Doki Doki: Two Broken Hearts Chapter 16, a doki doki literature club fanfic

(Monday, 5:00PM; Outdoors; Akihito's PoV)

Sayori and I walk back to my home. I can tell something is on Sayori's mind.

Aki: "Something on your mind?"

Sayori: "Do you know what happened with Natsuki?"

Aki: "Apparently Monika put her manga collection on the top shelf, so she took the teacher's chair to the closet. She was trying to reach it, but fell."

Sayori: "Poor Natsuki…"

Aki: "But there's something that's bugging me."

Sayori: "What would that be?"

Aki: "You saw her bruises, right?"

Sayori: "Yeah, they were super severe."

Aki: "I have a feeling that she had those bruises from before."

Sayori: "What do you mean? Clearly she fell on her arm where the bruises were."

Aki: "Let me ask you something. If you fell from a chair, it wouldn't be that high, right?"

Sayori: "Yeah…?"

Aki: "And you saw how much pain she was in, right?"

Sayori: "Yeah, she was bawling."

Aki: "A fall from that height normally won't inflict that much pain. But falling on a bruise, especially that severe, would."

Sayori: "So… you're saying that she got those bruises somewhere else?"

Aki: "Exactly. She also doesn't want us to know why she got them."

Sayori: "How can you be so sure?"

Aki: "When Monika was trying to roll up her sleeve, Natsuki kept refusing and didn't want Monika to."

Sayori: "Do you perhaps know the reason she got those bruises?"

Aki: "Nope. That's what's still driving me crazy. She had those bruises before, and doesn't want us to know how she got them. If it were something simple like falling down some stairs, she would tell us. But this seems too severe for her to just blatantly tell us."

Sayori: "Do you want me to help you find out?"

Aki: "I already asked Monika, and she said she would talk with her tomorrow about it. If she doesn't say anything, then you can help. Is that okay?"

Sayori: "Okay…"

We reach my house, and I invite Sayori inside. Mom is just watching some drama on TV.

Akira: "Hey guys! How was school?"

Sayori: "Well-"

Aki: "It was good."

I lightly hit Sayori's elbow to tell her not to tell Mom about Natsuki's situation.

Akira: "That's good to hear! Well, come on in! I have a lot to catch up with you, Sayori."

Sayori heads towards the living room while I close the door.

Aki: "You need me to leave?"

Akira: "No you can stay."

Aki: "Alright."

I head into the living room, and sit next to Sayori.

Akira: "So, how have you been Sayori?"

Sayori: "I've been great! School has been going well, and I've been able to catch up with Aki!"

Akira: "What do you mean by catch up?"

Sayori: "Well, ever since eighth grade Aki has kept to himself, so we kinda just disconnected after that."

Aki: "Sorry about that."

Sayori: "It's okay. At first I was kinda mad about it, but after you told me what happened with Mr. Yamada, I understood your actions."

Akira: "Yeah, after his father left it was hard for the both of us."

Aki: "Let's move on to something else. Please."

Akira: "Sure. Sayori, tell me about the Literature Club! Aki hasn't told me much about it, other than the fact that you're the vice president and you invited him."

I like how Mom is acting like she hasn't gotten any of the details from Monika.

Sayori: "Oh, yes! The Literature Club! Well, for the most part we don't do much in the club. It's mostly just like a relaxed place for people to unwind after school."

Akira: "Who are all in the club?"

Sayori: "Well there's the president Monika, Natsuki, Yuri, and you already know me!"

Mom suddenly has a small shocked face. I don't think I've told her that the club has only girls.

Akira: "Wait a minute, there's only girls in this club?"

Sayori: "Yep! Well, besides Aki."

Akira: "Is he behaving well in the club?"

Aki: "Mom! What kind of question is that?!"

Akira: "What? I'm just asking if you're behaving well!"

Sayori: "Ehe, yes he is behaving well in the club."

Akira: "That's good to hear."

Mom and Sayori talk for a little longer, and I just sit there listening to their conversation. Sayori then leaves saying that she has some homework to finish. We all say bye to each other, and then I go to my room to work on my own homework.

(Tuesday, 4:00PM; School; Akihito's PoV)

God dammit, why did class have to end late today. Nevertheless, another day of school finished another day for the club. Monika said that she would talk with Natsuki today about her bruises. I volunteered to join her, but she said that it would be better if only she was there. I head inside the club, and it looks like only Sayori and Yuri are there.

Aki: "Where's Monika and Natsuki?"

Yuri: "They're both having a chat down the hall. Monika wanted to talk to Natsuki about something."

Aki: "When did they head out?"

Yuri: "About five minutes ago."

Aki: "Huh, okay. Thanks, Yuri."

Yuri: "You're welcome."

Yuri goes back to reading her book. With nothing to do meanwhile, I decide to see what Sayori's doing.

