~WARNING: The following content may contain suicide or self-harm topics. Viewer discretion is advised~
"Good morning, evening, and/or night, all my beautiful watchers!" Natsuki greeted as she grinned at the camera. "I'm Buffsuki69 and I am bringing you another episode of the Doki Doki Literature Club playthrough. As usual, I am joined by my lovely clubmates, Sayori…"
"Hello, everyone." Sayori waved. "I hope you are all having a lovely day."
"Yuri…"
"A pleasure to see you all again as always." Yuri nodded.
"And our club president, Monika."
"Thank you for inviting me, Natsuki." Monika said. "And for not introducing me with an insul-"
"You can stop talking now." Natsuki said in the nicest tone she could. Sayori and Yuri let out snickers before the pink-haired girl continued. "For those just joining us, we are now at the day of the festival we prepared for with Yuri after learning Sayori's darkest secret. We now return to our playthrough of this wonderful game."
*The scene fades in on the residential area. It is completely quiet without any music*
It's the day of the festival.
"And what a lovely day for one it is." Yuri stated. "Wouldn't you agree Sayori."
"Yes, in-double-ably." Sayori nodded.
"'Indubitably.'" Yuri corrected.
"Indubitably." Sayori repeated. "It's the kind of day that makes you happy to be alive."
Of all days, I expected this to be the one where I'd be walking to school with Sayori.
But Sayori isn't answering her phone.
I considered going to her house to wake her up, but decided that's a little too much.
"Yes, probably best to respect her privacy." Monika nodded. "I'm sure she's just as excited for today as we are."
Meanwhile, the preparations for the event should be nearly complete.
The banner Yuri and I painted is dry, and I gently rolled it up to take with me.
"I can't wait to see it." Natsuki grinned. "Yuri always does such good work with stuff like this."
"Oh, why thank you, Natsuki." Yuri blushed. "I'm sure your cupcakes will be delicious as well."
"Oh, stop, you flatter me."
She sent me a pleasant text reminding me not to forget anything, and I reassured her.
"Always best to double check." Monika stated. "And triple check. And quadruple check."
"She just wants to make sure today is as great as it can be." Natsuki smiled.
Funnily enough, I probably feel the same way as Natsuki about the event.
I'm more excited for it to be over so I can spend time with Sayori and Yuri at the festival.
But knowing Monika, I'm sure the event will be great, too.
"The club will certainly do their best." Sayori said.
"Monika, I have your poems prepared for you." Natsuki told her president.
"Oh, you didn't need to do that, Natsuki." Monika replied. "I already have all my poems planned out for the-wait a minute."
*Scene fades to black before fading in on the clubroom*
Monika: "MoNatSaYuri!"
Monika: "You're the first one here."
Monika: "Thanks for being early!"
"It's always best to be punctual." Yuri said. "You are looking beautiful this fine day, Monika. Did you get a haircut? Trying any new makeup?"
MoNatSaYuri: "That's funny, I thought at least Yuri would be here by now."
Monika is placing little booklets on each of the desks in the classroom.
They must be the ones she prepared that have all the poems we're performing.
In the end, I found a random poem online that I thought Monika would like, and submitted it.
"Oh, why thank you, MoNatSaYuri." Monika nodded. "But you really didn't need to worry about that. I would be happy if you presented anything for this, really."
So, that's the one I'll be performing.
Monika: "I'm surprised you didn't bring Sayori with you."
MoNatSaYuri: "Yeah, she overslept again…"
"Best let her sleep in a bit." Yuri shrugged. "If she thinks she needs her energy, so be it."
MoNatSaYuri: "That dummy."
MoNatSaYuri: "You'd think that on days this important, she'd try a little harder…"
I say that, but I suddenly remember what Sayori told me yesterday…
"Yes, let's try to be a bit understanding of Sayori's challenges." Natsuki stated.
And I suddenly feel awful, knowing it's not nearly that simple for her.
I only said it because it's the way I'm used to thinking.
But…
Maybe I should have gone to wake her up after all?
