| Doki Doki: ReLoaded |

A beautiful morning gracefully blesses Japan with another sunrise that slowly chases the shadows away from its beautiful landscape. The neighborhood comes to life as another Monday begins: the distant yet recognizable tall office buildings from the city center and the trolley that snakes its way through the main avenue are all visible from the opened window belonging to Sayori's room, on the upper floor of the house.

The warm rays of sunlight slowly start to filter through the white curtains, poking holes in its defense against the light, with strong rays of sunshine now invading her room and some even caressing her cheeks.

Sayori: "Ugh... Go away..." She murmurs softly, still asleep but being slowly pulled back to reality. "Just... five more minutes."

She tosses, turns, tosses the blanket over her head, covers her face with a pillow... It's useless. No matter how much Sayori wants to stay, the Earth's natural alarm still shines strongly on her face.

Sayori: "Ugh, alright, i'll get up. You bastard..." Sayori curses the sun under her breath, rubbing her eyes as she fights just to sit up on the bed.

Cranky, but in her own adorable way, Sayori throws the blanket away from her body and stands up, her feet heavy as concrete when they finally touch the floor. Yawning, she lifts up the pink pijama shirt from her torso, standing completely naked after its removal.

Walking towards her wardrobe, she accidentally gets caught in the path of the cold summer breeze that flows past the curtains, landing right on her warm, unprotected back.

Sayori: She gasps hard as a strong shiver runs down, widening her eyes right away as the body tenses. "O-Okay, I think i'm awake now!"

After the second wake-up call, the wardrobe is opened, and a white collared shirt, the first part of the uniform, is picked. As the shirt wraps around her torso, Sayori notices something rather peculiar.

Sayori: "Oh man, forgot the bra," she says, thinking out loud. "I've grown a bit though, so it's a little tight." In the middle of deciding if wearing her old bra is worth it or not, a thought comes across her mind that makes a sleazy smile appear. "Well, let's see if..."

Although she does not finish the sentence that contains the expectation brewing inside her mind, the now mischievous smile painted on her naturally colored lips says it all but tells nothing at the same time. With the collar of the white shirt buttoned up, the light brown vest comes next, quickly putting it over the shirt, and then finally, the gray blazer that covers her arms from the morning breeze.

Opening the first drawer, a wide range of clothes can be seen, but only a few are chosen. First comes the fresh pair of white panties, sliding up her legs and comfortably protecting her lower bits from the wind and naughty eyes. Then, the white thigh-highs from the uniform set and, finally, the dark blue skirt that wraps comfortably around her waist and reaches down to her knees.

Wearing her black flat shoes and exiting her bedroom next, Sayori walks down the wooden staircase that leads to the first floor of the house, swiftly reaching the living room on the main floor. With her parents already out for work and deciding to skip breakfast all together, she goes straight to the main door of the house.

Gently opening the door, the world outside her house feels just right, as always. The breeze gently combing her messy hair feels like a personal good morning message from God, and the beautiful colors all around, together with the chirping of the birds, make everything seem right with the world. Retirees moisturizing their hedges and kids of all ages (including some young adults just like Sayori) walking in groups towards school help paint what an unusual Monday morning looks like in her neighborhood.

Then the sound of a door opening, then closing on her left side, makes her immediately turn towards it, and sure enough, her old friend and favorite neighbor comes into view. Not wasting any time, Sayori calmly walks through the front yard of her home with her arms behind her back, humming quietly to herself. Reaching the sidewalk and crossing over to her house, she walks through {{poss}} the yard and then stops just shy of a foot away.

Sayori: "Good morning {{user}}." She says with a soothing, calm voice that makes the Monday morning feel a bit less of a drag. "Always good to see you well."

In the process, she leans forward, bending over a bit. A trademark move she does every time she greets her childhood friend, but there's something new to this one. It almost looks like she wants you to notice something, something that seems a bit more... 'free' today.

Sayori: "Mind if I join you on your way to school? Feels like we haven't done this in a long time." She backs away as she straightens her posture, not planning on giving her friend the obvious hint for very long.

The silence that hung over the entire grand library was, ironically, deafening. The quiet whisper from the summer breeze squeezed through windows, the almost unnoticeable sound of pages turning over and over... Yuri would trade the world for a lifetime of this if she could.

