episode_0021

The two should have originally directed these questions to Karsein.

Where on earth were you until now, and what were you doing that made you appear only now?

You, too, are a member of the Vagrant, so why would you recklessly leave your seat empty on a family birthday, thus simultaneously undermining the atmosphere and the prestige of the lineage?

They should have pried and probed, pointed out. However, the atmosphere wasn’t conducive to continuing the conversation with Karsein.

──♬

A beautiful melody of piano accompanied by the subtle flow of violin background music. From the moment the banquet hall filled with music, the time for conversation vanished.

“Claire.”

“…”

Though there must be much to say, Ariana coolly shook her head as if to indicate that it wasn’t the time.

Now was the time for Claire to take the lead in dancing, as well as to set an example as the foremost Vagrant among the nobles.

There was no time to scold Karsein. Claire, wearing a bitter expression, managed to suppress her emotions by focusing on her own composure.

“Shall we dance a piece, Lady Claire?”

“…Yes.”

With that, she began the formal start of the banquet, becoming the first dance partner with her counterpart.

Outwardly, it was a perfect start. However, her gaze occasionally shifted towards Karsein, and her expression subtly changed each time.

“It seems to have come out at just the right time.”

Karsein was satisfied as he looked at the unresponsive status window. The fact that Claire didn’t rush at him in anger alone would have triggered numerous dead flags all at once.

He also skillfully avoided the gazes of the nobles. Due to the natural attention drawn to Claire as she danced her first dance, Karsein wasn’t even receiving any glances.

Thanks to this, the picture of being driven away by the nobles’ gazes disappeared, completely relieving him of another burden of danger.

However, they hadn’t completely cleared the hurdle yet. Even though other triggers had been extinguished, one death flag still remained.

“I should hear an explanation for this disgraceful behavior, or rather, some excuse, Karsein.”

Amidst all this, there was one person who was solely fixated on Karsein.

With a crimson mane contrasting her blue eyes, exuding an almost laser-like intensity, Arina’s first gaze pierced him with a chilling stare. “I’m not here for explanations, but excuses,” she stated.

This was clearly Karsein’s fault. He might face a severe reprimand for not even showing up at Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony.

“What can I do? I have to handle this appropriately,” he nonchalantly inquired.

“Shouldn’t we change location first? It doesn’t seem right to talk about it here,” he suggested.

When he gestured towards Claire, Arina did not object. Conscious of their surroundings, she left only the instruction to follow.

Arina’s 2% affinity box began to flicker.

***

In the game, CHAPTER 1 – Episode III: Claire’s Coming-of-Age, marked the most significant branching point. In this episode, no matter what you do, you cannot avoid encountering all the characters.

For some reason, it seemed to be a system regulation.

In other episodes, there were clearly choices that led to correct answers, so if you tried multiple times, you could enter the proper branch. However, in this episode, there was no such thing as a correct answer. You either dealt with nobles filled with negative affinity boxes beyond the white ones, or after an accident, you met Isabella and the three sisters of the Duke. Absolutely.

Therefore, there was only one way forward. I had to choose the least risky option.

Dealing with the nobles would likely distort my image as the troublemaker. Naturally, that wasn’t a good choice.

Even if I explained it to Claire, it was useless. Since the affinity dropped to a minus level, it was out of the question to worsen our relationship.

Then what about Flora? You might think it’s okay since I found a weakness this time. But that’s not the case. Going along with the time to confront Flora would mean dealing with not one, but two people.

“Sis, I saw! You were deliberately hiding, weren’t you?!” If it’s her passive lie, I can easily mitigate my mistake and the weakness I’ve gained.

“Flora is another set with Claire. The moment you face the two, it’s a direct route to a bad ending.”

Next is Isabella. Even if Isabella, who has been maintaining a closeness of around 30%, might be willing to listen to Karsein’s words, it didn’t seem okay…

“This time, I shouldn’t receive a reprimand. Because my promise with Harnier has been broken.”

Choosing Isabella and asking for disciplinary action to reduce risk would mean admitting my mistake. Since I had some kind of plan, disciplinary action was no longer a safe option.

So, just as in the game, I ended up facing Arina, whom I judged to pose the least risk.

Following Arina, a place for rest appeared. Right now, it was just the two of us, Arina and me.

