Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-03
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Ask about the reason why Juan Fowler came.
The cartoon was ending by the time we returned to the sofa.
Artem places the plate of fruits on the coffee table and hands Juan a fruit fork.
The child hits the pause button on the remote, his gaze darting timidly between us and the plate of fruits.
You: Don't worry. You can tell us anything.
Juan Fowler: I... I overheard Dad calling you...
Juan Fowler: He said that he was gonna divorce Mom, and he said this family no longer felt like home.
Juan Fowler: *sob* Dad was never like this in the past...
Juan Fowler: He said that I am his treasure, and that Mom is his heart... How can he not keep to his word!?
You: ...
You and Artem exchange a look. Neither of you say anything.
Juan Fowler: I know that you're both really great lawyers! So... Can you please not take my parents' case?
Juan Fowler: I don't want them to separate. I don't want to become an orphan!
Juan's voice takes on a slightly teary edge as he speaks.
Artem: Don't worry. Your father only came to consult me, he hasn't actually gone through with it.
Artem: They might have just had a couple of disputes with each other...
Artem pats the boy's head and takes a few tissues to wipe his tears away.
Juan Fowler: *sobbing* Mom and Dad used to love each other so much...
Juan Fowler: Just like... Just like you two earlier!
You: Like us, earlier?
Juan scratches his head and ponders for a while.
Juan Fowler: Dad would always hold Mom's hand wherever they go. They'd always be full of laughter and smiles.
Juan Fowler: I don't know why, but things between them feel a little different than before...
Juan Fowler: Be it at home or outside, they're always on their phones or computers, working and working non-stop...
Juan Fowler: All they do is work and work. They never sit down together just to chat anymore!
Juan Fowler: That's why I had a feeling that they were going to break up.
Juan Fowler: Besides taking care of me, they're both immersed in work...
Juan Fowler: Is work really all that important!? Is it more important than me and their relationship with each other!?
Juan's words make you recall Kiki's previous "worries" once more...
(Themis Pantry flashback)
Kiki Bennet: The two of you are lovers now. You should spend more quality time together so that your relationship becomes stronger!
Kiki Bennet: What if your feelings fade, and Mr. Wing falls for someone else because of your neglect?
(Present)
Juan Fowler: Can you help me?
Juan interrupts your train of thought with a tearful plea.
Juan Fowler: Can you help me make my parents go back to the way they were before? Just like how the both of you are now!
Artem: Juan...
Artem softly utters his name and goes silent right after...
In this moment of silence, you understand his unspoken words...
You: (If Juan's gut feeling is right, then his parents' relationship might already be estranged.)
You: (But... how do I tell this to a kid?)
You: Juan, we'd be better off contacting your parents first...
You: They must be worried about you, considering how you ran out. You have to tell them that you're safe, at least.
Juan dejectedly nods and falls silent once more.
Artem's Living Room
Artem is contacting Octavio Fowler. Go talk with Juan Fowler alone.
You: (*sigh* How should I go about comforting him?)
You: (Should I distract him by talking about something else?)
You: (Or should I ask him about his parents' past to distract him from the issue?)
You: Hey, Juan. Do you know how your parents met each other?
Juan Fowler: Of course! They used to tell me the story all the time!
His eyes light up at the mention of his parents.
Juan Fowler: They met at one of their university's clubs. Dad was Mom's senior...
Juan Fowler: They're also in the same industry, so they're together in that sense even if they're not working in the same company...
You: Have they always been this busy?
Juan Fowler: Yeah. But they'll always make time for me.
Juan Fowler: I like building model airplanes, so Dad would always build them with me.
You: I see. What about your mom, then?
Juan Fowler: I love sweet and sour pork ribs! Mom would make them for me every weekend no matter how busy she got!
Juan Fowler: Miss [Player], do you ever quarrel with Mr. Laywer?
You: Huh? Why do you ask?
Juan Fowler: My parents don't ever quarrel with each other anymore... My classmates all envy me, saying that it's great that they don't.
Juan Fowler: But is it really a good thing?
Looking into Juan's eyes, you find yourself at a loss for words.
There is nothing but sincerity and earnestness in his clear eyes.
You: (He likes to watch "Penn the Pony", so how about we talk about it!)
You: I see that you really like "Penn the Pony." Why do you like it so much?
Juan Fowler: Because...
