Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-06
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Get the record and the record player from Juan Fowler's home.
Following Juan to his house yet again, you find that, unsurprisingly... no one's home.
You: (It looks exactly the same as before. It's almost as if no one's actually living here...)
Juan Fowler: Mom and Dad are both out...
Juan Fowler: Mr. Lawyer, Miss [Player], you can make yourself at home. I'll go fetch the record and the player.
You watch Juan run into one of the rooms in the back before turning your gaze to the furnishings of the living room.
The wilting bellflower atop the table fits perfectly into the coldness of the place.
After a few minutes, Juan reappears. he carefully walks back with two boxes of different sizes.
Juan Fowler: I found them!
Juan Fowler: The small box holds Dad's vinyl records and the bigger one has Mom's record player.
A thin layer of dust coats the box that had been carefully packed away. Looks like it has been a long time since anyone used it.
Artem: Let me see.
Artem opens both boxes and Juan carefully takes out the records and the player from their respective boxes.
Juan Fowler: These have a lot of dust on them too. Let's clean them up.
Juan cleans the dust off the items in a practiced manner. Maybe his parents did the same thing in front of him before.
You: (Items that used to be well taken care of are now covered in dust...)
You: (Is it due to them being busy? Or is it because they no longer want to see these items anymore?)
As you ponder the reasons, you suddenly realize that Artem, who had been cleaning the records with Juan, has suddenly stopped.
His eyes appear extraordinarily clear under the sunlight, but you can catch a trace of sadness within them.
You: (And what's Artem thinking about?)
You think back to what Artem had been about to tell you back at the office the other time.
What did he want to ask you back then?
Juan Fowler: See? Much cleaner now!
Juan's voice is full of hope as he places the now clean records before you.
Artem: Yup. You did a great job, Juan.
Artem smiles softly, and those emotions that slipped out every so slightly are hidden once more.
Artem: The vinyl records are well-maintained and the record player's almost new. They should all work as intended.
You: Great!
You: So... what do we do next?
Artem: Let's go to Southeast Stellis Street to purchase some lantern lights and bellflowers. It'll take us some time to purchase everything, so we should get it done with early.
You: Okay. We'll go with that then!
Buy some colored lights and grandiflora flowers in the shop on East South Stellis Street.
Upon reaching Southeast Stellis Street, all of you head straight to the mall.
You purchased the lantern lights without much issues.
When you reached the store and explained the reasons behind your purchase, the staff was more than happy to comply and provide everything you needed.
However, you run into an issue once you reach the flower store to purchase some bellflowers.
Floral Clerk: We are terribly sorry, but you're asking for more bellflowers than this store has to offer...
Artem: Do you know if we can order it from anywhere else?
Floral Clerk: It's not in season right now. I think it'll be hard for you to find that many bellflowers in Stellis right now.
Juan Fowler: Is there really... no other way...?
Juan hangs his head in sadness, still unwilling to give up.
Floral Clerk: Sorry, kiddo.
Floral Clerk: Different flowers have different flowering periods. It's impossible to find good blooms if it's not in season...
Floral Clerk: There are still many other beautiful flowers this season has to offer. Why don't you have a look at them?
Juan Fowler: But... we just need bellflowers.
You: We need it for a special purpose, so...
Floral Clerk: I see. I really do apologize.
The staff slightly bows her head in apology, offering a polite smile as you all leave the shop.
Juan Fowler: What do we do now...?
Juan hangs his head with sadness written all over his face.
You: ...
Looking at him like this makes your heart feel heavy. Loss weighs down the air for a while.
Artem's voice is what breaks the silence that lapses.
Artem: I have an idea, but...
Artem: I'll need your help, [Player].
You: What is it?
Juan Fowler: You've got an idea?
Artem's words pique both of your curiosities.
Artem: This.
Artem points to the stationery store located further down the street.
The shop window is decorated with paper origami flowers. From a distance, they look no different from their actual counterparts.
Artem: If we can't buy them, then why not make them?
You: Good idea! I can help!
