#He's originally from MLQC

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien Wonderful Moments Date English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lucien boops Snowball's nose, his tone hinting at jealousy.

"You've been praising this little guy a lot."

"Pfft, is Professor Lucien jealous?"

Translation under the cut!

[Notes from Lux: Here’s the CN video link if anyone wants to follow along with his Voice Acting.]

A car moves slowly on the vibrant countryside road, joyful laughter spilling out of its windows from time to time.

Lucien casually rests his hand on the steering wheel, looking ahead, and quickly comes up with a Chinese idiom.

Lucien: The victory is in the bag. (shèng quàn zài wò)

MC: Idiom with wò… crouching tigers and hidden dragons! (wò hǔ cáng lóng! - 卧虎藏龙 - fig. mean talented individuals hiding their talent)

Lucien: Just a reminder to this beautiful contestant, this phrase was already said during our first round of the idiom chain game.

MC: Then, how about… I control my destiny! (wǒ mìng yóu wǒ - 我命由我- a phrase, not an idiom)

Lucien: [chuckles] That doesn't seem to be an idiom. Is Miss Producer starting to cheat?

Lucien tilts his head and looks at me with a smile. I sheepishly stick out my tongue, wracking my brain as I search through my vocabulary.

The gentle spring breeze seeps through the gaps of the car window. Looking at those cunning eyes, I have a sudden inspiration and break into a sweet smile.

MC: I like you~ (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ~)

Lucien's demeanor briefly halts for half a beat as though he doesn't expect my answer. But then, the smile on his lips grows bigger.

The warm afternoon sunshine reflects brightly in his upturned eyes, making them look particularly beautiful.

Lucien: [chuckles, then sighs] This is the most sophisticated cheating I've ever seen, so I concede defeat.

I cheer joyfully, but before I can utter a word, an electronic broadcast interrupts me.

"Distance to the next highway toll booth is 1.5 kilometers ahead.”

I glance at the phone screen and see it shows another hour and a half to the camping village.

Lucien suggested this camping trip to an ecologically pristine village with beautiful scenery, though the only downside is that the journey was a bit long.

I turn to look at Lucien, who appears to be in a good mood, and can't resist asking the small question that's been lingering on my mind.

MC: Lucien, what made you suddenly want to take me to this camping village?

Lucien: It was recommended by a colleague from the research center. I heard the scenery there is nice and worth a visit.

Lucien: I originally wanted to find an opportunity to spend time with you, and just last weekend we went to see a play, which gave me a very legitimate reason to invite you on a date—

Lucien: To create “beautiful moments”.

He deliberately emphasizes the words "beautiful moments", causing me to momentary pause as a recent memory quickly floods into my mind.

—[Flashback Start]—

At the entrance of the theater last weekend.

Lucien and I walked out of the theater hand in hand. I was still sniffling, lost in the storyline of the performance we just watched, unwilling to let it go.

Just as I was about to wipe away the tears at the corner of my eye, a warm hand handed me a tissue and gently dabbed it beneath my eyes.

Lucien: [gently] If this little audience member keeps crying, I'll have to go find the production team for an explanation.

MC: I'm just really moved by the play...

MC: At first, when I saw the protagonist growing up under the shadow of his mother's depression, I thought he would fall into despair.

MC: But he was able to diligently record the beautiful moments in life and ultimately salvaged himself...

MC: I just tried to put myself in his shoes, and it's really hard to be as optimistic as the protagonist, so I couldn't stop my tears.

Under Lucien's gentle gaze, I rambled on and on, completing my "review" of the play. He patiently wiped the corners of my eyes and offered a comforting smile.

Lucien: I actually think the lady by my side also has a pair of eyes that can discover the beauty of life everywhere.

His sincere praise caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a little buoyed by it. My heart, which had been saddened by the protagonist's struggles, also eased a bit.

MC: If I had a "Book of Beautiful Moments," the first thing I would record is how Professor Lucien always generously praises me~

Lucien chuckled softly, and the strands of hair hanging over his forehead swayed gently in front of his thick lashes.

Lucien: [chuckles] I'm just stating facts. She shares the beauty of the sky with me and finds satisfaction in good weather...

Lucien: —Isn't that kind of you very much like the protagonist?

MC: Then next time I discover something beautiful, I'll make sure to record it promptly.

MC: Let's see if I can fill several volumes of "Wonderful Moments" just like the protagonist!

—[Flashback Ends]—

I casually remarked and thought it was nothing but a joke, yet Lucien silently remembered it in his heart. I come to my senses and blink.

MC: So, the reason you suddenly decided to take me out to play is to create more wonderful moments in my life?

Lucien: I wonder if it's because I'm not "competent" enough that you don't have much to record, so I deliberately created this opportunity.

Lucien: Of course, it's also to show myself off a bit.

He adopts a tone of pretended grievance that stirs a feeling of itchiness in my heart, I suppress the curve of my lips, nodding in mock annoyance.

MC: Well, in light of your "timely remedy," I'll reluctantly start recording officially!

✂———————–

MC: ...Lucien takes me camping;

MC: Before we set off, Lucien made me a cup of hot chocolate.

MC: While playing the idiom chain game, Lucien deliberately went easy on me...

As I speak, I open the Notes app on my phone and mutter to myself, recording a dozen or so entries. But as I continue to write, I suddenly feel something is amiss.

MC: Wait a minute, why do all these "wonderful moments" have Professor Lucien's shadow? I'm starting to suspect that I have a “love-brain”*...

[T/N: "���爱脑" (love brain) is a Chinese internet buzzword that refers to a mindset that puts love first above everything. It refers to individuals who are deeply in love and often become consumed by their emotions, making it difficult for them to think about anything else. This phenomenon is characterized by extreme devotion to their lover, often leading to uncontrollable emotional dependence and intense desires to be with the other person... If anything, from the way Lucien takes her casual remarks seriously and uses them as a reason to hang out with her, this word describes Lucien more LOL]

Lucien: [with a pretending-don’t-to-know-anything tone] Oh, really?

Lucien is amused by my muttering, and a hint of sly self-satisfaction shines in his long and narrow eyes.

Lucien: [chuckles] It seems the Great Producer has already fallen into my sweet trap.

Lucien: Because my goal is to dominate your today's "wonderful moments" list through this trip.

MC: Hmph, then I won't let you succeed. Right now, I'm going to come up with something completely unrelated to you.

As I speak, I catch a glimpse of a white shadow flashing in front of the car. But before I can react, Lucien has already hit the brakes.

[Sounds of the car suddenly braking]

Almost simultaneously, a strong arm instinctively protects me in front of my chest.

Lucien: ...Are you okay?

He removes his sunglasses and swiftly scans me with his gaze as if confirming whether I'm injured.

I stare blankly ahead. After a moment of daze, there's no movement in front of the car, and my heart leaps into my throat.

MC: I, I'm okay...

MC: Lu, Lucien... Did something just rush onto the road?

Lucien: I'll go down and take a look first. Stay in the car and don't move.

He smooths out my disheveled bangs and then gets out of the car after turning on the hazard lights.

Through the windshield, I see him quickly walk to the front of the car. His gaze instantly shifts downward, as if he's spotted something, and he crouches down.

Did we really hit something?

Just as I nervously stretch my neck and am about to get out of the car to take a look, Lucien suddenly stands up, cradling a bundle of white fluff in his arms.

MC: Eh?

I take a closer look and can't help but exclaim in delight—

It's an adorable little Pomeranian!

Under my expectant gaze, Lucien quickly gets back into the car with the little Pomeranian in his arms, then raises the pup's paw and waves it at me.

MC: Hello there, cutie! How did you end up on the road?

Lucien: This little fellow must have gotten lost. I didn't see anyone else outside the car.

I follow Lucien's gaze out the window. The road is very quiet, there's no sign of anyone around.

MC: Is it injured?

Lucien: It wasn't hit just now. When I got out to check, it was still some distance from the front of the car. It's probably just a little startled.

As if understanding, the Pomeranian snuggles its face into Lucien's palm coquettishly. Its dewy eyes shift between Lucien and me, softening my heart.

I tentatively reach out my hand towards its nose, intending to let it get accustomed to my scent before attempting to pet its little head.

However, as soon as I reach out my hand, the little fellow enthusiastically licks my fingers. In the next moment, it leaps over the center console and goes straight into my arms.

MC: Wow, what a good little doggy!

MC: And it looks very clean, not like a stray dog... Could it be lost?

Lucien leans in and turns the collar of the small Pomeranian, discovering a small round tag. On it, it reads "Snowball*" and a string of numbers.

[T/N: the pet name, "雪糕" (xuě gāo), actually means "ice cream bar/popsicle"  LOL. I take some liberty in translating the pup name because “雪” (xuě) word alone means “snow” (while “糕” (gao) means cake). Imagine that this fluffy white bundle looks like a snowball so I give the pup that name :D]

MC: "Snowball"? Is that its name?

Lucien: Mm, below should be the owner's phone number. Let me try contacting them. Maybe the owner hasn't gone far.

Lucien takes out his phone as he speaks and quickly gets connected. After briefly explaining the situation, a wave of gratitude comes from the other end of the line.

??: Thank you so much! I stopped at the service area for a break and took the pup out of the car for a walk. I forgot to bring it back into the car.

??: I've already turned back onto the highway. I'll be there in about forty minutes!

??: Will it delay you?

Lucien doesn't respond, he just looks up at me and gestures with his eyes, as if asking for my opinion. I quickly nod in agreement.

[asking for opinion from the family leader.jpg]

Lucien: No, it won't. Then let's meet at the nearest gas station to the toll booth on the highway.

After a brief conversation, he hangs up the phone and shakes his head at me helplessly.

Lucien: [smiles helplessly] Looks like our journey might be delayed for a bit.

MC: What a careless owner! How could they forget such an adorable little dog?

I affectionately rub Snowball's head. It seems to whimper aggrievedly, then it straightens up, leans against me, and licks my cheek.

The adorable and silly look melts my heart once again. I exaggerate by placing my hand over my heart, then I scoop Snowball into my arms and give it a tight cuddle.

MC: Lucien, it's just too cute.

Upon seeing this, Lucien boops Snowball's nose, his tone hinting at jealousy.

Lucien: You've been praising this little guy since earlier until now for so many times.

MC: Pfft, is Professor Lucien feeling jealous?

Lucien: After all, I was the one who wanted to make a good impression today, but I didn’t expect to be outshone by this "little attention-seeker".

MC: I think, it's actually quite timely that Snowball showed up.

I mischievously wink at him and raise Snowball triumphantly.

MC: Just when I couldn't think of any beautiful moments unrelated to you.

MC: The appearance of this cute little fellow right now just fills that gap perfectly~

Lucien: Is that so?

Lucien presses his lips together thoughtfully, his clean fingertips lightly tapping on the steering wheel. He puts his sunglasses back on and, as if on a whim, starts the car again.

Lucien: Buckle up your seatbelt, let's go.

MC: Huh? Where are we going? Aren't we supposed to wait for Snowball's owner?

Lucien: MC's words just aroused my desire to win.

Lucien: In order not to lose to this little fellow, I have to put in some extra effort during these forty minutes of waiting.

Lucien: Before that, let's go find some more unexpected wonderful moments.

✂———————–

Ten minutes later, Lucien drives us to a countryside field.

The golden sunlight blankets the emerald green grass, while wisps of light mist hover amidst the sea of green.

Excitedly, I hop out of the car while holding Snowball, and find myself unable to tear my eyes away from the beautiful scenery for a moment.

MC: It's so beautiful! Lucien, how did you know there's a place like this nearby?

Lucien: We passed by here when Miss Producer was fully focused on playing the idiom chain game just now.

Lucien: The meeting point I arranged with Snowball's owner is very close to here, so it was convenient to stop by on the way.

MC: [sweats] What? During that intense idiom chain game just now, you still managed to notice the scenery on the sides of the road?

Upon hearing this, Lucien seriously crosses his arms, one hand supporting his chin as if deep in thought.

Lucien: Hmm, after all, even in such a tense moment, Miss Producer didn't forget to use "sweet words" to bribe her opponent.

MC: Pfft-

I can't help but laugh, but Snowball in my arms suddenly wriggles restlessly, as if trying to break free from my embrace.

MC: Do you want to go down and play?

I carefully place Snowball on the ground. It sniffs around with its tiny nose and then happily starts running around us.

MC: [laughs cheerfully] Hahaha, Snowball, you're so fearless, don't you?

MC: Even after such a day full of twists and turns, you can still play so happily!

Lucien: A puppy's mind is very simple.

Lucien: Perhaps in its eyes, it simply unexpectedly took a risk to venture into an unfamiliar place and met with a beautiful and empathetic Jiejie (big sister) who understands it well.

Lucien: And now, this Jiejie has brought it to a playground where it can run freely, so why can't it be happy?

MC: Oh, come on, it's definitely the credit of this reasonable and understanding handsome Gege (big brother).

I jokingly gesture with my hand, but as I watch Snowball's carefree figure, I can't help but ponder Lucien's words with a thoughtful expression.

MC: That being said, it seems like any simple thing can easily make a puppy happy.

MC: Whether it's the company of its owner, a friendly pat from a stranger, a passing butterfly, or even just a small treat...

MC: I often see videos of dogs being scolded by their owners. One moment, they're scared out of their wits…

MC: Then, the next moment, as soon as their owners call their names with a smile, they instantly become happy again.

MC: So, is life filled with beautiful moments everywhere in the eyes of a puppy?

As we talk, Snowball runs around a nearby grassy area and then returns to Lucien's feet, panting. It looks like it's tired from playing and eagerly starts pawing at his pants.

Lucien cooperatively lifts it, and it comfortably stretches lazily in his arms, then leans against his arm and rests.

Lucien pats its head, his expression somewhat resigned.

Lucien: I originally wanted to create a "wonderful moment" for MC, but it seems like Snowball is the one enjoying it more.

MC: Indeed, we should learn from puppies and embrace the spirit of enjoying every moment. I can't let Snowball beat me~

As I say this, I take a deep breath, and the fresh air instantly fills my heart.

MC: So pleasant... If it weren't for the tight schedule and better scenery waiting for us, I'd want to camp right here.

Lucien looks at me upon hearing this, seeming to contemplate something. After a moment, he gently places Snowball into my arms and gives me a mysterious wink.

Lucien: I've received the classmate's wish, please wait a moment.

He walks around to the back of the car, opens the trunk, and folds down all the rear seats, creating a spacious area.

[Lucien’s car being an SUV is really useful in times like this huh-]

Then, he hangs the small decorative lanterns that were initially used for the tent on the roof of the car. Finally, he shakes out a small thin blanket and spreads it on top.

After finishing all this, he bends slightly and makes a gentlemanly invitation gesture.

Lucien: Please, have a seat.

MC: This is...

Lucien: Our time is indeed limited, not enough to set up a proper tent.

Lucien: So we'll have to use this "temporary camping spot" instead, I hope you two* don’t disdain it.

[T/N: He actually uses 小朋友 (literally means: child) as the term of endearment to refer both of them (so the more literal translation should be “I hope the two children don’t disdain it”). I change it for an obvious reason here, but I swear it’s not as bad as the english language makes it to be-]

I stand still for a moment as his intention dawns on me. Pink bubbles seem to bubble up in my chest, making my heart move up and down in the ripples it causes.

I compliantly put on airs, playing along with his gesture as I cradle Snowball and settle into the car.

MC: Can you see a look of "disdain" on our faces?

I raise Snowball, showing a coy and obedient look at Lucien. Snowball, oblivious to the situation, cooperatively wags its tail and barks cheerfully at Lucien twice.

Lucien chuckles softly, then takes off his sunglasses with one hand, his gaze shifting between Snowball and me.

The vast expanse of clouds above his head begins to slowly drift away, revealing the warm and radiant sunshine.

His deep gaze is imbued by the golden sky, revealing a hint of childlike innocence and simple contentment.

Lucien: Indeed, I can't see it, because I can only see two adorable faces.

His doting tone is unreserved, and I satisfactorily squint my eyes, my heart full of joy.

MC: This one-of-a-kind camping area, with Professor Lucien's intention behind it, is priceless and worth more than any amount of money.

