Luke's Sweet Chapter 02-03
Overview
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Guide
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Script
Antique Shop
Discuss clues concerning Aaron Yishmir with Luke.
Long after Aaron leaves, Luke remains silent.
Instead of feeling relief at a possible lead, Luke seems to be worried.
You: Luke, what is it?
Hearing your question, Luke pauses for a moment before showing his usual warm smile.
Luke: I was just thinking about Morten Rickmon.
You: It's... very suspicious.
You recall what Aaron said, trying to filter out the useful information.
You: Should we head over to North Stellis later?
You: The person was found in North Stellis. There should be more evidence at the crime scene, right?
You: Or we can start with his interpersonal relationships. We also have to figure out why he came to Stellis.
Luke: You're right. This is worth a deeper investigation.
Luke: But...
Luke opens his mouth, but no words come out.
You: ...
Looking at your reflection in his eyes, you realize something.
He wasn't worried about Morten Rickmon, but about you.
Based on what happened to Morten Rickmon, you and Luke might be exposed to danger if the two of you continue to investigate, but...
You: Luke, listen to me...
Before Luke can say anything, you gently take both his hands and look at him.
You: Luke, this investigation is very important to me. I don't want to be a bystander in anything that concerns you...
You: I want to be a part of the investigation, and uncover the truth with you...
You: So this time, you can't reject me out of concern for my safety, okay?
Luke pauses for a moment, not responding to you immediately.
You: Luke, I understand your concerns, and I know you've always put my safety above your own.
You: If you really insist, I will respect your opinion and stay away from the investigation.
You: Because I know it's not the time to be stubborn.
Faced with your concession, Luke's eyes flicker with surprise.
After a while, he smiles with understanding and runs his hand softly through your hair.
Luke: I understand. I won't make you stay behind me and remain under my protection.
You: ...
Luke: I was hesitating, wondering if I should let you get involved in this matter.
Luke: There are too many unknowns and uncertainties. I can't bear to burden you, let alone... put you in danger.
Luke: But I thought about it. You're my lover and my family...
Luke: No matter what happens, we should face it together.
You: Luke...
Luke: As for your safety, that is a responsibility that I will shoulder.
You: Yeah, you and I together.
You react to Luke's sincere words by hugging him tightly, returning the same warmth he had just given you.
After a long time, your posture changes to you leaning into Luke's arms.
You look into Luke's eyes as the two of you discuss what to do next.
You: So... let's go meet Aaron at the hospital?
Luke: Yes, I'll send him a text message first, then ask him to take us to meet Morten Rickmon.
You: It isn't polite to visit a patient empty-handed... Why don't we buy a fruit basket?
Luke: All right.
Southeast Stellis Street
Go buy fruit with Luke.
You: Hello, we're visiting a patient. Can you recommend a fruit basket?
Fruit Shop Owner: Of course. Set C sells very well in our store, and it comes with carnations and lilies. What do you think?
With that said, the owner points at a sample fruit basket on the nearby counter.
You: That's perfect. Thank you!
Luke: Thank you.
After paying for the fruit basket, Luke carries it while you hold the flowers.
You: These flowers look great, and I hope Morten Rickmon's condition improves when he sees them.
Luke: I hope so too.
Luke: By the way, when I was paying for the fruit basket, Aaron messaged me back, saying that we can go meet him now.
You: Yeah, let's go.
Clinic Corridor
Visit Morten Rickmon in the hospital with Luke.
After meeting up with Aaron at the hospital entrance, he takes the two of you inside.
Approaching Morten Rickmon's ward, Aaron stops to say a few things.
Aaron Yishmir: Under normal circumstances, his guardian would need to be present and consent to your visit.
Aaron Yishmir: However, Morten Rickmon's family circumstances are special, and he's probably the only one who knows what happened...
Aaron Yishmir: This is a special case, which is why I've allowed you guys to see him. Please mind your behavior when you enter his ward.
Luke: Rest assured, Aaron, we know.
You: We'll be careful.
Aaron nods, then pushes open the door to the ward.
Hospital Ward
Upon entering the ward, there is an inexplicable subtlety in the sight before you.
The sun shines through the glass windows and warms the ward, which still has the faint smell of disinfectant.
The man sitting next to the bed has his hand in a cast, while his face is covered in cuts and bruises. His eyes stare blankly ahead.
Morten Rickmon: Note... give...
Morten Rickmon: X-Xen... sys—damage...
Morten Rickmon keeps muttering something subconsciously, but the random phrases cannot form meaningful sentences.
He occasionally makes threatening gestures into the air... fighting with something unknown.
You: ...
Luke: ...
You and Luke place the fruit basket and flowers on the small table next to the bed, then look at Aaron.
Luke: Aaron, has Morten Rickmon... gotten worse?
Aaron nods helplessly.
Aaron Yishmir: The nurses making the rounds said Morten Rickmon's ramblings had increased significantly, and we're no longer able to discern what he's saying.
Aaron Yishmir: I tried talking to him a few times before you guys arrived, only to no avail.
