The sunlight from my window shines upon my face the next morning, as if the sun itself wanted to wake me up.
I slightly raise my head, and pop my neck, the satisfying cracks of air bubbles between my joints echoing through the room.
My eyes take a moment to adjust, as a heavy yawn left my throat. I attempt to leave the bed, but am denied by something anchoring my arm.
To my left, laid Monika, sleeping peacefully as if my arm was a hug-pillow.
Wow...I never thought her sleeping face would look so beautiful…
"M-Monika, its time to wake up."
She seemed to hear my words in her sleep, as I can see a slight grimace on her face. Her arms and legs started shifting, and I could hear her breathing increase in tempo.
"M-Monika?" I ask, only to have the sleeping beauty tighten her grip on my arm.
Crap, what's going on? Is she alright?
"N-No...please…" Monika muttered in her sleep. "D-Don't leave…"
Oh no, I think she's having a nightmare.
I grab a hold of her shoulder, and gently shake her. "Monika…" I gently mused. "Come on, wake up."
Her slight thrashing ceased once she opened her eyes, meeting mine.
"C-Cecil?" She asks, as if I had been gone for years.
A smile comes across my face. "I think you were just having a nightmare."
Suddenly, tears start to envelope her eyes as she looked at me. Why do I have a habit of making her cry?
"M-Monika?" I ask, confused at the stream of tears rolling down her cheek.
I see her lips curve into a smile, as she released my arm and cupped my cheeks with her welcoming hands.
"I'm so glad…"
I tilt my head in slight confusion, while my cheeks start to flush from her beautiful smile.
"You're not a dream! I'm really still here!"
I felt a twang in my heart as Monika's words echoed through my mind.
My recall of last night came to my mind, as I stared into her beautiful eyes.
"Well, how was it?" I ask as the credits of our movie rolled, only to be met with silence.
I look over towards Monika, who never left her seat. Only because she had already fallen asleep during the movie.
Wait, shes asleep?
Huh.
It had come to my mind I had never seen or even imagined what she would look like while sleeping.
I could feel her face leaning against my arm, and judging by the moisture on my arm, it looked like she was slightly drooling on me.
"Hey, Monika, the movies over." I say, causing Monika's sleeping eyes to flutter awake.
She brought a hand to her face, rubbing her freshly awakened eyes. "D-Did I miss the rest? I remember the two leaving that weird guy's party…" She recalls. "I guess it was just too comfortable snuggling with you that I fell asleep…"
A chuckle leaves my lips, as Monika leaned her head back onto my shoulder. I look over towards the clock, reading 11:47.
Damn, where did the time go?
"I guess we should be getting to sleep. You can have my bed, I'll just stay out here on the couch."
Monika's expression dropped after hearing my words.
"Huh? We aren't going to sleep together?" She asks, slightly whining.
My face tightens at those words, as I struggle for words to rebutte with.
I could take that we're dating now, but I wasn't sure about sleeping in the same bed with her. I mean, I can take that she was a video game character that magically came into my life, and, somehow, became my girlfriend, but I'm sure I wouldn't even be able to sleep from how nervous I would be.
"W-What?" I ask, turning my head towards her.
"I-I just thought we would sleep together, since we're together now…" She says, her own face turning red. "A-And.."
And?
"I-I...I'm scared that...you won't be there when I wake up…" She explained in a somber tone, holding me closer to her. "I'm...scared that this is all just a dream, and I'll just wake right back in that...horrible reality…"
Wow. I didn't even think about that. I don't want her to feel that way, not at all!
"W-Well...if you put it like that…" I stammer, scratching my head.
Her head perked at this, as she looked back at me.
"...I guess...we can...sleep together…"
Christ, that had to be the most embarrassing thing I've ever said.
A fusion of embarrassment and joy could be seen from Monika's smile.
"Thank you…" She said, giving another peck on my cheek. I can feel my heart flutter in my chest every time she does so.
She releases my arm, and stand from her seat. Her hand extends forwards, offering it to me.
"Well, shall we then?"
Meanwhile in the present, Monika rose from the bed, exposing the t-shirt and shorts she borrowed from me. She stretched her arms above her head, exposing her slender belly.
The sight sends a shade of red to my cheeks, hypnotizing me. I quickly snap from my trance, and clear my throat.
"We have a big day today. We'll need to go shopping for clothes and such if you're going to be staying with me."
Monika smiles at my words. "As long as you pick a few outfits for me!" She chirped, as she left the bed.