MC: I cherish it so much; how could I possibly disdain it?

Snowball seems to understand my words. With a "woof", he jumps down and happily rolls around on the blanket.

Both Lucien and I are amused by its adorable appearance. A gentle breeze blows by, and my entire heart feels light as if it's strolling in the clouds.

Our gazes lock into each other, and this tranquil moment is so beautiful that I truly want to record it in some way.

But I don't take out my phone to make a note. Instead, I instinctively reach out and gently pull Lucien to sit beside me.

The warmth beside me makes me unconsciously lean closer. I nuzzle his shoulder clingily, my heart filled with softness.

MC: Professor Lucien, you've succeeded.

MC: Now my mind is filled with countless wonderful moments, and each of these moments is related to you-

MC: Me leaning on your shoulder, your scent filling my senses, and us sharing this unexpected encounter of scenery together...

MC: And even if these moments aren't intentionally recorded by me, it's okay.

MC: Because every little thing that has been happening with you has already integrated into my world since a long time ago.

The breath above my head becomes even more gentle and elongated. Lucien enfolds me in his arms, his warm breath almost as if it's seeping into the depths of my heart.

Lucien: I am honored to be part of all the “wonderful moments” of Miss MC.

Lucien: As the sole recipient of this “award”, I will remain humble and continue to work hard, bringing her even more happiness.

I smile in his arms, but suddenly, I think of something and pull myself away from him a bit.

MC: But it's not fair, I've listed so many 'wonderful moments' of my own. How come you haven't shared a single one with me?

Lucien seems taken aback by my sudden mention of this. He is struck silent for a moment, then a flicker of wounded expression crosses his face.

Lucien: Perhaps because I thought even if I didn't say anything, MC would know what I’m thinking—

Lucien: My "list of wonderful moments" is very simple, so simple that it has only one item.

Lucien: Now, do you still need me to tell you this one and only item?

He stares steadily into my eyes, with an irreplaceable radiance that ebbs and flows in the depths of his gaze.

I softly laugh, and my entire heart feels as transparent and bright as if it has been meticulously polished.

MC: No need.

I shook my head, the stray hair on my forehead bringing a slightly unbearable itch, gently brushing against my heart along with the gentle spring breeze.

I gently cup his cheek in the palm of my hand, and the world becomes unusually quiet, only the sound of two hearts beating can be heard.

MC: You don't need to say anything.

Because in those beautiful eyes, I only see myself.

————Fin———–

[Bonus Phone Call - Want it Now]

Lucien: Hello? Are you busy?

MC: So, I was about to take a lunch break—I was just thinking about you, and then your call came.

Lucien: It seems like there's always some kind of wonderful little tacit understanding between us.

Lucien: Then tell me about it.

MC: Haha, here's the thing. The company's pet club is planning a charity event.

MC: They plan to sell some handmade items and donate the proceeds to animal shelters. But I don't have any inspiration for what to make at the moment...

Lucien: Mm... I just received a delivery that might be helpful to you.

Lucien: The owner of Snowball sent us some things as a thank you. There are small felt keychains shaped like Snowball, as well as cartoon-style standees and cross-stitch fridge magnets.

Lucien: Looking at the note in the delivery box, it seems that the owner of Snowball designed them personally and also has the same ones at home.

Lucien: Perhaps we can also make some similar small items.

MC: Wow! They actually make these for their pet? The owner of Snowball is so thoughtful.

Lucien: You can tell that Snowball is truly cherished, so its owner makes these everyday little things, wanting its presence to fill every corner of their home.

MC: Hmm... Just like how my phone screensaver is you, and all the photos hanging around the home are of you?

Lucien: If what you're saying is that feeling of 'even when you're not around, I still want to see you first thing’...

Lucien: Then we're the same.

MC: I have another idea, I wonder if Professor Lucien shares the same idea as me.

Lucien: Hm?

MC: Even though my screensaver and chat background are pictures of you... I still want to see you right now.

Lucien: What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing. So I've already brought your favorite milk tea and the Snowball keychain, and I'm on my way to see you.

Lucien: I checked the navigation, and the route from the research institute to your company is very smooth.

Lucien: In twenty minutes, both of our wishes will come true.

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

Hello Anika! I've noticed that another CN otome game "Lovebrush Chronicle" is being localized in English. What are your thoughts on the story, and is there a ML in the game similar to Victor?

I want to hear your thought because I think you have a good eye on judging a story ❤️ Sorry if this ask seems to be out of nowhere!

hello!!! thank you haha~ ಡ⁠ ͜⁠ ಡ yes, the game’s original name is 时空中的绘旅人, also known as For All Time. It’s one of the 4 big CN otoges (the other three: Light and Night, Love and Producer/ MLQC, and Tears of Themis).

idk why they had to change the name smh but then again i can see why too LOL, but if you’re gonna change the character names, change for all of them why change just two?? especially since Emerald’s name is explained precisely so aksjsjs i’m so salty rn lmao

uh about the storyline, i had to try hard to not be lured into yet another game lmao (eyeing L&N akshdhd), so i haven’t actually played the game personally after CBT LOL nor do i keep up with its contents that much, so my knowledge regarding the story and the characters isn’t deep and is limited haha. also, since the premise begins in the AU world + with some other factors, i kinda lost my interest to even begin with LOL.

here’s a brief introduction for you though—

the game’s setting is the AU world ahah, and it also has personal routes. it has battle systems for leveling up your profile / raising cards. i heard it can be pretty grindy, but since i haven’t continued playing it, i can’t comment on that :>

✦ The Heroine:

she is an art student / comic artist in the modern world, but one day she gets sucked into a different AU world while watching her friend’s performance. (she’s so pretty tho u.u)

✦ Ai Yin/ Ayn:

19 years old, goes to the same school as the heroine and a pianist in the modern world. He’s a prince in the AU world, focused on his revenge.

✦ Lu Chen/ Alkaid:

20 years old, a transfer student, the heroine’s senior in a different study (Astronomy), photographer. In the AU world, he’s a mage/ high level priest.

✦ Lu Xia/ Rorschach (re-named as Lars for EN):

27 years old, the heir of a wealthy family, CEO, flirty af. In the AU world, he’s an aggressive and headstrong king.

(if you’re into the “CEO trope”, he could be your pick LOL. but if you’re looking for similarities that actually matter— then aside from just the CEO title and maybe that body lmfao, Victor and him share no other similarities hahaha)

✦ Si Lan/ Clarence:

22 years old, goes to the same school as the heroine and is the student president. He is the head highest priest/ mage in the AU world.

✦ Ye Xuan/ Emerald (re-named as Cael for EN):

An art instructor, took the heroine under his wings, gentle in nature sus lmao. In the AU world, he is the silver knight and leading the revolution.

—

Over all, from what I’ve seen, the story is pretty good, has the intrigue elements for sure. Also plus point, in every AU/ arch you get a common part and then you can choose your love interest to progress for the rest of the story. what it does here is that unlike Lovepro/MLQC + Light and Night main story, where the story itself is very character-driven, you need to shut your brain and consider the MC that specific love interest’s heroine for the allocated segment- or else given the extreme lengths she goes for them/ the said borderline intimacy certainly don’t cut for “just friends” tag LOL. So, if you’re someone who self-inserts (consciously or not) and perhaps is a little uncomfortable with that kind of storytelling, For All Time/ Lovebrush Chronicles is certainly one you can give a try.

For me personally, the writing pattern didn’t seem like my cup of tea + I prefer the storytelling pattern of Lovepro and L&N (singular main story + parallel dates) haha. But hey, we all have different tastes, so be sure to give it a chance if you’re interested. Who knows, you could end up with completely different viewpoints than me! (⁠*⁠´⁠∀⁠｀⁠*⁠)

—

[thatfanfictionchick]

MLQC - About that night

╔═══°∴,*⋅✲══〖✰〗══✲⋅*,∴°═══╗

Helios x Reader x Shaw

Rating: Explicit NSFW

Warnings: Talk of infidelity; Alcohol consumption; Threesome; Vaginal fingering; Vaginal intercourse; Oral sex; Multiple orgasms;

Word count: 5146

Notes: For the user that pointed out the link was dead because the co-writer is deactivated! This was originally posted in 2020? 2021? Anyway, enjoy!

╚═══°∴,*⋅✲══〖✰〗══✲⋅*,∴°═══╝

New Year's Eve.

I had just broken up with my longtime boyfriend, and my two best friends promised me a night that would make me forget he ever existed. Reluctantly, I agreed to let them whisk me away to a party at a local hotel bar, complete with a suite rental so we didn't have to worry about driving home after consuming an obscene number of drinks. I had no idea what to expect, but I can tell you this: it sure as hell wasn’t what ended up happening to me that night. Allow me to elaborate, if you will...

“Ya know, he was a loser, anyway,” Willow slurred, leaning drunkenly against my shoulder after gulping down the rest of her drink. “You were too good for him. And you. Deserve. Better.” She punctuated each of those last three words with an index finger poked against my cheek, falling into giggles at her own ridiculous antics.

“I know, I know.” I studied what was left of my own drink, tracing my fingers absently around the rim. She’s right, I thought. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less. 

Chad. Stupid, lying, cheating bastard that he was. He denied everything when I confronted him, thrusting his phone in his face to show him I had proof of his infidelity in text form.

“Who is Lauren, Chad? And why the hell is she calling you ‘babe’?” 

“I can explain! Please, I-”

I threw his phone at him, shaking my head. “Don’t bother. Kiki already saw you together two days ago. This just confirms it.” My vision blurred with hot, angry tears, but I refused to let him see me cry. “Merry Christmas to me, yeah?”

It was the beginning of our end. Christmas Eve, and there I was, kicking my boyfriend out of our shared apartment while he begged me to let him stay. 

“It’s Christmas, for God's sake! What kind of sadist are you, anyway? Where am I supposed to go?”

I was furious. I didn’t give a damn where he went, as long as it was away from me. My cheeks were blazing, the tears spilling freely now as I threw his belongings into a black trash bag. “Why don’t you go stay with Lauren? I’m sure she’ll be happy to take you in.” I paused, then added, more to myself than to Chad, “I’m sure she already has more than a few times, anyway.”

“Yeah? Well fuck him,” Willow spat, slouching over her empty glass.

Kiki nodded in agreement, looking like she was about to pass out, eyes blinking slowly, a tired, blissful smile plastered on her face. “Yeah….fuck ‘em.”

“Excuse me, ladies. Who are we fucking?” An attractive male voice cut through the din of music and conversation around us. He sounded young. He sounded hot. The three of us shared a look, then fell into giddy giggles. I turned around to answer and was met with a pair of eyes so intense, their golden hue cut so purely through the relative darkness of the venue. I couldn’t be sure, but his hair looked to be dyed a pale lavender color- whether on purpose or a remnant of a botched dye job, I didn’t know. And quite frankly, I didn’t care at that moment.

He took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled, his chuckle coming out in visible puffs of smoke as he studied the three of us, probably looking positively ridiculous after a few hours of drinking and dancing.

“Whoever he is, he’s a lucky man.” His eyes lingered on me, and for a moment I thought I recognized him. He reminded me of someone I had known in high school. I think it was those eyes…

Willow kicked me in the shin and looked up at him, her tone teasing, mischievous. “We were just talking about an ex boyfriend. Total douchebag. Old news.” She lifted her glass, the remaining slivers of ice and watered-down rum nearly sloshing out over the side. “To New Year’s Eve. To new beginnings!” She went to take a swig and realized there was nothing left worth drinking. “Hey, you should buy us another round, misterrrr…?”

“Shaw. The name’s Shaw.” He smirked, taking a step closer to us, his eyes never leaving my face. I felt myself growing even hotter, his intense stare causing me to feel a tad uncomfortable, but...incredibly turned on at the same time. “What’s in it for me if I do?”

Willow opened her mouth to answer but was cut off by Kiki, springing upright in her seat and slapping the bar with her hands. “Guysss that hot weekend band is here!”

“Weekend band?” I asked, briefly looking from Shaw to her and back. His smirk widened into an amused grin.

“They’ve played the bar near my place a few times. On the weekends. The singer is suuuuper hot.”

Can’t be any hotter than what’s right in front of us.

“Does the band have a name, Kiki?” I asked.

She looked at me, incredulous, her eyes swinging to where the band was almost set up, ready to play. “Um, does it really matter when that is center stage?’

I looked toward the commotion on the stage where the emcee was handing the mic off. He was a vision. Perfection. Distressed jeans, a black shirt that hung open halfway down his chest, sleeveless to showcase the tattoos that ran down one arm. The light reflecting off his white hair was blinding. A guitar hung across his back, the body shaped like a gun. The singer turned, eyes sweeping the crowd. 

Course I’d been wrong before…

I turned back to Shaw, giving him a head to toe sweep of my gaze, trying to look as seductive as possible. I reached out and traced my finger down his abdomen, my breath catching at how firm and warm his muscles felt under my touch. “So, about the next round. What is it you want?” 

He leaned over the back of my chair, so close I could feel his breath on my neck. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I felt his teeth on the cusp of my ear; teasing, exhilarating. My inhibitions lowered dramatically by the alcohol, I turned my chair around to look him square in the eye; my hand locked around his wrist as his fingers grazed the inside of my thigh.

“You didn’t ask for permission to touch me.” He dipped his head, locks of his hair falling into his eyes as he chuckled. Kiki and Willow watched us without saying a word, holding back their squeals of delight.

“You touched me first. Besides, you were practically begging me to touch you.” I scoffed, my pulse pounding in my ears, heat pooling in my gut. He called my bluff, but I wanted to keep the banter alive. This was flirty.

Hot.

Fun.

Dangerous.

“You’re sexy. Your boyfriend is an idiot,” he said, leaning in close.

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore, Shaw. And you know what else is sexy?” I licked my lips and watched his mouth fall open. “Consent.”

He hummed, his lips so close to mine that I could feel the vibration, the pungent smell of tobacco and hard liquor on his breath. “Can I kiss you, then?” His question was met with my mouth crashing against his, hands rising to fist into the collar of his shirt, pulling him as close to me as I possibly could. It was reckless. It was wild. But I threw all caution to the wind, hearing my best friends screech beside me as I made out with this perfect stranger like it was my job.

He was first to break the kiss, pulling away, to suck in a breath. Just as he did, the lead guitarist of the band struck his first chord, letting it ring out over the crowd. People cheered and whistled, and stage lights cast a hazy glow all around. The singer stepped forward and grabbed the mic stand, leaning forward slightly to speak as he centered himself under the spotlight.

“How’s everybody doing tonight?” The crowd cheered again, and a woman somewhere behind us screamed, “WE LOVE YOU, HELIOS!” He must have heard her, because he smirked playfully and pointed in her direction. “Love you, too.” The drummer kicked them into gear; soon the whole place was pulsing with driving bass, drums, electric guitar, and the edgy, gritty, soulful rasp of Helios's voice. Kiki had dragged Willow into the crowd, and I spotted them easily, their bodies writhing to the music. I felt Shaw’s hand on my shoulder, hot and insistent with some unspoken desire, and I looked up at him, brow arched.

“Need something?” I asked.

“Yeah…” he began, leaning in to pin my bottom lip between his teeth, releasing it with a pop. “You. On me. Let’s dance.” Before I could protest, he was pulling me into the crowd, grinding his hips on mine to the beat. He had rhythm- I gave him that. He also oozed confidence and sex appeal, snaking an arm around my waist, letting his fingers trace circles on my backside as he bent to taste my neck, my jaw, and finally kiss me full on my lips again, hungry and wanting. I felt like he was searching for some deep, lost part of me that had been buried long ago. He kissed me like he had nothing to lose, and I kissed him back with the same fervor, my intense need growing with each flick of his tongue across mine. Maybe it was my messy breakup a week ago. Maybe it was some primal need to be devoured that he had awakened in me, but there with him, his body pressed urgently against mine amidst the other bodies around us, coherent thoughts clouded by lust and alcohol, I made up my mind that I was going to fuck him. It was beyond want at this point. It was an unequivocal need. I needed to forget...what’s his face? My ex-boyfriend’s name was just a fleeting thought when I felt the unmistakable push of Shaw’s bulge against my core, ready and eager to be driven inside me in some dark, secluded corner.

