Vyn's Sweet Chapter 02-06
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Cafe
It might be okay to mention the Duchess.
The three of you go to a nearby cafe and each order a drink.
The cafe is filled with a sweet fragrance while soft music is playing in the background...
Professor Aston takes a sip from his cup and smiles.
Professor Aston: The coffee here is great. I should try another flavor next time.
Professor Aston: Well, Vyn, what can I do for you?
Professor Aston: Did you listen to me and change your mind about expediting your engagement?
Vyn: ...It is not that.
Professor Aston: What else could it be?
He takes another sip of coffee, puzzled.
Vyn: How is your recent work on polycystic kidney disease?
Instead of asking Professor Aston directly about the clinical trials, Vyn eases into the topic.
Professor Aston taps his coffee cup lightly with his spoon.
Professor Aston: Not bad. I'm confident that a breakthrough is just on the horizon.
Professor Aston: Why the sudden interest in my job? Could it be that you want to help with my research?
Vyn frowns slightly at Professor Aston's eager eyes.
Vyn: I... want to talk to you about your clinical trials for polycystic kidney disease.
Professor Aston: !!!
Professor Aston is startled by Vyn's response and then frowns.
Vyn: I heard you came to Stellis in preparation for a series of clinical trials with Stellis Research Institute and Stellis Public Hospital.
Vyn: Perhaps... we can talk about that.
Professor Aston: Vyn, you're very well-informed.
Professor Aston: But the clinical trials are confidential. I can't say too much, so let's talk about something else.
Professor Aston is still frowning, with no intention of talking about the clinical trials.
He looks at Vyn as if waiting for him to change the subject.
Vyn: I have a patient with hereditary polycystic kidney disease, and she's not doing so well. So...
Professor Aston: ...
Hearing Vyn still talking about the clinical trials, Professor Aston doesn't answer, his expression looking sullen.
For a moment, the atmosphere becomes a little tense.
Sometime later, Vyn lets out a sigh, before speaking again.
Vyn: Aston...
Vyn: Her condition is critical, which is why...
Professor Aston: ...
Professor Aston: Enough!
The expression on Professor Aston's face has gone sour, and he's furious.
Even so, he tries to hold back the anger in his voice.
Professor Aston: Vyn, as friends, I don't want a senseless dispute to interfere with our friendship.
Vyn: ...
Vyn: I understand, Aston. But I must...
Faced with Vyn's insistence, Professor Aston can no longer hold back his temper.
Before Vyn can finish, Professor Aston interrupts him.
Professor Aston: I don't know exactly where you got your information, but there's nothing for us to talk about.
Professor Aston: It's a shame. I never imagined... that your real purpose for visiting me today was this.
Professor Aston pauses for a moment with a look of realization.
Professor Aston: Ahh... now I remember. A woman who came to me weeks ago was also from the Haspran family.
Professor Aston: Don't tell me... Vyn, are you here on her behalf?
Vyn: Yes... but...
Professor Aston: Enough! Since you've admitted it, there's really nothing more to talk about.
Professor Aston: Vyn, you know me, and you still chose to test me in this manner...
Professor Aston: Do you even consider me a friend!?
Professor Aston slams the coffee cup onto the table and leaves the cafe.
You both apologize to the shop owner and chase after Aston, but he's nowhere to be found...
You: Vyn... Professor Aston is gone. What should we do?
Vyn: ...
Vyn: He could not have gone far. Let us ask around and see if anyone has seen him.
You: Okay...
Waterfront Central Business District
Ask the passersby if they have seen Professor Aston.
You: Excuse me, did a man with blue eyes and blond hair pass by here?
Young Man: A man with blue eyes and blonde hair...?
Vyn: Yes, we are looking for him.
Young Man: Let me think...
Young Man: Hmm... I don't recall seeing anyone like that around here. Why don't you look elsewhere?
You: Okay, thank you!
Vyn: Thank you.
You: Miss, did a blond guy pass by here?
Young Woman: A foreigner? You mean a man with blond hair and turquoise eyes?
You: Yeah, that's him! Can you tell me where he went?
Young Woman: Is he a friend of yours? He was so handsome that I noticed him immediately...
Young Woman: I could only get a glimpse of him because he was walking so fast.
Young Woman: He was just here, so he couldn't have gone far.
You: Thank you for telling us!
Vyn: Thank you!
Young Woman: Sure, it's nothing.