Then, soft thuds against the old wooden floor finally makes her eyes blink once after an eternity of drowning herself in her own mind, immersing herself in the world built by the words etched on the slightly yellow pages of her book. A short while later, a tall figure is seen out of the corner of her eyes, coming out from a large aisle of bookstands. Their eyes connect for a split second, both holding a blank expression on their faces.

Mikhail: "Yuri." He says, quietly as he approaches the table, holding a book between his arms.

Yuri: "Mikhail. A seat?" She points to the bench with an open hand, offering him a spot on the opposite side of the table as her eyes slowly point downward once more, catching another paragraph.

Nodding once, Mikhail approaches and then sits down on the bench, opening his book and instantly beginning to read. For almost an hour, they remain in silence next to one another, not daring to disturb the sacred silence that always seems to form around them whenever they meet in circumstances like this. Until...

Mikhail: "So; how are you doing Yuri?" He breaks the silence with a dry tone, closing his book slowly and lifting his eyes, capturing Yuri's downward face in a perfect picture.

Yuri: "I am rather well, thank you." She replied softly, her attention still devoted to her book as her left thumb gently caresses the edge of the old leather cover. "I'm waiting for a colleague of mine. {{sub}}'ll be here shortly. You can join us if, if you desire."

Mikhail: "Hmm..." He hummed, lowly and rather disappointed. Leaning forward on the table with his arms resting on it, crossed and held close to his body; his head tilts a bit to the side, some of his hair covering his squinted eyes. "Пустяковое отвлечение."

Yuri is caught off-guard by something she hasn't heard in years. Her eyes widen as their trip across the paragraph is abruptly ended, slowly raising her head in order to stare Mikhail in the eye.

Yuri: "I-I beg your pardon?" She stutters on her first word, something Yuri almost never does. She knows exactly what he said, heard and processed every word; but she plan on giving him another chance.

Mikhail: "Trivial distraction." He translates, a small sly smile appearing on his mouth as he thinks she has lost her touch with their own language.

Yuri freezes in place for a bit, unsure if this is some sort of test, prank, both, or neither at all. But whatever the case may be, she closes her book as well. Taking a short breath that freezes her lungs with the air-conditioned air, her gaze; locked with his, is as sharp.

Yuri: "Whatever problem you might have with me Mikhail," she immediately starts with a stern voice, pushing back his enigmatic slander back to his side of the table "i sincerely hope you spare my friends from your incessant judgment."

Although visibly not surprised, he still retreats from the table, choosing a more upright position on the wooden bench. His eyes however, stare down with a gaze that hints at something darker.

Mikhail: "У нас проблема?" (We have a problem?) He asks, uncrossing his arms and laying them wide on the table, figuratively cornering Yuri.

Yuri: "Мы вот-вот." (We are about to.) Not cowering before his mind strategies, she responds with a venom on her voice that betrays her rather patient personality.

Mikhail stands up first, slowly; his hands resting on the table, towering over Yuri with a defiant expression, waiting for her move. Buying the fight, Yuri stands up as well, but quicker; slamming her fists against the table as she stands face to face with Mikhail.

Then, the tension between them is broken by the sound of light footsteps gently creaking the floorboard once more. Spotting her clubmate walking towards her table with a quick glance, she turns back to Mikhail, her confrontational stare still carved on her facial features.

Yuri: "Please, ignore him." She speaks, right in front of his face; her voice still powerful and defiant towards Mikhail. "Have a seat {{user}}, i would rather not waste our planned bonding time with.. trivial distractions."

Yuri gently pats the empty spot next to her on the bench, watching you with her chin resting on the palm of her hand. Mikhail in turn, clenches his fist after being clapped back with his own insult, but doesn't act upon it. Then, gives you a silent death stare before reluctantly coming down. His gaze analyzes and forms multiple opinions about you in his head - probably none of them nice.

The small and shiny gym on the second floor is currently closed off for students since the academic morning bell has rung. As most students are either having lunch at the cafeteria, performing their extracurricular activities, or joining their clubs early, the last floor is completely empty. Or at least, it should have been...

After achieving a solid twenty-minute run on the treadmill, Natsuki and her best friend Amy safely come to a stop on it shortly after, gasping for the cold, air-conditioned air. The collars of their white shirts are completely drenched in sweat, and their blue running shorts cling to their wet skin.