"Don't be too hard on yourself." Sayori said. "We all make mistakes."
Monika: "Ahaha."
Monika: "You should take a little responsibility for her, MoNatSaYuri!"
Monika: "I mean, especially after your exchange with her yesterday…"
Monika: "You kind of left her hanging this morning, you know?"
Sayori's eye twitched at the screen before her brow narrowed. "You know, Monika," Sayori began through a smile of gritted teeth. "It's impolite to eavesdrop on your friends."
"I am… So sorry I said that." Monika frowned.
MoNatSaYuri: "Exchange…?"
MoNatSaYuri: "Monika-you know about that?"
Monika: "Of course I do."
Monika: "I'm the club president, after all."
MoNatSaYuri: "But-!"
I stammer, embarrassed.
Did Sayori really tell her about it that quickly?
That we're…a couple now?
I didn't really plan on bringing it up with anyone yet…
MoNatSaYuri: "Jeez…"
MoNatSaYuri: "You don't know the full story at all, so…"
Monika: "Don't worry."
Monika: "I probably know a lot more than you think."
"Well, you are a very knowledgeable person." Sayori commented.
MoNatSaYuri: "Eh…?"
Monika is being as friendly as usual, but for some reason I felt a chill down my spine after hearing that.
Monika: "Hey, do you want to check the pamphlets?"
"Why yes, I would love to see what you've put together." Natsuki smiled.
Monika: "They came out really nice!"
MoNatSaYuri: "Yeah, sure."
I grab one of the pamphlets laid out on the desks.
MoNatSaYuri: "Oh yeah, they really did."
MoNatSaYuri: "Something like this will definitely help people take the club more seriously."
Monika: "Yeah, I thought so too!"
I flip through the pages.
Each member's poem is neatly printed on its own page, giving it an almost professional feel.
"We should expect nothing less from our club president." Yuri stated.
I recognize Natsuki's and Yuri's poems from the ones they performed during our practice.
MoNatSaYuri: "What's this…?"
I flip to Sayori's poem.
It's different from the one she practiced.
It's one I haven't read before…
%
Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of my head. Get out of
Get.
Out.
Of.
My.
Head.
Get out of my head before I do what I know is best for you.
Get out of my head before I listen to everything she said to me.
Get out of my head before I show you how much I love you.
Get out of my head before I finish writing this poem.
But a poem is never actually finished.
It just stops moving.
MoNatSaYuri: "Ah-"
"My, what another masterful poem from the best writer in the club." Natsuki commented.
"Why yes, I agree." Yuri added. "It utilizes the spacing of the paragraphs quite well."
"Why thank you." Sayori said. "Monika's advice on spacing really inspired me."
"You truly know how to use it." Natsuki stated. "Why, I think you did it better than Monika did."
"Always happy to help." Monika groaned with a smile.
What is this…?
Reading this poem, I get a pit in my stomach.
Monika: "MoNatSaYuri?"
Monika: "What's wrong?"
MoNatSaYuri: "Ah, nothing…"
This poem feels completely different from everything else Sayori's written.
But more than that…
MoNatSaYuri: "I-I changed my mind!"
MoNatSaYuri: "I'm going to get Sayori, so…"
"Ah, yes, an excellent idea." Yuri smiled. "Tell her how great her poem was before the festival starts. An extra bit of confidence should help her through the performance."
Monika: "Ah-"
Monika: "Well, alright!"
Monika: "Try not to take too long, okay?"
*Scene changes to the hallway*
I quickly leave the classroom.
"Oh, isn't that nice." Natsuki began. "They finally changed the lightbulbs. Now they shouldn't be flashing on and off anymore."
Monika: "Don't strain yourself-"
Monika calls that out after me.
I quicken my pace.
"Wow, he must really want to tell me how much he liked my poem." Sayori said. "Isn't he such a nice guy?"
"Or perhaps he just really needs to know its deeper meaning." Yuri mused.
*Scene fades to black before fading in on the residential area*
"Well, so much for the lights." Natsuki commented.
