Artem "Velocity of Desire"/Rewards

Story Summary

Artem and MC meet up with Artem’s junior high school friend, Martin, who is a professional car racer. Stellis is about to hold an exhibition rally and Martin is invited to be the award presenter. The exhibition rally is an amateur race held regularly in Stellis. Artem reveals that he has been participating in the exhibition rally before. For this year, he asks for MC’s permission if he can participate, which she happily agrees to. Martin mentions that Artem might display a previously hidden aspect of his personality while on the racetrack, which interests MC. Later, Artem has to go to the racetrack a week earlier for training. MC decides to stay behind till the race event proper to not affect their work in Themis. It is the first time that they are away from each other for a period of time. Calls between them are filled with longing and missing each other.

MC finishes her work one day early and goes to see Artem. She sees him while he’s washing a car, seemingly enjoying the task and looking rather “unfamiliar”. Artem greets MC with a hug, and she notes that his actions seem to be more passionate. She reminds him that they are outside so they go back to the hotel as they wait for her luggage. They were drenched by an out-of-control hose along the way, so MC has to change to Artem’s clothes for the meantime. After a while, Martin knocks on the door of their hotel room to bring over MC’s luggage. Artem hurriedly insists to answer the visit himself and barely entertains Martin. MC notes that it’s rare to see Artem clearly expressing “possessiveness”. Artem invites MC to take a bath together.

While drying and in the intimate atmosphere, Artem asks her if she wants him to win tomorrow. She tells him that if he wants to win, then she also wants him to win. Later, Artem leaves to practice one more lap. He tells MC to rest up. Upon his return, Artem continues being clingy and asks MC that they do room service for food instead of going to the restaurant.

It’s the day of the race. MC promises Artem that she will be at the finish line waiting for him. Artem hands her a headset with a microphone attached which she can use to communicate with him during the race if needed. In the race, Artem seems to be ganged up by his competitors and Martin remarks that it will be dangerous if Artem loses his cool. MC decides to use the headset to talk to him. He hears her and assures her he’s fine, and after a while, he finally overtakes the vehicles in front of him. Later, MC goes to greet him at the finish line. As soon as he’s out of the car, Artem walks over to her and kisses her. He thanks her for helping him during the race.

Artem wins the race. During the awarding ceremony, Artem tells MC that it’s their shared victory as they open a bottle of champagne together. Instead of joining the party, Artem chooses to spend time with MC and invites her for a drive. He wants to show her the sunset. He shares that during the race, he realized her influence on him. More than winning, he wanted to get back to her, which is why he was able to calm down.

MC asks about Artem’s possessiveness and clinginess lately. He tells her that it’s been four days that he hasn’t seen her, so he felt like he did not want to share and he wanted her all for himself, but he still held himself back. She tells him that it’s normal for lovers to feel a certain degree of possessiveness toward each other, so he doesn’t need to hold himself back. Suddenly, Artem picks her up and places her on top of the car hood. He tells her that her leniency might make him lose control, but she tells him she can stop him on time before that happens. They kiss, and together they got distracted and misses the sunset.

Illustrations

SharingIt's a shared victory. Naturally, we should celebrate it together.

Video Call

Video Call		Artem: Velocity of Desire (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Artem: Good morning. Did you just wake up? You've got a tuft of hair curling up on your head.

Artem: There's no hurry to smooth it out. It's not messy, and it's pretty cute.

Artem: I wanted to tell you that an international amateur racing competition has invited me to Sicira next month.

Artem: It's a city world-famous for racecars, and it hosts several motorcar competitions every year. I did some research...

Artem: And I found out that my competition takes place at the best time of the year to watch the sunset in that part of the world. Many tourists go there just to see it.

Artem: By the way, Sicira also has competitions where the driver can drive with a passenger. That means I can even take you to experience the speed of a motorcar race if you are keen.

Artem: Didn't we miss the sunset last time? And you only managed to experience the speed of the race through "listening."

Artem: Would you like to use this opportunity to take some time off and make up for the "regret" from last time with me?

Artem: Oh? You want to know what I think...? I thought you'd have guessed it already, with how much I've said.

Artem: It seems you simply want to hear me say it... Okay. Here goes.

Artem: Watching the sunset and experiencing the race with you are, indeed, all excuses. If we put our minds to it, we can do those things in Stellis too.

Artem: I just want to be with you in a city where no one knows us. That way, I can embrace you without any fear or concern, and I can feel your entire presence...

Artem: There's so much that I still need to do, and I'd like you to be involved in everything.

Artem: So... Would you like to go with me?

Artem: All right. I'll book the plane tickets and the hotel, and I'll contact you later.

Story Locations

Cafeteria

Artem's Residence
Artem's Bedroom

Themis Law Firm
Law Firm

Race Track Preparation Area

Hotel

Hotel

Race Track

Parking Lot

Sandy Meadow

Sandy Meadow

Story Characters

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Martin