Author's Note: Hey there~! Sayori here! I just wanted to let you guys know that this next bit takes place after 'Author's Notes' - the fourth story in the Post Credits Series. And yes - it will also take place after this Author's Notes too! Ahehe~

Without further ado~ here is the omake-finale of 'Waiting For Ribbons In The Void'!

Well… at least that's what should happen.

Ahehe~ I kinda forgot how to end an author's notes. Moni? Moni! There you are - can you help me for a sec?

"Sure thing, Sayo! Oh - you're talking to the audience! Hello there!"

So, Moni - I was trying to end the author's notes here but I didn't know how to do it.

"Eh? Really? Let me see your notebook."

M-M-Moni! You're really close…

"Well, I've got to see your administrative notebook up close so I can teach it to you, Sayo~"

Hmm… aren't you just using this as an excuse to hug me from behind and pat my head, Moni?

"Ahahaha~ you know me too well. What can I do? You're such a cute cinnamon roll. You deserve all the headpats. There~ there~!"

Ahehe~ you flatter me, Moni. But it's okay - I like this. I really do! The rainclouds seem so far away when we're together - and when you smile - and… and... OH GOSH! I HAVE TO END THE AUTHOR'S NOTES!

"Didn't know you were into PDA, Sayo~! Not that I'm complaining."

I-I'm not - at least I don't think so. ANYWAYS!

There! Done!

Enjoy the omake~!

"Have fun, you guys~!"


Waiting For Ribbons In The Void

Festival


Tense music and the hair-raising sounds of battle blasted from the surround-sound speakers set up in the Anime Club's room that late afternoon. A projector cast a movie onto a large screen as the members of the Anime Club - and their audience of about sixty or more people - watched intently.

In the movie, two magical girls - the fist-fighter 'Strawberry Shortcake' and the assassin 'Grape Tart' - were running through a spider web-strewn forest while crossbow bolts flew after them, fired by an unseen foe - The Fearmonger.

The long-haired assassin clicked her tongue as she cursed,

"To think that we would have to go through such lengths to search for those two!"

Grape Tart's sharp, purple eyes caught glimpses of the crossbow bolts passing them by. Every single one of them was tipped with glistening, sweet-smelling poison.

It was at that time that the assassin noticed an accurate shot sailing straight for Strawberry Shortcake's back!

The camera followed the crossbow bolt as time slowed down, drawing frightened gasps from the audience in the darkened room. Then, a short, pink-haired girl cried out in a loud voice,

"WATCH OUT, STRAWBERRY!"

Natsuki's roar echoed throughout the room - so much so that it was almost as if Grape Tart heard her voice.

Then, on cue, the assassin in the screen dashed to her companion's aid and skillfully deflected the bolt with a slash of her knife.

Natsuki and the rest of the audience cheered ecstatically for the exchange. Everyone in the room was getting into the movie.

Except for one person whose mind was somewhere else.

Yuri.

The purple-haired girl leaned back into her seat with an air of mild frustration about her. She played with a lock of her purple hair as she looked at her petite friend's profile. Then, Yuri started to wonder,

"How did we arrive at this situation again?"

Earlier That Afternoon

It was already half past two by the time that Monika and Sayori returned to the clubroom from the 'short break' they went on over an hour ago.

President Natsuki, small as she might have been, sternly looked up and glared at the two former presidents. She folded her arms with disappointment then started berating the two.

"Listen here, you dummies! I know you guys aren't the Literature Club presidents anymore, but you should try to be a little more responsible, y'hear? We're gonna get new members next term, so you've gotta be good examples to them as their seniors!"

That was the first time that Monika and Sayori ever got a chance to see 'President Natsuki' in action since they managed to return from the Void.

Even though Natsuki was giving them both an earful, they still found the exchange a little cute.

Whenever Natsuki stomped and got close to Monika's face, however, the former Python-coder felt especially uncomfortable.

She was just glad that Natsuki's neck didn't snap anymore when she leaned forward.

Faced with such an assertive Natsuki, Monika wondered how Yuri managed to handle the petite president while she and Sayori were away.

Monika stole a glance of the novel-writer and saw her listening intently and nodding at Natsuki's points.

It was very Vice-Presidential, Monika thought - completely different from the desperate bloodlust that Monika saw in Yuri when they fought more than three days ago.

