A Day Out with Pouting Vivian
"Prism is a planned city.
That means you can pretty much solve anything you need right here inside its walls.
Plenty of food, endless sights and entertainment.
And with bits of otherworld atmosphere sprinkled throughout, every corner feels fresh and new.
But...
"Vivian. Wanna grab something tasty to eat?"
"No."
"How about a movie, then?"
"Don't wanna."
"What about riding that over there? Looks fun."
"Not going."
"Then..."
"No."
"I haven't even said anything yet?"
"..."
Ever since I tried changing the subject, Vivian's been like this the whole time.
I have plenty to say about it too.
Even if it weren't Ji-ah, how could I make a move on Vivian?
No matter how I look at it, that'd be a crime.
How do I even soothe her...
"Vivian."
"What?"
"Let's head over there."
"No. Ah—"
I grabbed Vivian's hand and pulled her into a nearby café.
She grumbled about it but followed along perfectly as I led the way.
"Fine. I'll do whatever Vivian wants."
"Really? Thanks, Dojun."
I said it while still holding her hand.
She's thrilled over something she doesn't even understand yet—yep, Vivian's still just a kid.
"But there's a condition."
"A condition?"
"If we do it like this right now, it'll be really tough on you. It'll hurt too."
"Pain's fine. I'm used to it."
"No, it's not fine."
How much pain does it take to casually say something like that?
I don't want to see her hurt anymore.
"Liar. You're tricking me again?"
"I just don't want to see you in pain anymore."
"Dojun..."
Her attitude softened at my words.
Seems like half her sulk has melted away.
Now if I just put off the rest for later, this should resolve nicely.
Hang in there, future me.
"Yeah? So just grow a little more, and then I'll definitely do it. Got it?"
"Got it. I'll get ready for sure."
...Ready for what?
Anyway, her anger seems to have subsided, so that's a relief.
Was she comparing herself to the others?
Vivian's got her own charms, though.
"So cheer up already. Who knows when we'll get another chance like this?"
"Why?"
"Just a feeling. Things are gonna get busy soon, I bet."
"I'd be fine just like this."
"Me too. But life doesn't always go your way."
There are things you have to do, even if you hate it.
School starts again in a month, and who knows what incidents might pop up.
I'd love to just live easy without any drama...
But it never works out that way.
"So I'll have to wait alone again?"
"Hmm..."
"Don't like that..."
"I'll figure something out. So you won't feel lonely."
"Okay. Thanks."
I took Vivian and left the café.
We'd bickered away too much time.
Evening's coming, so we gotta head back—time's tight.
Even so, my mind kept circling back to what to do about Vivian.
What should I do?
"Dojun?"
How should I...
"Dojun!"
Vivian's call snapped me out of it.
I blinked and realized I was heading back to the dorms.
Instinct had kicked in, treating the dorm like home.
"Huh? Oh... what?"
"Whatcha thinking?"
"About you, Vivian."
"Really? Same as me."
Vivian giggled like something was hilarious.
If she's happy, I'm happy.
Tough stuff can wait.
Right now, it's all about focusing on Vivian.
"Shall we go? I know a good spot."
"Anywhere Dojun likes is good for me."
"Yeah, yeah. I like you too, Vivian."
I roamed Prism far and wide with Vivian.
Ran into some familiar friendly faces, a few unwelcome ones, but it was a fun day overall.
Vivian enjoyed everywhere we went.
No trace of her usual blank expression from before.
Good that she's having fun.
"Vivian. Tired?"
"Mmm... Dojun..."
By the time we headed back to the mansion, Vivian was half-asleep from exhaustion.
Her stamina's still low, so I get it.
I hoisted her onto my back and made for Latynia's mansion.
Carrying her like this reminded me of playing with my cousin back in the day.
She was sickly too—ran around all day, then conked out on the way home.
I'd carry her every time; it was exhausting.
One of my few happy memories.
From a past that won't come back...
"Dojun."
"Yeah? What?"
"Were you thinking about another girl?"
Vivian, who I'd thought was asleep, yanked my hair from behind.
I've always thought her instincts were sharp.
How'd she know?
"How'd you guess? You're amazing, Vivian."
"Ughhh..."
Whatever bugged her, she tugged harder at my hair.
Her fingers are so thin and weak, it doesn't really hurt—kinda nice, actually.
I enjoyed the head massage all the way back to the mansion.
"We're back. Hey, Latynia."
"You're back? ...What's with your hair?"
"Guess Vivian took a liking to it."
Only Latynia was in the drawing room when I walked in.
Where's Ji-ah?
"Where's Ji-ah?"
"No idea. Haven't seen her all afternoon."
"She didn't go out?"