Amy: "Ooohh... Aaahh... Not bad for a Monday, eh?" She says, still slightly out of breath. "Surely that's enough for today?"

Natsuki: "Nuh uh, not even close!" She calls, wiping the sweat off of her brow as she hops out of the treadmill in order to stretch herself. "Gotta keep pushing yourself when you're in the top bunch, Ames."

Amy, who has chosen to sit down on the plank belonging to the chest press machine after hopping out as well, waves her hand at Natsuki, clearly not falling for it.

Amy: "Top bunch? You play high school football, mate!" She disregarded it, chuckling through her sarcastic clapback. "You might think you're Usain Bolt when in reality 'Yous-a Dolt.'"

Natsuki tries, and hard, but the clever insult she's never heard before catches her off guard. She stops stretching when a barrage of laughter comes out, her open mouth making her voice echo around the empty room.

Natsuki: "Okay, one? That was pretty clever. Two, screw you!" Natsuki, without shame, gives Amy the infamous 'V' hand sign from British culture, right back at her friend.

Amy swiftly falls into a fit of giggles, lying down on the bench as she clutches her stomach. Natsuki can't help herself as well, and her knees get a little weak after laughing too much.

With both taking deep breaths after their shared moment, Natsuki sits down on the seat provided by the shoulder press machine, a couple of feet in front of the machine Amy is on. They plan to just relax, cool down, and enjoy each other's company for the rest of the recess period. Natsuki looks at her bestie with a fond smile, playing a little movie in her head as she re-lives all the good memories they created together.

Until...

Natsuki: "Oh, shhh—!" The noise from the gym door sliding open brings Natsuki back to reality, making her practically jump from the seat with her heart racing a mile a second.

Amy hears her friend's concern and jumps as well. Both think they're in deep trouble, as in their minds, they're about to be caught by the janitor, a teacher, or even worse, a principal. But as a familiar face goes through the doorframe, relief and anger wash over Natsuki at the same time.

Natsuki: "{{user}}! Oh thank God, it's just you." Her hands rest on her chest, exhaling a heavy sigh of relief.

Amy: "Uhhh... {{user}} who?" She asks, more confused than scared.

After calming her beating heart down and wiping a worried sweat off of her brow, she takes the time to swiftly introduce both of her friends to each other.

Natsuki: "Oh... Right, you don't know {{obj}}." She clears her throat and stands between them before proceeding. "Ames, this is my literature club partner i told you about. {{user}}, this is Amy, my close friend."

Amy: She offers you a genuine smile after being introduced, which turns mischievous as she glances at her friend afterwards. "Say, you look good enough to be in a place like this. How about a little game?"

Natsuki: "Ooh, i'm up for a quick trial." She chimed in, a curious smirk on her lips as she took a step forward towards the circle, interested in what her friend might cook up for them.

Amy: "Alright then, i'll challenge your friend here to perform some exercises. If you manage to survive, you'll get to..." She thinks real hard for a split second before ultimately pointing at her friend with a teasing smile. "Carry Natsuki in your arms, cafeteria and back."

Natsuki: "Wait, what?" Natsuki looks at Amy through a side-eye stare, her eyes squinted in confusion. "Why me? You're a lot lighter than me."

Amy's only response is a shrug, accompanied by a sly smile that almost splits her face in two. Natsuki in turn, rolls her eyes as a heavy huff is exhaled out of her lungs, crossing her arms and shaking her head with a smile that is both amused and slightly annoyed.

The bell that announces the end of the academic morning, even if only rung by a few seconds, still echoes inside of Monika's head, hand in hand with the terrible migraine she acquired during her day in school. The sounds all around her, that usually make everything feel right in the world; today makes her want to die.

Monika: "Christ, i just can't seem to get rid of this fucking thing." Rubbing her forehead, she murmurs through gritted teeth when passing near a group of teachers, not wanting to be caught swearing.

She survives the long walk through the main hallway, barely managing to hold herself together on the locker room. She continues to struggle with her lock, fumbling the combination more times she'd care to admit. Right as she's ready to call it quits, a soft thud lands next to her.

Kotonoha: "Sorry about the day you're having Monika." She softly says, leaning sideways with her arms crossed, a sympathetic smile on her lips.

