DDLC Ex: Sayori Takes Charge

Thursday morning already. You wake up as you normally would. Well, before this past week anyways. No dreams to kick you awake or haunt your subconscious.

You get ready without anything of note happening either. Checking your phone there’s no missed texts.

You start looking for something to eat when you remember Sayori told you to come over for breakfast. You head over.

You let yourself inside Sayori’s place. As you open the door the smell of chocolate chip pancakes hits your nose. In the kitchen you see Sayori and Natsuki are already eating. There’s a plate in the middle with a few pancakes left.

“Oh, good morning!” Sayori says, noticing you.

Upon hearing this Natsuki’s fork darts to the plate in the middle of the table and grabs another pancake for herself. She knows you saw, and sticks her tongue out at you.

Sayori of course notices as well, looking awkwardly at you.

“W-Well there’s still a couple left for you…” she says, weakly.

You smile, laughing to yourself as you sit down to eat.

“Those were some pretty good pancakes. Thanks, Sayori!”

Sayori smiles brightly. “Any time!”

Natsuki looks almost jealous, pouting.

“Y-You know I can make good pancakes too!” Natsuki stutters. “I’ll make some for you one of these days, Sayori.”

“That’d be wonderful!” Sayori says excitedly.

Natsuki’s face changes from jealous to confident as she looks at you smugly.

After finishing up eating and cleaning up the kitchen you and the two girls depart to school.

You and Sayori walk side by side, as usual. Natsuki strolls a few feet ahead of you, arms out, almost as if she’s trying to walk on a balance beam.

“So I guess this will be my first regular meeting as club president….” Sayori says after a few minutes.

“Guess so... “ you respond. “Crap! I forgot to write a poem.”


Upon hearing this, Natsuki stops, stumbling to gain balance on the one foot she has on the ground. She looks over, surprised.

“What! I totally forgot too! Sayori, why didn’t you remind me?” she says, almost angrily.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry” Sayori says with a calm smile. “Honestly I was planning on only having poems be once, maybe twice a week. It seemed almost like we were too focused on poetry for a literature club.”

Natsuki’s face calms as she smiles, turning back around to continue her march to school.

“Have you talked to Yuri at all?” you ask Sayori.

“Oh yeah, a bit. She understands everything that’s been going on with Natsuki.”

“I would have stayed with her, but I just don’t think a big house is for me” Natsuki says, still facing forward. “It’s nothing against her. Actually I feel bad not seeing her for so many days.”

“Well, now that we’re back you’ll see her in Literature Club!” Sayori assures Natsuki.

“I eat lunch with her most days too. She brings me fancy snacks from her house and sometimes we have tea.”

“On the roof?” you ask.

Natsuki stops again, looking at you with a worried expression.

“Oh no, was she up there again…” Natsuki says.

“Don’t worry, she wasn’t doing anything bad. In fact she seemed glad I was there.”

Natsuki looks relieved, as does Sayori.

The three of you continue walking. After a few more minutes you reach the school.

Reaching the top of the staircase to the second floor you see Yuri. She seems to be walking out of the bathroom.

“Yuri!” Natsuki shouts over enthusiastically.

Yuri looks over and smiles, surprised to see Natsuki and Sayori back in school.

The girls exchange hugs.

“I missed you these past couple days, Yuri” Sayori says “I hope us being gone wasn’t too hard on you.”

“Yeah… it’s good to see you again, Yuri…” Natsuki says, almost as if apologizing.

“Don’t worry about it, I completely understand. Besides, Anon was here to keep me good company.” Yuri says, smiling at you.

“Well, now that all of us are here today, we can finally have a Literature Club meeting!” Sayori says, smiling at Yuri.

Yuri looks nervous. “Oh, w-well I didn’t finish my poem…”

Sayori puts her hand on Yuri’s shoulder, as if to comfort her.

“It’s no problem, I was going to tell you we weren’t doing poems today. Anon and Natsuki both forgot anyways too.”

“Hey! Don’t throw me under the bus!” Natsuki says, offended.

“Natsuki, you shouldn’t be so mean to your big si-”

But before you can finish Natsuki’s elbow strikes you in the ribs.

Sayori sees this and giggles to herself.

Yuri looks confused and slightly uncomfortable.

