Note: I do not own either Xenoblade Chronicles X or Doki Doki Literature Club. All rights of Xenoblade Chronicles X and its characters long to Monolith Soft while all rights to Doki Doki Literature Club and its characters belong to Dan Salvato, along with some of the dialogue used in this story.


I lean back in my chair and stretch for a bit. I feel kinda strained from all this sitting around. Whether it applies to this simulated body or my actual one, I have no clue. All I know is that after this, I'm gonna have to do workouts.

"Had a long day?" asked Monika, organizing her papers.

"I've been pulling through." I respond "Never thought this whole 'poem-sharing' stuff would be so exhausting."

"I'm sure you'll get used to it. It's a lot of fun once you get really into it."

I nod. I turn my head to look around the classroom and see Yuri and Natsuki sharing their poems with each other.

Natsuki furrowed in frustration while reading the poem. Meanwhile, Yuri was showing signs of disappointment while reading.

"So Cross," said Monika "How about you tell me a couple of things about yourself?"

"Huh?" I respond, turning my attention back to her.

"Well since you're apart of the club now, I think it'd be nice for the rest of us to get to know you better. Of course you're already close with Sayori, but who's to say you can't open up to the rest of us?"

"Well to be fair, I don't know much about you guys either."

Monika gives a soft laugh "Fair point. Well, I guess I can start. As you know, my name's Monika. I'm a gal who likes to give it her all no matter what! I am very passionate in what I believe in, and try to help others understand things from my point of view. That's not to say I won't understand things from their perspective either, haha! I also like playing piano in my past time."

"Piano, huh? Do you practice with pre-existing songs or do you make your own?"

"A little bit of both, actually. In fact, I've been practicing this one original song of mine for quite a while. I've been trying to get the correct tones down, but so far-"

"Excuse me?" Natsuki shouted, annoyed "Cute? Did you even read the poem? Did you completely miss the symbolism? It's clearly about the feeling of giving up. How can that be cute?"

Monika and I turn our attentions to the commotion.

"I-I know that!" responded Yuri, defensively "I was just trying to say something nice…"

Seems like Yuri and Natsuki were arguing over their different poems.

"Nice? So it was that hard for you to come up with something nice to say about my poem? Thanks, but it didn't come out nice at all!"

"Umm… well, I do have some suggestions." Yuri suggested

"If I was looking for suggestions, I would've asked someone who actually liked my poem. Which people did by the way! Sayori liked it. And so did Cross!" Natsuki spat with anger

Why are you involving me in this? I think to myself, annoyed

"In fact, I'll gladly give you some suggestions of my own. First off-"

"Excuse me, but I do not need any suggestions." interrupted Yuri "I appreciate the offer, but I have spent a long time establishing my writing style. And I don't expect to change it anytime soon. Besides, Cross liked my poem too y'know."

Not you too, Yuri…

"Oh?" Natsuki stands up "I didn't realize you were so invested in trying to impress our new member, Yuri."

"That's not what I…. uhh… Y-you're…"

Yuri's trying to find her words.

"You're just…" Yuri stands up "You're just jealous that Cross appreciate my advice more than yours!"

"Umm, girls…" said Monika, attempting to intervene.

"And how would you know that? What if he appreciated my advice better than yours? Are you that full of yourself?"

"Ummmm…" Sayori is at a lost for words "I don't like fighting, guys!"

"No… If I was full of myself… I would deliberately go out of my way to make everything I do overly cutesy!"

"Y-you!" Natsuki is practically steaming with rage "Well, y'know what?! I wasn't the one whose boobs magically grew a size bigger as soon as Cross started showing up!"

"Natsuki!" exclaimed Monika.

Both of them briefly turn to Monika's direction, before running up to me once they spot me past Monika.

"C-Cross!" says Yuri "Natsuki's just trying to make me look bad! Don't listen to her!"

"That's not true!" Natsuki shot back "She's the one who started it! If she could get over herself and learn to appreciate that simple writing is more effective, then we wouldn't be having this argument in the first place! What's the point in making your poems all convoluted for no reason? The meaning should jump out at the reader, not force them to have to figure it out."

Natsuki leans closer towards me.

"Help me explain that to her, Cross!"

"Wait!" Yuri interjected "There's a reason we have so many deep and expressive words in our language! It's the only way to convey complex feelings and meaning the most effectively. Avoiding them is not only unnecessarily limiting yourself… it's also a waste!

Yuri inches closer towards me.

"You understand that, right Cross?"

Both of them stare at me intently, trying to get me on either of their sides and oppose the other.

… How'd I get myself into this mess?

