Marius' Sweet Chapter 01-01
Overview
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Guide
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Script
You: We've been to the amusement park and the exhibition hall... Well...
Marius: Are you still thinking about the location for today's date?
Marius sits down next to you on the sofa and rubs his forehead against your cheek affectionately.
You: Yes... I'm struggling to make a decision.
Marius: How about I arrange the plans for our date?
You: No, I just need a little more time.
You lean in toward his shoulder and find a comfortable position.
Before... You would have been shy... but it seems you have gradually become used to doing stuff like this.
His fine hair rubbing against your face is particularly soft. It makes you feel comfortable.
Marius: As a matter of fact... It's quite nice to lean on you like this.
You: But we can't just do nothing and lean on each other all day... We've got to find something to do.
Marius: What's wrong with doing nothing for a day? Haven't you heard the saying?
Marius: It's a blessing to enjoy a moment of peace amidst chaos. I like being with you and will never get tired of leaning on you.
Marius: Huh? There's an art exhibition...
In the middle of his sentence, Marius' gaze becomes fixated on your phone screen.
A new exhibition advertisement pops up on the screen—Fantastical Art Exhibition: "Blurry Days and Nights" by Cyrus Brown, a new prominent painter.
You: Are you interested?
You follow the guide on the screen and browse the details page with Marius.
Marius: Cyrus Brown is a very talented young painter.
Marius: His works are full of his own strong individualistic style, and his simple painting techniques make people feel the richness of his inner life.
Marius: The title of the exhibition "Blurry Days and Nights" is the name of his first artwork. However... It's also the name of his last work before his death.
Marius retracts his gentleness—his voice becomes serious.
You: The last work before his death? You mean, this painter is...?
Marius: Cyrus Brown was born with congenital liver dysfunction... He passed away a month ago.
Marius: But... Even when the physical body perishes, the artist still lives on in spirit through the world's admiration.
Marius: A painter as good as Cyrus Brown will surely be remembered by the world.
You: You seem to think highly of him.
Marius: I admire his work. By the way, I bought the book Blurry Days and Night. Do you want to take a look?
You: Yes, certainly.
Marius: Then come with me.
Marius pulls out a book from the shelf and hands it to you.
Marius: This is the one.
You: It's thick...
The cover of the picture book is cute and childlike, but the book is unexpectedly heavy.
You turn the pages and quickly flip through the contents of the picture book.
You: "He walks through the path paved with crystals, guided by fairy spirits into the forest..."
You: "The young man sketches the eyes of the divine bird with his brush, and the colors on the paper are brighter than sunlight..."
You: Is this a fairytale?
Marius: Not exactly.
Marius: You see, the picture book is divided into several chapters, and after each chapter, there are attached pages.
Marius: Some of the attached pages are number puzzles, some are riddles...
Marius: And some blank drawings, waiting to be filled with colors by the reader. Isn't this an interesting design?
You: It is quite interesting.
Marius: It looks like a children's book at first, but in fact, there are many interactive puzzles and even metaphors hidden inside.
Marius: Some people say it is Cyrus Brown's personal biography. The main character of the picture book is a young man who is eager to seek out the divine bird—it's the epitome of Cyrus Brown himself.
Marius: The clues buried in the picture book also point to the life that Cyrus Brown originally envisioned but couldn't have due to his illness.
Marius: But... After I read it a few times, I feel that these critics are not quite right.
You: How?
Marius: I don't think this picture book is really from the first-person point of view, rather... Narrating the story from a perspective of an onlooker.
Marius: Moreover, the puzzles and clues left in the picture book have a very clear direction, like... a message written to someone.
Marius: If I have the chance, I'd love to solve all the puzzles in the book and see what Cyrus Brown was trying to convey.
As you listen to Marius' introduction to the picture book and Cyrus Brown, you suddenly get an idea.
You: Why don't we go to the art exhibition together? I'd also like to learn more about Cyrus Brown and buy a picture book to study.
Marius: Okay, I'll ask Payton to prepare lunch, and we'll go after that.
You: Good idea!
While Marius is downstairs in the living room, you flip through the picture book again.
In the picture book, the young man looking for the divine bird is walking alone in the forest. It reminds you of another picture book you once saw in the von Hagen estate.
The little boy in that picture book used to endure loneliness and walk through the forest alone.
And now...
Marius: What's on your mind?
You: I'm thinking about you...
You: !!!
You didn't notice the footsteps coming from the door, and by the time you have reacted to your own words, it is too late.
Your body is wrapped in a pair of warm, strong arms, and Marius' hair rests on your ear—it's as soft as his warm breath.
Marius: ...Seems like I'm very important to you. I've only been away for a few minutes and you're already thinking about me?
That's not true!
You: ...
You want to retort, but in Marius' strong arms, you have no strength to do so.
Not knowing what to do with Marius, you try to change the subject...
You: I... I was thinking... If you organize your work, you could make your own art book.
Marius: I don't think so, but I would consider a picture book.
Good. You've changed the topic of conversation!
You: Well, what kind of a picture book?
Marius: It's a secret. If I told you now, there would be no surprise.
Marius: I'm still hoping for you to compliment me after you see the picture book.
Your ears tingle for a few long moments, feeling the warmth of Marius' breath.
He's doing it on purpose!
You: Then I will have to consider whether to give compliments or criticism after I see the picture book.
Marius: I'm sure you'll be satisfied.
Based just on his voice, you don't need to look at Marius' expression to know that he has a big smile plastered on his face.
You: ...Okay, that's it! It's time to eat! We have somewhere to be after lunch!
You change the topic of the conversation and get ready to walk out the door seriously.
Marius takes your hand and interlocks his fingers into yours.
Marius: Well, let's go for lunch then.
He seems to like holding your hand like this, ever since you both confirmed the relationship...
That's so... You shake your head and let him lead you downstairs.
