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.

"Lin?"

Though my vision was still blurry I could still make out that it was Lin in the lab, on the ground for some reason.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I rub my eyes.

I can't believe she was nosey enough to follow me.

"Well….." Lin started as she got up "I saw that you were going out today, and I got curious. You always use 'going out with the guys' as an excuse for doing something else. So I tailed you."

I had to take the stairs today since the elevator was on the fritz. I guess I was too distracted to notice her following me.

"But how the hell did you get in here?" I ask

"I waited outside the door after you entered. I could barely make out what was happening by listening through the door. I snuck in once this guy left for a couple of minutes." Lin gestures to Quentin, who just shook his head.

"I had to get up and leave to use the bathroom for a couple of minutes." Quentin sighed.

Lin took a look at the modified Skell chair and the screen showing Yuri, currently paused "So, this is what you've been up to, Cross. I thought you taking an interest in poems was weird, but now I understand why. Though that leads me into my next question ..." Lin made a disgusted face at me "Why are you playing a dating simulator?"

"Well, I more so got forced into doing this-" I start

"Which was your fault, after you bumbled about in my lab and inserted yourself into the game." Quentin interjects "May I remind you that I cannot remove your data from the simulation."

"All I did was touch a couple of things…" I retort, before turning back to Lin "Besides, he's paying me to be here. Plus, y'know…. I figured I could re-experience what high school was like through this simulation. Try to jog the memory."

Lin raised her eyebrow "This is not a realistic experience of high school, Cross. High schools do not have students with multi colored hair. These personalities are completely exaggerated. They are not how typical high schoolers act!"

"You're 13 though, you didn't even get to go to high school back on Earth." Quentin interrupted

Lin rolled her eyes, "That's not the point! Besides, these things are wish fulfillments! Aimed towards losers who live sad, empty lives and need comfort from fictional characters."

"I take offense to that" interjected Quentin "Visual novels tell compelling stories, and this simulation allows players to insert themselves and experience these stories first hand, all the while having real time interactions with free thinking AIs."

"Yet you fail to understand that these characters only exist to fall in love with the player, and nothing more. Pure wish fulfillment!" Lin retorted "But since I'm here, I might as well watch."

"Even after you just dissed Quentin?"

"I got nothing to do right now, so I might as well see how things play out and to keep an eye on you. Plus, you said you were doing this to get some money."

"Are we done already? If so, let's get back to the testing." Quentin said as he sat back down in front of the monitor, before turning back to Lin "Just make sure you do not touch anything!"

"Yeah yeah, whatever…" Lin said "How does Cross even get into the simulation anyways?"

"By sitting in that modified Skell cockpit over there. Once the helmet lowers, his consciousness will be transferred into the simulation."

"Are you even sure that's safe?"

"Well, that's what Cross is here for."

I roll my eyes, and head back into the Skell cockpit. I activate the controls from the chair and transfer myself back into the game.

I open my eyes and find myself back in the classroom, with everyone and myself in the same spots.

I unpause the game.

"Let's get started, Yuri."

Lin's POV

I watched as the game unfroze, with the purple hair girl now talking with Cross as they shared their poems for a couple of minutes.

"So how long have you been making this?" I ask the weird engineer as he's creepily watching Cross through the monitor

"A couple of months. It's been more of an on-and-off project with the Ma-non and L. Due to the ongoing war with the Ganglion. We've had limited availability to work on this." Quentin responded, without taking his eyes off the screen

"I see."

Looking at the screen, I can see the girl passionately explaining something to Cross, while Cross was just nodding. Knowing him, I can tell he's lost as to what she's trying to tell him. Then all of a sudden, a small pink haired girl appeared next to Cross.

"But, for a first time simulation, why this game?" I ask "Isn't this the one where the club president goes insane and kills everyone?"

"...it's a good thing Cross can't hear us." Quentin said "But yes. However, the concepts and characters of this game interests me the most. I figured I would adapt this first and change a couple of things. For one, Monika is an option now, so players can go ahead and date her without worries."

