Author's Notes (You can skip these if you want): Hey! This is the first story i'm writing. Well not really, I actually got a lot of half completed drafts but that's besides the point. This is probably the first completed story I have written in a while and I think I wanna continue this one because I really enjoyed writing it. I'm a complete novice to writing so I don't know if this first chapter is too short or too long. I also don't know if it was formatted correctly at all. I kinda just wrote which ever way I thought felt the best.
It's a Monsuki Story (Monika x Natsuki) and while I know it's a weird crack ship that doesn't see a lot of support it's actually one of my favorite pairings. Mostly because I think Natsuki as a character has a lot of potential. I think a lot could be done with her. Monika as well. I think they could work off each other quite well. I feel like Natsuki is a character with a lot of insecurity around her who makes walls that she tries to keep people out with. In order to get to know her you have to be patient with her and break those walls down little by little. She might lash out at you but the people she keeps around are the people who understand she doesn't completely mean what she says at times. If you can show her that you aren't the type of person to not take her seriously and judge her then you will be rewarded with a side of her that many don't get to see. I think Monika is the type of person who could accomplish this. She could open Natsuki up and get her to express what she likes to do. She wouldn't mind taking it slow with her and she isn't the type to just give up and quit on Natsuki either. I always think of cute scenarios with the both them in my head. I want others to see them too. Which is why I want to learn how to draw and write so these scenarios can exist outside of my head and come to life. So maybe others can enjoy them to.
I know that how I write Monika and Natsuki might not be completely in character to some. I apologize in advance. But I think that the beauty of the DDLC is that the characters have just enough to them that you can really flesh them out any way you want to because so much is left to the viewers own interpretation. I think this makes a four girls from DDLC perfect for writing any kind of story. That's what I meant when I said Natsuki had a lot of potential. Nonetheless I would appreciate any criticism given if you read this whole story and if you have any advice on how I can get better at writing feel free to say so. Enjoy the story! :)
Rain, always rain. Today was an all day downpour, but not the downpour that would ruin your day as soon as you walked outside. More so the downpour that you allowed to fall on the tip of your feet as you sat on a porch. The downpour that made you sit down and think.
Today was a day like that and days like these always felt slower then most. Natsuki smiled, she didn't mind one bit. She appreciated the illusion of extra time. Teachers would generally give out less work on days like this and the overall mood was more serene in her opinion, students would be quieter and in turn Natsuki would have more patience left by the end of the day. Natsuki thought to herself that she probably needed all the patience she could get, playing with her pencil as the teacher continued to rant. The rain softly poured and hit the window in a sort of rapid tapping. Natsuki watched the trees flow against the wind. Not paying the lesson any mind. She had already missed 2 days of school this week so she didn't see the point of trying to catch up. The teacher must have thought the same as she didn't bother trying to help Natsuki catch up when she walked in that Thursday morning.
She sighed. She knew the end of the day was near and unlike most students that didn't exactly make Natsuki jump with joy. In fact it was the opposite. She waited for the day to end but at the same time she didn't want it to. Because in truth the best part of Natsuki's day wasn't the beginning or the end. It was the limbo in between of her waiting. Everything else was just something she wanted to get away from. Although once she got away it always seemed like something else always came up. To her that was just reality. It was bothersome and annoying. In the back of her mind she knew that getting home wouldn't accomplish anything but giving her more of these negative feelings.
Nonetheless when the bell rung like every other student she packed up and left the classroom. She didn't want to go home, but she didn't want to stay at school either. The average student's solution would be to go to a friends house for awhile. Natsuki let out a dry chuckle at this. "Like I even have that option" Natsuki thought to herself as she slugged down the hallway. All Natsuki had was school and home, school and home, and she could even do anything about it, she felt hopeless and desperately wanted to just get away from it all but there was no exit or escape. The only options she had was to go home. Her loose hands became fists, she wanted to hit something. Her grip on the handle of the bag she was carrying on her shoulder became a lot tighter then it was before. This wouldn't be so bad if the bag she was carrying hadn't been a relatively old one she had used for years now. Even before it had already been patched up by Natsuki numerous times and she knew she had to be careful with it. None of this came to mind as Natsuki's grip became tighter and caused it to give out and rip off her shoulder.
