Disclamer: Really? You guys still think DaMastah101 own the rights to DDLC? Don't be silly now. Ahaha~!
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Text - Regular text
"Text" - Spoken words/Dialogue
'Text' - Thoughts
{Text} - Text or audio displayed on-screen, be it from a computer/smartphone/TV
[Chapter 2 - The First Day]
After Monika's sudden yet very welcome appearance here in the real world, I helped her to settle in. Monika being here still felt so surreal.
"This is all very new to me Izuna, so forgive me if I don't know about much yet on how the real world works..." she admits with a shy expression while pushing her index fingers together timidly. The gesture reminded me of Sayori. I did a double-take but quickly shrugged it off.
"It's fine Monika, I'll be here to help you every step of the way." I reassured her while taking her right hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. She returns the action and gives me an expression of gratitude.
"Thank you, my love."
My house had three bedrooms, the first being my own room, the 2nd one being my parents' room, and the other one being designated as a guest room of sorts. The guest room was formerly my sister's room and it had rarely been used except when I had friends over who slept for the night or whenever my older sister came to visit and intended on staying with me for a bit to hang out. Most of the time though, it laid vacant.
I told Monika that she was free to use the guest room as she pleases and she gave me her thanks with a peck on my cheek. I loved the feeling of her soft lips on my skin. I sported a faint blush at the sudden contact but I was smiling all the while. 'I could get used to this...'
As for my next course of action, I gave her a bit of a tour around the house. It was a simple bungalow-type house that had the aforementioned three bedrooms, a medium-sized kitchen, the living area, and two bathrooms. The first bathroom was near the living room while the other one was shared by my room and the guest room. The connecting bathroom made it possible to go from one bedroom to the other. It was pretty convenient.
"You've been living here by yourself, my love? All alone?"
"Yeah..."
"Awww... well, I'm here now so you don't have to feel lonely anymore! I know all too well about the feeling of being alone." she earnestly tells me as she looks straight into my eyes with her own emerald green orbs. That's right, she did say in Act 3 that she felt all alone and trapped in DDLC.
"Izuna... I might be overbearing at times, but I hope we can get along. I'll make sure you don't feel sad anymore, ahaha~!" She smiled and I gave her a hug in return which we both deepened. Both of us blushed a bit at the closeness of our bodies. I let go of her and it was barely noticeable but I could've sworn Monika looked a bit disappointed at the hug being broken, but she just smiled at me and I returned the gesture with a happy grin.
It was true. I've already told her hours ago when she was still in the game about some parts of my living situation. My parents were both overseas due to work and my older sister was off living on her own, so the family house was left under my care. I'd call my parents every other day and I'd do video calls with my sister as well. As I mentioned earlier, she also comes to visit once in a while and we'd hang out.
Be that as may, and although I was used to living by myself, there were times that I indeed felt lonely. I hung out with friends on the weekends but eventually I had to return home by myself. I had no one to say "I'm home!" to. That was about to change starting today.
Even though my parents sent me some spending money and supported my expenses in highschool such as tuition fees, I took it on my self to find a job in the mean time while continuing my studies. I was currently in my final year of high school but at the same time I worked at this nearby tech and gaming shop as a store clerk. It was one of my fellow staff that introduced me to DDLC and I still count my blessings every day that I was able to get past my hesitation and play DDLC. It was because of him that I met the love of my life, Monika. The words "Just Monika" never felt truer. She was the girl that had come to mean so much to me. I still remember like it was just yesterday. Well technically it was, hours ago even, but that's besides the point. Ahaha~! Great, now I'm doing the same laugh as her...
All those months of desperation I endured. All those playthroughs and attempts in saving Monika. I had to overcome so much to get this happy ending. She was worth every minute of it. It made the end so much sweeter, since it all culminated in her freedom. Maybe that thunderstorm was heaven's way of helping out a shmuck such as myself. She was here now, with me. It was wonderful. And I wouldn't have it any other way. The girl of my dreams was finally within my reach.