The Yuri that Monika saw there in the clubroom that afternoon managed to grow from the quiet, aloof girl who didn't care about what was happening in the clubroom aside from the Portrait of Markov.

Or the dense Protagonist's advances in the original playthrough.

Monika did wonder, however, just how much of Yuri's obsessive streak remained after the novelist mellowed out.

She decided to put that thought on the backburner.

After a few more moments of Natsuki's lecture, Monika stepped up and offered an olive branch to the petite president,

"We're sorry for being late, Natsuki. (ahem) President Natsuki."

Natsuki seemed pleased with herself when Monika said this, so she proudly noted,

"Well - at least you know your place now, Monika."

Monika then smirked as her eyes sparkled with delightful mischief.

Now that Natsuki lowered her guard, the original president cheerfully teased,

"Sayori and I actually came back half an hour ago… but you and Yuri seemed to be a little busy reading together. We didn't want to spoil the moment, you see~"

In mere moments, Yuri and Natsuki froze in place.

Could it be that… Monika and Sayori had been watching them in the clubroom all that time!?

Yuri clasped her hands together and tried to hide behind her locks of long, purple hair.

Natsuki, on the other hand, was beet red as she clenched her fists and complained,

"W-w-what the hell are you talking about, you dummy!? You guys didn't have to make a big deal about it! I mean - you guys are the ones who're coming back late and all! You two are acting kinda suspicious too!"

Natsuki's pink eyes shifted left and right as she tried to grasp for straws. Then she noticed something on Monika's cheeks. So, she pointed at the coffee-lover and accused,

"Y-y-you've even... you've even got crumbs on your cheeks, Monika!"

Monika blinked. She wasn't exactly sure what Natsuki was talking about.

"Do I?"

She tried patting her cheeks for a little bit, but she couldn't seem to find the crumbs. After a few more tries, Sayori beamed as she brought out a handkerchief to wipe Monika's cheeks,

"There - I got them off for you, Moni~"

"Ahaha~ thanks, Sayo!"

Natsuki's eyes sharpened with suspicion as she asked,

"What… was that just now?"

Monika quickly realized what angle Natsuki was going for, so she calmly answered,

"What was that? Ah! Well... I was eating cinnamon rolls just now with Sayori before we came back here! They were so good - I couldn't help myself~"

The petite president stepped towards Monika again and asked,

"How many rolls did you have?"

"Uh… three? Sayori had the other one."

Natsuki furrowed her brow and then demanded,

"You guys bought four cinnamon rolls and then Monika pretty much ate them all!?"

Monika cooly joined her hands behind her back and leaned towards Natsuki. She then playfully said,

"Well - I kind of wanted to have the cinnamon rolls all to myself. I can be selfish too when it comes to sweet things, you know. And those cinnamon rolls are sweeter than sweet~ Ahaha~!"

This time, Sayori was the one whose cheeks flushed beet red as a flustered smile grew on her lips,

"I-It's okay, Natsuki. I don't mind if Monika ate the cinnamon rolls. I-I'm really glad s-she likes them."

Natsuki tilted her head and wondered,

"What the heck are you going on about? I just wanted some cinnamon rolls too… I mean… we're a club, y'know - so I was hoping you'd get some for me and Yuri too..."

Monika and Sayori turned to each other then sighed in relief.

It turned out that Natsuki was thinking about actual cinnamon rolls all that time - not Monika's best girl.

That saved them the trouble of having to talk their way out of a misunderstanding - which may or may not have been true.

Even though Natsuki had become such a responsible president, it seemed, she could be just about as dense as the Protagonist sometimes.

The petite president turned to Yuri, hoping to ask for her opinion. When she did, however, she noticed that Yuri had a complicated expression on her face.

It was something that bordered between frustration and jealousy.

Then, all of the sudden, the cryptic novelist turned around and marched towards the leftover cupcakes from the Literature Club's festival event.

She picked up a cupcake, wolfed it down like a hungry raccoon and sauntered back to Natsuki's side as if nothing unusual happened.

Natsuki scratched her cheek with confusion and then commented,

"Uhm… Yuri?"

"Yes, Natsuki?"

"You, uh… you've got lotsa cupcake crumbs on your cheeks."

Yuri feigned innocence as she blankly asked,

"Hmm...? So it seems. Ah... What ever shall I do?"

There was a moment of expectant silence from Yuri.

She was hoping that Natsuki would have taken a cue.