Natsuki in that moment realized she didn't close her bag all the way when she packed up and left the classroom, meaning when the bag then slipped off her shoulders and flew upside down onto the ground the contents inside flew out onto the ground as well. She had almost no time to react to this and the abruptness of the situation caused Natsuki to be left with a mess to clean up. Natsuki looked down at the ground and then to her ripped bag, flowing in her hand as the light breeze went through the hallway. She didn't even bother to look around and see if anyone would help. She knew no one would or even ask if she wanted any in the first place. They all just walked on to go worry about their own problems. She tried to tell herself she was used to it by now. But it did leave her throat dry. The only thing she could do was bend down onto the ground and make a noise that was a mix of anger, dismay, and general exhaustion. She looked at all the contents on the ground and saw that her pencil case had actually broken due to the fall. Besides pencils and pens there was one more thing that Natsuki kept in pencil case. Natsuki almost immediately crawled towards where the case had fallen and grabbed it. At this point the halls were empty. She flipped the case right side up and found what she was looking for. A small photo that was taped to the inward lid of the case, the photo depicted Natsuki as a newborn with the same pink hair she possesses today. There was a woman holding Natsuki. She had matching pink strands of hair that fell all the way down off frame. She held Natsuki close and had such a warm smile. The photo was taken in a way that made the rest of the women's expression hidden. Her smile however was clearly seen and felt within Natsuki's heart when she looked at the image. The photo had not been in the best condition before but Natsuki had always made sure it wasn't dirty or wrinkled. Now through, the photo had ripped during the fall. A slit went down the photo and stopped at the women's smile, splitting it permanently.
To anyone else, it would seem like this was just a accident. A simple misfortune. To Natsuki however the only conclusion she ever considered was that it was her fault. The bag ripped because of her. The case broke because of her and now her mothers smile had been ruined once again by her. Natsuki in that moment believed that everything wrong that has happened in her life was all her fault. Natsuki's hands shook as she looked at the photo as the same phrase repeated in her head. "My fault. My fault. My fault. My fault." Natsuki started to breathe in a arbitrary manner as she held her chest with her free hand, desperately trying to regain control. She felt herself choke up as the tears that had been building up approached their limit. She could only wipe away what she could as she started to repeat to herself anything that could calm her down. "Don't cry. Not here, please not here. Don't do this to yourself." Natsuki thought as she looked around for anything else that could take her mind off the photo. She looked towards the ruined bag. This was a mistake however as she then remembered who left that bag for her to use in the place. She almost doubled over and broke down from the sick twisted nostalgia that replayed in her thoughts over and over again.
Natsuki begged, she begged for anyone or anything that she would be able to find the strength to get up and suck it up until she got home. As much as she hated feeling this way she wanted to think she at least had the strength to not show it. If she broke down now right here in the middle of the hallway despite no one else being around. She knew she wouldn't be able to recover. So in a one last ditch effort to get her emotions under control she closed her eyes and turned the photo away from her. She placed it back into the case and closed the lid, hands shaking as she did so. With her eyes still closed she covered her face with both her hands and started to count to 10 out loud. "When I get to 10. I'm going to stand up. Pick up my stuff and leave." She thought to herself. Not even being able to convince herself fully that would be the case. "8. 9. 10.." Natsuki finished as she slowly opened her eyes and took a deep and tired breath. Just as she fully regained control her stomach rumbled. She was pretty hungry. Natsuki looked around and then back to everything on the ground. She grabbed her own collar and wiped her face, making a small stain. She let out a somewhat loud groan but switched gears rather quickly. Letting out a even louder "hmmph!" of determination as she got to cleaning. "Let's get this over with..."
The halls cleared up just as quickly as they were filled, as it was the end of the day all students either hurried to their clubs or hurried home. Monika was tasked with hall duty this week for the student counsel. It was a weekly rotation and her job was to make sure no one was loitering in the hallways after school. She was trying to finish up the job quickly as she like most people had a club to get to. The debate club to be precise. Which was a club that Monika help founded but had grown to dislike. She wanted so badly to form her own club but her responsibilities in the student counsel and as a honor student meant she wouldn't have anytime to manage a club with everything else on her plate.
