#maybe one day maybe one day ovo | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tuliptic · 4 months

Text

Crazy Form: My Ego's In This Show

First PAC of the year!! When in real I've been working on it since last year lmAO.

My main personality is peaking through this blog again cuz Ateez is back with another banger and as an Atiny, it’s my calling to do this. This reading is gonna be slightly different imo, tho I have no idea how to phrase myself on how different it is.

Most of us, if not all, have a certain side to us that can be considered crazy. The definition of crazy differs according to people and context, where some can be out of control, unbelievable, mad, or just enthusiastic. One person’s craziness is just another person’s normal, so just treat it as… How you want it to be.

To me, this song yells about being yourself, not confining yourself to the social structure and expectations of the world. They might think we’re crazy but there’s nothing wrong with being yourself as long as you’re not harming anyone. Just close your eyes and not look if things are not to your liking, and steer away from me. Leave me alone, I don’t mind.

As usual, you can meditate before you pick a pile. However, for this reading, I’d say go for the one you first focused on, as craziness can be spontaneous. Found your pile? Let’s go see what our Crazy Form has for us!

Pile 1 - Pile 2

Pile 3 - Pile 4

Disclaimer: This is solely for my entertainment purposes. Take only whatever you feel like it. If it doesn’t resonate, it’s okay to just drop it. Also, I do not consent to my work or images being used by third parties on this platform or other websites as well.

Decks used: Luna Cat Tarot Deck (Major Arcana), Linestrider Tarot Deck, Sweet Dreams Oracle Deck, Starcodes Astro Oracle Deck, self made lyrics deck.

Pile 1

A card to represent you: Death

For some reason I see you as someone who prolly is into the punk genre? Something metal? You’re constantly transforming yourself, trying new things, finding your way throughout the world probably through means that are not well received by others. Weirdly the word osmosis came to mind? You tend to throw yourself into the exact situation to learn and understand why people react a certain way. It sounds cool, but to people around you, they think you’re out of your mind cuz it could mean that you may go to the extremes to get the experience you want. But to you, you prolly feel proud of it cuz you are constantly growing at an astounding speed.

1. What do people think is crazy about you? - Three of Wands rx

You tend to not credit yourself? It’s giving me the feeling that you tend to look at things from the sidelines, may it be your success or achievements. You don’t mind the credits, but to others they’ll get mad cuz you were not credited accordingly. They tend to not understand why you’d let your work get taken away or used (I think the same too). This appears to be a mystery to people around you, but you know what you want, so you’re chill with it. It’s giving me the feeling where you do things to gain experience and to build yourself, not to gain recognition. May be wrong here, but you know yourself best. OvO

2. What craziness is in you that has not been unleashed? - Seven of Pentacles

You already chose to not take credits over your own work, and it will drive people crazy that whatever you’re doing is not the peak. You’re currently doing things at your own pace, to figure things out as you go. One day, when you decide to unlock a passion and work on it diligently, yet continuing to not take any credits for yourself, the people around you will flip. You know about this, but you’ve surrounded yourself with people who support your vision and share your values, they who believe that you’ll be able to create your own legacy sky. For some of you, you may also feel that it’s weird if you choose to take credit. Maybe it’s because there’s more than what is seen by the eyes in the material realm. For some reason I’m thinking of Saturn energy here, so some of you may be Saturn dominant.

3. How can you use your Crazy Form to your advantage? - Justice rx

What I’m feeling from here is that you can use this to get out of situations, especially unfair situations. It can sound pretty mean but if things take a bad turn, you, being in no leadership role, can get out of it. This is also one of the reasons you dislike assuming the leadership position. To some, you may like assuming the leader position, but you’re not given the chance or you’re currently not there yet to take on the role. You’re also the type who likes to explore stuffs and hence, you have the skills and ability to venture into anything else new that you are interested in. The world is wide and there are a lot of things for you to try, and you probably go crazy with everything you wanna try, ignoring how small your plate can be.

4. What can you achieve from this entire thing? - Queen of Pentacles

For some reason, the word “connection” came out pretty strong. Networking and connection was the first to pop up in my head. Y’know how people have been told to separate work life and personal life? That’s not what you’ll do, probably. You make friends and create connections through work, and they slowly become part of your personal life as well. I think this is a charm of yours where you are just capable of creating new bonds because of your comforting presence and of your communication skills. You don’t necessarily need to be very protective or nurturing; people just find you comfortable to talk to and the new friendship starts to grow from there. Eventually, they become part of your life even though you may not remain in the same workplace.

