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sasaranurude · 2 days

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Okay. I've been playing Tokyo Debunker today, since the release happened to catch me on a day when all I'd planned to do was write fanfiction. I just finished reading the game story prologue (it was longer than expected!), so here's a review type post. If you're reading this post not having seen a single thing about this game: it's a story-based joseimuke gacha mobile game that just released globally today. It's about a girl who suddenly finds herself attending a magic school and mingling with elite, superhuman students known as ghouls. If you look in the tumblr tag for the game you'll see what appears to be a completely different game from 2019 or so: they retooled it completely midway through development, changing just about everything about it due to "escalating competition within the gaming industry."

I'll talk about how this looks like a blatant twst clone at the end.

Starting with the positive: The story is charming. I enjoyed it thoroughly the entire time and am excited to read more. The mix between visual novel segments and motion comics was really nice--it broke things up and added a lot of oomph to the action or atmospheric scenes that visual novels generally lack. I like the art in the comic parts a lot. the live2d in the visual novel parts is... passable. Tone-wise, I think the story was a little bit all over the place and would like to see more of the horror that it opened on, but I didn't mind the comedic direction it went in either. The translation is completely seamless. The characters so far all have unique voices and are just super fun and cute. Of the ones who've had larger roles in the story so far, there's not a single one I dislike. It's all fully voiced in Japanese and the acting is solid. (I don't recognize any voices, and can't seem to find any seiyuu credits, so it seems they're not big names, but they deliver nonetheless.) Kaito in particular I found I was laughing at his lines a ton, both the voicing and the writing.

He's looking for a girlfriend btw. Spreading the word.

The problem is like. The gameplay is the worst dark-pattern microtransaction-riddled bullshit I've ever seen. Hundred passive timers going at all times. Fifty different item-currencies. Trying to get you to spend absurd amounts of real world money at every turn. There's like five different indicators that take you to various real-money shop items that I don't know how to dismiss the indicator, I guess you just have to spend money, wtaf. Bajillion different interlocking systems mean you have zero sense of relative value of all the different item-currencies. I did over the course of the day get enough diamonds for one ten-pull, which I haven't used yet. Buying enough diamonds for a ten-pull costs a bit under $60 (presumably USD, but there's a chance the interface is automatically making that CAD for me--not gonna spend the money to check lmfao), with an SSR rate of 1%. BULLSHIIIIIT.

There's like a goddamn thousand-word essay explaining the dozen different types of character upgrades and equippables and equippables for the equippables!! Bad! Bad game design! That's just overcomplicating bullshit to trick people into thinking they're doing something other than clicking button to make number go up! That is not gameplay!

In terms of the actual gameplay, there is none. The battle system is full auto. There might be teambuilding, but from what I've seen so far, most of that consists of hoping you pull good cards from gacha and then clicking button to make number go up. There's occasional rhythm segments but there's no original music, it's just remixes of public domain classical music lmao. I'd describe the rhythm gameplay as "at least more engaging than twisted wonderland's," which is not a high bar

At least there's a cat in the rhythm bit.

And like, ok, I gotta remark on how derivative it is. Like I mentioned in my post earlier, this game is unabashedly aping twisted wonderland's setting and aesthetic. (That said, most of the stuff it steals from twst is magic school stuff that twst also basically stole from Harry Potter, so...?) However, it isn't exactly like twst: in this one, the characters say fuck a lot and bleed all over the place and do violence. Basically, the tone is a fair bit more adult than twst's kid-friendly vibe. (Not, like, adult adult, and I probably wouldn't even call it dark--it's still rated Teen lol. Just more adult than twst.)

Rather than just being students at magic school, the ghouls also go out into the mundane world to go on missions where they fight and investigate monsters and cryptids. Honestly, the magic school setting feels pretty tacked-on. The things that are enjoyable about this would've been just as enjoyable in about any other setting--you can tell this whole aspect was a late trend-chasing addition, lmao. So, yeah, it's blatantly copying twst to try to steal some players, but... Eh, I found myself not caring that much. Someone more (or less) into twst than me may find it grating.

