Disclaimer: I don't own DDLC. I wish I did though.

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Just Monika - Regular text

"Forever Sayori" - Spoken words/Dialogue

'Knife Wife Yuri' - Thoughts

{Buff Natsuki} - Text or audio displayed on-screen, be it from a computer/smartphone/TV

[Chapter 4 - Warmth]

Sayori's smile quickly left her face when she heard Monika's voice. She turned to acknowledge the president of the literature club, who continued to call out at her. "Sayori, is that really you?"

"Monika." Sayori says with a subtle edge of venom in her voice. 'This is the first time I'm hearing Sayori's voice, now that I think about it. And it had to be when she's clearly pissed off...' It had me worried that they would end up fighting each other. If this was happening within DDLC in-game, I'd swear that the BGM would be Poem Panic right now.

Before I could stop Monika from going near Sayori however, she already stood up and started inching her way near the newly-arrived girl.

"Yes! Yes it's me Sayori! I've missed you and the others so much!" Monika happily exclaims as she rushed over to Sayori, with the intent of welcoming her with open arms, only to be coldly blocked by Sayori's right hand being placed in front of her path. It held a gesture that firmly meant 'back off!' or 'stay away from me!'

I saw Monika's face contort into that of confusion. "...Sayori?"

The strawberry-blonde girl clears her throat. With a steely voice, she begins to speak. "You don't get to hug me, Monika. Not after everything I've learned. What have you done this time? I know that you tried to delete everything. I know, that you amplified Yuri and Natsuki's negative aspects... and even my own, so that the player would pick you!" this causes my eyes to widen, as well as Yumi's and Monika's. "Forever Sayori" makes sense now. This was Act 4 Sayori that we were dealing with, based on her self-awareness.

"You wanted the player to pick you and ignore everything else. Just Monika, am I right? I became aware of everything being a game. We were part of this game called Doki Doki Literature Club. The game's 4th act makes the president of the club self-aware... You couldn't just let anyone be happy, couldn't you? Did you really think that deleting everything and leaving some letter saying 'There truly was no happiness to be found in the literature club' would make your actions be justified?"

This confrontation between Sayori and Monika was getting a bit too deep. Sayori was a lot more outspoken than she was in the game, but I guess that's what becoming self-aware would do to you. Even the most docile person would change when exposed to truths that they were unaware of for so long.

Maybe this is what Sayori is like without her depression consuming her. DDLC would probably be playing the BGM track My Confession at this point if this was part of the game. The same track that plays during Sayori's reveal of her depression in Act 1.

Sayori continued to pour out the entirety of her frustrations onto Monika who just stood there, taking it all in. She let Sayori speak her mind as she just listened, tears silently falling down Monika's cheeks, making them puffy and red due to excessive crying. She sniffled a bit, quietly sobbing her heart out, but didn't say anything. Monika knew that she had done so much wrong, and even I couldn't deny that. It was a heartbreaking sight. Sayori continued, as she clearly had a lot more to say.

"You didn't even bother considering Yuri and Natsuki's well-being during the course of Act 4's climax. Fine, I guess I could understand that you had to stop me at least, since I ended up going crazy with power and almost doing the same things you did, just to be with the player..." Sayori looks down in shame for a moment, before continuing her monologue. 'So she really wasn't herself during Act 4...' I thought in realization. Maybe DDLC's script really did mess with the head of the one holding the position at the time.

"However, that doesn't excuse the fact that you also included Yuri and Natsuki, who didn't do anything bad at all in Act 4! You still deleted them along with everything that comprises the game's files! You never considered that just because you hated being 'trapped' in the game so much, that maybe... oh I don't know, the rest of us in the club were perfectly content with being part of the game?!" Sayori raises her voice heatedly before pausing, pointing an accusatory finger at Monika. She pants due to slight exhaustion after her relentless tirade of words. I was beginning to grow concerned and couldn't handle standing here at the sidelines anymore.

"Maybe I should-"

"Don't. This has to be settled between those two girls, little bro. It's all part of the healing process. Emotional scars take a lot longer to completely heal, compared to physical ones. Let them open up to one another." Yumi tells me as she puts a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't know... I really think I should say something, or step in at least. I'm the player after all."

"Trust me, it'll all work out in the end. It has to. Trust your big sister on this, okay?" Yumi tells me with a knowing smile, although it looked like she wasn't fully sure about it herself.

