Luke's Sweet Chapter 02-06
Overview
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Guide
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Script
Hospital Ward
Nothing new. Check on Morten Rickmon again.
Accompanied by Aaron, the two of you return to Morten Rickmon's ward.
He is sitting up in bed, staring blankly out the window at something.
Luke: ...
You: ...
Aaron Yishmir: Oh... how are things moving along?
Perhaps sensing that you and Luke are in a bad mood, Aaron smiles and asks about the investigation.
Luke: We already know Morten Rickmon's detailed background and his reason for coming to Stellis... but we don't have anything concrete yet.
Luke: By the way, Aaron, I have something to discuss with you about an intercity investigation. I'll talk to you later, okay?
Aaron Yishmir: Sure, no problem.
As Luke briefs Aaron on the current situation, your focus is on Morten Rickmon.
There is a stark contrast between the sincere and moving words in the notebook and the disturbed man before you.
You can't help but squeeze the notebook he had specially prepared for Olivia Kilner. You look at Aaron again.
You: Aaron, these are things that Rickmon prepared specially for his girlfriend. It was very important to him...
You: Can we return this notebook to him now? I'm just worried about any adverse reactions.
Thinking about Rickmon's condition, your tone is inevitably hesitant.
Aaron doesn't immediately respond to you, but holds his chin pondering your question.
Then he turns to Rickmon and comes to a decision with a nod.
Aaron Yishmir: Give it to him.
Aaron Yishmir: Give him the notebook... It might somehow jog his memory and help his treatment.
You: Thanks, Aaron!
Having obtained Aaron's permission, you look at Luke, who also nods at you.
Then, you take a deep breath and approach Rickmon. You place the notebook gently in his hands.
Rickmon stares at you while you do all this, then looks down slightly at the notebook...
At first, Rickmon doesn't react, looking at the notebook as if it is some kind of toy.
But gradually... a strange expression appears on his face, his eyes growing red...
Then tear drops fall on the paper, one by one.
Morten Rickmon: Oli... Oli...
Muttering Olivia Kilner's name a few times, he throws the notebook down by the bed and hides in the corner with his hands on his head.
His whole body and voice tremble... an unspeakable sadness and terror in his tone.
Morten Rickmon: Don't look at me! Don't look at me! Oli, I look terrible right now.
Morten Rickmon: This isn't me, Oli... So don't look at me now...
Luke: ...
You: This...
Aaron Yishmir: ...
Rickmon seems to know that something is wrong with him now, but he has forgotten about Kilner's death...
You understand Rickmon's reaction. He doesn't want his lover to see this side of him.
At this point, an infinite sadness rises in your heart, and Luke also stands there, silent.
Aaron wants to comfort Rickmon, but he screams with every step Aaron takes.
Morten Rickmon: Stay away! Leave me alone!
Morten Rickmon: This isn't me!
After a long time, Rickmon gradually calms down by himself, but he remains curled up in the corner, refusing to move.
Without any other way, Aaron lets out a helpless sigh, then shakes his head at the two of you.
Aaron Yishmir: You guys should go home. I think... he still needs some time.
Luke: ...All right.
Clinic Corridor
You and Luke follow Aaron's suggestion and leave Rickmon's ward. Standing in the corridor, both your minds are still tense.
The atmosphere seems much heavier than when the two of you read the notebook at the Central Plaza.
After some time passes, Luke only manages to show a bitter smile.
Luke: [Player], we don't have any other leads to follow.
Luke: Let's listen to Aaron and go home for now.
You: Okay...
Luke's Bedroom
Chat with Luke and see what's on his mind.
It is late afternoon by the time you head back to Luke's place. The two of you sit beside the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Both of your minds are still stuck at the hospital, back in Rickmon's moment of panic...
You can't help but lean into Luke's embrace, wanting to soothe your heart with his warmth...
And naturally, Luke grabs your shoulders, his head brushing against your cheeks.
Luke: Do you feel any better?
You: Hard to say...
You: After seeing Rickmon like that... I felt miserable, and I still can't get it out of my mind.
You: Rickmon remembers his love for Kilner, but he doesn't remember her passing away.