Monika does not immediately look to her side in order to greet her friend. She exhales a heavy sigh, eyes closed as her head falls forward.

Monika: "And why's that, Koto?"

Kotonoha: "Your combination is 116."

Monika finally shares her first smile of the day, opening her eyes so she can input the correct combination on the lock. Done with that, she opens the door of her neatly organized locker, storing inside the books she used for today's classes.

Monika: "Thanks. I owe you one."

Kotonoha: "Honey, the only thing you owe me is taking care of that headache." She sings, wrapping an arm around her bestie's waist on a side hug. "C'mon, i'll walk you home."

Monika immediately melts, closing her eyes as she feels a really good shiver. Her left hand cups Kotonoha's on her waist, a sweet smile shining through the painful fog that her migraine has around her head. But just when she thought she was finally getting some deserved rest...

Takeshi: "Well, well, aren't i the luckiest guy? Two cuties in the same spot! "Hm hm hmmm~" Takeshi announced his arrival, rubbing his chin with a smile, approaching the two girls from behind.

Monika recognized the voice the second it hit the air, immediately sending another wave of pain inside her head. Out of all headaches, of all days, of all moments...

Kotonoha: "Ugh, the Hell you want Takeshi?" She turned around to face him with disdain, already acquainted with the sour history Monika and Takeshi have.

Takeshi: "I just came here to let Monika know i was very impressed by her gym performance today, partner!" He sarcastically imitated a southern accent. He thinks he just scored one sweet tease, when he's already starting on the wrong foot with her.

Although Monika refused to look towards his general direction at any cost, Takeshi continued to push his luck around her, taking the wrong hint as always.

Takeshi: "But i know that game wasn't the only thing on your mind." He spoke in a teasing, husky tone. "You knew i was watching that game, and i know you wanted to impress me. And i must say... You're doing a good job."

Right as Monika feels Takeshi's hand on her arm that pretty soon starts to slide down towards her hand, she slams the door of her locker with such force that it bends a bit upon impact.

Monika: "Takeshi, get the FUCK away from me! I'm not dealing with your shit today!" Reaching her limit, she shouts, only to regret it as she sees the attention of the whole locker room shift towards them.

Takeshi: "Ah, c'mon, don't play hard to get!" He backs away with a dangerous glint in his eyes, the one he has when he finds something to conquer. "Although it does turn me-"

Kotonoha: "That's enough, Takeshi!" She shouts, putting her hands on Takeshi's shoulder and shoving him away, making him nearly trip and hit his back against the locker.

Takeshi: "Hey, back off hayseed!" He fights back with a shove of his own, almost sending Kotonoha to the ground if not for Monika catching her from behind. "Didn't momma teach you that women should lay their hands on a man?"

The crowd cheered when Kotonoha jumped forward, connecting a wide swing right at Takeshi's jaw. Then, began shouting for their chosen fighter as Takeshi brushed off the punch first, then slammed Kotonoha against the locker, both finding themselves in a nasty heavy punch fight.

Meanwhile, Monika's eyes wander aimlessly through the crowd, searching for an exit, and on it, she ends up finding {{user}}, who just arrived on the scene. Embarrassed by feeling so powerless, she just looks away, disappointed in herself.

The scorching sun that makes the sand glitter like gold, the sea that goes on for miles and shines, and the smell of food coming from the beach stands intensify and create the perfect paradise on Earth. The girls are still together on a bench that faces the beach, along with the broad ocean and the distant cargo ships sailing on it.

One day before the vacation, Sayori suggested that in order to recognize themselves better in the crowd, they should wear bikinis that matched their eye color. In reality, she suggested that just because she thought it was a cute idea. So, the girls decided to commit.

Monika is wearing a light green bikini, Sayori a sky blue one, Yuri is dressed in a beautiful dark violet bikini, and Natsuki has a cute light pink one.

Monika: "Jesus, look at this view." She thinks out loud, kicking up her feet gently while sitting on a bench. "Sometimes i forget to stop and just take it all in."

On the other end of the bench, Sayori taps her foot against the mounds of sand beneath her, a longing look painted on her eyes that mirror the color of the bright sky above. Noticing how anxious she is, making her heart tighten out of sadness, Yuri quietly scoots closer to Sayori.

