I heard this in my head.

I don't know where I am. I don't know what is happening.

I cannot feel my body so well. My vision is blurry. All I can see is...

A cute notebook. The same book that we see in the DDLC's poem minigame. There is a pen in my hand. Then there are words floating in my mind. I cannot see them, but I can feel them. I feel like I have to write one of them on the book.

...

I'm not fully conscious. It's like a dream. I don't know what I'm doing.

...

I accept a word, "love" and write it. At the same time, I feel that this word will somehow make Sayori happy.

New words appear. They are floating in my mind.

This time, I accept "infinity" then I move my hand. I feel like Yuri likes it.

New words come to my mind and I choose "promise". Sayori likes it.

New words surface...

What am I doing...?

I choose "dream" and I feel that Yuri appreciates it.

Dream...what am I doing.

New words. New choices.

"Can you hear me"

I move my hand to write "dream" but stop midway.

What the hell am I doing.

My consciencess is increasing.

Where am i?

A dream? I'm dreaming.

Really? Then why I'm sitting?

"Hey, I'm getting scared. Answer me please."

Why do I have a pen in my hand? Why is there a book In front of me?

And more importantly, why I keep writing words!

This is the DDLC poem minigame!

I'm scripted to do it!

I will never accept that!

I reject every word and move my hand to write a sentence.

As I look as my notebook,

I see

Emerald green colored eyes.

Looking

At

Me.

OH MY GOD. TERRIFED, I FALL FROM MY CHAIR.

BEFORE MY CHAIR HIT THE GROUND. SOMEONE HOLDS IT.

I'm extremely startled.

?: "Are you okay? Answer me Ethan! Please!"

I know that voice.

It's Monika. She holds my head into her hands and looks at me very worriedly.

Monika: "Can you understand me?"

She is scared too.

Ethan: "...yeah...wait..give me a moment."

I'm reassured that there is a familiar face here, I'm still greatly troubled..."

Monika: "Ok..."

Her hands are holding my cheeks. They're warm...I try to think logically.

Ethan: "First...Where am I?"

Monika: "You are in your house...or should I say the protagonist's house."

Monika now looks less worried, compared to before.

Ethan: "Ok...when it is? what hour is it?

Monika: "It's 4 past midnight. Do you remember what happened?"

Ethan: "Maybe. I think I know what happened."

I inhale deeply. Reassured, she takes her hands off me and backs away a bit. I'm still sitting in my chair while she is standing in front of me.

Ethan: "Yesterday, after the club, we talked with each other and the game separated us."

Monika: "That's correct."

Ethan: "Then I was probably teleported here, in this room. At the same time, my consciencess was probably switched off."

Monika: "When I entered your room, your were writing something on your notebook..."

Ethan: "I'm not sure, but I think I was sleepwalking. I wasn't conscious. It was like a dream. I guess it's because of the DDLC poem mini-game."

Monika: "The DDLC poem minigame?"

I stand up.

Ethan: "Doki Doki Literature Club's poem minigame. The player plays this minigame each night to get affection for Sayori, Natsuki or Yuri. Do you get what I mean?"

Monika: "...yeah, I understand. But this minigame was supposed to be played from outside the game so...by the way, you told me you were transported here by some gods, right?"

Ethan: "That's right. Before I go further, there is something bothering me right now. How come you're here?"

Monika: "I was teleported home just like you after the club ended. But unlike you, I kept consciencess. I couldn't stop thinking about you and what you said...so I ended up going into your house this night. But when I arrived..."

It seems like Monika was really worried about me, especially when she saw me writing things, I wonder why. But how did she find this place...well she can see the files, so I guess she can know everything.

Ethan: "I see. Thank you for coming, Monika, it was terrifying to not be in control of your own thoughts and body. Let's sit on the bed."

I point her the bed. We walk together and sit on it. There is a little space between us. I'm getting a bit flustered but not much because the terror caused by the sudden awakening is still lingering.

Monika: "Sorry for waking you up that way...it looks like I scared you..."

Ethan: "It's not really your fault...you tried calling me first but it didn't work so it cannot be helped."