Monika frowned at this. She realized it would be awhile till she could do anything "she" wanted. She scratched the back of her head. "I should clear up my schedule. I never have anytime to do anything worthwhile anymore." Monika thought to herself. Although if someone were to ask the average person what they thought of Monika they would probably consider all the things Monika did on a daily basis quite worthwhile. To Monika however, this simply wasn't the case. The exact opposite actually. They were simply things other people wanted her to do. Monika didn't mind doing these things but it felt like she herself didn't get anything out of it. Not to be selfish or anything. It simply felt like most of what she did while to a outsiders point of view could be considered very honorary and a good example to her peers all falls flat when considering the fact that most who looked at Monika only looked at her through the lens of using her and not following her example.
Even so, most of the people who followed Monika's example only did so on the surface as to gain benefits such as popularity and recognition. Behind closed doors they all showed how they really were. Monika had seen it all to many times. It made her naturally distrustful of anyone who came up to her wanting to be her friend. She believed most people to be fake but she still put on a false smile around them. Sometimes this made her feel fake herself. She realized that maybe nothing in her life felt worthwhile because of the people she hung around. They all pretended to be her friends. None of them actually were. That was Monika's problem, nothing in her life felt real to her. Sometimes the people in the books she read felt realer then the fake people she had to deal with everyday.
Just one. Just a single person that Monika could consider a real friend. Monika thought it was maddening that apparently that was to much to ask for. Simply someone she could just lose time with instead of doing all this work for other people that had consumed her life up till this point. Monika looked down, feeling dejected when she looked back and thought of all the people she interacted with in the past that she thought to be that person. Ultimately all those "friendships" ended the same. They all simply used her. Sometimes she would let them. When Monika thought back to those events she got angry. Not at those people through but at herself for being so trusting. She didn't want to just be a tool for others her entire life. It felt like that was the path she was going down and she didn't know how to go back. Monika sighed. "The girl with everything huh?" she said to herself. She remembered a group of students calling her that the other day as she walked by. She let out a bittersweet chuckle. "More like the girl with everything everyone else wants..." she said in a whisper. "and nothing all at the same time.." Monika thought as she reached her last hallway. Looking up from her downcast Monika saw that she wasn't actually completely alone in there.
Pink, a girl with hair like that of pink pastel perched in the distance. Indeed what Monika was seeing was a pink haired girl crouched on the ground mumbling to herself. Monika stopped and watched the girl for a moment. From this distance she couldn't see what the girl was fiddling with but she did see several items scattered across the ground around her. Compared to most of the Student Counsel Members Monika was pretty lax on the rules. A lot of hall monitors and members of the student counsel were known for abusing power and other scummy things. Monika was one of the few who were actually fair and tried to let students off easy as often as she could. Technically this girl broke a school rule by lingering in the hallway after school like this, no matter the reason. Monika didn't care nor think about that however as she approached the pink haired girl from behind, intending to see if she needed help. Once she got close enough she noticed the girl strangely was cursing at the air. "That's not what I was expecting." Monika said to herself. If it wasn't for her job Monika might just have turned around and walked away thinking this girl to be crazy. Considering the girl might actually need help through she instead decided to tap on the girls shoulder.
