#I COULD WRITE AN ESSAY ON THIS! MASTERPIECE!!! I LOVE PG AND MC FOR MAKING THAT MEME CANON LOL– “VICTOR HOW CAN I LIVE WITHOUT YOUUU” ಥ‿ಥ

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Mystery Box DLC – “Date” (Eng Translation)

“tu me manques” – You’re an indispensable part of my existence. I’m incapable of being without you.

“j'appartiens a toi” – I belong to you.

“for the rest of our lives, forever.”

The following content is part of the Mystery Box Merch. The contents of the mystery box are exclusive to CN for players who’ve purchased the merch, and won’t make it to the global server! ♡

Do note that, this is not exactly part of the main storyline or the dates. You can treat this as “an independent date” which contains flavors from the actual storyline! A MUST READ!!! 🥺❤️

—

I’ve decided to not translate the “full-on angst” LOL cause it’s TOO MUCH contents. and I just don’t have the energy or the time ;-;

—

Allow me to give you some context from the storyline that are “necessary for the date”, instead of drowning you in the ocean of angst:

The story revolves around the conflict between Evolvers and ordinary people, BS drama, MC’s QUEEN identity and all that thing.

In Victor’s branch, he receives an email from MC which she thought was a spam and accidentally sent to Victor (he gets so “proud” later how he is her “go-to person” LOL 🤣🫀).

MC learns about how Victor got trapped in a phantasmagoria (because cue. the drama mentioned earlier), and figures she is the one to blame because if it weren’t for her – he probably would be living a relatively trouble-free life, and she’s the one who gets him into distress all the time (we see MC doing this continuously from S1 CH 18-21 as well) ಥ_ಥ

Along the way as she (i.e., you as the player lol) solves puzzles, she finds souvenirs Victor had stored to give her cue. more heartbreak. [they are actual souvenirs btw, you receive them with the merch box].

At one point, MC enters Victor’s subconscious mind and CUE. (P A I N + TEARS)^∞. She also sees visions of his time at the Space-Time Bureau, the ten thousand years—

And how in all those countless images in his memory during those years, SHE IS EVER PRESENT, his little secret silver lining to keep himself together.

The answer of a puzzle at a certain stage was – “I won’t leave you alone.” – the reference to his “Homeward Bound R&S”

And we see MC replying to him in her mind,

“Victor, I know... and I won’t leave you alone either.”

MC manages to find Victor in the end, and the two of them work together to find a way to get out of the phantasmagoria cue. more puzzles + playing card games with a mystery man cue. MORE P A I N + more hugs and hand-holding, as always 🥺❤️

While Victor expresses how he is proud of MC and all that, MC asks “how could be he so calm and certain the whole time, what if she failed to solve the puzzle in the phantasmagoria.”

Victor shows MC the cards he had drawn. A straight Royal Flush! MC realizes they could’ve gotten out even if she hadn’t solved the puzzles and asks him why he didn’t use the cards then? He replies,

“I didn’t look at the cards until you solved the password. I believed you could do it. This deck of cards is simply an alternative.”

~ ಥ‿ಥ

MC says that the “goddess of fortune” must be by Victor’s side. And we see him looking deeply into her eyes and saying,

“Indeed.”

sobbing intensifies

Anyway, after they break out of that painful illusion, MC is obviously heartbroken about the memories she saw, but what intensifies that is – Victor still can’t get out of this dimension.

With his reassurance and courage, MC leaves him there to solve more puzzles (but solving the puzzles were really fun tho haha🤡) Anyway, in the end, when MC manages to rescue Victor—

“Victor, I did it. I really have gotten you back.”

we find out—

Victor already knew everything was a trap from the start, and he went ahead after receiving the email from her, because he figured MC could be in danger. It turns out, ultimately he’s the one who rescued MC.

–

[Note: the aspect of “rescuing MC” is the same for all love interests btw ;-; but, their stories of being caught in the phantasmagoria, interactions with MC, events and everything else are different, of course, similar to the main story itself / their dates haha~ 💕]

–

Of course, Victor doesn’t breathe a word about his pain cue. his space-time bureau and other memories MC has seen. MC realizes how it’s not because “she is in his life that he is forced to be tangled in danger and pain,” rather it has always been “his choice to face the danger for her from beginning to end.”~ cue. Victor comforting and reassuring MC how none of this chaos was her fault~ 🥺

[same for all love interest] They catch the Evolver who caused the whole drama yes he has his own tragic story, more Evolver and ordinary people clash, and MC’s QUEEN identity being the “said” reason of it all—— 🤡

[branching out again] In response to Victor’s question, “how does she feel about her QUEEN identity”—

As usual, MC pours her heart out to him and tells him that she still doesn’t know what to feel. But she understands she has to “accept” this identity, and she will focus on the present instead of the future, one step at a time. Because this is what HE taught her you have no idea how I’ve been throwing hands by the time I reached here 😭😭

Ending with——

In this world – perhaps there are many who act in a certain way in spite of themselves, and there is no perfection. But I know that, no matter when or what happens, the six letters “Victor” will be my salvation, my strength, and my anchor in the journey to further beyond.

