Wings of Exhilaration: Story 4
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Racing Heartbeat Badge
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Artem's Residence 1F
After many ups and downs, the rally raid exhibition match finally ends without a hitch.
Martin comes in fifth, which is a great placement. However, he is immediately recalled overseas for more professional competitions.
Even so, you are getting more enjoyment out of the "celebration feast" between you and Artem.
You: Artem, look!
Once you get home, you open your suitcase and take out the souvenir you secretly bought for Artem.
Artem: It's... a pair of gloves from the bivouac?
You: Yep. I bought them from the souvenir shop at our last stop.
You: I used the same way you determined my glove size and bought size 27 gloves. Let's see if they fit!
Artem takes the gloves and puts one on his left hand. However, the moment he pulls it on, your heart sinks.
You: Why does it look... larger?
Artem: Hmm... it is. This seems to be a normal size 27, which is two sizes too large for me.
You: No way... they reverted back to normal sizes in the souvenir shop?
Artem: It does make sense since the items sold in the souvenir shops are supposed to be used in everyday life.
Not willing to admit defeat, you pull over Artem's hand for a look, only to discover that the glove feels even bigger than it should, even with a two-size difference.
It is large enough for your hand to go inside, too. The glove envelops both of your hands together.
You: ...There's no way this glove can be used in an everyday setting.
Artem: Don't worry. It will have an opportunity to shine.
Inside the glove, Artem rubs his fingers against yours to calm you down.
You: We can only wear them to get warm in the middle of winter, and only if the electricity cuts off so we can't turn on the heater, I suppose?
Artem: That... could certainly happen. Why don't we keep them for a rainy day?
You collectively work to find the silver lining in this situation. Just as you finally manage to cheer yourself up, the doorbell suddenly rings.
You: Someone's at the door. Are we expecting anyone?
Artem: It should be the delivery person. Martin said he's mailing something that should arrive today. I'll get the door...
As Artem gets ready to stand up, a pull on his hand suddenly drags him back.
The glove that seemed too big a moment ago now links you two tightly together "at the right time."
You: ...Huh? Why is it stuck?
Artem: Calm down. The more we struggle, the harder it will be to get out...
Just then, the doorbell rings two more times, as if it's hurrying you along.
Artem: ...Never mind. I'll get the door first.
Artem pulls you to the door and opens it with his free right hand.
You hide behind him and rather awkwardly listen to his conversation with the delivery person.
As the deliveryman turns to leave, he even praises how you two are so in love that you need to hold hands even when receiving a package.
Artem: ...
Artem: All right. Now we can slowly take the glove off.
Artem closes the door and turns back with a small box in his hand. He is also blushing lightly.
You: Yeah... So, what did Martin send you?
After you work together to remove the glove, Artem takes you back to the sofa and opens the box.
Artem: This is the "transaction" Martin mentioned before.
You: Wow. It's so pretty!
The box contains a brilliant ore with the colors of dusk.
Artem: When Martin asked me for help, he mentioned he'd pay me what his support personnel normally make. I disagreed with it.
Artem: However, he insisted. So, I mentioned he could give me an ore to commemorate the dusk on that day as compensation instead.
Artem: This ore is a specialty from a location that he crossed in the rally.
Artem passes the ore to you.
Artem: I'm really happy you got me this pair of gloves. This is what I got for you.
You take the ore and weigh it in your hand.
Apart from the color of dusk, it is also carrying the temperature of Artem's hand. It reminds you of how close you two were to each other on the day you took the photo together.
You place the ore in front of the photo of you two together.
You: Even though not everything went according to plan, we got a nice picture and a beautiful ore.
Artem: Yes. This photo is very good, even when compared to all the works of photography I've ever seen.
His expression is as gentle as the one he wore in the photo as if he is once again immersed in the tenderness of that day under the late afternoon sky.
For some reason, you move close to him again and peck him on the cheek.
Artem: ...
You: Is it because of this that why you like that photo so much?
Artem: ...You've got the right intention, but your action isn't quite right.
He slowly pulls you closer until you can hear each other's breath and heartbeat.
Artem: The reason why I like it so much is because of this...
A soft breath brushes past your cheeks. Before your logic sinks into oblivion, your eyes land on the smile Artem wore in the photo.
What kind of expression will he wear in your next photo together? Full of expectations, you close your eyes and let your thoughts sink into the warmth.
Summary
