A life so normal that nothing can be said about it.
Darius thought as he rubbed his nose and yawned in boredom, thinking about his life so far.
After leaving college, he joined another one. But this time, as a history professor, what he expected to be a cool life with a lot of work breaks and a big family ended up with him living alone now at the age of 37 and having no wife, nor a girlfriend to begin with.
Filial duty left to his older brother, his life is essentially that of an independent, single noble.
Neither short of height, nor wanting a good face. Yet unpopular. He has tried exerting effort in finding a girlfriend and has confessed thrice. But after being dumped, his heart was left shattered. Well, having reached this age, he can honestly say that this romance thing is naught but troublesome.
And although you could say that he is mostly busy with work, it's not like he is troubled by not having one. It's not like he is making excuses... really.
He is not!
"Senpai! Sorry for keeping you waiting!"
With a cheerful smile, a young man approached Darius. And, by his side, a beauty.
More specifically, the young man, Neon, is a junior at the same college where he works; the one by his side is the college's renowned Alice, also a professor.
Indeed, he has been asked by these guys to offer consultation on their upcoming marriage. And by the way, this is the reason why he started wondering about his own unpopularity and life.
The after-work rendezvous was held at an intersection, and there the two hoped to indulge his thoughtfulness and support.
"Yeah. So, what kind of advice are you looking for, Neon?"
He asked while greeting Alice and being as cheerful as possible, not to ruin their happy moment.
"Hello, pleased to meet you. My name is Alice York. Although we have seen each other before, this would be the first time we are speaking, right? Makes me nervous, somehow. Especially since..."
She cut off at the end, her face slightly blushing as she grabbed Neon's hands by the tip of her index finger.
'This scene should be illegal,' He yelled inwardly, his heart bleeding as he felt a thousand needles were brutally stabbed into his heart.
Shaking his head and pushing away those disturbing thoughts, Darius thought with a bitter smile inwardly,' The nervous and ashamed one is me, damn it! I mean, I am not that good with speaking to girls in the first place. Cut me some slack!'
With such words, he silently complained to himself.
And in the first place, with no apparent love experience, what kind of advice can he even offer? Aren't you all just poking fun at me! It's spite, isn't it?
"Hello. I am Darius Florid. No need to be nervous or anything. Alice is famous with us, so I know who you are even without the introduction. About Neon went to the same University, you know, so we've had lots to talk about. After which we naturally hung out a bit."
"What's this about being famous? Are there weird rumors floating about?"
"Yeah. Like having had an affair with the dean, Bobby, or going on dates with Alexander, things like that."
He was just teasing as he tried to lighten the mood, of course. And although he intended these to be just some light jokes, Alice's face turned bright red, and she looked at me with watery eyes. Hate to admit it, but she looked adorable.
Well, his jokes lack both delicacy and tactfulness, and he is often told to keep his mouth shut... but he always ends up saying them anyway.
'Yep, failed again, huh? Yep, I am just bad with women.' He knew this already, but still sighed in disappointment as he knew going like this, he would be dying alone.
And as if on cue, Neon stepped in as he lightly tapped Alice's shoulders.
'Ah indeed, always good and know how to react to women, it's these situations that I have zero personality for.'
"Darius, please leave it at that! And, Alice, you are just being teased! He always jokes like this haha."
With a laugh, Neon continued mediating the situation.
'Aren't you a smooth talker, little kid!'
Bright, cheerful, and without a hint of sarcasm. He was indeed a lovable guy...
Maybe that's the difference between us?
Aghhh, whatever...each his pros and cons, let's leave it at that.
Kyaaaaaaaaaa!
Suddenly, waves of screams snapped Darius out of his daze as he didn't know what had just happened.
"Move it! I'll kill you!"
Turning to the sound of the voice, a man brandishing a knife and holding a bag could be seen running towards them.
'Hmm? He is heading towards Neon.'
Without even thinking about the situation, his body acted by itself as he gathered force in both of his shoulders and pushed Neon to the side using his palms after giving it a quick step to appear right beside him.
"Huh? Darius?!"
Neon was confused as he rolled into the ground, using a bit of strength, he stabilized himself and looked back, only to have his eyes widen in terror as a fountain of blood could be seen leaving Dariu's body.
'Ah, this is why I hated myself. Always too good to people around me, that eventually got me stabbed.'
Darius thought as he felt burning pain spreading across his back, his head began feeling a bit dizzy, and his vision was blurry as he struggled to even stand on his legs.
'Damn it, he is not even looking back after causing such a severe wound,' He cursed as he looked at the running thief with a burning gaze, but helpless, he could only drop to the ground, his breath slowing down as he felt his body turning colder by the second.
He then turned to make sure Neon and Alice were safe. After all, he shouldn't be getting this severely stabbed for nothing, right?
With a shout that resembled no words, his friend ran up to him, tears bubbling in his eyes.
'They are stunned by the sudden turn of events, but appeared without other injury... thank god.' He smiled as he saw this scene.
He suddenly had a thought as he said these words,' Maybe this is why I'm single? I'm too good and soft, and women in general like tough guys?'
That being that, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind as he felt severe back burns. Feelings of pain aside, it's just burning as hell.
What's up with this? Am I gonna die like this or what?
Wait...wait, wasn't this supposed to be a light injury, and I emerge the hero who saved a couple and then become famous on social media, and finally get out of my shitty job after I somehow jump on that train of fame and success?