Or, right there on the dance floor. I was so turned on at that point, I didn’t care who saw it. 

I rode his thigh, grinding myself against his jeans, the friction almost enough to make me come right then and there. I dug my nails into his triceps, pulling him against me. His forehead rested against mine for a moment before he turned to speak, lips fluttering against my ear, “You got a room here tonight?” I nodded, tucking my bottom lip under my teeth while I tried to read the expression on his face. “Well?”

“Well, what?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“You gonna invite me up, or what?” The nerve of this guy! I mean, I was every bit the drunk, loose woman that night. It was stupid, really. I was playing with fire and just asking to get burned, but I didn't care. I was hurt, horny, and looking for a fling, and the heavens had heard my cry and sent me Shaw.

I was a tigress, hunting her prey.

And I had him cornered, ready to pounce.

But I wasn't done teasing him just yet.

"That remains to be seen," I whispered against his ear, licking the cusp for good measure and secretly thrilling in the buck of his hips. I looked up and saw how close to the stage we had migrated, then locked eyes with Helios as he sang the chorus of the last song of the night. I hadn't realized how long Shaw and I had been dancing, but it must've been for the better part of an hour, off and on. Even in the poor lighting and haze of smoke, I could see his eyes: ocean blue, haughty, cold. He didn't smile when our eyes met, but he stared. Long and hard, like the cock I imagined he was packing in those ripped jeans. Jesus, get a grip, I told myself. Shaw seemed to sense my hesitation, because he suddenly grabbed me behind the knees and lifted me, hooking my legs around his waist. I squealed and locked my arms around his neck as he spun me away from Helios, who watched as Shaw nuzzled my breasts with his nose, playfully nipping at the exposed skin at the deep v-neck of my shirt.

"Focus, baby. I'm all yours." The way Helios watched us stirred my longing for him even more, and I was struck with an idea so filthy, so completely sinful that I was surprised I wasn't knocked dead right then and there and set into the pits of Hell.

I wanted both of them. Together. The three of us, engaged in carnal, lascivious, sleazy, lecherous, immoral activities that I had only ever read or fantasized about.

"I want him, too." 

Shaw stared at me, incredulous. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me. I. Want. Him. Too." To further entice him, I flattened my tongue against his Adam's apple and licked the rough path to his chin, nipping at his bottom lip with a snarl and a low growl.

"Easy there, tiger. Let me see what I can do." He surprised me by taking strides toward Helios, who was talking with a couple of fans. Setting me down, he patted me on top of my head, told me to 'stay there like a good girl', and promptly hoisted himself onto the stage where he began unplugging equipment and winding up cords. He's one of their tech guys, I realized then. It hadn't dawned on me until then that he was alone when he approached Kiki, Willow, and I. No friends, no girlfriend or even a date with him. Just Shaw and his brazen self, swaggering up to us like he knew what he wanted, and he was going to get it. 

As he was expertly looping one of the amplifier cords over his shoulder, he sidled up behind Helios and said something, looking at me the entire time. Helios turned and looked at me, something akin to a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, though his eyes remained cold. They shared a laugh then, with Helios watching my face for a reaction. I refused to give him much, but my heart was racing along at such a frantic pace I could barely breathe. And when he stepped off the stage and met me face to face, my soul left my body and I was promptly sent into overdrive. My pussy was throbbing so hard that it hurt. 

"Shaw tells me you're looking for a little fun." He reached out, brushing damp hair away from my face before trailing rough fingertips down my jaw. The girls he’d been talking to stared daggers as he slowly circled, humming appraisal as he went. He stopped behind me, hands around my waist sliding down to squeeze my ass through my jeans before stepping up and asking quietly, “you sure you can handle both of us?”

I swallowed, the heat rolling off his body like standing under the summer sun. “Yeah, pretty sure I can take it.” Need. Want. Will. He circled back to facing me, a sinful grin on his face. He leaned down and I popped up on my toes, meeting his lips halfway. He was softer than Shaw, lips moving slowly against mine with agonizing tenderness. I was aching for more, and I was determined to get it. I bit his lip before sucking his tongue in my mouth, tilting my head in a silent request. He obliged, teeth and tongue leaving me a whimpering mess before you pulled away.

“Well then, if that’s how you want to play it.” Soft lighting reflected in his gaze like a burst of gold. And when his eyes fell to my heaving breasts-and lower, to where my core pulsed-I knew that I was in trouble.

Nope. There was no walking away from this one now.

〖✰〗

Clothes littered the floor from the door to the king size bed. Helios was the first to crawl onto the mattress, apparently not feeling any shame in sprawling himself out naked. He reached out and grabbed my hips, pulling me flush against his chest. His erection felt like a brand against my back. He reached around, kneading my breasts before running his hands down, ghosting over my thighs and grabbing under my knees, opening my legs to Shaw who watched intensely. 

“I suppooose,” Helios’s voice was a sing-song tease in my ear as his fingers trailed up my inner thighs. “Since I’m the guest, I could let you go first.” He was looking at Shaw as he licked a line down my neck, calloused fingertips teasing my wet slit.

Shaw stood at the foot of the bed, stroking himself languidly, amber eyes watching every flick of those fingers across my skin. My head was spinning from the alcohol I had consumed, and I allowed myself to fall backward onto Helios’s broad, tattooed shoulder, opening my mouth as I moaned, taking in the vision before me. It was as much a show for him as it was for Helios, whose fingers worked themselves inside further at the sound of my cry.

“But I wouldn’t mind helping, if that’s okay.” Helios’s teeth skimmed my shoulder and he waited for an affirmative nod from Shaw.

“As long as we’re all in agreement, I’m down for whatever.” He took a step toward us and climbed onto the bed, that perpetual sneer now inches away from my own, hungry mouth. I pitched forward, eager for another taste of his lips, but he drew back with a click of his tongue.

What a goddamn tease.

“Easy now. We’ve got all night.”

Helios’s lips tickled my jaw and with a smirk I turned my head, kissing him instead. He wasted no time, tongue curling in my mouth the way his fingers curled to find my g-spot. I moaned and bucked my hips, brushing against Shaw’s jutting cock.

“Well, that’s just rude.”

“Play bitch games…” I whispered breathlessly. Helios chuckled.

“Win bitch prizes?” His wintry eyes met Shaw’s as he finished the sentiment.

“Now, now, there’s only enough room in here for one smart ass and that would be me.” Shaw reached out and pinched my stiff nipples, making me squirm. His touch softened, tickling and fondling my breasts before moving down to trace circular patterns on my belly. Helios seized my lips again, a slow expedition, barely affording me the chance to breathe.

Between the two of them I felt like a paper boat tossed in the ocean, pitching on the waves before starting to sink beneath the surface. I wondered idly if the noises Helios made was due to how my slick walls are starting to clamp down on his fingers. Shaw dipped his head, tongue lapping torturously at my nipples. “Gentlemen!” I finally gasped, breathless. “We may have all night, but if someone doesn’t fuck me now I’m going to lose it!”

Helios could barely contain his amusement. “You heard the lady.” He pushed his fingers deep, grinding his palm against my clit. Shaw crawled away, fumbled through the haphazard string of clothes for his jeans, produced a condom from his back pocket, and rolled it expertly down his intimidating length. In my drunken arousal, I hadn’t really looked closely at his cock until now; his girth was impressive, and sucked in a breath as Helios continued his ministrations, preparing me for the experience at hand.

“You ready for this, baby?” Shaw knelt in front of me, grabbing roughly at my hips and slotting his eager mouth against mine. Much to my chagrin, Helios withdrew his fingers, teeth and tongue tracing a path down the sensitive flesh of my back. His hands then traveled up my spine, vertebra by vertebra, as if he were memorizing the bumps and dips on the path to my neck. Then, gathering my hair at the nape of my neck, his other hand sliding around to rest at my throat, he squeezed-  just enough to thrill and terrify me at the same time. He lifted my chin and sucked hard on my shoulder, meeting Shaw’s eyes with a subtle nod, as if to urge him on. Shaw lined himself up against my throbbing, aching sex. In a suddenly tender moment, he pushed my hair away from my face, cupping my cheek in his palm. "Be gentle with me. It's my first time," he cooed, the corner of his mouth lifting into that signature smirk.

“I refuse to believe any of this is a first for you~” my reply trailed off to a loud moan as he pushed his cock inside me, Helios’s fingers tightening ever so slightly around my neck. They’ve definitely done this before. I briefly considered asking them if they were keeping track of all the roadies they had fucked together, but Shaw’s thickness stretching me in all the right ways left me without a second to even think straight. God, he felt good. 

Helios kept a tight grip on my hips as Shaw found his rhythm, coaxing me on in his breathy rasp. “That’s it, baby. You like it when I hold you up for him to fuck you?” I could only moan an affirmation, the room beginning to grow hazy as I felt my release coming quicker than I wanted. His arms slid upward, hands locking onto my breasts to pull me tighter against his chest. I leaned against his shoulder again and hooked an arm around the back of his neck, where I grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked, drawing a low growl from him. “Easy, killer. You gotta be careful doing things like that, or I might not let Shaw finish." He threw a look at Shaw, who-of course-laughed, the sound leaving his throat in staggered pants. A delicious, ruddy glow spread over his cheeks, a sheen of sweat glistening on his tanned skin. I pressed my palm to his cheek and hooked my other arm around his neck, pushing him flush against my own sweat-slick chest. His tongue caught one of my overstimulated nipples and teased pebbled flesh; then he sucked it into his mouth, effectively sending me over the edge. My pussy clamped down around him and he slowed his pace, obviously enjoying the sensation. I was vaguely aware of his breath on my ear, of a bead of sweat rolling down between my breasts and mingling with that of Shaw's skin. 

"Yeah, baby girl. Ride it out. God, you feel good, squeezing my cock. Unh…" Our ragged breathing mingled with the throaty grunts of Helios behind me. 

"Fuck. You don't mess around, do you?" Helios marveled, sweeping my damp hair away to lick the column of my neck once more, sending shockwaves throughout my already spent body. I searched for the words to retort, but I had none. I hadn’t meant to come so fast. I wanted to ride the wave, to feel Shaw working inside me for longer than those first few minutes, but I had been so painfully aroused before we started that I just couldn’t take anymore. His release came soon after mine began, his cock pulsing against my walls while his hips bucked uncontrollably against mine. I went limp against Helios’s firm chest and whimpered, quaking with pleasure, having lost any and all control over the movements of my body. 

Helios’s patience was strung thin. Watching, feeling me writhe against him as I came on Shaw’s cock was torture in its purest form. Shaw rolled to the side, taking me with him, and Helios slid to the floor. He picked his jeans up at the foot of the bed and pulled a string of three condoms out of the back pocket, tearing one off and tossing the others.

“Show off.” Shaw mumbled, grinning as he cradled my face in his hands and kissed me.

“Jealous.” Helios replied, tongue flashing between his lips in a childish display. “Now if the opener is finished he should make way for the main act.”

“Is it too late for me to apologize for him?” Shaw said with a laugh. I felt empty as he pulled away. Helios sauntered back, grabbing my ankles and chuckling when I squealed as he dragged me to the edge of the bed. He leaned over and kissed me, lapping a hungry line down my throat and between my breasts. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath the lower he went until his tongue passed over my clit and plunged into my overly sensitive pussy, making me exhale in a head-spinning groan. He braced my feet against his shoulders before grabbing my thighs, holding me in place as he pressed his mouth against me, pushing his tongue as deep as it could go. I reached down, twisting my fingers in soft white hair. My throat felt dry no matter how many times I swallowed, unaware of how loudly I was moaning. Letting my hands do the work of guiding him, Helios ripped the foil and rolled the condom down his throbbing shaft before reaching up and sliding two fingers inside me. My pussy clenched, his tongue swirling around my clit as he rubbed my g-spot. I didn’t think it was possible for me to come again so quickly, but I could feel my muscles tensing as the wave built low in my belly. Charles...Carl...what’s-his-name had never pulled this off.

“I...I’m gonna...gonna come-!” I wailed, bright spots flashing in my eyes, a small gush of fluid wetting the bed beneath me. I didn’t even notice Helios pop to his feet, dragging the back of his hand over his mouth as he lined himself up and filled me with one smooth thrust. My thighs snapped against his hips and my mouth fell open noiselessly.

“Ssshhit!” He hissed, grabbing my ankles and spreading my legs. I was still coming, my pussy fluttering around his cock. “You feel so good.” He fucked me deep and hard, using his grip on my legs to add leverage to every thrust. My vision swam, I couldn’t focus on anything but the feel of his cock driving into me over and over. 

“You didn’t forget about me, did you?” Shaw’s voice was soft and I jerked as his hands slid under my shoulders, hoisting me up so he could hold me against his chest. His hands skated over my body, one hand pressing against my mound, the fingers of the other coming up to trace my lips. I numbly parted them, sucking on his fingers as they slipped over my tongue. Shaw’s hand danced up my leg, replacing Helios’s grip on my ankle so that Helios could reach down to grab my hip. Shaw’s lips pressed against my ear, tongue tracing the contours. 

“And what if..ah...I did?” Each word I managed was a conscious effort; my throat was so dry and raw, and I licked my lips, desperate for moisture. Shaw sensed my need and rewarded me with another kiss, pushing his own tongue through my parched lips. 

“Look. Watch him come. ‘Cause once he’s finished, I’ll need your help again.” He shifted himself so that I was propped against his chest again, my head trained downward to where Helios was pumping furiously in and out of me, Shaw’s fingers expertly strumming my clit, his cock pressed hard and hot against my back. I whimpered at his command, not sure just how much more pleasure my body could endure. 

I was seeing stars at that point, tears pooling at the corners of my eyes. Every muscle in my body was limp and feeble, and I was thankful for Shaw’s support, as I don’t think I would have been able to hold myself up to meet Helios’s eager thrusts. And when I felt him twitching within, saw his cerulean eyes flash with a silent outcry of ultimate gratification, I came for a third time, my hips lifting high off the mattress and taking him in fully, completely. I think we all cried out together, sweat-slick bodies sliding together effortlessly, as if the three of us were one being. I had never felt more sexy, more desirable, more alive as I did in that moment. It was overwhelming in many ways, and when Helios pulled himself out, leaving me feeling barren and empty, I whined softly, curling myself against Shaw, the tears of euphoria I’d kept in check before now streaming freely.

Helios saw what was happening and sat beside Shaw and I, his fingertips tracing over my shoulders in a sensual, yet comforting way. They exchanged a look of concern, and Shaw covered my ear with his palm, whispering to Helios, “I think we broke her, man. Why’s she crying?”

“She’s spent, Shaw. Look at her. She is tapped the fuck out.” He hooked his fingers around a few damp locks of hair that were plastered against my cheek and pushed them away, then placed an achingly tender kiss on the newly exposed skin. I opened my eyes and found his gaze, my vision blurred but still able to discern his smile, edged with a hint of concern thanks to a furrowed brow. I tapped his chin with my fingertip playfully, my lips twitching into a grin. 

“You two lied to me,” I said, fingernails raking the stubble on his cheek.

They exchanged a look of confusion, with Shaw bending close, turning his ear toward my mouth to better hear me. “What did you say?”

“You said it was your first time. But you’ve done this before. There’s no way in hell you haven’t practiced that on another...helpless...victim…” I felt myself succumbing to exhaustion quickly, now slumping into the supportive arms of Helios, my hands clasped together under my chin, head resting against his chest.

I felt the vibration of Helios’s chuckle against my ear. The bed dipped slightly as Shaw stood and stretched his arms above his head with a loud groan, then staggered off to the bathroom. I soon heard the sound of rushing water, presumably from the shower. That soothing sound, coupled with the comforting heat of Helios’s embrace was enough to send me into a deep, restful sleep. When my breathing steadied, Helios slowly, silently slid away and covered me with the rumpled sheet before stepping out onto the balcony, naked, taking in the view of the city below.

After his shower, Shaw joined him, a towel tied around his waist, damp hair tousled and wild. He lit a cigarette and leaned on the railing, blowing smoke rings into the black, starless night.