—

—

✧ [DATE – Part 1] ✧

The color of the sky outside the window is gradually turning dark. I sort out all the materials in my hands, heaving a soft sigh of relief.

It’s a project that isn’t very promising –– it’s about finding and taking notes of those families who have been unfortunately bereaved of their only child due to Evol, so that the entire society can see and pay attention to them.

Over the past few decades, Evolver attacks have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives. Each number represents a family and a painful story.

What happened in that phantasmagoria is merely a miniature version of these countless stories.

Dazed, I ponder for a while before returning to my senses. I lower my head and turn on my phone. The message I sent two hours ago hasn’t yet received a reply.

MC: Is Victor that busy...                     

Recently, LFG has taken on leading a collaboration project with a number of organizations. And as the person in charge, Victor has been so busy that he’s had his head buried deep in work and chaos, so much so that I’ve rarely seen him for a few days.

Every time I see him, it’s just quick glances at a meeting or while giving a report.

I scroll through the message history. He mostly found the time to reply with a “yes,” “redo,” or “talk to Goldman” – concise and comprehensive.

The last reply was at 1 a.m. this morning –– “Souvenir won’t be opening its doors these days.”

MC: Sigh...

I plop my face down on the desk, thinking about how I’m going to send him a text.

MC: It can’t go on like this. Why don’t I find a way to give him a treat?

As soon as this thought pops into my head, I can’t put it off any longer. I prance onto my seat at a galloping speed, ready to pry the information out of Goldman first.

MC: Goldman, I heard that the new project you guys are working on is going smoothly?

Goldman: Where did you hear that? But at least there are no more meetings scheduled for tonight; as of now.

MC: Ah, that’s indeed a help from heaven for me too!

Rejoicing, I dig out the spare key to Souvenir that Victor has given me earlier and tread out into the twilight before he gets off work.

As the sky slowly grows dusky, many people on the road are hurrying back home. I seem to be one of them as well.

When I arrive at Souvenir carrying the ingredients I’ve bought, the last shaft of twilight shrouds the white storefront, suddenly making me feel a speck of softness.

The door to Souvenir is still closed for business. I fish out my key and insert it into the keyhole, only to find that the door is not locked.

MC: That’s strange. Could it be that Mr. Mills is here?

Pushing the door open, I see a ray of light escaping to the dimly lit dining room through the half-opened door of the kitchen. A thought suddenly flits through my mind. I promptly accelerate my pace and run over.

MC: Victor––!

I slam open the half-closed door with a jerk. But to my dismay, even though the light is on, there’s no one in the kitchen...

MC: I guess he should still be at work...

I let out a bitter laugh, but a voice suddenly transmits from behind me––

Victor: What are you doing here?

When this voice, the one I couldn’t be more familiar with, rings out, my nose uncontrollably becomes a little sore. I turn my head impatiently and see Victor standing in the doorway.

He is still wearing his suit; only the jacket has been taken off, the weariness of the past few days lingering in his features. It’s only when he looks at me does the fatigue between his brows dissipate for a brief moment.

Victor: I just heard your voice and thought it was an illusion.

Victor’s gaze travels downward and lands on the key held in my hand, revealing a moment of understanding.

Victor: Why did you suddenly think of coming over?

MC: I just suddenly felt like... I haven’t seen you for ages.

Seeing that I’m still continuously eyeing him up from head to toe, Victor can’t help but break into laughter.

Victor: That’s your illusion.

Victor: Wasn’t it three days ago when you came in to submit a whimsical proposal and put down your grand statement on the spot?

Thinking back to that scene of me strongly arguing on my grounds and ultimately saying, “I will definitely make you guys approve it,” – my eyes can’t help but drift for a moment.

MC: That’s not... it’s because this project is really important.

MC: Although there is some difficulty with getting people invested in the early stage and the promotion of the show...

MC: However, it’s still possible to obtain good returns through a variety of means.

Listening to my frank and eloquent speech, Victor kneads the space between his eyebrows as though having a bit of a headache.

Victor: I’ll ask Goldman to compile a list of some trustworthy organizations to give to you.

Victor: However, I’m still putting my foot down on my original judgment. You can leave this project for someone else to handle.

He pauses in his words, hidden worries floating in his gaze.