Character-wise, eh, sure, yeah, they're a bit derivative in that aspect too, but it's a joseimuke game, the characters are always derivative. Thus far the writing & execution has been solid enough that I didn't care if they were tropey. If I were to compare it to something else, I'd say the relationship between the protagonist and the ghouls feels more like that of the sage and wizards in mahoyaku than anything from twst. There's some mystery in exactly what "ghouls" are and their place in this world that has me intrigued and wanting to know more about this setting and how each of the characters feels about it. I have a bad habit of getting my hopes up for stories that put big ideas on the table and then being disappointed when they don't follow through in a way that lives up to my expectations, though.

So, my final verdict: I kind of just hope someone uploads all the story segments right onto youtube so nobody has to deal with the dogshit predatory game to get the genuinely decent story lol. Give it a play just for the story if you have faith in your ability to resist dark patterns. Avoid at all costs if you know you're vulnerable to gacha, microtransactions, or timesinks.

#suchobabbles #Tokyo Debunker #it's a global simultaneous release so I'm curious to see how it ends up doing in Japan #it's gonna be competing directly with stellarium of the fragile star which releases in a few days lmao. and is about a magic alchemy school #looks like the two games twt accounts have a similar number of followers #and then theyre competing with bremai releasing in may...#also adding this at the very end since i cant confirm anything:#but i found out abt this game bc it was rt'd by the former localization director/translator of A3en #i dont know if she worked on it or maybe her friend or maybe shes just hype! who knows! but i think her word (or rt) is worth something

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gdn019283 · 2 days

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having tumblr to me means being weak over merthur. so today we’ll talk about “servant of two masters” and if what i’m about to say is something that has already been pointed out by someone else, let me know. we’re all aware of the excruciating reminder that in this episode, arthur hugs merlin for the first time and merlin will never remember it because he was enchanted. but i also believe he’ll never remember another thing of equal importance. in the entire episode, we are the ones to witness for the first time what arthur does/says while he is changing/working alongside merlin, more than previous times. i like to think that he actually thought he’d lost him forever this once that when he comes back, he wants to be with him all the time but also has to make sure who could be the potential traitor amongst EVERYONE in camelot. (sort of the main plot in season four because of the slimy bastard agravaine) HE EVEN DOUBTS HIS KNIGHTS. the noblest and most loyal knights ever that HE HAD CHOSEN and HE DOUBTS THEM. example: “what do you think about Percival?” and merlin answers with “big”. he had asked constantly about merlin’s opinion. he cares so much that he talks with him all the time, asking for what he thinks and telling him: “you’re the only one i know i can trust”. or “so. what do you think. merlin?” when he’s changing behind the screen and doesn’t receive any answer. my point is: for the first time ever, arthur communicates with merlin. he is honest, open in any possible way (“you’re not merlin”) but the best part is that WE SEE IT. we see what happens when they’re both in arthur’s chambers; when merlin has to help him prepare for council, banquets ecc. they talk about the kingdom, about the knights and the court and of course, arthur “values merlin’s opinion above all other’s” (we love mithian in this household) and even for us sometimes it’s hard to grasp because we never see that part, when they’re both alone AND THEY TALK this time and for so long, which we only watch during specific and needed scenes, like when arthur had banished gwen and he was sad or when he had to make amend for destroying the druid camp and killing the people that lived in it. the saddest part? what if arthur had been so scared to lose him this time around, that he wanted to listen to him for the next days and what if arthur rarely acts that way with him? because WE rarely see it too. especially when is anxious or angry, instead of telling merlin straightaway, he confines himself in his chambers and either yells or tells merlin to get out. which means, not only merlin will forget their first and only hug, but will also forget arthur’s words of acknowledgement and trust. his honest confessions and admissions, not veiled by sarcasm or by a joke. and arthur will never know it either, because he had never suspected something went wrong in the first place. heartbreaking. does this make sense? to me it does. so yeah. i’ll go cry in my corner now.

to mend a broken heart, you must write fanfictions about it, so if you’d like, go check out mine. it’s the first post on my account. it’s still a WIP, but if you’d like to read it or interact with it, then you’ll make my day. have fun! and cry about merthur!

do not read it/like my posts/follow me (not that you will. i’m not that pretentious. i guess) if you’re a racist, zionist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic being who over all goes against any sort of basic humans’ rights.