"Oh well." Yuri shrugged. "I'm sure they did their best."
What was I thinking?
I should have tried a little harder for Sayori.
It's not a big deal to at least wait for her, or help her wake up.
Even the simple gesture of walking her to school makes her really happy.
"And really, isn't spreading happiness what life is all about?" Sayori asked.
Besides…
I told her yesterday that things will be the same as they always have been.
That's all she needs, and what I want to give her.
*Scene changes to outside of Sayori's house*
I reach Sayori's house and knock on the door.
"Your front yard is as beautiful as always, Sayori." Natsuki commented. "I really wish I had your green thumb."
"Don't be too hard on yourself." Sayori said. "I'm sure your house is just as pretty."
I don't expect an answer, since she's not picking up her phone, either.
Like yesterday, I open the door and let myself in.
*Scene fades to black*
MoNatSaYuri: "Sayori?"
She really is a heavy sleeper…
I swallow.
I can't believe I ended up doing this after all.
Waking her up in her own house…
That really is something that a boyfriend would do, isn't it?
"Especially the nice ones." Sayori nodded. "Which you are."
In any case…
It just feels right.
Outside of Sayori's room, I knock on her door.
MoNatSaYuri: "Sayori?"
MoNatSaYuri: "Wake up, dummy…"
There's no response.
I really don't want to have to enter her room like this…
"Oh, isn't that sweet?" Sayori asked. "He respects my privacy."
Isn't it kind of a breach of privacy?
But she really leaves me no choice.
"Okay, seriously, Sayori," Yuri said, dropping her polite, sweet tone for her usual voice as she turned to the ginger. "Are you sure you want to stay here for this?"
"Yeah," Natsuki joined the conversation. "No one would blame you if you decide this is too much for you."
"Guys, I told you, I'll be fine." Sayori said. "Besides, we knew what we were signing up for. If you guys are sticking it out for the whole game, so am I."
"Well, if you say so." Natsuki said as she turned back to the computer. "Just remember that you can leave at any time if you need to."
"I know." Sayori nodded.
"I mean it, Sayori." Natsuki added. "We don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"You don't need to worry." Sayori said, patting her friend on the shoulder.
I gently open the door.
MoNatSaYuri: "….Sayor-"
*Sayori hangs in the middle of her room, with lifeless eyes gazing at the ground*
"Wake u-OH MY GOD!" Natsuki yelled.
*Sayori's body gently rocks back and forth before the camera cuts to a closeup of her face*
"SAYORI!? NO, NO, NOT SAYORI!?" Yuri cried.
*The lights shift from bright to dim before the background becomes a distorted, glitched version of the game's opening sequence*
"WHY, WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE YOU!?" Monika sobbed.
*After this, the background turns into an error screen*
An exception has occurred.
File "game/script-ch5-rpy", line 307
See [traceback] for details.
"PLEASE, NOT SAYORI!" Natsuki wailed. "SHE WAS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER!"
*Background changes back to normal*
What the hell…?
"Sayori? Sayori!?" Sayori yelled. "SAYORI!"
What the hell?
"I WANTED TO HELP YOU GET BETTER!" Natsuki lamented
Is this a nightmare?
"IT MOST CERTAINLY IS!" Yuri yelled.
It…has to be.
This isn't real.
There's no way this can be real.
"YOU DIDN'T EVEN GET TO TRY MY CUPCAKES!" Natsuki cried.
Sayori wouldn't do this.
"HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED!?" Monika asked.
Everything was normal up until a few days ago.
"SHE WAS SO FULL OF LIFE!" Natsuki croaked. "WHY WOULD SHE DO THIS!?"
That's why I can't believe what my eyes are showing me…!
"WHAT AM I WRITING FOOORRR!?" Monika yelled.
*Scene fades to black*
I suppress the urge to vomit.
"WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING TO ME!?" Sayori lamented.
Just yesterday…
"She was alive yesterday." Yuri whimpered. "WHY CAN'T IT BE YESTERDAY!?"
