she was five?"

She giggles. "I'd say that's pretty believable."

"She hasn't changed a whole lot. She's always been cheerful and bubbly and looked out for others. I guess some things just never change…"

"Probably for the best though, right? We all really appreciate how much of a ray of sunshine she is. Although it does make me laugh sometimes when I look at how different she is from Yuri. Sayori's so upbeat, wears her heart on her sleeve and radiates cheeriness, where's Yuri's much more on the reserved side, and likes reading stuff I couldn't imagine Sayori would."

"Oh yeah, you can always count on Sayori to cheer you up. I've always been curious though, how do you manage to keep the Club going, given how different everyone is? I mean, just look at the differences between Yuri and Natsuki, and even between Sayori and Yuri."

"Ahaha, it's simple really. Sure, they've all got varying writing styles and have their different likes and dislikes. At the end of the day though, they're all here because they have common ground; their love for literature. Arguments are actually kinda rare, given how mature Yuri is, and how people can never get angry at Sayori. I never need to really break up any fights. Even when I do, Sayori's around to handle the harder stuff. She's a wonderful vice-president."

"Ah yeah, I remember you telling me how grateful you were for her help when Natsuki and Yuri were going at eachothers' throats, haha. I'm actually a bit surprised you didn't handle that one. Not that I'm having a dig at you or anything!" I hasten to add, not wanting what I said to sound like an accusation.

"No no, it's okay, I see what you're saying. I guess as the president it is my role to deal with conflict, after all. Hmm…truth be told, I've never been one for confrontation. I mean, I don't mind nudging people into reconciling if I feel like there's an argument brewing. But once it's already begun? It reminds me of why I left the debating club. It's just…drama, mostly over petty stuff. I really enjoy Natsuki and Yuri's company, don't get me wrong! But sometimes their arguments just seem a bit…childish. Thankfully, they're rare."

"That's fair enough, I suppose. Well, like I said, I still think you're a great president. You've definitely got their respect and Sayori really looks up to you."

She blushes slightly, looking down. "Aha…thank you MC, it's always nice to be appreciated."

I grin. It feels nice being the one able to cause her to blush for a change, rather than the other way around. "You're welcome. My dad once told me you can never go wrong with telling people their work is valued. Most of the time, chances are they probably aren't told it enough."

She thinks for a moment, a reflective look coming over her features. "He isn't wrong."

Her answer makes me smile. I think she'd get along well with him. Maybe if he's actually home one of these days…I'd get to find out.

I've been so lost in conversation and my own thoughts that I've totally forgot about this next segment of the park. Once you get through the canopy of trees, the path opens out to a huge open field, with a gentle hill leading down to the forest below. The field itself is littered with people, either enjoying the sun or playing football or cricket. The sun and the sky, free from the trees blocking their beauty, are on display in all of their glory. The orange and blue of the sky complement the healthy green nature of the field itself.

It's quite an abrupt change, going from a thick leafy canopy to a wide open field. I've seen it a million times before in my head and it never gets old. Late spring always brings out the best colours; a delightful mix of oranges, greens and blue.

I glance around and look at Monika, hoping she appreciates the view as much as I do. Although this park is of course a public one, in a strange sense I can't help but regard it as mine. I've always felt better just strolling around when I have something on my mind. In a sense it's almost therapeutic; it's obviously incapable of giving advice like a human can, but nonetheless I always found it makes me feel better whenever I need it.

"You weren't wrong when you said this place was lovely," she murmurs, awe written all over her face.

"I'm glad you think so, I really am. This place means an awful lot to me. Sayori and I used to come here a lot when we were younger. Plenty of happy memories…" I sigh contentedly, lost in the nostalgic past.

"You know, that's actually given me an idea. Maybe one day I can take the whole Literature Club here, for like a picnic or something. I think they'd all enjoy that!"

"Wow, Monika. I'm amazed that I didn't think of that myself. That's a great idea! Food seems to be popular with the others. Sayori could bring the cinnamon buns, Natsuki would probably make cupcakes, and Yuri…hm. Now that I think about it, what sorta food does Yuri like? Or you? What's your favourite food?" I scratch my head, realising what Monika meant when she said we don't really know much about eachother.