Almost instantly the girl flinched to her touch and turned towards her, her quiet curses now directing to whoever disrupted her. "What the hell do you wan-" Natsuki paused, snapping back into reality and realizing how empty the hall had become. Not a single person filled the quietness except for her and this new girl who seemed to have popped into existence. This new situation made Natsuki even more irritated. Mostly because of the gaze this mystery girl was directing towards her. The hairs on Natsuki's neck stood up like a cat that's defending it's territory. Natsuki glared at the girl. It was almost as if this girl was trying to scan her or something. Monika examined this girl who had been crouching in the hallway. Her pink eyes which glared at Monika matched her pastel pink hair that at it's longest reached her neck. Monika noticed just how well done the girls hair was. Her hair was styled in a way that the largest strand of hair that made up her bangs was being held up by a red hair-clip, probably to stop it from getting in her eyes while the smaller stands of her bangs flowed freely down her face all stopping at just before eyes. Meanwhile the hair on the sides of her head were also similarity being held up by two red ribbons in the form of small pigtails. The ends of the ribbons flowed along with the rest of the hair that wasn't being held up. While this girls hair only reached her neck in it's current state Monika suspected that if was completely let down it would probably reach her shoulders easily. Besides that Monika's gaze fell on the girls uniform, which was just the basic one. Although not so well done and somewhat wrinkled, a stain even appearing to be on the collar. For some reason she was wearing a long sleeve blazer even through it was spring and relatively hot when it wasn't raining like it is today. Monika took note on the color of the girls school shoes. They were blue. Which indicated that this girl was only a year under her, this surprised Monika as this girl was very small for her age. Emphasis on very small. This girl was at least 4 inches shorter then Monika was and it isn't like Monika was the tallest of girls. It wasn't just height either, even eyeballing it Monika could tell that this girl had significantly less body fat and probably weighed a lot less then she did. She was definitely smaller then most girls Monika saw in that age range. This left Monika perplexed. She had the urge to lift Natsuki up and hold her to see how light she was. She had a even smaller urge to see if the girl's hair smelled like cotton candy. While both thoughts were amusing Monika did kinda want to make a good first impression. So instead she refrained from lifting or smelling the girl at all. Y'know, like a normal person. Monika seeing no avenues as to why this girl was so small beside her being some sorta middle school genius played it safe and chalked it up to the girl simply being overly petite.
Monika's thoughts were cut off however as an impatient Natsuki wondered what the hell this girl was doing staring at her and saying nothing. "Are you just going to stand there? What hell do you want?" Natsuki repeated with a even more rudeness then before as this mystery girl stood in front of her with her hands behind her back. Monika paused before answering, her face shifting from a unreadable stare to one of content. Her eyes relocated throughout the scene that surrounded Natsuki. Papers, Binders, Pencils, and most things you would find in a school bag were all on the floor. Monika pieced together what happened and finally spoke to Natsuki for the first time. "Did you rip your bag? Do you need help picking up all that stuff?" she said as she crouched down and peered over Natsuki's shoulder at the ruined bag.
It took a second to hit Natsuki that this girl had just offered her help to her. As just a moment ago she was looking at Natsuki like she had just committed a crime or something. Natsuki wondered if this girl was reading the situation to to see if she was some sorta troublemaker. She probably come to the conclusion that Natsuki wasn't and offered help.
Nonetheless whatever the reason didn't really matter to Natsuki. She replied with a simple blunt answer. "No, I don't need any he- EEP!" At least that was the plan, Natsuki instead let out a small shriek as she just finished her sentence when a loud thunder strike hit the ground somewhere nearby and lit up the hallway through the windows that were lining one end to the other. The noise and flash took her by surprise and caused her to drop the notebooks she was just about to put into her bag and jump back to the opposite wall away from the windows. Natsuki looked out the window in dread to see if another was coming then once a moment of silence had pasted let out a sigh of a relief. She turned back towards Monika regaining her composure. "Like I said I don't need any-" Natsuki paused, it seemed like she had made a mistake by looking at Monika's face. Because as soon as she did so she lost any sense of confidence all over again.
Monika was covering her mouth with her fingers and desperately holding in a laugh, occasionally letting a snicker or two escape. After seeing this Natsuki's mind immediately emptied out with everything she was going to say then instantly filled up again, this time with embarrassment. Her cheeks matched the color of her hair as she pointed in Monika's direction wanting to silence her. "H-hey stop laughing! It isn't funny!" Natsuki crossed her arms and looked away once she realized this rude girl was only going to stop on her own, only laughing harder despite Natsuki's requests to do so otherwise.
