Disclaimer: Okay everyone! It's time for the second cooldown chapter, before we finally enter the School Pandemonium Arc!
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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 or by speaker, be it from a computer/smartphone/TV
"'This reminds me of a dream I had years ago... I never finished that dream... Ahaha...' I murmured to myself as I drifted off to sleep.
Perhaps that dream was already finished, I just didn't notice it yet."
-Yoku
Chapter 63 of "DDLC: Our Reality", a DDLC fanfic by TheReader1118.
The fact that you're here, reading this part of the fanfic, means that you've already read the previous cooldown chapter. That is, unless you're one of those crazy people who skips chapters or episodes ahead in a show or a book, which in that case more power to you I guess...
But getting back to my point, we're now on the second filler chapter before the next arc officially starts. So bear with us one more time, before we finally advance the plot to its next major increment!
...Talking about the next arc, I do have some insider knowledge though, as your narrator. Let's just say that there's something about... you know what? Just read till the end of this chapter. You'll see what I mean. Don't skip anything.
[Chapter 14 - Filler 02: Just Monika vs The Former Avatar]
Another ordinary day was pretty much the setting for the entire gang in the Takaya household. Most of them were present as usual, except for Elyssa who happened to be on yet another errand of her own somewhere else.
That Libitina seemed to be disappearing quite often these days. With only Blank and Yuri really having any clue on her whereabouts whenever she went out.
As for Erika, she herself had her own errand as well. Monika's mother offered to do a bit of grocery shopping for the house, even though Izuna had told her that he had it covered. Still, Erika insisted as thanks for their sudden accommodation. She loved being a doting mother anyway. And so, she was gone for the whole day as well just like Elyssa, as she also mentioned trying out one of the nearby salons after her grocery shopping was done.
All in all, nothing was really out of the ordinary for the group.
For Doki standards at least. That usually translated to "some s*** is gonna go down again" for the regular people, though.
This... happened to be one of those times. The day wasn't going to end until Pandora's Box had been opened, and in this case, it was Izuna and Sayori who opened it.
You see, it all started when Sayori offhandedly made a casual comment and Izuna also voiced his thoughts on the matter.
"Blank's been doing nothing but fiddle with his developer window tablet thingy again... I guess it's so stressful to be the leader of the group, ehehe."
Izuna initially replies casually but stops himself before finishing. "Yep, Blank really has it ha- wait, did you just imply that Blank is the leader of the Doki group?"
"Uh... yeah? I mean, he is the leader now right?" the girl tilted her head to the side in confusion, not really getting why the Takaya disagreed.
Izuna slight narrows his eyes. "Wouldn't the leader be, oh I don't know... Monika? Think about it. She was the president of the literature club from Acts 1 to 3 before you succeeded her. And she was the one who even formed the club. Blank as the MC barely had any function in it! Before that lightning bolt stuck my PC which allowed his true personality to be formed, he was a freaking template. He's a cool dude, but Monika is still the leader."
A bit irked at her lover being dismissed so easily, the cinnamon bun retaliates vocally.
"I love Monika to bits almost as much as you, but Blank worked his butt off inside the game world to get the others out, so he's earned the leadership role in my book!"
"But Monika's still the leader though, Blank might be the MVP but he still isn't the leader!"
"Blank deserves to be leader!"
"Sure, but the leader right now for sure is Monika!"
"BLANK!"
"MONIKA!"
As the Takaya and the girl continued arguing, the subjects in question happened to overhear the squabble and awkwardly stood by the side, not too far away.
"Ahahaha... they're arguing quite intensely. I think we should say something, wouldn't you agree Blank?"
Before Blank could even speak though, the arguing pair heard Monika and Izuna uses this as fuel for his counter-arguments.
"See, even right now, Monika is taking initiative and displaying qualities of a leader!"
"Hey, Izuna darling, don't use what I sai-"
Sayori inflates her cheeks in a frustrated pout and jabs out a retort. "Oh yeah?! Well Blank's silence shows that he's mature enough to silently observe! Truly like a leader!"
"You guys just didn't give me a chance to spea-" but like Monika, the avatar's input gets drowned out by the constant arguing. He turns to face Monika and they nod at each other.
"Let's just let them argue about this..."
"Yep. Say, Monika? Let's check out what Natsuki and Yuri are up to again." as they prepared to leave however, they were both dragged by the arm. Courtesy of their respective lovers. The Takaya and the girl he was arguing with spoke in sync with each other.
"Don't you two go and spy on Natsuki and Yuri again! This issue is more important!"
Minutes later, they all found themselves seated on the couch. Sayori was firmly holding Blank in place, shaking him like a bag of candy.
"This manly-man right here is the leader, why can't you see that, Izuna!"
Izuna, in an out of character manner, was doing the exact same thing. He was also shaking Monika in front of Sayori like a bag of candy, and even raised his voice for emphasis.
"JUST MONIKA. THE LEADER IS JUST MONIKA!"
The former avatar and the former president could only awkwardly blush at all of this. Seemingly, the arguing went on and on until a new voice of reason finally made its appearance.
"Why not settle your debate with a little friendly competition?"
All four heads turned to greet the source of the suggestion, which happened to be Yumi Takaya, Izuna's older sister.
The female Takaya's idea had effectively ceased Izuna and Sayori's arguing for a moment, and this prompted Monika and Blank to try and escape their captor's clutches from what they deemed to be a petty argument.
But, fate had other plans.
Soon enough, three main types of contests were decided upon and the judges selected were Yumi herself, Yuri, Natsuki, and Val whom they called upon to participate.
"Hey man, did you guys really have to call me over? I was about to finish Persona 5 for goodness sake!"
