Lazing About in a Dating Sim

When Lucia left that day I assumed that things were gunna go back to how they were the day prior. 

But the day after, Lucia showed up at the library and forced me to go have lunch with her again. And the day after that and so on. 

After spending about 2 weeks around her, I developed a basic idea of how magic works in this world.

As she casted spells once in a while, usually whenever she felt like showing off. 

Moreover, I also developed a minor case of hearing loss during these past weeks due to her presence.

“Why the hell do I have to write so many sentences about one fucking spell! It’s not even a remotely interesting one either!”

It's almost as if she’ll die if she doesn’t yell at least once a day.

“I told you that you should’ve started on it earlier.”

I mumbled while flipping to a new page in the novel I was currently reading, without even looking up.

“Shut it! You’re an even bigger slacker than me.”

Lucia countered while frantically rifling through the stack of assignments she had procrastinated dealing with until the very last minute.

“Yeah but I usually get my work done on time unlike you.”

“What work? Literally all you do for your class is scribble!”

“Scribble in a deliberate and artistic manner.”

I corrected her with a condescending tone before closing my novel.

She just rolled her eyes in response.

“Also, weren't you working on the same stack of papers yesterday? How are you not done with them by now?”

It’s not like she’s meticulous when it comes to schoolwork.

“It’s all my brother’s fault! Ever since he’s transferred three days ago he’s been pestering me during passing periods. I’d have it all done by now if he weren’t around!”

Is she seriously implying she could’ve written a whole essay in just a few passing periods? 

Passing periods are barely 5 minutes long.

“You’ve got a brother?”

“Yeah, and he’s somehow more insufferable than you.”

“Oi.”

“But seriously though, that guy’s got some screws loose.”

“Well why don’t you just tell him off then?”

“You don’t think I’ve tried that? He just keeps on coming back!” Even threw a flame shield at him one time.”

Lucia are you sure that you’re not actually the one with a few screws loose? 

“Alright… then maybe I could help you out?”

“That’s awfully charitable, what’s in it for you?”

There was a hint of disbelief in her voice.

“Not going to prison as an accessory to murder.”

“Oh don’t be so dramatic. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve launched a spell at someone who was pissing me off.”

“That doesn’t make it better.”

“Yeah yeah whatever, so what exactly are you gonna do to help me?”

“Start walking around with you during passing periods? It’ll probably be more annoying for him to approach you when you have company.”

“Huh not a bad idea… that might work. But wait, how'd you know that I don’t have much company during passing periods?”

“Your personality.”

I said, flatly.

The bells eventually tolled once more and indicated that classes were reconvening.

Not even a second later, Lucia started tugging me by the wrist and forced me to my feet.

“Wait, actually could we start this tomorrow? I wanna finish this book fir-”

She cut me off.

“Nope.”

I was then led onto a pretty dubious looking path.

It wasn’t as bad as the one we used to get to our lunch corner everyday but the path was still pretty unpleasant nonetheless, on account of all the mud.

Probably noticing my apprehension Lucia tightened her grip on my wrist.

“You’re a real expert when it comes to finding the absolute worst paths imaginable.”

“Save it. You just have a shitty constitution.”

“Says the person who wouldn’t touch a book all because it had a little dust on it.”

I retorted before continuing to walk alongside her.

Well if I can survive being around this irritable person for about half a month, I can probably deal with a slightly burdensome brother right?

The reassurance that I felt was snuffed out a few moments later when a voice echoed out from behind us.

“Hold it right there!”

In response I turned around and… oh you’ve got to be kidding me.

Dark blue hair check. 

Yellow eyes check. 

Insanely magical looking sword check. 

Lucia… you failed to mention that your brother is the protagonist of the dating sim.

“The hell are you doing with Luci in a place like this?”

He said before grabbing onto my collar. 

“Nice to meet you too.”

I replied with a sardonic tone.

His grip tightened.

“Hey could you maybe not kill my escort Ameil? He’s helping me make sure that a certain someone minds their own business.”

Lucia interjected, before forcibly loosening her brother’s hold on my shirt.

“If someone's been troubling you, you know that you could’ve just asked me for help instead of him right?”

Ameil remarked, completely oblivious to what Lucia meant.

“Hard pass.”

“Why? I’m definitely stronger than him!”

“If I wanted really tight security, I would’ve just gotten myself a guardian spirit.”

“Still you can’t trust just anybody.”

“Eh, I've been around him for long enough to know that he doesn’t have the guts to do anything too harmful to me.”

“But-”

Lucia cut him off.

“Come on Otto let's get going, I don't wanna be late again.”

She said, before nudging me to move.

Just moments later, our path was blocked by Ameil.

“Oh what is it now Ameil?”

Lucia said, impatiently.

“Sorry sis, but I gotta make sure that Otto’s up to the task.”

A white glove then collided with the left side of my face.

“Otto, I challenge you to a duel.”

He said, before putting his right hand on the pommel of his sword.

In retrospect I probably should’ve seen this coming. 

Guess being difficult runs in her family.

“Look I love violence as much as the next guy but could we maybe do this some other time? I’ve got a lot of things to do today.”

I said after feigning a tired expression.

“Fine... how about 12:00 tomorrow, same place?”

“Works for me.”

“The first one at the end of the other’s blade loses. Try not to go down too easily.”

With that Ameil picked up his glove and then parted ways with Lucia and I.

Not even a second after he left Lucia started yelling at me.

“Dumbass! Why the hell did you accept?”

“You really think he would’ve let me refuse?”

“Do you even know how to duel?”

“No, but I got the rest of the day to prepare so I think I should be fine.”

“Let me get this straight, you’re telling me that you’ll learn how to duel in just a day?”

“At the very least I’ll probably be able to get the basics down.”

“As if that'd help you against him!”