Monika: "Thanks Ethan...How should I call you by the way? Ethan is not your real name, is it?"

Ethan: "No, it is. It seems like the "gods" entered my real name in the game. You can call me like that, I don't mind Monika."

Were alone in the room. The door and the window are closed. The room is illuminated by a lamp fixed to the ceiling giving a orangish light. It kinds of make me remember the atmosphere of the space classroom. Me and just Monika.

Monika: "So who are these gods you talked about?"

Ethan: "I don't know much about them. Yesterday...was it yesterday? I'm not sure how time passes here versus in my world. Anyway, yesterday, I finally finished Doki Doki Literature Club. After the credits, I got a weird pop-up message asking me if I knew about the simulation theory. Have you heard of it?"

Monika: "No, I didn't. What is it?"

Ethan: "It basically says it's almost sure we, I mean me and the people in my world, are living in a simulation. If we are not living in a simulation, the theory says humanity will never be advanced enough to develop realistic simulation and/or never develop a realistic simulation because of ethical reasons. Well I won't go into details here. The gist of it is that pop-up window said we were in a simulation and I have been granted the unique opportunity to be transported into this world. I thought the windows were just parts of the game to scare me and break the fourth wall but I was proven wrong shortly after."

Monika: "You said the windows popped up after you finished the game but I feel like you downloaded the game yesterday. I didn't feel you playing the game before that."

I'm getting a bit cold. I want to cover myself with the blanket but Monika is sitting on it. Maybe we could share it together... No way, were not that close yet

Ethan: "Right. What happened yesterday, at the literature club, was the beginning of the game. In the original game, the story lasts one week...or rather 2 weeks. So, I wasn't transported to the end of the game but rather at the beginning. Uh, when you say "feel", what do you feel exactly? Can you still feel there's a player playing the game?"

Monika: "Yes and no. I still feel like there is something outside of the game files, who is influencing the world but...I feel like the source is you. Your presence is similar to what I felt when you downloaded the game."

Should I ask her to share the blanket?

Ethan: "I see. It's a bit difficult to understand. Right now, can you tell whether my computer is running?"

Monika: "yeah, I feel it. Your. Computer didn't stop running since you downloaded the game. But...you're right, something is off. Maybe this world is no longer run by your computer."

Ethan: "I don't think it is. There is no way my computer is powerful enough to host artificial intelligences. I think this world is now an independent universe."

I wonder. What would it feel like if I hold her hand? I feel we got a little closer since the beginning of our chat.

Monika: "Artificial intelligence? Are you talking about me?"

Ethan: "You and me. If I'm really inside of the game, inside a computer, then the most logical explanation is that I was converted into an A.I and put into a game. Considering your answers, you're an A.I as well. But there's no way my computer could have the processing power for that."

Monika: "I see. I think your right. But I cannot answer your question. By the way...aren't you cold? Maybe we could share the blanket. I saw you glancing at it."

Ethan: "Yeah, that would be great, but we will have to be closer to share it...you don't mind?"

Monika: "Ehehe~Are you shy? Aww, you're so cute~"

Ethan: "Not at all! I just want to hear your opinion first!"

Wait I'm becoming a Natsuki? Oh...

Monika: "I'm teasing you~ of course I don't mind. After all..."

Her emerald eyes are looking straight at mine.her cheeks are slightly red. She is only a dozen centimeters away from me. As her hand cover mine, she says...

Monika: "I love you Ethan

My heart skipped a bit. I knew she would fall in love with me, the player, eventually but not so fast. How should I respond? I definitely like her but do I love her? Yesterday, I decided I would romance Monika so that she doesn't feel jealous and eliminate the other girls but now  that I'm in front of her, I don't wanna lie.

Ethan: "Monika..."

I hold her hand.

Ethan: "I like you very much but..."

She slowly takes back her hand.

Monika: "Ahaha, sorry forgot what I said! I was just kidding!"

She looking the opposite direction. Aww Monika...

Ethan: "Don't misunderstand Monika, I didn't reject you, I'm just saying it's a bit too fast... After all I only know you, I mean the real you, since yesterday."

I hold her hand. She once again looks at me.

Monika: "Really?"

