Our Reality (Doki Doki Literature Club!)

The First and the Third

"Now we just need to wait for them to cook," Monika watched in eager anticipation as Natsuki closed her oven. After starting up the timer, her guest looked up at her and smiled. She was clearly excited for the next step. "Once they're done, then we can get to the really fun stuff."

"Right," Monika nodded her head. She was excited for the next step too.

A brief, but notable silence ensued.

"Hey..." Suddenly, Natsuki shot a serious expression at her host, her eyes filled with determination.

Curiosity and interest welled up in Monika as she answered with a simple, "Yes?"

"Since we're waiting, let's play The Game of Life."

"The Game of Life? I don't think we have the time to play the whole thing."

"That's fine, I just want a chance to do better than I did last time." Natsuki planted her fists into her waists, a smug smile on her face as she stared down her host. "...Unless you're worried that I'll beat you this time."

15 minutes later...

"Um, Natsuki..." A weak chuckle slipped through Monika's lips as she stared at Natsuki's back. Her guest tightly cradled her knees as she dejectedly rocked back and forth. "Natsuki?"

The pink-haired girl remained silent as she continued to sway back and forth. Monika was sure that she heard her mumbling something under her breath. She wanted to find something to cheer her friend up, but as her gaming opponent, she knew whatever she said in regards to the game wouldn't really have much of a positive effect. That sentiment was especially true considering how Natsuki fell into so much debt that she lost the game not too long after graduating from college.

"Just not fair..." the disgruntled guest mumbled under her breath.

"Natsuki..." Monika glanced down and noticed her phone sitting on the edge of the board. It was at that moment when she got an idea. "Hey, Natsuki, do you want to hear Yoki's latest single?"

She watched as her friend stop rocking and slowly turn towards her. After constantly going back and forth between locking eyes and looking away, Natsuki slowly crawled towards her. "...I kinda hate singles."

"Huh? But I thought you like Yoki?"

"I do, it's just that I don't like the whole single thing. A singer makes a new song and the companies quickly send it out to make a quick buck, because they know that the fans can't wait to get it and listen to it. Then they release another and another until they release a full album."

Natsuki chuckled and crossed her arms. "Good thing the internet pretty much ruined their scheme."

"Also a good thing since the physical copies always sell out quickly," Monika giggled as she started the song.

"You ever think we'll ever find out who Yoki is?"

"I think we will. Eventually the whole mystery aspect will get tired."

"You think?" a quizzical look dropped on Natsuki's face. "Seems to be one of her main selling points."

"Mm-hmm. But like a mystery, if you keep it going to long without any clues, or just make it too long in general, then people will get bored. I'm willing to bet when sales start to dip, there will be a big and probably complicated reveal process."

"Probably some fake news leak."

"And once there's a face to go with the songs, interest will shoot right back up. But the reveal probably won't happen for a while."

"Ugh... For all I know, I probably passed her by... Wait..." Natsuki paused as she was greeted by a sudden idea. "Wait, you think she's a secret vocaloid, do you?"