Natsuki pouts and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Big sis…” Yuri says under her breath.

“Oh come on, Yuri…” Natsuki mutters. “You know you’re still one of my best friends. We just have a… different kinda friendship… Not that I’m saying you’re less of a friend than Sayori!”

Yuri smiles.

“Don’t worry Natsuki, it’s not like I think Sayori is stealing you from me or anything like that.”

Natsuki’s tension eases up.

“Actually, I’m glad you’re starting to warm up to at least one other person...” As Yuri says ‘one other person’ she looks first at Sayori, then briefly at you as she trails off. “To be honest, I… I kind of thought it was a bit funny, like something from one of your manga.”

Hearing this last part, Natsuki perks up. She faces Yuri with a smug look on her face.

“Oh? And what would you know about manga archetypes? I thought you didn’t consider manga literature?”

“W-Well, I-I…”

Natsuki suddenly jets a finger out, pointing directly at Yuri.

“Admit it! You were reading the manga I left in the club room while I was gone!”

“W-Well so what?” Yuri stutters. “You’ve been telling me to read Parfait Girls for a couple years now… I just figured…”

“You just didn’t want to admit you were wrong about manga not being literature!” Natsuki says, continuing to grill Yuri.

Yuri looks defeated. She can no longer think of anything to say.

“Natsuki, there’s no need to be so mean about it.” Sayori says, looking like a disappointed big sister would.

Natsuki’s smug and triumphant expression instantly turns to one of regret.

“And Yuri, there’s nothing wrong with reading manga. I’m sure Natsuki would have loved to read it with you.”

“Y-Yeah, Yuri…” Natsuki quietly says. “It’s not like I’m actually trying to be mean to you…”

Sayori smiles as she puts a hand on each girl’s shoulders, bringing them in for a group hug.

You stand there awkwardly for a second before Sayori looks up to signal you to join in.

You wrap your arms around the three girls. As you do you can feel Yuri move her arm around you. Sayori tries too as well, but Natsuki breaks the group hug.

“Ok, geez guys! Don’t try and kill me!” Natsuki says angrily.

Sayori smiles and laughs to herself, as does Yuri.

Natsuki and Yuri say their goodbyes to you and Sayori as you part ways with them for the morning.

You and Sayori walk together to class, making it in before the bell.

You get everything you need out on your desk. All but one thing.

“Hey, Sayori” you say, turning to her “Can I borrow a pen?”

*****

Yuri and Natsuki walk to class together. Despite Natsuki’s stature, she’s actually in the same grade as the rest of the literature club.

“You know, Anon was surprised when I told him I lived in a mansion.” Yuri tells Natsuki.

“Huh, I coulda sworn you’ve said something about it before…” Suddenly Natsuki looks surprised. “Come to think of it, has Sayori ever been over?”

“N-No, I don’t think so!” Yuri says, almost surprised herself.

Natsuki smiles smugly to herself as an idea forms in her head.

“Well, I guess we’ll be coming over to your place this weekend!” Natsuki says firmly.

Yuri looks nervous hearing this. It’s likely due to her realizing Natsuki just invited three people over to her house.

“Well, I guess I’ll be free anyways…”

“Of course you will be!” Natsuki says with a grin. “Besides… I was meaning to come over anyways, since I’ve been gone the past few days…” she says, now quieter, almost apologetically.

Yuri smiles warmly.

“Don’t worry about it, I can handle a few days without you just fine. Besides, Anon was here too…” Yuri says, clutching a pen to her chest.

Natsuki notices the pen, but says nothing as the teacher walks in and class starts.

As the teacher begins speaking Yuri puts the pen into her jacket and pulls out another from her bag.

*****

Finally, lunch time. You remembered to bring an extra snack for Sayori, knowing she’ll ask for it. And sure enough, as soon as she finishes her lunch you just ‘happen to have’ an extra snack you’re willing to give up.

“So…” Sayori says through bites of her food “What do you think we should do in the club today?”

“Good question, I’ve been reading a bit of that book Yuri gave me, I was thinking I’d maybe discuss it a bit with her.”

“Oh, maybe I should get a copy too?”

You think back to the last chapter you read. You don’t think Sayori is the kind of girl to want to read a brutally vivid and explicit description of a bear attack.

“Eh, I don’t think it’s your cup of tea…” you tell Sayori.

