Artem "Por Una Cabeza"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 1. Artem is not yet in a relationship with the MC.

The MC arrives at Stellis University's annual ball, confused as to who might have invited her to such a prestigious event. While she searches for a place to check in, she overhears derisive gossip about whether she deserves to be there and rumors that she was invited by the guest of honor. In the lobby, Artem searches for the MC and wonders why she went in without him since she's his dance partner. As he frets over whether someone else invited her, he encounters Cedric Ross, the event's guest of honor, who provokes Artem with cruel insinuations about his relationship with the MC and the disappearance of Neil Hume.

The MC goes to the lobby to continue the search for the person who invited her, meeting Cedric Ross and remembering that she was in a play with him in school. She's unable to remember her dance partner's name, but is certain it wasn't Cedric. She blames her poor memory on exhaustion, but Cedric reminds her of the plot of the play they'd acted in together, in which Princess Turandot (played by the MC) would agree to marry Prince Calaf (played by Cedric) if she could not guess his name. Cedric insists that since the MC can't recall her partner's name, it must be him. Back in the banquet hall, Artem continues the search, encountering the guests who were gossiping about the MC earlier; they agree she seems to have great potential.

Lamenting her exhaustion from work, the MC tries to recall the identity of her dance partner. Artem finally finds her, but she still can't remember his name despite recalling their month of practice for the opening dance. As the opening dance song begins, the two both wake from their separate dreams.

In his study, Artem's nightmare makes him second-guess the MC's reason for accepting his invitation. At her home, the MC frets over Cedric's invitation, which she'd declined, and over her hope that the opening dance goes well. As she considers messaging Artem despite the late hour, he messages her, and the two share a reassuring phone call.

On their way to the ball, the MC worries over her performance in the upcoming dance. Artem reassures her, reminding her of her excellent performance of Turandot, which he'd seen live as he'd still been a doctorate student at the time. Arriving at the venue, Artem has the valet park his car to avoid repeating the separation from his dream, and he introduces the MC to various guests. The opening dance begins, and the two perform a tango to the tune of "Por Una Cabeza" that goes very well.

After the opening dance, the pair receives praise from the guests, and Cedric Ross approaches, asking to speak to the MC alone. She politely evades his request. Later, Cedric confronts Artem alone, bitter that the MC seems to have chosen Artem and taunting Artem over their status as still only colleagues, always a step away from each other. Artem points out that Cedric had more chance with her in college than he'd had, yet Cedric only thought to pursue her when she started to gain status. After the ball, Artem sends the MC home with a Christmas gift of a crystal apple, resolving to be more proactive in pursuing her.

Illustrations

Secret DanceTango is the most subtle, but also the most intense communication between lovers.

Video Call

Video Call		Artem: Por Una Cabeza (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Artem: Hello. Sorry for calling you so suddenly. Did I disrupt anything?

Artem: Don't worry, this isn't work-related. Look at what's in the background. I'm at a shopping mall, not the office.

Artem: Shopping? I'm not against it. However, I don't enjoy wandering aimlessly by myself. But, if you are... Ahem...

Artem: Nothing much. I'm just here to repair my diamond buckle. It's the same one I left at your place back then.

Artem: There's a perfumery near the jewelry store. The fragrance reminded me of you. It was very similar to the one you wore that night.

Artem: Have you ever seen the movie titled "Scent of a Woman?"

Artem: Romance? Hardly. It's about the friendship between two men. The title tends to cause misunderstandings.

Artem: Some people say the movie talks about courage, others say it's about the value of life, but to me, it's about "choice."

Artem: Hmm? Indecisiveness syndrome? That makes sense. There're many options when shopping, so choosing something is oftentimes harder than making a life decision.

Artem: The perfume you wore to the ball was uniquely pleasant. I could find you in a crowd of people with no issues at all.

Artem: I saw that the perfumery is going to be hosting a fragrance blending event. It's on the last weekend of the month. Do you want to try?

Artem: I'm not well versed in perfumes. Would you like to help mix a fragrance for daily use that we can both use in the future?

Artem: We are partners. So for PR reasons, we mustn't use fragrances that clash too wildly with each other, lest we make a bad impression on the client.

Artem: I can't find a suitable one off the shelf. Also... Huh? You agree to go with me?

Artem: Ok. Let's participate together at the end of the month.

Story Locations

University Ball Venue
Dance Hall

University Ball Venue
Lobby Waiting Room

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Artem's Residence

Misc
Dance Studio

Misc

University Ball Venue
Dance Venue

University Ball Venue
Lounge

Artem's Residence

Story Characters

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Artem Wing

Cedric Ross

Guest A

Guest B

Waiter