Vyn "Mended Heart"/Rewards

Story Summary

Vyn invites the main character over for tea to try a new teapot he received as a gift, but when he opens the box and sees it has taken light damage in two places, he apologizes and begins to throw it away. The MC stops him since she thinks it's still a beautiful teapot, suggesting he should have it repaired instead. At the ceramics studio, a class of children taking part in that day's ceramics class catches their attention. The two sign up for that day's class and bring a child left behind by his teacher back to the group.

In the studio hosting the ceramics class, the left-behind child returns to his group but continues to seem left out, perhaps intentionally. The MC tries to believe the teacher will take care of him, but Vyn chides her, pointing out the teacher is neglecting the child because she views him as defective. They turn their attention to what to make, deciding on a pair of matching cups. The instructor arrives and gives an instruction session, which the MC has trouble remembering, but Vyn picks it up quickly and helps her remember the steps.

After a first failure at the clay shaping process, Vyn helps the MC shape and finish her cup. A commotion catches their attention; the child from before seems to be having great difficulty with his creation, and his teacher angrily signs at the child as the MC realizes the teacher's attitude toward the child has been caused by his deafness.

Vyn and the MC discuss the deaf child's situation as the he continues to be mocked by his class and teacher. The MC decides to help the boy with his ceramics project; Vyn disagrees that it will be helpful since everyone else in the boy's life will still treat him as defective even if this one event goes well. Vyn's certainty of the boy's fate leads the MC to wonder if Vyn is close to someone who has suffered in the same way, and she insists she can at least help the boy enjoy this one event and says he still has many possibilities open in his life.

The MC's attempts to help the boy don't go well as she keeps failing; the boy, named Drake, tries to apologize for the failure but is reassured he can always try again. After finally completing the project, Drake's parents are called to pick him up; they were ignorant of how their son was being treated at school and resolve to send him to a school abroad better suited to his needs. Vyn thinks aloud about the efforts of Drake's parents and the MC, feeling their efforts are in vain and not understanding the value of grasping at a "possibility" things will improve.

The following week, the studio apologizes to Vyn and the MC: their cups are complete, but the handles have detached due to another item in the kiln having exploded. Vyn suggests discarding and remaking the cups; the MC decides to use the items to make a point and rejects the idea, showing him that the "defective" pieces still have possibilities as the cups are still usable and they're lucky to have received a bonus decorative heart, made by combining the detached handles. The two head home separately, but the MC realizes she forgot the handles and returns to the shop to find Vyn looking at the heart and deciding aloud to try to believe in the MC's optimism.

Illustrations

Reforged HeartTwo broken handles can make one whole heart. Being broken doesn't mean they are worthless, do you not agree?

Text Messages

Text Message		Vyn: Knowledge of Tea Sets (After Story 3)

Text Message script

You: Dr. Richter, do you use different tea sets when you drink tea?

Vyn: Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?

You pay attention to the details

You: I feel like you're someone who takes note of the details, so you might be very particular about drinking tea.

Vyn: You are very observant. I do use different tea sets.

I suddenly wanted to ask

You: I was just curious.

Vyn: I will pick different tea sets depending on the type of tea I am drinking.

Vyn: Xu Cishu's "The Art of Tea" from the Ming dynasty says that "Tea is nourished by water, and water, by the pot."

Vyn: You can only taste the true flavors of tea, by using different tea sets for different kinds of tea.

Can you give an example?

You: How do you choose the different teapots?

Vyn: It is quite a bit to explain.

You know so much

You: Dr. Richter, you honestly know so much about everything.

Vyn: I like to drink tea, so I know a bit about it.

Vyn: Let me give you a little quiz first.

Vyn: If you want to drink floral tea, what kind of tea set would you use?

Transparent glass teapot

You: I would usually use a transparent glass tea pot.

You: That way, I can see the rose petals soak up the water. It's really pretty!

Vyn: You are right. Glassware can display the beauty of floral tea. However...

Vyn: Floral tea requires a pot that can be sealed off. Using one with a lid can better present the quality of the tea.

Bone china with a lid

You: I would use a bone china teapot with a lid.

You: Floral tea requires a pot that can be sealed off. Using one with a lid can better present the quality of the tea.

Vyn: That is correct.

Vyn: I would have made the same choice as you.

Vyn: The selection of tea sets is very simple, its sole purpose is to present the tea in its best form.

Vyn: For example, green tea is paired with celadon, white tea with white porcelain, and oolong tea with purple sand teapots.

Tell me in detail next time

You: Dr. Richter, tell me more about it in detail next time.

Vyn: Of course. We can talk more about tea in detail when we get the chance.

Vyn: I am willing to tell you about anything that you are interested in.

There's a lot to learn

You: Hmm... Looks like there's a lot to it.

Vyn: Once you understand the rules, the pattern becomes easy to find.

Vyn: It is the same as everything else.

Vyn: I will tell you more about it in detail the next time we meet.

Text Message		Vyn: Talent and Hard Work (After Story 6)

Text Message script

You: Dr. Richter, is there anything that you can't learn?

Vyn: Of course there is.

Vyn: Why are you suddenly asking about that?

I admire your talent

You: I was just thinking about the time we made ceramics...

You: I'm so envious of your ability to learn so quickly.

Vyn: You learn fast too. We are very alike in this manner.

I'm curious

You: I'm just curious...

You: It feels like you are able to do anything that you set your mind to...

Vyn: What a coincidence. I see you being the same way.

Vyn: Did something happen?

Vyn: It sounds as if like you are unhappy.

Worked hard, but no effect

You: I'm having some difficulties with a case recently.

You: I've worked really hard, but I'm not getting anywhere with it.

Vyn: No need to rush. It is always a process trying to find the truth from a messy pile of leads.

A little tired lately

You: Oh, it's nothing! Maybe I'm just a little exhausted from work...

Vyn: Do not pressure yourself too much. The more you rush it, the less likely you are to succeed.

Not a lot of time

You: But, it's very urgent! I'm going crazy!

Vyn: The darkness before dawn is the hardest to bear.

Too much pressure

You: It's my responsibility to prove my client's innocence.

You: I can't find a way to not pressure myself.

Vyn: You are doing great. If it were me, I would also be under a lot of pressure.

Vyn: If you feel agitated, try focusing on something else for a while. Try to relax and listen to some soothing music.

Vyn: People are unable to think logically when agitated.

Vyn: Did you work all night again?

Of course

You: Of course! I want to finish as soon as I can!

Vyn: Remember to rest properly. It will help you maintain a clear mind.

You've got it

You: You got me... I'm still going over documents at work.

Vyn: Remember to move around once in a while, and let your mind rest.

Vyn: You can come to me for your emotional and mental needs.

Vyn: So, you have been busy with work lately. No wonder you have not been contacting me.

You miss me?

You: Haha, are you saying that you miss me, Dr. Richter?

Vyn: You have been on my mind since the absence of your messages.

You think about me so much

You: I never knew you'd be thinking of me so much!

Vyn: I thought you already knew that.

The way you're saying it...

You: Dr. Richter... the way you said that... I might think you mean something that you don't...

Vyn: I mean exactly what you are thinking. I have been waiting for your message.

Vyn: It is a good thing that I waited.

Vyn: It is late. It is unsafe for you to head home alone at this hour.

Vyn: I will come pick you up.

Story Locations

Vyn's Residence

Misc
Ceramics Studio Front Desk

Misc
Ceramics Studio

Stellis
Street

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Stellis