"Ahaha…this might sound a bit weird, but I actually really love squid."

"Squid?!" I don't know why but that wasn't what I was expecting at all.

"Mmmhm. Sounds a bit odd, doesn't it? But truthfully, I tried some a couple of years ago. Fried calamari, I think it was. Yum…it was great."

"Ahh, I hate seafood, sorry to say. I don't mind crab, though."

"You should try squid sometime, seriously. It's great."

"What does it taste like?"

"It's kinda…rubbery? Really chewy. Truthfully, on its own it doesn't really have much taste. That's why people normally add their own stuff to it, like bread crumbs or lemon. It's pretty versatile if you ask me."

"I'll take your word for it, haha."

"Although I do like muffins."

I grin. "Good choice."

With that, the conversation comes to a comfortable end. We've made it to the top of the hill now, both of us standing together, admiring the view in front of us. We really couldn't have picked a better day to come here. The minutes pass by and I'm both grateful and surprised at how it isn't an awkward silence. It's comfortable and I'm getting flashbacks to when I used to come here with Sayori. Strange how I'm just as relaxed with someone I've known for a week or two compared to someone I've known for my entire life.

Looking around, I spot one of my favourite benches. Well, it's not technically a bench. All it is the body of a dead tree, lying horizontally. It's charm lies in its naturalness; over time parts of it withered away, leaving a surprisingly comfortable seat in its wake, enough for two people. I nudge Monika and motion toward it and wordlessly she obliges. It's one of my favourite places to sit and think, no matter the season.

Sometimes when I'm feeling particularly reflective, I like to think about all the major choices I've made in my life so far, musing on how different everything would be if I made a different decision at a crucial moment. Like if I didn't join the Literature Club. That's quite a deep thought, actually. There are so many things that could be different, I guess it'd be impossible to accurately say what life would be like. I wouldn't have ever met Yuri or Natsuki; we don't share any of the same classes. How things would be between Sayori and I is a little harder. I guess we would've just carried on drifting, I suppose…and that would be a real shame. Making a mental note to thank her the next time I see her, I realise that perhaps…she truly does have my best interests at heart, and I should be a bit less dismissive toward her.

I watch Monika for a few seconds, idly taking in how at peace she seems to be. Perhaps she's the biggest difference? I never would've got to properly know her or get to shed my shallow misconceptions of her. The days would go by with me assuming she was just like all the others, not realising how genuine and lovely she really is.

With a slight pang of guilt, I realise I'm probably not being the best host. I'm so used to spending time alone, being deep in my thoughts, that I've forgot to change that habit now that I'm with another person.

"I'm sorry if I'm being so quiet. Probably not being particularly social right now…"

She looks up, a gentle look of understanding on her face. "Oh, don't worry about it, MC! It's nice to meet another person who's so reflective. I thought it was just me, ahaha…"

"Really? I didn't know you felt that way, reflection never really struck me as your thing."

She raises an eyebrow. "Didn't my poems teach you anything?"

Oh, damn. There it goes, a remnant of the judgmental preconception I had about her raising its ugly head. How could I have forgotten how deep her poems are?

"Sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound like you're uh…shallow or anything! I just uh…well thought because you're so social and well-liked and always with people you'd never really have much time alone to think about uh…" Why do I feel like I'm just digging this hole more and more?

"It's okay, I was just teasing you. You're not the only one to think that..." Is that a slight hint of sadness I'm detecting?

"What d'ya mean?"

"Aha…well, let's just say everyone has their preconceived notions of what I'm really like. You know, all those silly stereotypes."

I shift uncomfortably. I'm not exactly innocent of that myself.

"A lot of my…'friends' aren't exactly what I'd call friends. Obviously this doesn't include the Literature Club. But anyway, whether it's just a product of how high-school is, or because it's just what people are like at this age, I don't know. Remember how I told you I left the Debate Club?"

I nod.

