CCG Artem's Route: Vacation Start
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
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Script
Artem's Study
You: Artem, you have so many books... Have you read them all?
Artem: Yes, I've kept a habit of reading ever since I was a student...
Artem: Over the years, I've collected so many books without realizing it.
You and Artem have nothing planned for the weekend, so you decide to look for some books in his house to read.
You enter the study in search of a book, only to be shocked by the sheer size of his collection...
You: There are so many books that I don't know which one to choose...
Artem: Just pick anything you want.
Artem: If you can't decide, I can offer some recommendations.
You: I'll look around. I'll ask for your recommendations if I still can't find anything after!
Artem: All right.
You refocus your attention back on the bookshelves in front of you, running your fingertips slowly across the spines.
However, a book by the name of "Selected Cases of Hopkins & Associates" catches your attention.
You: (Is it about an attorney investigating cases?)
You open the book, flip through the pages, and carefully read its contents.
At that moment, a piece of paper made of shiny cardstock falls to the floor.
You: Eh?
You pick up the piece of paper and realize it's a raffle ticket.
The ticket design is very simple, with only a few geometric patterns on it, as well as a long code of letters written at the bottom left corner.
Artem walks over to you, frowning slightly at the raffle ticket in your hand.
You: I found this in the book...
After a few seconds, his brow relaxes as a look of understanding crosses his face.
Artem: It was probably an event at a bookstore... The bookstore owner must have given it to me when I went to buy some books.
You nod and flip the ticket over. You realize that the expiration date and website are printed on the back.
You: Eh!? The redemption period expires in 3 days.
Artem looks to where you're pointing and nods.
You: Good thing we found it before it expired. Why don't we try redeeming it online? Who knows, we might win!
Artem: Sure, let me try.
Artem opens the website and inputs the raffle code.
You: (The website looks the same as the raffle ticket, plain and simple without any of those fancy images...)
You: (There isn't even any explanation of what the prizes are...)
You: (Was this event organized by a minimalist?)
Beside you, Artem has already inputted the verification code...
The constant clicking of the keys interrupts your thoughts, so your gaze returns to the screen.
But as Artem hits the enter key, nothing happens on the redemption website.
You: Eh, why isn't anything happening?
You: (...Did it hang? I guess it probably won't work.)
You: (Oh well, the prizes were probably more books or gift vouchers...)
*pop*
After a beautiful animation of celebratory confetti, a line of words appears on the screen.
"Congratulations! You have won the grand prize — a getaway for two!"
You: !!!
Artem: ...
You rub your eyes and check the words on the screen again to make sure that your eyes aren't fooling you.
You: A getaway for two from a bookstore raffle? Could this be... a new kind of internet scam?
Artem: ...
Artem: I don't believe so... I still frequent that bookstore, and their business has always been good.
Artem: Perhaps this is for a big event, like their 5th or 10th anniversary...
Artem: So the bookstore went all out and prepared some grand prizes for its customers.
You: (Still, it feels way too good to be true for us to be this lucky.)
You: (But it must really be a grand prize if Artem says it is...)
You: Wow, we really got lucky then!
Artem's lips slightly curl upwards as he reaches out to gently ruffle your hair.
Artem: I've always said you were lucky.
You: No way. You were the one who got the raffle ticket when you bought the book.
Artem: But... you discovered it, didn't you?
You: It seems like good things will keep coming as long as we're together.
You: And for us to find it just before its expiration date... It must be a sign of something.
Artem: I agree.
You: But...
Looking at the screen displaying the winning information, an indescribable feeling rises in your heart.
Both of you haven't been on a trip in a long time, and you are pretty ecstatic about winning such a reward.
However, going for it would mean that the two of you would be absent from the law firm for some time...
You: Artem, is it right... for us to be talking about a vacation?
Artem smiles upon hearing your question.
Artem: Just think about what you want.
Artem: So... do you want to go on a trip?
You: I...
You: (We just finished a case, so we're not that busy...)
You: (If we pass up this opportunity, who knows when the next one will come.)
You: (Yeah, let's just go out and have fun.)
After coming to a decision, you lightly grasp Artem's hand.
You: Why don't we take this opportunity to go out and relax?
Artem is taken aback by your boldness, but he then puts his arm around your waist to pull you closer.
Artem: Yes, I don't want to pass up on this opportunity either.
Artem: The website says the winner can choose their preferred itinerary from the options below.
Artem: This is a very innovative design. I think we can give it a try.
Looking at where he's pointing, you see a number of elaborate travel itineraries on the page.
You: (We can select our own preferred itinerary? I never knew the travel industry was this competitive...)
You: (But regardless, Artem and I will finally get a much-needed vacation.)
Thinking this, you can't help but feel a sliver of anticipation for the upcoming trip.
You: We'll have to make the most of our time and try out all the activities!
After hearing about your "great ambitions," Artem nods with satisfaction.
You: (Making a last-minute decision to travel is sure to stress out our colleagues.)
You: (Forget it, another opportunity will come.)
You: I think... This might be too last minute. Maybe next time?
Artem: You don't need to worry about work.
Artem: The law firm isn't too busy lately, so Celestine can take care of things. You need not worry about burdening other colleagues.
Artem: And... we haven't been out together in a while...
He points at the bottom of the website, signaling for you to look.
Artem: It says the winner can choose their preferred itinerary from the travel plans below.
You: (We can select our own preferred itinerary? I never knew the travel industry was this competitive...)
Artem: I think that this is an innovative and user-friendly design. Don't you want to try it out?
You: ...
Artem had erased all your worries before you could say anything.
His clear eyes are tender and earnest.
In that case, why are you still hesitating?
You: I want to go...
You run your fingertips over his palm and find yourself inching closer to Artem.
You: I want to go out and have fun with you for a few days.
After hearing your reply, Artem nods with satisfaction.
Artem: Then let's choose the travel itinerary we want.
You: Yeah, let me check out what they have to offer.
You both deliberate over the choices before deciding on a trip to Eversea in Zhaonan City.
After spending some time packing your luggage and making work arrangements, you and Artem set out for Eversea...
White clouds float across the azure sky, and the mountains in the distance are covered with layers of snow.
The brilliant sunlight reflects on the clear jade-colored surface of Eversea and its shimmering waves.
You: We're finally here! It's so breathtaking...
You: It's thanks to the raffle that we could come here!
You: Look, the color of the sea is just like jade...
Artem: Yes, it is.
Artem: But... Eversea isn't a sea.
You: Huh? But it's called Eversea...
Artem: In reality, Eversea is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the country.
Artem: It is said that in ancient times, the official responsible for recording geographical features mistranslated the text of the locals.
Artem: Hence, it became known as "Eversea." That name stuck around to this day.
You: I see...
You: Wait, how do you know so much about Eversea?
Artem: ...I just looked it up on the way here.
Artem: We can take our time to visit all the scenic spots this place has to offer.
You: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure this trip will be really special.
Artem: I think so too. This trip... will be amazing.
You: Yeah!
You subconsciously take his arm as you both look across the calm surface of the lake.
His pleasant companionship on this expectation-filled trip warms your heart...