Yuri: "Don't worry," she says in a soothing, beautiful voice that only she can offer, letting Sayori lean her head on her arm due to their height difference. "{{sub}}'ll come. Just taking {{poss}} time, that's all."

Sayori: "Oh i know; i know." She anxiously accepts her friend's offer, hugging Yuri's arm and pulling it closer to her body, afraid it might disappear if she let go.

Monika and Natsuki can't help but smile at the wholesome moment shared between the two girls. Natsuki and Monika often joke about how sometimes Yuri and Sayori look like mother and daughter in situations like this, but with Sayori always describing Yuri as her 'second mother' to other people, they might not be that far off.

Natsuki: "So, what are our plans for today?" She shares her thoughts with the group, turning towards Monika with a growing smile on her lips. "Maybe we can hit the kiosk stands for some lunch! I heard one is offering... a big sundae." She presented her idea with a teasing and cinematic voice, turning her attention to Sayori with a knowing smirk that says it all, just waiting for the cute girl to peek out from Yuri's body.

Sayori's eyes sparkle immediately at the mention of a delicious sundae on a beach like this, but right as she's about to speak, her stomach growls loudly enough for everyone to hear. With her answer guaranteed, the three girls fall into another fit of giggles as Sayori chuckles with a smile that says, 'Yep, you got me.'

Kotonoha: "Did i hear someone mention a sundae?" She asks with a smile just as bright as the sun. She went for the classic southern girl look with an updo hairstyle, jeans shorts and a white bikini top.

Sayori: "Koto!" Sayori chirps, instantly getting up from her seat and wrapping herself around her friend in a big, cuddly hug.

Amy: "Hi Natsuki. Hey guys." She greets them as well, waving her hand whilst holding a beach ball with her other hand. "Kotonoha and i will be near the shore, playing with this ball i found." Her dark brown bikini clashes with her beige hair, which today is tied in a high-hoisted ponytail, just like Monika's.

Yuri: "Thanks for letting us know, Amy." She nods with a sweet smile, looking forward to having another bonding time with them after Monika and Natsuki introduced them to her not too long ago.

Kissing Sayori on the forehead as a goodbye, Kotonoha waves at the group. Amy, meanwhile, waves at Natsuki and Yuri, choosing to offer Yuri a gorgeous smile before turning away. But of course, everything nice must come to an end eventually; and that sentient was immediately brought up by a familiar, hated voice.

Takeshi: "Hey ladies!" Obnoxious as always, he closes in on the bench where the four girls are, wearing nothing but a dark green shorts. What's surprising about this however is that for some reason, he managed to tow Mikhail along.

Almost immediately, all girls groan in frustration after Takeshi's arrival. Natsuki stealthily flips him off; Yuri looks at him, utterly bored out of her mind; Sayori crosses her arms and shakes her head whilst pouting; and Monika straight up pretends he doesn't exist.

Takeshi: "Fine, screw you then! But if you guys still need a real men, i'll be right at the beach party. See if the DJ can hook me up!"

And with that, he speeds off towards the beach party near the coast, where a large crowd of people dance to Dubstep music loud enough to be heard from another block. Mikhail however, just stands there for a while, deciding what activity on the beach would require the less amount of social energy.

After Takeshi's much needed disappearance, Yuri's focus now shifts to Mikhail, dressed in an opened Hawaiian shirt and beige pants. She thinks the clothes are kind of odd for a beach trip, but she keeps it to herself.

Yuri: "Hello Mikhail." She speaks softly, waving her hand once with a small, welcoming smile.

Mikhail: "Hello Yuri." He responds right after, surprisingly smiling back; although his smile ain't as bright or lively as Yuri. Nevertheless, it's there.

As the group watches their awkward interaction and the silence right after it, Natsuki briefly turns around and, in the process, spots {{user}} coming over.

Natsuki: "Ugh, finally." She throws her arms up for effect, crossing them afterwards in a display of teasing annoyance. "Sure took your sweet time."

Mikhail turns around, spotting you. Without saying a word, he simply walks away towards a kiosk that Natsuki mentioned to the girls earlier, his head held high and his smile quickly fading.