“Mmm, I wonder if Yuri brought a new tea today….”

You sigh. “Aren’t you just barely finished with lunch?”

Sayori smiles nervously, avoiding eye contact as she twiddles her fingers.

“Well… Yuri does make good tea…” Sayori says weakly.

“I guess I can’t blame you for that…” you tell her.

Sayori immediately smiles.

*****

Natsuki is sitting in her classroom eating lunch. Yuri had left to go to the bathroom a while ago. She told Natsuki to help herself to her lunch while she was gone.

Of course Natsuki was just a bit greedy with this generous offer, but still leaves Yuri some food.

Eventually Natsuki begins to worry about Yuri, but as soon as she starts thinking the worst, Yuri comes in. She looks happy and relaxed as ever.

“Geez, Yuri” Natsuki says, annoyed that she took so long “I was about to start looking for you.”

Yuri stays calm, and smiles.

“I’m fine Natsuki, just had to use the restroom.”

“Eh! I don’t need to hear any more!” Natsuki quickly says. “Anyways, I still left you some food. But the rest of it got cold and I didn’t want it going to waste.”

Yuri’s calm face turns to one of slight confusion.

“B-But it was a cold lunch…” Yuri mutters out.

Natsuki grins. “Yup!”

Yuri’s look of confusion persists momentarily.

“Well come on Yuri! If you don’t hurry up I’ll finish the rest of it.”

Yuri smiles slightly before starting to eat what little is left of her lunch.

*****

The afternoon announcements come and go as they normally do. Nothing really of interest and no cancellation of school activities.

“Alright! Time to go to Literature Club!” Sayori says, excited to be back.

Natsuki and Yuri are already inside the Literature Club room. Yuri is preparing tea while you can just barely see Natsuki inside the closet.

“Hi everyone!” Sayori says entering the room.

“Well, if it isn’t miss Club President.” Natsuki says mockingly. “Aren’t you a bit late though?” she says through a grin.

“Actually I’m right on time…” Sayori says, almost confused.

Natsuki pouts as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“I-I was just kidding….”

“Anyways! On to business!” Sayori says, taking lead as Club President. “Uhhh…..”

“Sayori?” you ask “Did you even think of anything to do today?”

“W-Well of course I did!” she says, trailing of into a half hearted chuckle. “I figured you and Yuri could discuss the book you two are reading!”

“Didn’t I mention that to you?”

Sayori begins looking more nervous. It’s totally obvious she forget to plan anything.

“Uhh…” Sayori says, looking about the room. Finally her eyes come n Natsuki, who is thumbing through her manga she keeps in the room. “And me and Natsuki will read some manga!”

“Geez…” you say to yourself.

“Don’t worry, Sayori” Yuri says to her “It’s been a long week. Here, have some tea and relax.”

Sayori perks up upon hearing this and briskly walks over to the kettle Yuri put on.

After everyone gets a cup of tea you pair of with Yuri and Sayori pairs off with Natsuki.

Yuri sits down against the wall as she tends to. As she sits she pats down on the ground next to her, motioning for you to have a seat.

As you sit down she immediately inches closer to you so that your shoulders are touching. You take out your copy of the book and open it to where you left off.

“Oh…” Yuri says, almost sounding disappointed.

“What?”

“Nothing, I just thought you’d gotten further…”

“Oh, well I can read on my own if you want.”

“No, no!” Yuri says nervously. “It’s fine, I’ll just read along with you…”

So you put the book on your lap as the two of you read.

The two of you are close enough together that you can feel Yuri’s shoulder push into you as she inhales. You’re not sure if the warmth you feel is from the tea or how close you two are.

As you read on it’s obvious Yuri is finishing the pages much faster than you, but she doesn’t say anything. Too engaged in reading you’re not entirely sure, but from the corner of your eye it almost seems as if Yuri’s gaze affixes on you as she finishes reading each page. You also begin to notice every so often Yuri fidgets around, each time pushing closer into you. You feel her head eventually rest on your shoulder.

You don’t necessarily dislike this. In fact, it almost feels nice. But even still, it feels awkward somehow. Sayori and Natsuki are too wrapped up in Parfait Girls to notice how close Yuri is bringing herself to you.

As time passes you eventually reach the end of the first part of the book.