Ethan: "Yes. Don't worry, I won't hate you or avoid you or anything like that. I want to know more about you Monika."

Monika: "Thanks. I want learn more about you, and your reality too. I have so many things I want to ask! Also, I know you will fall in love with me soon ehehe~"

Monika flashes and sweet smile at me! Critical hit!

Ethan: "Ahaha, we will see~"

She's probably right.

Ethan: "By the way, about the blanket..."

Monika: "You want to use it?"

It looks like Monika found back her cheerfulness.

Ethan: "yeah..."

Monika: "Ok, I will help you."

We stand up, take the blanket, sit down on the bed and put it around us.

Our shoulders are touching... I really would like to be closer but...I can't, can I? I just rejected her.

Do I already love her? How could it be? I just met yesterday. It's true, she's beautiful, charming, cute, smart, affectionate and...Ahhh, maybe I'm not honest with myself.

Monika: "About your current body, is it the same as in your reality?"

Ethan: "Close but no exactly. In reality, I'm younger so my current body is pretty much a older version of me.

She's so close to me. Her eyes are really beautiful...

Monika: "before I met you yesterday afternoon, I always wondered how you looked like... You look even cuter than what I thought!"

Ethan; "Ahaha, thanks I guess? You too look much cuter than in the game."

I'm still holding her hand. Ah jeez, it's as if we were already a couple.

Monika; "So, I guess it worked out for the both of us. Can I ask you something!"

Ethan: "Of course."

Monika: "...Do...you have a girlfriend in your reality?"

Ethan: "...No

Her face lifts up even more.

Monika: "I'm glad..."

She slowly let's her head rest on my shoulder, checking for any adverse reaction. I don't resist. I know I shouldn't do that, After all I said I didn't love her but...

We stay silently in this position for a while... Enjoying the present.

I'm Getting sleepy...

I feel like there is something I'm forgetting...One of my goals...

Ethan: "I'm getting sleepy..."

Monika: "Me too..."

I remembered what happened after the club. I lost consciousess and lost free will at the same time... I don't want to ever feel that way again...I'm afraid to sleep now.

Ethan: "Monika..."

Monika: "I'm listening."

Ethan: "About what happened earlier, when I wrote words in the notebook while still sleeping...Do you understand what happened?"

Monika: "I don't...I can't see you in the games files. You shouldn't be affected by scripts so I don't really understand how the poem minigame took control of you."

Ethan: "Hummm. I think it was because I was sleeping...can you try something?"

Monika: "okay, what should I do?"

Ethan: "try making me choose between two choices. Like try opening a window box with a question and two answers."

Monika: "I can try but...I think I might make a mistake. I might break the script..."

Ethan: "I see, in that case, it's better if you don't try anything Now inside the game, I don't know what will happen if the script is broken...I will try something instead."

I leave, with difficultly, the bed and walk toward the desk and the notebook. I took the pen and prepare to finish the poem.

Monika: "What are you doing?"

Ethan: "if my theory is correct, the script can still influence me but not completely, unless I'm not conscious."

I began to write...

The poem minigame is appearing in my mind. I see the words and I feel like I should choose one of them but contrary to last time, the feeling is is much weaker. Instead of an order, it's more like a suggestion. I can easily ignore it.

I write" No one can decide for me. I'm my own master"...

New words appear but I ignore them.

Ethan: "alright. It seems like I'm right. The choices the game give me are like suggestions and I can ignore them, except when I'm unconscious like last time."

Monika: "I'm relieved! I was afraid you would lose your free will and become a script like the others..."

Ethan: "Me too...Not being in control of your own body and will is disturbing you know..."

I'm finishing the poem.

"I will even stand up to gods"

"More than script, I have freewill"

"Infinite choice are before me"

"I shall not follow the trail"

"I will make my way"

"To my endless destination"

Now that I have finished the poem, no more words are floating in my mind. It seems like the poem minigame is finished. Sigh. I'm so bad at writing...even worse at writing poems...I don't really want to show it to anyone...

Monika: "Oh interesting! I like it!"

I'm slightly started, Monika is looking at my poem over my shoulder.

