11: A Protagonist’s Romance Troubles

Closing her eyes as the wind blew through her brown hair, Celeste spent a couple seconds sorting through her thoughts. Opening her eyes after a moment, she waited for Nyssa to catch up. Shading her face with a hand, she pulled her jacket a little tighter as another gust of wind swept through the pathway they were on.

“Well, to start,” Celeste laughed as she saw Conrad, Titus, and Albion a fair distance back also exiting the building. “I want to clarify I have nothing against Conrad. He’s a good guy, but perhaps doesn’t know how to talk to women he’s interested in without getting on their nerves a little.”

“A... common problem I’ve heard,” Nyssa murmured, clasping her hands and doing a short mental prayer to the heavens—she hoped she didn’t suffer from similar symptoms. After all, her experience in talking to people was quite sparse.

“It is quite a problem,” Celeste massaged the bridge of her nose. “Anyway, yeah... I’m starting to feel bad for ending the conversation so forcibly earlier. We can go back and join them once I’m done doing this whole explanation if you want.”

“... S-Sure,” Nyssa gave a shaky double thumbs-up while pausing mid-step with her legs spread. “Sorry, I’m very awkward. Yes, whatever you’re saying sounds good.”

“Don’t worry, it’s cute,” Celeste laughed while covering her mouth. Looking away and changing the subject before Nyssa could react, she nodded her chin back towards the three boys behind them. “So, before you came.. Well, that’d be before today, so until the end of last term, I spent most of my time hanging out with those three. I’m pretty close with Electra since she’s the girl I'm closest in age to, but well, I’m sure you can kinda guess why I don’t hang out with her too much.”

“Ryker?” Nyssa asked as she moved to the side to pass another group of students. Once the students were past, she leaned in close to Celeste. “Is there something between them?”

“I’m pretty sure they’ve been dating for a while...” Celeste whispered back. “It’s really ambiguous to be honest. Maybe it's a more complicated relationship? Who knows. Anyway, that’s beside the point. Well, I guess that’s part of the reason why we’re having this conversation. Useful nonetheless, yeah?”

Watching Nyssa bob her head down once more, Celeste couldn’t help but feel warmth begin to blossom in her chest. A cute mannerism indeed...

“Anyway, as I mentioned, I used to just hang out with Conrad and the others,” Celeste held open a door for Nyssa as they entered one of the cafes on campus. “And, the thing is, Conrad... How do I say it? Sees a lot of himself in popular media. Especially in things like anime. He has black hair, he has a good backstory, a strong set of powers, and his powers are very game-like.”

“He has something like a system, right?” Nyssa confirmed as she and Celeste walked into the cafe and began perusing the menu. “What are you thinking of getting?”

“I’m in the mood for a sorbet, but I’m not completely decided yet,” Celeste scanned the menu hanging on the wall up above the register. “Yeah, it’s like one of those in-game systems. It’s obvious when he uses it at least. Blue and red panels begin manifesting themselves around his eyes as he scans things.”

With Nyssa already done scanning the menu, Celeste asked for her to wait a second. “Sorry, I’ll wrap up both my ordering choice and this little... anecdote of sorts really quickly. So, he’s an only child unlike Albion and Titus. Both of those two also have sisters, so they have some experience talking to women, but I think I was Conrad’s first female friend so he’s... sort of interpreted it as fate giving him a female lead. Which has then led to his pursuit of me. It just feels a little objectifying at times to be honest which gets on the nerves.”

“I... see, yeah that’s awkward,” Nyssa’s voice quieted down as she saw the three boys come into view. Leaning over and giving Celeste a hug. “Sorry, I don’t quite know what to say. I’m glad he has good intentions as you said.”

“Yeah, that’s the saving grace, otherwise I’d have reported his ass to the administrators,” Celeste laughed while returning the hug. “Let’s go order now and not block the doorway.”

“O-Oh yeah, for... for sure, yeah, totally,” Nyssa stammered out as she looked around. Feeling her ears get hot, she felt bad for involving Celeste in such public skinship. “What are you thinking of getting?”

“I’m just going to get a sorbet, orange flavored though,” Celeste tapped her chin as they walked up to the register. “I was thinking about ice cream, but I can get as much as I want from Albion.”

“As much as you want?” Nyssa questioned as the store’s chimes sounded from the three opening the door.

“You’ll see,” Celeste chuckled as they came to the front of the line and placed their order. Reuniting with the three boys after everyone finished picking up their orders, they moved up to the second floor and took a seat on the balcony.

“Why did we choose to sit outside...” Titus shivered as he took a sip of his steaming hot coffee. “Especially when we knew Albion was with us.”

“T-The view and privacy,” Conrad’s teeth chattered as he pulled his coat tighter around himself.

“I don’t know what you all are talking about,” Albion retorted with a dry smile. “I think it's quite warm right now.”

“Of course you think it’s warm, you’re the one sapping all of our heat,” Celeste shook her head as her heart began pounding to make up for the lost temperature. “Also, Nyssa, see what I meant?”

“... Yes, I see why Titus said you have a problem Albion,” Nyssa murmured while looking up and down the hill of ice cream cups Albion had. He couldn’t even get a tub either! He had ordered a cup of each flavor. “Is this a regular occurrence?”

“Mhm, it is,” Titus nodded with a long sigh. “He’s been doing this since we were children.”

“I can stop at any time, I’m telling you, I just choose to get this much for my own personal happiness,” Albion picked up his spoon. “Now, which to start with.”

“Perhaps the one that’ll get you to rehab,” Titus raised an eyebrow while taking another sip of his coffee. “If you were one of my younger siblings this habit would be gone by now. Then again your older brother and sister have both tried to stop this and have both failed.”

Nodding along, Nyssa just took in the conversation. She couldn’t help but feel it was a little hard to participate with so many people, but... then, again, she didn’t know what she expected for a first day.

It was good enough that she was friends with Celeste...