Marius' Sweet Chapter 02-01
Overview
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Guide
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Script
The sun shines on the young man's profile, casting a faint shadow under his long eyelashes.
His lips are slightly pursed, with a smile barely visible at the corners of his mouth. He is completely focused on the drawing board before him.
The tip of his pencil scratches away, quiet but captivating like the slow-motion scenes in an old movie.
Your mind wanders along with the sound of the moving pencil.
You: (Drawing with Marius is pretty fun...)
Not long ago.
Marius: So you finally thought of me, [Player]?
Marius purposely pouts his lips to ensure that you notice the "sad" look on his face.
You realize that you haven't seen Marius ever since you picked up that patent case.
You: ...
You: I've been working on some complicated cases... And I lost track of everything else.
You: I'm sorry... Please don't be mad at me?
You take Marius' hand and shake it gently to make him look at you.
Marius: Fine. Then... tell me what you're sorry for.
You: Well... I've been neglecting you recently.
You: But look, I'm here now... So please don't be mad at me...
Marius: That's not it. I'm upset because you never asked me what I've been up to.
Marius: Miss, you don't care about me at all, do you?
Although Marius sounds like he's whining, you don't see any resentment in his eyes. Instead, they are filled with sincerity and affection.
Marius: You know, I could never be mad at you. That's why you... you're acting like a spoiled child.
His voice is so whiny that anyone listening in on this conversation would think that he's the one acting like a spoiled child.
As he mumbles, you feel as if your heart is being soaked in syrup. So much that even the air smells sweet.
You: That's not true. I asked Vincent what you've been up to before I came.
You: I heard that you got into clay sculpting, so I...
Looking into his eyes, you're reminded of the things he said earlier. You were going to tell him about how you'd bought him some tools, but you change your mind.
You: Today, we'll do whatever you want to do.
Marius: Really?
He effortlessly pulls you closer to him till your noses are almost touching.
Marius: Now that you've made me a promise, there's no going back.
You: Ah... Okay...
Marius: It's a deal then.
Marius gently rubs your nose with the tip of his own. The disappointment in his eyes disappears, replaced with a smirk.
He looks like... a hunter who has successfully trapped his prey and is ready to collect it.
You: (Why do I feel like I'm being led around by the nose?)
Marius: You said you wanted to learn how to paint. Now that you're in my studio, do you want me to teach you?
Marius is back to his old self now. Before long, you've already forgotten the strange feeling from earlier.
You: Sure. What are we painting today?
Marius: Let's paint some portraits. I think that's what we painted last time.
You: If you can call a simple chibi a portrait...
Marius: You're right. You painted a chibi last time. This time, let's paint something realistic.
You: Something realistic? What am I going to paint?
Marius: Me, of course.
You: Eh?
Before long, Marius has already gotten you seated in front of an easel.
Seeing the lack of resemblance between your portrait and Marius, you feel a little embarrassed.
The overall structure is correct, but the focus of Marius' eyes looks funny.
You: (Marius seems to have overestimated my ability. This composition is too hard...)
Marius: I know I'm an attractive man, Miss, but you've been checking me out a couple of times now.
You: You're attractive...
You: Wait, what? No...
You: (I was so lost in thought that I spoke my mind before I knew it...)
Marius: ...
Marius: I knew it.
You: It's not like that. I'm looking at you because I'm drawing you.
You: Besides, how do you know I'm looking at you if you're not looking at me?
Marius: Well, you do have a point...
Marius puts down his brush and looks over with a smile.
Marius: You're right. I have been looking at you.
His honesty makes you embarrassed.
You: ...
You raise your hand to feel your burning face. You don't know if it's from the sun's heat or from some other reason, but either way, you're left floundering.
Just then, you notice a painting on the coffee table.
You: Oh? What's this?
It's an oil painting of the back view of Marius holding your hand.
Although the strokes seem unrefined, the painting gives off a warm and harmonious vibe.
You: Did Timmy draw this?
Seeing the childish signature that says "Timmy Caddell," you can't help but smile.
You: Timmy's signature is a perfect representation of himself. He may be a kid, but he takes everything very seriously.
Marius: Do you like it, Miss?
Marius puts down his brush and sits next to you on the couch.
You: Well, it's a very nice painting. Way nicer than mine...
Before you can finish your sentence, Marius turns you around to face him. Your ears begin to burn red.
Marius: You can't look at it. I don't like you looking at other people's paintings of you...
His breath drifts past your ear. Marius' voice is low, but your heart pounds increasingly louder and louder.
You: Marius... are you jealous of a little kid?
Marius: Well, I'm easily jealous when it comes to you.
You: You're in it too. How do you know I wasn't looking at you?
You look at Marius and mock him in a similar tone.
Marius: I'm right here. You can look at me for as long as you want.
You: Pfft...
You can't help laughing. Then, you pick up Timmy's painting again.
You: Did Timmy send you this painting?
Marius: Yeah, as gratitude for helping him find the information his brother left behind.
You: I see...
You stroke the canvas gently. The paint's grainy texture reminds you of the boy, stubborn but kind-hearted.
You: I hope everything is fine with Timmy. But looking at this painting now, I feel like he's slowly coming to terms with all that pain...
Marius: When his dad gave us this painting, he said that Timmy had already opened up a lot more than before...
Marius: And that he's learning to paint now.
You: That's great. Maybe we'll be able to see his work in the near future!
Marius: If only it was that simple... When I was his age, I could paint so much better than this...
You: Well, after all, not everyone is as talented as "Z."
Marius: True. Now, let's see your painting.
Marius: You're "Z's" very first student, after all.
You: Ah...
Before you can react, Marius has already taken you back to the drawing board.
You: (This is...)
Marius picks up a brush and does something to the eyes. He frowns slightly.
You: I have no idea what went wrong. I painted this based on you, but I can't seem to get the eyes to look straight ahead...
You: That's why I said we shouldn't start with portraits right off the bat.
Marius: That's not true. I think you're very talented, just like your teacher.
Marius: I just didn't know that's how I looked in your eyes.
His gaze lingers on the raised corners of the young man's lips in the painting.
You: I want you to always be happy, just like in the painting.
You: You should stop frowning when I'm around you, at least. Just be yourself, Marius.
You turn around and look at him, then raise your hands to smooth your fingers over his eyebrows.
As you're about to retract your hands, Marius grabs you by the wrist and gently pulls you into his arms.
Marius: Then give me a kiss. That'll make me happy.
He closes his eyes. His eyelashes tremble slightly, showing you that he's not as calm as he sounds.
You: ...
He gently places his hand behind your head, with a smile on the corners of his lips, looking exactly like the picture in the painting.
Maybe it's because you didn't react, but he opens his eyes and gets even closer to you.
Marius: Miss, I'll wait for that kiss of yours...
Marius: Till then, I will never let go.
No one should hesitate when the one they love is right in front of them.
With infinite admiration and excitement, you stand on your tiptoes, leaning closer toward him.
A sudden knock on the door interrupts you.
Marius: ...
Marius looks very annoyed. He bends down and gives you a peck on the lips.
Marius: We'll get back to that.
You: All right, but you should let them in. It must be important if they are here on your day off.
Marius: It better be.
He nods reluctantly, and you then hold your hand over your heart.
Beneath your palm, your heart pounds restlessly.