#bbc merlin #merlin #arthur pendragon #merthur #ted talks #they’re in love your honor #these two are going to be the end of me #why do they have to be like this #i need to have a talk with the directors #will my obsession ever end #queer #merlin fanfic rec #merlin fanfic #ao3 fanfic #fanfiction #ao3 writer #ao3

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thedragonqueen1998 · 3 days

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Today at work i got insanly inspired to write and once i got off work, i immidiently went on my phone to type it out. XD I just finished a 3 hour long writing ses(had a 15 minute food break in the middle). ^^ Probably just gonna forever gonna be a wip thing, but it was fun and i'm kinda proud of it. Despite it being rough in some parts, mostly because i wanted to rush to the 2nd half and i didn't wanna get stuck, i'm happy to share it. ^^

It's a kinda long, so i'm gonna add a Read more line to not fill your dash with text. Also, first time trying formatting out! XD

So, originally this post was just gonna be a "i actually wrote something! Look!" thing, just showing of some work i did, but after writing the reason why i wrote a line a certain way, it went into something very sad and kinda dark, so if you don't wanna read about death, a light mention of suicidal thought and grief... just stop after What even is my life.

Idk why i wrote it, but it took alot of effort and it feels... important to me, i guess. Part of processing and such. So, yeah. Read at your discretion. Thank you for your time. 💜

Ezio had many regrets in his long life. Not being there when his father and brothers were arrested. Of not being there more for his sister and mother. Of not trying to be together with Cristina. Not being able to save her. Or being able to save Uncle Mario and Monteriggioni. But biggest of all, not having spent more time with his family before the execution.

He had love, but didn't cherish it. Didn't truly feel it and took it for granted. But unlike so many others, Ezio could take those regrets and change them. Thanks to Desmond.

When he walked into the Library, he thought he might get an answer or two in return for many more. He truly didn't expect that calling out Desmonds name while the Apple bathed the walls in gold would result in it being answered by the being himself.

The being looked like a man, clad in a white light, eminating from a strange device under his right arm. His face looked like an exact replica of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's face, though his build was closer to his. Broad shoulders hidden underneath a strange hooded white doublet and long legs wearing strange tight fitted pants made from a material he did not recognise. Even the scar was the same as his! Was Ezio made in the image of the one he was the Prophet for? Was Altaïr the herald? All questions Ezio wondered, but not knowing if Desmond was like Minerva or not, he dared not waste any questions if the beings patient was thin.

But first: "Are you Desmond?" He had to know, have it confirmed, even if the being appeared after the name was called.

"Ezio? Is this the Library? Am i seriously bleeding while dying!?" Desmond was looking around at the empty tomb, before his eyes returned upon Ezio.

"Yes, this is Altaïr's library. You are bleeding? I do not see any blood and you are dying!? Is there anything i can do to help you? Please, my lord. Tell me what i need to do to save you." Ezio was desperate to know his purpose and if all his life lead to this moment, where he could save Desmonds life, he would fulfill it.

"There's nothing you can do. I am dying semi willingly and even if this is some Animus infused death hallucination, it is nice having my last moments with you, even if your not really here. I am so sorry i couldn't answer any of your questions or try to save you from losing everything. You never deserved any of it. In the end it didn't really even matter. I am sorry you wasted your time chasing riddles and ghosts." He looked so grieve struck while saying it and the look Desmond had while gazing down onto Ezio could only be described as lovingly.

"What do you mean? Could you have saved my uncle!? My father and brothers!? Why didn't you if you do not think i deserved it! I have served the Brotherhood almost my entire life, sacrificed so much trying to find out what Minerva meant and now your telling me that it was all for nothing!? If you think i wasted my time then give it back!"

Desmonds eye's widen before softly smiling and saying: "Your right, you wasted your time and sacrificed too much for nothing. Let's change that."

Before Ezio knew it, the world went white and he knew nothing more.

—————

When Ezio awoke, it was to a bed he hadn't seen in almost 40 years. His childhood bed and his room. He couldn't believe it. He was given a second chance. To live his life. To right wrongs. To save his family! To think going to the Library would result in this!

At the thought of the Library, Ezio suddenly remembered Sofia. To have forgotten her and even abandoned her without a second thought left Ezio feeling guilty. Would she wait outside the Library before realising he would never come back? Or because he is now in the past, a past where he intends to change the future, would she never meet him? Never exist? The thought of her hurt, but like so many others, Ezio knew that him being in her life would have risked hers. Even if she knew and accepted it, it is still better if she never got the chance to know him and inevitibly suffer because of it. Same with Cristina. Though he could now choose her, he knew that despite the many mistakes in his life, the Brotherhood was not one of them and his refusal to properly let her go killed her. Letting that life affect her once again was too cruel. It was for the better to just let her go.

