The short road we took from the academy to the city was surrounded by a wooded area, but the road leading outside the city in the other direction goes through endless wheat fields as yellow as a golden sea.
"We're here."
With a setting sun in the distance, undisturbed by any wandering clouds and painting the sky in a similar golden hue, they create a breathtaking scene.
At least that's how it should have been…
"Ah right, it's still just May."
In the game a scene with that description often served as the background for numerous events that took place in the city and it always gave off such an ethereal, otherworldly feeling, that I wanted to experience it in person as well.
And I thought it would make a nice place to end this date event too, but alas I forgot that this was also a real world so of course it wouldn't look the same all year round.
Instead, all the wheat fields are filled with still green stalks, clearly needing more time to fully mature. Even though I managed to time our arrival with the sunset just right and the sky is filled with a brilliant golden glow, it kind of feels wasted compared to the somewhat plain green color of the nearby fields.
"Hm?"
Hina looks at me with a somewhat dazed and inquisitive gaze, having overheard me mumble to myself.
"Ah, nothing. I just wanted to show you a better scenery than this, but I guess that needs more time. Anyway, I still owe you an explanation. Now, where should I start…"
In the game this date event had three different routes for the three capture targets, so one for Hugh, one for Bernard and one for Arthur.
Each version was somewhat different and technically you could do all three within the same run if you raised their affection evenly, but you still needed to do them in the correct order, and all of this was essential if you went for the harem ending.
This time, I basically just hijacked Arthur's event and replaced him with Hina. Though I guess for it to make sense I should start from Hugh's route.
"So the part about the president having a storybook on his desk is true, which was then noticed by Lord Bernard, who thought it was an official report and so he came into town to investigate the supposed vampire."
Hugh's date event had Lucy come across the president, who was writing a bedtime story for his sick little sister. He wasn't really a great writer, but his sister was often bedridden due to a chronic illness and she mentioned that she was getting bored of all the usual books she was reading.
So Hugh decided to write one for her and the plot was essentially about a shy and timid vampire, who hasn't had any interactions with others for a long time. But even though she was nervous, in the end she still decided to go into a nearby town to make friends.
Hugh wanted to encourage his sister with this story, with the vampire being a stand-in for her, since she also hasn't had the chance to socialize much and doesn't really have friends.
It's a pretty wholesome event, and if Lucy triggers it, the player has the chance to help make a few changes to the tale, which is presented as a kind of interactive narrative experience. But no matter the choices, the core of the story remains the same, with Hugh forgetting the finished book on his desk and Bernard finding it.
"But like we just saw, nobody in the Academy City believed what Lord Bernard was saying and he got reported as a public disturbance."
Bernard's date event is next, where he just basically goes around fruitlessly searching for a non-existent vampire. If the player triggers his event then it's the two of them doing it together and causing trouble.
"And that's how we got here to investigate this case."
What followed next would have been Arthur's event, which was him getting a report from the city and going to investigate the cause while undercover and eventually catching Bernard in the act.
If Lucy is also involved in the event then it's the two of them doing the investigation, which was exactly the event that I hijacked and replaced him with Hina.
That's partly why I was so nervous approaching Arthur, since I didn't know if it was possible to change events or if they were set in stone.
But since it doesn't really make sense for Arthur to personally look into a small case like this, I was hoping it wouldn't be a hard sell. And thankfully it worked out in my favor.
"That's basically it I guess."
"...Is that really everything?"
The glint of suspicion in Hina's eyes is as sharp as knives and cut right into my conscience. It is true I left out most of the details for her but it's still basically everything right?
"...And how exactly do you know all this?"
"Ah."
***
After our sudden encounter with Bernard, Lucy still insisted on taking me somewhere. On the few minute walk, many thoughts crossed my mind, but I tried to hold back on my judgement for now.
"We're here."
Lucy says as we reach the outskirts of Academy City. A gentle breeze sweeps though and lifts her hair, her golden locks tenderly swaying in the breeze.
With the sky being painted in a deep yellow by the setting sun in the distance and Lucy right in front of me, she truly looks like a fairy or an angel from another realm.
"Ah right, it's still just May."
Her words hold a melancholic tone, like she just encountered some great injustice, unknowable to ordinary mortals.
"Hm?"
In my dazed state that's the only response I can muster, afraid that any words I say would disrupt this tranquil scene.
"Ah, nothing. I just wanted to show you a better scenery than this, but I guess that needs more time-"
Huh? A better scenery?
I only come to my senses after those words and I look around to find myself still on the outskirts of the city.
I quickly get myself together as I listen to Lucy's explanation of what events lead to this investigation. And her words do make sense, but a few details still feel off to me.