Izuna glared at the Walker with the intensity of a million burning suns, which managed to shut the effeminate gamer up from any other complaints.
*****The World Beyond The Screen*****
The first contest was surprisingly a fairly normal domestic activity.
A cooking contest.
Monika, being portrayed by DDLC as the all-around talented popular girl, naturally possessed the capacity to cook decently. Vegetarian or not, she had a diverse culinary palette, which had only been amplified during her stay so far in Izuna's reality since it wasn't restricted to coded memories anymore.
True to her characterization, the emerald-eyed beauty managed to whip up a blissfully simple-yet-filling culinary rendition for the judges, as well as the competition, to feast on.
Both Blank and Monika had an hour each allotted to form their dishes. Monika was first.
Her dish of choice, was one of Italian fame. The "Pasta Con Pomodoro E Basilico". One of the most basic, yet hardest to master, pasta dishes in an Italian kitchen. She had done some extensive plating on it as well, making sure that the dish had an entire inch of space around it's circumference in relation to the plate's edge, as well as topping it with some cilantro leaves and minced onion chives to give it that rustic and fresh feel. Finally, she served it with a side of garlic bread, toasted and sliced to a nice and light crisp with just the right amount of melted butter and garlic on it.
She was easily able to procure the required ingredients for the dish, after a bit of online shopping with her laptop. The funds may or may not have been provided by a hacked account though...
The result was a dish that had the tantalizing smell of fresh tomatoes with basil and pasta cooked to the most perfect degree of al dente, it made everyone's mouths water.
"Okay everyone, it's time to dig in~!" she proudly announces with a wink, confident of her victory in this first part of the competition.
Izuna had stars in his eyes, continuously showering his girlfriend with praises and hymns of glory. Blank was thouroughly enjoying his rival's dish as well, saluting her with a thumbs up to which Monika was grateful for. Sayori was smiling with each bite, but tried her hardest not to say anything because she still wanted Blank to win.
The judges, which were Yumi, Yuri, Val and Natsuki all had intense expressions while savoring each morsel of pasta that they could.
Monika watched on in tense anticipation.
Soon enough, the judges began giving out their commentary on the food, one by one just like in those cooking battle shows that aired on television.
First up, was the older Takaya.
"Monika dear, your dish was... amazing! So yummy!" she exclaimed in delight while continuing to eat some more.
Monika, who had been leaning in for more commentary, was visibly shocked when Yumi said no more and just continued to eat. She then turned to the next judge after Yumi which happened to be Yuri, who shyly gave a smile that showed she liked the food before continuing to eat as well in comfortable silence.
"That's all they have to say? What about you Val?"
His mouth still stuffed with pasta in the most unflattering angle possible, he attempted to answer Monika's inquiry.
"MMMffff the fooMmf Ish pweetmff goommfhs, I love the flavomhfh!"
"...huh?"
The ex-president wasn't sure whether to take the lack of proper commentary on her food as a compliment or a diss, but she hadn't lost hope yet. Turning to the final judge, who happened to be the most culinary inclined among them all, Monika fully hoped for a proper judging session this time.
"It was pretty good, Monika! You should make us some more in the future."
"Thanks Natsuki!"
But then, realization dawned upon her.
"...That's it? You guys really have nothing more to say about my freaking pasta?! That counted as 'judging' for you people?!"
Natsuki gulped a bit, before adding "I-it was a pretty good dish Moni-"
"You already said that! Oh come on, say something more than just the dish being good!"
Yuri tried to placate Monika with an explanation to no avail while stuttering in embarassment over her lack of proper judging.
"It was so good, t-that we d-didn't have any proper words t-to use in order to describe how g-good your d-dish was..."
"But I wanted to know what could be improved with my dish and how it stacks up in comparison to what Blank is about to make AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
Several minutes of a calming session later, courtesy of Izuna, Monika finally recomposed herself.
"Ugh, fine! Blank, you're up next!"
And so, after Monika's dish had been presented, it was the former avatar's turn. One hour later, he returned to the judging area, aka the dining room, for his magnum opus to be judged.
He even covered the dish with a non-seethrough metal tray cover for some added suspense.
Everyone once again tensed in anticipation.
When the dish was finally unveiled, Monika was the very first to make a loud statement about it.
"IT'S A FREAKING OMELETTE?! Are you underestimating me this much that you'd choose to pick such a dish to make, Blank?!"
"On the contrary, the omelette is proof that I'm being fully serious about this."
An awkward staredown between the ex-president and former avatar commenced, before the girl relented.
"...I see." Monika could only reply with a raised eyebrow, still not seeing how a dish even more basic than hers could possibly wow the judges, much less win against her Italian masterpiece. She was sure that Blank's omelette would taste good, but one of the simplest dishes known to mankind surely wouldn't be her first choice to use in a cooking battle of all things.
The others were in massive shock as well. Monika had chosen to make a complete pasta dish, while Blank had used up a whole hour to make an omelette, an egg-based dish that could be finished in a measly five minutes.
He expertly places several plate with an omelette each for all of the judges, and a plate each for Izuna, Sayori and Monika as well in the audience corner.
Izuna was about to voice out his opinion as well, before managing to catch the look on the former avatar's eyes.
The Takaya had seen that look before on Blank. It was in a different time and place, and during a much different scenario from this light-hearted competition, but it still sent chills down his spine.
With his blood-red eyes narrowed ever so subtly, and focused on the path before him, Blank once again had the look of a warrior. The last time the former avatar donned this type of facial expression was during his battle with Erika. Right now, he had a smile accompanying it, but Izuna still knew from those eyes alone.
Transferring his gaze to the plate in front of him, Izuna's eyes widened.
This was no ordinary omelette.