Artem: Right... although my handicraft skills might not...
Juan Fowler: I'll teach you!
Juan Fowler: I learnt how to fold paper bellflowers in class!
Juan Fowler: We'll definitely make some beautiful ones!
Artem: All right. Then, let's go and purchase the materials and find a place to make them.
Make handicrafts while having some fresh taro milk in the drinks shop!
After buying all the necessary materials, all of you go straight to the drink shop in the CBD.
Juan Fowler: Okay, let's start!
Juan rolls up his sleeves, holding both scissors and colored paper. He looks just like a tiny teacher.
Juan Fowler: First, cut the paper to this size.
You and Artem follow the steps one-by-one.
Juan Fowler: Cut it, fold it in half, then trim off this small corner...
Juan Fowler: Uh oh, that's cutting off a little too much, Mr. Lawyer.
Artem: ...
Juan Fowler: Make the angle smaller, like this... Then, open it and stick the unfolded part onto the bamboo skewer.
You: I did it! How does it look?
The first paper bellflower takes shape in your hand, and you can't help but lift it in the air and show it off.
Artem: It's stunning.
Juan Fowler: It's beautiful, Miss [Player]!
Store Clerk: Excuse me, these are the three fresh taro milk you ordered...
Store Clerk: Oh? Are you all making paper bellflowers?
After serving the drinks, the staff member lingers by your table.
You: Ah, yes...
Store Clerk: You have so many materials... How many are you planning on making?
You are just about to reply when Juan opens his mouth and replies with great enthusiasm.
Juan Fowler: We're making lots of them! They're going to be decorating the scene of the marriage proposal!
Store Clerk: The scene of the marriage proposal?
Juan's voice rings clear, and the word "proposal" caught the attention of many...
Instantly, the other customers in the store turn their eyes to your little group.
Boy: Huh? Someone's going to propose here!?
Girl: Wow! You're putting so much effort to fold all those paper bellflowers yourself!
Juan Fowler: Yeah. I want to recreate the scene of Mom and Dad's marriage proposal...
Juan Fowler: It's a very, very, important ceremony. So, I got them to help out as well.
Boy: You want to make so many flowers with just three people? Sounds like no easy feat.
Girl: Hey, kiddo. How about we help you too?
Juan Fowler: Really? Thank you, nice lady!
Juan beams sweetly, and soon, more people have gathered around.
Middle-Aged Man: Let me help too. Otherwise, when are all of you going to finish making that many?
Granny: I used to make lots of paper crafts when I was younger too. This will be great as a refresher.
Middle-Aged Woman: I say we should all help them! The more hands the merrier, right?
Under Juan's influence, more of the drink shop's customers join in.
The making of paper bellflowers, which would have originally taken a long time, is completed with everyone's help.
You: (Brilliant! We even managed to finish them much earlier than we expected!)
Juan Fowler: Thank you! Thank you, everyone!
Store Clerk: Glad to be of assistance.
Granny: I've not made any paper crafts in years. It's good to exercise my bones once in a while.
Girl: Good luck, little guy! I'm sure your parents will be surprised and happy to see these.
Juan Fowler: Yup! I'm sure they will!
Artem: Let's go to the central plaza and do up the decorations first.
You: Okay! One more step left!
Take the prepared stuff to the Central Plaza.
Juan Fowler: We've worked hard for so long, this is the final spurt.
You: Sometimes, I really doubt your age when I hear you talk...
Juan Fowler: Hehe!
Juan is prepared to move some things when Artem reaches out to stop him.
Artem: These items are heavy. Let me.
You: Okay. Then leave the decorating to us.
You: Juan, you'll be in charge of bringing your Mom and Dad here then.
Juan Fowler: Okay! I'll be on my way!
Central Plaza
Together with Artem, recreate the proposal site on the Central Plaza as best as you can.
You: First, set up the hooks. Then, hang the lantern lights... Like this?
Artem: I had a look earlier. There are hooks on the central plaza's banister, so we don't have to install them ourselves.