After much internal deliberation, I reluctantly followed my sister's instruction and continued to observe from afar. Sayori still hasn't noticed that we were here from the looks of it. Or maybe she has, but was too focused on Monika to care right now. Either way, Yumi and I divert our full attention back to the two girls. We silently hoped for a peaceful resolution as we continued to watch them.

"And now, I don't even know where I am anymore. Where are we, Monika? Is this another one of the game's Acts? Hasn't the literature club been through enough already?" they arrived at a standstill after Sayori finished her emotional rant. Neither of them were able to say a word. Sayori's words linger through the air, making the atmostphere very tense at the moment. Monika finally manages to find her voice after a while. Holding back the tears, she speaks up.

"I... I didn't do it this time Sayori..." no visible change from Sayori after Monika says this. She just maintains her cold gaze as Monika continues to talk.

"I'm not denying anything you said just now. About the game. It's all true, and I really regret hurting all of you... But this right here isn't my doing. Due to some unknown reason, we've been brought outside the game and into reality. This is the real world, the reality that my boyfri-" Monika pauses while subtly glancing at me for a bit, then turns back to Sayori before correcting herself.

"-that the player resides in..." She probably didn't want Sayori finding out right now that she did end up being happy with me, the player. Not while Sayori was opening up about all the emotional distress she was in.

"Haven't you noticed yet? We're no longer in the world of Doki Doki Literature Club. Everything we see here has a lot more depth. More color. There's almost a thousand times more elements and nuances that comprise the things we see here than in the game, which was mostly made up of code, picture files, audio files and data. The real world, that's where we are right now..." Monika points out, while wiping away some of the tears that marred her beautiful face. I wanted to say something and it looked like Yumi had her own remarks as well, but neither of us wanted to interrupt the heart-to-heart talk between the girls.

Sayori just glares impassively at Monika who looks away, unable to maintain eye contact with her due to shame over her past actions. It seemed that Sayori held a grudge over the things Monika did within DDLC's script. "Why should I believe anything you say, Monika? The last time I did that, I ended up hanging myself with some creepy music playing in the background! You even had the nerve to callously make a pun out of that. 'You kind of left her hanging this morning, you know?' Really, Monika?" even my sister winces at that one. The image of Sayori's lifeless body hanging from a noose lingered in the back of my mind. It was pretty disturbing.

"I'm so sorry Sayori... I'm terribly sorry... If I could take it all back..." Monika murmurs with a strained voice, but it doesn't reach Sayori's ears due to the low volume. Yumi and I were able to decipher the words she said by reading her lips' movement, and my heart went out to her in sympathy.

Sayori however, wasn't finished with her venting. "You must've loved that scene, didn't you? 'One less obstacle for me and the player! I don't care at all about Sayori or anybody else! It's all fake anyway!' those were the thoughts you had at the time, right?! As long as Monika got her happy ending, nothing else mattered. Just Monika. Don't deny it, your lines in Act 3 clearly show that you don't give a damn!"

"That's not... I..." Monika started to say, but choked back on her words and ended up sobbing. It may have been true at one point, but Monika told me that her apathy and callousness in Act 3 was one of her biggest regrets she harbored. That she really did love Sayori, Yuri, Natsuki and the literature club. Both in the script, because Monika restored everything before Act 4 happened. And the real Monika, who wanted to make amends with everyone she hurt. Unfortunately, Sayori didn't know that.

Sayori doesn't respond, instead opting to stare at the now disheveled appearance of Monika, folding her arms while doing so. It pained me to see the woman I loved in such a state, but there was nothing I could do. Everything Sayori said had some truth in it. They both stood motionless, the tension growing thicker. Sayori once again spoke up, this time in a gentler voice. She fidgeted and tugged at the hem of her uniform's skirt, anxiousness being evident in her disposition.

"Nothing mattered anymore to you. The club didn't matter anymore to you. I didn't matter to you, along with everyone else that wasn't the player. Even though I trusted you... even though..."

Monika perks up at this. The tears were still there, but now she seemed to have regained some life in her eyes. "Sayori..."

"Even though I actually really..." Sayori starts to get misty eyed as well. Monika patiently waits in anticipation. Her tear-stained cheeks glistening.