Overall energy: Justice, Six of Swords rx

I like how Justice came out twice for you, signifying that it’s a strong theme. Justice could mean being fair, but to me, it also talks about being critical in both mind and action. You possess a mind that’s sharp, where you can see and evaluate the various situations that you’re in, noticing details that many people don’t. It’s like… You’re being guided through all of these so you’re able to throw yourself into as many passion projects as you like. However, remember to keep things in moderation else you’ll feel the burn-out or you’ll get overwhelmed with everything going on. Take care.

Pile 2

A card to represent you: The Hanged Man rx

This card in reverse usually talks about delays, resistance, and even self sacrificing too much. Have you been doing so? Have you been creating a lot of inner tension within yourself, where you try to maintain the exterior peace of the environment and ignore the need of your own inner peace? Remember that external peace isn’t your peace, and that you need to take care of your own needs as well, as you’re in charge of whatever that’s in your life. There are a lot of other ways to maintain a balance out there, you just need to review your priorities and how you’d want to execute it.

1. What do people think is crazy about you? - Three of Cups

Socialisation is the first word that came into my mind. There’s a high chance that you’re an extrovert, where you gain energy by being around people. Not exactly a party animal kinda feeling, but more of a… Vibe assimilation? It’s like, you throw yourself into a place with a good vibe and you kinda absorb the good vibe and make yourself feel better with it. Once you’re feeling better, you feel that you’re more prepared to face whatever problems you were facing. It’s also the other way round, where you give out good vibes and fun times to those around you who are having a hard time. But also, you need to be aware if this is their preferred love language or you may not be helping them the way they need it.

2. What craziness is in you that has not been unleashed? - Page of Cups rx

Are you a romantic? Cuz this card here is giving me this vibe. It feels like… You’re a romantic in heart, where your heart is open to love as it manifests into the world. Take this as a reminder to not go wild. You can fall in love deep and quick, and can jump to new relationships easily. To you, you just view love as love, and you think it’s alright to get into or break off relationships cuz you’re loyal to love. However, a relationship doesn’t work only on love, but also responsibilities, loyalty, and a lot of other aspects. Ground yourself, find out what is it that you want by getting into relationships. From there, only you figure out how you can work things out without potentially harming other people in the relationship.

3. How can you use your Crazy Form to your advantage? - Wheel of Fortune rx

I feel that with your Crazy Form, you are very capable of changing the courses of lives. Plural. It’s not only your life that you’re changing, where you learn through the relationships and experiences you’ve gone through; but also the lives of others who have been in relationships with you, where they may learn a thing or two, or even have problems with the idea of “love”. You know that you’re the co-creator of your life and destiny, but also, you need to be aware of the impact you have, how you can also change the lives of others for the better. You now know you have the power, how you’re gonna use it is now up to you.

4. What can you achieve from this entire thing? - The Devil, Page of Swords

You can be the Devil, where you can draw out the worst possible potential in someone; or you can also be the Messenger, where you share your knowledge and wisdom to those who are interested in them. There’s a lot you can achieve, but ultimately, it depends on which path you want to tread on. You, Pile 2, you know you’re fire, you know you can warm people or burn them. I don’t want to repeat things but yeah. You can make a name for yourself, may it be in a nice light or a not-nice light. Whatever you choose, make sure you think through the consequences of your actions, and if you’re alright or satisfied with the outcome.

Overall energy: Temperance rx, Four of Wands

Overall speaking, there’s a lack of balance in this pile. It feels like the energy is scattered, and that now you’re taking your time to piece the puzzles (scattered energy, self-expectations, better understanding of yourself) into a nice and harmonious picture (you). You are searching for a community where you are comfortable with, you can work together with. I don’t think this pile has much difficulties in self-acceptance, but if you do, do work on them as it could be your greatest challenge. Once you’re through that? You’ll be surprised by how much power you have.

Pile 3

A card to represent you: The Hierophant

I… Am conflicted with how I should word myself. The Hierophant is usually related with traditional and conventional methods. There’s a hint of tradition here, but what I’m feeling is more of a… Fusion? It’s like you’re working with whatever and whichever part of the tradition you agree with, and mixing it with something else to have a new blend. This is you. You are good at combining the best of both worlds to bring forth something new that is comforting to you and the people around you. You may also have been told that you have a healing presence? Or you’re working on your inner healing right now, especially childhood trauma.