After half a minute of laughter and Natsuki's patience being burnt away like a match Monika started to calm down as she wiped a tear away from her eye. "Sorry, I shouldn't laugh at people I just meet. You just looked so cute when you were huffing and puffing! You should have seen those red cheeks of yours!" Monika said before going into another few giggles. Natsuki's ears perked up at a word that Monika had said just then however. A word that Natsuki didn't let anyone get away with calling her. Natsuki stood up, balled up fists on her sides and spoke. "Did you just say what I think you just said?" Natsuki spat out. Monika paused her giggles for a moment, somewhat confused. Natsuki pointed her finger in front of Monika's face which caused her to lean back slightly. Natsuki spoke up once more, "You just called me cute!". Natsuki pushed her finger closer causing Monika to have to lean back even more. Natsuki continued all while Monika looked up in utter confusion. "Don't ever say that again!" Natsuki growled out. Trying to intimidate Monika by showing her fangs like some sort of animal. This only caused Monika to tilt her head to the side and scratch the top of it becoming even more confused. "You mean... cute?" Monika whispered out the last word. She continued. What's so wrong with that word?". Monika said. Although not having much time to debate the use of such a word as Natsuki was quick to retort. "What wrong with it is that I am not nor ever will I ever be cute!" Natsuki yelled out, loud enough that the hallway began to echo.
Monika held up her hands defensively, wanting Natsuki to quiet down before a stray teacher or a nearby club get them both in trouble. "Okay fine! Sorry sorry! I didn't know that was a no-no word." Monika shrugged, smiling as she did so. "Obviously this wasn't the best first impression so let's start over. Why don't we start with me helping you get all this stuff up huh? As sorry for saying the C word." Monika said as she grabbed the ripped up bag on the ground and examined it. Natsuki not wanting Monika to touch anything snatched the bag from Monika. "Hey! Stop touching what isn't yours!"
Monika sighed. "From the looks of it the bag isn't completely hopeless. If we head to the supply classroom there should be a knitting kit. I can fix it so that you at least have something to put your stuff in until you get home. After that I can't promise that it won't rip again." Monika looked at the bag once more. She cringed after seeing the patches on it from obvious previous repairs. "Although if I were you. I would ask your parents to get you a new one. No point in repairing this old piece of junk over and over again."
Natsuki flinched at Monika's last sentence. Causing her to drop the tattered bag again. She didn't bother picking it up through. Monika had just managed to push another one of Natsuki's buttons although this time not intentionally. That wouldn't be so bad if what she said didn't remind Natsuki of certain things that pissed her off and got her directly in that situation in the first place. Natsuki knew that getting angry again would only yield the same thing. So instead of blowing up at Monika she took a deep breath. Her face was covered in vexation but she held it in somehow. She turned away from Monika and started picking up the remaining contents of her bag. "Whatever, just stop talking and start picking up stuff. I wanna get home before this storm get worse if I can help it." Natsuki said coldly. Trying to disengage the conversation so she didn't lash out at Monika for something she wasn't even aware of.
Monika noticed just how much of a complete switch in tone Natsuki just went from. As Monika started picking up things from the ground, noticing the bag Natsuki dropped. She picked it up and paused. She thought for a second, could Natsuki's sudden coldness have been from something she said? As Monika thought her whole sentence over she came to the realization that what she said was actually really inconsiderate. What if Natsuki couldn't get a new bag? What if she wasn't in the position to ask her parents? These thoughts filled Monika's head as she realized she was somewhat wrong for saying that. She didn't know Natsuki's situation nor how important that bag was to her. A feeling of guilt swept over Monika. In her eyes she wronged Natsuki and had to apologize.
Monika turned to Natsuki and spoke up. "Excuse me? Can you look over here for a moment? I want to say something.." Natsuki sighed annoyed that she had to stop picking up her stuff to see what Monika wanted now, "What do you want now? You better now have broken anyt- Wha!" Natsuki fell backwards somewhat as Monika was straight in her face once she turned around. Monika was holding Natsuki's bag in her hands. She looked down at the bag and back up to Monika. Natsuki saw regret in Monika's eyes, she waited for Monika to speak. Wanted to speak up but deciding against it and letting Monika finish. "I want to..." Monika placed the bag into Natsuki's hands. "I want to apologize, what I said just now wasn't... it wasn't right for me to say. I was being inconsiderate. We just met and yet I have already come off as well.. not the best person." Monika nervously twiddled with a strand of her hair as she continued, "I'll be blunt, I don't know your situation and I don't know you. So to say that about your bag without knowing everything was terrible of me. I'm deeply sorry." Monika hung her head down in shame. Ready for whatever Natsuki was going to say.