"That is enough, both of you!" Monika suddenly shouted "We're not even in the first week of this club, and you two are already bickering! And trying to involve our newest member in your little squabble, nonetheless!" Monika faces Yuri "Yuri, you're a very talented writer. I know you have years of experience in writing poems, but don't belittle Natsuki for having a more simple style of writing compared to yours."

"I...I wasn't trying to belittle her…" said Yuri.

"But you made her feel that way." said Monika "We're here in the literature club to build upon each other, not bring each other down. Even if you don't agree with Natsuki's style of writing, at least give her comfortable feedback to make her feel more confident in her writing."

Monika turns to Natsuki.

"Now as for you Natsuki, I understand what you're trying to do with your poem style. In fact, I think it's wonderful. The problem, however, is your temper. I know how angry you can get if someone doesn't agree with you or if things don't go your way, but don't go lashing out so quickly. It makes everyone uncomfortable and no one wins. Learn how to be more patient. Understand what the other person, in this case Yuri, is saying and where they're coming from with their feedback. Whether you agree or not is a different story, but at least try and understand." Monika turns to me "I'm sure Cross has already told you this earlier, didn't he?"

Natsuki briefly looks at me, before turning away.

"...she started it." Natsuki muttered

"But does that make what you said to her okay?"

"...no."

"Exactly. Now please, apologize to each other." said Monika.

Both of them turn to each other.

"...sorry." said Natsuki in a low voice.

"I'm sorry, too. I-I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable…" said Yuri.

"...it's whatever." responded Natsuki, before walking back to her desk.

The room goes silent for a couple of minutes. Natsuki and Yuri were putting their things away, Sayori looked at the two confused and worried, while Monika stood with her eyes closed, thinking for a bit (and looking a bit tense) before looking at the clock.

"Oh, would you look at that? It's just about time for us to leave." Monika went up to the front of the classroom "Okay everyone! How did you all feel about sharing your poems?"

….

Almost none of them are responding.

"...I thought it was a fun learning experience." I spoke up.

"...me too." said Yuri.

"It was a lot of fun, Monika." responded Sayori.

"It was alright. Well, most of it."

"Glad to hear! In that case, we'll be doing the same thing tomorrow. That way, all of us can become better writers from learning from one another! Make sure to have your poems ready tomorrow. Try to do something new!"

We all resume to packing our things up. The room is still somewhat tense, except for Sayori trying to check up on Yuri and Natsuki.

"Are you okay, Natsuki?"

"I'm fine." said Natsuki, packing her things up "Just need some space for a while, is all."

"Okay! If you need anything, make sure to tell me. And are you doing okay, Yuri?"

"I'm fine, thank you Sayori." said Yuri

"I'm glad! If you ever want to talk, just let me know."

"I-I will, thank you."

Nice of Sayori to check up on other people. She really does look out for everyone in the club.

"Ready to go, Cross?"

I look over to Monika, who was still looking somewhat tense.

I decide to check up on her.

"In a bit. I'm gonna see how Monika's doing."

"Okay! I'll wait for you outside the classroom."

I make my way over to Monika.

"You doing alright?"

"Oh, Cross! Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit stressed out, is all. Heh heh…"

"Does that thing between Yuri and Natsuki happen often?" I ask, curious.

"No! Well, um... Some moments they get along great. Other times, not so much. It's a bit of a hassle to deal with their arguments, sometimes. Really wants to make me pull my hair out at times…" Monika looks down

That bad, huh?

"Well, I thought you did a great job handling the situation. You were as neutral as you could be and gave both of them proper criticisms. I'd say that what makes a good leader."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it. Managing a club can be hard at times, but in the end the progress you make with others makes it all the more worth it. I just gotta pull through!" Monika smiles, striking a small pose "Ah! And don't get the wrong idea about Yuri and Natsuki. They're really great people, trust me. That was just me being frustrated, haha! They just don't get along as often, is all."

"Heh heh, don't worry. I know what it's like dealing with teammates that have disagreements all the time, so I understand where you're coming from."

I recall back to my previous experiences with working with other BLADEs various times and how well they can manage together (Such as Alexa and Lin and, surprisingly, Hope and the Murderess) ….or how much they can absolutely loathe one another (Irina and Frye, and anyone with H.B. or Yelv, really).

"That's interesting. What kind of team were you on? A sports team?"

"Oh, uh…"

Why do I keep doing this…

"An out-of-school team."

"What kind?"

"Ah, the name and activity escapes my memory, y'know?"

Monika stares at me briefly, before merely smiling, "You're a very strange person, aren't you Cross?"

This whole place is strange if you ask me.

"Well it's getting late. You probably shouldn't keep Sayori waiting any longer, now should you?"