Yuri even made sure that the crumbs were in plain sight for Natsuki to see, but the petite president blanked out. Instead, the manga-reader pouted and bluntly replied,

"... uh… wipe em off, maybe?"

Yuri heaved a disappointed sigh and obliged.

As she was doing so, however, Natsuki suddenly leaned towards Yuri. The novelist's heart skipped a beat as her imagination ran wild.

Was Natsuki finally going to kiss her? In front of Monika and Sayori, no less!?

"Hah… hah… hah…"

Yuri didn't know if she was ready for such a public display of affection, but she tried to steady her heart - and her breath. Her purple irises widened in obsessive anticipation and she bit her lip out of habit. This was the moment she had been waiting for, after all.

"HAHH...HAHH…! RmluYWxseXl5eXl5eXl5eXl5eXl5"

If Natsuki was going to be bold, Yuri wanted to accept her wholeheartedly.

Natsuki covered her lips with her left hand and closed in on Yuri's cheek.

The cupcake baker's face was so close that she felt Natsuki's tender breath against her skin. Yuri didn't know if her heart could handle it.

Then, Natsuki whispered,

"Say, Yuri… Monika and Sayori - they seem a lot closer now than before, don't they? They're kinda acting like a couple, no?"

Yuri's heavy breathing calmed down anticlimactically and the obsessive girl covered her face with frustration.

Natsuki only noticed that now!?

What a way to kill the mood, Yuri thought. Natsuki didn't have to use any Python code or say 'Okay, everyone!' to do it either.

Yuri heaved another heavy sigh. She had a feeling that a number of things would fly over the short-statured Natsuki's head, so Yuri came up with a contingency plan.

Thus, the novelist turned to Natsuki this time and replied in a whisper,

"Do you want to find out for sure, Natsuki? I have devised a plan that shall let us ascertain how deep their relationship has grown. Are you interested?"

Natsuki's eyes sparkled as she eagerly nodded.

Too easy, Yuri thought.

With that, Yuri then whispered her master plan to the petite president.

After a few short moments, Natsuki broke from her huddle and turned to Monika and Sayori with a bright grin as she cheered,

"Okay, everyone! I'll be letting the two of you off the hook for now - since you both just got back from the Void and all. It's the school festival we've all been waiting for too - so you guys should enjoy it!"

This was a strange change of tone, Monika noted. Sayori, however happily nodded and agreed with Natsuki,

"Yeah! We should all go and have fun together as the Literature Club!"

This time, Yuri came forward and apologized,

"Apparently, Natsuki and I still have some business to attend to to wrap up the Literature Club's festival duties."

Sayori pouted and groaned with a deflated voice,

"Eh…? Is that so?"

Natsuki then patted Sayori's shoulder and reassured her,

"You and Monika should go on ahead and enjoy the festival as a cou…"

Monika raised a suspicious brow and asked,

"As a 'cou…'?"

The petite president panicked but managed to finish her sentence,

"As a courtesy! I'm letting you off the hook for being late and the cinnamon rolls, after all! Hmph~!"

Yuri nodded and promptly atted,

"Natsuki and I will catch up with the two of you at the festival bonfire later tonight, so please take your time and enjoy yourselves."

Sayori rubbed her chin and thought about her options for a moment. She then turned to her taller companion and asked,

"What do you think, Moni?"

Monika thoughtfully hummed then put her hands on her hips,

"Well, it'd be a waste to not enjoy the festival now that we're here, Sayo. We have President Natsuki's blessing too!"

She then turned to Natsuki to ask,

"But do you guys need any help at all? I mean - we still are Literature Club members, after all."

Natsuki waved her hand dismissively and boasted,

"We've got this under control. You two should go and have fun!"

With that, the petite president coaxed her two predecessors out of the clubroom and closed the door behind them.

Natsuki watched Monika's and Sayori's silhouettes through the frosted glass of the sliding door and waited for the two of them to head out.

Once the two former presidents were out of sight, a mischievous expression grew on Natsuki's face as she faced Yuri. She clasped her hands together excitedly and urged,

"Alright then, Yuri - let's get this plan of yours going~"

Yuri and Natsuki tailed the two former presidents through the crowd of students and visitors through the old building hallway. This was the first time that either of them had seen so many people, so it was a little hard to keep track of Monika and Sayori.

At the back of Natsuki's mind, she couldn't help but feel like she was in some sort of a Metal Gear game or something.

