Rainy Pickup Story 5: Final Round
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Blossoms and Birdsong Badge
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Clothing Shop
You: Why... are there so many people...?
It's still bright out, and since you and Vyn are heading back the same way you came, you couldn't be going the wrong way.
However, the scene before you still makes you wonder if you're in the right place.
Vyn: ...
The clothing store, which was empty earlier, now has quite a few customers. It isn't exactly crowded, but...
The last two times you visited, you and Vyn simply had the place to yourselves. Seeing such an increase in foot traffic is a bit surprising.
Shop Owner: Oh, you two are back! Did you have fun?
The owner suddenly spots you and walks over from the store.
You: Why is your store so crowded all of a sudden, Miss?
Shop Owner: Well, I wouldn't call it "sudden"... They steadily built up over time.
You can't help looking at the extremely eye-catching clothes in the window, gaining a new appreciation of the concept that "success comes from the accumulation of many small actions."
Vyn: Miss, we have completed all the challenges.
Vyn speaks gently, skillfully steering the conversation back.
Shop Owner: Ah... you're all done with the event...?
Her gaze moves back and forth between the two of you. You're unsure what she's thinking.
Shop Owner: Then next up is...
Vyn: Now that we have completed the challenge event, you should give us our secret prize.
You: Yup. You've been acting mysterious this whole time, but you can finally tell us now.
Shop Owner: Ah, as for the secret prize...
She purposefully draws out her speech, varying her tone of voice multiple times to build suspense.
Shop Owner: ...Here it is!
She pulls out a stack of coupons from behind her back and then hands them to you. You can tell right away that they are all coupons for different stores.
You: ...
Vyn: What is wrong? You look a little disappointed.
You: It isn't that... It's just...
Throughout this entire process, you couldn't shake the feeling that Vyn had something prepared for you.
Several things happened along the way to feed your suspicion.
So now that this adventure has already come to an end and nothing happened, you feel a little disappointed.
You: I just remembered something. Wait for me here, Vyn - I'll be right back!
Looking at the coupons you're holding, you recall the two sweaters you'd set aside before and you disregard everything else.
You: (Regardless, I should go buy the sweaters first. It wouldn't be good if someone else gets their hands on them.)
To keep it a surprise for Vyn, you find a random excuse before following the owner into the clothing store to pay for the sweaters.
You come back out carrying the sweaters only to realize that Vyn isn't where you left him.
You: Huh? Where'd Vyn go?
Just as you're about to take out your phone to call him, the shop owner who is walking you out stops you.
Shop Owner: "Do you remember the lake we visited together last time? I will wait for you there."
That's what your boyfriend said. He said you would know what it means.
You: Ah... O-okay...
You originally suspected Vyn had something to do with the challenge event, but nothing happened just now.
Just when you thought everything had already come to an end, Vyn asked someone to pass on a message, telling you that he'll be waiting at the lake you went to before.
You: (Just what is going on here...?)
The inkling buried deep in your heart is like a seedling sprouting from the soil. It anticipates the imminent answer, bringing the rain, ready to bloom and bear fruit.
By the Lake
The sky is growing darker, and with each step closer, the street lamps illuminate one by one. Their soft light echoes your gradually quickening heartbeat, ripe with excitement.
Before reaching your final destination, you see a cluster of light in the distance, gently swaying in the wind.
You: (Is that light reflecting off the water?)
The thought dissipates as soon as it comes when you realize that it isn't quite right,But as soon as this idea pops into your head, you realize it isn't right.
You: (No, that's...)
The light you see, swaying with the wind, isn't the water, but luminescent eipluhnights.
A large field filled with countless eipluhnights glows with a dreamy light amidst the darkness.
And Vyn is standing among them, looking at you from the distance. He reaches out for you, and you can't help quickening your pace.
You: Vyn!
Vyn: ...
Vyn: Judging by your reaction, is it safe for me to assume that you fancy the mysterious surprise I planned for you?
The breeze mixes with the floral fragrance amidst the silent night, enveloping Vyn's voice and making it sound like an intoxicating wine.
You: Yeah, I love it. It's so beautiful.
After stepping back from Vyn's embrace, you finally get the chance to admire the sea of flowers.