1. What do people think is crazy about you? - Ten of Wands rx

The way you willingly and fearlessly take up responsibilities is what people (including myself) think is crazy about you. Most people will consider and ponder, weighing the pros and cons before deciding if they wanna take up the responsibility to take up something or anything. But for you, it’s like you have some sort of blind faith that you’ll be able to do things and hence, you take up the responsibility. You also have almost no fear in showing or exposing your vulnerability. You understand that being vulnerable doesn’t necessarily mean weak, and you honour that part of you, showing it and proving that being vulnerable doesn’t mean you can’t achieve things.

2. What craziness is in you that has not been unleashed? - Four of Pentacles rx

You’re actually… restraining yourself a lot. Unknown to the people around you (or even yourself), you have always felt the need to exert control over particular things, or even other people, but especially yourself. The controlling side of yours is due to the insecurities that you’ve experienced, probably as a kid, where you need to have a certain control over situations so that you can be assured of your self value. You probably have gone through child trauma and do not hold trust in the world, nor in people around you, which led to you wanting to be in charge of things so you can exert dominance to make sure you’re not on the passive or losing end.

3. How can you use your Crazy Form to your advantage? - The Magician rx, Five of Cups rx

You can use that controlling energy and redirect them to some other things, such as creativity expressions (creating new things to have fun) or even focusing on healing past traumas. All of these require a lot of energy and time, which is something really suitable for you to work on as you expand not only your views on things, but also to learn acceptance and to be kinder to yourself. Expansion is a huge theme where you need to find things out and figure them out as you journey in life. There’s a lot of time for you to figure things out, so it’s best to not rush and learn to take things at your own pace.

4. What can you achieve from this entire thing? - Eight of Pentacles

Success is guaranteed if you put your energy in the right things. You’ll be able to become the pinnacle in whatever fields you have decided to step into. The tenacity you have, the diligence and hard work you’ve put into curating your portfolio and honing your skills will be well repaid in the forms of success, achievements, recognition and even power. However, there’s a need to maintain balance in all things, and to continue striving and improving. Know that you’ll need to constantly learn how to change your controlling energy to something that’s more… beneficial? Something that can help you (and/or the people you care for) in the long run.

Extra cards: Five of Pentacles

An extra message for you right now is that you still will need to go through some things before you reach there. You’re still in the process of learning, and you’ll face your own trials soon enough. You need to be aware of your own mindset, your own actions; only then you’ll be able to make the necessary changes for you to be able to unlock your highest potential. Your guides are also actively sending you messages. Trust in your guts, your feelings, your guides; they’re your strongest compass and confidant.

Overall energy: Death, The Star

This pile focuses a lot on the importance of change, and how it’s capable of making your life better or worse. However, it also reassures that there’s a silver lining within every dark cloud. There may be a sense of defeat for some who chose this pile, but it is also a sign of telling, where you’re called to surrender the old and limiting beliefs before you can be reborn into limitless possibilities. The process of being reborn is not easy, and you will need help around you to go through those times. Not saying that you can’t handle everything alone, but getting help and assistance from people around you, especially those who are close to you can help you and make your life so much easier. So why go through the long-winded route?

Pile 4

A card to represent you: The Emperor

I’m getting a… Growl? People probably paint you as dominant or domineering at times (or most of the time). You may have a stronger masculine energy, even if you identify as some other genders. There’s this fire energy that feels like Scorpio as well, where people (including your subordinates and to some extent, friends) may feel afraid. Some of you are aware of this and are pleased with this, but some of you are unaware of this trait of yours. You can choose to either work on it and be a benevolent king, or you can be a tyrant. The choice is yours, you are who you want to become.

1. What do people think is crazy about you? - Temperance, Two of Pentacles

You’re able to remain your balance amidst the changes that are happening around you. There’s just this… Stability in you that assures the people around you. Pluto is in Capricorn and it’s about to enter Aquarius for good. We have seen how things changed around us, and how there were more… THings that have been constantly happening. Yet, even with the never-ending chaos, you still manage to keep your emotions and rationality at a healthy level. You know that you rely not only on yourself, but also your dreams and your spirit’s energy to reach your highest good. But still, you achieving this is just insane in many people’s eyes.

