Marius' Sweet Chapter 02-06
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
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Guide
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Script
President's Office
Marius looks a bit tired. Go talk with him. After Edison leaves, Marius sits down and pinches the bridge of his nose.
You: Are you tired?
Your mind is full of questions, but your intuition tells you this is not the time to ask them.
Marius' fatigue is almost visible to the naked eye, and your heart aches at the sight.
You: (Although Marius sounded confident, in reality, it must have been hard to keep that up...)
Marius: A little...
He rubs his face against your hand gently as if seeking comfort.
Marius: Oh, [Player]. I think... I need you to coddle me.
Marius gently shakes your arm as he speaks in a whiney voice.
You: How do you want me to coddle you...? Want me to buy you candy?
You: Or should I tell you a fairytale?
Marius: What? You're not being sincere at all.
Marius: I want you to kiss me...
Marius looks up at you and points to his cheek.
Suddenly, an idea pops into your mind.
You: Let's skip work!
Marius: ...Huh?
He looks up at you with a surprised expression. It's the first time you've seen such a vivid expression on his face today.
Marius: That's not a bad idea.
He laughs again with a much more relaxed expression on his face.
Marius: Presidents don't really have standard work hours.
Marius: So I'm technically not skipping work.
You: ...
You: Fine, Mr. President. So do you want to go with me or not?
You hold out your hand, and he grabs it without hesitation, pulling himself up close to you.
Marius: Yeah! Take me away, Miss.
Accompany Marius to take a break in the park.
The two of you arrive at the park. The lakeside area is very quiet because it's a weekday. It's so silent that you can almost hear the sound of the ripples created by the wind.
You: Sorry. I suggested that we skip work but I couldn't think of a place to go...
You: All I could think of was to go for a walk in the park...
Marius: It's fine. I like it here.
Marius: It's tranquil and relaxing.
To not ruin the tranquility, you and Marius deliberately keep your voices down.
Marius: Do you want to sit over there on the bench? We can bask in the sun...
You: Okay!
You: What a lovely day!
The two of you sit side by side on the bench. You feel mentally and physically rejuvenated basking under the sun's rays.
You feel as though you're being lifted up gently by the soft clouds, or cleansed by the sweet and clear mountain spring.
Marius: Exactly. It's nice to skip work!
You turn to him and gently smooth the wrinkles on his eyebrows.
You: Stop frowning and just relax.
The two of you simply sit on the bench in silence, but your hands are firmly clasped together.
After a while, Marius sits up straighter and turns to you.
He remains deep in thought for a long time. His face looks serious, but also relieved.
Marius: Edison was right about one thing.
Marius: I did want to donate the Xbone Alloy technology a long time ago.
Marius: Giann was aware of that, and he was supportive of it.
Marius' face looks softer when he's talking about Giann.
Marius: Initially, we thought we'd only propose the donation plan to the board when the technology became more stable.
You nod as an acknowledgment, understanding that is the normal procedure when it comes to any business decisions.
Marius: I just didn't expect Edison to do something like that. And that was why I had to expedite the donation plan...
Marius: Fortunately, I'd done my research, and I was already well-prepared for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to handle all the paperwork.
Hearing what Marius said, you remember seeing a photo of Giann with the researchers.
You: (So Giann was already paving the way for cooperation back then...)
Thinking about Giann reminds you of the conversation you and Marius overheard in North Stellis.
Unknown Voice: Mr. Edison, I just want to pave the way for President von Hagen's return.
Unknown Voice: Who knew you would go so far as to anger Mr. Marius.
Unknown Voice: Mr. Marius may be young, but he's a member of the von Hagen family. So this isn't surprising.
You: (Was that Kenji?)
You: (Should I... ask Marius about this?)
You realize that you should just go ahead and ask him about it if you have any questions. Marius wouldn't want you making wild guesses, either.
You: Marius, who is Kenji?
As you expected, Marius is not surprised at all by your question.
You: ...
You: (At times like this, maybe I should just be a good listener...)
You decide not to ask him and let out a sigh.
Marius: Miss, did you want to ask me about Kenji?
You: (Was it that obvious?)
Since he has already seen through your act, you no longer have anything to hide. You nod sincerely.
Marius: Kenny... Or, at least, that's what I call him.
Speaking of the past makes a look of nostalgia appear on Marius' face.
Marius: He's Giann's secretary, just like how I have Vincent. However, the two of them were very close.
Marius: When we were little, the three of us... Giann, Kenny, and I always hung out together.
Marius: Kenny has always been like a big brother to me.
Marius: That's why... I'm especially familiar with his voice.
Under the golden sunlight, Marius' expression is gentle, yet there is a hint of sadness mixed within.
His choice of words is subtle, but you immediately understand what he means.
