Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-02
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
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Script
Artem's Living Room
Continue to prepare picnic supplies with Artem.
Since picnic food is meant to be simple and convenient, the preparation process is quite easy.
Soon, everything is ready.
Artem goes upstairs while you clean up the kitchen.
When he comes back down, you realize that he has changed out of his sweater into yet another one of his usual suits.
You: Huh?
You: (Did he purposely change into that since we're going out?)
Artem: What's wrong? Do you think it's inappropriate to wear something as formal as a suit on our day off?
You: No...
You'd never thought that you'd ever get to see a bashful look on his face so many times in a day. You purse your lips in an attempt to hold back your smile as you gently take hold of his hand.
You: I think it's very fitting!
You: Right! It's getting late. How about we head out now?
Artem: All right.
He smiles and nods, picking up the picnic basket in one hand, and holding your hand in the other.
Artem: Let's go.
Leave the Neighborhood with Artem and head for the picnic spot.
You: The weather's nice today. It's great for a picnic!
Artem: Yeah. If time allows, we can also go somewhere further for a walk...
Just as you are about to discuss the details of your little picnic, you hear a boy shouting from behind.
???: Hey, you two! Wait up!
The little boy dashed over in such a hurry that he nearly tripped over himself.
Artem quickly holds out a hand to prevent him from falling over.
Artem: Careful!
The little boy clings to the hem of Artem's clothes the moment he regains his footing. Anxiety is written all over his face.
You: Hey there, what's wrong?
???: My parents are gonna disappear!
???: My parents, who love me, they... they... they're gonna disappear!
Saying so, his eyes grow red again.
???: So can you guys stay? Don't agree to my parents' requests, please?
You: (What's he talking about? His parents? Request?)
Unable to make heads or tails of what the little boy is saying, you turn to face Artem.
Artem's frown shows that he's about as clueless as you.
He lowers the picnic basket in his hand, bending down to gently pat the boy's head.
Artem: What's your name? Did something happen? No hurry. Take your time.
???: Uh... My... My name's Juan Fowler.
Juan Fowler: You guys... look like lawyers. Are you not?
Juan Fowler: Can you not accept my parents' request? Don't accept their case...
Artem pauses, seemingly having remembered something.
Artem: Your surname's Fowler, you say? Is your father Octavio Fowler?
Juan Fowler earnestly nods.
Artem: ...
Seeing the look of understanding dawn on Artem's face, you can't help but pat his shoulder and mouth to him.
You: Who's Octavio Fowler...?
Artem: Octavio Fowler's a friend of Celestine's. He came to the firm last week with his wife to consult me about property partition after their divorce.
You: !!!
Artem: You were busy organizing the files for the economic dispute back then, and we burned the midnight oil to sort out the chain of evidence after...
Artem: And I forgot to tell you about this case. Sorry.
You: I see. That's not your fault, since I was really busy during that period.
Juan Fowler: *sob* I know that they went looking for you to discuss their divorce.
Juan Fowler: I don't want them to divorce.
Juan Fowler: Once they do... I'll be an orphan! *sob*
A crowd is starting to gather. Faced with the many gazes of passersby, Juan Fowler grows increasingly upset.
You: (We're getting more and more of an audience. This won't do...)
You: (Let's bring him back for a proper chat.)
With that in mind, you gently tug on Artem's sleeve, signalling that you want to speak with him in private.
While ensuring that the boy is still within your range of sight, you and Artem both move to a corner to talk.
You: Why don't we bring him back to your place and have a proper chat with him...?
You glance at Juan Fowler once more. He sniffles, his eyes still red and puffy.
Following your gaze, Artem sighs.
Artem: I was thinking the same too. It's just a bit of a pity...
You: (It's a pity, but it looks like we'll have to postpone our picnic.)
It's too bad, but there's no better way around this.
You: There's not much we can do about it.
You raise your hand and gently hold onto Artem's own.
You: Come on. We're still going to have lots of time together anyway.
Artem: Sure.
Southeast Stellis Street
Communicate with Juan Fowler and persuade him to go back to Artem's Residence with you.
You: We understand your situation now, Juan.
You: But... the problem you're trying to tell us about sounds a little complicated, so it might take quite some time.
You: How about you come back with me to his home, where you can take your time to slowly tell us everything?
Juan Fowler: Okay, sure!
You: !!!
Artem: ???
You: (Shouldn't children be a little more cautious towards strangers in situations like this?)
You: You're so quick to agree. Aren't you afraid that we're bad guys?
Juan Fowler: Nope. I know that this guy's called Artem, and that he's a really good lawyer! Dad wouldn't have looked for him if he wasn't.
Juan Fowler: You're such a good lawyer, so you must be a good guy. And since you're with him...
Juan Fowler: You're definitely not a bad guy either, right?
Artem: ...
Artem: That's right. We aren't bad guys, but not everyone's like us.
Artem: So you still have to be careful around strangers, all right?
Juan Fowler: Okay, I understand. Thank you, mister.
You: Let's head back then.
Take Juan Fowler back to Artem's Residence.
Juan Fowler: Um...
You: Why don't you take a seat first? Would you like to eat something?