"Well, like I said, it was quite petty. A lot of silly arguments, all over trivial stuff. And a lot of my friends were in the club; truth be told they were part of the problem. It's part of the reason why I formed the Literature Club; sure, I love literature and poetry - that was definitely a big part of it. But more importantly, it gave me a chance to properly express who I am. Being able to show who I am through my poetry is such a rewarding feeling and being able to share that with likeminded individuals is the cherry on the top. Yuri was actually the first one who showed interest. Soon after, Sayori turned up. In just our first session together I realised how much I preferred this club to the debating one."

She pauses for a moment, leaning forward so her chin rests on her knees. There's something strangely attractive about watching her reflect like this. Wait…did I just call her attractive? Oh great…

"Man, I'm really rambling on, aren't I?" she asks, a sheepish grin on her face.

"No no, not at all! It's really interesting to hear all of this. After all, like your text said, we don't really know eachother that well, and this is a great time to change that. I've uh…had a really great time so f-far, don't worry about it." Why couldn't I just say that without stuttering like a nervous idiot?

"Are you sure?"

"Monika, aren't you meant to be the confident one?" I joke, causing her to stick her tongue out at me.

"Ahaha, touché."

"Honestly, I didn't know that the Club meant this much to you. I mean, you're the President and all, so obviously you care about it. By reading your poems I did get the sense you liked to express yourself and from what you've told me just now it all comes together."

"I'm glad you think that, MC. A lot of people don't care about poetry nowadays, it's kinda sad. Almost like a forgotten art…"

"Truth be told I was like that before I joined. Not that I actively disliked poetry, I just never really thought much of it."

"Well that's something I really admire about you, MC. You're open minded, at least willing to give things a try. It means a lot to me that you made an effort for something you weren't even that keen on."

My face grows hot again and I'm forced to resist the urge to scratch the back of my head. It's a dead giveaway that I'm nervous…

"Oh, y-you don't have to thank me for that, you can thank Sayori. She was the one who bugged me and everything…"

"Aha, yes she was, but she didn't force you, did she? The choice to stay with us was yours alone, MC. Take some credit for the things you do ~"

I really wished I brought my sunglasses so I could get away with diverting my gaze. I don't know how to reply to what she just said.

"Seriously though, I'm glad you managed to find something that lets you be who you really are. Finding something you love and sharing it with your friends…it's pretty fulfilling. Truthfully…it's how I felt about showing you this park. I was really hoping you'd like it, and you did. I guess we're even then, right?" I laugh looking over at her.

"You'll also probably like to know that I've started reading stuff in my own time now."

"Oooh, really? What's caught your interest so far then?"

"Been digging through some poetry online – man, there are some internet forums where people share not just their poems but fanfiction, too! Think the website starts with R, can't quite remember the rest for now…"

"Hmm, I think I might know what you're talking about, but carry on."

"Anyway so yeah, there's this book I started reading, I think someone might've mentioned it at the club. It's set in a dystopian future, in a world ruled by this powerful, all-seeing leader. And this leader…man, he's a real character. Bit of a megalomaniac really, all he wants is power. Wouldn't think twice to hurt others, so long as he gets to retain his control."

"Ah! I think I've read that, your description rings a bell. Doesn't the leader twist everything to ensure that stuff such as the news always supports his ideology?"

"Yup, that's the one. I'm not surprised you've read it, given how well your poems are written it's a given that you'd enjoy such a classic, haha. But yeah, it really made me think. Living in a world where you're constantly under surveillance, every action and thought controlled and twisted to suit someone else's bidding? Terrifying thought."

We carry on, enthusiastically discussing the themes and imagery of the book. Of course, Monika knows it better than I do, but she's adept at explaining herself, so I'm able to contribute, even adding some thoughts she hadn't thought of herself. From there, the conversation drifts into all sorts of other topics, driven along by the same fluidity that's been with us since the start of the day.

Man, the hours have really flown by today. Time really flies when you're having fun, doesn't it? Hard to believe it's already half 7; we've been here for over 4 hours. The orange in the sky is slowly merging into a darker blue, indicating that dusk is on its way.

The best part is, I have a pleasant surprise for her for when it gets a little later. I just hope the stars are out.

Author Note: The park described in this chapter is actually based on a real park near my hometown. It's just as lovely as I'm describing it. (There won't be a huge delay between this and the next chapter btw, don't worry!)