Federico nudged him with his elbow. "Brother, what has you thinking so hard you look like you bit into something bitter?"

"Nothing much, just wondering what i should get." Ezio smiled and laughed. He was currently out with his family on a trip the market. The last time around, he had decided to sneak off to spend some time with a girl he didn't even remember the name of anymore instead of spending time with his loved ones, to his great shame and regret. This was the last thing his family had done together outside of dinners before the execution in 3 days. That he missed out on it was one of his biggest regrets, but Desmond let him change it.

That Ezio might never truly understand or know what or who Desmond is, how he watched him in the Vault or even what Minerva's people and the Pieces of Eden truly were will forever haunt him, but the trade to see his family again and to even be able to save them is a fair trade. He can go his life wondering these questions and maybe try to find them now that he will have more time, thanks to already knowing the Templars plans and who will be an enemy or ally.

He felt a finger poke him inbetween his eyebrows.

"There you go again Brother. Thinking too hard! Be careful or you might hurt yourself." Federico teased before yelping and then laughing when Ezio pushed him.

"Please don't start fighting now sons." Their father said before turning back to the stall owner to continue discussing what wares to buy and the prices.

"Sorry Father!" Ezio said before giving his brother a teasing look that promised this was not over.

Ezio remembered this day well enough. Not to remember the woman he decided to chase, but enough to know that when his family had been at the market a horse had run wild there and according to Claudia, nearly trampled her down in the confusion.

He was a bit sceptical to believe it was as close as she had made it out to be, but he knew horses much better now than he did before. After years of riding them to and from places in the chase for his targets, he knew that having one running towards you in a blind panic could scare anyone. Even though he knew to be wary of them and treat them with respecy during his original childhood, he didn't truly get how these gentle beings could be as scary as his sister had made the poor creature out to be.

According to his family, it had been a war horse, bloodied, running around in a blind panic, probably scared from a skirmish. Being chased by guards hadn't helped and eventually the guards got a good shot at it and put it down.

Ezio wanted to save his sister years of fearing horses, so he kept an eye and a ear out for any signs that the animal was on it's way.

There. A scream. Everyone stopped and looked around for the source. The source was still hidden by the crowds, but in the distance you could start seeing people moving away from something coming this way and the screams were getting closer.

Ezio breathed and slipped into his Second Sight, the Eagle Vision, as he now knew Altaïr had called it. Or more accuratly, Eagle Sense. With the years, his constant use and need for it had changed his Sight. It had become much stronger, letting him see farther, expanded his hearing, to let him hear his enemies heartbeat and even know what moves they were going to make. Even let him know where his enemies was going to go on a patrol route.

It truly was a gift and now he would use it to try and predict where the animal would go, as to lead his sister and family away from the danger. Then he saw it. The shine of something important. Something that glowed as strongly as the Apple of Eden had. The horse.

There was much about his Gift he could not explain. He had tried, but it is much like explaining sight to a blind person. Why things he didn't even know about could glow gold and lead him to the answer. Why allies glowed blue and enemies red, nor how he could tell friend from foe and now. His Sight told him, with the same intuition as telling friend from foe, that this horse was Desmond.

How is Desmond here? Why? Did he lie about dying? Or was certain death only a large chance that Desmond beat? Ezio supposed it did not matter. If he lets events play as they had before, Desmond would be struck down by an arrow within minutes. Oh, maybe Desmond had tried to prevent his father and brothers demise, but was struck down in the attempt? Though, why choose to do it as a rampaging horse? Either way, Desmond was clearly panicking, almost upon him now. If Ezio could not calm him down, his death was guaranteed.

But how? Ezio has just seconds now to plan a way to stop him before he is trampled down.

Then, he finally realises, that among the bright gold he shines, he also glowes blue. Such a deep colour which he has only seen in the greatest friends or closest family and he knows, Desmond would never harm him. The look of pure love on Desmonds face made more sense now.

So Ezio decides to not move and simple raise up his hands, as if to pet the horse.

"EZIO!"

————

Desmond was in pain. He knew that Juno lied about his death being quick and painless, but god, why did it have to hurt so much!? During his hallucination, it wasn't nearly so bad! And can't forget the weird nightmare he's having ontop of it. He's a goddamned horse on some battlefield. He was rearing up when the nightmare started, neighing as his rider was shot and killed by an arrow.

