Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-01
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
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Script
Artem's Kitchen
The weather is pleasant. The sun shines bright, its rays gently adding a bit of warmth and softness to the room.
Under the warm light, Artem makes preparations for today's picnic...
Compared to his usual suit and leather shoes, he looks less stern and much more casual in a sweater.
You: (I haven't seen Artem cook in so long. He's still so good at removing the fish scales.)
After removing the fish scales, Artem uses a kitchen towel to dry the fish before spreading the sauce.
Meanwhile, the pot of vegetable stock on the induction stove boils, making a bubbling sound.
You: Artem, how long does the stock need to simmer?
Artem: About 15 more minutes.
You: There's a lot of foam. Shall I remove it?
Artem: Yeah...
Artem glances at the fish which is half-coated in sauce and flashes you an apologetic smile.
Artem: I wanted to do it myself, but it looks like I have to ask you for help now.
You: It's no problem at all. I think it's more fun to cook with you.
You pick up the sieve ladle and gingerly remove the foam along the edge of the pot.
You: (It's fun because it makes me feel like we're enjoying daily life at home together.)
You: (It's been so long since we last took a break together.)
For some reason, you and Artem kept getting tricky cases one after another as of late.
You two have been working overtime non-stop for the past two months.
You could only relax while on the way to meet your clients and on your way back to the office...
This is your first free weekend together after closing all the cases.
You: (We should be able to relax a little now, right?)
You: (Otherwise, we'd end up only dating in the office like Kiki said...)
Pantry
Kiki Bennet: [Player], you look exhausted. Did you work overtime with Mr. Wing again?
You: ...We worked through the night.
Kiki Bennet: That's terrible! Is the case that complex!?
You: We almost closed the case, but before the trial started, the second witness recanted his statement, so we had to reorganize the chain of evidence.
Kiki Bennet: What? That's rough. I bet half my hair would fall out if I had to do that.
You: Thankfully, we got most of the work done last night. If we work hard today, we should be able to get everything done.
You: After this is all over, I'll definitely apply for a few days off to catch up on some sleep.
Kiki Bennet: What a waste! How can you use your days off just to sleep?
You: Huh?
Kiki shakes her head and looks at you in disappointment.
Kiki Bennet: *sigh* This is worrying.
Kiki Bennet: When was the last time you and Mr. Wing went on a date? Aren't you worried at all?
You: Why would I be worried? I've been spending a lot of time with him lately!
Kiki Bennet: But you've only been working with him! It's not the same as dating!
Kiki Bennet: The two of you are lovers now. You should spend more quality time together so that your relationship becomes stronger!
Kiki Bennet: What if your feelings fade, and Mr. Wing falls for someone else because of your neglect?
You: That won't happen. You're exaggerating.
Kiki Bennet: It's true! Didn't you read the news?
Kiki Bennet: The big star Yoyo split up with her husband of 7 years just a few days ago!
Kiki Bennet: They were the power couple of the entertainment industry! After they had just gotten married, they kept posting pictures showing how close they were online.
Kiki Bennet: But a few days ago, they said, "We've agreed to a divorce because our feelings faded after living apart for a long time..."
You: ...
Kiki Bennet: Well, anyway, if you want to hold on to Mr. Wing's heart, you need to hold on to his mind and soul as well!
How can strong, mutual feelings change so easily?
Besides, you're both not prone to change. You're...
The sieve ladle slips out of your hand while you're lost in thought, and your fingers accidentally touch the side of the pot.
Artem: Careful!
You: Ouch!
The usually calm and collected Artem ignores the sauce stain on his sweater and hurriedly wipes his hands with a kitchen towel before rushing over to check on you.
Artem: Don't move. I'll get the burn ointment.
You: I-It's fine. I just accidentally touched the pot...
You: I'm not hurt, really.
The back of your hand, which touched the pot, is a little red. Thankfully, it only stings slightly.
Artem sighs lightly after making sure that you're truly okay.
Artem: We should still run it under cold water just in case.
Artem holds your hand under the tap, carefully washing your reddened skin with running water.
You: (I shouldn't have gotten distracted just now...)
Artem: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let you get so close to the pot.
You: !!!
Looking at Artem's frown, you can't help but take his hand.
You: It's not your fault. I offered to help.
You: We'll be completely exhausted if we keep apologizing to each other like this in the future...
Artem: You're right, as always.
Artem: Or, maybe... you're right. I'm too overprotective.
You: Precisely!
You use a paper napkin to dry your hand before showing him the back of it, which is no longer red.
You: See? I'm completely fine now.
You: What would you like me to do next, Chef Wing?
Artem: Chef?
Artem laughs and shakes his head.
Artem: You don't have to do anything. Take a break and leave the rest to me.
You: No! We decided to go on a picnic together, so I can't let you prepare everything alone.
You: Besides, you've made so many delicious dishes for me. I need to return the favor!
Artem's smile widens.
Artem: The vegetable stock is ready. Next up is the fried fish sandwich.
Artem: The fish needs to be marinated for a while longer though. In the meantime, I plan on baking an apple pie.