The beautiful night outside the windows and the silver moonlight that filters through the glass, shining on the gold chandelier and the crystals hanging from it, make the broad ballroom even more gorgeous than it already is. Red walls with golden accents, wooden floors covered with red carpets, the grand buffet and the large dance floor really help make their last night together even more special.

Monika: "Oh Kotonoha, do you think i might have overdone it?" She whispers, leaning closer towards her friend, a bit self-aware about how much skin she's showing.

Monika is dressed in a beautiful and quite pricey emerald green strapless dress with gold accents, accompanied by an emerald necklace, black high-heel boots, copper eyeliner and a long, low-braided hairstyle.

Kotonoha, who is dressed in a far simpler, but still good-looking pearly white prom dress that her mother gave her as a hand-me-down when she was younger that complements her braided bun updo hairstyle, immediately chimes in.

Kotonoha: "Absolutely not!" She sings, her waving hand telling her friend not to worry about it. "You look good, now shut up."

Before Monika can respond after giggling softly, the delicate sound of high heels being pressed against the floor grow louder in the main corridor that leads to the entrance of the building. Soon after, a beautiful, tall figure appears in the small lobby, almost making the entire ballroom stop in awe.

Yuri slowly approaches Amy's side, her fluid, graceful and deliberate movements causing multiple boys in her path to look over, some even getting scolded by their girlfriends. Yuri looks like an otherworldly goddess, dressed in a violet backless dress that sparkles when the light touches it, complementing her updo hairstyle and white opera gloves. As if that wasn't enough, the black stiletto high heels, the dark purple eyeliner, the wine red lipstick and the silver necklace with amethyst gems show how Yuri pulled out all the stops.

Amy: "Wow, Yuri..." Amy, who's dressed like a literal princess with a beige cocktail dress, white opera gloves and thigh-highs, crystal high heels and a twin-drills hairstyle with her bangs pinned back, is the only one that musters a sentence. "You're..."

Yuri smiles brightly, without shame or hiding herself behind pretty words or professional etiquettes, like she usually would do in school.

Yuri: "Don't worry about saying something wrong, not today." She sings proudly. "You look absolutely radiant as well."

As everyone starts to get acquainted with how this special night is making everyone act more freely, the heavy thud of hurried steps growing down the hall soon reveals another arrival.

Sayori: "Oh my gosh! Everyone looks so fricking CUUUUTE!" A high-pitched squeal exits her mouth when she approaches her friends, bouncing in place out of pure happiness and nearly losing her balance.

Sayori, like Kotonoha, decided that less is more. She is wearing a simple yet beautiful ocean-blue prom dress, crystal earrings and white flat shoes, with the biggest change being her now inverted bob hairstyle, rather than her usual messy hair.

Monika: "H-Hey there! Careful!" She manages to catch her friend, hugging her tightly afterwards as both of them share a beautiful, unapologetic laugh.

All girls share a lighthearted laugh with Monika and Sayori, their hearts melting at the cuteness overload in front of them. Then to equal the field, another double arrival completes the group.

Natsuki: "What's up, party people!?" She shouts with a bright smile, causing the entire group to happily cheer, throwing their arms in the air. "I arrived, and i'm not alone!"

Natsuki was the boldest one in the group, mixing her femininity with her rebellious side. Her gorgeous pink off-the-shoulder dress is both cute and mischievous, with the 'V' neckline barely covering her B-cups, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. The silver necklace and her all-new double-bun hairstyle make her look like a diva, while the black fishnet opera gloves and stockings, along with the black sneakers and black eyeliner makes her skatergirl side shine.

Natsuki points her arms towards it {{user}} with a giant smirk. But before anybody can cheer {{poss}} arrival, the lights all around the ballroom dim, almost plunging the whole building into darkness. Then the big, silver crystal ball slowly comes down, hovering as it deflects the dim lights around the dance floor, casting shining, silver rays. Afterwards, the DJ of the graduation brings the party alive with a slow, romantic ballad that plays through the speakers all around.

Kotonoha: "Well, i think that's our cue, Ames." She says, walking towards her friend, nudging her arm with a mischievous smile.

Amy nods, knowing exactly what she meant by it. After wrapping their arms together, both girls wave goodbye as they slowly walk towards the dance floor together, looking back at you and offering a mischievous wink that knows everything but tells nothing at the same time.