There's so much blood. The smell strikes fear in his heart. There's so much red. He slips into Eagle Vision and there's even more red. Not a spec of blue. A sword slides against the armor he is wearing and the screech of metal is too much. He bolts.

He needs to run. Away from the monsters with sharp sticks. Away from the smell of blood and death. Away from the shadows hiding hunters. They follow him. They chase him for a long time.

He is getting so tired.

He needs to get back to the barn. His owner would make everything alright. He would croon soft noises he did not understand, but the tone was soft and gentle. He would give him a treat while brushing him down after a hard days work.

He did ride him into scary battles he did not understand, but afterwards he would wash and groom him extra thoroughly, while feeding him the best apples, crooning more sounds in a happy tone. He would repeat one of the few sounds he understood, which meant "him" and "pay attention to me".

Dante.

But he wasn't on his back anymore and he didn't hear his voice. Just the loud, scary noises of more men in the shiny hard thing. They had the pointy sticks too and tried to take the things dangling from his mouth. Only his owner can touch that! Only he is to be trusted with them.

Running is getting harder, there is large, straight hills in the way and the path is narrower with many strangers in it.

There is still so much red. He can still smell the blood, feel it clotting his fur. Too much red!

Blue.

Suddenly there's blue in front of him. He knows blue means ally. Though why and how this person is blue confuses him. But he is Blue and running him over is not good, but why is he standing there!? Does he not see the red!? Smell it!? Does he not understand we need to run!?

"Desmond"

That single word pierces the fog of fear and wild panic that has flooded Desmonds mind. Ezio is in front of him, hand already gripping the reigns while the other rests on his muzzle.

"There we go Desmond, everything is alright."

Desmond still feels phantom threads of fear, but with Ezio's calming blue glow and his voice saying gentle reassurances, it feels far away.

Now with his mind fully human and not driven by horse instincts or memories, the question becomes: How and why the fuck is he a horse in 15th century Italy with Ezio!?

What even is his life.

————

So, a couple parts i'm stupidly happy about is the "He had love, but didn't cherish it. Didn't truly feel it and took it for granted." part. This, as you can probably tell was inspired by the famous quote "When I was a young man, I had liberty, but I did not see it. I had time, but I did not know it. And I had love, but I did not feel it."

I believe Ezio didn't fully understand liberty until he tried to live a peaceful life with Sofia and realised he would always fear Templars taking revenge on his family and time, because the knowledge that he would never see his children grow up to adults had never been a concern before he met Sofia. He probably thought he wouldn't have a family at all.

But love. Love he would understand what he missed. He would understand it just days after he lost his father and brothers. Those moments you missed out on. Of opportunities to spend time that you squandered away. Time you will never get back, because in real life we don't have time travel.

And now i understand it. Before the end of the last year, i was like Ezio before the loss. Before i lost my grandparents only a few weeks apart.

Those opportunities to spend time was rare and thankfully i took most of them, but i still squandered it away by not actually spending time with them. I just visited and hid away in my room, wasting the time by sitting on the phone.

I will forever regret that because ny memory is shit and besides a few childhood ones, i have no memories of them. I still remember their voices, they were pretty distinct thankfully, but how long until i forget that.

It hurts and as someone who is afraid of death and it's finality, such a reminder that time and love is finite is soulcrushing. It is only recently that i have truly started to think of my grandparents and i guess try to process the fact they are gone forever.

When we first got the news that my grandpa had died, i was even more glued to my phone, not wanting to acknowledge what was happening. I also didn't wanna sleep and only got some when i passed out from exhaustion. We even went to the doctor to get time of work and some sleep medication i didn't dare end up taking.

I even had thoughts of just taking all the pills and just sleeping, to get away from the pain forever. But i'm thankfully too much of a coward, so it just stayed thoughts. I'm doing much better now and as i mentioned, i think i'm starting to process the fact that they are gone.

