Luke "Through the Heavens"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 1. Luke is not yet in a relationship with the MC.

When the MC arrives home from work one day, Luke calls her, asking if she'd like to go on a popular variety show with him, and she agrees. On the day of the recording, the two are asked to get dressed in pop culture and hip-hop themed clothing; the challenge begins as soon as they finish getting dressed. Luke receives a message while the MC is changing, but he dismisses it as nothing when she asks about it. They're given a task to speak to various NPCs throughout the CBD and complete their tasks to collect skateboard parts and assemble a skateboard. The MC recalls a time in middle school when he tried to learn to skateboard, which went poorly. Luke says he's since learned how to skateboard from one of his NSB instructors, and the MC lightly scolds him for hiding things from her.

Luke claims he's not hiding anything else from the MC and redirects the conversation to their show tasks. The two solve the riddle on one of the cards, which directs them to a skateboard shop in the CBD. Another pair of contestants is present by chance, having failed to solve the riddle and sought out the store simply because it's a skateboard shop, so the store employee asks them to leave, then grants Luke and the MC the skateboard trucks a moment later. The employee requires them to eat spicy peppers to receive their next clue. While they receive the clue and the MC reads the riddle, a movement catches Luke's attention, and he suspects they're being watched.

Luke gets distracted looking for threats. The MC wants to question Luke about his suspicions, but the variety show's microphones and recording makes it difficult, so the two stop for a drink and exchange texts in which Luke explains that the message he received at the fitting rooms earlier was threatening. The two find the next clue at a surf shop, where the employee gives them a skateboard deck and offers to let them assemble the parts they've received so far. While they do so, they discuss Luke's reasons for enjoying skateboarding and whether he holds any grudge against the MC or her parents for not letting him learn earlier. When they're given the third clue, they quickly determine that it's back at the first skateboard shop, but when they arrive and receive the skateboard wheels, they're ambushed by an unknown man. Luke reacts to the danger quickly, only later realizing the incident is part of the show. The man takes the wheels and dares the pair to find him at a nearby park.

Luke and the MC follow the man to the park, where the show's director introduces him as a special guest and award-winning professional skater. In order to reclaim the wheels, the two must both complete an obstacle course that includes a simple jump in the next two hours. Luke spends 90 minutes teaching the MC how to skate, until the MC decides it's time to try the course. With Luke's help steadying her position, she lands the jump on her first attempt.

The professional skateboarder compliments the pair, but he issues another challenge for them both to do ten difficult tricks, adding that two teams with easier tasks have already completed their quests. Luke issues his own challenge in return: rather than take on the time-consuming tasks, he wants to compete with the professional skater directly and skip the challenges if he wins. The skater and show director accept, since it will make a more interesting show. Although Luke is good, the skater appears to have a clear victory until the end, when Luke does a trick that stuns everyone and allows him to take a shortcut. The camera crew approaches Luke after his victory, and the MC notices a strange glinting light -- a knife held by a crew member.

The MC calls out to warn Luke, which causes the crew member to charge at him; the MC hurls her skateboard at the man, hitting him and interrupting the ambush, and Luke subdues him. The attacker turns out to be the son of a man Luke recently investigated, who went to jail for his crimes. The director apologizes and postpones the rest of the show to another day. The MC scolds Luke for keeping the problem to himself for so long, recalling that he'd tried to hide his skateboarding from her in middle school, too. She asks him to be better about sharing his problems and worries with her in the future, since she'll only worry more if she doesn't know what he's hiding, and he agrees as she secretly wishes to become strong enough to protect him.

Illustrations

In Your ArmsFor a moment, we looked like we were dancing in each other's arms.

Spicy ChallengeA true warrior will rise up against a spicy challenge.

Video Call

Video Call		Luke: Through the Heavens (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Luke: Morning. Any plans today?

Luke: Why this suit? Because you said I looked good in it, so I bought it.

Luke: I also bought the suit I wore at the recording.

Luke: Speaking of which, the office has been making fun of me eating chili after the broadcast.

Luke: They even made memes and posted them in the Ministry of Security's group chat... Even my former mentor is using them.

Luke: Exposing my identity? Don't worry about that. I already reported to my superiors beforehand, which was why they went to see the recording...

Luke: I was looking through the comments the other day... Many said we looked like a couple. Don't know if you've noticed...

Luke: Your friends and colleagues said the same thing? Well... I hope you are not troubled...

Luke: No? Good. I actually think some shots were pretty well done. I went through them several times.

Luke: It's really great to be able to preserve beautiful memories this way.

Luke: By the way, nice weather today. Wanna go skateboarding? I can teach you a few more moves.

Luke: No equipment? Don't worry, I've got all the necessary gear for skateboarding here.

Luke: It might be a little uncomfortable to wear the protective gear, but you don't have to. I will protect you anyhow.

Luke: I won't let you fall. Just let me take care of your safety.

Luke: I'll bring the suit to your place now. See you in a while.

Text Messages

Text Message		Luke: Text Chat (In-Story)

Text Message script

Luke: I just got a weird text message in the fitting room. It seems that I might have offended someone during the investigation.

Luke: The text message asks me to watch out and mind my own business.

Luke: Can't tell if the text message is a prank or not, but one cannot be too careful.

You: Did they mention the recording?

Luke: No. But I'm still a bit worried.

Luke: There are too many people here, and we don't know if there's anyone with bad intention.

You: Okay. I got it.

You: I'll watch out for you. Take care of yourself.

Story Locations

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Stellis Central Business District
Clothing Shop

Stellis Central Business District
Studio

Stellis Junior High
Near the School

Stellis Central Business District
Central Business District

Stellis Central Business District
Surfing Shop

Stellis Central Business District
Skateboard Shop

Stellis Central Business District
Park

Stellis City Police Department
Police Station

Stellis
Park

Story Characters

Luke Pearce

Luke Pearce

Luke Pearce

Darius Morgan

Host

Guidance Counselor

Honored Guest A

Honored Guest B

Employee

Shop Owner

Director

Young Skateboarder

Venue Staff