Even though you've seen a luminescent eipluhnight in bloom at Vyn's house before, this is the first time you've ever seen such a large number of them crowded together.
You: What made you... suddenly think of doing something like this?
Vyn: It was not a sudden idea.
Vyn: In fact, you must have noticed that there were a lot of snags in my plan.
You: Yeah...
From the clothing store owner's odd behavior at the beginning to the meaningful smile on the flower shop owner's face...
As well as the strangely planned route and Vyn's inexplicable familiarity with that parrot...
"This challenge event is carefully planned by Vyn." This thought has been swirling around in your mind all day.
You: But I thought I was overthinking everything when the clothing store owner gave me the coupons just now.
Vyn: That was the only way I could enhance the surprise factor. Otherwise, you would have seen right through me...
Vyn: In that case, I would inevitably feel like I failed.
Vyn sounds a little childish when he says this, his eyes sparkle. Seeing this, you can't stop yourself from wanting to tease him.
You: Then, what would you have done if I hadn't left the clothing store earlier?
Vyn: Well, I already asked the clothing store owner to find an excuse to lead you away.
You: I knew it, you were all working together...
Thinking back on everything you experienced today and looking at Vyn's relaxed smile, you can't help but think of the effort he had put in.
You: (Vyn planned everything so meticulously today. He must have made so many preparations in advance...)
You: (I don't even know how he got those stores to go along with his plan...)
As you consider this, your heart grows softer and softer. You can't resist hugging Vyn.
Your ear rests over his heart, which thumps in rhythm with your breathing. Every moment of silence is filled by your equally steady heartbeat.
For a moment, it's as if the two of you have become one.
You: Vyn... you're so amazing...
Words alone can't express the fluctuating emotions you feel in your heart. You can only hope to communicate how you feel with a tighter, deeper embrace.
Vyn: It was nothing. As long as it made you happy.
Vyn: I always aspire to give you more, whether it be a surprise or a beautiful memory.
Vyn: And did you not prepare a gift for me as well?
His gaze shifts to the bag holding the two sweaters in your hands. It's too late for you to hide them now, even if you wanted to.
You: This... This is...
Vyn: Am I mistaken? ...Is it not for me?
The brightness in his eyes dims suddenly. He tries his best to hide his sadness, causing your sudden panic.
You: No, no! It's for you.
You: ...I bought one for myself too so we can wear matching outfits later.
Confessing your feelings like this to Vyn shouldn't be a big deal, but you wring your fingers together nervously.
He gently spreads your hands apart, weaving and interlocking his fingers between yours.
Vyn: I knew you wanted to give it to me.
His somewhat disappointed expression from just now disappears in an instant. It is replaced by a confident and determined smile.
You: Vyn, you knew, but you still wanted to tease me!
You pretend to struggle, but Vyn tightens his arms and hugs you tighter.
Vyn: I just wanted to hear it from you...
You: What?
Vyn: That we could wear matching outfits later. I wanted you to admit that you are possessive of me too.
You: Forget about that first part... As for the second part, how did you come to that conclusion!?
Vyn: The point of wearing matching outfits as a couple is to claim someone else as your own, no?
Vyn: Wearing the same clothes as the person by your side in a crowd silently communicates a type of ownership.
Vyn: Is that not what you were thinking when you bought these clothes?
You: I... I...
He looks at you, waiting for your answer. Seeing the smile on his lips, you can't hide your true intentions.
Vyn's gaze beckons sincerity, compelling you to unveil the question burning within, yearning for the answer you seek.
You: Then... are you willing to?
Vyn: Of course, I am willing.
Vyn: I would love to. Or rather, I am yearning to do so.
It was a vague question, but Vyn answers you seriously as if he's taking an oath.
The lingering scent of eipluhnights mixes with Vyn's breath, making it hard to look away.
You: Great... That's great...
You stand on your tiptoes, uttering words that don't make sense, merely concerned with closing the gap between you two.
The so-called act of "claiming someone as your own" works better when accomplished with your own hands.
Only the sound of intertwined air can be heard amidst the night, whether it be the breeze or someone's breathing...
Summary
Character(s)