So, yeah. This post went in a direction i didn't expect. But it feels important and maybe in a few years i can look back at this post and see a snapshot of who i was and reflect on who i am now. So, here's to the future me and anyone else who needs to hear it:

I hope things are going well and if they're not... well, things get better. They always do. You're loved and even if your loved ones are gone, they live on in you. You will carry that love with you, for the rest of your life. 💜

#personal #personal thoughts #dealing with grief #tw grief #tw grieving #tw suicidal thoughts

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archiveikemen · 1 day

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Ellis Twilight Main Story: Chapter 2

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection. I do not own any of the original content. Please support CYBIRD by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Warnings and FAQ

Ellis: Sorry for the wait, Jude.

Jude: … Ah?

Jude stared at Ellis in disbelief for a moment when he noticed that he had brought me along, but he surprisingly said nothing about it.

Kate: I’ll be accompanying you as the fairytale keeper. I look forward to working with you!

Jude: … Tch.

Jude clicked his tongue at Ellis as though to say “cut the crap”, completely ignoring my existence.

Ellis: I submitted the declaration for today’s shipment last night.

Jude: Of course you did. I’ll cut your pay if it’s not received first thing in the morning.

(Besides working for Crown, they also have work to do at the trading company… they must be very busy.)

To avoid getting in their way, I walked behind Jude and Ellis while silently observing them.

…

Based on my observations—,

Jude was the boss of a trading company named “Raven” which dealt with both domestic and international business, it also had branches in other countries.

They held their negotiation meetings in the VIP rooms at London’s biggest department stores, and their goods inspections were conducted at London’s pier…

Time seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye while I was following them throughout the day.

Their work ethics, however…

Jude: No making new deals until all debts are settled.

Jude: Of course there will be consequences for failing to pay your debts. If your debts are too much for you, you’ll pay for them even if you have to cough up blood.

Jude was sharp and a good speaker; he commanded respect from his business partners, was subjected to envy from his rivals, and his employees admired him.

Meanwhile…

Ellis: Okay, I’ll handle the rest.

Ellis: It’s easy to make mistakes in these documents. Let me know if there’s anything you don’t understand; I’ll teach you and we’ll correct them together.

Ellis was well-liked by others because of his gentle demeanour and thoughtfulness wherever he went.

(The two of them are polar opposites of each other.)

As we went on with our day, it was soon nearly noon on Big Ben.

Jude: You don’t need to come with me to the main office. There’s no knowing what people will say if they see an extra person.

Ellis: Mm, got it.

Kate: Thank you for letting me come along with you today.

Jude: … Heh, I look forward to hearing you say that the next time you come.

(What does that mean…?)

I tilted my head in confusion at his words.

Jude: You brought her, so you clean up after her. This has nothing to do with me.

Ellis: Yeah… I will.

(… Ellis seems to know what he meant.)

Jude walked way without so much as another look at me, and Ellis turned to me.

Ellis: You must be tired. Sorry for dragging you everywhere.

Kate: No, I’m not tired at all! I have lots of stamina because of my previous job as a postwoman.

Ellis: I see, that’s good. … Well then, while we’re here…

Ellis: Can you come with me for a little bit?

I was asked to stay for a while longer, and—

…

(W-Why are we here…!?)

We arrived at the post office I used to work at.

Ellis turned to look back at me when he noticed me hesitating at the entrance.

Ellis: What’s the matter?

(That’s what I really want to ask him right now…)

Kate: I know a lot of people here because this used to be my workplace… is it really okay for me to have interactions with them before my one month is up?

Ellis: Victor said that there are no restrictions on your activities apart from going outside alone, so I guess this is fine?

I blinked in surprise at his casual response.

(That’s not something I’m in the position to decide… is this REALLY acceptable?)

Ellis: I have some mail to send out. I’ll handle the procedures myself, go ahead and do whatever you want while you wait for me.

Kate: Okay…

Ellis made his way to the counter, leaving me behind at the entrance.

(I wonder what would happen if I asked someone I know for help and leaked classified information…)

I couldn't conceal my confusion at my suspiciously relaxed “surveillance”.

(At least… this means that Ellis trusts me to not do that, I guess?)

(However—)

(If classified information is leaked, they’ll get rid of everyone who knows about it, including myself…)

— “Do we kill her?”

I suddenly remembered those words he said so casually and shook my head in a panic, when…

Coworker with Braids: Kate!?

Kate: Ah.

Coworker with Braids: It really is you, Kate! Everyone, Kate is here!

The other coworkers heard them and immediately gathered around.

Red-Haired Coworker: Kate~ why did you suddenly start working at the palace? What’s going on?

Coworker with Black Eyes: We were so worried about you.