Aki: "Hey, Sayori."

Sayori: "Hi Aki! What's up?"

Aki: "Nothin' much. I was bored so I thought I'd chat with you."

Sayori: "Okay! What do you wanna chat about?"

Aki: "I don't know, I didn't think I'd get this far."

Suddenly, Monika and Natsuki come inside the room. Monika has a worried expression, and Natsuki looked like she'd been crying. Monika whispers something to Natsuki, who then goes to the closet. Monika then turns towards me.

Monika: "Aki? Can I talk with you for a minute? Privately?"

Aki: "Sure."

Sayori: "Is something wrong?"

I lower my voice to a whisper.

Aki: "It's most likely about Natsuki. I'll tell you when we're walking home."

Sayori: "Alright."

I get up and follow Monika out the door. She walks us to the end of the hallway, probably where she talked with Natsuki.

Aki: "So, what happened?"

Monika: "Well, I talked with Natsuki and..."

Aki: "And?"

Monika: "..."

Monika doesn't say anything, she just stares at the floor. I can see a few tear drops falling down. Without a word, Monika hugs me tightly and cries into my shoulder.

Aki: "Monika?! What's wrong?!"

Monika: "Natsuki..."

Aki: "Natsuki?"

Monika: "Her father..."

Aki: "Her father?"

Monika: "Hit..."

Aki: "Monika you're just saying random words! Tell me what's wrong!"

Monika: "Natsuki's father... abuses her..."

Aki: "WHAT?!"

(Flashback: Tuesday, 4:00PM; Clubroom; Monika's PoV)

I head to the club after another tiring day of school. Upon arriving, I notice that everyone but Aki is there. Seeing as Natsuki is here, I might as well take this chance to talk with her.

I walk up to her to ask if she can talk for a few minutes. She seems to be doing well after yesterday. I lightly tap her shoulder to get her attention.

Natsuki: "What do you want?"

Monika: "I was wondering if... we could have a chat for a minute?"

Natsuki: "Okay...?"

Monika: "Follow me, we'll go somewhere private."

I head out the clubroom, and head down the hall. This is so that anyone coming down the hallway won't see or hear us.

Natsuki: "Alright we're here. Talk."

Monika: "I just wanted to ask... how you got your bruises on your arm."

Natsuki: "Do you have amnesia or something? I fell from the chair!"

Monika: "But... those bruises looked severe..."

Natsuki: "Maybe I just... I just landed on them too hard!"

Monika: "When I was rolling up your sleeve... you kept resisting as well."

Natsuki: "Because I didn't want you to see my bruises!"

Monika: "But why? I needed to check to make sure you were okay!"

Natsuki: "Because... because..."

Monika: "Because?"

Natsuki: "I... I can't tell you that..."

Monika: "Natsuki, you had those bruises before... didn't you?"

Natsuki doesn't say anything, she just stares at the floor.

Monika: "Natsuki? You can talk to me, you know that right? As the club president and your friend, it's my responsibility to make sure you're okay. Please... talk to me..."

Natsuki remains silent. I can hear some sniffles from her. I don't want to pressure her anymore, but I'm not sure what to do.

Monika: "Would you... would you like a hug?"

I open my arms for a hug. Natsuki slowly walks towards me, and accepts my hug. She starts crying more intensely into my shoulder. I stroke her head to calm her down.

Natsuki: "I... I can't run from the truth anymore... can I?"

Monika: "Whenever you're ready to talk, you can talk. But I'm not leaving you until you tell me what's wrong."

Natsuki: "For years... my dad has been... abusing me..."

Monika: "Oh my god..."

Natsuki: "I don't know why... he always comes home drunk and he just vents out his anger on me... he doesn't even feed me most days..."

Monika: "I'm so sorry... I didn't know..."

Natsuki: "He knows where to hit me so the bruises won't show..."

Monika: "So that's why you didn't want me to roll up your sleeve yesterday... because that's where he hit you..."

Natsuki just nods. Her crying has calmed down to sniffles.

Monika: "How long have you lived like this?"

Natsuki: "Ever since my mom left... so around 5 years ago..."

Monika: "Was your dad like this before your mom left?"

Natsuki: "No! He was the kindest person ever! But... when my mom left, it impacted him so much that he became a different person altogether."

Monika: "Do you... do you know why your mom left?"

Natsuki: "No… she left in the night. Only my dad knows why she left us, but he hasn't told me."

Monika: "Okay..."

We stay out here for a few more minutes in silence while I try to calm Natsuki down.

Monika: "Would you... would you like to go back to the club?"

Natsuki: "Okay..."

We head back inside the clubroom. I notice that Aki has arrived, he's talking with Sayori right now. I don't know how I'm going to tell him about this, but I have to.