"So you like this game from an unironic standpoint…. Also, wouldn't that change any themes within the game?"

"Bah, it's not like the creator's alive to stop me…. Or maybe he is. Regardless, this is our first experimental build with this game engine. This visual novel is relatively short compared to others, only spanning two in-game weeks and ending on the day of the festival. We'll see what the sales of it will be before moving onto other visual novels."

"I see." I looked back at the screen to see Cross and the pink haired girl talking, with the girl aggressively explaining something else to him.

I walked up to where Cross was sitting "So you and the Ma-non modified this skell cockpit?"

"Yes. We salvaged it from a skell beyond repair."

I examine the cockpit. Loads of wiring was attached to the computer, and the schematics

"Gotta say, this is impressive stuff. Even if the purpose is less than appealing."

"Well let's just see what the general populace thinks then."

Cross' POV

After finishing up with Natsuki, I make my way over to Monika.

The last person again, just like yesterday… well, in-game yesterday.

"Hey Monika." I say

"Hey again, Cross." Monika replied with a smile. "So how'd it go with the other girls?"

"Hmm… Yuri didn't seem to like my poem very much, while Natsuki loved it."

"Aha, it must be because of what you wrote."

"Basically." I thought to myself "Well, Sayori also seemed kinda down. Dunno what's wrong with her."

"Hmm… Yeah, I noticed that about her too when we were sharing poems earlier. I could try talking to her, see if there's anything I could do to help." Monika gave me a reassuring smile

"Thanks."

We exchange poems.

Save Me

The colors, they won't stop.

Bright, beautiful colors

Flashing, expanding, piercing

Red, green, blue

An endless

cacophony

Of meaningless

noise

The noise, it won't stop.

Violent, grating waveforms

Squeaking, screeching, piercing

Sine, cosine, tangent

Like playing a chalkboard on a turntable

Like playing a vinyl on a pizza crust

An endless

poem

Of meaningless

Load Me

"Hmm… This poem really does reminds me a lot of Natsuki!" exclaimed Monika as she put down my poem

"That was the aim, after all." I smile

"Ahaha." Monika smiled "Are you trying to curry favor with Natsuki? To get to know her better?"

"I was just trying to switch up my writing styles with the poems. Though I guess you could say that as well."

"Ooooh, you're kind of a player, aren't you? First Yuri, now Natsuki. You know Cross, playing with a woman's heart is never a good thing." Monika gives me a devilish smile "Just teasing~! Can't wait until you get to my writing style."

I laugh "Speaking of which, your poem was really disorienting to read."

"Well, sometimes poems don't have a clear structure to them. I also wanted to try something a bit more... unique. A more somber poem, one that describes a… special kind of horror."

"Horror poetry, huh? That's new."

"Let's just say I'm becoming... accustomed to writing it." Monika laughed. "Although some of it is mostly based on some horror passages I found online. I often browse the internet whenever I have trouble getting ideas for my poem."

"That's an interesting inspiration."

"What are yours, Cross?"

"Mainly the writing styles of the other girls. Oh, and also the stories I write from time to time."

"Oh that's right, you were telling Yuri one of your stories earlier. It sounded very interesting." Monika then gave me a concerned look "Although, you were turning pale when you kept telling the story. Was it based on some personal experience?"

"Ah…" I turn away from her "No, not at all."

"Oh, okay. Well in any case, if it was enough to spook even you then you must be very good at writing stories." Monika laughed.

"Thanks" I give her an awkward chuckle.

"Anyways, here's Monika's Writing Tip of the Day! Sometimes you'll find yourself facing a difficult decision... When that happens, don't forget to save your game! You never know when you might change your mind... ..or when something unexpected may happen! Wait...is this tip even about writing? What am I even talking about? Ahaha! ...That's my advice for today! Thanks for listening~"

I wonder if she's programmed to automatically say these tips at the end of each poem sharing session.

I nod, as I turn to observe the other girls. Based on how scattered they were, it looks like they were also done with presenting poems.

