Our Reality (Doki Doki Literature Club!)

Countdown to Devil's Night Part 6

Distance; it was one of the things Yuri was well acquainted with. Right now she was keeping a certain distance away from Shujinkou. She knew the only reason he hasn't noticed her yet was because he was too absorbed in his own thoughts.

It was similar to when they first met, back when he was a constant daydreamer. She could empathize with the desire to escape into a world of fiction; a world where no one would judge and ridicule you.

Even when she was too nervous to initiate a conversation with him, it was comforting that there was another member in the club that was similar to her in that regard.

Thinking back, even when he constantly escaped into his head and it took a great deal of effort to bring him back, he never felt as distant as he had these past few days.

It felt like the distance he was putting between himself and everyone was both intentional and unintentional. She couldn't understand how it could be unintentional and at first she couldn't understand why Shujinkou would intentionally distant himself now of all times.

Anyone who had been in his shoes lately would want some space lately, but that didn't seem to be the reason why.

From the brief interactions they've had since he fell on his head, it felt like a part of him was afraid to be around others for too long. With his sudden and erratic behavior, Yuri could see why Shujinkou would spend the bare minimum around known associates; he didn't want to worry anyone anymore than he already did nor did he want to suddenly do something that would hurt someone in any way.

Knowing that was one of two reasons Yuri wasn't any more concerned than she was. But-

Like Monika had said, Shujinkou is clearly withholding information. Information that could be vital. He's usually vey open. Even when he doesn't want to say something, he would at least be upfront about it.

Still...Even though I respect his desire to keep something to himself or keep a secret for a friend, if he knows more concerning something that involves all of us in this situation...

With her resolved hardened, Yuri closed the gap between the two of them and gently tapped his shoulder. Shujinkou turned around, clearly surprised by her presence.

"Yuri?" he said, perplexed.

Though his response seemed normal, there was still something noticeably off. She thought it was just her mind playing tricks on her at first but whatever it was even worse than before.

Whatever the unexplainable phenomenon that made the usually approachable Shujinkou a little unnerving to talk to now was frightening.

"...What are you planning on doing now?" Yuri queriered.

"Well, I'm drawing a blank on realistic plans," he sighed. "If we had some sci-fi or fantastical stuff or mastery of stealth, a one man assault would be what I would go with."

"I see..."

A brief, but noticeable silence came between them.

"Shujinkou... Is there more to this than you're letting on?" Yuri finally asked.

"What? Why would you ask that?" he calmly asked back.

Normally, a response like that could be suspicious in and of itself. It could be used as a way to deflect questions such as hers.

But that wasn't what made her even more suspicious; it was the calm way Shujinkou responded to her. It just didn't seem to be the way he would respond in their current circumstances.

"It just feels like that withholding information," Yuri answered.

"Come on, Yuri, am I really the type that can hide anything? Everyone I know can tell what I'm thinking just by looking at me," he reminded her.