Artem's Sweet Chapter 02-01
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Home Theater
The romantic sound of rain fills the home theater.
The image of a wedding on a rainy day is displayed on the screen.
For some reason, you sneak a quick peek at Artem, faint light illuminating your faces.
The next moment, Artem suddenly looks at you. The two of you are stunned.
You: ...
Surprised, Artem slowly turns his head. You gaze at each other, eyes meeting.
Without saying a word, you and Artem seem to understand what each other is feeling at this moment.
Artem: ...
You lean over, using Artem's shoulder as a pillow, and stay that way until the movie "About Time" ends.
You: Artem, you know something?
You feel Artem looking down at you, his face brushing against your hair.
You: I don't think I've ever been happier than I am now... No, that's not quite right. It's at this moment right now that I feel...
You: Every moment I spend with you is the happiest.
After saying that, you realize you said something that didn't really mean anything.
You: Ah... I don't know how to say it, but...
Artem: I understand.
Artem's gentle tone sounds much softer, perhaps because you're too close.
Artem: "...All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride."
He whispers the last line of Tim's monologue from the movie. You know that he understands, even without words.
Artem: I loved that line the first time I heard it, and I can't help but savor its implications every time I watch it again.
Artem: I thought I knew what it meant in the past.
Artem: But watching the movie again with you, I suddenly realize...
At this point, you can't help but blink several times quickly, anticipating what Artem is about to say.
Artem: Life isn't beautiful only because you're happy. The true meaning behind cherishing every moment is...
Artem: Finding out what's truly important to you. After that, you will be happy, whether in joyful or bitter moments.
Artem looks at you, emphasizing every word.
Artem: I got what I wanted, so...
The home theater gradually dims, and the credits end.
Artem's voice fades with the darkness, but his hand remains firm on your shoulder.
The faint sound of breathing gradually grows in your ears, and you welcome it.
...
The hair on Artem's forehead falls on your face, the touch on your lips clear in the darkness.
You close your eyes, immersing yourself in the kiss with no lights or music, made all the sweeter by the sound of beating hearts.
Suddenly, the lights return to the home theater.
You gradually open your eyes.
Artem stares at you as if he wants to say something but can't find the right words, so he only opens his mouth slightly.
Artem: ...
You: (The darkness that came suddenly felt relaxing and free, but when it disappears, there's an inexplicable feeling of unfamiliarity...)
You sympathize with his silence and have the urge to break the tension.
You: You...
Artem: I...
You and Artem speak up, almost at the same time, but burst out laughing while looking at each other.
Artem: ...You first.
You: I was just gonna say, remember to put the Blu-ray disk back.
Artem: You're right.
With that said, Artem doesn't stand up immediately. He stares at you for a few seconds before finally standing up, as if realizing something.
Artem: ...I'll go put the Blu-ray disk away.
You: I'll do it with you!
You follow Artem over to the projector and watch him take out the Blu-ray disk.
But somehow, Artem's hand shakes for a moment, dropping the Blu-ray disk.
Artem: ...
You: Let me.
You pick up the Blu-ray disk before Artem. But when you look up at the disk rack, you realize it's already full.
You: Eh?
Artem: When I was cleaning up in the morning, I realized there wasn't enough storage space.
You scan the disk rack, where Blu-ray disks and vinyl records are arranged neatly, but...
You: I can't force it in anywhere...
Artem: It seems I need to add some more storage space and re-organize all the Blu-ray disks in the home theater.
Artem looks helplessly at the storage racks filled with Blu-ray disks, explaining while stretching his hand out to you.
Artem: Here, give it to me. I'll put it elsewhere for now.
Putting the Blu-ray disk in Artem's hand, you inspect the Blu-ray storage rack made of wood.
You: (It looks like it was pieced together with simple planks. It shouldn't be hard to make...)
You: I have an idea for the disk rack.
Artem, having put the Blu-ray disk back, looks down at you.
You: DIY videos have been really popular recently. I've always found those types of videos interesting...
You: Shall we try to build our own storage rack if we have time?
Surprised, Artem looks as if the thought had never crossed his mind.
Artem: Sure, if you would like.
Artem: Except... as you're well aware, I'm not very good with handmade crafts, so...
You: Don't worry! The most important thing about DIY is your intention when making it. Besides, you have me! I'll help you!
Artem smiles as you beam with confidence.
Artem: Sure, as you wish.
You: It's a deal then!
After deciding to build a disk rack, Artem begins to plan in detail.
Artem: The space here is limited, and making a storage rack requires a lot of materials... Why don't we assemble it in the living room on the first floor?
Artem: And there's better lighting there compared to the home theater, which would make it easier on the eyes.
You: Makes sense! That saves us the trouble of carrying the materials up and down.
Artem looks at you, thinking about something, before continuing.
Artem: Yes... Meanwhile, I'll buy a temporary work desk of appropriate height that won't take up much space and can be stowed away when not in use.
You: (...As expected of Artem, he's always one step ahead.)
You: (Now that the location is set, next...)
You: We can come up with our own design. That way, it'll give us more freedom of choice.
You: What do you have in mind for the design?
Artem: What about you? I'm... more interested in what you think.
You: (Since the disk rack is for Artem's Blu-ray disks, it should be designed to suit his preferences... Artem's preferences...)
Looking around, you see the minimalist style of his furnishings, with not a single decorative design in sight.
You: (Artem doesn't seem to care about decorations on commonly-used items. This DIY opportunity will be the first.)
You: I've decided. I'm gonna come up with a design you like.
Artem: A design I like?
You: Yeah, after all, making things you love is the essence of DIY!
Hearing your explanation, Artem thinks for a moment.
You: (Since the disk rack is for Artem's Blu-ray disks, it should match Artem's decoration style...)
Looking around, you notice the minimalist style of his furnishings.
You: ...Then let's keep it simple. Less is more, and it also fits with the current decoration style.
Artem: I would prefer it to match your preferences, instead of the current decoration style.
You: My preferences? But this is your...
Halfway through your sentence, you suddenly realize what Artem meant and lose your voice.
Artem: I hope that this will become your home in the future.
You: ...
Artem waits patiently for your response. Seeing this, you are embarrassed to express your opinion.
You: I think plant designs are most suitable with minimalist decoration. After all, indoor greenery is never out of place.
Hearing your suggestion, Artem thinks for a moment.
Artem: In that case, I want to try drawing an image of white plum blossoms.
You: Do you like white plum blossoms?
Artem: Rather than liking it, it left an impression on me.
Artem: I suddenly remembered something that happened in college. One winter, I opened the curtain to see blooming white plum blossoms and thought it was snowing in Stellis.
Artem: We don't often get snow in Stellis, so it's a memory that I still remember.
Seeing Artem reminisce about the past, your mood softens.
The image of a young man looking at white plum blossoms appears before you, and Artem's expression at the time must have been gentle... just like now.
You: Then it's settled!
Both of you swiftly settle on the design. It is always efficient to work with Artem.
You: Next, we need to think about how to design it.
Artem: Let me find some references first.
Artem smiles while taking out his phone. However, his expression freezes the moment he sees his screen.
A bad feeling rises in your heart, so you move over beside Artem and look at his phone.
A notification appears on his locked screen, showing a very striking headline.
You: "The Law Is Rewritten for You—Exposing the Tumor in the Stellis Judicial Community"?
