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| |stageType=Story | | |stageType=Story |
| |name={{PAGENAME}} | | |name={{PAGENAME}} |
| |previousStage=Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-05 | | |previousStage=Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-10 |
| |nextStage=Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-07 | | |nextStage=Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-12 |
| |stageCost=None | | |stageCost=None |
| |firstClearReward=None | | |firstClearReward=None |
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| {{SL|You|Let's go.}} | | {{SL|You|Let's go.}} |
| }} | | }} |
| {{Script
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| |scriptHeader=Key Evidence: Southeast Stellis Street
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| |script=
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| {{Float|{{Background location|name=Lamont Russo's Residential Building|location=Lamont Russo's Residence|image=Misc Location - Bedroom 1.png}}}}
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| ''Cooperate with police to monitor the conversation between Ronan and Lamont Russo.''
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| You and Artem arrive at the familiar residential building and head to the unit number Captain Morgan gave. After knocking on the door, Captain Morgan lets you two in.
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| It is an apartment near Lamont Russo's residence. Inside the room, several officers are busy at work.
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| There is a listening device in the center of the coffee table, and a technician is fiddling with the settings.
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| {{SL|Darius Morgan|This unit has been converted into a homestay, the most suitable location for close surveillance that the police could find on such short notice.}}
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| {{SL|Darius Morgan|The undercover police operation was successful. He posed as property management and installed a listening device in Lamont Russo's home.}}
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| Captain Morgan hands you and Artem a pair of earphones.
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| {{SL|Darius Morgan|Now it's up to Ronan.}}
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| A group of people is gathered around the listening device, waiting for Ronan to show up.
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| Shortly after, you hear Ronan's voice over the headset.
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| {{SL|Ronan|Professor Russo, the police came to talk to me today.}}
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| There is no emotion in Ronan's voice, only calm.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|What did you say?}}
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| Lamont Russo's voice quickly followed, sounding relaxed.
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| {{SL|Ronan|I did exactly as we had planned. I didn't say anything.}}
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| After Ronan finishes, Lamont Russo doesn't immediately respond.
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| You look nervously at Artem, who was staring intently at the audio band on his monitoring device.
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| Soon, you hear a smile in Lamont Russo's voice.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|I don't know what plan you're talking about.}}
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| {{SL|Ronan|Understood... Professor... As for Fiona, you won't hold her accountable, right?}}
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| There is a subtle tension in Ronan's voice, and you react by clenching your hands together.
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| {{SL|You|(Will Lamont Russo notice?)}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|I won't hold her accountable if she hasn't done anything illegal.}}
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| {{SL|You|(Oh no... Lamont Russo has his guard up.)}}
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| Ronan falls silent.
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| Artem frowns, waiting.
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| {{SL|Ronan|I hope you will make good on your promise. I... have evidence of your illegal activities.}}
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| Hearing this, the atmosphere in the monitoring room becomes tense all of a sudden.
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| However, Lamont Russo's tone remains unchanged.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Oh? How did I not know that?}}
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| {{SL|Ronan|You may have monitored my electronic devices, but you know that's not a foolproof solution, right?}}
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| {{SL|Ronan|Otherwise, you wouldn't be here negotiating with me.}}
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| Lamont Russo seems dumbfounded as the silence halts the conversation once more.
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| But when his voice sounds, the hearts of everyone in the room tightens.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Strange... You would never admit it to me...}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|You were afraid I'd find evidence... What's going on with you today...}}
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| You hold your breath as the voices fade.
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| Suddenly, you hear the loud friction of clothes rubbing, followed by the sound of bumping into furniture.
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| After a clear smashing sound, you hear Lamont Russo's voice again.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Even you're plotting against your professor...}}
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| Lamont Russo's breath grows unsteady for the first time, but the gloating in his voice sends shivers down your spine.
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| {{SL|You|(Ronan's voice recorder has been discovered...)}}
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| You can't help but look at Artem. His hands are clenched into fists, visibly more nervous than you are.
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| You stroke his arms to console him, and he shakes his head to signal that he's fine.
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| {{SL|Ronan|Professor! Don't be stubborn!}}
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| Ronan cries out without warning. Stripped of his voice recorder, Ronan's breathing becomes more erratic, and even his voice is trembling.
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| You close your eyes at Ronan's sudden outburst.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Stubborn? Ronan, let me tell you, you're the one being stubborn!}}
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| Lamont Russo seemed to be caught up in Ronan's emotions, his voice becoming louder.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|I detest attorneys who call themselves agents of justice! Hahaha, what agents of justice...?}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|There's no such thing as justice in this world.}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Only money! Only money is eternal!}}
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| Lamont Russo's anger pierces your ears.
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| To hear such horrible words from your former professor... you take a deep breath.
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| Calming down, you look at Artem.
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| {{SL|You|...}}
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| Artem sits there motionless, as if he has become a statue.
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| Expressionless, Artem's face is gloomy under the light. You see a hint of sadness.
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| Before you can do anything, Ronan speaks again.