First of all, how she knows all of this, but when I voice my doubts, Lucy's gaze shift to the side guiltily and it takes her a few seconds to blurt out:
"Um, I also saw the president's storybook…? Yes, that's right and then I heard about Bernard in the city and connected the dots."
"..."
If you want to make it sound believable, maybe you shouldn't come up with your lie while you're talking? Honestly, she seemed genuine when she was explaining the order of events, but now she just can't tell me how she learned about it?
Well, with how easy it is to see when she's lying, it's clear she doesn't have much experience with it and also, that guilty look in her eyes signals that she doesn't even like lying.
Fine, I won't push it and just pretend to believe her for now, but there's another detail that's puzzling me even more.
"Then, why didn't you just tell Arthur about it from the start? That would have solved everything, right? I feel like there was no point in doing this entire investigation."
"Ah, that. Well, it's just that… you've been helping me a lot all this time." Lucy timidly says.
"Hm?"
"And it's soon time for the next monthly exams, right?"
"I guess so? Why are you bringing this up?"
I'm kind of confused by this seemingly sudden topic change.
"But once it's over we won't be together anymore, right? You were angry because last time I couldn't 'fight' you fairly, but now thanks to you I feel like I can give it my all. And that's exactly what I'm planning to do, but afterwards you won't have any reason to spend so much time with me anymore…"
"That's… You were worried about that?"
"...mhm." Lucy gently nods while lowering her head.
This girl… She took what I said back then so seriously?
I actually feel kind of frustrated. Here I am trying to make her school life easier and she still thinks I'm some arrogant noble, who only pestered her to achieve some of her whims and then she'd just discarded her afterwards.
…But looking at her pitiful appearance, I can't really get angry at her.
"Haah. You shouldn't think about silly things like that. Didn't you introduce me as your friend not long ago? While I do care about the test rankings, do you really think I'm someone who'd just leave you behind like that, hm?"
"Ah, n-no that's not-" Lucy suddenly gets flustered by my question and quickly shakes her head.
"Good, I'd hope so too. Then why did you bring this up now? Was it just to avoid my previous question?"
"Well not exactly… It's just that I wanted to do something to show my appreciation for all you've done for me. I've been having so much fun with you and in the student council as well, but I also saw that you've been more busy and tired lately so I wanted to give you a chance to relax, at least for a little bit."
"Huh? Relax?"
"Yes, or did you not enjoy today…?" Lucy nervously asks.
"What? Is that what it was supposed to be?"
Wait, now that I think about it, what did we actually do today? Tried on some clothes, ate sweets and visited Lucy's workplace. I thought she was acting a bit out of character, but is this why she took charge so often today?
"You arranged all of this… just for me?"
"Hm."
"...Do you seriously think you have the luxury of thinking about others in your position? Do you understand how precarious of a state you're in? You stand without the backing of any influential figures, refuse to receive protection from my family and just quietly accept everything."
Even though I feel touched by Lucy's sincere efforts for my sake, I also feel incredibly frustrated by her behaviour and I can't help but blurt out all thoughts.
"What do you mean you had so much fun, huh? If you just agreed to my initial proposal, you'd understand what having fun actually is and nobody would dare bully you at school or in the student council. Even Arthur wouldn't be able to go against you so easily."
"..."
Hmph, and she thinks she can afford to worry about others. Th-though looking at her dazed expression, maybe I took it a bit far…? But it's her fault! If she wasn't so stubborn I could solve all her problems instantly and I wouldn't have to spend my time coming up with such indirect solutions.
"...well, I did have fun today or whatever…"
I quietly mumble, but she suddenly speaks up.
"Bullied in the student council? Arthur? What do you mean? His personality isn't like that." Lucy says with genuine confusion in her eyes.
"...? Like you getting sent to clean all the time and all those off handed remarks? Don't tell me you didn't realize what those meant. Something like that isn't the responsibility of the student council at all."
"It isn't?"
"..."
This time it's my turn to fall silent in disbelief.
So it's not that she put on a brave face, she didn't even realize that she was being bullied. Just what kind of treatment is she used to getting…?
I clench my fists, thinking about what such a stupid and pure girl did to deserve such harsh treatment from the world.
"Huh, wait, that's not… possible? But it is true that I… But he's a capture target so he shouldn't… Unless the order I meet the characters change their role in the story? Ah! Did he end up in a villain role because of me…?"
Lucy mumbles something to herself, but my mind is busy with redoubling my determination to ensure this girl won't face such hardships in the future.
I intended to take my time and plan my course of attack against Arthur carefully, but I don't want to wait anymore. Next time I see him, I'll just confront him without caring about any sort of social etiquette. If he doesn't care about it, why should I?
As the last rays of sunlight disappear along the horizon, I cast aside any remaining doubts and my course of action becomes clear.