Juan's eyes light up as he talks about his favorite cartoon.
Juan Fowler: Penn is really clever and never backs down from any challenges...
Juan Fowler: Plus... his parents have a good relationship with each other.
Juan Fowler: I like watching the parts where Penn spends time with his family. It reminds me of the times I spent with Mom and Dad in the past.
You: (His parents must have had a great relationship in the past, for it to have made such a big impact on him...)
Juan Fowler: Have you known Mr. Lawyer for long?
Juan Fowler: Mom and Dad met each other at university, so they've known each other for a long time now...
Juan Fowler: What's with all you adults!? It doesn't matter how much time passes. I'll always love the model airplane that my dad bought me...
Juan Fowler: They've had feelings for each other for so long. How can they just split up just like that?
You don't know how to respond to his question...
Perhaps this issue is a little too complicated, and is something far beyond a child's understanding.
Or perhaps... It's because the look he's giving you is both sad and sincere.
You find yourself unable to tell him...
Artem: Ahem.
Artem's appearance makes you breathe a sigh of relief.
Artem: Can you come here for a moment, [Player]?
You nod and look towards Juan, who carefully picks up the remote again.
Juan Fowler: Can I watch another episode of "Penn the Pony?"
You: Sure. You can eat these fruits and snacks too.
Artem's expression looks serious. It seems to be something urgent. Ask him what happened.
You: What's wrong, Artem?
Artem: I've contacted Octavio Fowler, but he said that something went wrong with the project he's working on and that he's currently handling it. Thus, he can't come over to pick up his son right now.
Artem: So...
Artem glances at Juan who is sitting quietly on the sofa, eating fruits and watching the TV. He sighs.
Artem: He hopes that we can send Juan home. Mrs. Fowler's home at the moment.
You: Sending him back isn't a big issue, but...
Artem: Mrs. Fowler is home, yet she hasn't noticed that Juan has snuck out of the house for this long... Don't you think it's a little odd?
You: That's true...
You follow his gaze to Juan. A thought slowly solidifies in your mind.
You: Maybe Juan's gut feeling is right after all...
You: Their relationship only fell apart because of a lack of communication.
Artem: ...
Artem: Let's send Juan back home first. We can talk about the rest after we see his mother.
You: All right.
Make preparations to send Juan Fowler back home safely.
You: Juan, your father says that he's too busy to come fetch you, but your mother's home, so...
You: How about you let us send you home?
On the TV, Penn the pony seems to have gotten into an argument with his family, and is walking alone in the rain.
Juan looks at the two of you, his eyes reddening.
Juan Fowler: I...
Juan is no longer as hysterical as when you first saw him. Instead, he bows his head and sulks in silence.
You: (He still seems a little reluctant.)
Artem bends down to his eye level.
Artem: What is it?
Juan Fowler: I... Can I go back a little later?
You: (Why does this kid not want to go home? What's really going on in their household...?)
Artem gently pats his head.
Artem: Do you want to go elsewhere?
Juan Fowler: Yeah. I-I want to go out and play.
Juan Fowler: Dad said that he was gonna take me to the Amusement Park today, but he isn't even at home.
Juan Fowler: Mom... Mom told me that she was gonna bring me to a dessert shop, but she didn't even bring me out at all...
Juan Fowler: I just want to go out and walk around, but they don't want to accompany me at all...
Juan hangs his head again, sobbing pitifully.
You: Why don't we go with you then?
Juan Fowler: Really? You will!?
You: Yeah...
You agreed without asking for Artem's opinion first... You look at him rather apologetically.
Artem: Of course.
Artem holds your hand in his, acting as if this decision wasn't made on a whim, and that it had been thoroughly discussed with him.
You: Okay, let's head out and walk around.
Juan Fowler: You guys are great!
Rubbing his eyes, Juan's tearful eyes finally light up with joy.
Southeast Stellis Street
Accompany Juan Fowler to walk around along East South Stellis Street to relax.
Juan stops before a vending machine selling drinks. He stares at the assortment of drinks.
Artem: Are you thirsty? Want to drink something?
Juan Fowler: I'm okay... It just made me remember the fresh taro milk near my home! It's sweet and delicious!
Juan Fowler: Mom doesn't let me drink it often, but Dad secretly brings me to get some once in a while!
