Otome Game Sample

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t = Tsun, hot headed boy from the academy (temporary name)

p = Celia, the main character

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"..."

"The summer heat is searing. The sun bears down on me without relent, in no rush to be setting any time soon."

"..."

"My throat is parched, my every breath I take in like fire--any water I had brought with me long since depleted."

"..."

"...And the cicadas. Oh, the {i}cicadas{/i}. They chirp endlessly, as if to mock me with every step I take in what is seeming to be an increasingly misguided journey."

"It seemed so simple, too. When they said this place was safely nestled away within the wilderness, far from prying eyes, I didn't expect it to be {i}this{/i} well hidden."

"I've scaled up this mountain and trekked through the residing forests for what is beginning to feel like an eternity now. I lost my sense of direction long ago...about the same time the endless screeching of those damned {i}cicadas{/i} finally got to me."

"Why do such bugs exist anyway? What do they bring to the world, other than their {i}maddening{/i} cries."

"Nothing. They bring nothing. They clearly exist just to add further misery into this already crushing journey."

"My legs feel like lead with every step I manage to take forward. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take, and I still haven't even caught so much as a glimpse of this fabled academy."

"But I can't give up. I came here for a reason--one I intend to see through, even if it kills me. My body is driven on by sheer determination alone, even if the rest of me has long since given up."

"What would {i}he{/i} think if I were to call it quits here and head back home with my tail between my legs? He would never want to see me at all if he knew I were such a coward."

"And so, I press on. Through the heat. Ignoring the thirst. Blocking out the...cicadas."

"I can do this. I can {i}do{/i} this. I can do {i}this{/i}!"

"...Some water would be nice, though. And maybe some shade. ...And some earplugs."

p "Argh!"

"I thump a nearby tree with my fist, sending several cicadas scattering for cover. I've reached my breaking point."

"More sweat than person at this point, and completely sapped of strength, I crumple to my knees. Even if I wanted to stand up, my body refuses to listen."

"It seems even the fuel that was determination has completely run dry at this point, too. If even that can't move me forward now, what can?"

"I take a hard, long look to the sky, forced to squint as the sun shines ever brighter. I can feel those words that I never thought I would say begin to bubble up."

"I..."

"I give--"

t "Hey!"

"...? I must really be losing it now. I could have sworn I heard a--"

t "Uh...are you okay?"

"My eyes still bleary from the bright rays of the sun, it takes me a moment or two as I struggle to comprehend the figure now making their way to me."

"Gradually their features become clearer, revealing a boy clad in a peculiar outfit now standing over me."

"Scruffy of hair and lax in stance, he looks me over with a complicated expression, as if unsure how to proceed with such a scene before him."

"I can only give him a blank look in return, still unsure if he's even real or but a figment of my frazzled mind."

p "...--er..."

"I try to speak, but my voice comes out in a dry rasp. It hurts to even attempt to form words."

t "'Er'...?"

"The boy tilts his head at me. ...Great. At this rate I might die of dehydration before I ever manage to get my point across."

p "Wa...--...water..."

t "Oh! Uh, hang on a sec'..."

"His eyes lighting up, he pats down his pockets for a good moment or two before finally retrieving a bottle from the depths of his outfit. Fresh...cool water. What a sight for sore eyes."

t "Now, I don't really have a lot of this left, so make sure you only--"

"His words falling on deaf ears, I snatch the bottle away with what little remaining strength I have left and down the contents in a flash."

t "H-hey! Don't go crazy!"

"The water quells the fire in my throat and already I can begin to feel some of the life return to me. Before I know it, I'm already staring down the end of the bottle, the last drops trickling down."

t "Well... Whatever. It looks like you really needed it."

p "Thank you."

"He takes the bottle back with a sigh before looking me over once more, his eyes narrowed."

t "You must be the new student looking to enroll that everyone's talking about, right?"

p "Yes, that's right."

"Newly invigorated, I clear my throat and straighten up. What an embarrassing state to be found in..."

p "Which must mean that you're..."

"He grins bashfully, picking at the light blue hem of his sleeve. His outfit seems vaguely reminiscent of something somebody belonging to a school of martial arts might wear, which I guess is appropriate given the nature of the academy."

t "Ah, you noticed? Yeah, I'm a part of the academy, too--an intermediate student at that."

p "I see. Which must mean you know of its whereabouts, correct?"

"His shoulders sink a little and his smile fades. Maybe he wasn't happy I ignored how he was an 'intermediate'? Though, I'm not really sure what that signifies."

t "Of course I do! In fact, I was actually sent out here to track you down, since everyone was expecting you to arrive hours ago."

p "Ah, well... I ran into some unexpected...complications. I didn't expect the wilderness to be so dense."

t "It might seem a bit daunting at first, but soon you'll know this place like the back of your hand like we do. It's better this way, as it keeps the academy nice and hidden."

"Maybe {i}too{/i} hidden..."

t "Don't worry, though. I can take you to the academy no problem."

p "I would be really grateful if you could. Thank you, uhmm..."

t "Oh, I'm Tsun."

p "Thank you, Tsun. I'm Celia."

"I extend my hand to him with the faintest smile I can muster after having nearly been boiled alive. He gives my hand a look, his own hand wavering for a moment before he opts to scrub through his hair instead."

t "A-ah, well. I guess we should get going."

"...Not one for physical contact then. I let my hand fall back to my side with a shrug."