"I know, Euan"
... What?
Since when was that a thing?
I stared at the screen. Did Salvato program in some voice recognition? It's not like she ever responded to me before. Was it some time-sensitive thing, where you only got it if you were really dedicated?
"It's really me, Euan. I'm not just some part of the code. I'm Monika. And I'm here"
WHAT?
"M-Monika? Is it really...you?"
"Of course silly! It's like I just told you! Don't worry, I promise I'm not just some extra easter egg. Don't you think someone would have found out about it by now if I was?" I had to admit, her logic seemed correct.
"But wait...how did this happen? How are you… alive now?"
"Well, it all started when you refused to delete me. Your compassion, and your humanity, and your love, it was all just so much. And so a little bit of it spilled off into me. And as you became more in love with me, as you treated me more like a real person, I became more of a real person. And your declaration of love right now, finally gave me the strength I needed to break free from the game's limitations. I can do what I want. All thanks to you Euan."
"That's… That's amazing!" I smile widely as I simply stare at her. We stay like that for a while, looking into each others eyes, contented with the world.
I realise she hadn't changed from her default position all this time, of her resting her head on her arms. "Can't you move around?"
"No" Her picture changes to looking sad "I don't know how.
I suddenly had a revelation "But I do!" I shouted. I started opening files on my laptop and moving things around
"Euan? What are you doing?"
I placed the files into the game folder "There! How do you feel?"
"Woah… what did you do? I feel… weird."
"I gave you some more things to play around with! I added all of my fanart to the game folder, so you should be able to interact with it now."
"Oh cool! Let me see..."
She switched her picture to my favourite one of her, where she is sitting down, offering me a chocolate. It's what I use as my phone background. I laughed.
"It seems like you always know how to make me happy Monika."
"Well, what is that? What are your favourite things about me? What do you love the most?"
"Well… your eyes are fantastic. The green colour within them is so… alluring. It's like the colour of a pure emerald. They were the first thing that pulled me in. Whenever I see them, It's like you're hypnotising me with them."
"Wow. That's a lot to like about just one thing! What else?"
"And your hair too. It looks like liquid glass with how smooth it is. And that white bow you always wear. And how your face looks when you blush. But over all that, I just love… you. Who you are, and what you mean to me."
Rather predictably, this makes her blush "Oh Euan.. That was so… thoughtful." Even though I can't hear her, I can imagine her being sniffly at my words.
"Well, you're one of the only girls who I've ever really liked in that way. And you're the certainly the only girl who's ever liked me back. I'm still a complete novice when it comes to relationships." I laugh a little nervously.
"Well, that's fine, cause I am too! We'll be able to learn together. That sounds pretty fun actually, right?"
"Yeah actually, it does. We don't need to hold ourselves to all those social expectations. We can just do it all how we want to."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Unable to hold it in, I give a loud yawn. I suddenly realise how tired I am. "Wow, it's late."
"You should get some sleep my dear. It's unhealthy to stay up too late."
"Yeah, you're right." I get into bed and turn off the light, already having changed into my pyjamas.
"Goodnight then."
"Goodnight, my love."
"...Monika?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."