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| {{SL|Ronan|...Professor, look at you now. You're like the devil.}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Hahaha, listen to you. You've been with me for more than a year, and you're still saying such naive things.}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|It seems I haven't taught you enough.}}
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| {{SL|Ronan|Y-You've... taught me things I'll never forget!}}
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| Lamont Russo had pushed the right buttons. You hear the sound of Ronan grinding his teeth, but Lamont Russo seems to be enjoying himself even more.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|No, it's not enough! How can I let someone as smart as you only falsify and destroy evidence... Everything has been done superbly.}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|I blame myself for being too soft and getting you involved too late. Otherwise, how could you dare to rebel against me?}}
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| Artem gives his tie a hard squeeze.
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| {{SL|Ronan|Getting involved too late... How many other students do you have under your thumb?}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|I can't tell you. Even if they've left Stellis University, they are still my helpers, my obedient dogs.}}
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| You and Artem exchange a look, and you see the repressed anger and pain in his eyes.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Ronan, you're such a bad dog. What a shame, I thought you'd make the best hunting dog ever.}}
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| {{SL|Ronan|Professor Russo, aren't you afraid that I already gave the evidence to the police?}}
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| When Ronan says this, the atmosphere in the room darkens. Captain Morgan motions for two officers to go upstairs and monitor, just in case.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Save it—what evidence could you possibly have? The blade at the bottom of the lake or the clothes burnt to a crisp?}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Do you expect the police to fish through the whole lake on a rumor? Do you know how much that costs?}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Captain Morgan won't be able to apply for an operation of that size!}}
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| {{SL|Darius Morgan|...}}
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| {{SL|You|(Professor Russo, you've incriminated yourself.)}}
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| Ronan seems to be defeated by Lamont Russo's words and doesn't respond.
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|Ronan, do whatever you want. But we're done here.}}
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| {{SL|Lamont Russo|See yourself out.}}
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| After confirming Ronan left, Captain Morgan has officers in plainclothes take him back to the station.
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|
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| And he takes the rest of the squad to invite Lamont Russo for a trip to the station.
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| {{SL|Darius Morgan|I need to go now. Here's the key, leave whenever you want.}}
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| {{SL|You|See you later, Captain Morgan.}}
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| You sit down beside Artem, who has been silent for a long time.
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| From what Lamont Russo just said, the whole story can be deduced.
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| Everything is basically what Fiona said in the article: Lamont Russo exploited his students, coerced Ronan to commit a crime, and even engaged in illegal activities himself.
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| {{SL|You|(Except.. the truth was more brutal than what was described in the article.)}}
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| You let out a deep sigh and put your hands over Artem's hands.
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| {{SL|You|Artem, are you okay?}}
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| {{SL|You|(Artem was pleased when Ronan volunteered and decided to help the police solve the case.)}}
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| {{SL|You|(But now...)}}
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| Artem hasn't said a word ever since Lamont Russo showed his true colors,.
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| {{SL|Artem|I'm okay.}}
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| Your words interrupt Artem's thoughts, and he takes your hand, trying to smile warmly.
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| {{SL|Artem|Don't worry, I'm not forcing myself. After all, we were expecting this, right?}}
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| {{SL|You|Then why do you look so solemn right now...?}}
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| Over the past few days, you and Artem have investigated the case, and you know the concern he showed for this teacher-student relationship.
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|
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| Artem thought the duo deserved praise and wished them good luck.
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|
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| However, even when the truth was ominous, Artem still did what he could to salvage it.
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| There's no one who understands what he's feeling right now more than you.
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| {{SL|You|Knowing something in your heart and hearing it are two different experiences, right?}}
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| Artem no longer pretends to smile, looking at you with fatigued eyes.
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| {{SL|Artem|Yes.}}
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| Seeing this, you lean on Artem's shoulder, wanting to give warmth in this way.
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| Artem takes your shoulders so you fall entirely into his embrace.
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| You can feel yourself being desperately needed by him.
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| {{SL|You|Are you sad?}}
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| {{SL|Artem|Yes.}}
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| His chin rests on the top of your head, and his low voice reaches your ear.
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| {{SL|You|I knew it.}}
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| You put your arms around his waist and snuggle closer to him.
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| {{SL|Artem|But I'm not disheartened. It's just... a physiological phenomenon that takes time to digest.}}
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| Artem's voice is calm while explaining his feelings, as if he's afraid you are too worried.
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| {{SL|You|I understand. Me too... I'm here to help you digest this physiological phenomenon.}}
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| There is no wavering or confusion between you and Artem... only sadness.
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| You know that there are no words to ease the sadness at this moment.
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| Just a silent hug.
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| {{SL|Artem|Let's not delay any longer. Ronan is still waiting for us at the police station.}}
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| {{SL|You|Yes.}}
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| }}
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| |summary=
| |
| |characters= | | |characters= |
| {{Character|name=Artem Wing|image=Artem character icon 1.png}} | | {{Character|name=Artem Wing|image=Artem character icon 1.png}} |
| {{Character|name=Darius Morgan|image=Darius Morgan character icon.png}}
| | |
| {{Character|name=Lamont Russo|image=Frederick Yang character icon.png|nolink=true}}
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| {{Character|name=Ronan|image=Ronan character icon.png|nolink=true}}
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| |locations=
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| }} | | }} |