2. What craziness is in you that has not been unleashed? - King of Swords rx

People are seeing the balanced side of you at the moment, but they probably have not thought of you being a person who focuses more on the mind than the emotional side. You probably have the habit of noticing the slightest things, and you’re very capable of putting the small pieces together to form the bigger picture. If anyone ever wrongs you, this side of yours will appear and will probably mess up their life cuz they messed yours. You do put in effort in keeping this side of yours aside as you’re very much intending on keeping things civil.

3. How can you use your Crazy Form to your advantage? - The Chariot

If you ever wanted to take over the corporate business, you’re very capable of doing so. Take the wheel, steer to where you want to head to, and hit the gas. You will not be lost as long as you are sure of where you’re going. Also, because of this introspective side of yours, you can help a lot of those who are in need. I’m somehow seeing you piecing up information to gather evidence against domestic violence cases. You are willing to help, as long as they ask. The same goes to you, where you’ll also receive help from the universe when you ask for them. You just seem to be in sync with divine timing, which is something you can pay attention to.

4. What can you achieve from this entire thing? - The High Priestess rx

I am very tempted to say that you’ll end up losing your feminine and intuitive side, but there’s more to it. Sure, there may be chances of you straying away from the quieter side of you, but it is also a chance for divine intervention where your guides are re-introducing you the importance of your feminine side, showing you how being in-tune with your emotions can bring you to places you’ve never thought of, to bring your the emotional fulfilment that you’ve never imagined. More importantly, it’s an opportunity for you to learn the importance of stability and sustainability, and make sure that whatever you do and learn is gonna be part of your life, part of your identity.

Overall energy: The Hanged Man rx, The Tower rx

There’s quite some blockage here that you’re facing, where you may feel challenged with everything that’s happening around you. Remember that you’re not in control of everything around you, that things happen for a reason, and that it’s okay to go along the flow from time to time. The Universe is trying to guide you to where you’re supposed to be, so stop being stubborn and learn to accept things for the time being. At least, until you’re strong enough to go against what you’ve decided to fight. You’re meant to do great things, to achieve so much more in life. But first, you need to learn to accept your flaws and the harsh reality, only then you can be sure of what you want to rebel against.

158 notes · View notes

mushyblushyredhead · 9 months

Text

Cure For a Bad Day—MCU

No thots. Just a silly fluffy Irondad thought I had to turn into a story. :3 If you don’t like, don’t read. But if you’re here for Irondad fluff or just fluffy Marvel tickles, then come on in! OvO

Word Count: 5,000

Summary: After a rough week of school mishaps, Peter starts to doubt his future at being a good student and even being Spider-Man. It’s up to Tony Stark to remind Peter he’s still worth it, and bring back his mentor’s favorite smile. (This is a tickle fic duh, purely platonic)

Lee! Peter

Ler! Tony

If there was one thing Peter Parker was good at, was multitasking. How many other teens could juggle the responsibilities of high school while fighting crime almost every night in the not-so-friendly-neighborhood, and still manage to finish their homework on time for the next day?

Somehow he was able to do both.

But like any other student, he had his challenges. Like today, for example. Peter was in the middle of trying to finish a lab report essay for chemistry class. He was pretty stressed out, as he hadn’t had so much time to work on it for the past three weeks stopping midnight crimes and shenanigans almost four nights a week.

Now, here he was, hunched over at his desk, typing away at his laptop attempting to finish his lab report that was due tomorrow. He was mid-paragraph, stuck on page three out of the required five.

Normally, Peter would rack his science loving brain and throw something together quick, but tonight was different. He was having trouble figuring out more words and what to say in the report.

His eyes were starting to hurt from staring at his computer screen so long. His spine ached from being hunched over like a shrimp in his chair for hours. And his stomach growled; he had skipped dinner and was insistent with himself that he could have time to eat after he got his report done.

He looked at his bedside clock. 10:37pm. Oh come on! I’ll have to go to bed soon and I’m not even close to being done.

Peter sighed. Sometimes, his full time job being Spider-Man could really put a dent into his student life.

There was a knock at his door. “Peter? You alright?” the soft voice of his Aunt asked.

“I’m okay, Aunt May,” Peter stifled a yawn. “Just finishing up homework.”

“You said you were finishing up two hours ago.”

“Well this time, I mean it. I am almost done.”

“Alright if I come in?”