Juan Fowler: And Dad would get in trouble with Mom when she found out...
Juan Fowler: Dad still brings me there nowadays, but Mom doesn't even scold him anymore... *sob*
He rubs at his eyes, rather upset again.
Juan stops in front of a pet shop and looks at the happy puppy jumping around inside with a smile.
Artem: Do you like dogs?
Juan Fowler: Yup. That's a very cute puppy.
Juan Fowler: I used to want a puppy for myself so that we can play together!
Juan Fowler: But, sadly...
You: You parents didn't agree to it?
Juan Fowler: Mom agreed, but Dad didn't.
Juan Fowler: Dad said that Mom was allergic to dog hair, so we can't keep one out of consideration for her.
You: (Huh. Sounds like Mr. Fowler takes good care of his wife's well-being. So why are they now like this...)
Juan Fowler: I'm not sure if I'll have the chance to get a dog in the future...
Artem doesn't say anything and just pats Juan's head.
Artem: Come on. Let's go look at other things.
Juan stops before a bookstore. He plasters himself to the display and fixates his eyes on the model airplane.
Artem: See something you like? Want to go in for a look?
You: I remember you saying that you liked making model airplanes... Are you interested in the new model airplane set?
Juan Fowler: Yeah, but... I already own all the models they're selling in this store.
Juan Fowler: Dad bought me the full set when it just got released.
Juan Fowler: I used to build these because they're interesting, but later on it's because my parents would join me and build them together...
Juan Fowler: Now... It's been a long time since we did that together...
You: ...
The store's glass display reflects Juan's sorrowful form as he hangs his head. You silently pat him on the back.
Juan Fowler still seems down. Discuss with Artem what to do.
The three of you have been walking around for some time, but Juan's mood has hardly improved.
You gently tug at Artem's sleeve, pulling him aside.
You: What should we do? I feel bad when I see him like this...
Artem: Anyone would feel anxious and lost at a time like this. Not to mention, he's still a child...
You both fall silent.
You know that sometimes, people have to help themselves, and there is nothing you can do as a bystander.
Artem: Right. He mentioned fresh taro milk earlier, didn't he? I know we can buy some at the CBD.
Artem: Let's bring him there and buy him a drink. Maybe he'll feel better after drinking something sweet.
You: Sure! That's a great idea!
You: Wait... I thought you didn't really drink drinks like this? Why do you know this?
Artem: I happened to find out about it while searching for dating tips...
Artem: Ahem. Let's go...
You: All right.
Take Juan Fowler to have some fresh taro milk.
The desserts and drinks you ordered are served not long after you all sit down at the dessert shop. You quickly push them in front of Juan.
You: Here! We got you fresh taro milk. Try it and see if it's the same one you like!
Juan Fowler: Oh! Yummy!
Sweet things always lift one's spirits, it seems. A smile finally appears on his face.
You: Great! You can have more...
Before you can finish, an argument from the next table over cuts you off.
Girl: Overtime, overtime, and more overtime!
Girl: Today's my birthday, and we've just sat down and ordered some drinks. Now, you're saying that you have to go back for a meeting in the afternoon...?
Girl: What's your annual salary, even!? Every day, you're either working overtime, or on your way to work overtime!
Girl: You're just a tiny cog in the machine. Why do you need to work so hard!?
Boy: Come on, Claudia. Please don't be mad.
Boy: We can have our own place once I have enough savings.
Boy: When that time comes, we...
Girl: I know. I know that you're doing this all for our future. But if this continues, I don't know how our current relationship will fare...
Girl: Sorry, I got too hot-headed. Let me cool off for a bit...
Looks like another couple's also suffering from work-related issues.
The entire exchange, from heated outbursts to collective silence, spanned only a couple of sentences at best.
However, you can feel the girl's change in mood and the guy's helplessness.
You: (Does being busy with work really make people's feelings for each other fade?)
Artem: ...
Juan Fowler: Oh...
Hearing the sighs of the couple nearby, Juan thoughtfully lowers his head.
Just as you are thinking about how to break the silence, he rubs his face and forces a smile.
Juan Fowler: Okay, I think I wanna go home now.
Juan Fowler: Can you guys send me home? I live over there. It's very close by.
Artem: All right. We'll accompany you back home.
You: Okay... Let's go.
You hold onto his hand, hoping that your warmth can bring him some comfort.
