Short Story ─ Lucy in Love

*Sigh*

Lucy was at Erselica's mansion due to certain problems that happened between her and Jude.

Recently, Rudel defeated Derrick, now everyone was spending a lazy life while waiting for the new semester to start.

Today was special, so she was pensive and sighing.

"I want to have a boyfriend."

"W-what was that?"

Lucy was in Erselica's room because they were the only girls in a place full of men, Cana is younger than them so Lucy doesn't consider her as an adult like Erselica, at least in age she is.

Erselica was baking Chlust's clothes which he destroyed again by flexing his muscles, Lucy was helping her as it was boring to be in her room.

Hearing something the heroine of this part of the game said, made Erselica break out in a cold sweat.

Looking out the window, Lucy was replying a little depressed to the girl on her side who was terrified.

"You see, today is supposed to be Valentine's Day. And, I don't have a boyfriend."

"I-I know. B-But what about it?"

(First of all, the new heroine should say that about one of the capture targets, not say it so lightly.)

Lucy looked at her a little sheepishly.

"I-I just... unlike previous years where I didn't mind having one. This year it really bothers me a lot."

"I-is it because of Jude?"

"Of course not."

Replied Lucy a little annoyed just remembering what a stalker Jude was. But then she relaxed as she kept talking.

"It's just that seeing how everything in my life is changing, it makes me think it's about time I got a man to protect me."

Realizing what she said, Lucy became upset and tried to correct herself.

"I don't mean it in the sense that I want to do intimate things! I mean it because it would be nice to have someone reliable to help me like what happened recently with Jude!"

"I understand... but you don't need a boyfriend for that, I think just having good friends is enough."

"True... but..."

Lucy ducked her head and mumbled something that Erselica didn't hear.

"But you can't hold his hand in public places or ask him to kiss you, friends don't do that, only boyfriends do."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing~."

"More importantly Erselica-chan, what time are Rudel and company coming back from shopping?"

"I don't know, the sun is setting so they should be here soon─"

"Lucy! Erselica! We're here!"

Rudel and the others had arrived.

"Erselica, Liam broke a very expensive vase and the store says they're going to charge you for it!"

"You didn't have to say that, Bradford! It was an accident and I'll pay for it myself!"

"Huh? With what money are you going to do it? Besides, how the hell did you think I'd have candy inside!"

"... It was curiosity."

Erselica froze as she heard Liam give her more debt, not before noticing Lucy jump out of bed running quickly towards the stairs.

She followed her as out of nowhere she had a lot of energy.

As she came down too, she noticed something that shouldn't have happened.

"How did you guys do? It looks like you bought a lot."

"I bought only what I needed, but these idiots insisted on buying things I didn't want."

"Hehehe, looks like you've got it tough."

"No kidding."

"... Huh? What the hell?"

Erselica watched a scene that should never have happened, Lucy was talking to Rudel, there was nothing weird about that.

What was weird was Lucy's expression as she talked to him.

Her cheeks were red, she was playing with her hands behind her back and even took his hand to lead him to prepare the food together.

Rudel didn't think anything of it, but Lucy looked at him in a very affectionate and gentle way, even her treatment of others didn't reach the same level as Rudel.

"Rudel, hurry up, we must get the food ready for everyone."

"I don't want to, let Allen handle it."

"If you help me I'll give you a bigger portion."

"Let's cook."

"Hehehe, what a pushover you are."

Erselica understood what Lucy meant by seeing her act so happy.

She collapsed on the floor as her eyes rolled around in circles and the others came to her aid.

As they all shouted her name, she just cursed Rudel.

(Stupid brother! You really did it! You've changed the plot of the game in your favor again!)

Valentine's Day is a special day to show your feelings to that person, but for Erselica it became the day the game was unintentionally ruined forever.