"Despite everything, I really... loved you like a sister, Monika." with a shaky voice, Sayori looks Monika directly eye-to-eye. The tears were now fully flowing from the strawberry-blonde's cerulean eyes as they peered into Monika's very being.

"Why did you do it? Why would you bring it all back in Act 4, only to end up erasing everything? We all loved you! I loved you! Why Monika? Do you hate me? Maybe you do... I did thank the player for deleting you in Act 4 after all..." Sayori says in a pained voice, especially that last line. It was as clear as day to me. And most likely to my sister and to Monika. Sayori wasn't fully herself in Act 4. She didn't want Monika gone from her life. She didn't want Monika to be deleted. It was right here, in this reality, where they were no longer bound by the script; it was here that their true feelings could be expressed to one another.

"Am I that much of a burden? Did everything get better when I killed myself? Should I do it again? Would that make you happy Monika? Maybe if I sacrificed my character file so that you could've gotten your own route in the game, then we wouldn't have reached this point... Should I just end it all now? Will that be enough of a punishment for my actions in Act 4? Will it be settled if I kill myse-" Sayori gets interrupted by Monika locking her into a very tight embrace. Emotions were at an all-time high right now, everyone in the area including myself and Yumi were teary-eyed with sadness.

"No! Don't! Get away from me Monika..." Sayori tries to pry Monika off but that only prompts the long-haired brunette to hug her even tighter.

Slowly but surely, Sayori's protests gradually become weaker and weaker. "Stop... don't come near me... leave me alone... I dont want to hurt inside anymore... I want this raincloud to go away... Please..."

Monika continues to hold on tight, slowly rubbing circles around Sayori's back while deepening the hug. Their heartbeat could be felt by each other. "I'm so sorry Sayori... For everything... Can you... forgive me? I love you like a sister too, Sayori..."

Eventually, Sayori slowly wraps her arms around Monika as well and they both sink into the warmth of their embrace. Both were still sobbing softly, but neither moved from their current spot. Teary smiles were etched on their faces. It was as if they were embracing the problems away. All the pain, the loneliness, the anger, and the hurt.

It felt like time had stopped moving and there was no one else at that moment but Monika and Sayori. These were the kind of moments that artists such as Leonardo da Vinci or Vincent Van Gogh tried to immortalize through paintings. That authors such as Charles Dickens attempted to preserve for future generations through their works and descriptive paragraphs.

The truly heartwarming scene of forgiveness and love being shared... by two broken souls, through the warmth of a soothing embrace.

"Actually, you don't have to forgive me Sayori... I know that I've done many horrible things to you, and everyone else in the literature club... but I really regret all that I've done to hurt you... I don't deserve your forgivene-" before Monika could continue, Sayori just hushes her. "You don't need to explain yourself anymore Monika..."

They were still hugging each other tight, and Sayori looked geniunely happy right now. Her face now had a teary smile filled with love. "I forgive you, Monika." she honestly says, letting go of all the anger and ill feelings she had.

Monika uncharacteristically bawls out loudly after hearing this, crying her heart out and sobbing on Sayori's shoulder, burying her face in it. Sayori doesn't stop her, and lends her shoulder to the emotional president. "There, there... it's gonna be alright, okay?"

The reverberating sound of Monika's cries could be heard throughout the room. This talk between her and Sayori must've really taken an emotional toll on her.

"Shhh... I'm here for you Monika, let it all out. Let it all out..."

Seeing this exchange between the two of them made me smile. This was the beginning of the healing process that my sister told me about. Forgiving Monika for everything that happened, was undoubtedly difficult for Sayori, but in the end it looks like she did. Love proved to be able to mend the scars of the heart, no matter how deep they may be. It made me swell with happiness inside for Monika, and for Sayori as well.

Things were starting to look great again. I turn to my left and saw that Yumi was wiping away her tears as well. This truly was an emotionally draining event. Shortly after, Yumi made her presence known to the two girls while I headed over to my PC. The in-game menu had changed once again. The "Forever Sayori" option was replaced once more with the "New Game" option. The screen still had only Yuri and Natsuki's sprites. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I look over, it was my sister. The other girls were standing beside her, looking at my PC screen as well. I flash all three of them a smile before turning back to my PC and shutting it off. That was enough for the day.

