Luke All Year Round Event/Out-of-Print Gift
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Used Bookstore
You've already prepared your mind and wallet to get the first edition of the Sherlock Holmes collection, but...
Whether it's online or offline, local or overseas, you've tried every avenue to no avail.
As a last-ditch attempt, you try your luck at the oldest used bookstore in Stellis.
You: Hello. Do happen to have the first edition of the Sherlock Holmes collection?
Upon hearing that name, an older gentleman stops organizing the books in his hands.
Elderly Man: I'm sorry, but we don't sell books that are out-of-print.
The man's cold answer feels as if it's declaring your failure.
Perhaps the old gentleman can't bear to see how disappointed you are.
Elderly Man: There are many Sherlock Holmes collections on the market. Why do you have to buy the first edition?
You: It's for a very important person. He's a Sherlock Holmes fan, and has always wanted the first editions since he was young.
You: Because of some reasons, we haven't been able to see each other for eight years. Now that he's back, I want to fulfill that wish.
Elderly Man: Eight years is a long time. The person you knew probably vanished a long time ago.
Elderly Man: Even if he's back now, you don't have to care so much about that wish.
You: What? You...
The man sounds like he's... irritated? This piques your curiosity.
Elderly Man: Aren't you angry that he was gone for so long?
You: Haha, so that's what you meant. It's not like we had some childish spat.
The old man was probably thinking of some romance movie trope, like when someone leaves without saying goodbye.
You: I was angry when he first disappeared, and I had sworn to never see him again...
You: But later, I became worried about him. I thought, it's okay if he doesn't keep in touch as long as he's safe.
You: You can't reclaim lost time, but when we met again, I realized...
You: There was no divide between us. It was if we were never apart.
Elderly Man: ...
Elderly Man: You are very lucky.
You: Huh?
Elderly Man: I happen to have a first-edition Sherlock Holmes set in my collection.
You: Really? Would you be willing to sell it to me...?
Hearing your request, he looks a bit gloomy.
You: Ah, I'm sorry. You specifically collected it, so those books must hold special meaning for you.
It's inappropriate to discuss money right now. You pause and carefully change your approach.
You: Sir, I am sincerely looking for that collection. If there's anything I can do for you, please tell me.
The man stares at you for a moment before shaking his head with a sigh.
Elderly Man: It looks like you're already well aware that you can't find another such collection in Stellis.
You: Yes, you're right. I've tried everything I could. You're my last hope.
You: I've asked my friends and exhausted their resources, and I made posts online.
You: But so far... I haven't received any good news.
You: I've been to most of Stellis' bookstores. Your place is the last stop.
You: Lots of people told me that if you didn't have the collection, then it really is out of the market.
Elderly Man: So what would you do?
You: Huh?
Elderly Man: If I didn't have that collection, what would you do?
You: I guess I'd probably give him a promise first.
You: He likes Sherlock Holmes so much that the first edition of the collection would be an irreplaceable gift for him.
You: If I can't fulfill his wish this year, then I'll promise him on his birthday...
You: Next year, the year after, no matter how many years it'll take, I will find this collection for him.
You: If I can't find it this year, then I'll have to first give him another present.
You: But I won't give up on looking for this collection!
You: He likes Sherlock Holmes so much that the first edition of the collection would be an irreplaceable gift for him.
You: Next year, the year after, no matter how many years it'll take, I will find this collection for him.
You: Maybe he'll be even more surprised by then.
The older gentleman is stunned by your words, but then he unexpectedly laughs.
However, his smile makes you feel sad for some reason...
Elderly Man: Youngsters sure talk big. Not bad.
Elderly Man: Life is long. There will always be enough time to chase after your pursuits. It's as if...
Elderly Man: You'll never reach an end...
Elderly Man: If I had your determination back then, I would be a different person today.
You: Sir, you...
Elderly Man: Do you really want this collection?
You: Yes, very much so.
Elderly Man: ...I'm old, so I get tired after organizing books for a while. Help me sort out the secondhand books in this box, and that collection's yours.
You: All right, on it!
Under the man's guidance, you spend the entire afternoon organizing aged books in the secondhand bookstore.
Each secondhand book must be disinfected, inspected for damage, tagged, and finally placed on its designated shelf.
If there are books with missing pages or large water stains, they have to be specially taken out for repairs or cleaning.
At long last, you finish organizing the books before the sun sets. The older gentleman brings over a set of books.
Elderly Man: Young lady, thank you for your hard work. Here, the first edition Sherlock Holmes collection that you wanted.
The old man solemnly gives the books to you. You lightly trace a bound cover. He obviously cherished these books.
You: Sir, I should still pay you the market value.
You: This might sound crass, but I feel bad for taking your treasured books like this...
Elderly Man: There's nothing to feel bad about. Books are only valuable when in the hands of someone who loves them.
Elderly Man: Don't think so much about it. I never liked reading Sherlock Holmes, but she did...
Elderly Man: I collected these books as a gift for her, but she left and never returned, so they have lost their original purpose.
You: Her?
She must have been very important to him...
You: But what if she comes back? If you give them to me...
Elderly Man: I told you to take them, so take them. Even if she comes back, the distance between us can't be closed by a set of books.
Elderly Man: All right, you lucky girl, take your books. Off you go.
You: ...
The old gentleman bids you leave before you can say anything else.
You look back at the bookstore's door, hoping that there are more happy reunions in the world like yours and Luke's, and fewer ones filled with longing and regret.
Luke: Boss, why are you closing so early today?
Elderly Man: You again! You're late. I already sold the collection.
Luke: Huh?! Didn't you say you kept them for your first love, and that you'd never sell them?
Elderly Man: The books were mine, so I did as I pleased!
Luke: Yeah, yeah, okay. Then what if she returns?
Elderly Man: That's none of your business.
Luke: At least tell me why you sold it to another person. I'm no less sincere than anyone else.
Elderly Man: I think you just want to buy them from the buyer.
Luke: Hehe, you saw through me.
Elderly Man: I suggest you drop the idea. That young lady bought them for someone very important to her.
Elderly Man: From her attitude, she definitely would not sell them to someone else.
Luke: Sigh... Looks like I'm not destined to have that collection.
Elderly Man: You wouldn't be disappointed if you had thought that from the start.
Luke: Enough about books. Boss, how about some chess today?
Elderly Man: I already sold the books. Why do you still want to play chess with me?
Luke: Books are books, chess is chess. They're unrelated.
Elderly Man: You mean that you'll still come to play chess with me in the future?
Luke: Of course. In this entire city, you're the only person I'd happily lose to.
Elderly Man: Hmph. I've lived a long life, and I still haven't lost to anyone.
Luke: No one knows the future for certain.
Elderly Man: Young man, you talk big.
Luke: You're the one who taught me that chess is like war: you can't lose your momentum.
Summary
Character(s)