Meanwhile, I sit on the bed, rubbing my eyes. A yawn leaves my throat, as my eyes open to a mug in front of my face.
Monika had brought me a mug of coffee. It was even in my favorite mug.
"Here you go. I know you're not much of a coffee drinker, but it's always a pretty good way to start the day." She says, offering me said cup.
Wow. That was fast.
Like, "coffee-doesn't-brew-that-quickly" kind of fast.
Regardless, I thankfully take the cup, my cheeks turning a shade of red.
I take a quick glance at Monika, who seemed to be looking at me with a look of eager anticipation. I imagine its what Natsuki would look like during the scene with her cupcakes.
I take the message, and bring my lips to the edge of the mug, taking a small sip of the steaming liquid within.
Damn. That's a pretty good cup of joe.
I can't believe I just thought that.
"Wow, this tastes great. And that's saying a lot, since I don't usually drink this stuff." I compliment, as Monika's ears perked in happiness.
"Oh, thank you... I wasn't too sure how you liked it, so I just went with a moderate amount of sugar and cream."
"Hey, I'm not complaining. I might just drink it more if you make it like this all the time." I say as I take another sip of the sweet, yet satisfyingly bitter brew.
"Oh? I guess I'll have to hold up then~"
My lips creep into an embarrassed and timid smile, as I scratch the back of my head.
But as I do so, I could feel my fingers catch on my hair as they weaved through. Dammit, I hate it when I get bed head. I look away, looking desperately for a comb or a brush.
"Hey, could you pass me a comb real quick? I don't know where it could be, but if you look, you'll-"
"Here you go!"
I look in front of me, only to be met with a small, black comb.
Wow, that was really fast.
"T-Thanks…"
She gives me a loving peck on the cheek, as a sign of "You're welcome".
"I want to take a shower first, before we do anything. Care to join me?"
I could hear the hormones screaming in my brain as I hear those words, as the mere thought nearly made my legs give out. But she gives a cute giggle, knowing exactly what I was thinking.
"Calm down, I'm just teasing." She said, as she glided her hand across my shoulder while walking towards my bathroom. She stops, before turning her head towards me.
"Though, if you really wanted, I couldn't really stop you, could I?" She said, before leaving me to myself like a mic-drop.
God, that's just evil…
But, I couldn't help but feel lucky for having her with me.
Resisting the temptations that would usually come when a girl is in your shower, I rise from the bed and onto my computer and perform my usual routine of closing the pesky popup ads that infested my desktop, in an attempt to distract my mind.
But, despite of the events from yesterday, I remain surprised that my computer remain untouched.
You'd think with a human being being spit out of a computer, or whatever might have happened, that something would have happened to the computer.
Suddenly, I hear what sounds like a vibrating object across a wooden surface, and could see my phone had lit up for a notification. Strange, I don't think I left it silent.
I pick it up, and could see I received a message from Frank, of all people. Huh. What could he need?
"I look at the preview of the message, and grewe uneasy at the subject name of the message:
[QuiCk, AnSWer back!]
God, Frank always typed so sloppily.
"[Whoa dude, calm down. Just woke up. Whats up.]" I reply back, confused at Frank's belligerent message.
"Dude, it's fucking crazy! Haven't you been hearing around?"
I tilt my head to myself in confusion. What happened?
"[What? What's going on?]"
"Dude. Look up 'DDLC Monika'."
Huh?
He just wanted me to look at pictures of Monika on the internet?
I think in my situation, I won't be needing those anymore.
"[Dude, what the hell do you mean?]"
I wait for only a few moments, until I hear my phone ring again. This time, Frank sent his message in three separate segments.
"Just."
"Do."
"It."
A wave of uncertainty passes my mind. Why does he want me to see so badly?
I grab my mouse, pull up the internet, click on the search bar, and type in "DDLC Monika".
Once I press enter, confusion and disbelief fell upon me as I read the links from the search engine.
"Monika's GONE!"
"WHERE IS SHE!?"
"DAN FIX THIS NOWWWWW!"
"Fuck."
I swear to myself in disbelief. It's only been a day, how the hell could anyone else have known?
Word spreads faster than I thought.
What got my attention was a few Twitter posts, displaying the confusion and apparent anger in the fanbase. A shiver ran down my spine as I read through the anger-filled posts:
"Just what the hell kind of joke is this!? Is my game bugged or something!?"
"I was talking with her in the infinite classroom, when she vanished before my very eyes!"
"There aren't even any pictures of her official artwork to be seen! Not even on the Internet!"