“Alright, I think this is a good place to stop for today” you say to Yuri as you finish reading.

Apparently the book was very good because you hadn’t even noticed Yuri wrap an arm around your waist. Even still it seems like she’s fallen asleep on your shoulder.

You take her arm off of you and shake her shoulder. “Yuri, did you fall asleep?” you ask in a whisper.

Yuri slowly opens her eyes and smiles, before realizing she’s still in the Literature Club room. She begins to look nervous and her face turns a bright red.

“Oh, s-sorry…. I didn’t get much sleep last night…” she says as you stand up to stretch.

“It’s fine… Just try not to do it again…” you tell her.

Yuri reaches her hand up to you, wanting you to help her stand up. You help pull her to her feet. As she gains her balance she pats off her skirt.

Natsuki is the first to notice you and Yuri standing up.

“Alright Sayori.” she says, grabbing the third volume of Parfait Girls from Sayori’s hands. “Time to wrap up for today.”

“But I want to keep reading! Can’t we take these back home?”

“Then what would we have to read when we meet up?” Natsuki replies. “Besides, there’s plenty more manga back home.”

Sayori pouts, accepting that she has to put the Parfait Girls on hold for today. “Ok…”

Sayori looks over at you. Yuri is cleaning up the tea kettle.

“So, how was that Makarov book?” Sayori ask out of curiosity.

“You mean Portrait of Markov.” Yuri responds, sternly.

“Eheh, yeah… that one…” Sayori says awkwardly.

“Oh well-” you begin, but Yuri cuts you off, excited to discuss the book with Sayori.

“Well so far it’s pretty good. We’re still at the part where no one is sure what’s actually happening with the bear and wolf attacks, but a few people are noticing that each subsequent attack is more brutal than the last. But not a single one questions how bears and wolves are getting past the fence. All because the Council told them it was bears and wolves. It’s going to be really shocking when they see what’s really behind the attacks and realize that-”

“Yuri, don’t spoil it for me!” you say, interrupting Yuri.

Yuri’s looks nervously down to the ground. “S-Sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it, Yuri!” Sayori assures her. “The way Anon made it sound I probably won’t want to read it myself. Maybe you can tell me what happens later tonight.”

“Oh, I suppose…” Yuri says, the look of nervousness leaving her face.

“I don’t know, Sayori. Yuri likes some really weird stuff…” Natsuki says, joining the conversation. “Yeah, she seems to really like Russian books for some reason.”

“Well Russian authors tend to provide a unique style because of the uniqueness of Russia and the Soviet Union itself, furthermore-”

“I know, I know, you’ve told me all this before, Yuri.” Natsuki says as if this isn’t even the second or third time hearing this.

“Well it’s not like I don’t read Japanese or American literature. In fact I just finished reading some Mishima the other day.”

“Mishima?” you ask. “Where do I know that names from?”

“You probably know him for his attempted coup of the Japanese Self Defense Force in 1970. Besides that he wrote a lot from a rather nationalistic perspective not really seen on a large scale since the Second World War.”

You do remember hearing about him. In fact, you remember reading about him once or twice during a late night internet browsing session. Must have been one of those nights where a Wikipedia article on dogs led you to reading about Hitler.

“When you finish Portrait of Markov I can loan you a book or his you might like. Actually, he’s an author Sayori and Natsuki would probably both enjoy too.”

Sayori smiles. “Good! Then you two hurry and finish Markov and Yuri can tell us the first book we’ll all be reading as a group!”

Yuri blushes upon hearing this as if embarrassed by the mention of her name.

“Well as long as there’s no one getting their head cut off by a streetcar that a talking cat is on, I guess I’ll read it.” Natsuki says, voicing her opinions on the matter.

“Alright then, I guess my first action as club president is to give us all a week to finish what we’re reading before we start our first group read!” Sayori says, sounding somewhat authoritative for once.

Everyone finishes cleaning up the classroom before Sayori speaks up again.

“Oh, tomorrow’s Friday already, isn’t it? I think after school activities are cancelled this Friday. Something to do with school maintenance I think.”


“So no meeting tomorrow then?” you ask.

Natsuki hears this and looks sad. Then after a brief moment she lights up with an idea.

“Why don’t we meet at Yuri’s house!” she suggests.