Oh crap that's right, Sayori.

"Oh right! I should probably get going now. I'll see ya tomorrow!" I wave to Monika, rushing out the door.

"Bye! Nice talking with ya!" Monika waves back.

I run out the classroom and find Sayori just a couple of feet outside, waiting.

"Sorry about that. Hope I didn't make you wait too long."

"It's okay!" reassured Sayori with her usual smiles " Now we can go home."

We walk out the school. It seemed to be near evening, as the sun was about to set soon. I take in the scenery again, and how peaceful it all looks. I wonder if this is how Earth neighborhoods typically were. If so, I like it.

"Did you have fun today?" asked Sayori.

"Definitely. I feel like I learned quite a bit."

"That's great. Soon you'll be a poem expert!"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far, heh heh. Hopefully tomorrow will be less tense, considering what happened between Yuri and Natsuki."

"Oh right, that. I've never seen them argue like that before. I wonder what got into them…"

"Do they just not like each other?" I ask.

"No! They get along great! It's just that sometimes, they have their differences in what they like or think."

"I see. That's what Monika said too. Well, I guess it's best not to dwell on it too much for the time being. No use worrying about it now if that sort of thing happens from time to time."

"I hope you don't think too badly of them after what happened…"

"Don't worry, I won't hold it against them."

"That's great! It seems like both of them really want to be friends with you, too."

After a bit more walking, we arrive at our houses.

"Cya tomorrow, Sayori." I wave, as I enter mine.

"Bye Cross! I'll be sure to surprise you with an exciting poem tomorrow!"

Well it's not really a surprise if you say what it is already…

I walk into the house, still looking as big and empty as it was the last time I was here. Despite that, it looked relatively nice. Got a bit of a Japanese theme going for it. In fact, this whole simulation seems Japanese themed. Is that just a common thing in these visual novels? Maybe Lin knows more about these kinds of things. Or Boze, even.

"HOW'RE YOU DOING?"

"GAAAH!" I yell at the sudden voice, doubling back a bit. What the hell was that loud, booming voice? Sounded like- oh wait….

Quinten.

"What the hell was that?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I exclaim.

"Sorry, speaker volume was turned up too high." said Quentin, in a more reduced voice. "So how are you doing?"

"Outside of that little surprise, great. This simulation is really immersive. I'm liking the interactions so far with the other girls. All of it feels natural."

"Good. Glad to know that all the hard work I've poured into this simulation has finally-"

Suddenly, there's a loud knocking on the door, cutting Quentin off. Instinctively, I open it. On the other side is Sayori, with a worried look on her face

"Are you okay?!" asked Sayori "I heard you screaming from here!"

Must've been from Quentin's loud entrance.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I reassured her, trying to save face "There was a bug that flew in, is all." I laugh nervously.

Sayori looked around, confused "But the windows are all closed."

"Must've been a roach then, heh heh." I laugh, still trying to save face "Anyways, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about here."

Sayori gives me one long look.

"...well, okay then. But if there's anything you need, just let me know. I'm always happy to help you whenever!" said Sayori, returning to her usual demeanor.

"Yeah I will. See you tomorrow." I wave, closing the door.

"...perhaps we should continue this discussion in my lab."

"You think?" I snark.

"Enough with the attitude already and just exit the simulation. You can do so from the menu."

I raise my left index finger to pull up the menu, stopping the game.

I tap the appropriate menus and save my game in the slot next to my save from before. Afterwards, I tap on the exit menu.

"Are you sure?"

Yes No

I tap on 'yes'. Suddenly, everything around me blurs into a white glow before turning completely black. Meanwhile I begin to lose a bit of consciousness once again, only this time it's not as bad, as if I could feel the transition of eturning back to my Mimesome body.

A few seconds later, I open my eyes and see the visor in my view slowing retracting upwards. I begin sitting up from the chair, trying to readjust back into my usual body. Meanwhile, Quentin was sitting in his chair next to the monitor.

"Excellent work. You made great progress, and provided me some good gameplay data for analysis."

"Glad to hear." I respond, still a bit groggy. "But the transition between coming in and out of the simulation could be better. I feel like I'm about to throw up…"

"Noted. Anyways, I will forward your payment to your account sometime this week. I will still need to make a couple more adjustments to the simulation, so I'll let you know when you can come back for another round. Feel free to make another pre-made poem, if you choose to do so."

I nod, gathering my things and making my way out of Quentin's lab. I really hope he fixes the whole "dropping in-and-out of consciousness" transition. And hopefully no one will start to get suspicious of my disappearances, if this simulation job is going to be a regular thing.