Marius "Child at Heart"/Rewards

Story 1

Scene 1: Conference Room

You start to feel nervous the moment you step into the conference room with Marius.

You quickly glance over the nameplates. These are names that only appear on the financial news channels.

Even though you and Marius are the only ones in the conference room, you feel pressured after seeing the nameplates.

Marius: What, are you nervous?

You: ...It's my first time meeting such important people, let alone being in a Pax board meeting.

Marius: Well, about meeting important people, aren't you with me every day? You don't seem to be nervous around me.

You: That's because it's you! It's different!

Marius: ...

Marius lets out a silent laugh, as if he plans to ridicule you some more.

At that moment, the meeting room bell rings.

Marius: Come in.

Assistant: Master Marius, will the board meeting commence at the scheduled time?

Marius: Yep, the time is unchanged.

The assistant acknowledges and leaves. You look up at the time on the conference room display.

The board meeting is about to start in ten minutes...

Marius: If you still feel nervous, just imagine that they're just big talking pumpkins.

You: ...?

Marius: What's with the look? That's what they say on the Internet. Relax. Just be your normal self.

You: I'm just afraid that I won't do a good job and will damage the firm's reputation.

Marius chuckles after hearing what you had just said.

Marius: Ordinary attornies[sic] don't have the chance to become legal consultants for Pax, let alone be on a case like this.

Marius: If Themis trusts you to come and help me, that means you have the capabilities to do so.

His purple eyes are fixated on you, as if he is trying to give you some more courage.

Marius: I believe in you, so you should believe in yourself a little more.

You: Alright!

After hearing Marius' words of encouragement, the antsy feeling completely disappears.

Marius: It's almost time. Let's sit down and wait for them.

You nod and sit down next to your nameplate.

After everyone has arrived, Marius begins with the main subject of the meeting.

He plans on working with an overseas anime company in hopes of incubating Pax's own new IPs.

Contrary to what you expected, more than half the people reject the idea.

Board Member A: This proposal is just another icing on the cake. Pax's product chain already covers most of everyone's lives.

Board Member B: Companies have made large amounts of profit through their own IP. However, their competitors weren't so lucky.

Board Member B: There are safer choices. There is no reason to choose such a high risk industry. I do not agree.

It seems they're trying to force Marius to give up on this cooperation.

Marius: There will be very limited options left for us by the time you guys can see the future of this industry.

Marius: And high risk often means high rewards. Everyone here should know that better than I do.

Marius: Also...

You listen to Marius speak with confidence. The words projected from the terminal changes alongside his voice.

And just like that, going back and forth with the other board members, he continues on for two straight hours.

A few board members' attitudes towards the project loosen up, but they still remain against the idea.

You: (It's so hard trying to persuade these people...)

Marius: ...

It may be your imagination, but it feels as if Marius suddenly shoots a glance in your direction.

Marius: Looks like we won't be able to reach a conclusion in a timely manner.

Marius: How about we take a one-hour break? Everybody can get some rest and we'll continue in an hour.

Marius picks up the terminal from the desk, and the two of you leave the conference room.

Story 2

Marius is silent on the way back. He looks to be thinking about something. You choose not to bother him.

Scene 1: President's Office

Only when you close the office door, does the sound make him gather himself. He breaks the silence.

Marius: (Name), want to come with me to relax?

You: Right now? But there's the meeting.

You: You weren't trying to figure out how to get out of work the whole time you were silent, were you?

Marius: I would never skip work. I was trying very hard to find a solution, okay?

Marius: I saw that you also looked tired during the meeting, so we should take the chance and go out and relax.

You can't help but let out a sigh at seeing him so laid back.

You: Then what about your solution? Are you not gonna try to figure that out?

Marius: Well... just come with me, and you'll understand.

Before leaving, Marius takes off his suit jacket, and finds a hoodie to wear over his collar shirt.

On the way, he takes out his phone and says that he needs to check the address again.

In the end, you follow him to an arcade at the mall.

Scene 2: Mall

You: "Equipment under maintenance. Will be officially opened tomorrow"

The mascot by the door is holding up a sign. Its mouth is slanted, as if it were mocking the two of you.

Marius: Tch...

You: How about we go somewhere else?

Marius: No. They only have it here...

He becomes quiet halfway through his sentence.