It was something that transcended the normal limits of cuisine itself.
From the first whiff of the egg-dish's smell, and the first proper look at that nicely colored golden semicircle, Izuna realized that the former avatar wasn't bluffing.
Blank's omelette represented him going all out, holding nothing back from this contest.
It saddened the Takaya. He truly thought Monika's dish was very delicious and great, but it just wasn't on the same level as this omelette.
He takes that much-awaited first bite, and his feelings and thoughts were instantly confirmed.
"This is...!"
Izuna shakily drops his fork from his hand and was trembling. His whole body was convulsing and shivering intensely with pleasure, and his eyes looked like they had seen and witnessed the splendour of heaven above.
Seeing the Takaya's very pronounced reaction to Blank's dish, the others took a bit in their respective omelettes as well. Even Izuna resumed devouring the omelette with so much gusto.
Sayori had tears in her eyes, her man's cooking was so inexplicably good!
Monika still couldn't believe it. After she had tasted Blank's deceptively simple-looking dish, she soon found out that the taste and quality was anything but simple. It was that good. 'How did he get it to taste this high-level?!'
As for the judges, they were taking their time, savoring each morsel that they could.
Yumi was again, the first to give her opinion.
"Blank... do you have any idea what you've just unleashed into this world?"
The former avatar raises an eyebrow in mild curiosity, prompting the older Takaya to elaborate. Monika was highly interested in this as well, considering the mediocre commentary she had gotten on her own dish from the judges.
Yumi takes a deep breath, and lets it all out.
"This omelette... has managed to transcend and surpass all the known attributes that a regular omelette normally has. The amount of flavor packed in it is unreal. You could taste just the right amount of saltiness, which is then accentuated by the texture of the egg, which also is amazing in its own right due to your ability to somehow cook it into the perfect degree of fluffiness that is desirable for this type of viand. The consistency is absolutely amazing as well, and not only that, but the serving portion is generous, and the plating is nicely done. Finally, choosing such a basic dish like the classic omelette has allowed your inner cooking prowess to shine through, and for the true creative freedom to permeate and allow such a masterpiece to exist in this world."
She pauses a bit, and gives the omelette another glance.
"Blank, you've outdone yourself, so hold your head up high and stand tall. This is an amazing dish." Yumi finishes with a thumbs up at the former avatar who nodded his head in gratitude.
Monika only smiled and didn't say or outwardly do anything, save for the annoyed twitching of her left eye. Izuna and Sayori assumed it was due to the difference in feedback between their dishes.
Yuri was up next, and the normally shy girl had a lot to say as well, once again in stark contrast to the mere shy smile she had given to Monika's dish. Her stutter wasn't even present at all this time.
"I must say, that Blank has once again shown his expertise in cooking. He had already done so before, when I was still trapped inside of Izuna's computer with the others, but to be able to partake into his cooking once again like this is nothing short of remarkable. Just like Ms. Yumi had already mentioned prior, the texture and fluffiness of the egg's outer layer, combined with that soft and tangy inside, with just the adequate level of salt in it all help to boost the already oozing flavor of the omelette. I can tell that you've maximized the entire hour allotted to you in order to bring out the best in this omelette, am I right Blank?"
"Yep. Let's just say I used several cooking techniques in the creation of this humble dish, haha." Blank says with a smile while scratching his head a bit in light embarassment.
"Henceforth, it's no surprise that the outcome is as magnificent as this. Your dish was very palatable and delicious, Blank." Yuri finishes with the same shy smile she gave Monika.
Blank once again gives his thanks, and Monika's twitch sped up even further. 'Why is it that HE gets detailed reviews while I received lazy ones?!'
Next up was Val... whose review was as you'd expect.
"MMMffff the fooMmf Ish pweetmff goommfhs, I love the flavomhfh!"
Before Blank could even react, Monika couldn't hold in her inner thoughts anymore and had to loudly react.
"Okay I don't know if I'm more annoyed that both Yuri and Ms. Yumi's reviews of Blank's work were a million times more insightful compared to what I got, or the fact that you're still talking with your mouth full of egg, Val!"
"Butmmmfff it's so goompfhf-"
"SWALLOW FIRST BEFORE TALKING!"
After Monika was finished nagging, Val went to sulk in a corner, occupying himself with Fate Grand Order on his smartphone. But not before passing by Izuna.
"Your girlfriend is scary dude! Then again, her 'Just Monika' scene in the game was pertty creepy already so I shouldn't be that surprised..." which only earned a chuckle from Izuna and a giggle from Sayori, while Monika pouted as she overheard the comment.
Back to the judging, Natsuki was the final one to give her opinion.
She continued taking bites out of the omelette, but she wasn't saying anything for a while. And so Blank and Monika waited, and waited, and waited...
And waited.
Blank himself was getting really anxious at the critique. He blurts out, "Well Natsuki?"
This catches the girl's attention. "Oh, was I supposed to say anything? It's the mophead's cooking, and it's good. There. Make some more for us in the future."
Both Monika and Blank sweatdropped at Natsuki's aloof response.
This round, it was unanimously agreed that while Monika's dish was excellent in its own right, Blank had won the cooking round with a final score of 3 is to 1 judges, the only judge not voting for the avatar being Val.
It was because the Walker was still scared of Monika getting angry again.
*****The World Beyond The Screen*****
The second contest that was agreed upon was something vastly different from the cooking-themed one that they had just done.
Monika and Blank were to square off this time in a test of smarts, in the form of one time's greatest mentally-inclined games to be devised.
The game of chess.
After deciding via a coin toss, which Monika had won with heads, she opted to go for Black and in effect, giving her opponent the right to make the first move. Therfore, Blank would be playing with the White pieces.