Wait, what?
"They can't be serious, there's no way…" I say to myself, as I click my mouse on the "Images" tab on the search engine. And I am met with a blood-chilling sight before me.
True to the post's word, any of Monika's official drawings were nowhere to be seen, even in images I knew for certain she was involved in. I even look towards one image, which displayed the first couple minutes of the game, and where Monika was supposed to show up and introduce herself.
Completely empty. Not even her textbox was visible.
I just don't get it. What the hell is going on?
"Ok, this is just some kind of joke, right?" I chuckled to myself in a vain attempt of denial.
The internet is home to many people whose sole purpose is to harass and cause trouble for others online, after all. Completely ridiculous.
But, that doesn't stop the doubt swimming in my heart.
I exit the internet, and pull up my Steam Library, my hands shaking for what was to come.
I have to know for sure. And I know how to make sure of it.
I scroll down to my screenshots, remembering clearly about a one I took before even playing the game. I had just downloaded it, not even played a single minute of it, and I knew the screenshot was of the title screen.
My mouse clicks on it, and could feel my blood freeze solid.
This screenshot I had of the game, before I even started playing, featured only three of the four girls.
With Monika completely missing.
I frantically check the date of the screenshot, and see that it had been a few weeks since then.
How could this happen?
It's as if she never existed! Just how the-
"Cecill~! Could you come in here please~?"
Suddenly, I am pulled from my thoughts, as I hear a sweet voice echo from across the room.
A look behind myself could see that steam was rising from the bottom of the door, and I could hear the sound of water running behind.
Shit.
"U-Uhm, are you sure?" I answerback, raising my voice as to let Monika hear through the shower.
"Of course! I wanna ask you something!"
I couldn't believe it. Monika wanted me to walk into the bathroom with her in the shower, knowing very well she's probably completely naked!?
"U-Uh, I…"
"Come on already~!"
I look back and forth between the door, and the computer screen.
Maybe I should tell her what's going on.
My legs find themselves moving by themselves, as I approach and lean my ear inches from the wooden barrier between us. I can feel a small, rising heat leaking from the bottom, which was most likely steam.
"A-Are you sure you can't just ask me through the door?" I ask, nervous for an answer.
"Huh? I can't hear you, just come in here!"
A pained groan leaves my lips as I bring my hands to my head in frustration.
God Dammit!
Ultimately, I breathe a defeated sigh, and grab hold of the doorknob.
My wrist turns, and I push the door forward, revealing the inside the bathroom.
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, as my eyes meet with Monika's shadow, which could be seen through from her side of the shower curtain.
My eyes were locked with the sight, as I close the door behind me.
"Cecil?"
The calling of my name snapped me from my focus on Monika's silhouette, as I fumble with my words.
"W-W-What d-d-did you w-want to ask…? B-B-Because, I-I-I mean, I-I have something to t-tell you as w-well…:" I say, finding myself shaking.
All I hear is a slight giggle from the other side.
"Why are you being so nervous? I'm covered by the curtain, you know."
"W-Well, y-you're in the shower and all…"
"Calm down already, you're shaking like a dog."
"I-It can't really be helped, I've never been in these kinds of situations..."
I could see Monika's arms cross, judging by the movements of her shadow.
"Maybe we could cure it if you joined me~"
I feel my breath leave me, as I struggle to maintain my posture. Damn her and her sweet words.
"I-I think I'll just catch one after you…"
My words seemed to take Monika aback, as her silence caused a stir in my stomach.
"Do...you really not want to see me like this?"
"I-I do want to but...W-Wait, no...uh, I...What I meant to say was…."
I jumble and stammer my words, struggling to speak. Just how do you say you're attracted to someone, without coming across as a pervert? I mean, she already knows what kind of pornography I watch, but I just can't be too sure.
I just don't want to scare her off with who I really am.
Dammit. I should give her an answer, though.
"Well, I just-Gah!"
My words are cut short, as the curtain flung itself open, revealing Monika inside. My pathetic reaction was to fling my arms to my face, blocking my vision.
"Why are you acting so embarrassed? I'm only wearing a swimsuit."
...Huh?
My eyes slowly peel open, to reveal a sight I never thought I'd be able to see on this plane of existence.
True to her word, her nudity was covered by a simple, two-piece bikini, both pieces striped with green and white. While not as flashy as it could have been, it still stuck well enough to her skin to see her curvy body.
Oh god, stripes are one of my weaknesses…
I found my eyes glued to the divine sight before me, as they followed every curve on Monika's body.
