Disclaimer: My author doesn't own DDLC, and as usual it's your girl Monika here speaking. In this sub-arc, the other characters are taking a step back in order for TWBTS to focus on its true protagonist, Izuna. That includes even my counterpart. See, DaMastah101 noticed that nearly everyone has been getting spotlight lately, and I agree that Izuna needs to be developed further. So yeah, we're getting a training arc for him. Enjoy the show!
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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
"Even the most insurmountable obstacles can be overcome eventually. All it takes is for you to keep trying. And even if no one else cares about your dreams, I promise I do."
-Monika
From the DDLC subreddit, in the Free Talk Friday post for November 9, 2018 to November 15, 2018.
[Chapter 19 - Izuna's Resolve, Part 1]
There exists a certain proposition in science known as the Non-cloning Theorem. A part of one of the many rules and arbitrations laid out by the current knowledge humanity has with Quantum mechanics, and Physics itself as a whole.
Said proposition being, that it is theoretically impossible to create a perfectly identical copy of any arbitrary unknown quantum state. Fully impossible whatsoever. In simpler terms, once something exists, you cannot make a perfect 100% duplicate of it. This is true even with mundane mass-produced items in day-to-day life, there are miniscule difference in duplicates and copies of an item down to the atomic level.
For example, key duplication. Though it is possible to create another working copy of a household key using a key duplication kiosk, the only important part that needs to be replicated would be the grooves of the key itself. The texture, head, etc could be entirely different. Even the grooves themselves can only be up to 99% accurate and they'd still likely work on the door.
Getting back to the main point of discussion, the Non-Cloning Theorem rationalizes that any arbitrary unknown quantum state cannot be perfectly duplicated. No true cloning is possible. We've already discussed a similar train of thought a lot earlier in this story - Yumi Takaya's theory on the Dokis being Singular Entities.
Be that the case however, both the Non-cloning Theorem and the Singular Entity theory have said nothing about one thing - Imperfect Copies or Clones. As long as it isn't a 100% perfectly duplicated quantum state, both the original and the "clone" could be allowed to exist in reality simultaneously.
And as such, that was probably the explanation for the current situation. On how both his girlfriend and beloved Monika, and his first love Alter-Monika were both out of the game and in his reality at the same time with their own bodies.
At least, that's what Izuna concluded it to be after making some searches on Google with his smartphone, as he neared his destination via train.
It made him think of the possibility that maybe, out there, on other parts of the world, there might be more Monikas who have found their own happy endings with their players. Be it through escaping their player's computers, or through more realistic means such as installing modifications or "mods" over the base game.
The clock on his phone notified him that it was currently 6:30 in the evening, with two more stops left before the train station in Everdawn City was reached and he'd finally be at his grandfather's dojo to train his body and soul in the art of proper combat for the first time. Then, he'd return on Sunday evening. By then he would be able to decide on whether he should fully go through with the training, and work out a schedule that doesn't interfere with his studies and time with Monika.
Only an hour had passed so far after he had his chance encounter with Alter-Monika, the ghost of his past. Izuna could still barely believe it all, but it was definitely her. He knew it to be true. Izuna didn't know when she got out into reality on her own outside of his Monika's body, and how it happened. But the thing was, there were two Monikas in his reality now. It was definitely her face, magnified by that torn expression of mixed joy and sadness. And it was also her voice, now that he thought more about it.
"Why the hell didn't I notice after hearing her speak?! She even has the same hair color as your girlfriend you blind dumbass..."
One thing was amiss however. Instead of having a pair of emerald green orbs of magnificent beauty like his Monika, Izuna saw that Alter-Monika now had an apparent case of heterochromia. Alter's eyes were now colored differently from each other.
Her right eye still maintained its usual emerald luster, but her left eye was now white-colored. The same colorization he would see whenever his Monika used her cybernetic abilities. Both during the Twitter hacking she did, and when she allowed Alter-Monika to momentarily possess her.
"I guess that's one striking difference she has with Monika. Still, the alternate Monika, huh? I definitely have to check up with her in the future to see if she's doing okay, but with Monika by my side."
Even with this discovery, Izuna would remain steadfast with his girlfriend. The love of his life. Even if they were both Monikas, and even if at one point he really did love Alter, the only type of love that Izuna could offer her now is one of platonic friendship.
He'd have to talk with Monika about this when he got back. And maybe with the others as well. Blank in particular could help shed some light on the situation with Alter-Monika. Then, they'd have to meet up with Alter-Monika and discuss some things.
That could wait though for another time.
Currently, what Izuna needed to focus on was his quest on becoming a capable protector. That was the whole point of this random impromptu trip to Everdawn in the first place after all. Everdawn City was quite the trip all the way from Horizon City, but it had to be done.
