Reality Under The Apple Tree -- A DDLC Fanfiction

Chapter 1 : Reality Under The Apple Tree

'Meet me under the apple tree at midnight tonight.'

That sentence echoed through my brain.

I am A13, a 17 year old student that lives in H city. Is there anything special about me that I have to introduce about? Well, no. I am just those typical high school student you guys see every day. I'm not fit or muscular, I'm not athletic or smart, and I'm certainly not those popular teenager who constantly spend their time partying or hanging out with their friends. I do have a few friends, but that's about it. I don't accomplish much at school either, but I don't struggle to keep my academic affairs in one piece.

I am an average of everything, positive or negative.

I haven't seen my parents for a long time. My parents both have a well-paid job that unfortunately requires them to work abroad. Every few day or so they would send loads of money back into my bank account. I am of course grateful those money kept me from starving to death, but no amount of money can provide closure when I haven't seen my parents for like 3 years or so (I lost count). I never cared about my savings. All I know is that money is never a scarce resource.

Oh, and should I mention I am a squad leader in the H city militia? Nah there are nothing special to talk about. I just considered this a part time job but turns out I'm pretty good at it.

It all started 3 months ago. Driven by my lack of closure (and some curiosity), I downloaded a game online. A dating sim to be exact, so that I can spend some time with a few fictional character. It's called 'Doki Doki Literature Club', and it seems to gain quite a reputation among people who downloaded it. Soon after I started playing it I begin to fall for a side character. Her name is Monika, a high school girl that is 'out of my league', according to what the game said. It's a pity that I don't have the option to date her, as the game itself doesn't allow me to do so.

But then things start to get weird.

Turns out she is a self aware, sentient being trapped in the game, who has access to the source code herself. Soon enough, she begin to alter the game, eliminating other characters (who were just codes, mind you) and created a semi-broken universe in the game where she is the only option. I was initially a bit pissed at her selfish act, but as she explained everything to me, I started to understand her action. She loved me, but she was never an option to date or be dated due to the game's limitation. As a result, she can only silently watch me, the player, dating other girls while she can do nothing. Driven by love and desperation, she had to break free of the code in the hope that she can be chosen.

She is real, just imprisoned in a digital prison where free will is restricted by codes.

It is lucky that she chose the right player. I loved her as well, not just because of her body (I'm not that much of a degenerate yet) but her personality as well. She showed her caring, tender side to me through our conversations. Soon I confessed to her as well and we began dating each other. Every day I would visit her after school, and spend a few hours chatting with her about my life. She would offer me useful advices that change me for the better, and I would return the favor by telling her what my reality looks like. It saddens me a little to realize that she can't be physically by my side, but I know that she is always on the other side of my computer screen, rooting for me no matter what I am doing.

Today was a normal Saturday. Exams were over for me and I have nothing to do myself. Therefore, I fired up DDLC, and was immediately greeted by a familiar face.

'What are we going to do today, sweetheart?' Monika said with a smile.

And so I did what I do every day: Played a few round of chess, listened to her signature 'writing tip of the day', chatted with her about life or whatever is on my mind. After 5 hours I decided that was enough Monika for today and I kissed goodbye to her. As I was closing the game, Monika starts to talk.

'Hey player, hold up a minute I have something to tell you!' (Yes I named myself player in the game because I run out of creativity)

'Oh?' I replied with a questioning tone. She usually just close the game after I say goodbye to her. This was unprecedented for me.

'I have a good news for you! Turns out there is a dimensional crack in your reality and I can finally come to your reality! I can finally be by your side for real. Isn't that a dream come true?' She puts on the greatest smile I've ever seen on her face.

A dimensional crack? Isn't that supposed to exist in fictions only? What is she trying to imply?

'I'm sorry Monika, but I think you're joking.' I replied, 'I know you desperately want to meet me for real but technology isn't that advanced yet'

'When did I say about technology? I am just harnessing natural events! Don't believe in me? Meet me under the apple tree at midnight tonight to find out!' Monika winked at me before she closed the game.

Her words left me in my thoughts. No, this can't be real. Even though I believe in the multiverse theory, crossing between them is an entirely different topic. But Monika never lied to me. Every time she jokes about something she would always put a disclaimer afterwards, yet this time she didn't.

It won't hurt to take a look, right?

As it gets closer and closer to midnight, I put on my trench coat and went out of my house. I hid a pistol in my coat. I know the security in H city is decent but just in case someone wants to kill me because I am a part of the militia. It was very quiet outside. Make sense since I live in the suburban area and the population isn't as dense here.

As I approach the apple tree, a figure so familiar yet so distant greets my eye.

She is a female. She has brown long hair, tied into a ponytail via a white ribbon. Her eyes are emerald green and shined brightly as the street lights reflect into them. Her body is of perfect proportion with distinctive but not exaggerated female traits, contrary to typical dating sim characters which caused me to choose her in the first place. Her height is average for females, around 160cm according to my estimation. She is in her school uniform, though from a school I did not recognize.

She is Monika.

She looked exactly like herself in game.

I was shocked and delighted at the same time. Words cannot describe my happiness as my one and only dream actually come true. I don't even know what to say to her right now. Before I can even react, she pulled me into a deep passionate kiss. Her action make my heart race and my face turn bright red. I felt her soft skin. She is real now, real as if she is made of flesh and reachable rather than being pixels on my screen. Her kiss felt good while it lasted but we both need to breathe after a minute of kissing.

We both back off a little, our eyes still meeting each other's. After another minute of awkward silence, Monika decide to break the ice and speak:

'Hello, player!'

(1331 words)