"Are you okay Izuna? You were spacing out there for a bit." Monika asks me with a twinge of concern. Her voice snaps me out of my trance. I told her that I was merely reminiscing. She left it at that but told me to let her know if something was bothering me and I nodded in gratitude.
Since Monika didn't really have any personal belongings yet, I had to go out for some emergency shopping at the nearest mall. Good thing it was only 4 in the afternoon so I had plenty of time. The thunderstorm had already subsided as well.
I told Monika to wait for me here at home while I went out to go get her some necessities aside from clothes such as a toothbrush, foot wear, and other basic needs. Winter was nearing as well so I had to get her a coat, boots and a scarf at least. Might as well stock up on food too. She smiled and asked if I had some books for her to read while she waited.
"Hmmm... you were the president of the Literature Club after all Monika, so I guess it's not a surprise that you'd want to read. Let's see..."
"Yep! Reading is one of the best forms of recreation in my opinion. It helps cultivate the mind and develop your sense of vocabulary. Each book is basically a new world for the reader to explore! That's why I make it a habit to read books, as well as other forms of literature such as poems and even the newspaper whenever I'm able to. I hope you like reading as well, my love. Ahaha~!" Monika proudly states with a confident smile. I nod in response with a smile as I handed her a book. It was an encyclopedia. Normally I'd start one of the various manga books I had, but that might remind her of Natsuki so I didn't.
As I was about to step out of my front door, a realization dawned upon me. I palmed my face in frustration. How could I miss such an important detail?
"I'm such a scatterbrain sometimes, damn it. How would I buy Monika's clothes if I didn't have her exact measurements?" and with that, I went back to Monika, who was currently in my living room. She was reading the encyclopedia intently. Her face currently sandwiched between the pages. Sensing my presence, she looked up at me with an inquisitive look gracing her features.
"Did you forget something Izuna? Perhaps your keys?" she inquires as she closes the encyclopedia in order to hear me out.
"Monika, I'm sorry to interrupt your reading session, but I'll need you to come with me to the mall. I don't know your sizes after all." her visage lights up as she heard me.
"Really? I can come with you Izuna?"
"Yep! Oh, and your current outfit is fine. There's lots of students that hang out at the mall after all." she gives me a hug and gets giddy with excitement. This was a side of her that I've rarely seen, during the times I've played DDLC. She was usually the calm and collected one, and had a more level-headed expression of joy whenever she was happy. So this surge of excitement was refreshing to see, to say the least. I must've been staring at her and spacing out again since she was now standing directly in front of my face. Her warm breath was grazing my skin.
"Izuna?"
"Gah! M-Monika?" she steps back a bit as I tried to maintain my composure.
"Ahaha~! I know I did something similar inside the game where my sprite got zoomed in really close for you, I think it was during Act 2. The time when you were told by the game to choose between Yuri and Natsuki in their argument, but this feels different!" I chuckled as well at the memory. During my first playthrough that part creeped me out but several playthroughs later I was able to laugh at some of the "glitches" since I was hellbent and focused on saving Monika.
"Sorry! I got lost in my thoughts again. I seem to be spacing out a lot these days."
"Geez... you weren't... thinking about lewd thoughts just now Izuna... were you?" I blush at that inquiry. Now she thinks I'm a pervert!
"W-what?! I wasn't thinking about anything like that Monika!"
"You don't think I'm attractive then, Izuna?" she suddenly looks at me with a slightly offended expression. "Well?"
"I... uh... I... t-that's... er..." before I could continue making a fool out of myself by being completely reduced into a stuttering mess, Monika interjected. She must've sensed my discomfort.
"Relax my love, I was only kidding! It's okay for you to look at me like that, in fact, it makes me happy! Ehehe..." I sigh in relief but still give my apologies. She just winks at me and I swear I could feel a bit of blood dripping out of my nostrils...
"However, you're only allowed to look at me like that okay? No other girls! I'm your girlfriend after all." She says while sticking her tongue out and flashing me a smirk. I'm gonna die of diabetes from all of this, good Lord.
As Monika told me she was just gonna brush her hair and freshen up a bit, my phone which was in my pocket began to vibrate. I unlock the screen and see that it was my sister who was attempting a video call. I immediately answered it.