Natsuki looked at the bag in her hand and then to Monika. Natsuki's lips parted into a grin. Her mouth opening more and more as snickers, then giggles, then all out laughter came out. Showing her 2 two little fangs as she did so. She laughed so much that tears started coming out of her eyes. She laughed so much she doubled over and fell backwards completely onto her back. Her laughter echoed through the halls. Not as loud as her yelling from before but up there.
Monika of course after hearing Natsuki start to giggle looked up in complete disbelief. Being somewhat embarrassed that Natsuki started laughing at what Monika believed to be the best apology she could have given in that moment. Natsuki couldn't help but laugh more when she saw Monika's red-faced expression, her laughter bouncing off the walls of the empty hallway. Natsuki rubbed her cheeks as they started to hurt and returned to coherent state. She got up and rose to Monika's level, looking her in her emerald eyes. Her lips parted into a smile.
"You're right. Partially that is. What you said didn't rub me the right way and you should watch what you say." Natsuki feigned a serious expression then went back to a playful one. "But don't get me wrong. What rubs me the wrong way even more is the fact.." Natsuki looked away, not being able to look Monika in the eye for what she was about to say. "Is the fact you thought you need to apologize. Don't beat yourself up for something you had no way of knowing about. It's true, I can't just get a new bag and that's all i'm comfortable saying right now." Natsuki pointed at Monika, this time actually having a serious look on her face. "At the same time through how would you know? No point in me getting angry over nothing. Besides there are way worst things you could of said that would have mega brutally hurt my feelings." Natsuki said as she chuckled.
Monika while still somewhat embarrassed nodded. She understood now that Natsuki wasn't the type of person to take apologies that weren't absolutely necessary. Monika stood up and smiled, feeling as if she understood Natsuki better now as a person. Natsuki however still hadn't revealed her true nature at this point. Leaving Monika with one last surprise.
"If you don't want me to laugh in your face like that again then you better actually have something to be sorry about next time got it?" Natsuki said. Monika nodded, still not so sure if it was okay to just not apologize. "If you say so, at the same time through I feel like I should at least try make amends. So why not get even at me huh?" Monika said playfully extending her arms out as if to take on the whole world. "Ask anything you like! Do your worst!" Monika giggled. Natsuki's crossed her arms and pretended to be in serious thought. "Well if you insist on making amends I suppose there is only one thing I wouldn't mind getting..." Natsuki said as she leaned forward. Her face turning into a devious grin and getting very close to Monika's, causing her already face to become the same color as Natsuki's hair. "H-hold on! What exactly are you intending to do?! Don't get hast-" Suddenly, Monika's nervous rambling was stopped in it's tracks. Her head was pushed backwards by a sudden jerk of force. The perpetrator seemed to have been Natsuki's middle finger which had been propelled by her thumb. Monika glared at Natsuki and rubbed her newly flicked forehead. "Payback~" Natsuki hummed out in a surprisingly melodious tone.
Monika frowned, feeling as if she understood Natsuki's true nature. She didn't know if that was for the better. Monika shrugged and got back to picking up Natsuki's stuff, silently agreeing that they were indeed in fact now even. Natsuki doing the same finished gathering what she could and lifted it all up, holding several books and her broken pencil case along with her tattered bag hanging on her back. Monika who was getting close to finishing picked up the last book that remained fallen on the ground, this one catching her eye. Monika flipped it over and examined the cover. "A manga?" Monika thought as she flipped through it.
As Monika was turned away from her, still picking things up Natsuki had a little time to get a good look at her appearance. Natsuki started at her hair and went down, first noticing how Monika's coral brown stands of hair flowed together into a ponytail which went down her back all the way to her waist. Her bangs extending down both sides of her rosy face. Natsuki thought the hairstyle wasn't the most unique but also considered it to fit Monika quite well. Natsuki noticed how her emerald eyes scanned the task in front of her just as they scanned Natsuki when they first crossed gazes. Monika wore a normal school uniform which was perfectly buttoned and unstained. Her skirt flowed in the light breeze of the hallway. Aside from the ribbon in her hair which made up her ponytail and her green eyes Monika probably wouldn't stand out in a crowd if Natsuki walked past her. Natsuki thought to herself that this was probably the reason she hadn't seen this girl before. Although suddenly there was one more thing about Monika's appearance that suddenly caught Natsuki's attention.