Hearing Aaron's words, you look at Morten Rickmon again with sadness rising in your heart.
He looks to be the same age as you and Luke, but... he is destined to spend the rest of his life in this terrible state.
Luke: Aaron, is there something special about Morten Rickmon's identity?
Luke: Generally, ordinary people shouldn't be exposed to such danger.
Luke asked about Morten Rickmon's past, but Aaron only shakes his head.
Aaron Yishmir: No, I've checked.
Aaron Yishmir: He was an ordinary elementary school teacher in Bridmere with a clean record.
Luke: ...
For a moment, the ward falls silent, with only Morten Rickmon rambling about something.
After a few minutes, Luke looks up at Aaron again.
Luke: Aaron, can we talk to Morten Rickmon?
Aaron Yishmir: It'll be fine with me watching.
You and Luke walk over to Morten Rickmon, squatting down next to him to talk.
Luke: Morten Rickmon? Can you hear me?
You: Morten Rickmon? Mr. Rickmon...?
Morten Rickmon: Immunity!! B-B...
Morten Rickmon: Wait... note... give me.
Rickmon doesn't respond to you or Luke and continues with his ramblings.
You: (Asking him directly won't work... We need to do something to catch his attention.)
You: ...
Suddenly, Rickmon's ramblings repeat themselves in your mind.
Morten Rickmon: Note... give...
Morten Rickmon: Wait... note... give me.
You: (Rickmon kept muttering something... Note? Maybe notes or notebook?)
You: (I'll try everything possible.)
So you rummage through your bag for a notebook and place it in front of Morten Rickmon.
You gently wave the notebook while trying to talk to him.
You: Mr. Rickmon, when you said "note," do you mean something like this?
Morten Rickmon: Ugh...
Morten Rickmon turns his head, not reacting to it.
Then you open the notebook and flip through the pages. It's your final attempt to catch his attention.
You: Here, something like this?
Morten Rickmon: Paper... notes...
You: (It worked!?)
Seeing Rickmon react, you quickly place the notebook in his right hand.
Rickmon stares at the notebook for a while, then lowers his head to press his cheek against the notebook cover.
Morten Rickmon: Important... all there... don't lose.
He mutters the same thing over and over, then opens the notebook awkwardly...
In his hands are only blank pages.
Morten Rickmon: !!!
Morten Rickmon: Wait! No! It's gone!
The sudden realization seems to agitate Rickmon as he waves the notebook wildly in the air, his eyes furious.
Morten Rickmon: Give it back to me! Notebook... give me... she... it's gone!
You: (Notebook? She!?)
Luke: !!!
Rickmon slams your notebook into the ground with a loud thud.
Seeing Rickmon about to hit himself in the head with his own hands, Luke quickly holds down his arms to prevent him from drastic action.
You: Rickmon, are you okay?
Morten Rickmon: It can't be gone... Important! Very important... it can't be gone...!
Morten Rickmon: Ugh...!
Luke: Calm down, you're safe now. No one will hurt you...
Luke: Take a deep breath with me...
Luke's repeated efforts to comfort Rickmon seem to work as he gradually calms down, returning to his state of nonsensical ramblings.
Aaron also comes forward to check Rickmon's physical condition...
Upon confirmation by Aaron that Rickmon is fine, everyone retreats to the door.
After a moment of silence, the solemn expression on everyone's faces softens.
You: Judging by his reaction... he lost an important notebook?
Luke: Maybe. He also kept saying things like, "give it back."
Luke: Those are the words of someone who had his stuff taken...
Luke: Taking into account what Aaron said about Morten Rickmon's whereabouts, I suspect someone might have beaten him up and taken away his notebook.
You: Yeah, what's in the notebook that's so important to him?
You: Maybe it's something private... Or maybe it has information on what he found during his visit to Stellis?
Hearing that, Luke and Aaron both look at you, then the latter lets out a sigh.
Aaron Yishmir: We can't make those judgments without the facts. We won't know exactly what's in the notebook until we find it.
You: Right...
Luke puts his hands on your shoulders, smiling confidently at Aaron.
Luke: Aaron, leave the rest to me.
Aaron nods, then looks at Luke.
Aaron Yishmir: All right, I already briefed the bureau before you arrived at the hospital.
Aaron Yishmir: They've agreed that you can investigate in a personal capacity while authorizing [Player] to provide assistance. So do your thing.
Aaron Yishmir: The bureau will soothe things with the police and have them hold off for a while. I'll make sure things are good with the hospital and Morten Rickmon.
Aaron Yishmir: Also, this is what the police have found so far in Stellis. Take a look.
Aaron takes out a file folder and pats Luke on the shoulder, then looks at you.
Aaron Yishmir: However, I must remind you guys.
Aaron Yishmir: If you encounter any obstacles or danger, you must immediately stop your investigation. Understood?
Luke: Understood. I won't be reckless.
You: Understood!
Seeing your responses, Aaron nods and smiles.
Aaron Yishmir: Well, I can't stay here any longer since I have work to do. Call me if anything comes up.
Luke: See you, Aaron!
You: Bye!
