Doki Doki Movie Club! - A SM AU Fanfiction!

33: Choosing To Help Kevin!

OPTION 1: "KEVIN"

"Well.." I feel myself instinctively turning to face Kevin where he was standing, feeling my eyes linger toward him. A slight bit of tingly warmth washed over my face, and I sheepishly scratched the side of my head. "..if Kevin's gonna be making snacks, it might be a little hard for him. So.. I.. gue—I'll guess I'll help him out."

Kevin's eyes widen, seemingly realizing I had chosen him to help. He then shakes his head, "Wai—Wait, hey.. you don't have to help me just because you think it'd be hard." He then glances downward to the floor, quietly adding, "..I mean.. I wouldn't mind if you did. It.. sounds like it'd be a lot of fun with you, so.. but.. nnghh.."

"..really?" Ethan asks, raising a brow. "I didn't think you'd actually want to."

"Ugh.. its only because I—" Kevin stops—his embarrassment fading. "..wait, so you asked me if I wanted to anyway even though you—"

"Anyway—!" Ethan immediately turns away from Kevin with a nervous laugh, smiling over at Rick. "You'll.. be okay doing the work by yourself, right, Rick?"

"..yes. I'm used doing things myself." Rick shrugs.

"Ah—thats.. good then." Awkwardly says Ethan. I wasn't sure how Rick was feeling over the fact that I had chosen Kevin, but I couldn't help but feel a little bad for him.

"So.." Kevin says, trying to contribute to the conversation. "Is.. that everything?"

"Mm.." Ethan hums, and then smiles. "Yeah, I believe that's it.. you guys excited for the festival?"

"Heh.. yeah, of course I am." Kevin grins light-heartedly, laughing to himself as if puzzled at the very idea of not being excited for it. "Besides the performance thing, it sounds like it's gonna be awesome."

Ethan arches a brow, playfully remarking, "Not sure if that really counts, but.. alright. What about you, new member?" He inquires, lifting his head and slowly turning it to face me.

"I'm.. uhh.. hah.. well, I think I'm excited to see how it'll turn out." Sheepishly, I answer.

"Heh.. that's good enough for me." Ethan smiles. "And.. Rick? What about you?"

Silence.

"..Rick?" Ethan mutters again.

"I.. think he might be a little upset that they don't get to help him." Kevin says.

"..."

"Oh, come on—it's not that bad, right?" Asks Kevin, now beginning to pout and whine in mild frustration as well.

"It.. might not be just that." I say gently, and then turn my head over to face him. "..Rick, you don't feel underappreciated or anything just because no one offered to help you, right?"

Rick gives a slightly solemn expression, forcing an answer out with a neutral frown. "..no."

"I—" Kevin's words get caught in his throat, and upon seeing Rick's solemn face, his expression of annoyance quickly softens into worry. He then let's a groan escape his mouth, before proceeding to march foward directly in front of Rick. His hands then clasp over Rick's shoulders, and he begins to speak as genuinely as he can.

"Look, I know no one offered to help.. but, you really are the most talented person here. Decorations are pretty easy to do sure, and.. snacks can make an event like this feel a lot more welcoming. But.. ugh.. the point is you're just as important as everyone else!" Kevin practically yells, finally managing to get the words out. "You're—you're a really talented guy, Rick. I mean it when I say that."

"..." Rick remains quiet for a moment, and the entire room go silent. Both I and Ethan watch—a little stunned by what Kevin had just said. Normally he wasn't one to say such.. encouraging things. I still saw him as a pretty skeptical guy, but.. in this moment, he seemed genuinely.. nice.