Luke "Threads of Time"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 3. Luke is engaged to the MC.

Peanut just entered molting season and seems agitated. So the MC calls Luke and proposes that they take Peanut on a holiday trip to relax. After the call, she glances on one of the photo frames on her desk. It is an old class photo - Luke is smiling with a peace sign on her head. She wonders why she appears serious in that photo. Soon after, Luke and the MC go on that planned holiday trip. It's summer and the weather is scorching hot. As they settle in the shade of a tree to wait for the bus, the MC reaches out to wipe Luke's sweat. Just then, Peanut descends towards them, but seemingly upset with Luke. Apparently, Peanut is unhappy after Luke attempted to trim his feathers. Peanut seeks solace from the MC instead, and Luke wonders how they became close friends soon after meeting again. Luke then remarks that he noticed that the MC kept on playing with her hair while they were walking on a scenic spot just now. He suggests to cut it for her if she thinks it's already too long. Peanut protests as if not trusting Luke's handiwork.

The setting changes to when Luke and the MC were in high school. It was during their two-day school trip to the Stellis Bird Observation Base. The MC rushes towards Luke to hide from a notoriously strict headmaster. The headmaster will likely not be pleased that her bangs are already too long. Luke invites her to his dorm so he can trim her bangs for her later. A moment later, the MC asks confirmation from Luke about "rumors" she heard. Shifting to present time, Luke asks what the MC is reminiscing about. Just then, the bus arrives.

In the bus, the MC drifts to sleep. Shifting again to the past, Luke and the MC are in the dorm. They just finished performing an emergency treatment to an abandoned Myna hatchling which they found in the Stellis Bird Observation Base. The MC asks Luke if he would like to keep the Myna as a pet. Luke rejects the idea; he remarks that Myna are protected animals - what if he doesn't have much free time in the future to take care of it and what if he needs to leave Stellis? Luke decides that he will take the Myna to the base manager after he finishes the MC's hair trim. Back to the present time, the MC wakes up. They arrive at their holiday cottage. While settling in, she recounts her dream to Luke. She feels like because she was too obsessed with her hair, they ended up doing the hair trimming session instead of going to the bonfire party during that school trip. She wishes that they did not miss the bonfire party so she could have created more memories with him before he left for the capital. Luke then admits that he actually wanted to confess to her during the bonfire party.

Luke admits how useless he felt back then as he was trimming the MC's hair while the bonfire party was ongoing. Because he was distracted, he ended up cutting her hair too short. She was in front of him, and it would've been easy to kiss her right then and there, but she kept her eyes closed and repeatedly asked him how the haircut was going. If they were able to attend the bonfire party, he would've confessed; maybe they would've talked about the future and what kind of choices were available, and he wanted to hear her answers. The MC then wonders why there are so many "feedback delay" in relationships. She thinks that they constantly make decisions, and the ripple effects and consequences of those decisions often take a long time to manifest. She didn't think she's doing anything wrong back then, but she actually missed something important. Shortly later, Luke tells her he knows the holiday trip was not exactly for Peanut. It was actually because the MC just wants to make the most of every day with him, and do more to make him happier. He tells her that he shares the same feeling. Suddenly she asks Luke how has she been "performing" now.

Before Luke answers the MC's question, he asks her if she recalls anything else during that hair trimming session. Shifting to the past again, Luke is trimming the MC's hair. He's about to ask her something, but then, she suddenly says "Peanut". She is suggesting the name "Peanut" for the Myna hatchling. Confused, Luke reminds her that there are too many things to consider in taking care of a Myna bird, and most especially, the future is uncertain. However, considering that he might leave Stellis, the MC wants Luke to take the Myna hatchling so he wouldn't be alone and he wouldn't be facing the unknown alone. It will feel like she's still with him. Back to the present, Luke reveals that he was distraught when he received his National Central University letter of acceptance. It wasn't just about leaving Stellis. It turned out that his feelings for the MC was more aggressive than he thought. Even if he did confess to her, he did not want a long-distance relationship with her. Instead, he wanted to come back to her and be with her. He then reveals that after settling in the capital, he inquired of the process to adopt the Myna hatchling, and eventually, he was able to proceed with it. And so, Peanut is actually the Myna hatchling they found during that school trip. The MC realizes that that must be the reason why she and Peanut became friends so quickly. Going back to the question of the MC - how is she performing? Just seeing her taking earnest steps toward their future is enough to make him happy.

Luke asks if the MC wants him to cut her hair. She agrees. Putting on an apron, he proceeds to trim her hair. He remarks that he wants to be by her side even if she decides to change her hairstyle on a whim. Suddenly, he moves his lips to her ears and tells her that maybe in the distant future, she would also get a few strands of white hair - and when that time comes, he would very much like to see that side of hers.

Illustrations

"Have A Trim"Summer nights, the song of cicadas, the crackle of fireworks, and a short haircut.

Video Call

Video Call		Luke: Threads of Time (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Luke: Ah, you finally answered. I'm at the pet hospital getting Peanut checked.

Luke: Yeah, he's not molting that much anymore. The vet said I just have to wait for the molting season to end.

Luke: The sun is almost ready to set now. I brought Peanut up to the roof for some fresh air.

Luke: It's so refreshing here, and the view's amazing... I was even trying to find your office building earlier.

Luke: I'm not trying to peep, okay? I just thought of you when I was overlooking the whole city.

Luke: What are you up to? Do you daydream sometimes...?

Luke: Just like how I was thinking about you before dialing your number — do you think of me too?

Luke: I was right? Didn't I tell you already? "You're really predictable, even behind a screen."

Luke: You also want to guess what I'm thinking? Of course you can. Yeah, I'm ready.

Luke: Hey! You didn't install a camera on me or under Peanut's wing or something, right?

Luke: ...Yeah, I can't hide anything from you. I'm staying on the roof of the hospital because I'm waiting for you to get off work.

Luke: I knew you were gonna come down the stairs soon, so I wanted to wait a while longer. Do you have any plans?

Luke: Is there somewhere I want to go? Isn't it obvious...?

Luke: Don't make me say it out loud. Let's go home together... I've been sweating, so I need to borrow the shower.

Luke: Sure, I'm coming over with Peanut now. I'll call you when I get there.

Story Locations

In Front of the Bus Stop

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Bird Observation Base's Dormitory

Vacation Cottage

Vacation Cottage Bathroom

Story Characters

Luke Pearce

Luke Pearce

Story References

The Luke "Threads of Time" story contains brief mentions or references of events that took place in the following:

• Luke "Love between Pages"