Her arms swing behind her, as her face turns about as red as mine.
"D-Don't stare too much, alright? It's still kind of embarrassing…"
I felt as if a gun had shot point-blank in my heart. How the hell can she be this exposed, yet still be so modest and cute?
"S-Sorry, you...just look amazing in it…" I speak, looking immediately to the floor.
Monika's face turned more pink, as she looked away, her smile increasing in size. "T-Thank you…It's the most you'll see for now..." She said, her words sweeter sounding than sugar.
…
…
...Wait a minute.
How is she even wearing that?
I look to Monika's sweet, flattered face, as a small wave of confusion hit my thoughts.
"U-Uh, Monika?"
"Hm?"
I swallow the spit in my throat, hesitant with my words.
"Where...did you get that?"
In that moment, the smile and blush on her face vanished, as a look of worry comes across her face.
Did I hit the bullseye on something?
"W-Well, I just found it in your drawer, and thought I would put it on...I-I mean, you had already had it, so…" Monika replied in a dismissive tone.
Ok, that was obviously a lie. There's no way I could have something like that laying around my house without my knowledge.
"But... it just so happened to be your favorite color, and just the right fit?"
"That's what I thought!" She interjected. "B-But..I just wanted to put it on for you is all…" Her words crawl through her lips, as she fiddles with her fingers.
Her words hit my heart, as guilt courses through my heart.
I don't know how she was able to wear what she was wearing, but whatever reason, I can't feel any doubt towards her when I look at her like this.
But...
She did it for me?
I feel my heart leap from my chest, and I stammer my words like a nervous schoolboy. "S-Sorry, I...I was just confused is all…"
"I-Its alright, I-I'm honestly just about as confused...but, I would be lying if I said i didn't think it belonged to an ex of yours…"
My arms frantically wave in front of me, dismissing Monika's assumption. "No, nononono, I-I've never even seen that before…"
Maybe it was a coincidence after all.
Frank probably left it here to play a prank on me. He knows how paranoid I get with this crap. Now I've gotta get him back.
"R-Really? T-That's good…" Monika replied, her mood lifting after hearing my response.
"Y-Yeah, I don't even really have any exes anyway...the last technical girlfriend I had was in Fourth Grade…" I say, recalling my lonely childhood.
Speaking of mysterious clothes, I look to the laundry bin, and could see the clothes Monika wore before taking her shower. At the top, I could see a pair of white panties.
Crap, that's probably her only pair. Maybe I should wash it.
"U-Uhm, did you want me to wash any...unmentionables while you're in here?" I ask, garnering the girl's attention. "I-I mean, i know we're going shopping anyway, but it's never comfortable to wear unclean underw-...unmentionables…"
Monika's cheeks turn a deep shade of red once again, as her eyes avert in embarrassment.
"Y-Yeah, g-go ahead…"
In a quick motion, I lean and lift the basket from the ground, and open the door behind me.
"Y-You can wear some more of my clothes, if you need. I keep my clothes pretty clean most of the time." I offer, which caused her to giggle. God, I don't know why, but I love hearing it.
"Thank you so much...for, everything, really…"
"O-Of course…" I say, looking towards the happy sight before me.
Ok Cecil, now's your chance.
"W-What kind of boyfriend would I be if I wasn't able to provide for my girlfriend?" My words say through my smile.
After hearing my words, I could see the embarrassment and happiness overflowing within Monika.
Brownie points get.
"O-Ok, I'll just be in the laundry room…" I say, before starting on my way out.
Before I close the door, I hear Monika call for me.
"C-Cecil?"
"Y-Yeah?" I reply, eager for her request.
"I...I love you…"
My face goes numb from an overflow of blood, as my heart ascending from my chest in happiness.
"...I...I love you too…"
I close the door behind me, which made me miss Monika's reaction to my reply. Whatever it was, it probably would have melted me from the inside.
My legs move on their own, as I walk through my home towards the laundry room. Once inside, I place the basket on the floor with a loud thud. All the while, the words Monika spoke to me bounced in my head.
I love you…
Dammit.
Why do I feel so happy all of a sudden?
Of all the infinite universes in the world, I get to live in the one where I can have a woman to myself. One that truly loves and cares for me.
I find myself with a fixated smile. I'm grinning ear to ear for the first time in a while.
God, I'm so lucky to have her…
It almost makes me feel better about her practically not existing anymore.
….Damn.
I forgot to tell her about that.