He would finally be able to determine whether or not he should fully go with the training that his grandfather would subject him to.
There happened to be reasons why he was only now just agreeing to be trained in their family's martial discipline after all. He had been putting it off for so long, due to stuff that happened in the past, a long time ago. But now he had to cast those issues aside, for the sake of his loved ones.
{"Attention all passengers! We are now approaching the station for Everdawn City. Doors will open on the left side, at the station for Everdawn City. Thank you for riding the Lightpoint Metropolitan Transit."} the train's speakers announced, signaling that it was time for Izuna to get off.
"Well then, I guess it's time to go. It's getting pretty late too."
Stepping off the train, Izuna shivered a bit at the unexpected wind that blew at his direction. The Everdawn City train station had a decent amount of people scattered about, some of them being adults that were about to enter their evening work shifts, others being students that had just come from school.
Izuna then began the 20-minute walk from the station to his grandfather's home, using his phone's map and GPS to make sure that he wouldn't get lost on the way there. It had been 4 years after all, since he was last visiting the place.
"Who would've thought, hmm. I dreaded the very thought of accepting the geezer's training, but here I am practically begging him for the chance. I guess being in love makes you do the things you even normally avoid, ahaha." he chuckled to himself as he walked, gradually nearing his destination.
Everdawn City wasn't that much different from Horizon City. The structure of buildings were similar, but Horizon City had a lot more recreational-types in terms of places to be at. Izuna's home city had more restaurants, malls, cafes, and so on. Everdawn on the other hand was a more residential area with office spaces and only one to three fast food places per city block.
Feeling a bit hungry from the trip, Izuna stopped by a bakery. The place had a brightly-lit sign that read "Meyer Family Bakeshop".
"Must be family-owned then. I'll just get two pieces of cream bread. Pretty sure gramps made a lot of food again after all."
And soon after, the two pastry circles were in his hand. They looked really good, stuffed to the brim with nice and soft cream. Izuna took a bite out of one of them, and stored the other one in his bag. He'd give it to the old man later as a gift.
Even though years had passed, Izuna could still faintly recall some of the sights that he passed. The playground that had a tire swing on one of the trees. A church that was located in the middle of the town. The local 7-eleven where his grandfather usually bought lottery tickets. They were all still there, intact and unchanged from 4 years ago.
Finally, after several hours, he was here.
The front gate of his grandfather's bungalow-type house. And he could also faintly make out the dojo space constructed directly behind it.
"It's been a long day, but I'm finally here. Let's do this."
Ringing the doorbell and knocking the door, he waited for the invitation to come it.
His phone then vibrated, and he then saw that he had a new text message from his grandfather. It only read {Door's unlocked. Come in, Izuna.}
And so, without a care in the world at that moment, Izuna turned the knob open and stepped inside. Only to be learning moments after that he would regret doing so without much caution.
*Whooooosh!*
In an unexpected turn of events, a very sharp knife flew past him, and the boy had only managed to dodge it on reflex, by rolling to the side. The weapon had then ended up lodging itself considerably deeply within the elder's front door.
Izuna glared bloody murder at the one who threw the knife, inwardly sighing at the fact that he wasn't surprised at who had done such an act out of nowhere.
"What the hell was that for old man?! I'm tired and I just wanted to rest from travelling so far!"
Proceeding as if he didn't hear Izuna at all, the elder merely rubbed his chin in satisfaction at his random experiment.
"I was correct about you having latent potential all those years ago it seems. At least your reflexes would prove that. Dodging attacks done at breakneck speed is very important in the art of fighting, mmhmm."
"Did you not hear me just now, gramps? I could've died! Seriously, you threw a goddamn knife, what the heck were you thinking old man?!"
Osamu Takaya continued to ignore his grandson's growing amount of protests, and merely told him to join his table so that the food wouldn't go cold.
"I made some Katsudon tonight. That's one of your favorites, right?"
Izuna could already tell, that this was going to be probably the longest weekened of his life. Or at least something close to that magnitude.
At least he knew that his grandpa was a good cook though. That was Izuna's sole consolation prize after the indirect attempt on his life by his crazily unhinged grandfather.
*****The World Beyond The Screen*****
The birds were chirping and the sun had yet to fully rise and overtake the skies. It was still quite dark outside, and the room's window reflected that. Most of Everdawn City still remained asleep at this hour, except for those on graveyard shifts in their lines of work.
"Rise and shine, trooper! We have quite the long day ahead of us. Your body isn't going to strengthen itself, so let's get up and do some exercises!" Osamu called out loudly while pulling the blanket off of one Izuna Takaya who was still very much, asleep.
In a drawled out voice, Izuna lazily replied. He was barely conscious at all, his body still trapped in the warm embrace of a good sleep. "5 more minutes gramps..."
