Lyra Owlvil

"To begin with, my parents are pieces of shit. I have an older brother, whom they treat as the golden child and use as a sort of standard. I swear I never go a day without hearing, your brother wouldn't do that or be more like your brother. Luckily, he is nice to me and is the only reason why I haven't been left behind, but there is only so much he can do." Lyra started to explain her family situation, which lined up with my limited knowledge.

I knew her brother was really nice, so it was good to see that carry over, but as for the parents, they have taken the noble cliche of comparing siblings and expecting them to be carbon copies.

"Anyway, my parents would go apeshit crazy if they found out I was with a peasant. Despite not caring about what I do anymore, they still try to keep me on a tight leash." Elaborating on her previous hesitation, it made sense why Lyra would need some time before committing to something.

Plus, it would be better for Lyra since technically she knows nothing about me, yet I know all about her.

'Gosh, this is such a weird dynamic; I would easily be labelled a creep if I started to list off some of Lyra's unusual habits.' Knowing the kind of information I hold, it was hard not to say anything just to see what kind of reaction she would have.

"So with that, I ask you to wait. I want to get to know you better, and I do not want you to misinterpret the feelings of gratitude." Giving an honest reply, it made complete sense and was almost word for word what I said to myself, besides the gratitude part, but little did she know they were real feelings.

'Kind of odd that she gathered we were heading that way from me just saying it was a date. I guess my expression didn't help, but at least things were cleared up before I made a confession.' It was quite the stretch for Lyra to think I had feelings, but in the end, it helped me understand her situation.

"I understand; I'm glad you opened up to me." Having almost forgotten to respond, I quickly came up with a response.

"Good, We should probably make our way home before it gets too late." Lyra suggested leaving, and even though we had plenty of time, she probably needed some space to think.

"Mhm, is it alright if you lead me back to the school? I am not quite familiar with the area yet." I might have been able to make it back without Lyra, but I didn't want to risk it, so I figured I would ask.

"Oh, sure, let's get going then." Both of us stood up from our seats, and Lyra led the way back towards the school.

**

<Lyra POV>

10 minutes ago

"It's fine; we can always come back; I want to come back with you... It was like a date."

At that moment, I wasn't sure if what I heard was correct; it was a little too quiet for me to register what she said, but the redness in her cheeks was enough confirmation.

'Wait, does that mean Saki has feelings for me, even during that time?' Thoughts rushed through my head, with some dots even connecting.

"Haha yeah…" I didn't know what to say, and my mind resorted to a default response. An awkward silence then fell between us, but it gave me time to think, which I desperately needed.

'My family is definitely going to disown me, but now that I have found Saki after surviving that hell, there is some hope in this world. Who would have thought I would randomly wake up as a teenager and relive another 8 years of torture?

It was definitely a shock, but luckily it was easy to adjust, and I found myself living this as my new life. However, there was one thing I found that was missing. Everything else was the same, but I had yet to find one of my only friends, Saki.

I met all my other exes and people I briefly knew, but Saki was the only one I hadn't met.

'I can't believe the degenerate Saki I knew has become a woman... I must say, he has had quite the glow up, and I much prefer this than before, but now because of social class, it makes things so much more complicated.'

*Sigh* 'Why did this world also have to be cruel and make him a peasant? Maybe it's the price of becoming a woman.' It was certainly a dilemma, but I would need to find out what my parents would think if I started dating a peasant before I made any moves.

'For now, I can probably make Saki wait, but I can't leave it for too long before she loses all hope.' Thinking up a plan, the only thing I could do for now was buy more time as I prepared for the worst. I've already been suspended, so it might work in my favour since that will push my parents to not care about what I do with my life.

'Hmm, I should tell Saki that it's because of our social class at least.' Surprisingly, she doesn't know much about the world, but that's a given if she is a peasant. They rarely leave home, let alone get taught much about the world around them.

"It isn't like that!"

"I didn't mean it like that!"

Surprisingly, when I tried to speak up since I noticed Saki was beginning to look depressed, she also spoke up. I internally giggled as this Saki was an exact copy but somehow more endearing. It was weird how, technically, we have only known each other for a day, but we are already considering dating each other.

'Maybe I should have given him a chance.'

"I-I, u-ummm, sorry?"

I raised an eyebrow at Saki's apology, but I could guess there was a bunch of self-doubt going through her head.

"It's fine; don't be sorry... I just ask that we take it slow. I am a noble after all, so I need to take a few precautions before anything." I saw the relief on Saki's face, which was a good sign for me, but there was no denying the slight disappointment in her eyes.

"O-oh, I see."

"Okay, thank you. I may be a loose-cannon noble, but my parents disapprove of my actions quite a lot." I wanted to reassure her, heck, even hug her, but I didn't want to give Saki too much hope, as if things did not go as planned, then all that hope would come crashing down.

"Is it too much for me to ask what they are like?"

Hearing the question provided the perfect opportunity to give Saki a reason to wait and explain why it was so tricky. I usually wouldn't open up about them, but I did not care at this point.

"I'll tell you a little bit, but promise me never to tell anyone about this."

"I promise."

*

After explaining what my parents were like, it was good to see that Saki no longer looked depressed. It was already heartbreaking enough to see her getting bullied and the sad expressions she always wears.

'I need to make sure she stays happy... I don't want to have to go through another attempt again, especially since finally his life was looking good after getting out of such a slump.' Remembering when we became closer friends after high school. There was a time when, if I hadn't visited out of the blue, Saki would not have made it.

'Making me walk in on that is something I can't forget, you bastard.' I felt myself getting emotional, but I contained it as this wasn't the time or place.

'Probably why I am so protective now, seeing the message he was going to leave behind, it was clear he hadn't healed and that it hadn't stopped even after graduation.'

'Oh well, it's in the past now; I just hope I am not late this time.'

***

<Saki POV>

Present time

Arriving close to the school, Lyra and I finally parted ways. I had a good idea of where things were, so next time I wouldn't need to rely on anyone.

Making my way towards home, the streets were empty, which was nice as that meant no one would look at me weirdly. It also made me question if there were any other peasants at the academy, as I realised most of the students I saw in the morning didn't actually attend the same academy.

'Maybe I am the only one.' It would be a dreadful thought, but I felt like that was the case since tests like that are not passable without a noble education.

After being lost in my own thoughts, I finally arrived back home, and for a moment I froze at the door.

'To actually come home and mother will be there waiting.' Feeling happiness well up inside, I open the front door.

"I'm home, mum! Sorry that I was out for so long; a friend I made wanted to hang out!" Declaring my arrival, I also yelled out why I was home later than I should have been.

"Sakiiii!"