Victor: Don’t let what happened in the phantasmagoria affect you too deeply.

MC: I...

MC: I can’t make any promises. The things that happened are facts, and the existence of pain is also real. There’s no use in running away from it.

MC: I’ll do the best of my capabilities to refine the proposal for this project until it gets approved.

Victor’s brows knit together into a tight frown, and I can see clearly that he doesn’t approve of this. I crane my neck and stare straight into his eyes, unwilling to retreat even half a step.

Finally, he sighs softly. Akin to a sign of concession, it causes my tense nerves to loosen up subsequently.

Victor: ...it seems that you end up persuading me every time.

MC: After all, my greatest merit is that I don’t ever admit defeat so easily!

Victor releases a soft chuckle.

Victor: Your self-awareness is fairly accurate.

Victor: I’ll be waiting for your refined proposal. And if it’s outstanding enough, I won’t stop you.

With that said, he crosses over to me and walks into the kitchen, rolling up the cuffs of his shirt several times as he does so.

Victor: Now it’s time for rest. You can set aside work-related matters for the time being.

Seeing that he has started to tidy up the cooking table that hasn't been used in some time, I also pick up a cleaning rag, prepared to help.

MC: Let me help too!

Victor: The cloth you’re holding is not used for wiping the table.

Victor: Don’t tell me that you especially came here just to clean up?

He turns his line of sight towards the ingredients on the side that I’ve completely forgotten about. It’s just at this moment do I recall the purpose of my coming over.

MC: ! I almost forgot...

MC: Actually, I was thinking that you’ve been working too hard recently, and I wanted to surprise you by trying out a new recipe...

But what I didn’t expect was for this plan to have foil as the outcome as soon as I set foot in the kitchen. Victor laughs softly; evidently, this thought of mine has also crossed his mind.

Victor: Dummy.

Victor: In case I hadn’t shown up, would the great meal you intended to prepare be devoted to your own stomach?

MC: Of course not. I had already inquired from Goldman in advance that you guys didn’t need to attend any meeting tonight.

MC: However, I was planning to call you after everything was prepared... didn’t you say that Souvenir isn’t gonna be open for business these days?

Victor: Looks like you’re in pretty good spirits since you’re talking so much.

Victor: A certain dummy had been drooping her head in depression the other day. So, I planned to try out a new dessert to cheer her up.

Victor: But now, seeing as she is still in the mood to comfort other people, this dessert doesn’t seem necessary.

Even though he says this, a light smile hangs at the corners of his lips.

My heart softens. It turns out that all my frustrations that I’ve painstakingly suppressed laid themselves bare before his eyes regardless.

MC: I’m sorry for making you worried. You clearly have been so busy lately...

Victor: In a few days, this project will reach the end of its phase, and I will hand over the rest to them to carry it out.

Victor: So that we can avoid letting you have the illusion again that “you haven’t seen me for ages.”

He gives me a meaningful look, a smile playing in his eyes. He then turns around to fetch the apron that is hanging on the side.

MC: Hold on a sec! Leave this to me!

One step ahead of him, I snatch the black apron hanging on the wall and hurriedly tie it on myself.

MC: I’m the chef today!

MC: Recently, I’ve meticulously studied a new dish. Although I cannot compare to the Souvenir’s chef, I can still manage to make it work~

Victor raises his eyebrows, a little surprised.

Victor: Are you sure you can do it yourself?

MC: Mm-hmm!! Leave the kitchen in my care now. You go out and get some rest first.

Seeing that he still wants to continue saying something, I rush to snatch his words.

MC: You can wait and see. No worries.

Victor: I’m leaving this all in your hands then.

He releases a chuckle, a handsome arc gracing the corners of his lips.

Victor: Don’t “blow up” my kitchen, though.

After prattling on with confidence, I kick Victor out of the kitchen, intending to implement my plan.

I bend down to open the cabinet to take out the utensils and ingredients, but find that the cabinet door is locked with an intricate combination lock hanging from it.

And the design on the combination lock seems to match the pattern on the Souvenir’s key in my hand...

—

[Players need to find out the answer to the riddle from the Souvenir’s key and commemorative coins they received in the merch]

Answer: TU ME MANQUES 

This is actually one of the most beautiful French phrases ever!!!

On the surface it means, “I miss you.” But the structure of the sentence actually indicates – “You’re missing (from me).” So there’s a deeper meaning to this phrase, “You’re a part of me that I was missing. You’re crucial to my existence like a body organ or blood, and I can’t live without you.”

You’ll see Victor explaining it in a bit. Also, this phrase was on Victor’s 4th birthday karma too! 🥺💘

—

After some careful observation and comparison, I’ve finally figured out the password to open the lock. I carefully turn the gears to the correct letters. With a “click,” the lock opens.