As soon as I entered the room, she ordered the maids to close the door and promptly shot me a chilly look, asking, “First, explain your appearance.”

It had begun. It was a question that wasn’t much different.

*Ding!*

[1. What’s the problem? Did I forget how my clothes looked this morning?]

[2. I wore this roughly because I got screwed over. Why, don’t you like it?]

… …

The choices began to appear. I calmly responded.

First, let’s extend our reach.

“What are you talking about?”

Arina furrowed her brow.

“You don’t know? As a member of the aristocracy and my younger sibling, why are you dressed in the conqueror’s attire?”

Is that really how it comes out?

“The clothes got dirty in the morning? There was someone available to make new ones immediately. Even if it wasn’t laundry, new clothes could have been made because we’re staying for a day.”

“Is there a reason not to wear it?”

“Karsein, don’t play word games. If you had just asked anyone to make you new clothes, it would have been fine. Just because of your pride, you didn’t say that one word, so you came to a gathering of nobles in such clothes?!”

There was an oppressive tone in her voice.

It was a serious matter entwined with family and lineage, so it seemed like I might get hit back.

And then, the timing for the choices was perfect.

…

[ 5. What changes when you make new clothes? ]

“When you make new clothes and put them on, what changes?”

“Karcein. Distinguish personal matters. This is an event bearing the family’s name. It’s a public matter, as the work of Viscount Bagrand.”

“So, what changes when you make new clothes? I simply followed the advice I heard before. It was nothing but a warning from Arina Bagrand.”

“A warning?”

Arina chuckled as if she had no idea at all.

She said it herself, and she treated Karcein with such indifference, yet claimed not to know?

It wasn’t my business, but if it had been Karcein, he might have raised his voice several times already. In fact, the choices came out that way.

The line “Can you claim not to know after saying that?”

An expression of disbelief, laughing loudly as if to say it’s absurd.

A description of trembling while gritting one’s teeth.

Whatever it was, they all seemed to unjustly accuse Karcein. At the same time, having observed through Memorial, I strangely found myself not getting angry, but rather feeling cold-headed.

Maintaining an even more composed tone, that’s how I managed it.

[ 4. I’m neither a sibling nor family. ]

“You said that three years ago. I’m neither a sibling nor family.”

“…What?”

“You even told me not to call you ‘nuna.’ I remember every single word. But then, you want me to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony? Then, would I have to call you ‘nuna’ at least once? Whoever becomes the older one between us.”

“Three years ago… that was my coming-of-age ceremony. Wasn’t it the day you had an accident?”

“Right. That’s right. I caused the accident. On someone else’s coming-of-age day like today, I beat up one of the other young nobles, tarnishing the family’s honor, ruining the family’s coming-of-age ceremony, displaying all sorts of disgraceful behavior, and then I whined about being unfairly treated.”

Even without explicitly naming the person, she knew very well it was herself.

I responded even more confidently, pulling at the collar of my shoulder garment, showing a gesture of defiance.

“So, this outfit is just perfect, isn’t it? If someone mistakes me for a servant, it wouldn’t cause any trouble. The nobles won’t say anything, and at the same time, they won’t address me as ‘nuna’ either. I won’t shout in protest about being unfairly treated by the majority. How great is that? The only flaw in the family has disappeared.”

“What… do you mean?”

“I tried my best not to ruin Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony. I even tried to avoid encountering the nobles by calling for Heron. I’ve done everything you wanted, and now this is going to cause trouble?”

Her piercing gaze softened instantly.

Simultaneously, a heavy silence descended. Those few short seconds felt like they stretched into minutes.

In the silence, I had no idea what Arina was thinking. And in the game, this scene was the final one. That meant there would be no further dialogue.

I concluded the conversation as originally scripted, turning away and opening the door to the break room, Arina’s expression hidden behind her bangs.

“It’s quite unfair, isn’t it? I only did as you asked. Arina Vagrand.”

-Thud, thump.

Before long, information appeared in front of me stating that I had cleared Episode III.

▶Episode III. Claire’s Coming-of-Age Episode Cleared!◀

▶You receive rewards!◀

■Rewards

[Exp 50]

[Lv. 2 -> Lv. 3]

[You are given 0.05 stat points!]

[Arina’s intimacy increases!]

[Intimacy level: 6%]

The desired clear window appeared.