Starring

President 'Cupcake' Natsuki

The petite Natsuki nearly lost her way a few times, but the towering Yuri walked a half pace ahead and cleared a path for them both.

Vice President 'Third Eye' Yuri

Before long, they found the former presidents making their way into the student council room - a regular classroom attached to the council president's office.

Enemy Combatants

Former President 'Just Monika' Monika

What in the world did those two want to do in there?

The last time that Yuri and Natsuki were in that part of the old building, they were preparing to save the Literature Club from disbandment.

Former President 'Cinnamon Roll' Sayori

Nonetheless, the two stalkers made their way to the student council room as well.

Just as they were about to open the door, however, the door was opened for them. They were then greeted with the beautiful figure of Satchie in an elegant maid's outfit.

Guest Starring

'Sketchy Fujoshi' Satchie

Her long, light-brown hair was done in a neat bun and she wore a bright smile on her lips.

Natsuki gasped at the unusual sight,

Matsuri 'The Witch of Peace' Hideyoshi

"Satchie!? What are you doing here?"

The maid Satchie put a hand on her hip and then pointed up to the 'student council' sign hanging above the door as she reminded,

Parfait Girl 'The Bruiser' Strawberry Shortcake

Parfait Girl 'Nothing Personal, Kid' Grape Tart

"I'm the student council secretary, remember? The council has to put on its own school festival booth too - so we went with a maid cafe."

Yuri and Natsuki blinked and repeated Satchie with confusion,

"Maid cafe?"

Parfait Girl 'What Sorcery Is This?' Green Tea Macaron

Parfait Girl 'No Rainclouds Here' Blueberry Cheesecake

Satchie joined her hands together and nodded,

"It's a cafe with pretty maids like me~ you guys will be in for a treat~! That is - if you two are gonna join us. We're almost on last call, you know."

The Fearmonger

She then slapped a poster by the door and warned,

"We charge an entrance fee too."

Chapter Design

Elias Pedro

Natsuki hesitated and considered just waiting outside for Monika and Sayori to come out. Yuri, on the other hand, asked with a determined voice,

"Does the entrance fee include tea?"

"Of course~! Coffee too - if you prefer."

Published By

SayoriFFN

Without a second thought, Yuri produced her wallet and decisively spoke,

"Save the coffee for the green glutton who consumes cinnamon rolls with utter disregard for her compatriots. Tea is the patrician choice, mind you. Table for two, please."

Satchie happily took Yuri's payment and started her spiel,

"Thank you for your patronage, Madam Yuri, Madam Natsuki. Please follow me."


Created And Directed By

Elias_Pedro


Maid Satchie led her two customers to a table at the very heart of the student council room. She took their orders - two jasmine teas - before trotting off to the student council president's office.

Natsuki's eyes narrowed. Were they using Matsuri's office as their kitchen?

When the wonderful smell of tea and coffee wafted from that office reached Natsuki's nose, however, her opinion of the student council improved - ever so slightly.

Yuri folded her arms when she caught a whiff of the aroma and dismissively hummed,

"Tis passable. I shall concede that much…"

The unamused novelist then turned over to Natsuki, only to find that Natsuki was already looking in her direction. The petite president grinned at Yuri and noted,

"I hope the tea they make here is even half as good as the tea you make, Yuri~"

Yuri felt her cheeks grow warm and she suddenly felt embarrassed. Whenever Natsuki went on tangents like that, Yuri's heart would throb.

Afraid of being found out, Yuri slouched and turned away from her president as she shakily reminded,

"N-Natsuki… your compliment flatters me… but we are here to watch… Monika and Sayori, yes?"

"Oh, right! Haha~"

Natsuki innocently obliged and turned her attention back to Monika and Sayori who were seated by the window.

She saw the two former presidents happily chatting with each other. There was a relaxed air about them there as the light of the afternoon sun highlighted the smiles on their faces.

It was almost as if they were living in their own little world.

Moments later, Monika leaned forward and set her elbows down on the table. She rested her chin on the backs of her hands and looked straight into Sayori's eyes - her green lost in those seas of bright blue.

Looking at the two from where she sat, Yuri couldn't help but think of Monika's one and only CG in the original game.

That was the way that Monika looked at Elias - the player - when she was still searching for something real.

Now, those eyes were on Sayori.

That much was clear as day to Yuri - and it made her heart flutter.

