Luke "Love between Pages"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 2. Luke has confessed to the MC, and the two are a romantic couple.

Luke and the MC return to their old school, Stellis Junior High School, which has a tradition of leaving time capsules with the staff for safekeeping. When Luke left for the capital, his and the MC's plans to leave a capsule fell apart, but he secretly hid one on his own and wants to retrieve it now. Since he hid it rather than leaving it with the staff, its current location is unknown due to recent renovations. A janitor suggests that they check the underground storage area, where all the old equipment was moved, but he tells them they'll need a staff card to get in.

Luke suggests they try Charlie Roberts, who was a study groupmate of Luke's who has gone on to become a biology teacher at the school. Charlie is thrilled to see Luke, calling him "boss" before telling the MC he's a little bit familiar with her because Luke used to write her name over and over on scrap paper. Charlie agrees to lend Luke his staff card, but in exchange, he asks Luke to teach one class to his biology students, since he's talked so much about Luke's biology prowess that he's become the class' role model. After the MC expresses eagerness to see him as a teacher, Luke agrees.

In preparation for the class, Luke practices teaching the material with only the MC as his audience. When he wants to do a second run through the material, the MC pretends to be a problem student to prepare him for any situation -- she eats jelly in the middle of class, takes photos, and sleeps, which earns her a "punishment": a tap on the head with a rolled-up booklet. He stops just short of contact, saying that making her nervous is the punishment, and the two end their practice satisfied that Luke is ready to teach the lesson.

The class goes well, with students asking questions until the last possible moment, and Charlie loans the card as promised. In the underground storage area, the two find the box the capsule should be in, but it's not there. Faced with the possibility that it might be gone, Luke becomes sad, and the MC comforts him, already sure that what he wrote on it was all the love his past self wanted to convey to her in the future. When the MC leans on a shelf, the capsule falls to the ground, and the pair thinks of somewhere special to open it.

Luke and the MC find their old "secret hideout" -- a corner of the lab building's garden -- and reminisce about the time they once spent in that spot. The MC reads the letter that Luke wrote to her before he left for the capital, which confesses his love but says he isn't good enough to take care of her yet, and that he's leaving so he can give her a better life. Luke says that he failed to become that ideal version of himself and thanks the MC for always showing him kindness and not regretting any time she spends with him, and the MC responds that he's better than he thinks, makes her happy, and that it's she who didn't realize her feelings for him all this time, which made him torn and confused.

Luke suggests that they bury a time capsule of their own during this open house event, since they didn't get to do one together at graduation. They write letters to each other's future selves, then explore the campus together. They find their old classroom and take their seats in the back by the window, holding hands and reminiscing about how much has changed -- and how much hasn't.

Illustrations

Clasped Hands...If it were possible, I would like to hold your hand forever.

Text Messages

Text Message		Luke: School Uniform (After Story 3)

Text Message script

Luke: It seems that the school has gotten a new uniform. It's not the same as ours was anymore.

It's changed quite a few times

You: Guess what? The school changed uniforms several times since you left.

Luke: The school must be quite attentive to be changing the uniform so often...

I didn't notice

You: Really? I didn't even notice...

Luke: I'll send you a picture later. The colors and style are different from what we had back then.

Luke: But I still like the previous school uniform. I get a flood of memories when I see it.

Is it something related to me?

You: Is it related to me?

Luke: Of course, it's mainly about you.

Luke: When I see the school uniform, I remember the things we did with each other back in school.

What is it?

You: What kind of memories? Give me an example.

Luke: Like working on homework, going to gym class, sharing stacks...

Luke: In other words, all my memories are about you.

Luke: That's why I take special care of my uniform. Did you keep yours?

Me, too

You: I kept mine too.

Luke: I knew you couldn't bear to throw it away.

Luke: You can wear mine when you come to my house.

It's a shame that I can't find it

You: Well, I actually can't find it anymore... I'm sorry.

Luke: Hahaha, that's okay.

Luke: If you are available, come look at my uniform. Let's take a trip down memory lane.

Luke: By the way, the style of school uniforms seems to be catching on lately. I see a lot of people wearing them in the street. It's quite nice-looking.

Luke: I heard that there are also ones designed for lovers. Do you want to try them out with me?

No problem

You: Great! Let's try the lovers' style!

Luke: Great! I'll come over now. Let's pick a style you like.

Luke: I think it will look really cute on you.

I'd like to see you in it

You: I prefer seeing you wearing it to wearing it myself.

Luke: Do you want to see me in the outfit? That's okay. I'll wear it for you. Maybe you'll like it.

Luke: I'll come to find you now. We can pick a suitable style together.

Luke: Wait for me!

Text Message		Luke: New Friends (After Story 6)

Text Message script

You: It seems like you've made a lot of new friends lately. I haven't seen several of them before.

Luke: You got me. I have made a lot of friends lately.

Is it for work?

You: Let me guess. Is it because of work?

Luke: Yes, the more people I know, the easier it is to solve a case.

Luke: The other day, a client hired me to find something, and my new friends helped me find it. I'm grateful to them.

Luke: I like having people in my life outside of work... so it's more a social life thing.

Is it for something personal?

You: Well... Is it more of a social life thing?

Luke: Haha, you know me. I think it's interesting to meet lots of types of people.

Luke: I have heard a lot of interesting things recently. I will tell you about it in person...

Luke: Of course, other than the work-related reasons, the more people you know, the better.

Luke: Why are you so interested in this?

I'd like to know more about your social life

You: Because I want to know more about you, after having not seen you for a few years, and your social circle is a very important part of your life!

Luke: Social circle... I'm sure we'll have fewer and fewer friends in common now after all these years.

Luke: I've been looking for an opportunity to introduce you to some of my new friends.

I'd like to make more friends

You: Because I want to meet new people too. How about you introduce a few of your friends?

Luke: Well, not just a few, I'd really like to introduce them all to you!

Luke: I've always wanted to have a chance to introduce you to them.

Luke: You're just in time. In a few days, I am throwing a party where people are invited to bring their girlfriends or boyfriends. Do you want to come with me?

Of course

You: I'm sure I'll be there since they're your friends.

Luke: Hey, it's a deal. I'll ask them to reserve a seat for two.

Luke: You'll be sitting next to me and I'll introduce you to them!

I'm a little nervous.

You: But... I'm always a little nervous to meet strangers...

Luke: Don't worry, they're all friendly.

Luke: And I'll be there for you.

I'll leave it to you

You: Okay, I'll leave it to you.

Luke: I'll pick you up then.

Luke: We'll definitely have a good time.

Come meet my friends too

You: By the way, my friends mentioned you. They said they wanted to have a get-together sometime.

Luke: Really? It's been a long time since I've seen them.

Luke: I'll be there whenever you need me.

Story Locations

Stellis Junior High School
Stellis Junior High Laboratory

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Stellis Junior High School
Stellis Junior High Laboratory

Stellis Junior High School
Teacher's Office

Stellis Junior High School
Empty Classroom

Stellis Junior High School
Classroom

Stellis Junior High School
Underground Storage Room

Stellis Junior High School
Secret Hideout

Stellis Junior High School

Stellis Junior High School
Classroom

Story Characters

Luke Pearce

Charlie Roberts

Janitor

High School Girl