"Okay, I'll give you 5 minutes to get ready. But only 5 minutes and that's it, since it's your first day of training."
The grandfather received a very sleepy "Mmmm." in reply.
And so, after five minutes, Osamu returned with a bucket of ice-cold water and upon seeing his grandchild still out cold in slumber, he promptly scooped some water from the bucket and splashed it onto the boy's face.
That was all it took to wake up Izuna Takaya completely.
"What the hell, old man?!"
"Language. And you said only 5 minutes. I'm being lenient enough with that, believe me. Normally, you would've gotten the water during my first attempt to wake you up."
Izuna took a look at the clock by his bedside. The current time was only 4:05AM. He double-checked his smartphone to be sure, and it also displayed a time of 4:05AM.
He then stared at Osamu with fury. "It's the unholy hour of 4:05 in the very early morning..."
"My house, my training, my rules. Otherwise, you're free to leave, my boy. But we both know you won't do that. I know the feeling of wanting to get stronger, Izuna. Waking up early is one of the sacrifices you have to do in order to reach that goal."
Biting back another retort, Izuna gulped and stood up from the bed with haste. Osamu left the room to give the boy some space.
"Breakfast will be ready once you're out in the dining room. After that, we're starting immediately."
"Thanks, gramps." Izuna said earnestly.
Giving the boy another look before stepping out the bedroom's door, he smiled. "You're welcome, my boy."
Izuna realized that even if his methods were a bit extreme, his grandfather truly cared. Not to mention the fact that his old man was doing this for free. And so, he would try not to slack off anymore and commit fully to this weekend immersion.
Changing into one of the white t-shirts given to him in the bedroom's wardrobe, and some loose-fitting workout pants, Izuna washed his face and freshened up a bit.
He then went out of the room and began to partake in some needed food before a long and hard day.
After breakfast was finished, the pair didn't go to the family dojo just yet. First, Osamu informed the boy that they had to do some warm up exercises first.
"We'll go out for a jog."
That sounded easy enough for Izuna, but 20 minutes later and reality came crashing down onto him like a meteor. He really regretted thinking that anything his grandpa Osamu could come up with for training was "easy enough" even if it was merely the warm up part.
"How is THIS a jog?"
"Why, this is just the warm up my boy! Don't go quitting on me now!"
For further context, since they had started, Izuna and Osamu had done 20 minutes of running, not jogging. And while Osamu was doing it normally, the elderly Takaya had securely strapped a 40-pound sack of rice onto his poor grandson's vulnerable back with some tightly-bound rope.
"This sack is so heavy! Can't I just run without it?! You said this was just a warm up!"
"But Izuna my boy, this is indeed just a warm up! Though, I'm also building up your upper body strength, hahahahaha!"
Izuna grumbled to himself but continued nonetheless with this crazy excuse for a mere warm up. This was immensely tiring for the boy, it would be tiring for anyone that didn't have any prior workout history, but he had to persevere through with this challenge.
'I'm gonna get through these two days, just watch me old man. For Monika! I'll do anything to be able to protect my beloved!' he inwardly proclaimed, and got back to completing his current task.
Which he inevitably did over a grand total of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It had taken him that long to do three laps from his grandfather's house through the neighborhood block. His clothing was now drenched in sweat and quite frankly, Izuna looked like he was drained of his soul by a demon or a succubus.
They ended up in front of the makeshift dojo that his grandfather had erected behind his house.
"Now that was a nice and invigorating warm up, right? Now then. Time for the real training to begin, let's get changed into our proper training gear first."
A cold shiver ran through Izuna's spine, as he was still catching his breath and panting heavily. His current state had him buckled over, with his hands on his knees, still loudly exhaling in fatigue. The thought of doing stuff that wasn't even more tiring than running around for more than an hour with a heavy sack on your back wasn't exactly thrilling.
"R-right..." was his weak reply.
Like a quick change of scene, both the newly minted student and master were now in their proper training garb for the Takaya family martial art. Their attires consisted of gis, headbands, handguards, and hakamas.
Osamu devised the Takaya fighting style itself many years ago, dubbing it the "Zenbu Fist". Zenbu, being an alterntive for "Subete" in Japanese. Meaning "All".
This was because the elderly Takaya had applied several aspects of the various existing disciplines. He had taken some of the countering techniques of Aikido, katas from traditional Shotokan Karate, the various array of kicks used by Taekwondo practicitioners, and even some of the grapple holds from Judo.
Years ago, prior to migrating into the Republic of Lightpoint from Japan, Osamu Takaya was a renown man who had practiced multiple marital arts. Not mixed martial arts or MMA, but literally combining existing disciplines into one "Martial Art". He had tried opening up a dojo in their native hometown, but no one signed up.
