I see Sayori and Monika returning to the living room. Monika is holding a bottle of water and a glass while Sayori is holding two ice creams, vanilla from the look of them. I'm still sitting on the sofa.

Monika stops beside the sofa whereas Sayori comes closer and stretches out her right arm to offer me one of the ice creams.

Sayori: "Vanilla is your favorite flavor, right?"

Ethan: "Yeah."

Sayori: "Ehehe~"

Sayori's face is still clouded but I could see for one moment her honest, albeit faint, smile.

I accept it with my left arm.

Ethan: "Thanks Sayori."

I take a good look at the ice cream. Contrary to Natsuki's cupcake, ice cream was never in DDLC. So I really wonder how they will feel and taste. So far, they look completely real.

Monika puts the bottle and the glass on the sofa and opens the former..

Sayori: "Monika? Why don't you put the bottle on the table?"

What table? As I think that, out of nowhere a table appears in front of the sofa!

What the hell!?

I'm startled but I manage to keep my composure. Monika doesn't look as surprised as me.

Monika: "Ahaha...of course, silly me."

She moves the glass to the new table and pours water inside it. She then hands me the glass.

I gladly accept it and take a quick sip.

I can't see any difference from any real water.

I then start eating my ice cream.

It tastes exactly like any real vanilla ice cream. I can't see any difference. Monika sits on the sofa on my left while Sayori sits on my right. Sayori is also eating her ice cream.

Ethan: "You don't want something Monika?"

Monika: "There were only two ice creams in the fridge, and you and Sayori need them more than me, don't mind me~"

She is coming just a tiny bit closer to me.

Sayori: "After I finish my ice cream, I'll go to the nearest drug store, ok? I'll try to find some painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine."

While saying this, Sayori carefully examines my right arm.

Sayori: "How is your arm doing…?"

Ethan: "It really hurts...I can feel the blood throbbing inside its vessels...but the ice is really helping. I think what I need the most is some kind of splint."

Sayori: "Got it..I'll try to find them."

Monika seems deep in thoughts.

Sayori: "Do you want to watch something?"

Ethan: "...Sure…"

Wait, is there even a TV?

As I think this, a TV on top of a new piece of furniture appears in front of the table.

Again?

A remote manifests itself in Sayori's right hand.

Ohh I see…

She pushes some button and the screen turns on. Some unknown anime is being broadcasted.

While quickly eating my ice cream, I try to understand why objects are appearing out of thin air:

It looks like the world is creating itself…Could it be that new objects are being created as the world needs them? Then, in the case of Sayori... in order for her not to realize that her world is 'fake', the world creates each object she refers and thinks of? This way her disillusion can still continue...Let's try something.

Ethan: "Hey Sayori, is there any chair in this piece?"

Sayori: "Eh? Of course, there are. There are four around the dining table...Weird...Did you hit your head?!"

She stops watching the TV and looks intensely at my head, as if she was trying to discover any hair soaked with blood.

Ethan: "No, no, don't worry about that! I'm 100% sure I didn't hit my head!"

To support my claim, I run down my hand through my hair and show it to Sayori.

Ethan: "See? I just asked you that question because...anyways the show is very funny, ahaha!"

I try to change the subject very awkwardly. I quickly glance at where the dinning table is supposed to be and there is really a table surrounded by four chairs.

It appears my hypothesis was correct.

Sayori stares with two big round eyes saying "I totally don't believe you, but I'll let it slide for now".

Sayori: "You said you had a hallucination earlier? Maybe the drug is making you losing your mind..?"

Ethan: "That's...possible. But really, I'm ok. No need to panic. Actually if you panic, I'm going to panic too. So let's calm down ok?"

Sayori: "If you say so...but I'm still worried! If it gets any worse, I'll call the hospital, even if you and Monika would hate me."

You are putting my safety above all else Sayori...even when you are already breaking inside…

Monika: "It's okay Sayori. I will keep a keen eye on him while you're out. I think we should get him medecine as soon as possible."

Sayori: "Right. I'll go now. If anything happens…"

Ethan: "I'll call you right away, it's a promise. The same is true for you, if anything happens, promise us you'll contact us."

Sayori: "I promise. I may not care about me, believe in myself but... I will anything do for you…"

Ethan: "Thanks Sayori."

She finishes up her ice cream and walks to the entrance. She quickly put her shoes and just before leaving….

Sayori: "I'll try to be quick!"

She goes outside and closes the door.

I'm now once again alone with Monika. I already finished eating my ice cream.

I feel much more at ease now that I don't have to make up lies anymore.

Monika presses her body against my left side and gently hugs my left arm.

Even though my right arm took most of the hit, the rest of my body still got bruised in various degrees, so Monika's hug is slightly painful, however...

The warm of her skin, the fragrance of her smell, the affection of her movement more than make up for that slight discomfort. Instead of pushing her away because of the pain, I wraps her right arm with my left arm.

Her cheeks are getting redder. Mines are probably too.

Monika: "There are so many things I want to say...but we don't have much time before Sayori or the others arrive... "

We are getting lost in the bewitching ocean of our respective eyes.

Ethan: "Right Monika…"

Monika's expression gets more serious. Likewise, I straighten myself.

Monika: "I think I found a way to cure the problems of all club members immediately."

I straighten my back and focus my mind.

Ethan: "How?"

Monika: "Do you remember when I told you I couldn't edit files anymore but still could make new file?"

Ethan: "Yes."

Monika: "I can edit without limit in any new file I create. I can also copy any existing file…"

What is she thinking of…?

Oh no…

Doubts and hesitation are beginning to cloud her face.

Monika: "I can copy the character's files of Sayori, Natsuki and Yuri, edit their new files to fix their problems and replace their old files with the new files…"

If that happens…!

Monika: "That way, we can solve their problems right? If I delete them and replace them right away, it's not like killing them right? They will still be themselves, won't they…?"

Maybe, but I will be then stuck in this world for sure! If any girl is killed or deleted before the festival, I will forever be unable to return to my world!

Ethan: "Wait! Wait...I…"

I hesitate. Returning to my world? Why do I even want to do that? To find back my home? My friends, my family?

Monika is silent. I can see she's as conflicted as me, but for a different reason.

I want to see them again for sure but...yet, if I go back to my world, I will lose the person in front of me...Monika...

Monika: "If I delete them then restore them, it won't be like killing them...It will be just like a surgery. They fall asleep and when they wake up, their diseases are gone!..."

Monika is tightening her hug, as if she's trying to comfort herself she's making the right choice. Her head rests on my left shoulder.

...I can't decide.

Monika: "What do you think...?"

She looks at me expectantly.

Ethan: "...I don't know...but…"

I need more time.

Ethan: "We need more time. We can't make such an important choice now...Let me think for a moment…"

Monika: "Yeah...You're right. There's no need to hurry…"

Monika: "Just in case, I already copied mine and the other girls' character files and put them in a backup folder so, if anything irreversible happens to them, I can always restore them."

If I really want to go back to my world, I should find a good reason for Monika not to delete and then restore them.

[Player]: "You did? That's a great idea…"

I think it's the best choice...For now, I should make sure nobody is killed or deleted until the festival...

I close my eyes and let my body rest a bit more on Monika's.

Monika: "But the more we wait, we more our friends will suffer…"

If I change my mind...If I choose to stay with Monika...I can always tell Monika to fix everything before the festival. Until then, I should at least give myself the option to choose.

Sorry, Monika, I really don't want to lie to you but I have to…