“Guess there’s a first time for everything, yeah?”

[ikementally-deficient]

If you’re up to it, would you do MLQC Gavin’s NSFW alphabet?

Hi anon! Thanks for waiting 1,117 days for me to answer this. Unfortunately, since the Incident between Elex, the Chinese Government, and the original English VAs, it's unlikely I'm ever going to return to MLQC, so I'll give you the four letters I did complete.

Gavin's NSFW Alphabet: A, E, F, U

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Gavin is an aftercare hero. He’s there with the cuddles, the wet cloth, and gently nagging you to go to the bathroom before you fall asleep.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Not as experienced as you might assume from how good he is at this. There was some fumbling in the dark in high school, until he met MC and then every other girl in school just ceased to exist for him. It wasn’t until his final year at the police academy that he even noticed women again, and aside from a few first dates and one memorably ill-advised one-night-stand at graduation, Gavin’s love life has been quiet.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Gavin’s personal favourite is the position referred to by Women’s Health Magazine as the ‘reverse scoop’ - face to face, on his side, legs tangled together so he can hold her close in his arms.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

At the beginning of your relationship, Gavin takes things far too seriously, too reverently to tease. But as you stay together and he stops feeling quite so much like this is a dream, he begins to take pleasure in riling you a little when he knows you can’t respond.

[purple-cat-demon]

I posted 548 times in 2022

12 posts created (2%)

536 posts reblogged (98%)

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I tagged 525 of my posts in 2022

Only 4% of my posts had no tags

#mlqc - 370 posts

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Longest Tag: 135 characters

#the truth is it's like this. bc i started last summer and gave up but. today was a shaw day and i said screw it its getting. finished.

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

A little update of sorts:

I finally got back to Forever Starts Under the Ginkgo Tree after suffering a gnarly writer's block. Not quite done writing this last part but I'm getting there~

I started an origin story for my two OCs that will tie into my Dungeons and Dragons group, but it's a story that's been in my head for a LONG TIME.

Started writing down notes for Hazel and Gavin's Wedding Fic. (Then I started remembering all the details of my wedding and got a little overwhelmed 🤣)

4 notes - Posted January 9, 2022

#4

Ya know, it just occurred to me that I have failed to use the nickname "Hazelnut" for any of my Gavin x Hazel fics...

5 notes - Posted August 16, 2022

#3

So I have the first part of my OCs Origin Story typed out; eagerly getting the second part finished so it can be typed out, and still writing out the third part.

I have so many scenes in my cracked little mind that need to be written and honestly, it feels good to be this invested in my own characters 😅 Now if I could just DRAW these OCs, I would be ecstatic~

I promise I have not forgotten about the last part of Forever Starts Under the Ginkgo Tree! The material I wrote out for that last part seems off to me so I'm trying to revisit it and rework it somehow so it hopefully doesn't sound redundant or boring... I do plan on keeping the morning s*x part though😏

As always, I am forever grateful for your patience and thank you for enjoying my works!

6 notes - Posted April 2, 2022

#2

Forever Starts Under the Ginkgo Tree Part 9

Pairing: Gavin x Hazel

Genre: 🔞Smut🔞 romantic/domestic fluff

Word Count: 4,714

Warnings: wet dream leading to actual sex, unprotected sex.

Beta by the lovely @sin-with-quiche

Dear GEEZUS, this has been a very long time coming and I have my finicky Muse to thank for that (the highly distractive little brat), but yes, this little saga is finally done after about 2 years in the making?? So I hope y'all enjoy the final instalment of Forever Starts Under the Ginkgo Tree~ 💙 thank you all who have been reading it and have been very patient for each instalment~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~Sunday 7:30am~~

"Wakey wakey, my love~" Hazel gently whispered in Gavin's ear. A soft moan came from her fiancé, still touring dream land.

"Ngh, how is it that you're awake before me," he shifted towards her, "and here I thought I wore you out last night."

In a swift move by her deft fiancé, Hazel was back on the bed and under him, playfully laughing as he snuggled into the crook of her neck. A hand had snuck up her pajama top and lightly fondled her breast, his fingers gently pinching an already hardening nipple.

“Mmm, how are you this frisky so early in the morning, my love," Hazel giggled

He smiled into her neck before kissing it.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he answered, nibbling her ear before trailing back down to her neck. Lifting his head, he leaned in for a kiss while his knee parted her legs enough for his hand to move downward. Hazel anticipated that delicious next move—

A few moments passed before Hazel opened her eyes to find Gavin had disappeared.

“Huh,” she sat up and looked around, her bleary gaze settling on the sleeping form of her fiancé next to her.

‘What the hell? That was a DREAM?!��

Silently waging war on her rudely overactive imagination, her small tantrum roused the officer from his sleep.

“Mm, what’s wrong, my love?”

“Nothing…,” she whimpered, thoroughly duped by her very convincing wet dream.

Gavin sat up, shifting closer to his visibly dejected bride-to-be and nuzzled into the back of her neck, taking in her scent.

“You sure nothing’s wrong," he wrapped his arms around her torso and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“Y-yeah, I just had a super realistic dream, that’s all," she shivered at his touch.

“Oh? And what was it about?"

Hazel felt her face get uncomfortably warm as she recalled the unfinished business of her lewd dream.

“W-well, I guess you could think of it as a continuation of our…session last night.”

“Is that right,” he inquired, mildly intrigued by this dream of hers. He glanced over at the clock on her nightstand, it read 6:56am, he then had an idea.

“Judging from your cute pout, I’d say this dream of yours was…unfinished?”

Hazel squeaked at his deduction, squirming in his embrace as one bold hand found itself in her pajama bottoms.

See the full post

17 notes - Posted July 20, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I just gotta say, I wholly adore this card art so damn much~ Just look at these two 😍

I'mma just leave it here for y'all~

*note: it didn't actually take this long to evolve this card 🤣

33 notes - Posted January 11, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[frozcnhearts]

“ Don’t you think this is a fine world? No fighting, no tumult... it’s clean and quiet. I like this kind of world. “

Personal

Name: Yi Zhou Age: 23+ Nationality: Chinese Likes: Winter, Tea Dislikes: Loud and crowded places

Affilation: Black Swan ( former )

Yi Zhou, a mysterious man who mostly goes by the name ‘Hypnos’. He suddenly appeared in Yokohama, dragging people into a dream-like reality with his ability. Squeezing them out about informations, by manipulating them in this ‘other world’.

He only says things he sees as necessary, rarely even introduces, and even in the dream world he mostly is found somewhere playing on a white piano. His location in the real world is unknown, as he mostly is found walking on the streets.

Once, Yi used to be a member of the Chinese organisation ‘Black Swan’, until his betrayal towards them - causing him to leave China and coming to Yokohama.

Ability: Dream Edge

If touched by day he can trap the person, once asleep, into a dream he calls ‘their own world’. It’s a world, frozen in time and of colorless appearance that resembles lifelessly the city or town they are currently in. Snow keep falls and reacts to the confusion of the trapped person - becomes stronger, the more emotional they are.

The world can be escaped, once the trapped one truly realizes of being trapped in a dream.

[iasucirpa]

For You

Fandom: MLQC Part : 1 of 2 Warnings: None Pairing: Kiro/MC (Yuya) Summary: MC and Kiro meet up at a retro club. Kiro has something to tell MC, but she might be too dense to get it.

Yuya danced wildly across the club dance floor. Her body kept a fast rhythm as she sang the words to the retro song. She had spent her entire week working hard to bring together a show that would become a viral sensation. After putting in so many long hours she went to her favorite club to dance away her stress. The retro club would be almost embarrassing to be found in, especially since she wasn’t dressed for the part tonight. She came in her work uniform and didn’t much care. She just wanted to be free for the night.

She glanced at her watch. It was already ten and the DJ started to play a slower song. She sighed inwardly wishing she could dance a few more hours. It was time for her to go home, so she left the dancefloor only to hear the music change suddenly to an upbeat track she loved. She turned on her heels and ran back onto the dance floor. She vaguely wondered why the DJ decided to change his lineup. Swinging her hips from side to side Yuya caught the beat of the song.

“You’re enjoying yourself tonight.”

The familiar voice sent a warm feeling through her stomach. She glanced back to see the blond smiling at her. “Kiro?”

“You’ve been at it for a while,” he stated watching her damp hair swing back and forth.

Yuya stopped suddenly embarrassed when she thought about Kiro seeing her at the club, which led her to a question. “What are you doing here?”

A superstar like Kiro wouldn’t be caught dead at a retro club like this one. It would cause a flood of bad publicity.

“Hmm, I do like places like this,” he said not explaining.

“You like retro clubs?” she asked.

“Yes, is that odd? You like them,” he pointed out.

“That’s a little different. I’m not an idol. No one would care if I came here to dance,” she explained as she was about to leave the dance floor. Kiro took her by the hand and pulled her back to him.

“Dance with me. I love this song.” He said as the song started and more people poured onto the floor. The song was super popular during its time but had become a meme. Yuya still loved it even if people thought it was lame now. Kiro liking it made her feel less embarrassed. She followed him and they danced to the old song. She was shocked to know he knew all the dance moves to the song.

She wasn’t going to do them because that would be telling but when he started she stared. She danced the female parts to his male ones and she couldn’t even feel anything at that moment but excitement. The part where they mirror each other had her laughing because of the funny faces Kiro was making.

The song was the original version so it was almost ten minutes of intense dancing. Kiro didn’t give up and she hadn’t even thought about how tired she should be after her first few sets of songs. Dancing with Kiro made her feel so much excitement she couldn’t feel any exhaustion. As the song fade out and another one made an entrance Yuya kept moving. She was going to sleep like a baby tonight.

Kiro kept up with her even though it was to be expected since he did a ton of dancing as an idol. His knowledge of all the choreography for the song was surprising. She didn’t even realize they were causing a crowd to gather around them on the dance floor. Some were filming them as they kept up with the next song change. The crowd was cheering them on and Yuya felt a strange euphoria come over her. She laughed breathy as she spun into Kiro’s arms. The song hit its well-known chorus and Kiro called out to the crowd to dance with them.

The people seem to all agree with his request and joined them. As the crowd came in Kiro grabbed her hand and they slipped out of the crowd and off of the dance floor. Yuya had no idea where they were going but she followed him. They left the club from a side door and outside the scent of rain and the city floored her senses. Kiro’s cologne was sweet and light as he pulled her close to him. They walked down the small alleyway to the main street and the sound of the bass booming loudly from the club was drowned out by the rain.

They got to his car and he opened the door. She got in and he closed it. The warmth of the car was nice against the cold of the winter season and her soaked clothes from rain and sweat. Kiro got in the driver’s side and they pulled off. Yuya thought he must have started his car while they were dancing or he left it on.

After dancing so much she finally felt exhaustion set in. She felt sleepy and the lights from the streetlamps were lulling her to sleep. Kiro didn’t speak and only hit the play on his phone to play a song through the car speakers. It was one of his songs but one she never heard before. It was a ballad and one she would have thought she would know. She knew all his songs, but this one was different from all the ones she ever heard before. The emotion in this one was stronger than any of the others. She thought if he ever did the song on stage they would be carrying out a few people.

She couldn’t find any sleep if she kept on thinking about the song so she opened her eyes and asked him a question. “What album is this on? Is it new?”

Kiro was smiling again, “It’s new and unreleased.”

That explained it but there was something that was still missing. “What is it called?”

“For you.”

Listening to the song Yuya realized it was a proposal song. The emotion in the song was so intense. The longing and yearning in his words matched the underlying passion she could feel in his tone. It felt like he was offering himself to the woman that loved.

“Are you going to perform it on stage? You’ll probably need a few ambulances on hand if you sound anything like you do on the studio version. A live version is going to give a few fans a heart attack.”

“Savin said the same thing.” Kiro said laughing a little embarrassed, “But it won’t ever be released at least not to the public.”

“Wh-what? Why not?”

Kiro glanced at her and then looked back at the road. “Because… I don’t want to sing this song to just anyone. I put everything into it. My heart…soul… everything is in there. Singing this to a crowd feels like I’m laying bare everything about me. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I- I don’t want just anyone to hear me like this.”

Yuya couldn’t take her eyes off of him. “Should I be hearing it then? I mean…”

Kiro hit the brakes suddenly as the light turned red. His expression was incredulous. He sighed deeply and paused the song. He was quiet for a while as he pulled the car into an almost empty parking lot.

He stopped the car and left it idling. “Yuya you’re surprisingly dense.”

“Huh?” she said.

Kiro didn’t speak and started back to their destination. He looked frustrated but didn’t say anything else about the song. Yuya kept quiet trying to understand what she had done wrong.

They reached her apartment complex in no time and she got out. Kiro walked her to her door and before he left he spoke, “Let’s have lunch tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she supposed he wasn’t angry with her or he wouldn’t ask her to lunch.

“I’ll pick you up at eleven,” he said watching her go in.

“Thank you,” she said still feeling like she was missing something.

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

[hakutaichou]

[JP] Love and Producer: Animage (2020 August Issue)

This translation is from “Animage Magazine” which released on July 10, 2020.

.

Description from Koi to Producer’s Official Twitter: Director, Munehisa Sakai talked about his commitment to the works, OP / ED animation, etc.!

- Unexpected Encounter -

- With a sense of trendy drama, and sense of suspense -

Director: Munehisa Sakai

Interviewer: What did you think when you were first offered this work?

Sakai: First of all, since the original game works production is the first time for us, I had the feeling that we might be able to take on new challenges. It's the same with the approach to the work and the troupe of the production, and I felt a sense of expectation in many ways.

.

Interviewer: What things that attracted you when you playing the original game?

Sakai: A trendy drama where a woman who are working hard in society, fatefully meet and interact with the men. And, a sense of suspense that includes sci-fi like elements that contradict with it. I was attracted to the unique view of the world where they are intertwined. I try to make the environment surrounding the main characters a little swanky, and draw sci-fi like movements in a cool way. I also cherish that area when I put it in the animation.

.

Interviewer: What kind of ingenuity did you make in terms of drawing?

Sakai: The male characters are quite slender and tall, so I thought it would be difficult to put it together when thinking about moving them, but Jinshichi Yamaguchi-san (Anime Character Designer) representation the charm of the characters very well. If I don't pay attention to the head and body of the characters around it, the balance will get worse, so I became careful about that as well.

.

Interviewer: As directed by Director Sakai? What is the appeal of Yamaguchi-san's art style?

Sakai: Yamaguchi-san's art style have a delicate yet solid presence, which gives me a sense of security. It's also wonderful that he can make it well together while being aware of the whole world view.

.

Interviewer: What will OP / ED animation be?

Sakai: The OP song is a song from the male side. I think that the feelings of the male characters can be directly conveyed with the image of passionately thinking about the MC. In the animation, she expresses it with a beautiful feeling, so please look forward to it.

On the contrary, ED song is from MC side. It feels like she is trying to move forward, but she don't have any courage. With the hope that I could express the image of MC, and when I hit the song, I can deliver a "winter image" from it. As a result, I think the song became very attractive.

.

Interviewer: The ending of the story is anime original, and it seems that there is also a pretty flashy show.

Sakai: One of the keywords in the original game is「絆」 (Bonds). Through the series, the point is, what kind of relationship will be build, and how they share the same purpose. What kind of behavior each person's feelings for the other will lead to. Please pay attention to it.

-

Note: In MLQC, the card system called “Karma��. Meanwhile in Koipro, it called 「絆カード」, means “Bonds’ Card”. Literally, the word “Bonds” is strongly attached to the game system and become one of main keywords. (example: that 「絆カード」  (Bonds' Card) and 「私の絆」  (My Bonds))

.

Interviewer: At last, do you have a message for fans who are looking forward to the premiere of the anime?

Sakai: If you've been playing the game, I hope you'll be looking forward to seeing how the characters stand around and sprinkle their charm on the other side of the new screen. Even if you are new to this work, things that you cannot imagine will happen one after another, so I hope you will be captivated by this unique view of the world. Thank you.

.