It was her socks. Her socks were black. A glossy jet black that went all the way up to her thighs. In contrast to the normal cotton white that only went up to a girls knees on every other uniform. Including Natsuki's own. Natsuki could have sworn that it was against dress code to wear socks that weren't white. This school was a old one and the dress code was somewhat strict. Natsuki looked at Monika's entire appearance once more. Her eyes stopping on a particular area this time. A place neither covered by her skirt nor her black socks but between them. Monika's thighs. Natsuki noted how they glistened in the light in a similar way to her black socks and stood comfortably snug in them like a muffin would in a muffin tray. Natsuki thought all of this as her stomach growled. Natsuki's cheeks became a light pink after realizing what exactly she was staring and making analogies at so she directed her gaze elsewhere and spoke up.
"I'm all done over here, what about you?" Natsuki approached Monika, noticing that she was holding everything else that had fallen in one arm and holding a single book in the other. "Natsuki huh? That's a nice name." Monika closed the book and turned towards Natsuki. Natsuki didn't have much time to wonder what Monika was reading as she continued. "Yeah i'm all set." Monika said as she made a waving motion and started walking down the hallway. Natsuki not wanting to be left behind followed suit. "The storage classroom is one hallway over from this one." Natsuki speed up to match Monika's pace and started walking alongside her.
Natsuki looked out the window. The rain wasn't getting any lighter, the trees outside pushed against the wind and the rain made a heavy rapid tapping on the roof. The halls ambiance was made up only by that and the sound of both pairs of the girls feet as they walked. It's not like she could stay here forever. Natsuki thought to herself. Her father would- he wouldn't be happy if she didn't come home soon.
Natsuki stopped thinking about that and decided to make conversation for now. She remembered what Monika said before and spoke up. "You said my name just now. How did you-"Monika held up the closed book. "In here, your name was written on the front." Monika pointed towards the first page of the Manga. Natsuki was written there in childlike handwriting. Natsuki's stomach sunk, just her luck that Monika found that book specifically. Monika much to Natsuki's dismay continued. "Parfait Girls huh? I took a quick read through it and i'm somewhat confused as to why a girl would do such a thing with cake batter. Although according the spine of the book this is volume 149 of the series. I'm sure there would be context if I had read the first 148. Nonetheless I can still appreciate the character motivation on page-." Natsuki somewhat zoned out while Monika rambled. Her embarrassment was quickly replaced by confusion as to why Monika was so thoroughly dissecting a book she just happened to pick up.
Natsuki at first was afraid that Monika would tease her for reading manga. Even through deep down she knew that she wasn't that type of person Natsuki couldn't help but think otherwise. This however wasn't expected at all. "Jeez are you really that interested in manga? You don't seem like the type. Monika titled her head and blinked a few times. "No i'm not so much interested in manga. But more so in literature in general." Monika said smiling. "This Manga isn't bad at all. I admit I didn't think baking could actually be interesting to read." Natsuki despite her best efforts smiled just a little at that. No one had actually taken interest or complimented the things she liked before. It actually genuinely made her happy... Although she would never say that out loud.
"It's probably not as complicated or deep as literature. I still like it through.." Natsuki said in a manner that was a lot more shy then she usually was. Monika could tell by the way Natsuki was talking that she wasn't exactly completely comfortable talking about her manga nor was she used to talking about it with anyone. She did however appreciate that Natsuki was making the effort to talk to her about it.
"Not as complicated as literature? What do you mean? Literature can be as simple or as complicated as a writer wants it to be. This is as much literature as anything else." Monika said holding up the book. "Everyone has there own tastes. So if you think about it, we actually have something in common!" Monika said in a happy chirp. She tapped the cover of the manga in a matter of fact fashion. "We both love literature!"
