Agelong Affection End: Gift
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Story Script
After you have completed all the game tasks, you and Artem look at each other and smile, feeling quite touched.
You: Seven days went by in the blink of an eye. I even feel like... we've only just started.
Artem: It is a rare experience for me.
A pop-up window with instructions pops up on the game interface. You upload game task completion information one by one, then click submit and confirm.
Then, the screen displays a special effect like celebratory fireworks, and a fun-looking font spells out the words "Congratulations on completing the tasks!"
You: There's also a line that says "We hope this fun game has brought you a valuable experience."
You: This game is pretty sweet.
Artem nods. However, his eyes dart away, and it looks like he's deep in thought.
Artem: Mmm, I'm thinking of the time we spent together in the past few days due to the game's simple tasks.
Artem: We planted potted plants together, watched shooting stars together, wrote down our wishes for the next five years, and combed each other's hair...
You: Yup! We also role-played as each other, asked each other questions, and told each other about our fears.
Artem: Yes. I didn't think such a simple interactive game would give us so many unforgettable memories.
Your feelings grow ever stronger with every instance of accidental intimacy, every pounding heartbeat, and every fleeting look you give each other.
Seeing how Artem is deep in thought, you take out the gift you prepared earlier in this touching and happy moment.
Artem pauses when he sees the delicate gift box you offer to him.
Artem: What are you...?
You: Ahem... What are you waiting for? Hurry and accept your gift!
Artem: Gift!?
Artem immediately reacts when he hears you say this, taking the gift with both hands. Unable to stop himself, he then looks at you again.
He carefully unwraps the packaging, and even cuts the outer cardboard box in a neat and tidy way.
Then he opens up the hard case. A pair of smooth and rustic sandalwood combs are lying inside.
Artem: A sandalwood comb set for couples?
You: Yup! I've been considering what to give you for some time, and I was inspired by the interactive game.
You: I thought it might be better to give you something useful, practical, and small that you could use daily.
You: I just wasn't sure if you'd like it.
As Artem listens to you intently, he earnestly lays out the two combs on a clean spot on the table and looks at you with evident, boundless joy.
Artem: I like it. I really like it...
Artem: When I noticed you were acting differently a few days ago, I was wondering whether you'd run into a problem...
Artem: I didn't think... you'd be worried about this.
You: Worried? Not really. But I did have a selfish reason.
Artem: A selfish reason?
You: Because I want to give you a special gift.
You: Something that you can use every day and will retain value even if it gets worn out.
You: And what's better is that it's a gift that will remind you of me every time you see it.
Artem looks at you with some surprise, then his eyes turn eager and gentle.
He takes the smaller wooden comb and gives it to you while placing the larger one in his hand.
Artem: Thank you, [Player]. This gift is perfect. I'll use it every day.
Artem: In fact, I've always liked to experience these ordinary moments in life with you.
Artem: Even though it might be tedious and boring in the eyes of others, it's worth it for me.
Artem: But sometimes I worry... Will you get tired of living like that?
You: I feel like... I won't grow tired even of the most mundane things as long as we're together.
The corners of Artem's lips tilt upwards, perhaps because he finds your words to be funny. He caresses the comb in his hands, and his eyes are full of sincerity and determination.
Artem: I will always inadvertently learn and experience so much about the most precious things in the world through you.
Artem: I hope I can do my best to create a comfortable relationship and bond with you too.
Artem: Because I'm sure you wish for the same thing as me.
You: I get it. Not only do you get too serious sometimes, but you even "confess" without meaning to...
Artem laughs in a low voice, then holds up the comb.
Artem: Why don't we go try out the new combs right now? I want to comb your hair.
You: Of course! I'll leave it all to you, Attorney Wing!
Your loose hair is intermittently parted and gathered.
The soft sandalwood fragrance and Artem's own scent wrap around you.
The touch on the top of your head is very gentle. It feels as if the touch sprouted intangible feathers that tickle your heart, the feeling spreading across your body.
Artem parts your hair and lightly ties it together. However, the rising heat makes you reach out and stop his movements.
Artem softly leans down before the wide mirror, as if he's about to kiss the side of your shoulder.
His action is like a devout and holy deity worshiping the only light he has longed for in his long and endless life.
Of course, you have to ignore his dark eyes being reflected in the mirror. He lowers his eyes as if to look at the ends of your hair, seemingly thinking of something else.
You: Artem... you...
You lean your head up a little and slide a hand into the hair by the side of Artem's face. You then wriggle your fingertips.
Artem: Are you uncomfortable?
His voice sounds rather hoarse.
You: Not really...
Artem: You said you wanted to see my performance. In that case, leave it to me.
The words, tinged with laughter, are also laced with a hint of danger.
You suddenly start to reflect on whether you said something that caused him to misunderstand something.
You: I just feel like... Well, look in the mirror... Don't you think we look... kinda odd?
Artem: ...Odd? How so?
Artem: Isn't this also a natural part of life?
Artem: I suddenly remembered something that I wanted to tell you. I'm going to say it all while you still have the capacity to answer.
You: ...What is it?
Artem: There's a kind of love for me where even touching each other is a sort of gift.
Artem: It is an everlasting love that never tires, only growing stronger as time goes on.
Artem: Just like how we are with each other.
As soon as he stops talking, you feel a slight pain in your shoulder.
The night deepens, and the meandering sounds speak of passionate love.
Illustrations