From 境 (Sakai)

“Since Lucien has his own purpose, he usually acts while making detailed calculations. That’s why, I think when MC takes unexpected movements, he’s confused, but also get attracted by her. I hope you looking forward to what decision Lucien will make”

.

“Gavin is a simple and honest person who acts with his straightforward feeling. He will continue to do what he thinks is right. It's the same for MC, but because he's also clumsy, I want to cheering him (lol).”

.

“Actually, I don’t know how interested MC is to Victor, but I think he is attracted to MC’s hardworking. Maybe because he puts his trust in tough people, even if he treats them harshly”

.

"Kiro is absolutely a cheerful person, and the one who cheer MC up. Because I didn’t feel that he's an idol, I think he is very easy to talk to and I can feel secure with him"

.

[cheri-translates]

Hello, Cheri. I'm still new here so, I wanted to clarify some things. So, did Gavin actually have evol in him all along since birth but it was only awakened bc of MC in high school? Also, were all 5 guys + MC born with evol? Or some of them got it through experiments? Thank you!

( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡ Welcome to the MLQC family!

Gavin, Shaw, MC and Victor had their Evol since birth, while Kiro and Lucien obtained their Evol through Black Swan experiments! 

This is mentioned in posts from the official MLQC Instagram page (extracts below):

Lucien:

Victor: 

Kiro: 

Shaw:

It will unlikely be confirmed that Shaw is Gavin’s brother due to drama in the CN community. But if he is, this scene from R&S [Little Guardian] shows that he was born with Evol:

Gavin: 

The origin of Gavin’s Evol hasn’t been canonically confirmed, but it’s likely to be natural since his mother had Evol too (revealed in his 2021 Birthday R&S):

[ontowanderlust]

*:･ﾟ✧ How to say I love you: Prompt #4

"I love you." he whispered, plain and simple without any hesitation, without any preamble, his eyes staring ahead at the cheap glow in the dark stars pasted on her ceiling, adding what little light they have in this darkened room.

"I'm in love with you," he repeated, his voice carrying the same reverence he held for her. "Ever since we were children and you gave me that teddy bear to ease the loneliness we felt in that dreary room, when you were trying to distract me from the pain I had just endured."

"Back then, I knew that you are the only one I'm willing to give my entire world to and it's because of you that I've been so desperate to escape from that place. Back then I thought that if only one of us makes it out, I hope it's you- no, I wanted it to be you and so I strived to make sure you escape."

"I never thought I would be seeing you again." Averting his eyes from the ceiling, he shifted slightly in his place, turning his head to watch her still form, the sound of her even breathing lulling him into a sense of peace. "You don't know how elated I am when I found you in that store- it's like the world telling me that everything will be finally alright... because I have you, my Miss Chips." his eyes softened, his voice wavering as a relieved smile crept on his face.

"And I-" his eyes widened as her breathing hitched, snapping his eyes shut as he turned away from her, praying to whatever deity up there for her not to hear the loud thumping of his heart against his chest.

Had she heard all of it? Was she awake the entire time? But he knew her to be a heavy sleeper- not even earthquakes and storms can rouse her.

He must be crazy- talking to a sleeping person about his emotions- the same ones he had hidden in the depths of his heart- the ones he vowed never to speak of.

And how easy it was to keep everything to himself- what with his ever changing top secret personalities. But there were days that everything's just too much.

And he just... forgets. Just like tonight.

How can he not tell her? She who wore that radiant smile, eyes twinkling in delight the moment their eyes met in a crowd of rushing attendants, tired directors, and overworked staff.

How can he not tell her when she looked absolutely stunning with that messy hair and worn band merch and pajamas? When her mouth struggled to balance the pair of chopsticks as she maneuvered her way to overtake his cart, guaranteeing her victory?

A minute passed, and then came another. When all he could hear was her even breathing, he let out a small sigh of relief... until her hand brushed his and just as he let go of his consciousness, he could've sworn her pinky wrapping itself around his.

Kiro! My sunshine boy, I can assure you that she did not hear your confession... but we did. *wink wonk* 

And with Kiro, we finally close this 8-parter fic brought to you by R. Mckinley. If you’re only reading it now, the order of posting were as follows: Luke, Victor, Lucien, Artem, Gavin, Marius, Vyn, Kiro. They’re not connected in any way so don’t worry about getting lost. 

I hope you guys enjoyed this mini-fic series as much as I did. And hey a little easter egg: It wasn’t planned but all the odd numbers were Tears of Themis guys while the even numbers are MLQC guys. 

Here’s the link to the original/inspiration piece: 8 ways to say I love you by R. Mckinley

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien Sharing Date English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Perhaps it's an illusion, but after he removes his glasses, those eyes that have always been looking at me seem even deeper.

With my soft exclamation, the already close distance becomes even more intimate, not leaving any gap.

His lowered lashes tremble lightly, brushing against my cheeks like butterfly wings.

His hot breath lingers on the corner of my lips for a while before finally enveloping it eagerly.

special thanks to ivi (@ivioivioivi on twitter) for helping me with translating some abstract things here 🫶

✂———————–

—[Part 1]—

The lecture hall is almost full, filled with students from the Film and Television Department of Loveland University.

Due to my previous programs consistently ranking first in viewership, universities' Film and Television Department often use them as case studies.

However, it's the first time today that both the production team and I have been invited to campus to give a sharing session.

Even though I've attended many events and ceremonies, as a behind-the-scenes person, I still feel a bit nervous under so many attentive gazes.

MC: Hello students, I'm MC.

Noticing a subtle unease in my tone, I can't help but recall the solemn vow that I made last night.

—[Flashback Start]—

MC: As long as I step onto the same podium where Professor Lucien once stood, I'll surely have the same demeanor as you!

Seeing me confidently waving the speech notes, Lucien couldn't help but chuckle.

Lucien: I'm curious, in your eyes, what kind of demeanor do I have?

MC: Of course you're someone who is both patient and effortlessly competent, and able to make complex concepts lively and engaging. In short, you're simply the best teacher in the world!

He gently gazed at me for a moment and then pulled me into his arms.

Lucien: [chuckles] If this biased classmate really were my student, my evaluations would probably become the highest in the whole school.

MC: What! The original highest score wasn't yours?

My exaggerated tone amused him, and Lucien rubbed my hair.

Lucien: If the Great Producer keeps showering me with praise like this, I might not be able to resist feeling proud.

Lucien: After the poster for the sharing session was put up, many colleagues came to greet me because of this outstanding family member*.

(T/N: his colleagues refer to MC as XM/Lucien's family🥺)

MC: So it seems that the reason I agreed at that time was very correct~

Facing his curious gaze, I winked at him.

MC: Because that was the invitation sent by your school.

—[Flashback Ends]—

Looking down at the audience below once more, I steady my mind.

Just as I'm about to speak, I hear a familiar voice.

??: Sorry, teacher, I'm late. Can I still come in and listen now?

MC: Of course—

Unwittingly, I glance towards the classroom door, my eyes widen in surprise when I see Lucien.

The classroom buzzes with murmurs, as the students have also recognized him.

Lucien: Thank you, teacher. Sorry to interrupt everyone.

I stare dumbfoundedly as he approaches and calmly places a piece of paper on the podium.

Lucien: My late slip.

MC: Ah, okay…

Not until he steps down to find an empty seat do I notice that the completely blank late slip is covered with a sticky note-

-filled with a drawing of a little rabbit on the lectern talking eloquently, and in the audience seat, a little fox applauds with a smile on his eyes.

I can't help but look up at him, seeing that he has already found a seat and is quietly gazing at me.

The distance between us isn't close, but his gaze has already dispelled most of my unease.

So I collected myself and took out my speech notes.

MC: I originally wanted to chat with everyone, but our department head wouldn't allow it, so I had to prepare a speech.

A wave of friendly laughter ripples through the audience, completely easing my nerves.

Very soon, I smoothly finished speaking according to the notes.

MC: ...Actually, the birth of every successful case is influenced by many uncontrollable variables.

MC: Even if we as creators replicate the so-called “speak from experience”, it may not necessarily generate new successful cases.

MC: In the end, I think sharing some practical insights is better.

MC: I often feel that filming is similar to life, it's a process of establishing a stable relationship with the world.

MC: And some specific yet small orders will bring us a sense of certainty about life and becoming an important part of life.

MC: If you don't know what to shoot, you can look within your own world.

MC: Taking myself as an example, like... the flower shop that opens at 8 a.m. near my home. And also...

As I speak, I look at the audience, meeting head-on the gaze that has never shifted.

There is an itch in my heart, always wanting to express something. Before I know it, I've already put down the speech notes--

MC: [smiling softly] The light from my neighbor's house next door often stays on until 4 a.m.

✂———————–

—[Part 2]—

Amidst the continuous applause, Lucien beamingly applauds, bearing a striking resemblance to the little fox on the sticky note.

At this moment, the dean beside me suddenly leans in, lowering their voice as they speak.

Dean: MC, you delivered your speech too smoothly. Here's the bad news: there are still 20 minutes left before class ends.

MC: [sweating nervously] Ah? What should I do? Do you have anything else you want to say?

Seeing him shake his head, my brain starts to work at lightning speed, and suddenly, I think of something.

MC: Since we're out of things to say, we'll just have to let the students speak.

The next moment, a student stood up bewildered as we called their name.

Dean: Everyone, feel free to express your thoughts. Share your feelings after attending the sharing session.

Student A: Oh! I found Teacher MC's talk very interesting. I've also been pondering about some small "orders" just now.

Student A: Like the video call my mom makes every night and the taro ice cream that the school convenience store restocks every Thursday afternoon at three.

Laughter instantly fills the room, as if this were a well-known understanding among everyone.

Immediately, several students also raise their hands, eager to join the conversation.

Student B: When spring arrives, the peach blossoms on the campus will bloom the earliest.

Student C: There's an old librarian who likes to blow his beard, it turns out he's stuck on sudoku.

This time, everyone fell silent for a moment, emitting small gasps of surprise.

Student C: Because of the old man's habit of blowing his beard, I made a documentary about him... but the film lacked soul.

Student C: So I want to ask, how do you find something worth expressing?

I think for a moment before speaking earnestly.

MC: The best way I can think of is to ask yourself what you most want to express from your heart.

MC: Once you have the answer, you will discover that it may have just been sustaining the order you rely on the most to survive right now.*

MC: It's also the closest connection between you and this world—

MC: At that moment, many natural words or images will appear before you effortlessly.

(T/N: tbh it's really abstract even in CN LOL, but I take from it that perhaps what you want to express is already on the orders in your life all along? Keep this in mind until the last part)

I instinctively glance at Lucien and notice the corners of his eyes slowly curving.

Student C: Can you give an example?

MC: Um?

Perhaps the answer was too clear before my eyes, and in that moment, I hesitated instead.

As I realize, I've already missed the opportune moment for the best response, and I can't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

And the person in my line of sight seems to have chuckled, raising his hand.

Lucien: I'd like to share something too.

As soon as these words were spoken, students turned their curious gazes towards him, and I also waited nervously for his speech.

Lucien: I feel that, often, before finding the expression, perhaps it's the order itself that takes precedence in life.

Lucien: After you become aware of it, it has already brought about natural habits and rules.

Lucien: Therefore, for me, perhaps the modification and alteration of the order itself appear to be more special. The things born from it make people want to dig and explore deeper.

Lucien: For example, the hot milk that always appears when I write a paper, or the scolding I received for not sleeping, which seems to have started at some unknown point…

Even as I try to control my expression, I still feel my cheeks getting a little warm.

The instigator, however, seemed oblivious to my shyness, unabashedly casting an eager gaze my way.

Lucien: Teacher MC, if all the orders of life point to one person at the same time, then wouldn't her existence—

Lucien: Be tantamount to the closest connection between me and this world?

✂———————–

—[Part 3]—

The meeting ends, and after saying goodbye to my colleagues, I decide to take a walk around campus with Lucien.

I'm still immersed in the confession that only we knew a moment ago. Even my steps feel a bit light.

Lucien: You seem to have more talent for being a teacher than I imagined.

Lucien: If I had a teacher like you when I was studying, I would definitely sit in the front row every class.

Lucien: Would this teacher choose me as the class representative?

As he speaks seriously, I pretend to consider.

MC: Hmm... I'll think about it.

He nods thoughtfully, but a smile slowly appears in his eyes.

Lucien: So, to become the class representative, it seems I need to pay more attention to the teacher.

Lucien: [teasingly] Your face seems to have been flushed since I raised my hand to answer the question. Are you feeling uncomfortable?

Colliding with his narrowed smiling eyes, I blush and playfully poke his arm.

MC: Lucien!

Lucien: [chuckles] It seems that the teacher has already remembered my name.

Seeing his pretending-to-be-serious expression, I can't help but laugh.

Lucien: Moreover, it seems you set an example for me first.

I raise my puzzled gaze, then collide with his slightly teasing smiling eyes.

Lucien: After all, it was teacher MC who mentioned me first.

Lucien: It appears that I didn't realize I had become part of your order so long ago.

MC: ….!

I belatedly react, embarrassedly wanting to reach out and cover his mouth.

He chuckles softly and catches my hand, squeezing it into his palm.

Hand in hand, we walk through the campus, bathed in the gentle light filtering through the trees, softly resting upon us.

Occasionally, students pass by us, heading in the same direction.

The moment I curiously glance in that direction, he already grasps my hand, leading me towards it knowingly.

Ten minutes later, standing at the entrance of the convenience store, we look at the taro ice cream in each other's hands and laugh together.

Despite the slight chill in the air, I eagerly take a big bite, instantly filled with the soft, sweet flavor of taro.

MC: No wonder it can become an unspoken understanding among everyone, it's just too delicious!

Lucien also takes a bite of the ice cream, his eyes widening slightly.

Lucien: [gasps in a pleasant surprise] It's a bit cold... but indeed the taste exceeds imagination.

MC: But it seems quite popular on campus. You've never tried it before?

He shakes his head, then as if something catches his eye, he lifts his hand and gently rests it on the top of my head.

Lucien: Although there are indeed many beauties in this world that I have yet to discover…

Lucien: They always seem to be miraculously brought to me by you.

He opens his palm towards me, revealing a pale pink petal lying inside, probably the one he just picked from the top of my head.

I raise my head, and several peach blossoms hanging from the branches come into view.

Realizing that the scenes shared by the students seem to be coincidentally unfolding before us, I look at Lucien with some excitement.

MC: How about we go to the library again and see that old man who loves to do Sudoku?

Unfortunately, the one sitting at the librarian's desk in the reading room is a young girl.

MC: Looks like the old man isn't on duty today…

Sensing my gaze, the girl looks back at me with a puzzled expression.

I instinctively turn to the side, then immediately hear a muffled chuckle from above.

Lucien: [chuckles] Are you forgetting that you* have always had the right to come and go here?

MC: Right…

[T/N: Actually, Lucien teasingly refers to MC as 教师家属 (teacher’s family member) in that sentence. Anyway since he’s a teacher here, and she’s his ‘family member’ she has the right to just come to the library at any time. They can find him at another time together^^]

The familiar reading room, the season of peach blossoms blooming, and the person beside me with a smile, everything seems to be no different from two years ago.

[Reference to Impression Date!]

But unlike back then, the once quiet and empty reading room is now filled with students quietly reading. I can't help but lower my voice.

MC: I don't think I asked you last time, where do you like to sit when you read?

His indifferent gaze falls lightly on the sun-drenched tables and chairs without much emotion.

Lucien: I prefer to borrow books from the third-floor lending room and read them at home rather than here.

MC: Oh? I always thought you wouldn't be picky about reading environments.

Lucien: For me, the environment indeed has little impact on the reading experience.

Lucien: However, at home, there's always a little lady who will snuggle up next to me and read together.

He pauses for a moment, looking at me earnestly.

Lucien: It's hard not to develop a sense of dependence on the comforting environment you create.

✂———————–

—[Part 4]—

MC: Wow, it's "Essays in Love"!

Just as I stepped into the lending room, I paused in front of a somewhat familiar novel.

Lucien: Mm, compared to the story in the book, I'm more impressed by MC's "kidnapping”*.

