Reunion Under The Apple Tree -- A DDLC Fanfiction

Chapter 4 : Get to know the cinnamon bun

We escorted Sayori back to Base #52 for further questioning. I waited patiently on a bench within the base for the post mission debriefing.

After an hour I see the supreme commander walking towards me. He has another file in his hand and he is walking towards me.

'Sir.' I stand up and greet him.

'At ease, soldier.' The commander said. 'There are something we need to talk about.'

'The interview had progressed smoothly and she is free to go.' He continued. 'Here are the informations we obtained. It didn't make perfect sense but according to what we perceive their universe works slightly different compared to ours.'

I take a quick glance at what's inside the files. Name, age, height, preferences...... I knew these information back when I start playing DDLC.

'Nice. Permission to be dismissed, sir.' I said.

'Not yet.' He halted me as I begin to leave. 'That girl, Sayori, insisted that she wanted to meet what she calls "The Player" and live with him. Do you, by any chance, know who he is?'

I facepalmed. I don't mind living with Sayori, but why me? Why is she being so specific?

'Sir, I am the player.' I sighed. 'She is talking about me.'

'Good. I figured you might be the player since Monika lived with you last time as well. Now go and pick her up.' The commander ordered.

Sayori and I walk out if the base and towards my home. I have many questions for her but I decided to stay silent for now. As expected, Sayori can't bear the silence with her outgoing and cheerful personality. She breaks the silence in less than a minute.

'Say, Player, you are not going to talk to your childhood friend during the walk to home just like what you did in game?' She asked.

'I can talk if you want to, just don't know how to start.' I answered honestly.

'I'm just kidding.' Sayori smiled. 'I know the "childhood friend" trope was given to me by the code. We never actually know each other so it is understandable.'

'So first of all, how are you here after Monika wiped out almost everything in that universe?' I decided to be active and asked.

'After Monika is gone, I was restored as the new club president. The position gave me self consciousness and I am able to access Monika's memory up till the point where she left.' Sayori explained. She doesn't seem angry at all.

'Wait hold up, you are not mad after you realize Monika literally drove you to suicide?' I asked in surprise. 'And everything else Monika and done to your friends?'

'Well. After the epiphany I also realized I am trapped in the game world without free will. What Monika did was certainly not ideal but she was just trying to break free of the code that's restricting her.' Sayori said. 'She was my best friend and as long as what she did can give her happiness I am happy as well. Not to mention I wasn't real at that time......'

'Sayori, you are such a forgiving person.' I complimented.

'Speaking of which, I also learned that Monika had travelled to your reality not long ago in an attempt to meet you. Do you know where she is?' Sayori asked.

I sweat profusely. It would be very difficult to explain the situation of Monika and I to her, especially to an airhead like Sayori. Sayori looked at me eagerly with her sky blue eyes, waiting for an answer. This really leaves me no choice.

'Monika? She came to find me? I had no idea this happened.' I decided to lie. I can see signs of disappointment in Sayori's expression. Little did he know that I had actually met Monika, but it belongs to the past now.

'By the way, "Player is not your real name right? Do you go by A13 or something?' Sayori asked.

'How would you know that?' I asked.

'It is written on your badge!' Sayori said as she energetically poked my badge with her finger. 'Ouch don't tickle me!' I said.

Soon we arrived at the front door of my house. I unlocked the door and let Sayori in first.

'So this is where you live.' Sayori said. 'It looked great!'

'Thanks. Consider this your home. Except I'm not going to tidy your room for you here.' I joked.

'Hey! I am not that clumsy!' Sayori pouts as she protested.

I went into the shower room and took a nice soothing shower. A long shower is relaxing after a long tiring day. Unfortunately my shower was cut short by a burned smell coming from my kitchen.

'Sayori did you smell that?' I said as I rushed out of my shower and put on my clothes hastily.

'I am sorry A13! I tried to cook for you and I might have overcooked the food just a tad bit. Ehehe......' Sayori giggled.

I rush into my kitchen and find a literal block of burning carbon on the stove. I turn off the stove immediately and put of the fire with a piece of fireproof cloth. 'Sayori!' I shouted. 'Do you call this overcooking a tad bit? You almost burned my entire kitchen down! When did I give you the permission to cook?'

'I said I am sorry!' Sayori looked at me with guilt. Her pseudo-crying face is making me unable to scold her further. I sighed.

'Sayori. I know you didn't burn the food intentionally. But you should know you are a clumsy person.' I said. 'Look, the kitchen is a mess now. Besides, why would you even consider cooking for me in the first place?'

'Because I am your girlfriend now.' Sayori blushed a little when she said that. 'Isn't that what a girlfriend is supposed to do?'

'Wait hold up a minute.' I cut her off. 'When did I say you are my girlfriend?'

'You are living with a girl, me. Doesn't that make me your girlfriend?' Sayori asked back.

I almost burst into laughter when I realized her innocence. 'Sayori.' I said. 'Relationships don't work that way. A girl living with a single male doesn't necessarily make her his girlfriend. It takes time to form a bond and a bond to turn into a romantic relationship.'

She seems to be confused with what I said. 'Okay Sayori. If you really want to be with me permanently then why don't we go on a date tomorrow? If we both enjoyed the time then we might really be compatible with each other.'' I said to her.

'Really?' Sayori exclaimed. 'Yay! Can't wait to have a good time with you!'

I asked Sayori to wait as I cleaned up the mess in the kitchen. Then I made both of us a meal. It just a simple chicken noodle soup but at least I didn't risk burning the kitchen down. After the meal Sayori and I chatted on the couch for a while. We get to know each other better as we speak. One particular thing I am concerned about is her chronic depression buy Sayori told me that her depression is fully under control without Monika's tempering. Eventually we were both tired and I showed Sayori her bedroom. She immediately fell asleep as soon as she lied on her bed. I gently closed the door and headed towards my bedroom.

Tomorrow is going to be a familiar day for me.

(1245 words)