"I heard no one left except you."
"Huh. Okay, lemme just drop Vivian off first."
"Sure."
Where could Ji-ah be?
She seemed in a good mood this morning.
I teased her a bit, but she didn't seem too upset after.
"Weird, right?"
"Dunno."
"Yeah, figured as much."
Idiot move asking Vivian—no one else to tell me.
She must've picked up on the vibe too, yanking my hair harder.
Not that it matters much from her.
I set Vivian down in her room.
"Stay here for now, okay?"
"Can't we stay together?"
"No. We had a deal, remember?"
I don't know the details, but clearly some pact among the girls.
Sure enough, Vivian bit her lip, thought it over, then gave up.
"Come... back quick?"
"Anyone'd think I was heading far away. Just gonna look around the mansion a bit."
"Then me too..."
"You're tired, Vivian. Forcing it might make tomorrow worse."
"Okay... Got it..."
Vivian obediently lay down on the bed.
I gently smoothed her bangs and left the room.
I called Ji-ah.
...No answer.
Did she go out while we were gone?
But Latynia said no one left.
She must've heard from the hidden servants still around.
Slipping past all their eyes? Practically impossible.
Or maybe something happened.
I knocked on Ji-ah's door.
*knock knock*
"Ji-ah? You in there?"
"..."
No response. Guess she's not inside.
That's when my mansion exploration began.
As I'd seen before, most second-floor rooms were empty.
Two locked ones, plus mine, Vivian's, and Ji-ah's—that's five occupied.
The locked ones are probably Ruphus and Ara's.
While checking the empties, I found a weird room.
Is that... a whip?
Ropes, handcuffs, even a wooden pony—torture gear everywhere.
A restraint chair sat ready in the corner.
This was totally empty just yesterday...?
Feels dangerous.
Better not linger or I'm in trouble.
I bolted from that suspicious room.
Searched everywhere accessible—no Ji-ah.
Only one spot left, then.
I returned to her door.
*knock knock*
"..."
Still no answer.
But it's the last place.
The knob turned easily.
"Ji-ah. Coming in."
I entered her room.
Sure enough, Ji-ah was in her room.
The surprise? She was asleep.
Curled up on the bed.
Nothing wrong after all...
Tension drained away.
Yeah, no way something happened.
"Mmm... Dojun..."
I tried slipping out quietly, but she called my name.
Looking back, her eyes were still closed.
Sleep-talking?
"Ji-ah. Still sleeping?"
"..."
Having a good dream, maybe.
Better leave her be.
I sat carefully by her bedside so as not to wake her, straightening her messy hair.
That's when I noticed dried tear tracks on her cheek.
I gently stroked the faint water streak.
She stirred at my touch.
Wriggled a bit, then slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was hazy, not fully awake.
"Dojun... Keep going..."
She draped her arms over my shoulder, clinging.
Our faces drew close, breaths mingling.
*smack*
I pressed my lips to hers.
She smiled, satisfied.
"More..."
"More..."
"More..."
Eyes closed, I gave her the kisses she asked for—then suddenly, she went quiet.
I opened my eyes to find her face beet red, flustered beyond words.
"D-Do... Dojun...?"
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Why... why are you here?!"
"You were gone, so I got worried and came looking. Found you asleep. Tried to leave quietly, but you..."
"Wait! Up to... up to there... just that much..."
"You kept begging for kisses, so I did what you wanted."
"Ah... aaa..."
Ji-ah squirmed in embarrassment.
A reaction unique to her—refreshing.
"What? Thought it was a dream?"
"...Yeah."
"I see. So you do that kinda stuff with me in your dreams."
"S-Sorry!"
"Why apologize?"
She looked down, voice weak.
Like a puppy who'd done wrong.
"W-Well... You have Vivian..."
"I do have Vivian. And?"
"She said... you sleep with her every night..."
"Yeah, we sleep together every night."
"So... it is true..."
Resigned tone.
She continued with a wistful look.
"I asked for just one more day to sort out my feelings..."
"Huh? Sort out? Who said you get to decide that?"
"But..."
"Sleeping with Vivian was just sleeping. The only ones I've had sex with are you and Olivia. And,"
"Instructor Olivia?"
"She pretty much forced it, but anyway!"
I pushed Ji-ah down onto the bed.
Then climbed on top.
"Who are you to decide? You're my first girl. Even if you give up, I won't."
"Dojun..."
"And I need to hear what you three talked about. Everyone's version is a little different."
"I'll tell you. But... in this position...?"
"Why? Hate it?"
"Not that, but..."
Her face flushed crimson, eyes darting, before she finally spoke.
Ji-ah slowly explained what happened while I was gone.