I told Sayori I would be there for her.
I told her I know what's best, and that everything will be okay.
"How could this happen to me?" Monika asked as she sobbed. "I've made my mistakes. Got nowhere to run. The night goes on as I'm fading away."
Then why…?
Why would she do this…?
"SHE FORGOT TO SAY GOODBYE!" Sayori cried.
How could I be so helpless?
What did I do wrong?
"Why didn't you do something?" Natsuki growled. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
Confessing to her…
I shouldn't have confessed to her.
That's not what Sayori needed at all.
"I was supposed to be the one to fill your dark soul with LIGHT!" Sayori proclaimed.
She even told me how painful it is for others to care about her.
"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN IN DOKI DOKI LITERATURE CLUB?!" Monika gasped.
Then why did I confess to her, and make her feel even worse?"
Why was I so selfish?
This is my fault-!
"CHRISTMAS IS RUINED!" Sayori declared.
My swarming thoughts keep telling me everything I could have done to prevent this.
If I just spent more time with her.
Walked her to school.
And remained friends with her, like it always has been…
…Then I could have prevented this.
I know I could have prevented this!
"WHY DIDN'T WE DO SOMETHING SOONER!?" Yuri asked.
"NOW I'LL NEVER GET TO TELL HER I LOVED HER!" Natsuki cried.
Screw the Literature Club.
Screw the festival.
I just…lost my best friend.
"DON'T WORRY, SAYORI!" Natsuki declared as she pulled a gun up to her forehead. "I'M COMING AFTER YOU!"
"NATSUKI, WE SAID WE WEREN'T DOING THAT JOKE!" Yuri yelled.
"OH, RIGHT!"
Someone I grew up with.
She's gone forever now.
"GONE AS IN NEVER COMING BACK!" Yuri sobbed.
Nothing I do can bring her back.
This isn't some game where I can reset and try something different.
"YES, IT IS!" Sayori yelled. "RESET AND TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!"
I had only one chance, and I wasn't careful enough.
And now I'll carry this guilt with me until I die.
"~WHERE DID I GO WRONG, I LOST A FRIEND!~" Natsuki sang off-key.
Nothing in my life is worth more than hers…
But I still couldn't do what she needed from me.
And now…
I can never take it back.
"AND IT WAS HER BIRTHDAY TOO!" Yuri cried.
Never.
Never.
Never.
Never.
Never.
END
"Welp," Monika said, putting on a happy face as she clapped her hands together. "There's no changing the past. Guess we'll just have to move on with our lives."
*The opening of the game plays before the literature club appears onscreen. Yuri, Natsuki, Monika, and a glitched sprite made up from all of theirs stare at the player*
The group all let out a sigh as Natsuki leaned back in her chair. "So… That does it for Act 1." Natsuki said as she turned towards the camera. "But there is still much more to this game than just that. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you want to see Act 2."
"We will never forget you, Sayori." Yuri said somberly as she hung her head low. "You shall forever live on in our hearts."
As the screen faded to black, Sayori commented, "My throat hurts."
~Hey, everyone. Monika here.~
~Before we jump into the second act of Doki Doki Literature Club, we need a bit of time to process and recover from this TRAUMATIC, HEART-CRUSHING plot twist.~
~So the next video's going to be a little different.~
~We've noticed a few questions about us in the comment section.~
~So we're going to be answering them.~
~So if you have any other questions you'd like to ask, leave them in a comment.~
~No spoiler questions, though. We'll get to those when we get to those.~
~We'll get to everything you all ask in the next video.~
~… However long it takes to make that.~
~Happy Halloween!~
If this doesn't get the story taken down, it'll be a miracle.
I have been waiting to make this chapter since around when I started this story. But it turned out to be a bit harder to write than I thought it would. I really wanted their reactions to be extremely over the top, but I had to read through the section three times to get a good amount of dialogue from them all. I also came up with some more gags during proofreading. I knew this chapter would be a short one, but I wanted to get it to around 3000 words.