Our Reality (Doki Doki Literature Club!)

Shujinkou's Awakening

It was like a dream or, at the very least, finally waking up from a nightmare. The last few days, especially last evening, had been very trying and now—

"Guys, you're..."

Shujinkou vividly remembered their faces from what seemed like a few seconds ago. He remembered the fear and Sayori's tears. As he struggled to retain his sanity, he was sure that he would have to make it up to his friends, if they would give him the opportunity.

And yet, they were warmly welcoming greeting him like a hero returning back from war.

"Wait... What about Mali? Is she alright? And what happened to Akuma and Akui? And-?"

Shujinkou couldn't help but blurt out questions but was immediately stopped the instant Monika gently placed her index finger over his mouth.

"Mali's fine and those two are gone."

Monika's gentle and reassuring tone greatly eased Shujinkou's worries.

"...What about you guys?" he asked. "I mean, you guys look pretty... Um, you know, pretty good considering everything that happened last night."

Shujinkou figured his question would be met with some disapproval due to his awkward phrasing, but he was surprised when his friends shared worried gazes between each other.

"Did... Did something happen?"

That was when it hit him. When Sayori hugged him, she cried, "You're finally awake".

"...How long was I out?"

There was silence. No one seemed to want to answer that question.

"Shiko..." Sayori spoke up. "You've been asleep for almost a month."

"A month...?" Shujinkou scratched his right cheek. "That's a while."

"You're taking this news rather well, Shujinkou," Yuri noted.

"I don't know, I guess it's just because it feels like it was only a second ago and a month is kinda getting off easy when it comes to comas," Shujinkou explained.

"Can't really argue with that logic," Natsuki agreed. "Kinda wish it felt that fast for us though..."

"Really. It felt like you were asleep for years..." Monika chuckled awkwardly as she added her opinion.

"Y-Yeah..." Shujinkou continued to scratch his right cheek, wondering why something that was clearly a joke felt so strange. "So... Anything happen while I was asleep?"

There was another bout of silence following his question. Not a peep was heard until Sayori, Monika and Yuri excused themselves.

"Very subtle, huh...?" Natsuki said this with a very forced smile on her face. "Not up to the standards of their trolling, that's for sure."

"Natsuki..."

She sat down next to him. "I made them promise to leave when you asked what happened while you were asleep. It only makes sense that I be the one to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"I'm... I'm sorry for lying to you."

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Before everything happened, I told you to just give me time and everything would go back to normal."

Shujinkou did indeed know what Natsuki was referring to. He really wanted to believe in her for so many reasons but could never fully commit to trusting her then.

"I actually planned to cut you off that day because I thought it would keep you safe, but I just couldn't. I didn't want to hurt you by doing that and..."