Natsuki, on the other hand, sat calmly in her seat simply gave a half-interested hum,

"Eh… she's doing that thing from the CG thingy. I wonder if they'll do anything more couple-like, y'know?"

Yuri furrowed her brow. Did Natsuki not have a romantic bone in her body?

Perhaps Natsuki read too much shounen manga and too little shoujo.

In all honesty, though, Yuri still didn't know the difference between the two.

Regardless, if Natsuki's heart didn't jump at what Monika and Sayori were doing… then she wouldn't be able to understand why Yuri suggested following the former presidents in the first place at all.

Yuri quickly realized that she was going to be in for a long afternoon.

While Yuri was pondering what she should do next, she noticed a peculiar figure marching out of the council president's office - the student council president herself!

Matsuri was wearing a maid uniform just like Satchie's, albeit with a less prominent posture - strike somewhere between Sayori and Natsuki. /strike. The council president came out with a tray of two cups of coffee and a small plate of chocolates and was marching down the makeshift cafe towards Monika and Sayori.

She served the former presidents their coffee and chocolate and had a short conversation with the two of them. In Yuri's eyes, Monika looked like she was introducing her new girlfriend to an ex.

That must have been painful. Yuri wouldn't have wanted to be in Matsuri's shoes in that situation.

She felt as if she might have done something… drastic.

However, the conversation went off without a hitch and they seemed to end on cordial terms.

As Matsuri was leaving, however, Monika covertly handed her a small, white envelope with a turquoise blue seal.

A letter, perhaps?

Before Yuri could wrap her head around what happened, their own server Satchie came by their table with their cups of tea.

"Two jasmine teas. Hot. Sugar and cream on the side~"

Natsuki beamed as she took her teacup and started adding sugar. The cupcake baker then passed the sugar towards Yuri and turned to Satchie,

"Gosh, I didn't expect to see the council prez of all people in a maid outfit! She didn't even seem to be resentful about it."

Satchie chuckled and suggested,

"Ah, you saw Matsuri already huh? Well - let me tell you that she was completely opposed to the plan for the longest time. She only warmed up to the idea recently - after a certain delinquent club fought for their lives~! You two really left an impression on her."

Satchie's eyes followed the council president make her rounds and attend to another table as she revealed,

"We're back to the 'same old Matsuri' that we remembered from before. It's kinda cute, actually. She went from being a slave driver to being that stern yet responsible and competent little sister who is brash and expects a lot out of everyone around her - because she holds herself to a higher standard… and quietly wants everyone to succeed."

Yuri took a sip of her tea and noted,

"That is quite an extensive analysis of the council president, Satchie."

"I told you before - I've been one of her fans from the very beginning… I'm just glad she's back to normal. Now, there'll be peace in our time~"

Satchie realized that she was rambling, so she apologized to her two patrons. The talkative maid then rejoined Matsuri and the two of them patrolled the cafe once more.

The vice president leaned back against her seat with her teacup in hand as she took yet another sip. When her eyes wandered over to where Monika and Sayori were seated, however, Yuri's jaw dropped.

The former presidents weren't there anymore!

Yuri gulped down her tea then turned Natsuki with a grim expression,

"Finish your tea, Natsuki. We're moving."

Yuri and Natsuki burst out of the student council classroom and into the old building's hallway. There, they managed to catch glimpses of a ponytail with a white ribbon and a head of frizzy hair in the crowd of thinning people.

'Where the heck are they going this time?' Natsuki wondered.

Monika and Sayori seemed to be in quite a hurry, so Yuri and Natsuki gave chase.

Yuri took Natsuki by the hand and guided her through the crowd. The tall, purple-haired girl didn't think much of it when she first held Natsuki's hand. However, as their chase dragged on, she started getting self-conscious.

'Right now… my skin oils are… mixing with Natsuki's…'

What a pleasant thought, Yuri fantasized. Natsuki's hand was so soft and small that Yuri just wanted to hold onto it forever.

Yuri's fantasy, however, would come to an abrupt end as Natsuki suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall. The dazed Yuri was still trying to claw out of her obsessive daydream when Natsuki pointed out,

"Those two went into the Anime Club's room!"

Yuri tilted her head and then thought out loud,

"Why would they wish to enter such an establishment?"

Natsuki shrugged.

"I dunno why they're there, but it looks like the Anime Club's screening a movie!"

"... a movie? Oh! A motion picture! Yes - that may very well be a potential 'date'."