The password above rests on a string of letters – “tu me manques.”

MC: French? It feels so familiar...

My brows crease into a frown as I search through my memory. Suddenly, an image from a long time ago floods into my mind––

–

━━━ [FLASHBACK BEGINS] ━━━

It was the time when Victor went on a business trip to France for more than half a month. When he came back, I especially snatched the airport pick-up job from Goldman.

MC: Tu me manques, Monsieur Victor~

Victor: ...don’t use “Tu me manques” casually with other people. For ordinary relationships, just using “Je pense à toi” would be enough.

MC: Why? Don’t they both mean the same thing?

Victor: [sighs]  “Tu me manques” means more than just “I miss you”...

Victor: It also means, “You’re an indispensable part of my existence. I’m incapable of being without you.”

━━━ [FLASHBACK ENDS] ━━━

–

As I look at this familiar French phrase, a feeling of sourness slowly spreads through every corner of my heart, making my nose tingle.

So it turns out that I’m not the only one who’s been longing for the time spent together with him. He feels the same way too.

—

┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈

—

✧ [DATE – PART 2] ✧

After gathering my emotions, I carefully remove the combination lock and put it aside before opening the cabinet and taking out the things I need from inside.

MC: First of all, let’s dice the vegetables...

Lowering my head, I wash and cut the vegetables one by one, following the steps in the recipe. Then, I toss the butter into the pan.

The butter melts into the pan with a soft “sizzling” noise. I, however, unwittingly begin to zone out.

My train of thoughts unconsciously returns to that phantasmagoria. The scenes seem to still linger vividly before my eyes, trying to drag me down into the shadows.

The aroma of food arising from the pan reminds me that it’s time to move on to the next step. I scramble to open the can of tomatoes and prepare to pour them into the pan.

MC: So hot...!

“Clang” –– the empty can falls onto the counter. I draw my hand back in pain and find a red mark on my finger from the burn.

MC: No, no, don’t think too much about it for now!

I turn down the heat and shake my head vigorously from side to side, as though this will toss away all those numerous turbulent thoughts.

Victor: What are you doing?

Hearing the voice, I turn my head and find Victor standing in the kitchen doorway, quietly watching me for who knows how long.

He repeats his words, his eyes seeming to see through all my concealment. But those eyes land on me as they have always had, just like any time in the past – as though nothing has changed, no matter what they’ve been through.

MC: I just accidentally...

For a moment, I find myself unable to find a suitable answer, but Victor doesn’t wait for my explanation. He walks over to me in a few steps, his expression somewhat piercing.

Victor: Give me your hand.

On tenterhooks, I anxiously place my scalded hand behind my back, still trying to find a way to refute.

MC: There are no blisters from the burn. It really isn’t that serious.

Victor takes hold of my hand that I was trying to hind behind me. When he touches an edge of the burned area, I can’t help but draw in a sharp breath.

MC: [hisses in pain] Sss...

Victor: Is this what you call “not serious?”

He frowns at me, his face wearing traces of dismay.

Victor: The first thing you need to do when you get burned is to treat it immediately, not stand around and be lost in thoughts.

Allowing no explanation, he places my hand under the water to rinse it off. His movements, however, are of great care and caution. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I want to draw my hand out of his shackle, only to receive a faint warning in return.

Victor: Don’t squirm. It’ll still take a little longer to rinse.

Only after confirming that I’m no longer flailing about does Victor take out what appears to be an unopened burn cream from one of the drawers in the corner.

MC: You’ve actually got burn cream prepared here?

Victor: Just in case. Better safe than sorry.

He sweeps a glance over me, pulls out a paper towel, and gently soaks up the water from my hand before squeezing the white ointment onto his own.

MC: I can do it myself...

Not giving me any chance to choose, he lowers his head and applies the ointment to my fingers.

The icy ointment slowly coats my faintly stinging skin. But the truth is, what’s even more powerful than this cold presence is the touch of his finger pads – tender and patient.

Victor: All right, don’t touch the water for a while.

MC: It really doesn’t hurt that much anymore.

I explain with a little guilty conscience. Victor glances at me.

Victor: Didn’t you just say that it didn’t hurt?

Victor: Every time you cook, something always seems to happen.

He looks in the direction of the stove. The fire has been turned off, but there is red tomato juice spilled all over the pan and countertop, akin to a “scene of a tragedy.”

And the tomatoes, carrots, and king oyster mushrooms that have been sliced to different sizes in the pan... are soaked in the tomato juice. The entire composition doesn’t look the least bit appetizing.

Victor: The new recipe you were boasting about – were you referring to making a chaotic stew with seasonal vegetables?

