A/N: Just like my other DDLC fanfics, unless otherwise stated, they're portrayed as though it's real life rather than a game.
A/N: I do not own the characters of DDLC, they belong to Team Salvato! Commission is by Popidoru!
A/N: Later chapters will have dark themes such as murder, attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts!
Sweet and Dark Heart
Natsuki Himoto was always trying to fit in at Sakura High School ever since the first day she transferred a year ago. At her previous high school, for three whole years, she was always mocked and insulted due to her impressive height of 6'11" and her love of manga and anime. Now, being at Sakura High for some time…she experienced the same thing. Eventually, she became friends with Monika Klesse-Hiroshi from History class, with Monika being a spry and confident young lady of half-Irish and half-Japanese descent standing at 5'3" with sharp green eyes and long reddish-brown hair. Monika let Natsuki know she's starting a club after she left the Debate Club due to petty drama and arguing & Natsuki agreed to join the Literature Club. That same day, Monika's other friends, Yuri Takana, a mature and shy woman at 5'6" with deep violet hair and violet eyes, and Sayori Iroshi, a cheerful woman at 5'2" with blue eyes and coral pink hair joined. Sayori had mentioned her childhood best friend, a somewhat quiet guy named John Sarashina with kind brown eyes and brown hair wanted to join the Anime Club, but Sayori had partially guilt-tripped John into joining when Sayori and John were walking to school this same morning. Now, it has been a week since the Literature Club has been formed and the girls are all talking, waiting on John to arrive.
"So, where's this best buddy of yours?" Natsuki asked as her arms are crossed with a slight scowl.
"He'll be here! Otherwise I'll text him fifty times!" Sayori said with a giggle.
A few minutes later, John entered the Literature Club room as he slid open the door, hesitant. He saw Sayori, his best friend, and he knew Monika and Yuri from last year's Biology class. John, a soft-spoken young man at 6' tall…didn't expect to see the pink-haired, pink-eyed woman that was larger than life.
"John, you're here!" Sayori said, rushing to him and ushering him over.
"Hey Sayori, I figured I'd drop by and see what this is about…I, uhm…didn't expect it'd be all ladies though…" John said sheepishly.
Natsuki was smitten, almost right away upon seeing John – his slender frame, his shy yet relaxed demeanor – it was intoxicating to Natsuki. Monika & Yuri already knew John, so there was no need for introductions. With all of the girls and John being fourth years and eighteen years old, he looked up at Natsuki, who was watching him intently, her towering frame next to a plate of cupcakes designed like cute cats. Sayori walked over to the cupcakes as Yuri admired them, and Sayori tried reaching for a cupcake, but Natsuki told her to wait until later before she eats them all.
'…He is one cutie…I've never been this smitten with a guy before…but…I need to keep up my tough exterior, I can't be seen as weak and pour my heart out to this guy who I haven't even spoken to yet.' Natsuki thought to herself as John approached her.
"You gonna talk or just stare at me?" Natsuki asked as she looked down at him, her gaze intense.
"Oh! Sorry…my name is John, nice to meet you…I'm just more…introverted around new people." John said as he shook Natsuki's hand, her grip was firm as she maintained eye contact with him.
'Her stare is intense…but it seems…guarded? Fierce? I can't really place it…she's massive…like…she could crush me…' John thought as the handshake ended.
"Introverted huh? With someone like you around Sayori all the time, I figured you'd be more vocal. I'm Natsuki, the best baker on the planet!" Natsuki said with an air of raw confidence.
"Well…we just stayed best friends for the past ten years, though we don't have too much in common…haha…" John nervously chuckled as Natsuki crossed her arms and looked down at John, seeming to study him.
"People can be friends, common interests or not." Natsuki said curtly.
"That makes sense…" John said softly as he glanced at the cupcakes.
"Oh, the cupcakes…it's not like I made them for you or anything! I just happened to have some extra baking supplies!" Natsuki said.
After chuckling at Natsuki's typical behavior, Monika & Sayori brought the desks together to arrange a makeshift table for the cupcakes; Yuri brewed some calming lavender tea while Natsuki placed down the cupcakes. Everyone sat down and John reached for a vanilla cupcake with chocolate chip eyes and chocolate bar squares for ears – it looks just like a cat.
John inspected the cupcake; it was like a work of art after all – beautiful yet simple as he looked at the cute dessert. John glanced at the others – Yuri, Sayori and Monika who were all munching on their cupcakes and enjoying the fragrant tea…and he saw Natsuki looking down at him from the other end of the makeshift desks, her pink eyes seeming to pierce into his soul with a fierce and powerful intensity.
'Does…does she want me to eat it? The way she's watching me…it's like she wants to know what I think…' John thought as he gave Natsuki a shy smile, and took the wrapped off, biting into the cupcake.
The flavors hit him all at once – rich buttercream, vanilla extract, the chocolate, nutmeg and a hint of butter…this was the best cupcake John has ever eaten in his life and he finished it with the tea, feeling very satisfied. Natsuki glanced over at John every so often, trying to mask her face with indifference but a small smile on her face betrayed her real feelings as she saw John enjoy the cupcake.
'He…he likes it?! O-oh…good…I'm glad…really glad. When Sayori told me that her best friend since they were kids would be coming to the Literature Club…I didn't think he'd be so hot!' Natsuki thought.
"Woah…this is good…does anyone mind if I have a second cupcake? I didn't get to eat lunch today…" John inquired as the other ladies told him to enjoy the second one.
"Looks like someone's got good taste…" Natsuki said as she crossed her arms.
John chuckled as he finished off the second cupcake, which was just as delicious as the first. After the group finished off the cupcakes and tea, they put the desks back in their spots. Sayori and John exited the Literature Club and began to walk after the others had left. Now that they are walking through the school to head on home, Sayori figured to ask John how he liked the Literature Club.
"So Johnny, what'd you think about us lovely ladies at the Literature Club, hm?" Sayori asked as she wiggled her eyebrows, making John snort in amusement.
"You're such a goofball…well, I think the concept of a Literature club is different, since I was going to join the Anime Club but…it's not bad, I already know all of you aside from Natsuki. Is she usually so intense like that?" John asked as Sayori giggled.
"Ehehe~ I'm glad you decided to join, and as for Natsuki, that's just how she is, she can be intense and feisty but once you get to know her, she's a giant sweetheart!" Sayori said.
Right as they were about to exit the school building itself; the two felt a presence behind them…and they turned around to see that it was the towering 6'11" Natsuki, dwarfing them both.