Juan Fowler: Uh... S-sure.
Despite sounding calm, Juan Fowler looks a little uneasy upon entering an unfamiliar place.
You: (In the end, he's still just a kid.)
You: Do you like cartoons? Why don't we put one on for you?
Juan Fowler: Okay. I wanna watch "Penn the Pony".
Juan Fowler: C-can I?
You: Of course.
You turn the TV on and select the cartoon he wants to watch.
Soon enough, all the tension leaves Juan Fowler. He relaxes, immersed in the cartoon.
Artem seems worried about something. Talk with him.
Artem: ...
You: What are you thinking about?
Artem: I'm just thinking... Why don't we let him continue watching the cartoon for a while more? We can talk to him again once he completely calms down.
You: Yes, I agree.
You: Oh, yes. Why don't we prepare something to eat for him?
Artem looks at you, his lips moving ever so slightly.
However, he only wordlessly points towards the refrigerator.
Artem: I have some fruits in the fridge. I'll go wash some.
You: (Did he want to say something...?)
Artem rarely hesitates, so it's a little concerning seeing him like that...
You: Artem, were you going to say something?
Artem: No... I just thought that you're really good at looking after children.
You follow his gaze to see Juan Fowler sitting in the living room with his complete attention on a pony named Penn.
You: He looks really tense... I hope he can relax a little.
Artem: You're handling it brilliantly.
Artem: All right then, I'll go wash the fruits.
You watch Artem's retreating back as he heads into the kitchen. The questions in your mind only seem to increase.
You: (Is that all he really wanted to say to me...?)
You: (Never mind. Now's not the time for this. I'll just have to find another time to talk to him about it.)
You: (Forget it. I'm sure he'll tell me whatever that was once he's ready.)
You: (If he doesn't want to tell me... then I suppose he has his own reasons for it.)
You: (Anyway, now's not the time for this. I'll just have to find another time to talk to him about it.)
You shake your head and follow him into the kitchen.
Help Artem prepare the fruits and dessert for Juan Fowler.
You: Let's see what he got last time...
You: Strawberries, apples, grapes... Oh? Are these cherries?
You: (Impressive. Artem's fridge is so well-stocked...)
You: Okay. I'll wash some of each and make a fruit platter so Juan can choose whatever he likes.
You: This should be enough. Now, to wash them all...
You: Done! Now, to put them all onto the plate...
You: (I hope there's something he likes from this assortment!)
The fruits are washed. Talk with Artem.
You: The fruit platter's done!
Artem: Sorry to bother you.
You: Not at all. Here, try one. Is it sweet?
You pick up a strawberry and bring it up to his lips.
Artem: Ahem. Okay.
After a short pause, he awkwardly opens his mouth to take the strawberry.
Artem: It's very sweet.
You: That's good to hear.
It's only after he swallows the strawberry and you spot the remnants of juice on the corner of his lips that you realize what you've just done.
You gently rub your fingers together. You can almost feel the lingering warmth from his lips on them.
You: Ah...
However, Artem lowers his gaze before you can say anything else.
Artem: [Player]... I'm really sorry.
Artem: It wasn't easy to find the time for our date, and now that something like this has happened...
Artem: If you're angry, I...
Artem has always been steadfast and confident, but now, he hesitates.
What he said makes perfect sense, yet it still comes off sounding a little sad to you for some reason.
You: I'm not angry, and I won't be angry about this either...
You: Isn't this just what it is to be an attorney? You got the short end of the stick this time, and next time it might be my turn...
You: But if you really mind it that much, then why don't you promise me something?
Artem: What is it?
You: I want to handle this issue with Juan Fowler together with you.
You: I want to share your burdens with you and help you where I can.
He looks at you for a while, then his lips curve into a smile.
Artem: Then... I'll give you a run down of the situation.
Artem: Octavio Fowler is the executive president of a Pharmaceutical company, and his wife works as a business manager in another company.
Artem: They are both at the peak of their careers and are often busy...
You: (Another busy couple...)
You: So... Were they already willing to file the divorce when they came to consult you about the division of property?
Artem: Yes. Although they have yet to go through the actual process...
Artem: But according to Mr. Fowler's own words, he says that their feelings for each other have faded, and there's no longer any need to continue with their marriage.
You: Odd. Why did he specifically choose to consult Themis Law Firm? Are there more complicated disputes involved in his case?
Artem: No. It was just a simple consultation.
Artem: His wife is a friend of Celestine's.
Artem: Maybe Celestine figured that it would be unfitting for her to handle the case, considering their friendship.
Artem: So she recommended me to Mr. Fowler.
You: No wonder...
Artem: Celestine also seemed quite sad when she told me about this matter.
Artem: She said that the Fowlers were always a very loving couple. Now that things have come down to this... It is a pity.
You: ...
You both lapse into silence for a while, unwittingly looking back toward Juan, who's sitting on the sofa.
You: And Juan only reacted so strongly against their divorce because he cannot find it in himself to accept this, right?
Artem: How about we ask him about his thoughts?
Artem: He looks like he's all relaxed now. I think now's the right time.
You: All right.