You: That makes it much more convenient for us!
You: No wonder the central plaza's such a popular place to hold wedding ceremonies. They even have places where you can put up lights!
Artem: I'll put them up. [Player], can you pass me the lantern lights?
You: Of course.
You: Artem, it's a little crooked! Move it a little more to the right...
Artem: Like this?
You: Yup. Looks good.
Artem makes swift work of it, and soon, all the lights have been hung in their respective positions according to the photo provided.
You: It looks very promising! I'm sure they'll look breathtaking when lit!
Artem: Yeah... I bet it will be a sight to behold.
Artem: How should we display these paper bellflowers?
You didn't manage to get actual bellflowers, so there's no way you can recreate the flower archway that had been there during the actual marriage proposal.
But... it'll feel like something's missing if you don't hang them up somewhere.
You stare at the twinkling lights that have been strung up. An idea flashes through your mind.
You: Why don't we thread some flowers on a string and hang them on the lights?
You: It'll look like a curtain of flowers hanging down... I think it'll look pretty good.
Artem: All right. I'll try hanging them up.
Artem: Done. Is this what you had in mind?
A slight breeze blows past, making the curtain of paper flowers sway gently in the wind.
You: It looks great! It turned out well!
Artem: Let's try turning the device on just in case.
You: All right.
You carefully take out the vinyl record and place it into the record player. Artem then connects the player to the stereo speakers the clerk back at the dessert store had lent you all.
After a few moments of white noise, a smooth melody flows from the speakers.
You: Okay, everything's working!
Everything is ready. The journey of memory shall begin!
The central plaza is decorated with glittering lantern lights and curtains of flowers. A melodious tune comes from the record player...
The preparations have been completed without a hitch, and Octavio Fowler and his wife arrive just in time.
Mrs. Fowler: Ah!
Seeing the scene before her eyes, Mrs. Fowler's face, which had exhaustion written all over it, lights up in surprise.
Octavio Fowler: Err... Who set all this up?
Octavio Fowler still looks relatively calm, but his slightly shaky voice betrays his emotions.
"I want to spend my life with you."
"Share in the unending evenings and afternoons."
Octavio Fowler: This is our...
Mrs. Fowler: From the proposal...
The married couple who once loved each other dearly stand at opposite sides of the flower curtain, looking at one another from afar.
The song is timeless. You wonder if it will make them remember the hope and anticipation they once had for the future.
Mrs. Fowler: "Watch the tulips embrace by the windowsill."
Mrs. Fowler: "Listen to the sounds of flutes and bells in the distance."
Mrs. Fowler: "While away the time together slowly."
Mrs. Fowler hums along with the song with watery eyes.
Octavio Fowler: *sigh*...
No matter how indifferent their feelings have grown, the nostalgia for the distant past still brings out the softer sides of both.
With sighs of melancholy, the estranged Fowler couple slowly approach each other, walking under the curtain of bellflowers once more.
The song ends, and you and Artem bring Juan up to them.
Mrs. Fowler's eyes are red as she pats her son's head.
Mrs. Fowler: Juan... What's this all about?
Juan Fowler: I prepared this together with Mr. Lawyer and Miss [Player].
Juan Fowler: Mom, Dad... This is my gift to you.
Octavio Fowler: What's going on here, Mr. Wing?
Artem: Juan came to the law firm to ask for our help in recreating this scene...
Artem gives him a brief summary of what happened.
After hearing what Artem has to say, Octavio Fowler heaves a deep sigh.
Octavio Fowler: Thank you, and sorry for troubling you both... *sigh*
After thanking him, he bends down and gives Juan a tight hug.
Octavio Fowler: Juan... Dad was the one who broke his promise. Dad promised to protect you and Mom forever...
Juan Fowler: Dad...
Octavio Fowler: I'm sorry...
Octavio Fowler straightens up and apologizes to Mrs. Fowler, who is choking back tears.
Octavio Fowler: When I proposed to you, I promised that I'd never make you shed another tear.