"Hehe, I know, right? And the movie they're showing is damn sick! Parfait Girls III - Rebellion! The latest one in the series - it covers stuff that happen after the latest volume… and it hasn't even hit theaters yet! How in the hell did Amy and her team get their hands on this one? Is she into some illegal shit? Bah - I don't care! I wanna watch!"

"O-oy… we are here to observe Monika and Sayori, are we not?"

"We are, Yuri. But I love this series too, so it'll be hitting two birds with one stone! Let's go!"

With that, Natsuki dragged Yuri into the Anime Club's room to watch the movie.

The Present

Ninety minutes into the movie, the climax of the story was in full swing. The Fearmonger had just defeated the assassin Grape Tart and was giving the fist-fighter Strawberry Shortcake the fight of her life.

A winded, bruised yet furious Strawberry Shortcake was chasing the Fearmonger through the spider-web strewn forest, throwing wild punches at her elusive foe.

In the foreground, Grape Tart watched the hopeless battle as she laid on the ground. She was slowly succumbing to the cocktail exotic poisons from the Fearmonger's crossbow bolts. Three of those poisonous bolts stabbed into her torso and her vision was turning to black.

Everyone in the Anime Club room was tense and silent as they watched. Once again, however, Yuri was completely detached from the spectacle.

Her purple eyes scanned the darkened room and it was already clear to her that Monika and Sayori weren't there. She figured that the two of them must have left halfway through the movie or there were people there who looked just like them in the crowd earlier.

Yuri's plan to entertain Natsuki and discover just how close Monika and Sayori were was falling apart.

It was frustrating for her.

As she was thinking about this, however, Yuri heard a somber sniffle coming from beside her.

Yuri turned over to her companion and then gasped. There were bitter tears were streaking down Natsuki's cheeks. The super Parfait Fangirl gave off a heartbroken whimper as she whispered beneath her breath,

"No… no… this wasn't how it was supposed to end!"

Natsuki buried her face in her hands, too scared to even see what happened next in the movie. Her two favorite characters in her favorite series were just about to meet their demise.

More than that - based on what the Fearmonger had been saying in their fight - their comrades Green Tea Macaron and Blueberry Cheesecake already died by the crossbow-wielder's hands.

The movie scene then focused again on Strawberry Shortcake whose wild punches were losing speed and strength. Strawberry was at her limit and she knew it.

The fist-fighter's fatalistic thoughts then started to echo in her mind,

'If only I had Grape's speed… or Green Tea's magic… or Blueberry's strength… I would be able to avenge them. But I don't have anything - anything at all! I've always been the weakest Parfait Girl - and now, it's all gonna end because of me!'

In that moment, Yuri couldn't help but feel like it was Natsuki herself speaking Strawberry Shortcake's lines. Was this how Natsuki had been feeling these past few days?

Was that why this movie was resonating so much with the petite president?

All of the sudden, the bleak scene faded to white - save for the fist-fighter who suddenly found herself in the nothingness. The toxic thoughts that had been flooding her mind were silenced as well.

Then, Strawberry Shortcake heard a gentle breeze blow behind her.

The fist-fighter whirled around in desperation and found two figures there - the archmage Green Tea Macaron and the beastmaster Blueberry Cheesecake.

Blueberry Cheesecake wore a warm smile and then shook her head,

"Strawberry. That's not true at all. You're the strongest Parfait Girl to have ever lived."

"W-what are you talking about, Blueberry? You two are dead! Grape's about to kick the bucket too from the poison! She's gonna die protecting me - I couldn't protect anyone at all!"

This time, Green Tea Macaron came forward and kindly refuted,

"You have protected us, Strawberry. The things that you and Grape have done in these past few days were nothing short of miraculous. If I were still the team leader, I don't think I would have done any better than you have."

The archmage then reached over to the fist-fighter's modest chest and explained,

"Now, thanks to your efforts, we live on thanks to you. Blue and I are right here - in your heart."

Blueberry nodded and then held Strawberry's hands in hers as she added,

"Call on us now and we will lend you our strength! It's not too late for you and Grape. There is still a future where she can be with you - and a future where the Parfait Girls can be together. Protect that future with the strength you have within. So, go! Show the Fearmonger what a true Parfait Girl stands for."

Strawberry Shortcake's once dead eyes suddenly regained their luster as she remembered,

"Love. Parfait Girls stand for love against all odds…!"