Victor: It really seems like I shouldn’t have looked forward too much to your new recipe.

MC: Actually, that’s only the first step. The next step is to take the ingredients out of the pan, and then...

My mind spins at lightning speed, thinking about how I’m going to devise. Seeing me like this, Victor sighs a little helplessly.

Victor: There’s no next step.

He leans down, reaching his outstretched arms to my sides. The sudden movement causes me to have no other option but look up at his face, making my upper body fall backward––

Victor: Don’t move back. Careful!

Before my back hits the cooking table, Victor wraps his arm around my waist just in time, pulling me back.

The pepper bottle that has been knocked down by his movements rolls away. I stare wide-eyed at his enlarged facial features, my heartbeat involuntarily accelerating a little.

MC: [nervous]  Wh-what’s wrong?

Victor: Dummy. What did you think I was going to do?

My reaction elicits a low chuckle from Victor. His body heat seeps through his arms that are wrapped around me, making me somewhat crave this temperature and reluctant to let go.

But he quickly draws back his arms and unties the apron strap behind me with his fingers.

Victor: If you’re unable to concentrate on cooking with your heart and soul, then you will be just wasting the ingredients.

Victor: Therefore, you’re temporarily deprived of your right to be the chef.

MC: !! I can still try harder!

Victor, however, doesn’t give me that opportunity. He pulls out a folded handwritten card and places it in my hand.

Victor: I’ve written down what I wanted to say to you.

MC: What?

For a while, I find myself unable to return to my senses and stare blankly at Victor. A soft laugh spills from his throat as though he’s pleased with the sight before him.

Victor: See for yourself.

Victor: And if you can’t understand, I’ll tell you again.

His eyes are like the dark, bottomless night, but there’s a tenderness concealed in their depths that no one knows.

Victor: Now, the kitchen should be returned to me.

–

Just like I kicked him out of the kitchen earlier, Victor closes the kitchen door on me.

A small, warm lamp illuminates the dining room, and a soft etude is playing on the stereo off to one side.

Victor: You rest here for a while.

Victor places a glass of warm water with fragrant lemon balm in front of me. As I’m about to say thank you, a cacophonous cooing sound suddenly escapes my stomach.

I lower my head in embarrassment and bury my face in my palms, only to hear a soft laugh coming from above my head.

Victor: It’s already a bit late for dinner today, and there aren’t any ingredients in the fridge. So, we can only keep everything simple.

Victor: I won’t let you be hungry for too long.

Only when I hear Victor’s footsteps gradually receding in the distance, do I lift my face to look at his back, heaving a sigh of relief.

Souvenir’s lounge is utterly empty, and there isn’t a single soul except for me. The gentle piano melody makes everything quiet. I can even hear the minute of movements coming from the kitchen––

The knife’s edge lightly landing on the chopping board in a swift motion, the butter melting on the fire, the water instantly evaporating from the vegetables with a “bzzz” sound…

These sounds portray the methodical manner in which Victor moves in front of the cooking table, like a commander handling a butcher’s cleaver with ease.

The long-awaited tranquility embraces my unease. The mere thought of him being there just across the wall makes me feel at peace.

I compose myself and open the folded letter. The handwriting that I couldn’t be more familiar with comes into my view again––

–

[The letter is a part of the merch players received]:

To Dummy:

When it comes to loving bravado, a certain someone has always been very persistent. Even if your gloom has long been written all over your face, you still have to say that you’re doing fine when it comes to it. Sometimes I really don’t know where this “stubbornness” of yours comes from. There are some things I’ll only say once, so listen carefully.

In the past, you didn’t use to think things through enough and even made reckless decisions. But now, you’ve grown far beyond my expectations. That day in the phantasmagoria–– I’m absolutely certain that I saw a different you. The “transformation” that you, yourself, have been clamoring about has indeed lived up to its name.

In the face of setbacks, you are able to calmly adjust your mentality and confront the challenges with a positive attitude. In the midst of adversities, you are able to stand firm in your convictions and devote everything you’ve got to the unknown future… these characteristics are incomparably precious. But, the outcomes attained from the setbacks and adversities are equally precious too. I’ve never considered them as painful memories, but rather, they are irreplaceable gains on the road to growth in the long run.

From this point of view, there’s no need for a certain dummy to be sullen because of that phantasmagoria. Instead, why don’t you pull out your “vacation checklist” and check out what you want to see and where you want to go. I’m on vacation next month, so I’ll leave the arrangements in your hands.

Victor.

—

After slowly reading the entire letter, I stare at the six letters “Victor” in the signature in a bit of a trance.

Every word of the letter seems to tell me that my anxieties and struggles over the past few days–– he has seen them all.