I managed the branching of the incident well, and despite the risks, I didn’t incur any losses.

Having cleared the episode and seeing the intimacy rise smoothly, it should have been a situation to feel good about, but…

“Damn. I feel really filthy.”

My mood didn’t improve.

The memories of ‘Kim Minhyuk’ kept coming back to me.

“A family birthday. Well, whatever. I probably won’t forget. Seeing how well I take care of it.”

For years, Karsein might have envied it. A day where numerous guests were invited to a luxurious hall to receive blessings.

Perhaps he might never experience such a thing himself. Still, since it’s family, maybe someday he’ll be in that position too.

That’s the kind of picture you must have been hoping for.

…I used to be like that too.

So, you never noticed, even after several years. Even if you ever felt a sense of discomfort, you wouldn’t go as far as asking someone else about it.

And even if you were to hear an answer to this, you would likely forget about it without giving it much thought.

It was a predictable future. After all, they weren’t really family to begin with.

“Cake… yeah. Fine. Let’s take it.”

I neatly cut and wrapped the cake that the guests barely touched and took it away.

It’s a foolish thought, I know that myself. To waste the remaining hours of this important day getting caught up in my principles.

But even knowing it’s a foolish act, I can’t help it.

What can I do about feeling like I’m being judged?

Maybe there was a small hope in me that I’d be remembered in the foreigner’s mind. Perhaps I was engaging in futile emotional consumption, hoping that this way I wouldn’t feel as lonely.

***

Even after Karsein left, Arina stayed in the lounge for a while, wearing a subtle expression.

“I remembered everything that happened three years ago.”

It was a day not much different from today. It was my birthday, and just like today, it was an adult ceremony where nobles and guests gathered to celebrate.

After Karsein knocked down a nobleman, the commotion spread all the way to the hall, making the atmosphere greatly distorted that day.

However, strangely, Arina doesn’t remember much about that day.

The fact that Karsein had an accident. The worst incident that ruined the adult ceremony. Apart from these, she doesn’t remember how the day went.

“Did I really say such a thing?”

And even the things she said to Karsein.

Arina murmured with a faint sigh, as if resigned.

“No, I can’t be sure that it’s definitely true.”

As always, it could be that Karsein was lying.

You could go to the person who remembers that time and directly interrogate them… but there’s no need for that.

Recalling the memories of my botched coming-of-age ceremony serves no purpose.

How about today? Nothing happened. Unlike my own coming-of-age ceremony, my sister Claire’s proceeded smoothly without any disturbance.

“Alright. I’ll acknowledge that you’ve made an effort in your own way. I guess we can just let this one slide.”

Although Karsein showed up at the banquet hall in a disgraceful outfit, it’s worth acknowledging that no trouble arose as a result.

It went well. Yes, without any commotion. It went smoothly.

I should have spent the remaining time feeling satisfied that everything had been resolved.

“…Why do I feel so uneasy?”

A strange sense of discomfort creased Ariana’s face.

It felt like something was being overlooked. Forgetting something that shouldn’t be forgotten…

“Sis?! Ah, there you are.”

“Claire? Why did you rush here like that?”

“Never mind that. How did it go? That jerk.”

It seems she rushed over right after finishing her first dance. If she didn’t even enjoy her own coming-of-age ceremony and came running like this, how much must have piled up?

The explanation didn’t take long. Like reading from a textbook, she repeated why she wore those clothes: to not repeat the mistake from 3 years ago, to not ruin Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony.

“Ugh, that guy. He’s such a jerk.”

Upon hearing that, Claire couldn’t contain her irritation, her expression contorting.

12:35 AM.

Only 35 minutes had passed since her birthday began.

“I want to go back. This is no fun at all.”

Despite her own birthday having arrived, Claire decides to go back.

“But still, tell Mom and Flora before you go.”

“I already told them before I came. But…”

Seemingly still irritated, Claire absentmindedly scratched her tousled pink hair. Despite her extreme dislike for messy hair, something remained unresolved.

“Sis, there’s something bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“…About yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Claire, don’t talk like that.”

“Oh. That day, the day I was preparing for my coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I understand. What about that day?”

“Was it some kind of special day? I can’t seem to remember.”

It was a feeling of unease that completely matched what Arina had been pondering all this time, the sense of December 31st.