Central Plaza
Ask the passersby if they have seen Professor Aston.
You: Excuse me, did a blond guy pass by here?
Middle-aged Woman: A blond guy? Many blond guys passed through here just now. Who are you looking for?
Vyn: He was wearing a light-colored suit jacket and carrying a briefcase.
You: Yeah, he's about 180cm.
Middle-aged Woman: I see...
Middle-aged Woman: Oh, is that the person you're looking for?
The lady points to the exit on the other side of Central Plaza, where you spot Professor Aston passing by.
You: Yeah, thank you!
Central Plaza
Tell Professor Aston what happened to the Duchess.
You and Vyn run over quickly and finally catch up to Professor Aston, who is still trying to storm off.
The two of you block Aston's path and meet his gaze.
Professor Aston: Vyn, I don't want to fight with you, but...
Professor Aston: If you still wish to be my friend, please don't ask me about that again.
Vyn: ...
As soon as Professor Aston says that, Vyn's expression becomes complex. He says nothing and stares at Professor Aston.
Professor Aston lets out a small sigh, his tone softening quite a bit.
Perhaps because he realized that what he said will hurt their friendship...
Professor Aston: I don't wish... for a noble to come between us.
Professor Aston: Vyn, our friendship is worth more than that, isn't it...?
Vyn: I am well aware, but because of that...
Vyn: Aston, are you not curious as to why I brought this up?
Vyn: You should know that I, of all people, would rarely ask such a thing.
Professor Aston: Then why?
Professor Aston looks bewildered.
Professor Aston: Fine, tell me why you are doing this then.
Vyn: Because in my eyes, she is more like a "real" mother... than a noble.
Professor Aston: A "real" mother?
You: Yes, Professor Aston... The Duchess is different from other nobles...
Professor Aston: Different? How?
Vyn: Aston, I remember you once said that you regretted not taking better care of your father when you were young.
Vyn looks at Aston and says every word with profound meaning.
Vyn: You even wanted to give up your studies to take care of him. However, your mother stopped you, and your father did not allow you to return home.
Vyn: The entire time you were studying away from home, you were constantly worried about your father's illness, about his health...
Vyn: The Duchess of Bavaria is the same as "you" during that time.
Professor Aston: ...
Professor Aston's eyes widen. It seems Vyn's words made him recall a distant memory.
Vyn: You know more than I do about polycystic kidney disease and its causes.
Vyn: Ever since Marni was diagnosed, the Duchess has blamed herself...
Vyn: If you are interested in how she feels, you can ask her yourself.
Vyn: But I can assure you, she has gone through the same pain as you.
Vyn: And what she wants now is exactly what you wanted then...
Vyn: She just wants a lifeline.
Professor Aston: A lifeline...
Aston frowns, showing signs of wavering on his face.
Vyn: Moreover, Marni, the Duchess' daughter, also said...
Professor Aston: What is it?
Vyn: She said she did not want to be in the clinical trials and that if only she could disappear...
Vyn: This 11-year-old girl does not want to see her mother burdened by her illness, only living for her...
Professor Aston: !!!
By now, Professor Aston has a look of disbelief on his face.
When Vyn is done explaining himself, there is a mixture of complicated emotions in Professor Aston's eyes.
After a while, Professor Aston speaks slowly.
Professor Aston: I... I'm not a heartless person.
Professor Aston: Let me think it over...
Seeing him waver, Vyn "sweetens" the deal by offering something extra.
Vyn: Aston, I know how difficult this decision must be for you.
Vyn: If you are willing to think it over, I can help you with something else in exchange.
Vyn: I know you have been studying the psychological effects of patients in treating polycystic kidney disease...
Vyn: And you have always wondered why people who cooperate with conservative treatment fail to get better, some even succumbing to their depression.
Vyn: I can offer my expertise in helping with your research...
Vyn: You can take credit for any results.
Professor Aston: !!!
You: !!!
You and Professor Aston stare at Vyn with wide eyes.
Vyn pauses for a brief moment, then his tone becomes calm and serious.
Vyn: Everything I have said is my personal opinion, and the final decision lies with you.
Vyn: I will respect you no matter what choice you make, and we will remain friends.
You: (Vyn is willing to sacrifice so much... for the Duchess and Marni.)
Professor Aston: Vyn... Surely, you must be joking?
Professor Aston: Why would you do so much... for the Duchess of Bavaria and her daughter? They are...
