Artem's Sweet Chapter 01-07
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
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S-Chip x100
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Artem's Living Room
After everything comes to an end, have a talk with Artem.
It's already evening by the time you reach Artem's place.
Outside the window, the sun is setting. People are hurrying home from work. Each living room light being turned on punctuates the end of a person's day.
Artem: Are you feeling tired? What do you want for dinner?
Artem takes off his jacket and hangs it on the hanger. He speaks to you softly as he straightens the creases on his cuffs.
You: I'm still thinking about it. I'll let you know later!
Seeing Artem approach, you pat the cushion on the sofa, inviting him to sit with you.
You: Right, didn't you want to tell me something? What was it?
Artem: ...
Artem holds your hand gently. His soft touch spreads warmth from his palm to yours.
Artem: I've been... waiting for a chance to apologize to you.
You: Apologize?
Artem: That day, I overheard your conversation with Kiki in the pantry.
You: Eh!?
Pantry
(Flashback: Pantry)
...
Kiki Bennet: Don't tell me I'm overreacting! There are so many couples who break up because their feelings for each other fade while they're too busy with work!
Kiki Bennet: That's why, when you're not working, you should grab any chance you can get to maintain your relationship!
You: Is... that so?
Because of how serious Kiki was, you couldn't help but get anxious as well.
You: But as long as I'm with Artem, I feel happy no matter what we do.
You: I feel happy whether it's a date, a stroll, or working overtime together!
You: This means... no matter where we are, everything we do is considered a date!
Kiki Bennet: I understand now. You're both workaholics.
You: No!
You: I just think that dates are meant for creating happy memories with the person you like.
You: So as long as I feel happy, anything can be a date, right?
As long as you're with Artem, you'll be able to make happy memories.
That means even work can be seen as a date.
Kiki Bennet: *sigh* Whatever you say...
Kiki Bennet: As long as you and Mr. Wing are happy.
You: Don't worry, I think he's on the same page as me.
Before you can finish your sentence, you hear a sound coming from behind.
You: Hmm?
It sounded like a metal spoon clinking against a mug, soft but audible.
You instinctively glance in the direction of the sound. However, there is no one in front of the coffee machine. You and Kiki are alone in the pantry.
You: (I think someone was using the coffee machine. Why is there no one there now?)
Kiki Bennet: What is it?
You: Nothing...
After looking around and confirming that there was no one near the coffee machine, you shake your head.
You: (I'm probably hallucinating because I've been working too much.)
(Present)
You: So you were there that day.
The suspicion you had that day slowly fades as time passes.
You suddenly recall that incident and realize what has been causing Artem's recent mood swings.
Artem: I'm sorry, I should've shown myself back then...
Artem: It's just that... I hesitated when I heard your response, and I missed my chance to show myself.
You: You hesitated? Why?
Artem: It's because there were so many things I wanted to say, but I didn't know where to begin...
Artem: Maybe I'm just lacking in confidence.
He chides himself a little, his eyebrows betraying his exhaustion.
You: (Artem...)
You stand up and head to the kitchen to make a cup of hot chocolate for him.
This is something that he does for you whenever you work late into the night. You hope that you can provide him with the same warmth.
Artem: Thank you.
Artem's long fingers wrap around the cup. The steam rises and covers his face, and for a moment, you can't see his expression.
You: You said that you didn't know where to begin...
You: Can tell me what you wanted to say back then?
Artem doesn't answer your question. He simply leans lightly on your shoulder.
You: ...
His movements are gentle, and his weight doesn't feel heavy on your shoulder. However, you feel your heart skip a beat.
Artem: Actually, that day, I asked myself a question.
Artem: "Am I worried about our relationship being affected by our busy jobs?"
Artem: Honestly... yes, I am.
Artem: I know that for two people to be together, they need trust and companionship.
Artem: I also know that a relationship needs to be cherished and maintained consistently...
