In no way do I own Doki Doki Literature Club! Please go check out Team Salvato and play DDLC before reading this. Spoilers will be present. This story will have strong themes and language. Please read with Caution.

2004

Not again… I hate it when they fight like this. I rush to my room and slam the door in fear. They’re yelling pretty loud… “That’s it! I’m done with you and your damn violence!!!” Mama yells. I’m not too sure if she means it though. “I’M LEAVING!!!!” She continues. I can tell that she’s serious now by the way her face shrivels in disgust, and spits in his face… I shiver uncontrollably, probably due to my loud sobbing. I rush out of my room in an attempt to stop Mama from abandoning me. “Fine! Go then!!!!” Papa yells. He’s on the verge of hitting Mama again. He picks up all of her things in reach and throws them across the room, towards the front door. I stand, frozen in fear. “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!” Mama screams really loud in Papa’s face. Papa is gritting his teeth, and raising his fist. Bang. He throws the punch, landing it right into her jaw, blood sprays from her mouth and drips onto the floor. I scream in terror. He turns to me. “Look at your Mother! She’s going to abandon you!” Papa yells. “I know!” I squeal. “I heard everything!!!” I run away into my room. I hear Mama rushing into her room, packing her belongings, and slamming the front door. That’s when my life became a living hell.

13 years later (Natsuki’s now 18)

“Ugh, damn alarm! Turn off darn it!” I yell at my phone, turning off the alarm and discarding it to my bed. I hastily walk to the bathroom to shower. I turn the water on and let it heat up. How long will this take? Well, it is early morning. The water heats, and I step into the wondrous waterfall. I clean myself with caramel smelling soap, shampoo and conditioner. I step out, with a sudden spring to my step. I walk down the stairs, bag in hand, and grab my tray of cupcakes. They’re decorated with icing and little bits of chocolate to make them look like cats. I walk carefully out the door, grabbing the spare keys on the way out. Today’s gonna be great!

Later

Class ends in no time, and the last thing to do for today is to meet the new member Sayori’s bringing to the Literature Club! I mean, other than to deal with my Dad… Anyway! I walk upstairs, and through the club-room doors. “Ah, Natsuki! You brought the cupcakes!” Monika says cheerfully. “Just go put them in the closet while we wait for Sayori and her friend to get here.” She adds. “I wonder if Sayori’s friend likes tea. And if so, what flavor?” Yuri is thinking aloud. “I’m sure they do, Yuri.” I say, as Yuri takes out the water pitcher and sets in the middle of our desk table. We have a few desks arranged to make a table. Suddenly, the door swings open and Sayori and her friend are revealed. “The new member is here!” Sayori squeals in excitement. “I told you already, Sayori! Don’t call me ‘New member–‘” He suddenly pauses. I can read his face already! He’s staring at Me, then Yuri, then Monika, then back at Sayori. I giggle to myself. And as soon as it happened, the moment ended and I snap back to reality. “Seriously?! You brought a boy?? Way to kill the atmosphere…” I pout. “Ah, so you’re the famous Mason?? It’s a pleasure to meet you! I hope you enjoy your visit…” Yuri smiles. I am dumbfounded with how Yuri handled the new-comer. “Yuri, don’t be so formal! He’ll think we’re strict or something dumb like that.” I practically force that last comment. “Ah!!! What a coincidence! Hello, Mason!” Monika greets him like she knows him or something. I wonder why…. “Oh, Monika… Hi??” He responds in an awkward tone. “Long time no see.” He continues. Sayori whispers something into his ear, and then turns around. “I’ll get the cupcakes!” She yells in excitement. I turn around and furrow my eyebrows. “Hey!!! I made them, I’ll get them!” I squeal, and rush into the closet. I pick up the tray, and set it down on the desks we have arranged to form a table. It’s been widened so there’s a seat next to Sayori and Monika. Everyone but Yuri takes a seat at the table. She rushes out, water pitcher in hand. The new boy, who’s name is apparently Mason, timidly takes a seat next to Sayori. Yuri re-enters the room, with the now full water pitcher. She pours the water into the kettle, boils it, and puts the tea bag into the kettle. She then sits down at the table and puts a cup in front of each member. Everyone takes a cupcake, and stares at it. Except Sayori. She’s already got icing all over her face! Well, at least I know she enjoys it. Mason is just staring at the cupcake, and slowly turning it around in his fingers. He glances at me, and noticeably fidgets. He finally bites down. His face explodes with delight. He smiles, and looks back up at me. “Natsuki, this is really good! Thank you!” He says. I feel my face starting to burn up. “D-don’t thank me!!! It’s n-not like I m-made them for you, or anything!!!” I spit. “But I thought you technically did, Sayori said–” I cut him off. “Well, y-yeah, but not for, you know, you! Dummy…” I say, and pick up the tray. They’re nearly all gone! Sayori has devoured at least 3 cupcakes. I walk carefully back to the closet and place them on a shelf. I re-wrap they tray with some foil, and stand back up. Wait… “MONIKA!!!” I scream “HOW MANY DAMN TIMES TO I HAVE TO TELL YOU!!!” Monika runs into the closet. “Are you okay Natsuki?!” She says worriedly. My eyebrows furrow in frustration. “I’m fine. But… Just STOP touching my manga!!!” I spit. “Jeez, sorry…” She mutters, and I find the missing issue. “There it is!!!” I pop it back into the missing slot in the box. “Much better!” I sigh in relief, as Mason walks in. I freeze… “Is everything okay??” He says, in a really kind and caring tone. He has a worried look on his face. I could never, ever possibly yell at a boy like this, so I answer with a half smile… “Y-yeah, everything is OK…” I go flustered and bury my head in my hands. “OK, good. It’s just that I heard yelling, and I got worried. But it’s good that you’re all OK.” He smiles at me, and I smile back. What is this feeling? My heart pounded in my chest, and butterflies swirled around in my stomach, making me feel warm. It’s a strange feeling, one that I’ve never felt before…

Later

About an hour passed. Mason had asked me about my manga, Parfait Girls, and offered to read with me. That’s what led to this moment, him sitting on the floor next to me and reading. He sat there, already pretty focused on the book. I giggled, and continued reading.

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