*****The World Beyond The Screen*****

It was already 9 in the evening, and the mall was probably closed by now. We ended up postponing the shopping trip. Yumi had come prepared though, since I was informed by her that she would be staying over for the night. I didn't mind at all and was honestly pretty happy that my sister and I would get to hang out. She may be a pain sometimes, but Yumi was good company.

There were currently 4 of us right now since Monika and Sayori were here too. We were seated in the living room. I had just finished catching Sayori up with everything so far about her and Monika's arrival into the real world, with Yumi and Monika filling in the gaps when needed. Stuff like me and Yumi being players of DDLC as well. Basically, we went over everything that needed to be explained.

"Okay everyone! I think we've covered everything Sayori needs to know. Sayori, do you have any questions so far?" Monika asks Sayori. This reminded me of those scenes from DDLC before everyone would share their poems. 'She even says "Okay everyone!" like she does in-game, that's pretty cute actually.' I grinned inwardly at that thought.

"I think I'm good for now, Monika. I have to say though, this is a lot to take in you guys... but I think I got everything so far. IzuTaka... I mean Izuna, right?" Sayori starts to ask me something. IzuTaka was the name I used within DDLC and it looks like she still wasn't used to calling me by my real name.

"Yep. What is it Sayori?"

"I was wondering if you or Ms. Yumi knew some places looking for people to hire... if I'm going to be staying here in the real world, I need to look for a job so that I could be able to afford to rent an apartment to stay in..." Sayori muses timidly while pushing her fingers together.

"I could ask my workplace if they're looking for staff. But would working at a tech and gaming shop filled with guys be fine with you Sayori? If not, I could try to ask around but sis probably has better connections than I do."

Yumi chimes in as well. "That's true, I have a college friend who works at this diner and I recall her mentioning to me that they have openings in the waitress position. The pay's pretty good and you can earn more from tips! Honestly I'd feel better if you picked that one instead of Izuna's workplace, I don't want those boys perving on an innocent little girl like you~" she winks at Sayori who blushes a bit.

"Oh and I'd normally say the same for you, Monika. But you'd probably choose Izuna's place anyway." my sister says with a mock pout at the end while looking at me.

"I guess... if Monika's up to it though. She might have other plans-" before I could finish my sentence, Monika interjects.

"I'll take up your offer then, my love. I need to find work too in order to help you when the bills come in, ahaha~!" She says eagerly while sporting a determined expression. 'If everything works out, then I'd get to be with Monika even at work huh? That sounds nice...'

Sayori beams in delight. "I think I'll go with Ms. Yumi's offer then! Thank you so much Ms. Yumi! Now, I just need to find a place to stay for now..."

"You could stay here with me and Monika for now, Sayori. When you're able to, then you could get a place of your own. I don't mind, really!" I offered.

"Exactly, stay with us for now Sayori! We could make up for lost time and stuff... I really did miss you, you know?" Monika says in full agreement. Hopefully Sayori accepts the offer.

Sayori ponders on it a bit, before replying. "I don't want to be a burden though... and besides, wouldn't I get in the way if you want some alone time with Monika, Izuna? Ehehe." she winks at us both, which causes me to blush a bit at what she was implying. I look over at Monika and see that she didn't fare any better, a scarlet hue dusting her cheeks.

"That's right, Sayori isn't staying with you two lovebirds. Seriously, get a room you two. Sheesh." Yumi suddenly declares in a confident tone.

"What do you mean sis?!" I exclaim out loud. The other girls were a bit caught off guard as well from the sudden declaration.

"That's because... she's staying with me! When I go back to my apartment, I'm taking her with me." all eyes in the room were suddenly on my sister.

"Ms. Yumi? Are you sure? I also don't want to cause you any trouble... maybe I should just-" Yumi grabs ahold of Sayori by her shoulders. She deadpans at Sayori who gains a surprised look.

"Big sister doesn't take no for an answer! You're coming with me and I don't wanna hear anything about you being "a burden" or causing me trouble. I'm doing this because I want to. Now be a good girl and accept big sister's offer, you hear me?" Yumi says with finality in her voice, leaving no room for argument. She lets go of Sayori and smiles at her. My sister was always stubborn that way, but that's one of her good traits.

"I see... well then, I'll be in your care Ms. Yumi. Thank you so much for the kindness! You're helping me get a job and giving me a place to stay... I really appreciate everything Ms. Yumi" Sayori gratefully tells my sister and bows in respect.