[T/N: reference to Devotion Date where MC 'kidnaps' Lucien]

He holds my hand and leads me with a smile, I haven't even taken a few steps yet when another book catches my eye.

MC: "YOUR ATOMIC SELF"? You just read it recently during the check-in event!

Lucien: Yes, I returned it after finishing. If you want to read it, there's a new copy in the study that I just bought.

We walk hand in hand through the empty shelves, and every few steps, we come across familiar traces.

MC: Hehe, this book is one we read together.

Lucien: However, after flipping through a few pages, it seems like a girl fell asleep in my arms.

MC: [sweating] Haha, it's the kind of thing you can forget about.

Lucien: [teasingly] Oh? Looks like MC isn't too curious about what happens after she falls asleep.

His lips curled a bit, as if recalling something amusing.

MC: What is it?

Lucien: Actually... [chuckles] about half an hour after you fell asleep, I fell asleep too.

MC: Pfft! If even you fell asleep, then it must be the fault of the book.

Lucien: Though it's a bit impolite to say, the author's writing does lack logical coherence.

Seeing his slightly furrowed brow and troubled expression, I suddenly felt the urge to tease him, so I struggled to suppress a smile.

MC: But I think it's impressive in its own way.

Lucien: Hm?

MC: It can be used for hypnosis~ Next time if I find you refusing to sleep, I'll just read it aloud beside you, and you'll drift off in no time.

Seemingly taking it seriously, he even pondered for a moment before speaking.

Lucien: [chuckles] But the feasibility of this method is not very high.

MC: Why?

Lucien: After all, it seems like you'd get sleepy before managing to lull me to sleep.

Seeing him speak earnestly, but his eyes already betraying laughter, I can't help but laugh along with him.

The clock hanging on the wall quietly completes a full circle as we step into the innermost section of the document area.

Scholarly journals written in various languages are neatly arranged on the bookshelves, bringing together a vast ocean of wisdom.

Suddenly, I remembered something and looked at him with a hint of anticipation.

MC: I remember you recently published a paper in a core journal. Can we find it here too?

Lucien: Nowadays, many publications are distributed in electronic formats. I'm not sure if the library would have hard copies.

His gaze wanders through the dizzying array of titles for a long time, seemingly without finding anything.

So he walks over to the search computer, typing the journal's name on the keyboard, and after hitting the enter key, he squints a little at the screen.

Lucien: [chuckles] Found it.

MC: Huh? They have even the newest ones. Can I find the article you published earlier too?

Five minutes later, I find myself dazedly staring at the thick journals in my arms.

MC: Even though I know about every paper you've published, seeing them all together still makes me want to marvel at your brain…

MC: Can I absorb some of your wisdom by reading these articles?

Lucien: I don't think so.

With a lingering inflection, he leans down slightly and pecks my lips.

Lucien: [chuckles, then whispers] But maybe this way you can.

His earnest demeanor makes it impossible for me to suppress a smile.

MC: Hehe, with Professor Lucien sharing his wisdom with me, I'll definitely be able to read research papers with ease in the future!

As I speak, I flip through the pages and quickly find Lucien's article among them.

Unfamiliar foreign languages and complex technical terms occasionally trip me up as I read, but it doesn't stop me from carefully perusing the text bit by bit.

In his concise and clear theories, it feels like I can see every dull piece of data he recorded and every sleepless night he endured.

And there's also that curiosity that never extinguished, even after countless failed attempts.

Merely watching him moving forward fills me with immense pride.

Unconsciously, I reach the end of the paper, and suddenly, I feel as though I see my name flash before my eyes.

I calm myself and carefully read through the last section once again.

The next moment, as my gaze flicks over the acknowledgments section, I feel my heart skip a beat.

There, my own name actually appears-

And finally, I would like to thank my dear (y/n)-

--whose love and support has always been the driving force pushing me forward.

I stare at him in disbelief, but he just looks at me and smiles.

Having a faint idea of what's going on, I proceed to flip through several other journals.

Without exception, there's a line of acknowledgment dedicated to me after each of his articles.

An indescribable surge of emotions overwhelms me, leaving me momentarily speechless, but he instantly pulls me into his arms with a chuckle.

Lucien: [chuckles, then whispers] What to do.

Lucien: Seeing my little lady so surprised, it seems I can't easily showcase my research results in the future.

His pretended distress amuses me, and I lightly pat him on the shoulder.

MC: You know very well that I'm very happy.

He pulls me into his hug, his chin rubbing against the top of my head.

Lucien: [whispers softly] Um, of course I do.

Lucien: [x2] It's just that seeing you happy because of me, I can't help but feel happy too.

MC: You never mentioned it before.

He looks into my eyes as if trying to see into my heart.

Lucien: [x3] Just like eating and sleeping every day, I don't seem to feel that this is something necessary to mention specifically.

Lucien: [x4] Just as you appear in every corner of my life…

Lucien: [x5] I naturally think of you in the moment of completing an article, and naturally want to express thank you to you.

Lucien: [x6] This natural feeling…

Lucien: [x7]...is like when spring arrives, flowers will naturally bloom.

My heart feels like it's being gently tickled by his whispers, making me unable to resist any longer, so I stand on tiptoe and kiss him.

The next moment, he gently lifts me up, quietly closing the distance between us.

The gauze curtains sway, casting a touch of charm onto the light and shadow falling upon us.

Perhaps it's an illusion, but after he removes his glasses, those eyes that have always been looking at me seem even deeper.

I stare at his handsome features in a trance, unaware of the sudden strength supporting my lower back.

With my soft exclamation, the already close distance becomes even more intimate, not leaving any gap.

His lowered lashes tremble lightly, brushing against my cheeks like butterfly wings.

I have to close my eyes so that my heart doesn't beat too chaotically.

His hot breath lingers on the corner of my lips for a while before finally enveloping it eagerly.

The pleasant breath gradually penetrates my lips and mouth, and then spreads all over my body, making me completely surrender myself to him.

In my hazy consciousness, I faintly hear the sound of flowers blooming.

My next spring with him- really seems to have arrived.

[multifandom-worlds]

Hello! I hope you're safe and well during this pandemic. I've never requested any fanfics before so it's my first and it might sound odd, I'm sorryy 😭😭 But can I request a novel-like Victor fanfiction? Because I've been meaning to read a historical fantasy story about Victor and fem MC. If, it's okay with you girlie! The theme I wanted was "Reincarnation". The MC met a car accident and suddenly woke as the Villainess of a otome game she played 2 months ago (similar to MLQC), where she was destined to die by the hands of Victor, one of the male leads. Meanwhile Victor, in his route ends up with the Female Lead. can you name the MC "Valentine El Delia" and the Female Lead "Rachael Vil Neil"? You can choose Victor's historical name anything you want! Valentine was the daughter of the duke (you can choose his name if you like) was originally going to be Victor's fiancee as she was sold to Victor's family by her father when she was only 8 (Victor was 11 by then). In the original game, Valentine was deprived of love so she would look for ways to grab Victor's attention, but she failed everytime. And due to her immature behavior, she's looked down by everyone, including the servants. Instead, after 10 years, 22 years old Victor, who became the Crown Prince, fell in love with Rachael (She's the daughter of a baron's family). And out of jealously, Valentine tried possible ways to harm Rachael. She'd try to hire assassins or humiliate Rachael. In her last attempt, she poisoned Rachael. But she was immediately caught by Victor and was personally dealt with (he beheaded her in front of the empire after Rachael got better) But after the MC reincarnated as Valentine, she'll just avoid being seen with Victor (she'd wake up at Victor's mansion after reincarnation) and reclaim her lost self-respect from the lower-classes. Her plan would be to turn 18 and somehow escape being the future empress and live a quieter life. She of course, will meet the other male leads, Gavin, Lucien, Kiro and Shaw and will interact with them as well. However, noticing her change in behavior, Victor somehow tries to find out what's wrong and ended up getting close to her instead and became possessive of her, refusing to let her go. And the original female lead becomes evil (it's not because she couldn't get the love from Victor but another reason which you can figure it out!) sklasjofeewhgk. And that's how I'd imagine the plot! And it's alright if you post this once a week or a month or 3 months, just take your time! If it's too much to ask, please do refuse it! I've been reading your stories and I really love the plots you created! So I wanted to request you. I'd make one of this myself, but my imagination is unfortunately limited, so that's why I troubled you. I love your works tho! Keep going!

Hi doll! I'm going to give this a shot but I'm horrible when it comes to long stories. I may be enlisting help from other writers to help me, if that's okay by you! It may take me a while to get started but I do like this idea

[haru-luo]

[CN Translation] Victor’s S2 Chapters 14-17 R&S <Steerer>(掌舵者)

!Spoiler warning! : The followings contain contents for future chapters of MLQC/Love and Producer. If you do not wish to be spoiled then please refrain from going undercut.

This is the karma that accompanies the following Rumors and Secrets. I suggest you to read S2 Summary(Volume 2:Ch 2-3), a bullet-point summary recently translated by amazing @cheri-translates​ to get more idea on what this “Small Syringe” thing is going on.

The translation is undercut. You have been warned about spoilers.

If you see “--” sign then it simply indicates the beginning of next page.

{STEERER} 

He always knew how to embed each screw in its place.

[Chapter 1]

“Caerus, there is an investigation task for you."

"Target name?"

"MC. She is a newcomer who organized the audit. All the information needed about her is in the attachment."

"Received. When do you want it?"

"Before next Wednesday."

"This task is a bit different. My pay has to increase by 20%"

After that, the dialogue between the two was stagnant for a while before the other side only replied a small word; "okay" --- Duan JunJie put down his phone and was about to continue to look at the acquisition contract in front of him when he was suddenly patted on the shoulder.

The colleague smiled and asked him, "Lawyer Duan, our department is going to have a dinner together on Sunday. Would you like to join us?"

"Ah, sorry, I have plans on the weekend so, I can't join." Duan JunJie shook his head.

The person's face turned a bit upset, "Last time, you also said that something happened and left. Why don't you stay with everyone for once? It's a pity because eating a meal together is also a way of communicating feelings."

"Forget it, I've been in LFG for so long and I've never seen Lawyer Duan participate in any department team building activities!" The female colleague opposite to Duan JunJie smiled and replied, "People would rather offend a high-level staff than work overtime all the time. If you still hope to take his weekend then give up, don't even think about it."

The two female colleagues left while groaning in complaint and Duan JunJie remained silent and quietly observed those around him before continuing to work again.

At six o'clock, he sent the compiled attachments of the acquistion contact to the mailbox of the CEO's office. He was ready to pack his things and get off work when the computer suddenly made a loud noise. -- CEO Li replied about the contract so soon? Although he knows that the person in charge of LFG Group is an extremely efficient boss, the speed is too ridiculous. He clicked on the message and found out that it was an anonymous email with a string of jumbled up characters.

Duan JunJie frowned.

The string of jumbled codes seemed disorderly but he soon discovered that it was an e-mail with two layers of special encryption and the secret key was only available to members of BLACK SWAN. After deciphering the garbled codes, he found that it was a sentence and a "S" symbol with a tick at the end.

'Come to the conference room of BLACK SWAN headquarters.'

Duan JunJie read this sentence silently and raised his eyebrow. The sender did not use the B.S communication channel but used an anonymous IP address to send it. Obviously, it has to bypass the surveillance of some people in the organization.

After the establishment of the B.S board of directors, the original TWELVE members did not easily surrender to the BOSS. They secretly made a few small moves. Although Duan JunJie was just a screw responsible for intelligence because of the nature of the work, someone from TWELVE has tried to lure or tempt him but Duan JunJie refused.

And now...

Duan JunJie looked at this email and realized something vaguely. -- He glanced at the time and now he is leaving to meet the sender of the email. It would be too late by the time he gets home to make cat food for Amo. Although he was mentally prepared, when he opened the door and saw the person sitting on the opposite side of the long table, Duan JunJie still couldn't help but blurt out, "Mr. Li."

The man opposite the long table did not erect against the barrier to cover his face. He wore a suit with a straight back and a calm expression. No different from when was sitting in the office of LFG Building as the CEO. Duan JunJie paused, then changed his words, "Oh, BOSS." -- Victor pushed the document in front of him, "I know that your senior just sent you a task. Push away that task and do this instead."

"Push away..." Duan JunJie accepted the document, "Does this mean I don't have to connect with him again in the future?"

Victor did not speak. And not speaking is his answer.

Duan JunJie adjusted his glasses and scanned the document in his hands. "...When do you want it?"

"Before next Wednesday. Is it possible?"

"It's not that it's impossible but this will take up a lot of my rest time and I see this part of document is just a lead. The things that need to be explored later are much larger than these papers." He emphasized, "This will be a long work, BOSS."

"State your salary expectations."

Duan JunJie seriously considered his mortgage and car goods, "14th salary."

"16 salaries." Victor looked at him directly, "However, you have to get me the information worthy of this value I offer you."

[T/N : Just in case, ‘14th salary’ means the payment of an additional month's salary or a form of compensation ^^]

[Chapter 2]

Duan JunJie's life is very regular. He wakes up at eight in the morning, makes a cat meal for Amo, then takes the subway that arrives at 8:27am, leaves station at 8:47am and walks for five minutes to LFG. Goes to cafeteria to get an egg, two buns and a cup of soy milk. Sometimes he changes to regular milk according to the mood of the day. He makes sure to turn on the computer at nine o'clock and start working.

He was just like a little screw in the LFG Group. As long as he makes sure that he is firm and fits where he should be on time, it’s fine.

It's just a regular life where accidents will occur occasionally, such as today. --- At 8:51am, when Duan JunJie was about to walk to the door of LFG Building, his footsteps suddenly stopped because a hanging leaf was in front of him, staying still for five seconds.

An Evolver has used their ability. Duan JunJie reacted quickly.

He looked around. Cars, Pedestrians and even the giant screen advertisements that were flashing in the distance have stopped. In the silent world, the sound of leather shoes against the ground seemed so clear. --- Duan JunJie saw Victor appear from the other end of the intersection, walking steadily towards the middle of the road, and went straight to the bridge of a car. He leaned down in front of the car and when he got up again, there was a tabby cat in his arms.

When Victor embraced the cat and stepped onto the sidewalk, time began to flow again. The noise reappeared in the city in an instant, the car and the crowd were intertwined again, no one seemed to notice what happened just now.

Victor stepped forward and suddenly, as if he noticed something, he turned his head to look at Duan JunJie not too far away.

"Mr. Li." Duan JunJie greeted him and walked over. --- Victor nodded in response, took the cat to a safe place and put it down. Little cat was shocked and still seemed to be reluctant to give up Victor. It walked back and forth, rubbing on to Victor's hand for a while before turning its head and leaping into the flowers.

Duan JunJie looked at the back of the tabby cat and inexplicably thought of his own Amo. "Its ears are labeled and looks like a neutered cat."

"The cats in this area all have been neutered." Victor replied.

These two sentences are not exactly settling but the atmosphere is relaxed. Duan JunJie continued, "I didn't expect you to be a cat lover too." -- It is known that the cats in this area have been neutered, but the fact that Victor used Evol to save a cat, didn't really fit Duan JunJie's impression of Victor.

"It was just a matter of hand." Victor took off the cat's fur on his cuffs. "It should watch itself, someone can't come to its rescue everytime."

As soon as the voice fell, Victor's always firm eyes turned into a purple mist. Something seemed to have touched his mind and his expression became a little dazed. -- Duan JunJie saw Victor with that kind of expression for the first time but he intuitively felt that he shouldn't ask more. So, he took a step back, "Then I will go in first and the yesterday's document will be sent to you before quarter past ten in the morning."

At 8:57, Duan JunJie arrived at the LFG canteen. Today he bought one less egg because he wants to save time and start work.

[Chapter 3]

Whether as Caerus or Duan Lawyer, he has been very busy this time. LFG's acquisition plan has advanced to a critical stage and the investigation of the "Small Syringe" has also fallen into the bottle.

Even Duan JunJie who has no commercial sense, knows that this kind of medicine that can enhance Evol can create huge benefits that can change the entire world. 

