A/N: Note that this is being 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: Chapter 7

- Thursday Morning, 10 A.M. –

As John headed out as usual, he got a text from the Literature Club group chat that Monika had made when she had first started the club. Of course, Monika had apologized for making everyone come before their classes yesterday, but she sheepishly admitted that she was so happy to share the poems amongst each other for the first time, since the Literature Club has only been around for a week and five days. John teasingly said that this time, he'll forgive her but if he ended up late, then she'd owe him a cookie, prompting Natsuki to say that she'll make them for John if Monika makes them do that again. After going through the usual routine of classes, John was ready for the Literature Club.

"All right, I can't wait to see what we got planned today!" John said as Sayori walks by his side.

"Hopefully we get to chill out a bit, I had a few tests this week already!" Sayori said.

"Hah, you probably flunked them!" John said as he stuck his tongue out.
"I did not! I did about average, eheheh…" Sayori said as John playfully rolled his eyes.

The two entered the Literature Club room, seeing that Yuri and Monika was there, both of them reading novels. Monika saw the two entered and waved.
"Hey John and Sayori! I can see the exhaustion in our resident cinnamon bun's eyes but don't worry; today's a relaxing day; especially as I finished my piano lessons a bit earlier than usual!" Monika said with a warm smile as Sayori fist bumped John.

Sayori went next to Yuri to chat so that the shy girl could conversate with her; while John looked around, not seeing Natsuki. When he headed to the back of where Natsuki kept her manga, he saw that the giant woman was there, organizing her manga.

"Oh, hey dork, what's up?" Natsuki asked as she straightened to her full height, the top of her head, level with the threshold.

"Well…I don't think I've asked you but…since we both like manga…can we read some together since Monika said today is a relaxing day?" John asked as he looked up at her.

Natsuki tried really hard to not squeal and say that it's an amazing idea, she also did her best to want to pull John into her arms with a crushing embrace…so Natsuki decided to act a bit tsundere as she did beforehand.

"I guess we can read together, just don't get too close to me!" Natsuki said.

'Yes, YES! Finally, I get to spend some alone time with John…hopefully the others don't interrupt this. Alright, let me show him my favorite manga, Parfait Girls!' Natsuki thought to herself as she pulled out the first volume of the Parfait Girls manga.

"Wow, talk about an eye-catching cover! It's really drawing my attention!" John said as Natsuki sat down on the floor.

"This is the best manga ever! It's called Parfait Girls!" Natsuki said, motioning for John to sit by patting the ground next to her.

John sat down next to Natsuki, looking small next to her despite him being 6' tall. Taking a look at the cover, John saw a group of girls on the cover on broomsticks, he couldn't help but smile seeing the cover – and its contrast to its owner.

'Heh…here's Natsuki, who was certainly intimidating to some people and she's reading a very…moe manga. Nothing wrong with that but it's rather surprising to me…' John thought to himself.

"It looks…cute…" John said as Natsuki looked down at him, a faint blush on her face.

"Erm…well it is…but that's why it's the best! So come on, come on, let's read!" Natsuki said.

The two read the manga for a bit, with Natsuki laughing and pointing out a few parts, catching herself before she accidentally spoiled future occurrences. Internally she was conflicted due to John so close.

'Haaah…he's so close…so close…I wonder what he thinks about us sitting like this? Is he secretly intimidated by my size, or does he not care? If he doesn't mind…then this is perfect to have his gorgeous and skinny self so close to me…' Natsuki thought to herself as she read aloud, while glancing at John every so often.

"You like it?" Natsuki asked.

"I do like slice-of-life sometimes, I prefer romance, but this is nice…" John said.

"Romance huh? Heh, never thought a twig like you would like romance, but go figure." Natuski chuckled as John gave a smile.

Natsuki and John continue reading the manga, John begins feeling a bit sleepy due to the cozy atmosphere. After all, it's quiet, he's alone with Natsuki and her soft voice is beginning to lull him to sleep.

'Mmm…mmm…sleepy…' John thought to himself as he soon fell asleep on Natsuki's shoulder.

Natsuki jumped a bit at seeing John sleep on her shoulder…but it was everything she wanted. Here was the man she was crazy over, asleep on her shoulder and very vulnerable.

'Amazing…he's so…tiny and delicate compared to me…I want to hold him tight and never let go…never let anyone near him…never let anyone touch him but me. I don't want to seem vulnerable but wow…wow he looks so peaceful like this…' Natsuki thought as she blushed and her breathing quickened.

Seeing a few strands of hair fall from John's forehead, Natsuki very carefully put them back into place, marveling at how handsome he looked.

'It's so hard to concentrate on this manga…but this is all I can focus on now…on John.' Natsuki thought as she continued looking down at John.