Lukeout, Fire!: Prologue
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
South Stellis Fire Rescue Station Warehouse
You: Okay, I got it. Thank you.
You don't want to wander around the fire station too much on your own, especially as it is your first time being here. After stating your reason for visiting, you are taken to today's destination...
The South Stellis Fire Rescue Station Warehouse.
As soon as you reach the warehouse, you see Luke working busily.
Unsorted goods are piled up all over, making the place appear extremely cluttered.
Once you walk closer, you can smell the unique scent of cardboard permeating the air.
You can occasionally catch a glimpse of something in the sunlight, either floating debris or dust, that is quietly settling on his shoulders.
He is squatting among cardboard boxes of various sizes, unaffected by his surroundings, and focused on the list in his hand.
You: ...
Afraid of disrupting him, you deliberately make your steps lighter. Even so, he still quickly discovers you.
Luke: [Player], you're here!
His serious expression immediately fades away after he realizes the visitor is indeed you, and he puts on a bright smile you're all too familiar with.
You: Yep. Let me help you sort these out.
You kneel down opposite him, indicating for Luke to show you how to sort the goods. He nods.
Luke: All right, you can help me check the quantities of these supplies.
Luke points to the pile of cardboard boxes in front of you. Once you start your tally, he also quickly gets to work.
Luke: 2 boxes of gloves... If there are 45 pairs in one box, then it's 180 pieces in total.
Luke: Let me see... It says there are 5 boxes in total, but only 2 boxes were received... They need to be marked as shortage.
Luke: This box was already damaged when it arrived. Hmm... Its contents need to be carefully inspected.
Looking at his serious and focused expression, you can't help but think back to the day you two took on the job...
Luke's Bedroom
You were holding Luke's arm and snuggling with him on a beanbag that afternoon as you watched a classic romance film together.
Just as the lovers in the film were parting and the music started to get emotional, an untimely vibration from Luke's nearby phone dragged you two back to reality.
Luke: Oh... I'm going to take a call. You keep watching.
You press the pause button in reply and nod slightly to Luke as he stands up. You unintentionally see that the call is from a landline number.
You: (Landline... Is this a work call?)
Luke doesn't close the door completely when he leaves, so you can hear some of the conversation from outside the room.
Luke: Yes, there is a certain degree of danger... It's not easy for anyone...
You: (Danger? Is it... a new job? Or...)
Realizing that this counts as eavesdropping, you suppress your curiosity and stand up to close the door.
But just as you step forward to close the door...
Luke: It's fine. I'll do it.
You sit down after closing the door, replaying what Luke said over and over again in your mind.
You: (Did he just... take on a dangerous job?)
Before you can think it through, Luke has already finished the call and comes back into the room.
Luke: Let's keep watching the movie.
You: Ah, okay...
You press the play button. The classic scene continues to play on the TV, but you can no longer focus on the film.
You: (The door wasn't fully closed just now. If it really was a NSB matter... then Luke wouldn't be so careless.)
You: (Does that mean the content of that call was actually... not confidential?)
You glance at Luke, who is sitting on the sofa. He is smiling and beckoning for you to sit with him.
You: (Hmm... if it was a work call, he wouldn't be so relaxed right now, right?)
Seeing that you didn't respond to him, Luke stands up and walks toward you. He then wraps his arms around you from behind.
Luke: What's wrong? What are you thinking about? You aren't even giving me any attention.
The warmth radiating from your back gradually calms your mind, and you turn around to ask him.
You: I was thinking... that wasn't a work call you answered, was it?
Luke blinks. Although he is a little taken aback when you mention the call, he still nods with a sense of surprise.
Luke: Yeah... As expected of my Watson! How smart!
Luke: It was a call from the fire station asking if I wanted to be a volunteer.
You: Volunteer? Are you saying the danger mentioned on the call was about...
Luke: Oh, I was saying that things aren't easy for firefighters... their work is always accompanied by a certain degree of danger.
You: (So, it was a call from the fire station...)
Seeing that you are still a little confused, he reminds you with a smile.
Luke: Remember when I went to help shoot that promotional video?
You: Yeah, I remember.
Luke was once sent to the fire department to shoot a promotional video. You also participated in the shoot back then, but you weren't expecting them to contact him again.
Luke: They contacted me and said... along with the promotional video, they're going to hold several fire drills in Stellis to increase the public's fire safety awareness.
Luke: They also complimented me on the promotional video and want to know whether I'd like to participate as a volunteer.
You: I see...
Luke: I think it's pretty important to spread fire safety awareness, so I agreed.
You: That's great—I support you. You should definitely go... I mean, if I had the chance, I'd want to be a volunteer too.
Luke: Why don't you come with me as a volunteer? They also asked me if I know anyone else I'd like to recommend.
You: Of course! ...But I have no professional training. Am I going to be able to handle that job?
Luke: Don't worry. We'll just be doing some logistics and support work. You're a meticulous person—you'll definitely be able to manage it.
Then, Luke frowns slightly, as if recalling something.
Luke: ...However, being a volunteer may be a bit tiring. Is that gonna be okay?
You: That's fine. I have a lot of energy! Don't worry about it.
Luke: Great. Let's go together then!
Therefore, with Luke's recommendation, you also became a volunteer firefighter.
After counting the goods, Luke dusts himself off and stands up to walk toward you.
Luke: Everything's finally sorted. How are you holding up? Do you want to take a break?
You: I'm not tired at all! I actually want to start the next task as soon as possible.
Luke: Haha, you're so passionate!
Luke: In that case, I'll tell you about the work formally assigned to us!
Luke: It's not too complicated. Basically, we just need to find the specified items according to the list, then pack them up for later use.
You: It sounds pretty straightforward. How about... we give it a try right now?
Luke: Okay, there's a list here. Let me see... It says gloves and helmets. Let's look for their location first?
You: I'm good at finding things. Don't worry and leave it to me.
After a brief discussion about how to divide up the work, you and Luke walk into the warehouse and find the location marked on the list.
You quickly find the shelf where the gloves are and grab them, but the helmet... is placed on the top shelf.
You: ...
You look up at the shelf, trying to get the helmet without embarrassing yourself, but the shelf is just too high.
You try your best to stand on your tiptoes and reach for the helmet. Even though you can touch it, it's still difficult to take it down.
As you try again for the second time, you feel your feet leave the ground as your body is lifted up by Luke.
You: L-Luke? What are you doing?
His arms are holding your body up firmly, but the sudden movement into the air still makes you very nervous.
Thanks to him, you can now clearly see all the helmets on the topmost shelf, but you are no longer interested in getting them.
Luke: Nothing. It's just, since you can't reach... I thought I could be your ladder.
His tone is completely innocent, and the arms raising you up show no signs of lowering. You have no choice but to reach out in mid-air and grab the helmet.
Having once again returned to the ground, Luke can't help but grin as he looks at you. You give him a small shove toward the shelves to show your "displeasure."
Luke: They say that a job shared is a job halved. How about we divide up the work?
You: Okay... I'll leave it to you to find things. I'll take care of packing.
Luke: Okay, let's officially get to work!
Summary