Green Tea Macaron and Blueberry Cheesecake nodded in agreement as they dissolved into bright flashes of green and blue lights. Those lights coalesced and flowed into Strawberry Shortcake's heart.

The fist-fighter's body then started to glow bright pink and her eyes shone in a brilliant shade of gold. Her locks of pink hair lengthened and her already toned muscles grew much more prominent.

Natsuki raised up her head and watched Strawberry Shortcake's transformation in the middle of battle with absolute awe. She held her hands over her heart as she muttered to herself,

"I can be strong like that too… can't I?"

Strawberry Shortcake emerged from the plane of nothingness and back into the web-strewn forest. Her body grew magically bulkier and the strength that she lost returned tenfold like a second wind.

The buffed fist-fighter's strides grew larger and she eventually caught up to the Fearmonger.

The crossbow-wielder was dumbstruck, horrified by the monstrosity that was closing the distance between them all of the sudden.

"W-who are you!?"

"Who am I…?"

Strawberry Shortcake grinned as she pulled right arm back for one last haymaker punch,

"I AM STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, YOUR GREATEST NIGHTMARE - AND THE STRONGEST PARFAIT GIRL ALIVE!"

The buffed, muscular beast then roared,

"SUPER STRAWBERRY PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNCH!"

The punch connected and a spectacle of bright pink lights illuminated the entire forest. The Fearmonger's menacing figure dissolved in the light as his body split into countless tiny spiders that fled from the scene.

Once the magical light fizzled away, Strawberry Shortcake's over-bulked frame returned to its normal size. She then knelt down beside the dying Grape Tart and laid her hands over the assassin's wounds.

Warm, emerald green light flowed from Strawberry Shortcake's hands. Grape Tart felt her strength returning to her as she noted,

"That's… Green Tea's healing magic…"

Strawberry Shortcake then held her right arm up and an odd, yellow-feathered bird perched there with a small bag of poultice in its beak.

Grape Tart recognized that bird too,

"Blueberry's delivery bird…"

The fist-fighter took the poultice from the bird's beak and told her patient,

"Take this - it will help neutralize the poison till we get to town."

"Back to town…? But Green Tea and Blueberry…!"

"Just drink, you big dummy."

Grape Tart obliged and drank the contents of the bag. The string of the poison quickly started to dissipate as soon as she did and a wave of relief came over her body.

Then, without breaking a sweat, Strawberry Shortcake lifted up Grape Tart and carried her in a princess-carry. The assassin's cheeks flushed red - but not because of the poison that time.

Grape Tart then turned away and felt her heart sink as she realized the gravity of the situation.

"The two of us… are the only ones left, huh?"

Strawberry Shortcake simply nodded, but quickly reassured,

"There still is a future where we can all be together. Green Tea and Blueberry told me to find it. They're counting on us - so we can't let them down. This isn't the end - not by a long shot! That's why we're gonna go back to town - get patched up and rested… then we're gonna search for that future - together."

As the fighter carried the assassin through the forest, the musical theme swelled through the speakers and the credits started to roll.

Once the lights turned on in the Anime Club's room, the audience greeted the credits with cheers and standing ovations. Under the cover of that chaos, Natsuki dashed towards Yuri and wrapped the vice president in a tight embrace. Yuri was surprised by the sudden development, but Natsuki didn't hesitate or budge from the hug.

The petite president then whispered,

"Thank you for putting up with me and letting me watch the whole movie, Yuri. I know that Monika and Sayori left a while ago, but this is my favorite series so I really couldn't help it."

So… even Natsuki noticed the former presidents slipping out, Yuri thought. She figured that Natsuki might have been a little sharper than what Yuri gave her credit for.

Then, Natsuki's embrace grew tighter as she continued,

"I'm not a dumb girl - sometimes. This is one of the few times where my tiny brain can actually put two and two together. I knew for sure that Monika and Sayori were a couple as far back as the maid cafe - I mean, you don't look into someone's lovestruck eyes like that and not give yourself away."

She then raised her head and looked up to Yuri's eyes to say,

"I also figured that you wanted to tail those two dummies because you sort of wanted to spend some time together with me in the festival like those two did. In the end - we sorta had our own little adventure, didn't we?"

Yuri's heart skipped a beat when Natsuki confessed all of this to her.

"H-how did you know…?"