"What's up sis?" I greeted as her face comes into view.
{"Hey there Izuna! Anything new today? I've been swamped lately due to college, sigh. I hope you still aren't moping because of Doki Doki Literature Club?"} it was as she says. My sister, Yumi Takaya, was aware of my struggles regarding DDLC. I got her to play the game as well so she was aware of Monika and the game's nuances. She didn't become as attached to it as I had been though.
"I'm doing great Yumi. As for DDLC, I'm doing so much better. You could say that I have... a new lease on life!"
{"Well that's nice to hear! It wouldn't do good for my little bro to be all sad and brooding. That look doesn't fit you man."} Yumi teases. We engaged in some small talk. Apparently her college prefessor required her to do a very difficult thesis and she was stressing out about it. I wished her luck and we talked about other things like the latest anime. Sis was a big anime junkie.
"Izuna? Who's that on the phone? I'm hearing a girl's voice?"
"Oh don't worry Monika, it's just my sister on a Skype video call! I told you about her, right?" I inform her.
"Oh that's right, my love. You did mention that your older sister was living on her own. Tell her I said hi!"
{"Ara, ara. Izuna, who's this girl? And don't deny that it's a girl because I can hear her even from here!"
"Well... she's actually my..."
{"Wait! Don't tell me... she's your girlfiend? But I thought you were head over heels for Monika, the character from DDLC. Wow, my little munchkin is growing up..."} Yumi pretends to wipe a tear from her eyes. This was embarassing.
"Big sis..." I sighed.
{"Not denying it, are we? Have I hit the mark? Hue hue~"}
"Fine, I admit it. She's my girlfriend." there's no use in hiding it anymore.
{"I'm so proud of you Izuna! You're finally experiencing the springtime of youth! I knew you weren't gonna waste away your life playing DDLC. This is making me so excited. She's there right now too!"}
"Yeah..."
{"Hey little bro, can I talk with her real quick? You've made your big sister curious, I wanna meet her!"}
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea Yumi." she might be shocked to see who it is. I mean, Monika looked exactly like she did in-game. Any sane person would be shocked, without the proper context.
{"Boooo... you're no fun Izuna. Let me talk to her!"}
"Big sis, I really don't think-"
{"Let big sis talk to the pretty girl already Izuna!"}
"No!"
{"Yes!"}
"Please Yumi, I'm being serious!"
{"Oh alright..."}
I breathe a sigh of relief that she wasn't gonna push this matter. Or so I thought.
{"I'll buy you a Monika body pillow if you let me talk to your girlfriend."}
"YUMI!"
"What's going on, my love?" Monika asks as she peers over my shoulder... into the phone camera's view. Welp, I guess that settles it. Might as well go through with it.
{"Yay! I finally get to see the girl that got my silly brother's attention! You should know miss, this guy's been hooked on a game character from this game called Doki Doki Literature Club named Moni..ka.."} my sister's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as they saw the girl who was now beside me. I could already tell that this conservation was gonna start falling off the rails.
"Hi Yumi! Izuna told me about you, you're Izuna's sister right? Pleased to meet you. I'm Monika. Izuna's girlfriend! Let's be friends, Ms. Yumi!"
A moment of silence ensues. I was the first one to speak up.
"Do you see now why I was hesitant in showing you... sis?"
{"..."} Yumi was in a state of silence. Her eyes were still widened.
"Sis... are you okay?"/"Ms. Yumi, is everything alright?" we asked out of concern for my currenly petrified older sister. She was looking back and forth between me and Monika. The look of disbelief etched on her face.
{"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE IZUNA?! HOW?! MONIKA, HOW ARE YOU OUTSIDE THE GAME?!"}
-Chapter 2 END-
A/N: Ohohohohoho~! That was the second chapter of The World Beyond The Screen! This chapter introduces Izuna's sister, Yumi! Will she be making a physical appearance soon? Keep reading to find out, ahaha~! Thanks for the lovely reviews and for everyone who fav'd and follow'd this story. See you all next chapter, and happy holidays to all. Peace!