As both players were seated on the opposite ends of the board, the former avatar decided to bluff his opponent into forfeiting.
Because truth be told, he sucked at chess. He was mediocre with board games in general, especially since in DDLC, the MC was supposed to be an underachieving anime addict. Monika didn't have to know about that though.
"This is your last chance to give up, Monika. I will win this round as well with the greatest of strategies possi-!"
Blank's voice died out the moment he laid eyes on Monika.
The girl's emerald eyes twinkled dangerously, and the former avatar knew that he was prolonging the inevitable.
"You were saying, Blank~?" she asks teasingly, while oozing confidence.
It made Blank gulp nervously.
Still, it wasn't in his vocabulary to ever give up. Especially since he had the lead in the overall score between the two of them, having won the cooking contest earlier.
No, he would try and hopefully succeed with a great amount of luck!
The rest of them were completely silent while watching. Everyone knew that Monika and Blank needed as much thinking leeway as possible, so no one had said a word ever since the two were seated.
Now it was time for the match to begin.
All eyes were on Blank, and on which piece would he first move. Which Pawn, and which part of the board. Then again, he could also move a Knight first and be reckless.
A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek, and his heart rate was gradually speeding up due to the tense atmosphere the surrounded him.
It was all going to be decided in that first move. That was the way Chess is. Normally, most players would be very adamant about seizing the chance to play as White. And in matches between both extremely-skilled players, this would be even truer.
But Blank and Monika were on different skill levels, with the mock calmness being displayed by the former avatar being nothing more but an elaborate farce.
He knew for sure that the girl in front of him would decimate him quickly in this game.
So the fact that Monika chose to let Blank move first, was a psychological ploy in itself. She was setting him up to fail, due to all the mental pressure being built up over time.
'Think, Blank! You aren't your originally dense self anymore. Just keep calm, and use rational thinking to solve this...' he tries psyching himself up and uses the lack of a timer to his advantage.
Indeed, their match was unclocked, meaning that there was no time limit put in place whatsoever. It gave both players a lot more free reign in devising their chess strategy. But it was a double-edged sword, as this also meant the game could potentially last for hours or even days long, and the mental fatigue would be a lot greater on them.
Finally, it was about to truly begin.
Internally drowning out all of the budding anxiety in his being, Blank reaches for the first piece to move.
His Pawn in front of the King.
Before his hand touched the piece however, those emerald-green eyes once again bore into his very soul.
She was doing it. Monika was actually doing 'that' pose. Blank wasn't sure if this was yet another form of psychological warfare from the ex-president, or if it was just how she looked whenever she was deep in thought.
It was Act 3 all over again. Izuna, Val and Yumi all had their mouths agape (though Izuna's eyes were lovestuck in this case), with Natsuki and Yuri not really understanding why and Sayori merely smiling in amusement.
The girl's hands were posed under her chin, and she had an eerie smile on her face. She stared directly into the former avatar's core, as if daring him to continue with his move.
Just Monika, in the flesh.
And just like that, Blank's hand retreated back, with him showing major hesitation regarding gameplan he was originally going to utilize.
"I... I need more time to think..."
Facial expression still unchanging, Monika calmly answered back. "Sure thing, take your time~".
In stark contrast to the ex-president's carefree disposition, Blank's thoughts were in an inner turmoil at the moment. It was chaotic. 'How could a mere chess match be this stressful?! It's the freaking first move of the entire damn game for crying out loud!'
He wiped the sweat that had managed to form on his forehead. This was going to be rough for the avatar to deal with.
Trying to once again fight off the nervousness, he reaches for a different piece this time in his second attempt to make that dreaded first move.
Now, it was the Pawn in front of his Queen.
Before his hand made contact with the piece however, there it was again. Monika's eyes. She was staring so intensely at the hand that Blank was using.
'Damn you Monika with those haunting eyes of yours!'
He pulled his hand back so quick, it was like he just got burned by a hot stove. Blank exhaled deeply. The former avatar's resolve in deciding his first move of the entire game had been slowly but surely waning in the face of the competition.
Not getting anywhere with this, Blank decided to try a different approach.
He would attempt to calculate Monika's response, after his move. This way, he could minimize the risk that he'd have. Basically, he'd be thinking two moves ahead.
Armed with this satisfaction, he finally attempts to reach another piece for his third attempt at starting the match.
Now, he was back to picking the Pawn in front of his King piece.
'I won't waver this time, I'm thinking two steps ahead after all!'
But as he was about to commit to that plan, he stopped himself before going any further. It wasn't even due to Monika, who was still staring at him with just as much intensity as before, by the way.
His inner thoughts were once again in disarray on what he should do. 'Thinking two steps ahead won't cut it! I know how perceptive Monika is. What if while I was thinking a mere two steps ahead, she'd be thinking at least five steps ahead further?! Damn it all!'
And so, another hour passed by with Blank still not making the first move. Yumi had already fallen asleep at this point due to immense boredom. Val didn't really care who won anymore as long as the match would actually begin. The gamer had been busy occupying himself with his phone, watching various playthroughs of his favorite games on YouTube while eating a cupcake. Izuna, Sayori and Yuri were all also munching on cupcakes as well just like the Walker, courtesy of Natsuki. Yuri was also reading one of the novels that she bought from her outing with the petite baker.
"The mophead and the Prez still haven't started this stupid chess match?!"
Izuna was the one to answer Natsuki's inquiry.
"Nope. It's been a whooping hour and a half already." which made the pink-haired girl merely facepalm in exasperation.
And the crowd goes mild.