Ethan: "Really? I don't think it's good though. At least, I don't think it's a good poem."

Monika: "Why do you think that?"

Ethan: "What I wrote is basically just prose. There is no rhythm, no metaphor, no deep meaning... Just like normal sentences."

Monika: "poems don't have to be like that you know. Some can be written in a simple style, like Natsuki's poems. I believe every poem is good in its own way. For example, in the case of your poem, I like the clear and powerful message it's gives your poem is about you fighting the script, isn't it?"

Ethan : " you're right. But it's more general than this. It's not just about fighting the script but also about fighting the "gods" that brought me into this place. I'm sure they are observing me right now enjoying my reactions and my troubled. I refuse to be their plaything. That's the main meaning of my poem."

I stand up and go back toward the bed. Monika follows me and we're back to the same position as before.

Monika: "It seems like you really don't like them, the beings that brought you into this world..."

Ethan: "...Well, I don't like the fact I didn't even have a choice."

Though to be fair, they did warn me but I didn't believe the warning at first.

Monika: "I don't know how you feel but...I'm very happy you're with me right now."

Ethan: "I'm certainly happy to have met you but I'm worried about my world. While I'm away here, what is happening in my reality? My friends and my family should be so worried..."

Monika: "Sorry... I forget to think of your relatives. It must be hard for you."

Ethan: "it is. I don't know whether I will ever be able to go back to my world."

Monika: "Do you want to go back to your world?"

I can tell Monika is anxious. I suppose I should say no for my goals but once again I cannot ring myself to lie.

Ethan: "I want to. I like you Monika, and this world is interesting too but, this isn't  my world and there are people waiting for me..."

Monika suddenly hugs me and whispers in a frail voice:

Monika: "if you leave me, I..."

...Monika...

Ethan: "I can't... anyway, for now you don't have to worry about that. I don't think they will bring me to my Reality anytime soon."

Shes still hugging me. She's so warm...I'm tempted to hug her back.

Monika: "How can you know that? Maybe you will disppear in the next minute?"

I know that because of the letter, but I definitely cannot tell her!

Ethan: "I don't have proof, but it doesn't make sense for them to put me here and send me back without something interesting happening first."

Monika: "I guess...you're right... You know, you are truly the light of my world...it was already the case before you were physically in the game but now, you are even more than that...I really really don't want you to leave me!"

She hugs tighter. I finally hug her back.

Ethan: "If I had a choice, I won't leave you anytime soon I promise."

Then Monika says in a small voice:

Monika: "So, you will leave me later..."

I don't answer.

Ethan: "I'm getting really sleepy... Where are you going to sleep? Are you going home?"

Monika: "can I stay here? Please."

Ethan: "I knew you would say that. Alright, you can stay here. The bed is big enough for two people."

Monika: "Ehhh...You won't do anything perverted, will you?"

Ethan: "No way."

Monika: "Ahaha I'm joking. I know that you're a good person."

Ethan: "if you say so."

I stand up and prepare the bed.

Ethan: "I will sleep on the right side, next to the window."

Monika: "Okay."

Ethan: "There's one condition though. You need to go to school before me and Sayori. I don't want her to see us going out of the house together."

Monika: "...Why do you care? She isn't your childhood friend. She isn't even a person."

Ethan: "She IS a person. Not as sentient as us but still Sayori, Yuri and Natsuki are capable of independent thoughts."

Monika: "They are not. They are just autonomous personalities designed to fall in love with you..."

Ethan: "They are more than that... Anyways, let's talk about it tomorrow. I cannot think well. Don't hurt them ok?

Monika: "Why would I hurt them? Even if they are not real, they are still my friends."

Ethan: "Alright then..."

I pull the blanket over me.

Ethan: "Seems like we need to be close to share the blanket..."

Monika: "...Like this?"

Her back is against me.

Aren't we exactly like a couple already?!

Oh whatever. I just want to sleep.

Ethan: "Yeah..."

...

Monika: "I wish I could be with you forever..."

Ethan: "..."

...

Ethan: "Monika...if I sleep walk again or if I'm acting weird, please wake me up ok?"

Monika: "Sure...my love."

...Maybe...I'm already in love with her...