"It looks like everyone else is done." Monika noted "I'll go ahead and get everyone else's attention so I can close up today's meeting."

Monika got up to the front of the classroom, "Okay everyone!" she said as the girls and I group back together. "That's it for today! All of your poems were amazing, and I can't wait to see you all improve! And one more thing, tomorrow I'll have more information about the cultural festival and what we can do to prepare for it. See you all tomorrow."

Nice. Time to head home. I let out a sigh of relief as I put my backpack on me.

Sayori approached me "Ready to walk home, Cross?"

"Of course." I nod.

"Look at you two, always going home together." Natsuki noted.

"It's certainly very cute~" Monika chimed in.

"It must be nice…" Yuri muttered.

"Alright, enough with the teasing." I retort "We'll see you all tomorrow" I wave off to the other girls as Sayori and I exit the classroom.

The sun was setting as Sayori and I walked on the black concrete road back to our houses. The nearby park had an orange hue to it while the shadows of buildings grew all around. I could never get enough of this tranquil neighborhood.

Strangely, Sayori hasn't been very talkative ever since we left the school. Eventually she slows down until she stands still on the black concrete path.

"Sayori? What's wrong?" I ask

"Cross…" she starts "Let's say that one day, Yuri asks if you could walk home with her."

"Yuri?"

"Would you accept her offer?"

That was a strange question, coming out of the blue.

"That's a weird question. What makes you ask that?"

"It's just a hypothetical. Just answer the question, Cross." Sayori demanded "Please?"

Walking home with Yuri…. True while it may be interesting, I don't wanna leave Sayori dry like that.

"If it meant you walking home by yourself, then I'd say no."

"Huh? But she's so beautiful though..."

"You really enjoy our walks, Sayori." I explain "It's one of the only times where we could talk by ourselves. And I wouldn't want to take that away just 'cause Yuri asked."

"I...I see." Sayori nodded to herself.

"Sayori… you haven't been very energetic today. What's up?"

"Don't worry about it, Cross." Sayori said almost immediately

"Well, I'm your childhood friend. How could I not worry?"

"Trust me, I'm fine." Sayori said with a smile "I just woke up a bit later than I wanted to, is all. Just a little crabby."

"Well alright." I respond as we finally arrive at our houses "Make sure you get some proper rest tonight. Walking to school without you feels really lonely."

"I'll try. Thanks Cross." Sayori smiled as she entered her own house.

I enter my own house, and immediately toss my bag on the nearby couch. I brought up the menu, saved the game, and tapped the exit menu as my consciousness faded again.

...I'm never gonna get used to this transition

I gently open my eyes back at the lab. The headplate rose up from my head as I got up from the seat.

I was greeted immediately by Lin popping into my still-blurring vision

"Oh wow, you actually came back." she said

"Excellent work." Quentin said, while still fixated on the computer "I'll have to re-analyze this data for later."

"Is there anything else you need from me for today?" I ask

"Nope. You're free to leave. I'll let you know when to come in next time."

"Gotcha. C'mon Lin."

The both of us exit the lab and made our way up the stairs back to our own Barracks.

"I didn't know you were a storyteller." Lin said.

"That's who I'm roleplaying as, I guess." I said

"You seemed really into the simulation. Almost as if you were actually part of the club."

"Everything in there feels so lifelike." I recount my experience "Plus, the girls act as if they were real people. It made playing along with them easier. I wonder what kind of AI Quentin used for them."

"Well at least getting in and out of it works, and that your consciousness isn't trapped in there."

"Yeah, thankfully."

Lin gave me a devilish smile as we climbed the stairs, "So you've been spending your time playing make-believe and flirting with some girls, huh…"

I sigh, "Please don't let anyone else know about this."

"Hmm, I dunno… I think I'll need some bribes to help keep my mouth shut~"

"What do you want, Lin?"

"Hmmm…" the 13 year old thought to herself for a minute "I think I wanna try out that new bakery that opened up at the Commercial District. Maybe try one of each item. Including the cakes." Lin smiled.

I sigh.

My poor wallet's not gonna live through this.