Back to the match though, it was still up to Blank regarding that dreadful first move to actually be made already. The former avatar didn't care though, as his inner mental faculties were still kicking into high gear all this time. He was careful not to blurt out any of his strategies vocally though. It was all kept within his mindscape.
'But if I pick that pawn, then Monika could set up a defense that targets both my Rooks! I need an opening that wouldn't be as risky! Maybe if I followup that other pawn with-'
You guys get the picture. Monika herself was now taking a bite out of a cupcake that Natsuki had just given her. The ex-president had the patience of a saint apparently.
"Thanks, Natsuki!"
"You're welcome Monika. The mophead's still not moving, hmm?"
"It's fine, he's taking his time with this, ahaha~"
"Whatever dude. Let me know who wins later, I'm gonna fetch the rest of the cupcakes from Izuna's oven to cool them off in a pan."
Before leaving, she turns to face Blank while waving a cupcake in front of his face.
"Oi mophead, you want a cupcake? I have one more on me."
No response whatsoever which ticked Natsuki off a bit. The former avatar was still in a trance from all of the internal strategizing that he was thoroughly engaged in. His eyes were dilated and he was murmuring a lot to himself.
"Prez, do me a favor and kick his butt in this board game when he finally makes a damn move. Hmph!"
Monika could only giggle at their antics. "Ahaha, I'll try~!"
Hours later, the ex-president's earlier enthusiasm had gone down the drain.
'WILL YOU FREAKING MAKE A MOVE ALREADY, BLANK?!' she was now screeching hysterically on the inside. Her outward appearance was now haggard as well.
The audience had all gone to bed except for Izuna and Sayori, who needed to keep watching in order to see the result. Val had left for his apartment and promised to come back tomorrow.
Even Erika and Elyssa had both come back to the Takaya household already by this point.
Monika's mom arrived first at around 5 in the afternoon.
"I'm back! What are you guys all up to?"
After Izuna had clued her in on everything, she joined the audience in watching the match.
"So after all this time, Blank still hasn't moved his very first piece? And because of that, my daughter can't move either... huh."
Eventually she left the group and took a nap, which may or may not have turned into full on slumber later on. Izuna and the rest didn't hold it against Erika. Anyone would be bored watching this kind of match.
As for the Libitina, she arrived at around 7 in the evening. With one look at the group and a shrug, she already went to lie on the folding bed that Izuna had lent her in one side of the living room. She too didn't really mind sleeping in the living room like Blank and Erika had been doing during their stay.
"Friend of Yuri is going to take even longer to make a move, believe me. That's if my esitmates are correct. Good night everyone." and with that, Elyssa Libitina had begun to get some shut-eye.
Currently, it was now the ungodly hour of 11PM in the evening, one hour before midnight.
Yuri, Natsuki and Yumi were all soundly asleep. Erika and Elyssa as well.
Izuna and Sayori were pretty much on their way to sleepiness too, but both were fighting it back to see which among their partners would win. Or if the match would even finally start.
Finally, after several hours of not saying anything. The former avatar had finally started speaking again.
"Monika! IT'S TIME!"
With new life being breathed into her lungs, she had energy again. Blank was at last, going to make a move.
"Finally, geez... it only took you several hours too!"
Izuna and Sayori were both teetering with excitement as well.
"Let's go Blank!" the strawberry-blonde cheered on.
Blank actually touched a piece this time. The Pawn in front of the King.
"Here we go!"
He lifted the piece before...
...setting it down in the middle of the board, and had it in a lying-down position.
"I forfeit. Monika wins."
...
...
...
The collective sounds of despair-filled screams could be heard throughout the night. Izuna's neighbors were a bit frigthtened at the commotion.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"
Even those who were already sleeping were woken up, and when they learned about what happened, could only yell out in anger and frustration at the former avatar as well.
"ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING US, BLANK?!"
Monika was strangling the former avatar with her hands, and Izuna was trying to stop his girlfriend from her rage.
Man, that was tedious.
*****The World Beyond The Screen*****
After one of the worst tragedies in the history of mankind known as "The Great Chess Implosion", a new day has come for all of them.
Only because that chess "match" took until the bloody evening to actually have a result in the end.
A disappointing and utterly silly result, but a result nonetheless. That gave Monika the win, no matter how much she demanded for an actual proper match afterward. But everyone was too tired to keep doing that chess crap.
Moving on, it was now the third and tie-breaking contest between Monika and Blank to settle... whatever Izuna and Sayori was arguing about in the beginning of this chapter.
Yes... it was always going to come down to this type of battle between the two.
How fitting, with a tie to be broken as well. Both Blank and Monika had won a contest each, and so the final part of the competition was decided to be a test of combat.
A kendo match. In the middle of a nearby uninhabited forest.
"This isn't fair! How am I supposed to fight against Blank when he's throwing all these crazy beams of energy at me with his sword?! I was just a literature club president with coding powers inside the game, not some sort of battle-hardened warrior!"
...sort of.
"I shall be victorious, Monika! GETSUGA TENSHO!"
Okay, so maybe calling whatever this activity was as merely "Kendo" might've been really pushing it to the limit. Blank wasn't even using a freaking standard shinai or kendo stick. He opted for a plastic sword instead because, and I quote, "I'm more comfortable with using swords".
Needless to say, Monika regretted consenting to that stipulation, because if she had known that Blank needed a sword in order to use those dreaded projectiles of his, she would've been strict with using only shinais in this battle.
In this highly-bastardized and modified version of "kendo", they all agreed upon declaring a winner when either of these two conditions have been met:
The winner manages to tap the loser's head or any of their shoulders with their weapon.
Or, the loser forfeits.
So far, neither of them had managed to satisfy either condition, even though Blank currently had a dominating upper hand in their ongoing bout due to his fighting ability.