You: But... I think everything is fine as it is now.
Artem: ...
Artem sighs and unwittingly rubs his forehead against your shoulder.
This gesture makes you think of a small, adorable animal.
You would never use "small" or "adorable" to describe Artem in the past.
However, strangely enough, it feels like the perfect description for him at this very moment.
Maybe this is the magic of love.
Artem: I can't imagine us breaking up because we're too busy with work.
Artem: However, it's true that we're often very busy.
Artem: There's a chance that, in the future, we might end up being very busy for a long stretch of time.
Artem: I'm worried that when that happens, you'll feel neglected, and that it'll cause us to fight more...
Artem: ...Just like those couples that Kiki described.
Artem's tone is solemn. It was as if he had imagined that exact scenario hundreds of times before.
Artem: After thinking it through, I realized...
Artem: Even though I usually appear calm and rational, when it comes to you, I'm just a normal man who worries about losing you.
You: Artem...
He chose, at this very moment, to bare the most vulnerable part of himself to you.
In response, you place your hand lightly in his palm and grasp on.
You: I'm sure we won't become one of those couples.
You: I believe in you, and I also believe in myself.
Artem: You always give me courage and confidence.
Artem straightens up and looks at you, his eyes glimmering with love and sincerity.
Artem: When I saw how touched Mr. Fowler and Mrs. Fowler were when we recreated the proposal scene...
Artem: I realized that there was nothing for me to worry about.
Artem: The person I want to cherish most is right beside me.
Artem: What I should do is to cherish every single moment we share together.
Artem: Just like you said, we may be busy, but as long as we're together, I'll be happy.
Artem: So, I shouldn't be asking how long I can stay by your side...
Artem: I should be asking how I can make you happy whenever we're together.
You feel a touch of warmth on your cheek. It's coming from Artem's palm.
You lift your hand and place your palm over his.
You: I'm very happy.
We worry because we cherish each other. We hesitate because we're important to each other.
I have so much that I want to say, but I don't know where to start.
Your eyes meet Artem's. There's electricity in the air. You push yourself up and lean toward him.
Artem: !!!
Maybe it's because of the hot chocolate, but Artem's lips are warm and smell of chocolate.
You: (I hope this will help you understand my feelings...)
Artem is stunned for a moment, but he quickly snaps back to reality and puts down his mug. Then, he wraps his arms around your waist.
Artem: You...
You: When it comes to you, I'm also just a normal woman who loves you wholeheartedly.
Artem: Yes, I know.
In the next moment, Artem's warm lips meet yours. The scent of Artem, which belongs solely to you, envelops you.
You: ...
A vast gentleness envelops you like a warm bubble, blocking out everything else around.
You close your eyes and respond to his kiss with quickened breath. For a moment, everything in the world blinks out of existence.
All that's left is the quietly blossoming scent of love in the air...
You: Uh, Artem...
Your brain only starts to work again when Artem finally lets you go.
To avoid appearing too embarrassed, you rack your brain to think of something to talk about.
You: Your face is so red.
Artem: ...
Artem: Yours too.
As Artem sits up, you can tell from his clear eyes that he no longer has doubts.
All that's left is a gentle determination.
Artem: Shall we go for another picnic tomorrow?
You: Another picnic?
You pretend to be against the idea.
You: What if another Fowler appears this time?
Artem laughs and stands up.
Artem: I'll go cook. Have you decided what you want for dinner?
You: Your best dishes, of course! Oh yeah, I also want...
You hold on to Artem's arm as you reply to him. The two of you walk toward the kitchen together.
An ordinary day, with its ordinary bliss, passes just like that.
You know that an ordinary couple like you will have countless more ordinary days ahead of you...
"I want to spend my life with you."
"Share in the unending evenings and afternoons."
"Watch the tulips embrace by the windowsill."
"Listen to the sounds of flutes and bells in the distance."
"While away the time together slowly."