’That I’m not the only one who remembers how I’ve staggered and zigzagged along this whole journey onward to my growth, transforming through every adversity.

This journey towards hope is a long, long run. But fortunately, there’s another person to accompany me.

MC: Victor, thank you…

I draw in a deep breath and set down the heavy boulder weighing down on my heart, finally breaking into a relaxed smile.

As I put aside this important and precious handwritten letter with great care, I smell a wisp of aroma emanating from the kitchen and can’t help but start looking forward to Victor’s cooking, which I haven’t tasted in a long time.

On the back of the chair opposite the dining table rests the jacket that Victor has taken off. His wallet is also casually placed on the table, an identity card slipping out of a corner of its compartment.

The pattern on the card surface seems to be somewhat familiar-looking. My heart stirs. By some curious coincidence or miracle, I pull it out and quietly scan the QR code on it with my phone––

–

[Tidbits: If your phone supports the NFC function, and you scan Victor’s card – this is what you get *sobbing in hands*]

MESSAGE:

J'ai envie de rester avec toi, toute la vie. 某人念叨的惊喜, 不知道这个算不算。

MEANING:

“[in French] I want to be with you, for all my life, forever.”  The surprise that a certain someone keeps talking about–– I wonder if this counts as one.

–

[Personal Notes]: YESSS!!! YOU GODDAMN BET IT WAS A SURPRISE!! 🥺 Tbh tho, I can’t say I’m surprised that Victor writers would be throwing mega-bombs like this, but still... you just never get used to being loved and cherished in this way... UGGHHH VICTOR WHY ARE YOU JUST SO HNNNGNNNNN 😭💘🤲

–

[Players have to find out the answer to the clue from this game]:

ANSWER: 余生可期

This phrase is actually hard to translate into English. It’s essentially what Victor said in French, but in Chinese, it’s more of a “vow.”

余生 means – “rest of one’s life.” 可期 can have different meanings based on the context. It’s him basically saying, // (if you want) the future waiting ahead is “us, together,” and it’s valid for the rest of our lives. //

—

With great difficulty, I find the final answer. I lightly stroke the identity card with my fingers, a warmth swirling in the depths of my heart.

Who would have known that within it is concealed a cryptic message from his heart?

As I listen to the sound of Victor cooking in the kitchen, a warm current gushes out of my heart, a feeling of stability suddenly coming over me.

In the future that belongs to “us,” we will have each other for the rest of our lives, forever.

–– this is the pledge that he has made to me.

After thinking about it, I take out a pen and surreptitiously write a sentence in French on a corner of his identity card.

This is the answer I wrote to him, and it’s also our secret.

After the ink has solidified, I carefully put the identity card back into Victor’s wallet.

He will find out my little secret when he uses it the next time.

—

┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈

—

✧ [DATE – Part 3] ✧

Having put away the identity card, I sneak a surveying glance at the kitchen behind me to confirm Victor hasn’t noticed my actions just now.

But before I can heave a sigh of relief, his shadow has already stepped out of the kitchen.

MC: !!

Victor, carrying the tray, crashes straight into my frenetic gaze. He stops in his motion, his eyes seeming to ask me why I’m losing my head in a panic.

I stand up sheepishly, trying to find a justification for my anomaly.

MC: Let me help you with those!

Victor: No need. You just sit tight.

MC: Hmm…

I pretend to be nonchalant and sit upright and still with my hands on my lap, watching as Victor places a plate of creamy-white mushroom bisque in front of me.

MC: So fragrant… it looks super delicious!

Victor: The vegetables you diced have also been preserved.

Victor: Fortunately, the rescue was carried out in time, and the flavor is pretty good.

He sets down another plate of pasta with tomato sauce, filled with side vegetables that I cut up into all kinds of big and small sizes.

The diced vegetables that just earlier looked like the scene of a massacre are reborn after being cooked in his hands. So much so that their different contrasting sizes now have taken on a hint of amusement.

Victor: This is all that was left in the kitchen. The next time we have time, I’ll make something a bit more sumptuous.

Victor takes his seat opposite me, and spreads out the napkin with graceful movements.

MC: No, this is already very good! There’re so many people who would want to eat this, but can’t!

Victor: You can have it anytime you want.

Victor: After all, the key to this place is in your hands.

Hearing what he means, my face turns red. I can’t help but mutter in a small voice.

MC: What’s important is not the key. It’s the person…

I scoop a spoonful of the bisque into my mouth. The rich, creamy aroma diffuses across my taste buds, sliding down my esophagus with just the right temperature.

But I release a sigh inexplicably, squeezing the spoon at the taste that the tip of my tongue undoubtedly is so sentimentally attached to.