He once suspected that Victor's reason for being particularly concerned about “Small Syringes" was the instinct of capitalists to seek profit but if he really was chasing profits, he should've put this unstable medicine package on the market as soon as possible, instead of letting him investigate the "black hand" behind the shadow of the "Small Syringe Industry."

"Lawyer Duan, we'll head out first then." -- "Alright, bye."

The colleagues picked up their bags and said goodbye to him. When they walked to the door, he could still hear a faint sentence floating over to his ears, "Lawyer Duan is also working overtime. It's really rare..."

The sky gradually darkened and the neon lights of the city outside the floor-to-ceiling windows lit up for the first time in the night. Only Duan JunJie remained in the large office. In the silent environment, no breathing could be heard, only the monotonous keyboard percussion sounds in rugged manner.

-BEEP!

A sharp alarm interrupted Duan JunJie's work. He quickly opened the alarm interface and found that the source of the alarm was Victor's office. --- "The sound pulse from the office is fluctuating abnormally..." Duan JunJie watched the screen as he whispered, "...Someone is eavesdropping?"

It's not surprising that Victor will be exposed by some people. What surprised Duan JunJie is that someone dared to do something in Victor's office. He immediately sent an encrypted signal to Victor, asking the other party to come out of the office immediately. But even after a long time, Victor in the camera remained motionless. Not too long after, he saw a girl pushing to open the door of the office, still holding some documents in her hand.

She is the boss of [Miracle Entertainment or MC's company name], a film and television company invested by LFG and a member of BLACK SWAN, Miss NOX.

".....So that's it. You don't want to stun the snake, huh." --- Seeing this scene, Duan JunJie breathed a sigh of relief. It also reflects that the time for NOX to report on official business is the anti-tracking time given to him by Victor. He has to be worthy of the 16 salary that Victor offered to give him.

An hour later, Duan JunJie stood in front of Victor's office and knocked on the door three times.

"Come in."

Duan JunJie walked in, closed the door carefully and operated the small anti-eavesdropping device in his hand. He fidgeted it a few times and finally installed it on the door. Then he turned around and said straightforwardly, "BOSS, it's done." --- "Speak."

"The source of the eavesdropping was traced to the tea room in Xicheng District. This is the background check of the tea room owner and the personnel he has been in close contact with recently."

*[Note : Searched and found out that Xicheng District is an actual district in Beijing, China i.e popular for dining, restaurants and nightlife.]*

Duan JunJie operated the device a few times on his mobile phone and the corresponding intelligence content popped up on Victor's computer. "A few people had contact with the "Small Syringe". As for the person who installed the eaves dropping device, they have also been found. They are the cleaners who cleaned your office yesterday. According to monitoring and comparison, they are not really from LFG but they disguised as staffs to enter. People have been arranged to go to the town's tea room, they can act at any time." -- "Got it."

Victor's tone was always faint, his expression calm as if he had not experienced such tense eavesdropping crisis one after another or perhaps for this man, he had experienced countless even more dangerous situation that not even Duan JunJie can imagine. More knife-pointed, like the scene of life and death on the front line.

He scanned the page for a few moments, hit the button and said, "Move on to the next stage." -- But the meaning of entering the next stage does not mean that he does not need to care about how those eavesdroppers will be dealt with. Duan JunJie nodded knowingly, "Understood." Victor's gaze flew through the floor-to-ceiling long windows to the far ground, as if he was saying to Duan JunJie or as if he was saying to an invisible opponent, "The line has already been put for long enough." -- Duan JunJie lowered his head, "I will continue to report to you if there is a new situation."

He turned to leave the office but suddenly wrinkled his nose before leaving. A faintly sweet smell was floating on the tip of his nose which he doesn't know where it came from was like the caramel smell he would sense when he would pass the dessert shop downstairs the building.

This kind of sweet smell is not supposed to appear in Victor's office. It might be just an illusion, Duan JunJie thought.

[Chapter 4]

Without even realizing, it was the end of the year again. At this time, the center of the topic among the colleagues will be drawn more and more to the LFG annual meeting.

"Last year, someone in the department next door got paid for a month of paid travel along with wine reported!"

"I want to get a camera. Maybe also with an advanced equipment and so my photography skills will improve..."

"Lawyer Duan, what prize do you want to get?"

"The Sunshine award." Duan JunJie replied.

The atmosphere suddenly became silent. ---- Duan JunJie thinks this topic is meaningless and he doesn't think he has the luck to win a lottery either. Excessive luxurious prizes are often accompanied by huge risks. He is only greedy for peace and stability and does not want to have a life full of too many twists and turns.

It's better to go home and cook an extra meal for the cat when you finally have gotten time.

LFG's annual meeting has always been very lively. In addition to the people from the headquarters, some co-operating companies will also come to socialize. Backed up companies owners such as the boss of [MC's company name], MC will not be absent any year either. --- After the last eavesdropping incident, probably out of affirmation of his work ability, Victor handed him more tasks. As a result, he came into contact with this woman who had an unusual relationship with the BOSS. Although he exchanged the information online, the other party did not know his identity in reality.

He glanced at the energetic girl and then turned away, not planning to say 'hello' to her as LFG's lawyer, Duan JunJie. --- What Duan JunJie didn't expect was that he won the second prize at this annual meeting.

The moment his name appeared on the big screen, his colleagues seemed to be more excited than him. These guys who usually self-evaluate the law elites laughed and made noises while surrounding him and asked him to invite guests to share this joy.

"You are the King of our department this year, Lawyer Duan"

Duan JunJie was so annoyed by them that he simply made an excuse and slipped out of the annual party ahead of time. He had just gotten in the car and was about to start when suddenly two figures flashed in the corner of his eye that shouldn't have been there at this time. --- Victor and NOX walked to the garage side by side and the two seemed to be talking about something. Duan JunJie thought it might not be an official business because the girl's face had a brilliant smile that seemed appropriate to her young age. She carried a bag of vegetables in one hand and the other hand was making gestures from time to time. Victor's eyebrows were still sharp and cold but the corners of his mouth have a slight arc. And if Duan JunJie is right, is this the B.S BOSS carrying a bag of.....cat litter?

It's the same cat litter as Amo.

Duan JunJie raised his eyebrows. He felt as if he had discovered something extraordinary; something he shouldn't have witnessed. --- So, Duan JunJie asked questions unrelated to work for the first time in the work email the next day.

"Why does the poster of LFG annual meeting feature a Siamese cat?"

Victor quickly answered him.

"That is my cat. It is a mascot."

[Chapter 5]

Affected by the LFG's malicious acquisition of pharmaceutical companies from the outside world, recently, the atmosphere in the company is much more sluggish than it used to be. The laughter and gossips are no longer in the lounge, they have become quiet discussions and sighs.

"When I went to get a coffee across the street today, the clerk saw my staff badge and said that he would not accept me as a customer. I was really speechless..."

"Huh, if he didn't accept you then you should've complained to him and not only complain but also wear LFG badge everyday to buy the coffee. It is never a shame to be a LFG employee!"

"That's right!" -- Duan JunJie was stunned and stopped for a while but a colleague in the pantry had already noticed him. "Lawyer Duan!"

Duan JunJie nodded at them and poured the remaining water from the glass into the sink. A female colleague said with a smile, "How is Amo from Lawyer Duan's family?"

"He's okay, just losing weight recently."

"By the way, we recently established a 'LFG cat-lover group'. Does Lawyer Duan want to join?” The female colleague laughed at him and while asking him that.

 "Occasionally, We also see CEO Li's little pudding!"

"Oh, thank you. Let me think about it." --- After bidding farewell to his colleagues, Duan JunJie set off for the BS Building. One or two minutes before, he got a message from the special communication channel of B.S that an emergency meeting was to be held.

Before entering the meeting room, he habitually knocked the door three times and after getting permission from Victor, he finally opened the door and entered.

"The next step of the plan can start."

"I know. I will arrange the needed manpower." --- As usual Victor was ready to withstand his(Duan JunJie's) next actions until a silver-haired man suddenly broke in and interrupted Duan JunJie's bargaining with Victor over the length of overtime work he has to do.

"You two can talk slowly."

Without waiting for the silver-haired man to scan his eyes coldly, Duan JunJie turned around and left the meeting room very wittily. He's only doing what he's supposed to do, not listening to what he shouldn't listen to. This is the work principle he has always believed in. -- Duan JunJie feels that his current life is very good. Both LFG and BLACK SWAN are huge and sophisticated associations, requiring countless "Attorney Duan" and Caerus as screws to maintain their operation.

The man at the helm/steer who directs the operation is Victor.

Screws can get stuck occasionally and can be replaced but Victor cannot make any mistakes, let alone replace him. Once he makes any mistakes, the consequences are bound to be fatal.

Perhaps in terms of risk, following the word "Victor" is already the biggest gamble in Duan JunJie's life. ---- His tokens were all on bet because of this man. He inexplicably believed that Victor could win, not because of the gorgeous numbers in LFG's annual report, nor because B.S continued to grow these glamorous crowns and success under his leadership.

But is the stray cat that was rescued, the brand new "Small Syringe" industry chain and the badge on the chest of his colleagues.....The reason lied in these things.

Duan JunJie turned on his phone and opened the messaging app before starting the next stage of work.

"What was the 'LFG cat-lover group' number again?"

[R&S CLEARED]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T/N : Thank you for reading. Do let me know if there are any errors.

But the biggest question still prevails. What was the cat groups number?

[cheri-carnival]

the attractions ♡

welcome! leave your baggage in the lockers and brace yourself for an invigorating or relaxing time, whichever you prefer~

✧ this blog serves mainly translated tears of themis comics from the cn community, with the permission and generosity of the original artists!~

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[ ticket booth ]

🎠 about me

24, she/her

i'm currently working full-time and often overtime, which means i no longer have the same amount of energy and time to translate as i did before :’< i’m no longer an active mlqc player either!

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[shinydelirium]

MLQC Season 2 Chapter 21 (Kiro) Part 2 [Chaotic Space] & [Tacit Agreement] Translation [CN]

***SPOILERS*** THIS POST CONTAINS HEAVY SPOILERS FOR CONTENT NOT YET RELEASED ON EN SERVER!!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!***

For previous translations of chapter 21: Part 1

Enjoy~

[Chaotic Space]

We made our way to the hotel lobby.

Every waiter who passed by Helios only gave him a small glimpse. He continued to do his own thing as if he was already used to such behavior and just let it pass him by.

I tugged on his sleeve and motioned for him to come closer.

MC: Do you know something about their expressions?

Helios: No.

Helios: They only know that I’m a “special guest.”

A playful smile crept into his eyes but at this time the lobby manager stepped forward and stood in front of us, casting accusing eyes on Helios.

Manager: Sir, I hope you will not cause trouble to the other guests.

Faced with such a firm and awe-inspiring question, Helios smiled lazily and turned his head to look at me.

Helios: Are you troubled?

I shook my head, feeling the manager’s face darken a little bit, and Helios’ smile became more triumphant and mocking.

Manager: If you are threatened, you can tell me right away. This guest has a history of taking other people’s belongings.

Helios: So much rubbish.          

Helios: Step aside.

Helios stepped forward impatiently, took me towards the door and I looked at him with a snicker.

MC: You’re not stealing people’s cell phones to send text messages, are you?

Helios: I tried normal communication.

He said this nonchalantly, warning the waiters who were observing secretly.

Helios: They just want to keep me here as ordered and restrict my communication with the outside world.

Helios: On the other hand, as long as I don’t leave here, I can do as I please.

MC: But if that’s the case, you can walk straight out the exit, right? How can you not be able to leave?

Helios: That is what makes this hotel interesting.

As we talked, we arrived at a door and Helios pushed it away while I stared blankly.

A dazzling light shines through the crack of the door. As we moved forward, it instantly covers my entire vision—

An embellished blue is embellished in front of my eyes. The sound of waves rushes to my ears, sweeping away the fatigue and burden of this period in time.

In the distance, a few people were on surfboards riding and jumping over the waves and women in bikinis lay on the beach sunbathing.

I stared at Helios next to me in a daze and he seemed to be unsurprised as though he had seen this scene many times.

MC: Have we crossed?

Helios: ….

MC: Is this the work of an Evolver?

Helios didn’t seem to want to explain anything. He took a handful of sand from the ground and stuffed it into my hand.

Helios: Hold onto it tightly.

In the next second, he took my shoulder and walked to the other side of the beach.

Under the bright, hot sun, my forehead unknowingly oozes thin sweat.

I don’t know how long it has been until a door similar to the one before appeared.

Helios pushed open the door skillfully and pulled me in.

The sun behind him suddenly disappeared and was replaced by an endless field. Many stars covered the entire night sky.

Before I could marvel at the sight, Helios raised my hand to my eyes.

Helios: Open your hand.

I obeyed his words and opened my fingers gently and the dense, fine sand was scattered like smoke and dust under the starry sky, quietly falling down to the ground.

It’s so real that it sends chills down one’s spine.

Helios: Although it is not clear what the principle is, it should be the use of “doors” to connect many real spaces together.

MC: Do you mean this is actually Loveland City or somewhere on Earth?

Helios: No, all you see here are people who come to the hotel.

Helios: It should be some kind of different space.

He took me to walk in the star-shrouded wilderness. The crescent moon bends and the night wind swept over the weeds making a rustling sound.

Maybe because Helios is here, my heart is incredibly calm.

Helios: What’s wrong?

MC: Although I think it might not be a good time to say this kind of thing, don’t you think it’s beautiful here?

Helios: I brought you here because of the beauty. ***UWUWUWUWUWUWU!!! 🥺💕That is classic Kiro!!!***

Helios: Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken you away like this.

I was surprised. Helios’ expression was faint as if this the answer was obvious.

MC: Is there anything else that’s weird here?

Helios snorted and reached out his hand to count.

Helios: Volcano eruptions, Tyrannosaurus in Jurassic Park, valleys full of poisonous insects, tropical rain forests, deserts, polar regions….

MC: ….

MC: ….It seems that you have suffered a lot.

Helios: At least it gave me some fun.

Before we knew it, we came to another door again. After he opened it skillfully, he led me to step on the clouds.

I looked down and dizziness swept through me.

MC: …This is?

Helios: A rare and special place.

He pulled me to sit on the clouds, soft as velvet, and the pale pink sky seemed to be within reach.

MC: Do you remember where all these doors lead to?

Helios: Each space has a door with at least three doors and at most six doors and the space leading to it is basically fixed.

Helios: Try a few more times and you will know.

I looked back against the light. How long has he been trapped here and how many attempts has he made by himself?

MC: What does it mean “basically fixed”?

Helios: When I first arrived, I went through the doors several times and the space changed.

Helios: I was short on time so I haven’t found a pattern yet. This place is bigger than I thought.

MC: Wouldn’t it be dangerous if a guest ended up in the wrong place?

Helios: Not that dangerous.

He turned his head and half of his body was already out of the clouds.

I subconsciously wanted to catch him. The friction felt fleeting at my fingertips and I watched in horror as Helios gradually receded.

MC: ….!

Helios smiled calmly. In the next second, he squeezed my palm—

Gravity pulled me down quickly like a boulder. At the same time, his arm tightened and he took me into his arms.

I stared at his eyes blankly. My heart beat violently because of the weightlessness as light and shadow past behind me.

Helios: Don’t be afraid.

At the end of my field of vision, I saw a vast expanse of whiteness. We seem to have fallen into the end of the light.

Suddenly, we seem to have landed onto a very soft place and even bounced back a few times.

I opened my eyes, propped up, and found myself lying on a bed with Helios beside me looking at me with a smile.

Helios: Now you understand.

Helios: Someone in the hotel is secretly manipulating everything.

Helios: You can only appear where you “should” appear.

From a drawer, Helios pulled out a piece of paper with many weird graphics on it and pointed to one of them.

Helios: Like I said before, this here is a different special space just like this Rubik’s Cube…

MC: Wait a sec.

I looked at the distorted three-dimensional figure on the paper in confusion.

MC: ….I can’t tell that this is a Rubik’s Cube.

Helios: …..

***In case any of you don’t know, it’s a known fact that Kiro’s drawing skills suck😆. He ain’t no Piscasso but I still love him as Mr. Spicy Chips🥰🥰🥰 ***

Helios’ expression was a bit stiff. He took out a pen and drew a more distorted figure on a blank space.

