Days to Re-Live Forever Event/Birthday Celebration
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Live Studio
On the day of Artem's birthday, you ask Celestine to help make arrangements for him to leave work on time.
And you invite him to the museum with the excuse of "needing more volunteers to help with the stage setup."
To distract him from picking up on your intentions, you talk to him about your volunteer work along the way.
Soon, you arrive at the studio.
Artem: Is the place that needs help up ahead?
You: Yup. Come on, we're almost there!
You try suppress your nervousness as you come to a door. Behind it, lies the scene that you've carefully arranged.
Holding onto Artem's hand, you take a deep breath and push the door open.
Set
You: Happy birthday, Mr. Wing!
You give him your blessings as soon as you step into the room.
Artem: You... This...
He sees a foreign-looking street and a bright window that gives off comforting vibes.
That's the scene you chose. It was the location of Tim and Mary's first date after he went back in time.
In the film, after dinner, Mary stands at the store entrance and asks Tim if he could walk her to the car. That's where their story really starts.
Whether it is the sign on the door, the hanging plants, or the mottled street decorations, it all reminds one of that wonderful night.
Artem: This is the restaurant of Tim and Mary's first date?
You: Yes. I knew you'd recognize it right away.
Of course. You'd made some changes to the original scene, and added the birthday decorations.
Like the rows of colored lights on the roof and flags with "Happy Birthday" on them, and the gifts piled up beside the coffee table.
Among them is the book, The Complete Volume of International Film Scripts.
Facing such a situation, Artem, who's always calm, could not help but look completely surprised.
Artem: So you...
Knowing that it would be difficult to explain everything in one shot, you decide to sit him down first.
You: Okay. I know you must have a lot of questions right now, Mr. Wing, but let's sit down first and try the dessert and coffee I made.
You: Then, I'll tell you the secret.
Artem: So you recreated the scene from About Time because you found out how much I liked the movie?
Hearing about how you collected the stage props, Artem's expression begins to soften.
You: Yes. Birthdays are about making people happy after all, so I chose your favorite film!
Artem: Thank you.
He looks at the furniture around him, gently stroking the window full of hanging plants.
Artem: Tim invites Mary to leave the dull party to come to this restaurant with transparent windows.
Artem: They have dinner here, talk about their lives, and then walk down this road.
You: Yeah. It's such a classic memorable scene!
Artem: And the chef's decoration in front of the restaurant is almost exactly the same. You managed to recreate all of these.
You: Thanks to the film museum. They had these replicas made. I just had to exchange for them with points.
You: By the way, I have another special gift for you. It's another reason why I did all the volunteer work.
You handed the pamphlet to Artem.
You: These are the film festival audience's comments on "Mockingbird."
With the museum's consent, you selected the part of the questionnaire related to the Mockingbird and bounded it into a booklet as a gift to Artem.
Now, you eagerly anticipate his reaction.
Artem: ...
Hearing the name "Mockingbird," Artem is a little surprised.
Artem: Mockingbird? Why are you giving this to me?
You: Well... You may not like those critics on the Internet, but the Mockingbird is different.
You: He has a similar writing style as you... So I thought you would probably agree with him.
Artem: So, you like him?
You: Well, I've read all of his articles many times over. Unfortunately, he never publishes anything about himself.
You: Even the event organizer could only try to invite him online. I would love to find out who he is...
You watch Artem carefully, trying to find flaws in his attempt to disguise his identity. However...
Artem: ...I am the Mockingbird.
Artem admits it straight away.
You: You... So, you're admitting it?
Artem: Judging from your reaction, I supposed you've already guessed it?
You: Yes, I have.
Artem: Sorry. I should have told you.
You: I guessed it the last time I saw you post a picture of the shadow puppets.
You: Then I realized that you and the Mockingbird have a lot in common, which basically confirmed my suspicions.
You: This gift, and also the questions about the Mockingbird that I added to the survey, are my attempts to find out more about you.
Artem: You are the first...
Perhaps it is due to the lighting, but Artem's face seems to glow with a faint shade of red.
Artem: You are the first who've gone through so much trouble for me. I like this gift very much.
You: Well, I'm glad you like it...
Artem's eyes are full of tenderness. You are subconsciously captivated by them.
Artem: I never thought of hiding this from you, but as a film critic, I prefer to remain anonymous.
Artem: Once you reveal your identity, everything becomes more difficult.
Artem: ...I always thought I was very good at maintaining anonymity. I never show my face or post personal data.
Artem: Even acquaintances find it hard to make the connection.
Artem: I didn't think you'd read them so many times.
You: I'm just...
Artem: You're probably the only one who knows about my identity.
You: Rest assured, Mr. Wing. I'm not going to reveal Mockingbird's true identity. This can be our secret, okay?
Artem: Okay. It'll be our little secret.
Suddenly, Artem gently holds your hand.
Artem: Thank you. You have done so much preparation for my birthday.
Artem: Recreating a movie scene, preparing gifts, planning all these things carefully... I like it a lot.
Artem: Because of you, I finally realize what it means to "enjoy the small things in life."
Artem: We're all traveling through time together every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride.
He whispers a quote from the film.
You: This is Tim's last monologue in About Time?
Artem: Yeah. After going back in time again, he realizes the value of ordinary life.
You: I recall. He finally understands that the most important thing is not to go back in time, but to cherish what he has now.
Artem: That's right. Even if such a life will be one full of regrets.
Artem: I watch this film several times a year, but I understand these lines differently every time.
Artem: Like the protagonist, I used to dream about traveling through time to change the facts that I can't control.
Artem: But not anymore. Especially after meeting you.
His ears turn red. The words that reach your ears are loud and clear. You feel your cheeks begin to burn.
You: ...
Suddenly, you find yourself in a romantic foreign street with Artem. The night is blurry, and the lights are mottled.
And Artem, with your hand firmly in his grip, takes you through the stars, until the end of time.
Your Residence
After the festival, the ever-popular Mockingbird refuses to be interviewed and never appeared at the closing ceremony.
But at the invitation of the organizers, he sent an article expressing his views on the festival and the films.
You read the article carefully and see an unexpected paragraph.
Every detail in life brings joy.
So, "All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride."
You: (I will do my best to cherish it.)
Your eyes rest on this paragraph for a long time, revealing a heartfelt yet knowing smile.
Illustrations