Meanwhile, Izuna and Sayori were both sweatdropping at the avatar's over-enthusiasm.
"He's gonna kill my girlfriend, isn't he? He's actually gonna do it. Who the heck uses freaking Ichigo Kurosaki's signature attack in a damned kendo spar match?! This isn't a damn final boss battle. Sayori, I think you should stop your man already."
"Normally I'd defend MC, but he's kind of going a wee bit crazy with power..."
Both of them had to step to the side to dodge a stray Getsuga, courtesy of Blank.
Natsuki and Yumi had stars in their eyes, both being very avid anime fans. Seeing the former avatar perform such shounen-like attacks made their inner otaku giddy with delight. Yuri and Val were amazed as well, but not to the same extent as the other two. They were all tuned in to the ongoing battle, as Blank continued his onslaught.
"BWAHAHAHAHA! JUST FORFEIT ALREADY MONIKA! CONSECUTIVE GETSUGA BARRAGE!"
Thankfully, Monika was athletic. Sure, she had no way of fending off the avatar's assault, but at least she could dodge the seven incoming projectiles that were speedily heading her way.
Maybe it was in her blood. Her mother was pretty athletic after all as well, the battle between Erika and Blank was to go by.
"Would you kindly hold back for a bit, if you don't mind?!"
"NEVER! And stop trying to evade, face me head on! A real man doesn't run away in the face of adversity!"
"Excuse me, I'm a woman and quite proud of it! And what the heck do you mean 'face you head on', IS THIS SERIOUSLY COMING FROM THE GUY WHO MADE ME WAIT SEVERAL HOURS IN CHESS ONLY TO END UP CHOOSING THE FORFEIT ROUTE?!" she yells back while performing a two-handed backflip away from yet another projectile and making a mad dash away from Blank afterwards. Gone was the calm and collected former president of the literature club, as Monika was now running away for dear life from a berserk former avatar who had gone a bit too power drunk. The poor girl had abandoned all sense of elegance in the world.
And thus, Blank continued to hurl less-powered Getsugas that weren't enough to cause serious damage, but were still painful as heck if they managed to hit you. Monika was stuck on the defensive the entire time.
However, once there was an opening, in the form of Blank stopping a bit from launching Getsugas in order to check for something on his developer window-turned-tablet, that was when Monika took her chance to strike.
Immediately, she dashed towards the avatar, and tightened her grip on the wooden kendo stick she currently wielded.
"Haaaaaah!" Monika aimed at Blank's right shoulder, using her athleticism to her advantage, but the avatar was already one step ahead and let himself be carried by the momentum, twisting acutely to the right and narrowly avoiding the swing.
Monika wasn't one to easily relent when given the oppurtunity though.
"MEEEEEENNNN!" the ex-president yelled, aiming a blow this time towards the former avatar's head.
With not much time to evade, he parries the shinai with his own plastic sword.
*whooooooosh*
Streaks of wind exploded outward from the point of impact where their weapons had colluded merely moments ago, and Monika stumbled a bit.
She panted and was trying to catch her breath. Blank on the other hand was perfectly fine.
Blood-red eyes met emerald-green ones. Their visions were locked onto the other.
No more gimmicks. The avatar ceased on using his Getsuga Tensho for now.
Just pure, old-fashioned Kenjutsu.
As a sign of respect, both of them bowed towards each other, and settled into the basic Chuudan no Kamae stance posture.
Quick on his toes, the former avatar struck first, taking one step forward and deciding to go with an overhead arc slash from the top of his head, in a downward trajectory.
"Hyaaaaaah!"
Monika responds with a slash of her own in the same range of attack, but upwards.
"Kaaaaaaaah!"
The two blows collided, perfectly in sync with each other, and this started a lengthy sequence of both the former avatar and the ex-president trading slashes at each other, with neither one of them landing a single hit.
Eventually, with their arms fatigued, they both swung once more at the same time, and had found themselves locked into a sword struggle.
Blank's plastic sword and Monika's wooden shinai were pushing against each other, and the two competitors were giving it their utmost effort.
Due to the Blank's stronger physical attributes thanks to everything he had overcome inside of DDLC prior to the escape, he was gradually gaining the upper hand ever-so-slightly in the sword struggle.
"I will win this, Hyaaaaaaah!" and with one final burst of energy, Blank manages to fully overpower Monika, causing her to lose grip on her shinai and for it to be flung away.
She was now completely unarmed, giving the former avatar a significant advantage.
He stood there, plastic sword in hand, and stared at Monika's defenseless state. But Blank knew better than to recklessly charge in, for he was already anticipating Monika's counterattack.
She slowly got up, and once again wielded the shinai. The two stood across each other, their weapons ready for the draw once more.
Turbulent winds kept blowing through the trees. It was indeed, the heat of battle. And in every battle, there would always be a loser, and a winner.
The eventual winner of this bout would be revealed...
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...at the right time.
For now, this chapter's story has ended. This has been the narrator, signing out.
-Chapter 14 END-
A/N: Now we're finally entering TWBTS Story Arc 2, the School Pandemonium Arc! I bet you're all sick of hearing that story arc name by the way lmao. Don't worry, next chapter is the start of new things! New storylines! New scenes! Possibly new characters as well! And more new stuff for us to discover as we read the words I churn out.
I'm very sorry for my ridiculously slow updating schedule. Really, I'm trying my hardest to not let my other commitments get in the way, but yeah I keep on slacking with this. It shouldn't be that way, since this is my passion project. But rest assured, TWBTS is not going to be abandoned, I'll make sure of that. Even if sometimes it'll take me a long while to update, this story won't ever be abandoned or finished until I say it's finished.
