Artem "Sparks"/Rewards

Story 1

Scene 1: Camp Site

After a five-hour ride, the tour buses park side-by-side next to a beautiful and open green field.

Our location for the company retreat has country vibes with green hills and misty mountains in the distance.

However, no one is in the mood to enjoy the scenery after getting off the bus...

Colleague A: Pukes...

Colleague B: Wheezes!

A bus full of people got car sick. People scramble to move their luggage away and retrieve stools so that the ill can sit and rest.

Kiki quickly sets down a folding chair for you.

You: Ugh...!

You hold your chest as you tried to hold off the urge to vomit. You can hear someone growling from the back.

Celestine Taylor: I can't believe you! This is what happens when I put you in charge of the bus! Everyone got car sick!

Celestine Taylor: Why were you even working on the bus? Do you think your partner will do nothing? Did you really think the others wouldn't follow suit?

Celestine Taylor: The mountain roads are enough to make anyone sick! Staring at their laptops only made it worse!

Hearing that, you hold onto the tree, attempting to stand up in a hurry.

You: ... Celestine... That's not what happened...

Soon after leaving the firm, Artem received a call and immediately pulled out his laptop and began to work.

Everyone became tense upon seeing him enter work mode. Everyone ceased everything, afraid of making a noise that might disturb him.

It was too awkward to just watch him work, so you pulled out your laptop too, which started the chain reaction.

You: ... So... that's why everyone... Pukes!

Celestine Taylor: Okay okay, stop talking!

Celestine quickly run over and sits you down. Then, she glares fiercely at Artem.

Celestine Taylor: It's still your fault! If you didn't start, no one would've followed!

Artem: ... You're right.

Artem: I should have been more aware of my actions since they could affect the employees. I'm very sorry.

You: Then I am responsible too! I was the one that started the chain reaction...

You: As an adult, I should make my own judgments and be able to take care of myself.

You: So, Celestine, regarding today's incident, I also share 50%... Pukes!

Celestine Taylor: ...

Perhaps it was the dramatic ending to your act that finally puts a smile on Celestine's face.

Celestine Taylor: Forget it. Leaving a workaholic like you in charge of the entire bus was a bad decision. I am responsible too.

Celestine looks across the grass field at her car sick colleagues. Some had recovered and were walking about slowly.

Celestine Taylor: How about this? I'll bring the others to a farm nearby to pick some fruits and vegetables.

Celestine Taylor: MC is in pretty bad shape, so you stay here and take care of her.

You: But...

Celestine Taylor: You should rest. When you're ready, head over to the stream nearby. Maybe you can catch a fish for dinner!

Celestine laughs as she pats your back. Then, she leads a large group of your colleagues towards the farm.

Suddenly, you and Artem are alone.

Artem: Wait for me here.

Artem looks for something in the car for a while and returns with a cup of water.

Artem: Sniff this first.

Artem holds the freshly-cut ginger up to your nose. The spicy smell goes straight to your head.

The smell instantly clears your head and you feel much better.

As Artem hands you the cup, you can see the steam wafting from it. It smells faintly of vinegar.

Artem: I added some vinegar. It'll help with the car sickness.

You reach out to take the cup, but Artem holds onto it.

Artem: I'll hold it. Just drink.

With no energy to fight back, you slowly sip from the cup as Artem holds it.

The feeling of car sickness fades as the warm water with a little vinegar soothes your stomach.

Story 2

Scene 1: Woods

Artem: Are you sure you're okay? I can go fishing by myself.

You: I'm okay, I'm okay! I'm feeling much better! It'll be good for my body if I walk and get some fresh air!

You: Look, Artem! A chestnut!

You use two branches to form a chopstick to pick up the urchin-like burr.

You show Artem the crack in the shell, revealing two chestnuts within.

You: I always thought that chestnuts grew on trees like apples and peaches.

You: It wasn't until I watched a video recently that I learned chestnuts have a furry shell.

While you are looking for other chestnuts, you spot various fruits on trees and vines in the distance.

You: Melons and dates!

You run excitedly over to the trees, jumping a couple of times in an attempt to reach the fruits. Frustrated, you finally gave up.

You: ... Why did it grow so tall...

A pair of hands reach over your head. Artem picks them with ease and places them in your fish basket, carrying it in your stead.

Artem: I didn't know you know so much about wild fruits. These are pretty rare ones.

You: I couldn't tell the difference until recently. I follow a video blogger that shares about rural food and life.

You: The video blogger often posts about going into the mountains to pick wild vegetables, which he then turns into delicious food.