Vyn: At this moment, I prefer to think of them as simply mother and daughter.
Vyn: Aston, you have known me for so long, and you are well aware of who I am.
Vyn: I am earnest in everything I do.
Professor Aston: ...
Aston falls silent upon hearing Vyn's response.
After a long time, he lets out a small sigh as his furrowed eyebrows begin to relax.
Professor Aston: Vyn, I would like to speak to you alone.
Go talk with Vyn.
Professor Aston walks to the side after asking to speak to Vyn alone.
Vyn pats you on the shoulder and smiles gently at you before heading over to Aston.
Vyn: I am going to speak with Aston. I will be back at the psychology center later.
Vyn: Head back first and inform the Duchess to bring Marni here.
You: Okay... but I have just one question.
Vyn: Yes, what is it?
You: Why did you bring up that last condition? It's quite a big sacrifice...
You understand the importance of receiving credit for research, so to hand over all the credit...
Vyn smiles lightly after hearing of your confusion and gently brushes your hair with his hand.
Vyn: This is my way of showing Aston my sincerity... and my acknowledgment of the Duchess.
You: Sincerity... and acknowledgment?
Vyn: Yes. To me, not only is this a special case, it is also an omen...
Vyn: Only by doing this will I feel that I have done more than just help them secure a spot in the clinical trials.
Vyn: I can also build a deeper working relationship with Aston and help even more people.
Vyn: Fame and rewards are not as important in comparison.
You: Vyn... you...
Just as you start to feel moved by Vyn's gesture, you catch a glimpse of the true ploy in his eyes.
The edge of his mouth curls into a smile.
Vyn: Besides, I know Aston very well. He would never allow me to give him all the credit...
You: !!!
You: So you had it planned out from the very start.
Vyn: "Using the proper remedies." Whether it be with Aston just now or the events in the past...
Vyn: This is part of my job.
Vyn: Okay, I should go and speak with Aston now. You should go back first.
You: All right, I'll let the Duchess know. You go right ahead.
Vyn nods and turns to walk away.
As you watch him as he walks away, you feel a sense of relaxation, a feeling that you haven't felt for a very long time...
You haven't seen Vyn smile that way ever since being involved in the incident with the Duchess...
Is his heart finally at ease beneath that gentle smile?
You: Never mind—it's not the time to be thinking about stuff like this. I should notify the Duchess first...
You take out your phone and tap away at the keyboard.
You: Done!
You: There's still some time before Vyn and the Duchess return to the psychology center... What should I do in the meantime?
You: I got it! I should go and get Marni a gift!
West Hemingway Heights Street
Go select the gift for Marni.
After arriving at the mall, the countless selection of gifts makes your head spin.
You: There are way too many things here... I really don't know what to get.
After comparing countless items, you finally decide to give Marni a puzzle set.
This puzzle is based on the famous piece "Little Thieves." The puzzle features cute, cartoon versions of the characters.
The change adds more fun to the artwork's depiction of the bond between mother and child.
You: The Duchess must've also held Marni like that when she was little...
You: It would be much more meaningful if Marni and the Duchess could finish this puzzle together.
You: I think they'll like this present.
You return to the psychology center as your mind wonders about the infinite possibilities.
Communicate the situation with the Duchess and Marni.
Vyn and Professor Aston are still not at the psychology center by the time you return.
However, Marni and the Duchess are already waiting in the reception area. Marni looks to have recovered from the fainting episode and looks fine.
The Duchess quickly approaches you when she sees you.
Duchess: Miss [Player], how did it go?
You: Professor Aston is already speaking to Vyn. They'll be back soon.
Duchess: I hope nothing goes wrong...
You can see a glimpse of worry in the Duchess' eyes as she wasn't able to get a definitive answer from you.
You: There's no need to worry, Vyn will definitely take care of it.
Duchess: You are right... I believe in him as well.
You: Duchess, I brought Marni a present. I hope she likes it.
Duchess: A present...
Marni, who is sitting off to the side, tugs on the Duchess' sleeve as she hears the word "present."
Marni: She has a gift for me...?
Marni: Mommy... Can I take it?
Duchess: Of course, but you will have to say "thank you" first.
Marni: Yay, thank you, Miss!
Marni turns toward you and looks at you with a wide grin.
You pat Marni on the head and take out the puzzle.
You: I hope that you and Marni... both like it...