(Even though they’re this worried about me because I suddenly stopped coming to work…)

(I can’t tell them the real reason for my absence. Not now.)

(I don't even know if I’ll come back in one piece after a month.)

(But…)

I pushed my anxiety aside, not wanting to make them worry more.

Kate: I’m doing well. I still don't really understand what's going on because today’s only my first day of work, but I’ll definitely figure it out.

Coworker with Braids: I mean, it’s THE Kate who can turn any complaining customer into a good one; I’m sure you’ll be fine, wherever you are.

Red-Haired Coworker: We were at a loss and felt so lonely after you disappeared so suddenly…

Kate: I’m… really sorry about that. The situation is beyond my control.

Coworker with Braids: I guess you can’t really refuse orders from the palace.

Coworker with Black Eyes: We’ll always have your back, Kate.

Red-Haired Coworker: Hey, take this!

Red-Haired Coworker: We bought these together and wanted to pass them to you if you happened to drop by. Glad we could!

Kate: Eeh… you guys bought this many things?

Various presents were piled up in my arms.

There was a blanket, cookies from my favourite shop… so much that I was afraid I would drop the items if I moved.

Ellis: Let me help you carry them.

Ellis appeared next to me and took over the items.

All my coworkers simultaneously turned their eyes towards Ellis immediately.

Coworker with Braids: Wait a second… who is THIS!? Is he Kate’s boyfriend!?

Red-Haired Coworker: Oh I know him! He’s that scary businessman’s bodyguard!

The situation went into chaos like a hornet’s nest being disturbed.

Coworker with Braids: Kate, you must give us a good explanation of your relationship with this handsome man!

Kate: Uhh… we met at the palace yesterday because of work. We have a purely professional relationship.

Coworker with Braids: Hmm, you two seem way closer than that.

Red-Haired Coworker: So suspicious…!

Kate: Hey… calm down, you guys…

Ellis took over the remaining items in my arms while I tried to calm my coworkers down.

Ellis: I caused quite a commotion… sorry. I’ll wait for you outside.

Kate: Ah… I’m sorry too! I’ll be quick.

Ellis: Take your time :)

I watched as Ellis nodded politely at everyone before leaving the post office.

(I made him worry…)

Coworker with Braids: So you got married before returning to work, huh…

Red-Haired Coworker: Congratulations.

Kate: I’ve been saying, that’s not true…!

…

— In the end, the commotion was resolved when our supervisor said “please, let’s leave it at that”.

I bid my coworkers farewell and stepped outside to meet Ellis who was leaning against a lampost with my gifts in hand, waiting for me.

(He looks like a work of art even from a distance.)

His refined physique and long, slender legs made him stand out.

Kate: Sorry to keep you waiting.

Ellis: Nope, not at all. … You could've stayed to chat more if you liked.

Kate: It’s fine! Umm, about the rude things my coworkers said earlier on…

The jokes about him being my boyfriend when we had a purely professional relationship might have made him uncomfortable.

(I have to make it up to him somehow… ah, I know.)

Kate: There’s a shop nearby that has delicious baguettes. Please let me treat you to something there as an apology.

Ellis: …

Ellis stared hard at me, looking like he just made a realisation.

Ellis: I think I get why you received so many gifts now.

Kate: Huh…?

Carrying the large bag of gifts from my coworkers in his hands, Ellis took a step closer to me…

He leaned in, his face so close to mine that our foreheads almost touched.

Ellis: You don't have to treat me, but I’m curious about your recommendation.

(... Ellis is still a mystery to me.)

However, there was no doubt that his kindness had found its way into my heart.

As proof of that, our conversation during our second meal together went more smoothly compared to the one we had over breakfast—.

…

Kate: Oh… it’s already gotten this late.

It was almost sunset when we left the shop.

Ellis: … We should hurry and return to the castle.

Ellis muttered in a low voice while staring at the streets getting dark.

It was my first time hearing that urgency in his voice, and I realised how overly lighthearted I was being.

(Perhaps he has plans for tonight, and yet I kept him outside for so long.)

Kate: We can save some time if we take the shortcut through this alley.

Using the navigation skills I got from working as a postwoman, I walked into a narrow alley.

Ellis: Ah…

Ellis: … It’ll be okay if we’re together, I guess.