Artem: You're interested in rural lifestyle?

You: Yes. Especially when I'm exhausted from work.

You: Seeing the beautiful Arcadia-like places in the videos and the poetic way of living relaxes me.

You: I would even sometimes daydream about renting a place there if I can afford it. One with a garden and an ocean view.

You: What about you? Have you ever considered changing your lifestyle?

You regret it almost immediately. Artem, who works even on vacation, probably doesn't get tired, much less than want to change his lifestyle.

Artem: I haven't thought about changing careers, if that's what you mean.

It's just as you thought...

Artem: But, I like to watch movies and take leisurely drives to relax.

You: Eh? You also feel the need to relax?

Oh crap... you accidentally said that out loud!

Artem: ... Looks like you have quite the misunderstanding about me.

Artem: I like my job, but that doesn't mean I don't get tired.

Artem: I do relax after having solved a big case, or if a case is particularly difficult and I can't find a headway.

Artem and you arrive at the stream and Artem finds a shaded spot under a tree.

Artem: Let's fish here.

You: Okay, then I'll wash the wild fruits!

You crouch beside Artem and place the fruit-filled fishing basket into the stream, planning to grab a small melon.

As you pick up a melon, you feel a tickling sensation on your fingertips. You flip your hand over...

And you see a black furry caterpillar, about as thick as your finger, crawling up your hand.

Seconds feel like minutes, or even an eternity, as your mind goes blank.

Huh? A scream? Yours? Probably... There's a distant sound that comes through the haze.

You cannot breathe or move. Petrified, you can only watch as the caterpillar inches its way up your arm.

Closer... Closer...

Finally, a hand appears and brushes the caterpillar off.

Then, he holds onto you tightly.

His embrace is strong yet gentle. The numbness slowly fades as you regain mobility big by big, starting from where he holds you.

The blood flow returns to your body. Your vision is clear once again.

It is only then that you realize that you are leaning heavily against Artem's chest.

While holding onto you, Artem squats by the stream, washing your arm.

Artem: There. All clean.

He stares at you, his face mere inches away. A familiar woody scent burns into your nose.

You can hear a pounding heartbeat through the thin jacket. Yours? His?

You: ...

Artem: ...

Clatter! The fishing rod Artem had left on the ground jerks upwards.

You also "jump" up from Artem's arms, jolting along with it.

You: A... a bite!

You quickly try to pick up the fishing rod that he'd left on the ground earlier, but it slips within your grip.

The wet fishing rod is hard to grasp, and the fish on the line is fighting for its life. You can't hold one.

Artem: Calm down.

Artem grabs it, stabilizing the fishing rod that was shaking violently.

Artem allows the fish to splash around freely. As it slows down, Artem begins reeling it in.

As the huge fish is pulled from the water, the water splashes to form a small rainbow under the sun.

You: You're amazing, Artem! Such a huge fish, with such ease!

Artem: You need to be calm when fishing. The action of lifting the rod and the timing of reeling it in is important.

While talking, Artem begins to reel in the fishing line.

Suddenly, the fish, as if realizing its imminent death, thrashes around wildly, slipping into the water.

The fishing rod bends deep towards the water and the line taut, as the fish fights for its life.

Calmly, Artem holds the rod firmly upright. You can clearly see the strong and well-defined muscles of his arms.

The fish finally tires itself out.

Artem: There.

Artem removes the hook from the fish and places it in the basket.

Artem: There are many factors to consider when fishing, including the breed of fish, water depth, lure type, and seasons.

You: I didn't know that there were so many things you have to pay attention to when it comes to fishing.

Artem: Sorry, this is probably a boring topic.

You: Not at all! I feel as if I've opened the door to a whole new world. It's interesting!

You: I'm just a little envious, watching from the sidelines...

Artem: I can teach you in the future if you want.

You: Not today?

Artem: You've had a rough morning on top of the initial car sickness. Rest for now.

Yeah, fate seems intent on keeping you on your feet at all times this fine morning...

You sigh as you feel the exhaustion spread throughout your body.

You: I guess I'll find a place to rest for a while...

You scan your surroundings and spot a clean and large rock, deep in the woods, that you could lean on.

You are suddenly pulled back just as you are about to head over.

Artem: Don't!

You: What's wrong, Artem?

Artem loosens his grip on your wrist. He coughs lightly, ears bright red.

Artem: ... I was just going to tell you not to stray too far away. if something were to happen, I'd be too far to help.

Recalling the incident just now, a chill runs down your spine. You nod as you sit down next to him.

You: You're right!

Story 3