Very pushy

<Saki POV> 

Once we had ordered ourselves some drinks, Lyra instantly got to talking. It wasn't anything special, but it really brought back memories of when we hung out in my previous life. The topics she brought up were very similar, but just had this world's twist to them. 

For a moment, it felt like life had returned to how things used to be. It may be just for a short moment that I feel this way, but I had a sense of peace that I haven't felt ever since I got here.

It was as if I was unintentionally speedrunning to the bad ending in my previous attempt. Perhaps that was meant to be my fate originally, but thanks to the apple, I was able to prevent Lyra's death. 

There is still more to come, but as long as I can avoid Raja and April, then no more trouble should come to Lyra. 

"So what do you usually do with yourself?" Now that the general topics were over, Lyra started to get a little more personal. 

"There isn't much to do so I mainly read and do a little bit of writing." Now that I thought about it, there was hardly anything to do. I didn't have any money for all the cool magic tech, so I was left with the basics. 

"Ooo can I read what you're writing?" Lyra instantly jumped onto the writing, which I haven't even started yet. 

"I-I haven't really started anything yet, just little things until I latch onto an idea." I fidgeted, as it was a little embarrassing to say I do something but actually have nothing to show for it. 

"That's okay, I don't mind reading over any drafts that you may have." 

"I see, thank you." 

'Looks like I have to go home and write some stuff just in case Lyra decides to come over.' Suddenly, I felt the pressure to write something, as I didn't want to fail to meet Lyra's expectations. 

"Anyway… this may be a bit much to ask, but is alright if I come over tonight?" 

"..." It took me a moment to process what Lyra had just said to me. I was not expecting her to be so bold. Is this how she usually flirts with women? Is this normal? 

'Hang on, what about her parents? Wait, I wouldn't know she has issues with them. I guess I should ask if her parents would be worried to get that backstory.' I needed to be careful with the knowledge I have, otherwise it would turn out to be a pretty awkward conversation and I might be seen as a stalker. 

"What about your parents? Won't they be worried?" It would also buy me some time to decide if it's a good idea to let Lyra come over. I wasn't even sure that my mother would allow it. 

'I feel like she would, but I don't know how she would react. She died when I was quite young so I never really got to see how she reacted to me inviting friends over.' It was something I guess I will find out today. 

"Ah, I haven't told you. I absolutely hate my parents, so don't worry…" Lyra gave her speech about her parents, which I already knew. 

*

"So, is it okay if I come over?" Lyra looked at me with devilish eyes, and I suddenly felt like I was in danger if I said yes. 

'My mind and body are telling me yes, so why am I hesitating.' I was again faced with the dilemma of how I should feel about Lyra.

'I have the apple, so it isn't like I can't reset if it leads to a bad ending.' Thats it! The apple that I am currently carrying with me is my insurance. I should indulge while I can and see where it leads and if it goes to shit I can just reset. 

"S-sure, but I don't know how my mother will react." There was, of course my mother we still had to go through, but I felt better about getting closer with Lyra as I could just reset. 

It sounds messed up, but I wanted to get over this agonising feeling I've had for the entire day. 

"Sweet, if I can't, then that's fine, worst case scenario, I just fly back home." Lyra smiled, which gave me a warm feeling. 

"Is there anything else you want to do before we go? If not, we can start walking to my house." We had been sitting here chatting for the past hour, so if we didn't leave now, then it would feel too late to do something else. 

"Hmm, no. I didn't have anything else in mind, so we can leave now." 

"Alright." I felt my heart rate skyrocket as I was actually doing this. This is technically our first day knowing each other and yet she already wants to come over. 

'We are just destined to be friends, right? Surely Lyra isn't this bold when she is interested in a woman.' I was trying to rationalise it in my head, as it wasn't out of Lyra's character to do this. It was more the fact that I couldn't believe it was happening to me. 

A small part of me wanted to act weirded out since this isn't how romance is meant to be. But then I argue to myself that I already know Lyra, so what's the issue? It isn't like I know nothing about her, which tends to be the problem with relationships that go too fast. 

"Also don't feel like you have to pay me back for today. I planned to pay for everything and trust its hardly a dent in my finances." Lyra gave me another smile, melting my heart once again. 

"T-thank you." I really hope I'm not blushing right now. 

"Hehe~, no worries." Lyra then quickly walked to the counter to pay for everything and once she was done, we began to walk to my house. 

Luckily, it isn't a long walk and thankfully, I know the way this time thanks to my previous attempt. 

*

"Before we arrive, what's your mother like?" It was a fair question, as I probably made it sound like she was strict. 

"Oh, she basically runs the house and looks after me. Without her, I probably wouldn't be organised at all, haha." I was very used to living by myself already, but no doubt, without her, I would not have survived this world. 

I doubt I'd show up on the first day of the academy if she wasn't here. 

"I see, I'm guessing since you've never had anyone over, you're worried she might not approve?" Lyra hit right on the mark, but it was also the fact that Lyra is a noble. I still don't know what kind of view my mother has on them and as far as I know, she will also despise them. 

"Y-you could say that, but it's also the fact that you are a noble, I don't know how she will react to that kind of information." I figured it's best to let Lyra know, as the last thing I want is for my mother to suddenly get hostile. 

There was a past I still don't know, which involved my absent father so realistically, I know nothing about my mother. 

"Well, besides the snobs in the academy, generally there isn't a negative view of nobles. The main issue just comes from the common element families. Since they have been around for so long, they tend to be more… arrogant to say the least." Lyra gave a bit more context on how nobles are seen, which makes sense. 

The oldest families would hold the most conservative views, while more recent ones are probably more frequant and come from being peasants. 

"I would say otherwise, but I guess that makes sense. There was no way to really distinguish anyone in the city from commoner to noble." There was also a detail that I completely glossed over and that was how everyone blended in together. 

There were clear standouts, but never did I think this place was ridden with nobles or commoners. 

"I don't blame you, but yeah, there is no real visible hierarchy." It was an interesting contrast and made me feel like everyone at the academy was a teenager, but in reality, we were all adults.

'Maybe since we live longer, we are still seen as kids.' Another perspective I haven't thought of is that adulthood may be much later. It would explain why it has such a high school vibe, but in reality, everyone just sees us as kids. 

"Enough about nobles, how far are we?" We had been walking for a while now and without realising it, we were close to my house. 

Suddenly, the nerves kicked in, but I'm sure it will be fine. 

"Not far, just one of these houses coming up." My house was in sight and the anticipation was building. If my mother said yes, then what are we going to do? There isn't even much for us to do inside, plus nothing has happened at the academy for us to do any gossip about!

'Calm down, let's just get there first before we start freaking out.' Turning to my house, I walked up to the door with Lyra closely behind me. Slowly opening the door with my spare key, I peaked inside to see if my mother was visible.

"Well, hello miss. You seem to be back quite late on your first day."