You: Have what?

Marius: You'll see. Wait for me here. I've got an idea.

As you look at him, confused, Marius crosses over the separation tape they put up at the entrance.

You: ...He really just does what he wants whenever he wants, doesn't he...

You stand and wait at the original spot. There is no sign of Marius.

Marius and a shop clerk walk out of the arcade chatting in high spirits.

Store Clerk: The manager also said that it'd be fine. You can give us some feedback when you finish later.

Marius: Thanks.

The shop clerk nods and leaves. Marius turns around and bats his eyelashes at you with a smile.

Marius: Alright, come on in.

You: What did you do?

Marius: Don't worry about it. I just helped this place open a day earlier.

You: ...What?

Marius: Why are you looking at me like that? You think I bought the place?

You: Did you not?

Marius: The entertainment area in a mall makes barely any money. The profit can only help them break even.

Marius: So based on all that, there is no reason for me to purchase an arcade.

Marius' reaction and expression are so funny that you begin to laugh.

You: ...Alright, alright, alright. Then tell me, how did you get them to open earlier than planned?

Marius: I told the staffer that my sister and I are leaving the city tomorrow and want to make some memories here.

Marius: The clerk was so moved by our story that she agreed to let us in.

You: ...Really? That simple?

Marius: Yeah, ask the clerk if you don't believe me.

You: You...

Store Clerk: Excuse me, sorry to bother the two of you.

Before you could say anything about the clerk being bought over, she brings out a basket of tokens.

Store Clerk: If these aren't enough, you can come get more from me at the register.

The clerk smiles and nods at you before leaving.

Marius: Alright, alright, I believe that you didn't buy the place. Let's go and have fun.

There is nothing else you can do other than to take a deep breath and head inside.

Scene 3: Video Game Tribe

Marius: That's more like it.

Maybe it's because you haven't been to places like this for a while, but you have no idea what to do.

Marius: Do you know what you want to play?

You: Not yet. I'm still looking.

You look at the machines as you walk further in. Suddenly, you see something that you are familiar with.

It's a row of brand-new claw machines. A variety of popular dolls can be seen lined up in the machines.

You: I can't believe they actually have these here...

You're not sure why they have the puppy stuffed toy you really like from an online comic.

Marius: Not bad. This place has pretty good taste. That stuffed toy is an IP under the company that I want to work with.

You: Ehh?

Story 3

Scene 1: Video Game Tribe

Marius: Not bad. This place has pretty good taste. That stuffed toy is an IP under the company that I want to work with.

You: Ehh?

After hearing what Marius said, a thought formulates in your mind.

Scene 2: Flashback (Mall)

You: How about we go somewhere else?

Marius: No. They only have it here...

Scene 3: Present (Video Game Tribe)

You: You came here especially for the stuffed toys in the claw machine?

Marius: That's right. I had someone check with the vendor that imported these claw machines before we came here.

He moves the plastic basket full of game tokens in front of you.

Marius: You should know how to play, right?

You: I do, but...

You're really not all that great at claw machines...

Marius: Good luck. I've never tried claw machines before, so this one's completely yours.

You look at the big basket of game tokens with mixed feelings.

You're too embarrassed to tell the truth in the face of Marius' look of gleaming anticipation. There is no other way.

You: I'll try...

...

...

After ten or so rounds at the claw machine. You only manage to make the dog flip over.

You: It's in a really bad position...

Seeing you down and beaten, Marius moves next to you.

Marius: I thought you'd be an expert, but you're actually pretty terrible at this.

You: It's a process that I want to experience, so that I'll feel a sense of accomplishment when I finally catch it.

Marius: I see. That sounds like an excuse to me.

You: No, it's not... Why don't you try then?

You shove the basket of game tokens into his empty arms and walk to the other side of the machine.

Marius: Alright.

File:Marius "Child at Heart" CG1.jpg

You were ready to watch him fail, but all he does is to stare and observe the inside of the claw machine.

Marius: Can you... teach me how to play first?

He slightly raises his eyes, looking up at you, his expression unchanging.

You: You at least know the basic controls right? You should've picked it up after watching me play for so long.

Marius: I wasn't focused on the machine... Come on, teach me. Please?

You: ...

Just as you were about to expose his excuse, he suddenly looks down to the ground.