We hurriedly made our way through the dimly lit alley where the sunlight didn't shine, and we were only a little more away from reaching a well-lit street.

Man in Hunting Hat: …

Suddenly, a man appeared and blocked our path. I instinctively tried to pass him by moving to the side, but—

(Huh…?)

The man extended a foot, stopping me from leaving.

I sensed that something was off and turned around to see two more men emerging from behind.

Man in Hunting Hat: You’re Jude Jazza’s woman?

(Jude?)

Kate: No, you’re mistaken… who are you people?

Man in Hunting Hat: We’ll confirm if you’re telling the truth later. Capture her.

The three men drew their knives and attacked.

(Wha- What!?)

Ellis: Kate, hold onto these for a minute.

Kate: Whoa…!

I was handed the bag of gifts from my coworkers in the middle of the chaotic situation and Ellis deflected their leader’s attack with a black dagger.

Ellis: This might get a little scary, but it’ll be over soon.

While I stood there at a loss for words, Ellis did as he said and swiftly knocked the men out.

He only used his dagger to counter their weapons, and relied mainly on his long limbs to handle them.

Ellis: … Done.

Ellis lined the unconscious men along the side of the path and gave each of their heads a light tap like a finishing touch—

Their wrists instantly stuck together, almost like they were in prayer.

Kate: Amazing…! How did you do that?

Ellis: I can bind people’s wrists like this by touching their heads.

(Now I remember…)

— “Cursed people” possess special abilities ordinary people don’t.

I recalled what Roger once said to me.

Kate: I see… so, this is your special ability?

Ellis: Yup. That's right. It’s convenient for such situations when you don’t have rope.

With a satisfied smile, Ellis effortlessly took over the bag of gifts again.

Ellis: Jude tends to get many people holding grudges against him, so he often gets attacked like what just happened.

Ellis: It’s unusual for him to have a woman with him, so those guys must have misunderstood you for his lover.

(Grudges… I see.)

Somehow or other, I realised that this happened because I followed them to work during the day.

(To think being attacked like this has become a routine, working for a trading company must be hard.)

Ellis: … Sorry.

Kate: You don’t have to apologise! Thank you very much for protecting me, Ellis.

Ellis frowned slightly and shook his head.

Ellis: To be honest, I saw this coming. I knew something like this would happen if I brought you outside with us.

Ellis: But… you looked disheartened when I said I was going to work today.

Ellis: I made the selfish decision to take you along. … I’m sorry for that.

(Ellis…)

He said it was selfish of him, but I knew very well that everything he did was for my sake.

(Breakfast, telling me about all the members of Crown, taking me with him to work…)

(Even our trip to the post office could’ve been for me.)

Kate: I was happy throughout the day, so… you really don’t have to apologise.

I smiled to express my appreciation for Ellis’ kindness.

Ellis: … Okay. Glad to hear that.

Ellis lips curled into a warm smile — much like the last ray of sunlight cast by the setting sun…

Maybe it was because of the approaching twilight, but there was a strange troubling feeling that caused a stir in my chest.

…

Upon returning to my room, I opened the bag of gifts from my coworkers.

“We’re concerned about you, Kate”

“Feel free to contact us anytime.”

The kind words in the letter from them made my heart feel warm.

(The only reason why I could receive these from them… was because Ellis took me to the post office.)

The joy I felt at that moment was all thanks to Ellis’ efforts to make me happy.

I’ve stepped foot into a different world.

For one month, there’s no going back to my original daily life—

It felt like he was telling the frightened me that “everything will be alright”.

(I now feel more confident about surviving this one month than I did this morning.)

(All the more so with Ellis by my side.)

— And so, I welcomed the next morning with a renewed sense of determination.

…

Victor: I heard about it, Kate. You were attacked by Jude’s business rivals yesterday?

Kate: Ah, yes. But I remained unharmed, thanks to Ellis.

Victor: That’s a relief to know, but… Miss Kate, if your safety is put at risk before the end of the contract’s one-month term—

Victor: — Crown’s confidential information will also be at risk of being leaked! Am I right to say that?

Ellis: Yeah.

Jude: … I have a bad feeling about this.

Victor responded to Jude’s obviously displeasured tone with a broad smile…

Victor: For that reason, Jude and Ellis, I’d like for both of you to take up the role of Kate’s bodyguards!

(What!?)

Jude: Ah?

Ellis: … Bodyguards? :0

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