So the person you heard in North Stellis was Kenji after all. Marius had recognized him right away.
You: (Was it because of Kenji that he chose not to walk into the room and expose Edison right away?)
You: (He's like a brother to Marius, and he's an old friend of his brother's. Marius doesn't want to believe that he would betray them and do something like this...)
Marius: Vincent looked into it and confirmed that the evidence Edison provided is real.
Marius: But, I still don't want to believe it...
Marius: I'm still trying to think of an excuse for him.
He looks at you. The sorrow in his eyes is deep like a bottomless pit.
You: Marius...
At this moment, he looks fragile and helpless.
You: If you don't want to believe it, then don't.
You: This time, we don't need to rely on anyone, nor do we have to listen to anyone else.
You: Let's go and find the truth for ourselves and make our own judgment this time, shall we?
Marius: Find the truth for ourselves?
You: Yeah, let's go find Kenji and ask him about it in person.
You: Whether it's a misunderstanding or some kind of conspiracy, I'll still be right here with you.
Marius' eyes begin to water, glimmering just like the surface of a lake after rain.
Marius: Thank you for being by my side, as always. Thank you for your infinite patience and understanding.
He gently brushes aside the hair on the side of your bangs that had been tousled by the wind.
Marius: You're right. No matter what the truth is, I have to ask Kenny myself.
Marius: And with you by my side, I'll have the courage to do so.
You: I'm glad you feel that way.
You: So where do we find Kenji? He must have left the office by now.
Marius: Ever since Giann disappeared, Kenny has stopped contacting me.
Marius: I know that he grew up with his grandma in North Stellis... He used to take me and Giann to his grandma's house when we were little.
Marius: Although he bought a house and moved out, his grandma still lives there.
Marius: Shall we go and take a look there?
You: Sure, let's go.
You quickly pack up your things and get ready to leave.
Marius looks at you. His eyes are sparkling gloriously.
Marius: Thank you, for lending me your courage.
He finally smiles, and the gloominess on his face is gone.
Go to the North Stellis with Marius to talk with Kenji's granny.
Tracing the path from his memory, Marius leads you to an old house.
Not long after you knock, an old lady answers the door.
The door opens, and a hale and hearty old lady appears.
Granny Cienna: Are you...
Granny Cienna: Marius?
The old lady looks Marius up and down and speaks hesitantly.
Marius: Yes, I can't believe you still remember me...
Granny Cienna: Of course, I do. You were such a good-looking kid. And look at you now, you're all grown up.
She stretches out her hand, and Marius immediately takes her hand.
Marius: Granny Cienna, I'm sorry I haven't visited you this whole time...
Granny Cienna: It's okay, young people like you are always busy... And who is this?
You: Nice to meet you, Granny Cienna. I'm [Player], Marius' girlfriend.
Granny Cienna: Oh? Marius has a girlfriend now...
Granny Cienna: Oh, I shouldn't keep you standing there. Come on in...
With one hand holding onto Marius' hand and the other holding yours, Granny Cienna drags the two of you into the house.
Granny Cienna: Take a seat... I'll go get you both some water...
Granny Cienna takes you into her house and is about to get you some water.
Marius: Granny Cienna, let me do it. You should take a seat.
Marius stands up and helps Granny Cienna.
You: Yeah, let Marius do it, and we can have a nice little chat here.
Granny Cienna: Okay, okay...
Granny Cienna nods and sits down next to you.
When both of you are seated by the table, you finally get a moment to take a good look at the house.
The house is old but well-maintained. Still, you can tell that it has been through a lot.
Marius: Granny, let me get you an electric kettle. Boiling water on the stove is pretty cumbersome.
Marius fills all the glasses with hot water, testing the water temperature for Granny Cienna before he sits down.
Granny Cienna: Why do I feel like you're acting even older than me...
Granny Cienna: How are young people these days becoming even naggier than me
Granny Cienna: Kenji is like that too. I don't know why he's so worried about me. I've been living here all my life...
Hearing Granny Cienna mention Kenji, you and Marius exchange glances.
Marius: Does Kenny come to visit you often?
Granny Cienna: He does. I know he's busy and I've told him not to come, but he still does anyway.
Granny Cienna: He bought a new house and asked me to live there with him, but I didn't want to. I've lived here all my life, and I can't get used to those new houses...
Granny Cienna: I insisted on staying, so Kenji still often visits me here...
Granny Cienna: Oh, right. I hope your brother's doing well.
Marius: Yeah, he's doing fine...
Granny Cienna holds Marius' hands with a kind smile on her wrinkled face.
Granny Cienna: I still remember the first time I saw you. You were still a little runt. You were always running around, tailing Kenny and Giann.
