We walk in silence for a bit, still processing what just happened, then Monika suddenly stops and gives me a very skeptical look.
"So, how immersive is this VR?"
"Huh?" I'm really at a loss at this sudden question. Then again, haven't we already bulldozed the fourth wall? Still, not the topic I was expecting.
"I mean, can you feel taste?" she clarifies.
A wide grin forms on my face. "I've actually got a box of chocolates right here on my side just for the occasion".
"Oh, prepared for everything, aren't you?"
"I guess we both got a bit of sweet tooth."
"Ah, you know me quite well. I feel somewhat at a disadvantage here."
"We can always rectify that." I wink, expecting some more personal questions, but she gives me a cold stare instead.
"So you weren't joking about timelines."
Was she just... testing me?! Serves me right for doubting her.
She continues, ignoring my brief confusion. "Then, if you came back here – or rather now – it means I've screwed up and my plan utterly failed. Am I right?"
300% aware, 200% meta. More than I bargained for. But this is truly her. Just Monika stuck in this scripted world, nothing more, nothing less. I decide to dodge some implications of the question for now.
"Making your way out of the computer? Yeah, that wasn't going to happen. Physically."
"I was afraid that's the case," she admits, lowering her gaze.
"Even me getting here wasn't that simple."
"But maybe there was something I succeeded at." Her smile starts coming back. "I got you to find your way here... Even if back in time..."
Her voice trails off again. And a few moments later she pushes straight to the point.
"Poor Sayori. What have I done to her to her to warrant your intervention at this moment?"
Never forget how smart Monika is, no matter the mistakes in dealing with the unknown (Terra Incognita is a perfect hell for a perfectionist, after all). Yet, I don't want to accuse her either...
"You know, depression isn't something to be played with."
"Even if she isn't...?"
Not again with this solipsism!
"How do you even define real in such place?!" Am I avoiding one hard question by raising another one?
Monika looks like she's ready to give me a lecture, but then she doesn't. Must be searching for arguments she wouldn't have already spilled on me in the other timeline... My chance to press on!
"You know, I've investigated something about underlying character code. There is no fundamental difference between the four of you."
"Are you saying I'm not real either?" Her eyes immediately get wet.
"I am saying they can be as real as you," I reply, brushing a tear from her cheek, "at least in terms of thinking for themselves. Wouldn't you prefer to help them?"
Monika turns away from me and takes her time to compose herself. Then she continues walking, but keeps a step to the side – and I don't dare to press either.
"Have I hurt you by mistreating them?" she finally asks, but then we both come to a silent agreement to consider this question rhetorical.
YOU ARE READING
Literature Club: Return to their reality
FanficPlayer ports Doki Doki Literature Club to VR simulation and tries to change the course of events. But is it really as simple as having a good talk with the supposed culprit? Or is the genie already out of the bottle? P.S. Consider it my birthday pre...