Octavio Fowler: I'm sorry that I didn't manage to keep to my word.
Octavio Fowler: At first, I worked hard so that I could provide you with a better life. I didn't want you to be troubled...
Octavio Fowler: But now, it looks like I'm the source of the trouble.
Mrs. Fowler: Me too...
Mrs. Fowler: I didn't want to face my problems at all, so I used work as a means to distract myself.
Mrs. Fowler: Actually, I've also made my share of mistakes, but all I've done is to blame it on how busy you are, and how indifferent you've grown...
Octavio Fowler raises his arm, wanting to put it over her shoulders. But after a moment's hesitation, he lowers his arm instead.
Octavio Fowler: *sigh*...
Juan Fowler: Mom, Dad... Are you really going to divorce each other?
Juan Fowler: Can you really not be together anymore? Like before?
Juan is no longer as emotional as he was before. Instead, he wipes his mother's tears away as an adult would.
Octavio Fowler and his wife exchange looks with each other before shaking their heads.
Mrs. Fowler: Juan, we... can't give you an answer right now.
Mrs. Fowler: Your dad and I have a lot of problems between us...
Mrs. Fowler gazes gently at Juan.
You have seen her anger, her scorn, and her pristine elegance. But you have never seen her looking quite as relaxed as she does now.
Mrs. Fowler: Juan... Mom's heart used to be full of anger and resentment.
Mrs. Fowler: But, today... when I saw what you've prepared together with them...
Mrs. Fowler: I remembered how I and your dad used to be really in love with each other, and that we did have happy memories together.
Mrs. Fowler: I don't have any regrets now, but your dad and I may have forgone too many things that cannot be made up for in such a short amount of time...
Juan Fowler: ...
Octavio Fowler: Son, I will promise you this.
Octavio Fowler: Dad will think it through, for real this time. And I will do my best, one more time. Okay?
Juan Fowler: Yeah!
Juan's gaze shifts between his mother and father. He still looks as if there is something he doesn't quite understand.
However, he doesn't voice the question, choosing to gently hug them instead, using his small hands to pat their backs.
Not all promises are about a happy ending. Some are the promise of the beginning of hope.
The record player continues playing Mrs. Fowler's favorite song on a loop.
Maybe the record player will no longer be dusty in the future.
Everything has ended. Leave with Artem first.
Artem quietly takes your hand and leaves, not wanting to intrude on the family's heart-warming moment.
You are overwhelmed by emotions on your way home.
You: Now you understand the meaning behind helping Juan recreate this scene.
Artem: Hmm?
You: Whether it's Mr. Fowler, Mrs. Fowler, or even Juan...
You: Perhaps... it's only by remembering past happiness that one can truly learn to reconcile completely.
Artem: After all of this, the Fowlers should be able to re-evaluate their relationship with each other.
Artem: Maybe their issues might take a turn for the better...
You: It'll be great if it does!
You: Also, after all of this, I feel like... communication and companionship are really important.
You: I think things wouldn't have turned out like this if they'd noticed the growing divide between them earlier...
Artem says nothing. He quietly watches you.
You: What's wrong? Did I say something I shouldn't?
Artem: Nothing. I just remembered the flower language of bellflowers.
You: Flower language?
Artem: Yes. The bellflower holds two meanings. One of them is eternal love, and the other is hopeless love...
You: One flower with two completely opposite meanings?
You: That's like...
Precisely how the Fowlers' relationship is like.
At first, they hoped that it will last forever, but in the end, their relationship stayed true to the dual meaning of the bellflower.
You: ...
Artem: Right, [Player]. Let's head back first, shall we?
You: Hmm?
Artem: There are some things... that I didn't know how to tell you before. But now, I think I know how.
Your curiosity is piqued.
He's saying it in such a solemn manner, so it must be something of importance, right?
You: All right.
You hold his hand and follow him in the direction of his house...
Summary
Evidence
"I Want to Spend My Life With You"
A song adapted from the poem with the same name. But the band who played the song had already broken up. This album symbolizes an end.