The flashing lights and the sound of the arcade music wraps around him quietly.

Marius: I rarely ever get to come to places like this...

His voice is softer, but you could still hear it clearly.

Marius' studies and work completely occupies his time, and his entertainments are just socializing at parties.

He probably really wants to experience what being at an arcade feels like...

You: It's really not that hard...

You patiently explain the controls to him. Afterwards, a smirk appears on his face as if his plan had worked.

You: Marius von Hagen!

Realizing that you've once again fallen for his trap, you scream out his name.

He doesn't respond, but places his hand on the joystick as the serious expression returns to his face.

You notice that his expression was very similar to the puppy in the pile of dolls... It's really cute.

File:Marius "Child at Heart" CG2.jpg

Marius: You have to try to keep the doll from falling after you've caught it... huh...

He recites the pointers you gave him, and takes control of the joystick. The rabbit is in his crosshairs.

After just a minute, there is a pleased look on Marius' face. He places a rabbit doll on your head.

Marius: It's pretty easy.

He then holds and pats the rabbit on the head.

You: ... You lied to me about not knowing how to play.

Marius: I really didn't, that's why I asked you to teach me.

You: Hmph!

You angrily turn your head and refuse to look at him.

Marius: How can you bear to be mad at poor, little me who has never been to an arcade? Miss...

You: Pouting doesn't work! That doesn't work on me!

You remove the rabbit from your head and squeeze its ears.

You: Marius, now that we've caught the doll, isn't it time we started heading back?

Story 4

Scene 1: Video Game Tribe

You squeeze the doll Marius caught and ask him if he was ready to return for the second part of the meeting.

Marius: I only got one, that's not enough.

You: Not enough?

Marius: There are so many people in the conference room. One wouldn't be enough.

You: You're going to hand out a doll to each of the board members?

You find it hard to imagine middle-aged men and women in well-pressed suits holding on to a furry doll.

Marius: Yea, it will help them understand their future partner a bit more.

You: ...

You let out a long sigh. This however, does fit Marius' style of doing the unexpected.

You: Can't you just look for an employee here and buy out the dolls?

Marius: Nope. It's a process I want to experience, so that I'll feel a sense of accomplishment when I finally catch it.

You: Why does that sound so familiar...

You think about it for a while, but it wasn't until seeing his classic smirk did it finally click.

He's mimicking what you said! Dammit!

Marius: It's not that difficult anyways. It shouldn't be a problem to catch a few more.

You: Of course it's hard. You just got lucky.

Marius: Really? Let me try again.

In the next twenty minutes, Marius puts on a display of his claw machine talents.

Well, Marius is the real life version of that character on TV that catches a ton of dolls.

As for you, you're in charge of placing the dolls he catches neatly on the machines to the side.

Marius: Looks like we almost have a full set.

He says that in a teasing manner as he hands you the deer he just caught.

You ignore him and look at the dolls in front of you.

There is basically one of every kind, all except for the puppy you first set your eyes on.

Marius: Ah right, that one is saved for you. You wanted to enjoy the process too right?

He probably realizes that he was being too obvious about it, so he quickly answers before you question him.

He has a pleased look on his face as he steps aside, letting you have a go at the machine.

You: I won't lose!

You try another seven or eight times. Not once did you succeed in picking up the puppy.

You take another look at the pile of dolls Marius has caught, feeling depressed.

You: It's supposed to be normal to be unable to catch the dolls so easily...

Marius: If you really want it, why don't you just ask me for it?

That chuckling voice appears at a most inappropriate time.

You: Oh well, maybe we weren't meant to be.

You leave the claw machine and walk towards the fighting game on the side.

Coincidentally, a character on the auto display just got KO'ed, resembling your situation perfectly.

You: Marius, let's try this VR game.

Marius: Alright...

You insert the remaining coins into the machine in front of you. You waited at the character selection screen, but Marius never came.

You turn around in confusion, but you were greeted by the humongous face of a furry doll.

As the doll moves back, you are finally able to see it clearly. It's the cute yet serious face of the puppy you remember.

Marius: It looked like it wanted to go home with you. So I gave it a hand.

You take the puppy and squish its face. The gloominess you felt earlier disappears.

Story 5

Story 6

Text: Stuffed Toy

Text: ?