“Eh?!” Yuri utters in surprise to the suggestion.

“Well yeah, we were gonna hang out anyways, and you wanted to show off to Anon and Sayori, so why not?”

“Well, I mean, I…” Yuri says trying to find a response after being put on the spot.

“It’s ok, Yuri, we don’t have to if you’d rather we come over another day” you say.

“Yeah” Sayori adds. “I’m not going to force you as club president or anything. And Natsuki should have asked you first.” she says, glancing at Natsuki.

“No, no, guys, it’s fine! I really do want you to come over!” Yuri sounds nervous. “I guess I’ll let my parents know you’ll all be coming over.”

“Yay!” Natsuki shouts, smiling.

Everything in the class is put away and clean, so you and the girls leave.

As you’re about to part with Yuri at the gate a thought crosses your mind.

“Hey Yuri…” you say, grabbing her attention. “Have you seen my pen?”

Yuri’s face turns bright red. Her eyes dart around as she pats herself, feeling around her uniform jacket. After a few seconds she reaches into her inside breast pocket and produces, what else, your pen.

“Thanks, I thought you might have still had it.”

Yuri doesn’t respond as she looks down at the ground to avoid eye contact.

“Y-Yeah, n-no problem…” she stutters under her breath.

“Alright, Yuri! See you tomorrow!” Sayori says, already a few feet ahead with Natsuki marching ahead of her.

“See you.” you say to Yuri, who looks up as you walk away. She weakly waves goodbye to the three of you, her face still bright red.

“Guess you forgot you let Yuri borrow your pen this morning, huh?” Sayori says to you.

“Y-Yeah, I guess so…” you respond, unsure if you had or not. It is getting rather strange how your pen keeps turning up in her possession.

Natsuki turns back slightly to listen to this, but says nothing.

Eventually you part ways with Sayori and Natsuki, who go home on their own.

*****

As Sayori and Natsuki get inside and take their shoes off Natsuki immediately runs inside and jumps on the couch, turning the television set on excitedly.

“So what do you want to eat Natsuki?” Sayori asks, looking through the fridge.

“Anything’s fine!” Natsuki says as she plays with the remote.


Sayori makes some fried vegetables and miso soup for dinner. Her and Natsuki eat while doing their homework. After dinner the two girls take turns showing and putting on pajamas.

Natsuki has pink fleece pajama pants and a plain white tank top. Sayori wears red shorts and a light pink button up pajama blouse.

The girls sit together on the couch as Natsuki excitedly flips through shows to watch.

“You wanna watch some more JoJo?” Natsuki asks, excitedly.

“Sure! What part were we on again?”

“Part Three! They just got to Egypt!”

“That’s right! Ok, put it on!”

*****

After finishing your homework and getting ready for bed you decide to power through more of the Portrait of Markov. Before you even know it you’re three quarters of the way finished. Guess Yuri was right, it really is engaging. Content with your progress you put the book down and get to sleep.

*****

Portrait of Markov

Part 3

Chapter 27: Broken Frame

“These fools!” Markov shouts, pacing back and forth in front of the Council members. “Do they not realize I desire naught but to recreate Adam and usher in a new Eden! Why do they fear my creations? Why do they go against His word as He has ordained it to you and I?”

Councilman One speaks, his deep voice booming with authority.

“Do not fault the sheep for not comprehending the way of the shepherd. They need but guidance. I believe you are well capable of bringing our flock back to rest.”

“Do you mean…” the doctor asks.

“Yes, have Lilith find them.”

A sinister grin grows on the mad doctor’s face.

“Yes, of course. Lilith just wanted to help Adam be birthed anew into our Eden. She wanted to help us.”

“And that is why we allowed her loose in the compound. We knew you needed the parts, but doubted even the most devoted would volunteer.” Councilman One says in a cruel monotone, devoid of any remorse.

“Of course! Thank you, my Council.” Markov says, bowing to the thirteen seated figures before him. “I knew bear and wolf attacks weren’t behind those deaths! How you fooled these sheep with your facade of a preacher back in Moscow! What brilliance.”

“Save your praise, Doctor. We merely work towards His will to build a new Eden. It’s clear yours is the path that will lead us there. Now go, open the gates and give Lilith her instructions.”

The doctor silently rises from his bow and goes off to work.

*****