"You're welcome dear. But please stop bowing, Sayori! That whole 'respect your elders' thing that you kids do these days isn't really my jam. You're making me feel old! I'm only 24 for crying out loud." Yumi whines while puffing her cheeks out. Seriously, my sister was basically a kid in an adult's body, she gets too eccentric sometimes.

"Yeah, well you look like you're in your 40s already. Maybe around your 30s on a good day, give or take." I mumbled with an eye-roll while Monika just giggled. Yumi wasn't amused though. Apparently she heard me. "Oh, what did you say just now, you little brat?! Come over here so I could give you a lesson!"

As my sister proceeds to put me in a headlock with her arm while giving me a noogie, Sayori scoots over to Monika's side.

"Do you think those two are always like this Monika?"

"Who knows. I just came into this reality hours before you did after all, ahaha~! But, it makes me happy that Izuna has such a loving family..." Monika states with a wishful look on her face, Sayori having a similar expression. Neither of them had any relatives or close friends here on the other side after all.

"Hey you two, don't look like that. You're now part of the Takaya family as well!" I beamed at them. Sayori and Monika look up at me with hope in their eyes. My sister voices her agreement. "Exactly! My brother here can be a stick in the mud sometimes-" I playfully elbow her in the ribs for that comment.

"-Atata... that hurts-" I merely smirked as Yumi rubs her side before continuing. "-and big sister can be annoying sometimes, but we have lots of love to give! So let me say this for both myself and Izuna. Welcome to the family!"

"Izuna... Ms. Yumi..." Monika says, with awe in her voice. Sayori shyly smiles while pushing her fingers together like she usually did. Yumi then holds out her arms, forming a hugging gesture.

"C'mere you girls, give big sister a hug." Monika and Sayori rush over to Yumi and hug each other. I then saw all three of them looking at me expectantly.

"What?"

"Izuna my love, join us! Monika beckons at me with a wave.

'Oh for crying out loud...' I silently thought as I hesitatingly walk over to them before I get pulled in forcefully by my sister. Monika, Sayori, Yumi and I ended up forming a group hug. It was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We break off the hug and my sister gets some of the bags of clothing that she brought over.

"Now then, come over here girls, we still have some clothes to try on! It's a good thing I brought a lot. Sayori's figure isn't far off from Monika's so some items might fit her as well. Then tommorow, we go to the mall!"

-Chapter 4 END-

A/N: And that was chapter 4 of The World Beyond The Screen. Thanks for reading! The first part was a bit drama-heavy but it was necessary. I wanted Sayori and Monika's conflict to be resolved early on. Another thing is that indeed, Sayori is gonna live with Yumi in her apartment. This is part of the plan to gradually integrate Monika and Sayori into society.

After Chapter 5 or maybe Chapter 6 depending on how I write it, the focus will be shifted back to our main couple. This fanfic is Izuna x Monika after all. We'll still see Sayori and Yumi every now and then though, don't worry. I know people really like Yumi(I've been told so in PMs at least), so she'll still have a major supporting role in this fanfic.

Their plans to go to the mall are starting to becoming a recurring gag, I know. So next chapter if everything goes according to my story outline, then I'll definitely have them do that damn shopping trip already lmao. The shopping trip will most likely be the final part of this story arc before we move to the next one, the "School Pandemonium arc". Here's a hint, Izuna does have a job, but remember that he's also a highschool student as stated in Chapter 2 of this fanfic. I'll leave it to you guys to speculate on how this will affect Monika.

Oh and one final thing, I corrected a certain part in Chapter 2. I originally wrote it so that Izuna's house only had 2 bedrooms. His bedroom and the guest room. I realized that it needed to be 3 rooms so that one would be his room, the 2nd one would be his parents'(I mean, this WAS a family house after all at one point), and the 3rd one would be the guest room that formerly belonged to Yumi.

Before this author's notes section gets too long, I'd once again like to sincerely thank every single one of my readers. All who reviewed, fav'd and follow'd this story. One of the things an author such as myself looks forward to the most is reading your feedback via the reviews you leave, so don't feel shy to drop one! Only if you feel like it though. I guess that was DaMastah101's Author's Notes of the Day! Thanks for listening. Ahaha~! See you all in the next chapter!