Victor: What’s wrong? Is the taste not to your liking?

MC: No! It’s delicious!

I lift my head, locking eyes with Victor’s tolerant and focused gaze. Beneath the warm yellow light, his silhouette seems to be tinged with warm colors too.

He waits for me to brew my answer slowly, neither rushing nor urging me–– as though he has plenty of patience. This is the tenderness that belongs uniquely to him.

My heart grows warm, my eyes crinkling themselves into a smile again to reassure him.

MC: Actually, I just feel a little guilty.

MC: If I didn’t have Evol, the actions of those people wouldn’t have implicated innocent lives, and they wouldn’t have been separated by life and death.

MC: But here I am, I can still enjoy such peace and quiet of everyday life, like a despicable thief…

At this point, I lapse into silence. Suddenly, a large hand lands on the top of my head.

Victor: MC, you haven’t done anything wrong.

His voice is gentle, soft, and certain, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

Victor: It’s not essentially your fault. You’ve simply been given the identity of “QUEEN.”

Victor: And you’re foreordained to become even more powerful. When that time comes, you will be able to dismantle their operations and put an end to this crisis, once and for all.

Victor: And you are the only one who can do that.

“Can I really?”

As soon as this thought flits across my mind, I immediately squash it.

I look up. In Victor’s eyes is reflected my somewhat bewildered gaze, but he only raises the corners of his lips in a soft smile.

Victor: A true “thief” won’t feel any guilt over the matter. Those who initiated the evil practice are the real thieves.

Victor: Usually, you’re a little brighter. How come you know how to bash your head against the wall at a time like this?

MC: In fact, I’ve always understood that there’s no use in being frustrated. The more important thing is the future.

MC: I can do it… no. Yes, I can definitely do it!

I clench my fists and give him a smile brimming with enthusiasm.

Victor: You better keep your word.

He loosens his slightly furrowed brows, the hint of a smile cresting on his face along with it. He then bends down and takes out a doll from a shopping bag.

Victor: I was going to give it to you a bit later.

Puzzled, I meet the Shiba Inu’s giddily giggling face and can’t help but laugh along with it.

Victor: I went to the mall before coming here. Its giggling face bears the most resemblance to you.

MC: …that obviously looks very cute!

I take the silly Shiba Inu and knead its smiling face.

MC: What made you think of buying this?

Victor pauses for a bit, as if he somewhat doesn’t want to answer this question. But eventually, he releases a sigh under my burning gaze.

Victor: When you first gave me your Shiba Inu, you said that looking at its laughter can cure all bad emotions.

Victor: I don’t have a deep experience or understanding of this matter, though. However, this time, I hope it can cheer you up instead.

Victor: This doll, I think, was the one with the happiest grin in there.

–

[Tidbits]: Victor is talking about “Rooftop Date,” where MC finds out about his mom and gives him her old Shiba Inu doll, which her dad gifted her as a kid. She told him–– this doll has accompanied her through laughter and sorrows for many years, and she hopes it can do the same for him now. MC gives Victor the very same Shiba Inu doll in S2 CH 4 as well. 🥺❤️

–

My eyes widen slightly at these words. I didn’t realize that he still remembers these words I once said.

Victor: Now, it seems that it has accomplished its mission very well.

He looks at the doll in my arms with some tenderness in his gaze.

I look down at the Shiba Inu doll, which is smiling extraordinarily happily, and suddenly spot a crown pattern on the doll’s stomach…

–

[Players have to find the answer to the riddle from the B.S. archive they received as merch]:

ANSWER: 我陪你证明永远

MEANING: I’ll accompany you to prove “forever.”

–

I raise my head and look into Victor’s eyes, who’s sitting directly opposite me. Beneath the lights, a soft glow twinkles in his gaze.

It appears that if only his presence is there, the painful and negative emotions that have been pent up deep in my heart will be slowly dissolved by his silent tenderness, bit by bit.

’Because I know that no matter what happens, this person in front of me will accompany me and face it together with me.

I hug the Shiba Inu close to myself and can’t help grinning gleefully from ear to ear.

MC: Hehe…

Victor: Don’t just giggle. Your dinner will get cold if you don’t eat it.

At his reminder, I feel my stomach rumbling with hunger again. I fork a piece of potato and stuff it into my mouth, the soft and filling flavor making me squint in happiness.

MC: Tasty! The taste is entirely different from what I’ve practiced before, though.

Victor: If it were to be the same as your craft, Souvenir would go out of business tomorrow.

MC: I at least get the pass mark, right? I had a bit of irregularity in my game today.

Victor: When have you ever played properly, though?

MC: Although your point is very valid, I still do a passable job once in a while.

