Artem "New Skies"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 2. Artem has confessed to the MC, and the two are a romantic couple.

Artem invites the MC to the open house day of his high school, Stellis No.1 High School. While waiting for him, the MC inspects the school's exhibition room. It displays photos and profiles of the school's principals and top graduates. The MC finds Artem's profile in no time. He looks much the same as he does now, serious but bashful. Below his photo contains a long list of awards. He really was a straight-A student. Shortly after, Artem arrives and meets up with the MC.

Artem chances upon a former classmate, Spencer Harrison. After introducing the MC as his girlfriend, Spencer recounts how Artem cleared up a misunderstanding and defended him and his friends against an accusation that they were bullying Artem. Because of this, Spencer has great respect towards Artem.

After their short chat with Spencer Harrison, Artem leads the MC to a special place in the school. Keeping her in the suspense, he asks her to close her eyes. He even borrows her hairpin, seemingly using it to pick a lock, which greatly surprised her. Guiding her, Artem takes her to the school's rooftop. While the MC admires the scenery, Artem takes out two lunch boxes he prepared that morning. The MC subconsciously feeds Artem a bite, prompting them to recall a list they once saw from school's forums - "Top 10 Things for Campus Couples", which made both of them a bit embarrassed. The MC's impression of Artem as a high school student is someone who strictly followed the school rules and was super popular with the girls. Artem confirms only the first part. After a while, they hear a security guard about to arrive.

Artem declares that he will just talk to the security guard. Feeling a bit rebellious, the MC tells Artem that she does not want to be found out. Initially startled, Artem then quickly takes the MC to hide. They are acting like two school sweethearts out on a secret date. After successfully dodging the security guard, Artem leads the MC to an empty classroom.

The MC tells Artem that he looks a bit different from his high school photo. For example, his eyes now look sharper. And compared to before, he now looks sweet. As Artem listens, the intimacy in the air shifts a bit. Before anything else could happen, a pair of students suddenly walk past, snapping Artem and the MC both to reality. They then walk together towards the school field. The MC wonders if Artem would have kissed her if no one had passed by the classroom. To stop thinking about it, she asks Artem if he was ever caught in the rooftop. He reveals that he almost got caught once, and this was when he was practicing for a chorus competition. He just wanted to do well despite being a bad singer. He tells her that he's not as good at everything as she thinks. He asks if she's disappointed about learning this. The MC tells him that she's happy rather. She loves getting to know him better with each passing day.

A female student passed by and asks Artem and the MC if she can take their pictures. Knowing that Artem doesn't take pictures often, the MC is about to reject the girl, but Artem says that they can have their picture taken if the MC wants to. The student proceeds to take pictures. After a while, she remarks that it seems Artem loves the MC so much. All pictures look very intimate, with Artem always looking at MC, so they end up being not appropriate for the school paper. Artem reveals that he's bad at photos and he's really stiff in them, so a photographer suggested before that he ignore the camera and just focus on an object he's interested in. The MC realizes the implication. She tells Artem that he does not need to force himself to accommodate her. But he says that he will want to try things with her so that she may see more sides of him in the process.

Illustrations

High School ImpressionAs expected, Artem was also a total brainiac in high school.

Video Call

Video Call		Artem: New Skies (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Artem: It's me. I just got home. Were you... waiting for me?

Artem: The traffic was all right. I ran into an injured stray cat and helped it a little.

Artem: Don't worry. It's safe now. The animal shelter will find a new home for it.

Artem: Stray cats are actually not that common in this neighborhood anymore.

Artem: But there are a lot of stray cats on campus. I saw the photos some alumni posted.

Artem: Back when I was at Stellis University, there was a fat orange cat. It was very lazy and not afraid of people.

Artem: I saw it every day in front of the law department. It always "interrupted" classes.

Artem: Which class? Hmm... Philosophy of Law, I think. The professor teaching the class seemed to really like cats. He was very tolerant of it.

Artem: You saw it in your classes too?

Artem: ...Nothing. I just was thinking how there's something amazing about fate.

Artem: We went to the same university, studied the same things, and met the same cat...

Artem: Yet, before you came to Themis, we had only heard each other's names and never officially met...

Artem: Do I have regrets about that...? I used to, but I've changed.

Artem: No matter when we met, what's important is that we are together now. With you by my side, I have no time to think of past regrets.

Artem: ...It's getting late. You should get some rest soon. Good night.

Story Locations

Stellis No.1 High School

Themis Law Firm
Pantry

Stellis No.1 High School
Exhibition Room

Stellis No.1 High School
Office

Stellis No.1 High School
Rooftop

Stellis No.1 High School
Classroom

Stellis No.1 High School
Sports Field

Stellis No.1 High School

Story Characters

Artem Wing

Kiki Bennet

Spencer Harrison

Ms. McGregor

Security Guard A

Security Guard B

Visitor A

Visitor B

Female Student