Another thing I'm sorry for is that cliffhanger, ahaha. The reason you don't get to see who wins Blank and Monika's contest, is because it's linked to the upcoming school pandemonium arc. So yeah, cliffhanger of doom.
Anyways, I did promise an explanation in the previous chapter's A/N on why I'm taking so long every time with updating. Here are the culprits.
1. Real life stuff like work/my business, and the amount of free time I have.
2. Multiple attempts by me to actually update since I have been typing all this time as well, but I end up postponing because I'm not satisfied with the chapter draft that I'm about to finalize.
3. Some of my other free time being eaten up by two games: Tekken 7 and Street Fighter V.
4. Yet even more of my other free time being eaten up by Reddit and watching my massive backlog of anime I need to watch.
5. This one might sound a little weak of me, but I get shy posting an update whenever I dwell on the fact that I STILL haven't freaking read the other updates to the other DDLC stories on this site. Before I was a writer, I happened to be an avid reader. I still abide by that. And it just feels WRONG for me not to read and review these other amazing stories that I love before posting my own stuff, you know? Plus, I don't like being behind too on my reading, ahaha. Just like my anime, I have a sizeable backlog of chapters I need to read first before I have peace of mind in posting. Heck, even though I posted this chapter, I STILL have several fanfics I need to be caught up on. Some of them aren't even from the DDLC fandom too.
6. I'm also simultaenously drafting two other stories: "The Color Pink" and "By Your Side". I'm usually at a loss at which of the three I should update first, and then after too much brainstorming I end up not being able to update any of the three.
Hopefully, I get my crap together quicker though and sort things out. But rest assure like I said, TWBTS will continue moving forward. Same goes for The Color Pink which is my 2nd DDLC story, and By Your Side which is a Tekken fanfic.
See you all in the next update, peace!
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The time was nigh.
In one of the few deserted alleyways within the normally busy streets of Horizon City, a chance encounter by fate that may shape the events of the future was taking place...
There stood two prominent figures, facing each other. A man, and a woman. Only the two of them were currently situated in the venue, with no one else in sight.
Elyssa Libitina crossed her arms impassively. Her long white blonde hair being slightly blown by the afternoon wind, and her loose sleeves were drifting as well.
"Well? It would serve you well to identify yourself. You have information about that group after all. If not, then I shall take my leave."
She directs the statement at the concealed figure before him, the darkness of the alley concealing his appearance. Said person then enters into the light, appearing to be a young man, no older than in his late twenties. But the Libitina knew better than to assume.
In a jolly voice, the stranger cheerily address the Libitina. His face currently had a friendly smile on it, which in turn was met with Elyssa's steely gaze.
"There's no need to get so testy now, Elyssa-chan! Besides, Maido would scold me if I go a bit too ham here..."
Still unimpressed at what she deemed to be a juvenile jokester, she turns to leave.
"I've wasted enough time and energy dealing with you as it is. Either tell me who you are, stranger, or I'm leaving. There are other more pressing matters that I have to attend to. Such as dealing with that organization."
"Geez, you don't have to be such a stinker, Elyssa-chan~! Why so moody?" the man scratches his head comically while pouting.
Having had enough of the banter, Elyssa decides to send a little warning in the form of flaring her cosmic energy a bit.
"Don't say that I haven't given you an adequate amount of prior warning."
With her eyes momentarily flashing with a majestic purple color, she calmly enunciates the name of her ability. It was the epitome of calm and grace that Elyssa had displayed.
"Seventeenth Movement of the Cosmos: Gaia's Attraction."
Upon activation of the 17th Cosmic Movement, Elyssa acquired a degree of control over the center of gravitational force within the vicinity. The air and gravity around them had increased by approximately twenty-fold. Dents and cracks were starting to deepen on the walls and the ground beneath them.
It was quite the impressive feat in all honesty. Such was the power granted to her by the Cosmic Movements.
However, Elyssa wasn't pleased in the slightest with what she was seeing.
Fascinated? Sure. But not pleased.
"How are you not affected, unknown stranger? I have already increased the overall gravity pull in this area by 20 times greater than the normal level, and yet you remain seemingly unscathed and freely moving. I must once again ask, identify yourself or I may be forced to eliminate you."
The man casually walks forward and now stood merely a meter apart from where Elyssa was. A mini-stareoff commenced between the two of them.
His tone was now deathly serious.
"Eliminate me? That's a good one, Elyssa-chan! But alas, you wish to know who I really am, yes?" seeing that the Libitina wasn't going to reply, he continued.
"It's quite simple really. I am a god."
He adapts a mock thinking pose, before entering the start of a long and drawn out monologue.
"I am justice given form. I am the world."
The Libitina prepared herself for any incoming attack. She was mentally preparing to unleash more of the Cosmic Movements, should the need arise.
"I am the light that extinguishes all darkness."
Extending his hands upward, as if proudly displaying his form, the man's hair began to turn white, even whiter than Elyssa's own hair.
"My form is justice, and my form is the world."
He extends his right hand forward, and proceeded to perform a simple open-palm gesture. It appeared to be some sort of special technique or ability from the man in retaliation against the Seventeenth Movement of the Cosmos.
"Zettai Cancel."
A pulse of energy not able to be seen by the naked eye, emerged in a ripple-like pattern that had a spreading-out trajectory. The result was that the 17th Cosmic Movement was cancelled out, restoring the gravity pull of the area to normal. Elyssa was unharmed, but a bit surpised that her ability was quickly neutralized, and with such ease too.
Not only was this unknown man immune to her gravity manipulation, but he had the ability to completely cancel it out as well. While the 17th Movement was one of the less powerful ones in her entire arsenal, it still meant that this man was a potential threat.