Natsuki after hearing that was for the first time that day speechless. She had been conditioned to think less of what she liked because many others had all looked down on it. But what Monika said just now made Natsuki realize something. What was truly important was that Natsuki maintained a positive outlook on it. Because after all it was what she liked, not anyone else. Natsuki's small smile became a complete beam. When Monika saw Natsuki smile she couldn't help but smile just as wide knowing her words had touched Natsuki if only just for a moment. The hallway went back to state of calmness as the two girls listened to the rain as they walked. Both smiling.
As they got to the door Monika pulled a key chain out of her not so easily visible skirt pocket and unlocked the door. As she started to go inside Natsuki spoke up once more. "Hey um, thanks. I.. I actually had to hear that. I-it may not look it but I do appreciate it. So thanks uh.." Natsuki then just remembered that she never learned this girls name. She's helped her so much today and yet Natsuki never learned her name. "Sorry I uh, I never actually caught your name.." Natsuki said somewhat embarrassed she didn't ask earlier.
"Oh right!" Monika said, putting her finger under her chin. Her emerald eyes and pink lips forming a tender expression as she giggled confirming it with herself. She never did actually say her name. Monika in remiss put her hands behind her back and leaned to the side, almost trying to delay saying it. "How forgetful of me." She said as she extended her hand towards Natsuki. "It's Monika." She said. "Just Monika, it's very nice to meet you Natsuki!" Monika said beaming. Natsuki looked at Monika's welcoming expression and let out a single "heh" as if confirm something to herself. She took Monika's hand rolling her eyes as she did so. "This is a little corny don't ya think?" Natsuki said in a snide way despite having a smile on her face.
The pair looked at each other as if they had just met in that moment. Their gazes didn't falter, for a instant that seemed to last a eternity they both stared and stared. They were both for the first time just now looking at each other. They weren't just staring at each-other however, they instead both studied each other with apprehension. Looking into the others expression, eyes, and intentions. They searched and searched. In spite of not wanting to find anything at all. Both girls who had for so long now been almost trained to be doubtful and distrustful of others almost couldn't believe that they were looking at a person who had yet to wrong them even once. Someone who had yet to trick them, to lie to them, to use them, or mistreat and abuse. They searched and searched for a single instance that day where the other tried to take advantage of them or deceive them. They searched and found nothing, absolutely nothing. Their smiles grew and they both felt a relief that they hadn't felt in a long time. A relief that calmed the fears and troubles they had been carrying, at least temporarily. Their doubts for each other evaporated in that moment and they each came to a individual conclusion.
"She won't hurt me." Natsuki thought to herself, something inside her knowing it to be true.
"She won't use me." Monika thought, so sure she that she'd be willing to bet her reputation on it.
They both let go of each others hands. Not even taking notice that the handshake was somewhat long compared to most nor the fact they didn't really shake their hands at all. They walked into the classroom. Knowing that even when their time together will inevitably come to an end. Meaning once Natsuki is forced to go home and Monika is dragged back to her academic duties. They could at least say on this day among all the other stress filled terrible days they both have had to endure without anyone to lean on or even trust, that this day will mark a change in both of their lives. This day unlike all the rest will mark something that both girls will have for the very first time. This day is actually one that both girls had been subconsciously waiting for since forever. This is the day they can say that they have someone they can call a friend.
END.
Yeah that ending was a little cheesy but in my defense it was written when I thought I wouldn't continue. So I might tweak it. Probably not through because I think it's really fucking c*te. (Sorry Natsuki!)
I had to take a lot of liberties when writing Monika's school life. As we don't get anything about her besides the fact she is popular. On top of that I am writing in the perspective that Monika isn't self aware which is a big part of her character. Meaning I have to write a Pre-Literature Club Monika and fill in the gaps and yeah if you haven't noticed this takes place before Natsuki, Monika, Yuri, and Sayori have met. I do plan on having Yuri and Sayori be introduced later and I do plan on having the literature club be founded in this story. I will probably end it at the festival but idk I might screw around and end it a more unique way. That is in the far future through as I do prefer writing somewhat slow burn stories. It will be a bit till Natsuki and Monika even begin to get interested in each other to be honest. I won't take a eternity but I do wanna build up their friendship a bit before I get into the romantic stuff.
That to me is one of the most beautiful things in the entire world. Enough of that through. Back to business.
Thank you for reading.