I lay on the bed and couldn’t help laughing.

Helios: That funny, huh?

MC: No, it’s nothing.

I tried to suppress my laughter but seeing Helios’ expression, I couldn’t help but let it out.

I took the pen from his hand, turned over the paper, and drew a regular three-dimensional figure of a Rubik’s Cube.

MC: Rubik’s Cube…as you were saying.

Helios looked at the figure I drew in a daze. Finally, he turned his head and let out a faint chuckle.

He cleared his throat and pointed to the Rubik’s Cube. 

***I just absolutely love how these two interact with one another😂😂😂***

Helios: After my investigation, I suspected that every space in the hotel is like each square on a Rubik’s Cube.

Helios: Therefore, the number of doors will vary depending on the position of each block.

Helios: However, the space we have just experienced is the state of the Rubik’s Cube at rest.

Helios: But if the “Cube” is rotated, the space will change.

MC: Isn’t that troublesome?

Helios snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with disdain.

Helios: Even if it gets disrupted again, it can’t erase the “Rubik’s Cube” itself.

Helios: There will be no way out.

[Tacit Agreement]

For the rest of the time, I tried to digest what Helios said, but I kept finding it strange.

MC: Let us not mention for the time being whether the people who were taken away from the Wish Club were brought to the Wish Hotel.

MC: For this hotel alone, it serves Evolvers under the guise of storing Evol…

MC: Just to trap them here?

MC: If it’s that’s the case, what happened to that guest I saw leaving when I came here?

Helios: Nothing but a cover.

Helios casually grabbed a pillow, leaned on my side, and laid his arms on top.

Helios: Whether it’s “stored” or not, the Evol of the guests in the hotel is indeed gone.

MC: ?!

Helios: This hotel has equipment for detecting Evol energy.

Helios: I saw that were no Evol energy fluctuations in anyone.

Helios: After realizing this, I confirmed that every guest who leaves the hotel is the same.

MC: How did you do that….

Helios: Haven’t found it yet.

Helios: Customers who accept the Evol “storage” service should have a special “door”.

There was a cold glint in Helios’ eyes.

MC: But it feels that there are not a few guests here and there is no description of Wish Hotel from the outside world.

MC: Does it mean that these storage behaviors are voluntary?

Helios: That’s not important.

He turned his head and looked at me lazily. It might have been my imagination but his eyes seemed somewhat tired.

Helios: The important thing is that the Evol energy that originally existed was indeed “taken away”.

Helios: They won’t be taken away for no reason.

Suddenly, I thought of something and looked at Helios in front of me. I sat up abruptly.

MC: This strange hotel is also related to the foundation that should serve ordinary people.

MC: The foundation is doing things for GR again.

MC: Could there be GR members behind this hotel?

MC: Are they collecting Evol energy for research? Or looking for CORE?

Helios: You have quite the habit of asking a lot of questions.

Helios closed his eyes. His reaction didn’t seem surprising.

Helios: Find the person behind the hotel and then we will know everything.

Helios: Thinking more is a waste of brain power.

MC:…You’re right.

I mumbled and went back to the bed again, looking at the man with his eyes closed, my brain spinning constantly.

MC: That being the case, I have a good idea. Maybe I can find the person responsible.

Helios: No way.

Helios didn’t open his eyes as if he completely guessed what I was going to say.

MC: I haven’t said anything yet.

Helios: No way.

Helios opened his eyes with dissatisfied and the light outside the window fell on his distinct eyelashes through the soft gauze of the curtains.

Looking at the more vivid person in front of me, I couldn’t help but raise the corners of my mouth.

MC: I am now a “guest” of this hotel and it’s only reasonable to enjoy their special services.

MC: Since I’m here, even if I don’t ask for it, they will definitely achieve their goal in another way.

Helios: I have other options.

MC: Definitely not faster and more straightforward than mine.

MC: Besides, didn’t we also cooperate perfectly in that Hunter Game before?

I stared at him calmly and gently grabbed the corner of his sleeve.

MC: I believe you will protect me.

Helios’s eyes became turbulent.

Helios: No third time.

After speaking, he took out the wooden board on the side of the bed and in his hand was a microcomputer.

MC: How can you still have a microcomputer?

Helios: I dismantled several computers at the front desk.

Helios: There wasn’t enough time. Only set up the intranet.

Helios said casually and quickly started typing on the keyboard.

Helios: You’re in room 2176? ***It’s not a Kiro chapter without some numeric slang sprinkled in. MC is staying in “Love You Kiro” room🥺💕***

MC: Yeah, you found this out too?

Helios didn’t speak, only a soft hum was left in the air.

Then, he took out two small devices from another cassette and stuffed them into my hand.

Helios: Communication equipment. Put it in your ears.

MC: Where did you remove this from? You didn’t take apart the phones in the hotel too, did you?

Helios only raised the corners mouth slightly, set aside the satellite computer, grabbed my wrist and pulled me down.

Helios: So many questions.

He made no attempt to hide the fatigue in his voice. He sighed as if he could finally feel relieved.

Helios: I haven’t slept well these days. Let me rest for a while.

[End of Part 2]

[nightkarmaqueen]

Sinners from the Past

----- Sinners from the Past || Millie Candraningsih (OC) (ft. M. Adam (OC) & Nokto Klein)

Summary : How much time had passed before she finally found the truth? She didn't know anything back then, but now she knows what his father is trying to do. Before she could break his heart and leave him, he would leave her first, leaving nothing but pain for her.

WC : 2171 Words.

Warning : Grammar errors, mention of canings, suicides, and execution processions, using form of Original Character, traumatic past, Dedes reference, BSD reference, MLQC reference, Father I Don’t Want This Marriage reference, Overwatch reference, mischaracterization, mismatch lore, just Adam being a caring older brother for Millie, etc.

A/N : I should have written Hanging Gardens! AU for Silvio. But never mind. I read the local Webtoon, "Dedes" and now I have lots of ideas for this @ndoandou​‘s OC. BTW, TOO MANY STORY REFERENCES!

     IF Rhodolites had The Day of Bloodstained Roses as the darkest day in their history, then in a far away land where her blood is bound, they had The Day of Atonement for the Sinners.

     Back then, she didn’t know anything. Not that her father would get executed, or that her mother would committed suicide. Or even that her father’s life was taken by his own relatives.

     Adinatha had knelt before his father the king. Supposedly, the golden throne before him would be his in the near future. He should be able to become the ruler of this land which is said to be really, really rich. But seeing what he had done, he was sure it would all be gone. He couldn't even leave anything to pass on to his only young daughter.

     Does he regret it? No, he never regretted it. If there was one thing he regretted, then it was how he couldn't be a prove to his own daughter's growth. If he could pass some of his rights on to his daughter, then she would not have to live a miserable life. His daughter and wife could definitely live in his palace without the need to think about the sharp glares and cruel whispers people had about them. Ah, no. Honestly, Adinatha has a lot of regrets.

     "Sire, I will still hold on to my dedication and I will not ask your forgiveness for what I have done. Do whatever you want to me, I still won't change my mind and endure it," said the prince, didn’t feel guilty at all.

     “You didn't just embarrass me, Adinatha! You also tarnish the dignity and hurt the pride of this kingdom!” The king who was starting to lose his temper shouted. “I didn't make your mother my consort to give birth to a useless child like you!”

     Adinatha suddenly smirked. "Well, Lord Father." He clearly spoke as a son to his father, not a prince to his king. “Did Mother also want to give birth to me in the first place? Isn't it because Mother has the holy priest blood in her veins, so you married her to have a descendant that could become an invincible king?! Is my mother's value that low to you?”

     Anger exploded in the king's eyes, but Adinatha was not satisfied with that. “So that’s why, I won't be like you, Sire. If I had to choose a consort, then I would choose her out of love. She didn't have to be a priest's daughter or a princess from another kingdom. As long as I love her and she loves me, then she can be my consort."

     Adinatha was silent for a moment. “Ah, that's right. The question now is ... can you accept it if I marry Beatrice and have offspring with her? Will you all accept Beatrice as your queen and let her rule this land by my side?” Adinatha looked at the king with a very sharp gaze, as if he was not afraid of anything. “Will you guys ever accept my daughter, who is basically a woman, as the Crown Princess and the future ruler of this land after me?”

     "Sire, tell me. Didn't you make me the Crown Prince because you know I could destroy not only this land but also the surrounding kingdoms easily if I wished? And with my mother's position, don't you know I have the ability to kill you, even right here, and right now?”

     Thinking that Adinatha had gone too far, the king's anger exploded. “Drag him to the center of the plaza! Let our people know how despicable their future king is!” The guards did as the king ordered and dragged Adinatha out.

     The color of the night began to paint the sky. As soon as Beatrice heard the commotion in the hallway of her husband's chamber, she, who had been hugging her daughter, asked her to sleep immediately. She covered her daughter with the blanket, not letting the cold bite her. After confirming that she was really asleep, Beatrice immediately left the room with a couple of guards.

     But how surprised Beatrice was when she found her husband, with the painful whip wounds clearly visible on his back, being dragged and thrown into his own chamber. The Maiden of Jade immediately lifted her husband into a hug, tears already running down her cheeks.

     "Beatrice, it's okay," he whispered. However, his worrying condition betrayed his words that were supposed to be reassuring for his wife. "It’s nor that bad. This kind of wounds will be healed in a week."

     "What are you saying?!" Beatrice shouted between sobs. "Are you crazy or something?! Are you just saying it's not bad?! You know a wound like this must be treated immediately. After all, how many times have they whipped you?”

     “Uh, a hundred times?” Adinatha hesitated.

     "That's even worse!"

     A weak chuckle escaped Adinatha's lips. "My love, you will wake Ningsih up if you cry that loud." Adinatha turned his soft gaze to his daughter who was sleeping on his bed.

     But in fact, Millie Candraningsih was not asleep. She listened to her mother's every cry without knowing what had happened to her. All she knew was how she heard the sadness and regret in her mother's cries.

     “I wish I could send you and Ningsih back to Jade, but the king won't let me do something that easy. I'm sorry, Beatrice. I made you have to suffer like this," Adinatha whispered to his wife. He took a deep breath, still feeling the sting from the previous lash. “Really, even hell won't accept me because of what I've done. I abandoned you both."

     Hearing this from her husband, Beatrice immediately hugged Adinatha. She cried profusely on her husband's chest, not caring about the smell of blood that enveloped him.

     “Beatrice,” Adinatha called softly. “Beatrice, my love. Please, don't cry." Adinatha sounded so helpless as he uttered the request.

     "I'm sorry, Adinatha. I'm truly … sorry!”

     "Why are you apologizing? I’m fine. You and Ningsih are safe and sound too. So please, stop feeling guilty as if it was your fault.”

     “How can you be fine?!” Beatrice raged, hugging her husband tighter. “It was all my fault! It was because of me … that you … had to make this choice. You have sacrificed everything for me and Ningsih but what else do they want from you?! I-I'm scared … I'm scared that you will—” Beatrice couldn't say it, let alone imagine it. Like a nightmare, she never wanted it to really happen.

     “Beatrice, I love you.”

     “But I ruined you!” she snapped, feeling more guilty.

     "And I love you." Adinatha didn't realize the tears were already running down his own cheeks. "I love you, Beatrice."

     On the day the prince was judged for his sins, he was able to make a final request. “Let go of my wife and daughter. Send them back to Jade and forget the fact that a girl with the blood of this royal family running through her veins named Millie Candraningsih ever existed.”

     Beatrice's expression was so passive it was unreadable. Meanwhile, Millie could only tighten her grip on her mother’s dress. “Mother, why are Father's hands tied like that? Why did they pull Father like that?! Why did Father go there?! Where will Father go?!” Fear started to make little Millie panic.

     Beatrice held herself together to stay strong. If she fell apart there, then Millie would be in danger. "Father!" Millie shouted, screaming as loud as she could.

     Adinatha halted, hearing how loud his daughter was calling him. The prince looked at his daughter. Millie might not be able to understand it, but Adinatha's overly gentle and warm smile pierced Beatrice’s heart deeply.

     “You’ll be fine, Ningsih. I promise you’ll be fine,” he whispered to her daughter for the last time.

     So many things happened since that day, making the small girl grow up in the dark abyss of the past. She didn't know how tight the ropes of fate had to tie her. What she knows, the wounds from the past will always remain.

     “The court learned the reason behind the Crown Prince’s escape. He had an affair with a maid from the Kingdom of Jade and had a daughter as a result of it. To cover up the disgrace he created toward the Royal Family, he was … eliminated.”

     Silence enveloped the living room of Rhodolite Royal Palace. The smell of jasmine tea, which should have smelled so sweet, actually burned Millie's sense of smell. Her beautiful jade eyes were perfectly rounded, unable to believe what she had just read.

     Their warmth began to fade. Their voice that Millie had always imagined slowly began to sound so far away. She was afraid that the day she would forget everything about her parents would come.

     “It’s all right, Ningsih. You’re all right. Father is here with you.”

     "Ah!" Millie jolted on her seat. Realizing she was only hallucinating, Millie wiped the tears that welled up in her eyes. She put down the document and took an envelope that came with the document.

     The smell of dust and spices blends in the envelope. Her shaking hands struggled to open the letter. After she read the report, she wasn't sure if her heart would still be able to endure it.

     The sanskrit script is clearly displayed. The black ink that has been dry for a long time sticks to the paper. If it weren't for her dedication to learning the language of her father's homeland, Millie would have become an illiterate by the time she read the letter.

My dearest daughter, Millie Candraningsih.

When you're reading this, it means you either found this letter or someone delivered this letter to you. But the point is, I can't be by your side anymore when you read this letter.

Ningsih, my dear. Every father hopes for a better life for his daughter. I was willing to fight and die for it. But one mistake that I regret the most, namely the doubts that haunted me at that time. I'm willing to lose everything, but I can't sacrifice you and your mother. Therefore, before I’m being someone you both leave behind, I’ll be the one to leave. I need to break your heart so you don’t  have to break mine. This father of yours is truly a coward.

The most precious thing I want to protect. The savior that Beatrice gave me, my daughter.

I know I won’t be forgiven after I abandoned you and your mother. But even if you find out the truth, don’t forgive me. You don’t have have to do that. This father doesn’t dare to seek your love and forgiveness anymore. I’ll accept all of my sins.

Just like the name your mother and I gave you. You must live on with so much love and strength for yourself. And I promise you, you’ll be fine.

With love, Your Father.

     Their warm embrace returned to her memory. The part of her heart that felt empty began to fill again and their voice that sounded very far away sounded clear again.

     Millie Candraningsih has never asked for anything in her life, not even a hint of happiness. She resented herself for being the reason why her parents died, when in fact it was the embodiment of her father's love.

     “So all this time, it wasn't the diplomatic relation you were after. It was all to show her this?” asked a Marquis who had been leaning against the door, listening to every sob that escaped the young woman’s lips. The sweet aroma of tobacco pervades the surroundings.

     A sly smirk painted on the Seventh Prince of Rhodolite’s lips. “You already heard everything, I suppose?” he asked.

    “Apparently, you used your six month’s worth prince’s budget just to send a delegation to late Prince Adinatha’s kingdom, and to obtain those secret documents. How did such rumors escape in this palace? Looks like Lord Noir would be overwhelmed just by looking at your spending records."

     Nokto chuckled. "Don't be mean, Adam. But I suppose you're right." The prince peeked into the room to check on Millie's condition, which was still dissolved in the letter her late father had written. “She needs to know the truth about her parents. I already got my twin brother who has become friends with the abyss. And I admit it's not a pleasant place. She doesn't need to be there much longer."

     Adam was silent for a moment. His fingers fiddled with the cigarette he was smoking.

     “It's been a year since she came to the palace. You know it will take months just to get there. So I've been preparing for this since last year. ” Nokto explained. “I want this to be her gift for being such a good Belle and an amusing woman. My six months-budget I spent on this expedition is well spent.”

     Adam could only sigh. "You're a madman, indeed."

See you at the next works! Have a great day/night~