Turning my grief and indignation into appetite, I curl up the pasta and bring it to my mouth, then squint my eyes cheerfully.

The dissipation of the dark clouds reinstates my good appetite once again. Happily gorging myself, I soon polish off the plate full of pasta.

Victor: Can you still eat the dessert?

Though having just yelled-- “I’m so full,” I immediately react to the sound of his voice and look at him with anticipation written across my entire face.

MC: Is it the new one you mentioned?

Victor nods, but with a hint of rarely seen hesitation.

Victor: This is the first time I’ve tried making it, and the procedure is quite complicated. So, the taste may not be a success.

Victor: Don’t hold your expectations too high.

I never thought I’d actually hear such words from his mouth one day. I gaze at him in wonder.

MC: Y-you actually have moments when you’re not sure of something…

Victor: When something is important enough to you, it’s only natural that uncertainty will arise.

A ripple flashes in his eyes as he gets up and brings the dessert from the kitchen.

The dark blue ceramic plate gradually transitions outwards to a lighter blue, with a moon-white sphere inlaid in the center of the dessert, surrounded by little white specks on all sides as they create a starry sky.

It’s reminiscent of the vast universe in which all human unease and angst are nothing more than just an insignificant speck of dust.

Victor: Try it. You are its very first taster.

I cautiously and solemnly cut a small piece off the edge with a dessert spoon before carefully taking it into my mouth.

MC: Mmm…

The first sensation on the palate is a slight bitterness with a hint of fragrance, followed by a sweet aftertaste that pervades the tip of the tongue as the bitterness returns to the fragrant sweetness.

The crispy outer shell enveloping the soft, fluffy interior is akin to a freshly made soufflé. Only at the most appropriate moment can a flavor this wonderful be born.

Victor: The procedure of making this is different from what I’ve done before.

Victor: I tried it a little. A bit of bitterness can make the entire flavor a lot richer.

Victor explains in a light-hearted manner, as though he is simply talking about something that couldn’t be any more ordinary.

But I know that because of the recent collaborative project, every minute and every second of his time is awfully precious, and he doesn’t often even have the time to reply to messages.

Victor, who values efficiency and results above all else, spent his time on this little dessert, just so he could cheer me up.

The faint bitterness in my mouth has already faded away, leaving only the profound sweetness that engraves itself into my memory.

MC: It’s yummy~ This must be the second best dessert in the entire world! Only lagging a little bit behind your pudding!

MC: Merci, Monsieur Victor~ 

I look at him with immense seriousness as I speak. In exchange, my exaggerated tone of voice earns a soft chuckle from Victor.

Victor: Why are you suddenly speaking French?

MC: Because the cabinet in the kitchen was locked earlier, and then I found something…

I drag on the tail note of my sentence and stare at Victor’s face. However, Victor remains utterly unfazed, looking calm and composed as he picks up the black tea on the table and takes a sip.

Victor: What did you find?

Seeing that he isn’t taking the bait, I roll my eyes and open my mouth in a manner as though I’m hinting at something.

MC: Mm, that’s confidential! Who knows, perhaps you might find some trail in your identity card?

Victor arches an eyebrow, dropping a sentence as usual.

Victor: Deliberately creating mystery.

Despite saying this, he still opens his wallet as I have hoped and takes out the identity card that I put back in earlier.

At a glance, he sees the newly scribbled small line of handwriting on the corner: j'appartiens a toi.

–– “I belong to you.”

As Victor looks up at me with some surprise, he is met with my triumphant smile. Consequently, he also perks up the corners of his lips into a smile.

Victor: Dummy, you don’t need to say it to me. It’s not like I don’t already know that.

—

——__——__——

[Extra]:

btw, the meme I was talking about in the tags is actually this one LOL 🤣😭

—

#i know i still have an official date to translate but THERE IS NO WAY I COULD RESIST THIS!!! IT’S A MUST READ!!! 😭🫀 #I COULD WRITE AN ESSAY ON THIS! MASTERPIECE!!! I LOVE PG AND MC FOR MAKING THAT MEME CANON LOL– “VICTOR HOW CAN I LIVE WITHOUT YOUUU” ಥ‿ಥ #I CAN’T EVEN WORD HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS. NOBODY TOUCH ME I AM JUST GONNA—UGGHHH—— VICTOR WRITERS BLESS YOU FOR SUCH MAGNIFICENT WRITING🫀🌊 #Victor my beloved your handwriting tho akskdjskab💀 i do see why MC loves his handwriting so much but my eyes LOL💀💫 #mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mr love victor #mlqc #mr love queen's choice #love and producer #恋与制作人 #李泽言 #mlqc cn #mlqc translations #mlqc spoilers