Natsuki simply smiled at Yuri - and that was all that Yuri needed to see.

At that point, Yuri knew.

This was going to be the happiest festival of her life.


Epilogue

In the midst of their tender moment, as the movie audience trickled out of the Anime Club's room, a pair of seats shifted behind Yuri and Natsuki.

The manga-reader turned towards the seats for a moment and gasped.

Monika and Sayori were seated right behind them!

The two former presidents had satisfied smiles on their lips as they watched over Yuri and Natsuki like doting parents. Sayori's blue eyes were shining brightly with delight while Monika had an aura that seemed like lilies were blossoming in the air around her.

Yuri and Natsuki were still stuck in a tight embrace that neither of them would be able to talk their way out of.

Monika, however, shook her head and beamed at the two as she reassured,

"The two of you don't have to hide it if you like each other. Sayori and I don't hide."

With that, Monika gently took Sayori's hand in hers and continued,

"This is our world now. We're free to do what we want - so we should do what makes us happy."

Yuri and Natsuki turned to each other as they considered Monika's words. The petite president then said,

"Well… I do like being around Yuri, but I'd like to get to know her more too. I mean - how long have we all known each other? We should start out as friends before becoming a couple like the two of you."

This time, Sayori chuckled and squeezed Monika's hand as she clarified,

"Moni and I never said that we were a couple. We're just enjoying our new leases on life together, ahehe~. Frankly, we don't need a title. We just want to be together like what we're doing now."

Sayori then grinned at Natsuki and reminded,

"Based on what you were saying though, Natsuki, you want to be a couple with Yuri someday. That's great! Moni and I will support you two all the way!"

Monika nodded in agreement and Natsuki shriveled up from embarrassment. Yuri, on the other hand, cooly turned to the former presidents and asked,

"How exactly did the two of you manage to turn the tables on us like this? Natsuki and I kept our cards close to our chests after all."

Sayori raised up her free hand and answered,

"Natsuki - take a look at the summary page of your administrative notebook."

The petite president tilted her head and repeated,

"Summary page…?"

"Yeah~ the one that gives you the details of the story. You used that to find the date in Elias' world for the Valentines Day special, remember?"

"Oh, that one…! Lemme check…"

Natsuki brought out her administrative notebook and flipped through to find the summary page. She then started to read its contents out loud,

"'Waiting for Ribbons in the Void… Chapter… 8?' Huh? What the heck is this!?"

Monika and Sayori turned to each other and nodded to each other. The two of them then revealed together,

"Elias started a new story!"

Yuri and Natsuki gasped in unison,

"WHAT!?"

Monika laughed heartily before she added,

"It's the story of what happened between Chapters 9 and 10 of Post-Credits. This chapter happens after 'Author's Notes' though. You and Yuri are the stars of the show too! Sayo and I aren't even on the character lists - and we even made that Metal Gear Solid V introduction bit halfway through this chapter!"

Yuri was crestfallen as she asked a rhetorical question,

"So are you saying… that everything that Natsuki and I have done… is recorded in this 'Waiting for Ribbons in the Void' story…? The two of you have been aware of this fact and have deliberately kept it from us?"

Sayori nodded and confirmed,

"Yup~!"

Yuri's and Natsuki's expression soured immediately and the two of them charged at Monika and Sayori. The two former presidents laughed as they ran together out of the Anime Club's room while their successors gave chase.

The girls of the Literature Club zoomed down the hall on their way to the festival bonfire that was finally about to start.

The four of them whisked past a bewildered Matsuri. The student council president tried in vain to tell them to not run in the halls, but she already knew that there was nothing she could do about it.

Instead, she simply brought out the blue-sealed letter that Monika handed her earlier at the cafe and held it close to her heart. She then whispered tenderly,

"Onee-sama. It looks like I'll be living with these colorful characters in their world from hereon out. I'm looking forward to it."

The End


Author's Notes: It's been a wonderful journey writing for the DDLC fandom. With this work, the Post Credits Series comes to a definite close! Monika, Sayori, Yuri and Natsuki - along with the secondary characters that came to life and the one who is taking refuge here from my other series.

I will still be working on my DDLC x MGSV fanfic from time to time, but I have become a busy man lately. That being said, it's reasonable to say that I'm done making DDLC fics. It was a pleasure writing for all of you - and you've been a wonderful audience.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!

-Elias Pedro

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Though I do wonder...

Where was Amy in all of this?