Artem: Sous chef [Player], would you like to make it with me?
You: !!!
Artem uses the same sarcastic tone you used earlier to tease you.
This is a scene that you never could've imagined in the past, but right now, it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
You: (Things really feel different after we became lovers.)
You: Of course, I'll help with the apple pie! Tell me what I need to do.
Artem: The apple pie uses simple ingredients...
He takes out an apron as he talks. Then, he walks behind you to put it on for you.
You: (Huh? The apron is just the right size.)
You: (The design looks familiar too. Wait, it looks like the apron he wore earlier!)
You: (Did he prepare this matching apron set beforehand!?)
Artem: Is it too tight?
Your train of thought is interrupted. You don't know what to say, so you instinctively nod in response.
Artem turns around and takes a few apples out of the fridge.
Artem: Okay, let's get started.
Artem: First, whisk the softened butter until it's smooth. Then, add in the low-gluten flour and caster sugar...
You carefully follow Artem's instructions step by step and slowly mix the flour with the butter.
You: Like this?
Artem: Yes. You can pour more in.
You shake your wrist and add more flour and caster sugar into the bowl.
You: ...That should do, right?
Artem: Looks good. We'll knead the dough next.
You: Yeah!
You roll up your sleeves, ready to plunge your hands into the bowl...
Artem: You can use the spatula to mix it evenly first. That'll make it easier to knead.
You: I see...
That was a misstep. You should've looked at the recipe first.
You're quickly losing confidence in your ability to help, despite what you said earlier.
Artem: Of course, you can also knead the dough directly.
You: Eh!?
Before you can react, Artem suddenly hugs you from behind and interlaces his fingers with yours.
Artem: We'll do it together.
You can hear his gentle breathing next to your ear and his warm chest against your back. When he speaks, you can feel his voice resonating in his chest.
Suddenly, you feel like your heart is being held firmly in his palm as well.
Artem: Focus.
You: O-Okay...
With Artem's help, the dough quickly takes shape.
As the dough is rising, Artem swiftly prepares the apple pie filling.
Artem: The dough is ready. Now, all we have to do is to make it into pie crust using a mold and add the filling in.
You: I can smell the filling. I think it's going to be delicious.
Artem: I remember putting the mold...
He raises his hand and reaches into the cupboard above. However, he doesn't find anything there.
Artem: ...
You: Are you looking for that circular mold?
You casually reach into another cupboard near you and take out a round stainless steel mold.
Artem: Yes, that's the one.
You: (Strange...)
Artem is a very careful person. There's no way he'd lose something he put away himself...
...Unless someone else changed the location of the item, and he didn't notice.
This is his home. No one else could have touched those things other than him.
You: (Huh? Wait! Were those plates placed here before?)
You: (Also, the cutlery seems different from the ones before...)
Seems like the items in the kitchen have been reorganized.
Some items have been shifted from the higher cupboards, which suit his height, to the middle cupboards, which suit yours.
The pots are lighter now, and there are protective cases for the knives...
You: ...
Something that you're almost certain of comes to mind.
You: Artem, since when did you start doing all this?
Artem: Doing what?
His head is lowered, and he's about to add the apple filling to the crust.
Artem has very nimble hands. They continue to work, even while he's responding to you.
You: You've reorganized the items in the kitchen according to my habits, right?
He places the tray in the oven, adjusts the timer, and turns to look at you.
Artem: Yes. I did that long ago...
Artem: I believed it would make things more convenient for you.
Artem: However, we've been so busy recently that it took a while before we ever got to use it.
You: ...
Kiki Bennet: When was the last time you and Mr. Wing went on a date? Aren't you worried at all?
Kiki Bennet: Well, anyway, if you want to hold on to Mr. Wing's heart, you need to hold on to his mind and soul as well!
Artem's sigh makes you think of what Kiki told you in the pantry.
You: (A date, huh?)
Artem: What's wrong? Do you not like it?
You: !!!
Looking at his slightly awkward expression, your heart softens.
You: Of course I do.
You take a step forward and hug him gently.
You: Thank you, Artem. I'm very happy.
Artem stays silent for a moment, then gives you a tight hug.
Although you aren't saying anything, you can hear his heartbeat quickening in his chest, just like yours.
Artem: I tried to imagine how you'd react when you found out, but... you reacted differently than I expected.
You: You imagine things like that too?
Artem: Yeah. Is that weird?
Artem: I imagined us cooking together, eating together, and...
He doesn't go on. Instead, he tightens his hug and brings you closer to him.
You lift your head to look at him, and you see the tenderness in his eyes.
Artem: I imagined doing so many more things with you.
You: ...
Ding! It's the sound from the oven.
The aroma of butter and apples mingles and spreads throughout the kitchen, reminding you two that the apple pie is almost done.
Artem: Ahem! I'll go see how the apple pie is coming along, finish up the fried fish sandwich.
You: O-Okay...
You should be used to each other's touch by now, but somehow you feel your cheeks getting hotter.
Artem seems to be feeling the same way as he takes the apple pie out of the oven.
His ears are bright red. You don't think it's due to the sunlight.