"Venerate me. Give praise unto me. Worship me. For I am justice incarnate itself, and the world is my domain!"
The man began to levitate off the ground, his bright white hair now fully standing up and his eyes glowing with a bright white color as well.
"Tremble before the most noble, most splendid, immortal, and supremely powerful being in the upper echelon of existence!"
Elyssa tensed a bit, and sensed imminent danger. It was kill or be killed, and the Libitina was inclined to pick the former.
"Third Movement of the Cosmos: Ethereal Displa-" before Elyssa could teleport away however using the power of the 3rd Cosmic Movement, she sensed the man's rising power-level reach a surprise halt. Thus, she didn't find any need to continue with Ethereal Displacement and willingly cancels it out herself.
The serious buildup instigated by the man was stopped by himself as well in an almost comedic-manner, with the person in question even reverting back to his normal state and demeanor. His hair had returned to its previous color, a darker shade of brown. His jolly and frivolous tone had come back as well.
With a casual snap of his fingers, a bag of potato chips appeared in his left hand. Out of thin air too. It was as if he had summoned the snack from some pocket dimension that only he had access to.
Flashing the lady a teasing wink, he finished his introduction. Once more he spoke, in a much less grandiose manner, while stuffing his face full with the conjured junk food.
"Well I'm supposed to be a god, Elyssa-chan. At least from where I came from anyway. And no, I am not the Judeo-Christian god, but I am a god nonetheless. I kind of count as a kami-sama to these people here."
After everything she was shown, the Libitina did not back down so easily.
"And what do you suppose should I refer to you as then, so-called god?"
Still smiling, the now-identified god decided to humor her with a response.
"I guess... you can call me Akami."
Akami... a play on the phrase "a kami" which literally meant "a god".
It was a name that had no apparent meaning for Elyssa. She had no idea who this man was, and if he was even being serious at all, nevertheless she had no choice but to take all of this in at face value.
"Come, I believe that we should talk this over some coffee at that nearby cafe. I'm dying to try out their beverage selections." Akami suggested cheerily while pointing at the establishment that was merely blocks away once they exited the alley they were in. The self-proclaimed god had already somehow finished the entire bag of chips in less than five minutes.
Elyssa could already tell that this was going to be a long and tedious day. But if this was anything at all like some of her previous self-imposed missions these past few days, then she would endure and complete her task without fail.
Though, it might not be so easy this time. She was dealing with a god here. Self-proclaimed or not.
"Especially with this overpowered stranger I just met, how does he know my name already anyway when I've been really careful not to reveal anything? Perks of being a god? And why couldn't this man simply conjure his own caffeinated beverage just like those potato chips, is he really that lazy?" she muttered with an annoyed tone under her breath.
Pulling out her smartphone, and yes even Elyssa had her own phone now, she opened the messaging app and began to compose a message addressed to a certain former avatar or "friend of Yuri", as she liked to call Blank. She would also need to talk with Yuri about this later when she got the chance to.
Turning to face the source of her current ire, she maintains her composure and responds in kind to Akami's invitation.
"Fine, I'll hear what you have to say, mister so-called god. You'll have to explain how you're already knowledgable about my name though. Outside of a certain group of people, nobody knows that I am Elyssa Libitina from Doki Doki Literature Club and Project Libitina. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you already know about the others as well."
"Yes, yes. All in due time my dear Elyssa-chan. But enough of that for now, my drinks await me!"
The Libitina could only exhale deeply at the silliness of this self-proclaimed god.
But alas, this was what Elyssa had to put up with for now. For the sake of her loved ones, and of the entirety of Izuna's world.
The Libitina would not allow the enemy to succeed. Because if they did, then the entire world would be thrown into chaos.
By an enemy far greater than any danger they've known so far.
"Tell me everything you know about that organization, Akami. Everything. And don't even try to lie your way out of this."
Akami's eyes narrowed a bit, but he calmly replied. Currently, they were seated inside the cafe, and their coffees had been served. Akami was enjoying his caramel espresso before Elyssa had sprung her request on him.
"As expected from this universe's Elyssa, you really are serious and level-headed. You know, in Yoku's world, which is the universe I came from by the way, Elyssa and Yuri are one and the same. She was quite crazy-acting too. But here, you're like a surrogate mother to her instead, and with supernatural powers to boot. Quite the contrast."
"What does that have to do with anything? Just answer my question, self-proclaimed god. And don't you dare bring Yuri into this."
"Always impatient. *sigh* Fine, I'll give you some info about that group, but it's not much. Even though I'm a god, there's only so much I can do to interfere in this world. I'm not even a native inhabitant of it."
"Very well. Every bit of information helps, Akami."
The god takes another sip of his espresso before clearing his throat.
"Here we go then, I guess. This is the deal so far regarding that group you're so interested in. A group of people collectively known as..."
As the Libitina and the god were having their conversation, a lone person sat several tables away, attempting to eavesdrop on them.
"What are you up to, Elyssa..."
Izuna was dying to find out, and he was going to no matter what. He manages to faintly hear the words that were being said.
"A group of people collectively known as... the Society of Markov."
[Start of The World Beyond The Screen's "School Pandemonium Arc".]
A/N 2: Akami belongs entirely to TheReader1118 and is from the DDLC fanfic titled "DDLC: Our Reality". Read up on that story for more info on him, as well as Yoku and the other aspects of his world. Akami will have a minor albeit important role in the upcoming story arcs. He won't be a regular presence, but each of his succeeding appearances are going to be meaningful ones. Thank you TheReader1118 for letting me use him in TWBTS!
One more thing. Akami might not be the first guest in this story from other DDLC fanfics...