This was because he was known to also be very ferocious in his teachings. He ended up being feared by his fellow men in the neighborhood. Nobody wanted to enroll in a dojo led by the "Calamity of Nagoya".
And so, the next step was to pass on his fighting knowledge and prowess that he acquired over the years unto his own flesh and blood.
With Masamune, it didn't go so well. His son ended up being entangled with the world of Science and technology, and had no love for his father's battle tendency. And coupled with Masamune starting his family with Kanade, it ended with Osamu giving up on forcing his son onto the path of the fighter.
Today was the first time in a long while that Osamu would be training someone.
With a respectful bow towards each other, their first ever session had begun in earnest.
"I'm giving you free reign, Izuna. Strike me with everything you've got. Don't hold anything back, so that I can see what needs to be worked on."
Acknowledging his grandfather-turned-sensei's command, he then ran towards him while clumsily aiming a punch with his right hand towards the head.
Osamu stepped to the side as soon as the punch neared him, and lightly pushed the boy's back with one hand, causing Izuna to trip and fall on his face down onto the floor.
"Again!"
The boy rose up once more, this time deciding to go with a full-body tackle aimed at Osamu's torso. But his sensei had anticipated it, and already was poised for the counter.
As Izuna's shoulder was about to collide with Osamu, the elder leaned back a bit, and with Izuna's forward momentum being used against the boy, he grabbed onto him and fluidly slammed him onto the wooden floor in one smooth motion.
The entire sequence for the reversal throw took less than two seconds to happen. Before Izuna realized it, he was already strewn about again on the dojo floor, this time on his back.
"Atemi Nage."
The sudden impact caused Izuna to cough up a bit, reeling in pain at the feeling of the hard wood forcefully slamming against his back.
"Again!" Osamu shouted, reminding Izuna that their initial bout was far from over.
It was then that the younger Takaya had devised of a plan to surprise his master. Hopefully, it'd work.
He pretended to be unable to get up, and closed his eyes, remaining completely still and unmoving to Osamu. The elder, as expected, went up to where he was and hunched over to check on Izuna. The boy took this as his cue to finally land a blow on his grandfather who had been besting him so far the entire time.
"You're wide open, old man!" he proudly announced while attempting to do a surprise straight punch towards Osamu.
But once more, Osamu proved to Izuna why he was indeed, a master of his art.
He had long anticipated the surprise attack, and as soon as Izuna performed his sneak get-up punch, Osamu parried it with his right hand, and then placed his left hand underneath Izuna's arm. With the hand used to parry the punch, he then caught Izuna's fist and put it in a reverse-clockwise twist lock, while pushing downwards on the rest of the arm with his left.
The result - Izuna now was face-first on the ground, planted with his hand locked in a capture position by Osamu.
"Shomenuchi Ikkyo."
He was then released from the hold and Osamu once more stood from a distance. Izuna's arm and hand were hurting, but he had to fight through the pain, once he heard a certain word escape his master's mouth.
"Again!"
This went on and on, without Izuna ever landing even one blow on his grandfather. He was just that good at nullifying every single ragtag strategy that Izuna could think of. The boy wasn't going to be dealing any damage any time soon.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Izuna yelled out in desperation as he went for a slide kick. But it was all for naught when Osamu merely performed an aerial flip over the slide. Izuna then got up quickly and went again for a punch, which was then interrupted this time by a solid hit to the solar plexus, courtesy of Osamu.
"It'll take a lot more than that. Again!"
With several hours more before lunch time, the sweat on Izuna's forehead made it glisten.
It was proof of his hard work, on the way to becoming a competent fighter. With his determination renewed, he charged at Osamu once more, still not giving up entirely on landing even just one hit on the master.
Taking a page from Blank's book, he yelled out a cool-sounding name while firmly planting his lead foot down and attempting yet another right hook towards Osamu's head. If the former avatar could look cool while in a heated battle, then so would he!
After all, he was Izuna freaking Takaya. This was his story, and for him, it was time to be a fucking hero.
"Rechter Schlag!" he yelled, and his kiai echoed throughout the entire Takaya dojo.
-Chapter 19 END-
[To be continued, in Chapter 20 - Izuna's Resolve, Part 2.]
A/N: You all already know what's up whenever I make two-parters for TWBTS, right? First is the shorter half, and then a massive second part follows after. That's still the case here, ahaha. Just that now I've decided to make the first part a decent length as well.
That, and the fact that this will be the first ever THREE-PARTER of this story. That's right, "Izuna's Resolve" is going to be a three-parter this time around! Think of it as something like a gaiden in anime.
Rechter Schlag means "Right Punch" in German, by the way, ahaha. It's a way to make a simple punch sound a lot more badass than it really is. See you all in the next update, stay tuned!