You: When I looked into his eyes, I really wanted to ask him how things turned out like this...
At this point, you choke on your words, unable to continue.
You: I even wondered if it was the wrong decision to return the notebook to Rickmon...
You: If I didn't, maybe... he wouldn't be so miserable now.
Hearing your words, Luke takes your hand quickly, clenching it firmly in his palms.
Luke: This isn't your fault.
Luke: If Rickmon was lucid, I'm sure he would have wanted you to return it.
Luke: All this... Maybe fate just likes to play tricks on couples.
You: ...
You detect a hint of bitterness in Luke's words. However, the bitterness doesn't seem to be directed at Rickmon's woes, but at something else...
You look at Luke, trying to find out more from his expression, but he hastily turns his head sideways to avoid your gaze.
At the point, a gust of wind blows, sobering you up.
Luke must have been deeply affected by Rickmon, much more so than you...
You brush your head against his chest as he had done.
You: Luke, when you said couples, you didn't mean just Rickmon and Kilner, right?
Luke: ...
Luke doesn't immediately respond, but lets out a soft sigh after a while.
Luke: Sometimes, I wish you weren't so perceptive...
Luke: Maybe that way, I wouldn't affect you with my sadness.
You: ...
You: But... just as you said, fate likes to play tricks on couples.
You: Since fate wants me to understand you, you should share your sadness with me... right?
A faint breath blows by your ears as Luke snaps your body around to face him.
Luke: You're right. I'm destined to share everything with you.
Luke closes his eyes as if coming to a decision.
Luke: Actually, when I saw Morten Rickmon hiding in a corner, what I saw... wasn't him.
Luke: I saw myself.
Luke: I couldn't help but wonder if I would turn out like him, never being able to find out the truth or the answers...
You: You wo...
Before you can finish, Luke shakes his head.
His graceful hand brushes against your eyebrows, then moves down... as if he is tracing your face.
Luke: I've experienced it many times in the past, where I found a lead that led nowhere.
Luke: But this time with you... I've found that I can no longer tolerate disappointment.
Luke: I don't want you to see me upset, and I don't want to struggle repeatedly in loss and anticipation...
Luke: And I definitely don't... want you to experience those same feelings.
Luke: I want it to be different this time, for my expectations to be real. Is that too greedy?
At this moment, Luke's fingers linger on your trembling lips.
You subconsciously put your arms around his waist, drawing him closer to you.
You: No... I'm more greedy than you.
You: Not only this time, but every time. I want to be like this forever...
Hearing your words, an obscure emotion appears in his eyes.
Luke: [Player]...
After a while, Luke, who you are still hugging, gradually calms down.
You gently hold his face and move closer, pressing your forehead against his while looking at him earnestly.
His eyes are wet, like those of a newborn puppy.
You: Now... can you hear what I have to say?
Luke blinks, then nods.
You take a deep breath and decide to pour your heart out.
You: Luke, I know what happened with Rickmon and Kilner might lead you down a path of terrible associations...
You: But that's them, and we are us. Their stories are regrettable, but we hold our future in our hands.
You: And whatever the outcome of the investigation, whether there is a cure, I will always be there for you.
You: My love for you will remain steadfast, without fail... just like Rickmon's love for Kilner.
You: We have already exchanged vows, so let our fates intertwine as one...
Luke: [Player]...
Luke's eyes become clear and warm. He seems to want to say something, but you stop him.
You: I know, there might come a day when you'll feel down... even moments where your imagination runs wild.
You: It's fine, you can tell me everything. I am willing, heart and soul...
You: ...to repeat these words to you over and over again.
Then you plant a gentle kiss on Luke's lips.
By this time, a gentle wind drapes the sunset glow over you and Luke.
His eyebrows finally soften up, and a smile finally appears on his face.
With the sunset as the backdrop, Luke looks warm and gentle.
Luke: Thank you, [Player]. You have "rescued" me once more.
Luke: I'm really lucky to have you by my side...
Luke gradually moves closer to you... his face growing larger in your pupils.
The sensation on your lips is soft and lingering...