Granny Cienna: And look at you now. You're much taller than Kenji...
Granny Cienna: How time flies. The little kid who used to sit on the ground with a runny nose has become the boss of a big company.
Marius: ...
You: Runny nose?
You peer at Marius. Seeing the expression on his face, you know it's true.
Marius: Not really... I think I was just crying...
Granny Cienna: I remember you used to wear an expensive little suit, but you always wiped your nose with it...
You: ...
Marius: Granny Cienna...
Marius looks at Granny Cienna, hoping that she will stop, but she's deeply entranced in nostalgia.
Granny Cienna: I remember now. I still have some old photos.
Granny Cienna: Young lady, are you interested?
You: Of course I am.
Marius: [Player]!
You: Learning more about your childhood is beneficial to our relationship!
Granny Cienna stands up and staggers toward her room. Soon, she returns with a photo in her hand.
Granny Cienna: This is it.
You quickly take the photo while Marius reluctantly pours everyone a glass of water.
You: (He's so cute!)
Unlike what you'd expected of little Marius, he looks a little clumsy in the picture, but for some reason...
Little Marius, with tears welling up in his eyes and a red nose, looks extremely adorable.
A teenager in a black T-shirt is kneeling down, wiping the tears for Marius. The corners of his lips are curved upwards into a caring smile.
Little Marius tilts his head to one side proudly, showing a reluctant face.
Granny Cienna: They were playing hide-and-seek. Marius couldn't find Giann, so he sat on the floor and threw a tantrum.
Granny Cienna: Kenji was trying to comfort him, but he was really stubborn about it...
You: Is this Kenji?
Granny Cienna: Yeah. Kenji wasn't so distant back then.
Granny Cienna is still talking, but the young man in a black T-shirt in the photo has completely captured your attention.
The caring smile on the teenager's face vaguely resembles the one in another photo.
You: (So in the photo back in the office... the person next to Giann was Kenji!)
You already had a vague hunch when you found out that Kenji was Giann's secretary.
But Kenji has changed so much over the years...
In the old photo, Kenji was radiant, like a ray of sunshine, but nowadays, he appears cold and distant, like a snow-capped mountain.
If you hadn't seen this old photo, you would have never been able to associate the person in the group photo with Kenji.
You: (So that's why I found him familiar the first time I met him at Pax.)
You: (I guess I must've seen his face in the photo when I was going through the evidence pile.)
You: (And the photo of Kenji and Giann at the Stellis Medical Research Institute shows that...)
The "Xbone Alloy" is the first joint venture between Pax and Stellis Medical Research Institute.
But Giann and Kenji had already been to the rehabilitation engineering laboratory of Stellis Medical Research Institute a long time before that...
If this isn't a coincidence...
Then it means that Giann and Kenji had already reached an initial agreement with the Institute on patent donation.
You: (Kenji was aware of the patent donation!)
As you continue this train of thought, you are shocked by the conclusion that you've reached.
You: Marius...
As you are about to tell Marius your discovery, the door opens once more.
Granny Cienna gets up in surprise and the smile on her face grows even wider.
Granny Cienna: Kenji! Look who's here!
A man in a suit is standing at the door with a serious look on his face. It is the same Kenji that you met at the bar before.
Kenji: Mr. von Hagen... I didn't know you were here.
Kenji sits down at the table. His tone is cold and skeptical.
His current appearance and attitude towards Marius are in complete contrast to the Kenji in the old photo.
Marius: I'm here to see Granny Cienna...
Kenji: Thank you for your kindness. You've seen her. Do you need anything else?
Kenji's face clearly spells rejection. He seems unwilling to communicate with either of you.
Granny Cienna: Kenny!
Kenji's arrival has made the situation extremely awkward. Granny Cienna gives him a nudge, then looks over to you and Marius with a smile.
Granny Cienna: Don't listen to him. He's always talking about you.
Granny Cienna: It's almost dinnertime. Why don't you stay for a meal?
Granny Cienna: I'll go buy some groceries and make dinner for everyone.
Marius: Granny, I don't want to trouble you...
Granny Cienna: Not at all. I'll just whip up something simple.
Marius: Granny, do you still remember Payton?
Granny Cienna: Payton? Yes, of course, why?
Marius: Payton talks about you a lot. He's always saying how he wants to learn your recipes.
Marius: You know what? Why don't you come home with us? Payton will definitely have my ear for it if I don't bring you back.
Marius holds Granny Cienna's hands and stares at her with puppy eyes.
As expected, Granny Cienna can't resist him either and agrees.
You: (Marius is really good at these things...)
Since she has agreed to come with you despite Kenji's reluctance, he has little choice but to come with you to the von Hagen Estate.
You: (This is probably not the right time. I'll find another chance and talk to Marius...)