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

The sight of her tired, stressed, hunched over nephew saddened May. “Oh, Peter, you’ve been at that science report of yours all afternoon. Why not call it a night and get some rest?”

“I can’t,” Peter’s eyes stayed glued to his screen. The blinking curser that sat there unmoving for hours seemed to mock him. “I have to finish this tonight. This thing is worth a lot of my grade this semester.”

“Hmm, okay how about this?” May offered. “I’ll let you knock off school tomorrow, and send a note to your teachers that you’re out sick. It’ll give you an extra day to finish your report.” Her lips ruled into a soft grin. “Maybe after that, you and I can head off to the mall and buy you some more of those Squishables things you secretly like.”

Normally, Peter would laugh and jokingly say what a bad influence she was letting him cut school like that. But tonight, he didn’t even crack a smile. “No thanks. I’ll get this done before I go to sleep. Shouldn’t be much longer.”

Aunt May saw that tonight would be one of those nights where Peter wouldn’t budge out of his zombie induced state. So she decided to let him be. “Alright then,” she sighed. “Just please don’t stay up past midnight. I don’t want to get another phone call saying you slept through class and other kids decided to draw on your face.”

“Yeah, will do.”

And with that, she shut the door.

Peter rubbed his eyes with a sigh. “C’mon…c’mon…gotta finish. Ugh! Why can’t I finish?” The teen was just about to give up and call it quits when the hairs on the back of his neck and arms stood out on end. His Spidey tingle was going off!

Despite feeling achy and sluggish, he quickly stood up and tore off his clothes, slipping into his Spider-Man costume. He pulled his mask over his face and was about to jump out the window when he stopped himself.

Aunt May might come back to check if I really did go to sleep. Dang it! Ok uhh…oh wait! That’ll work!

Peter grabbed some day old clothes off the floor and shoved them under his blanket, pushing them into a sort of Peter-shaped lump. Hopefully, if his aunt came to check on him she wouldn’t look too closely.

Grabbing his phone, he hopped off the windowsill and swung out into the night.

By the time Peter managed to sneak back into his room through the window, he was exhausted. He felt like he was about to pass out as soon as he stepped into his bedroom.

He flopped onto his bed, lifting his Spidey mask off his sweaty face. He didn’t have the energy to take off his costume just yet. He was so tired.

He had stopped a home break-in coordinated by three criminals. Normally, a crime like a break-in was child’s play to Peter. But after spending the whole week fighting off crime and running on four hours of sleep, and topped with the stress of his recent assignment, Spider-Man suddenly didn’t have the energy to do a lot of fighting tonight.

His web-shooting was uncoordinated, one punch nearly knocked him out, and he appeared to be wobbly when he landed.

Even the criminals seemed to noticed how he wasn’t putting much of a fight, and taunted him while having their weapons pointed at the sleepy hero.

Peter barely managed to stop those three criminals, and earned himself a bruise on his jaw and knee. So by the time the boy made it home, the clock read 1:55am.

Peter wanted to scream in frustration. Well there goes another sleepless night, he thought as he quietly stripped himself out of his Spidey suit and grabbed a T-shirt from his floor pile.

He cringed as his brain calculated the few hours of sleep he would be getting again.

The next day at school turned out to be so much worse. First, Peter was late to his first class due to him sleeping through his many alarms he set for that morning. Next, he ended up forgetting his lunch—and even emergency lunch money—from rushing to get ready earlier. And then, as if that wasn’t enough to put him in a bad mood, he completely forgot about his lab report.

His stomach churned as he heard the teacher announce for everyone to hand in their reports to the front.

“Peter?” The voice of his best friend made him whip around.

“What is it, Ned?”

“What’s up with you?” Ned asked in a hushed whisper. “You look like you haven’t slept in a month, and you’re acting way jittery than normal.” Ned’s eyes widened. “Is it the spider sense?! Is there danger somewhere right now? Do you need me to come up with an excuse so you can get out of here?”

Peter could barely register his friend’s overlapping questions. “No, Ned, I don’t need anything. And it’s not that. I just…” he sighed, burying his face into his sweater covered arms. “Trouble in the neighborhood late at night, and I completely forgot to finish my lab report.”

“What?!” Ned whisper-shouted. “Y’know normally I’d scold you like your aunt does, but you look like you’ve been through enough already.” He put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Need me to make up some excuse? Save your skin at least a little?”

Peter shook his head miserably. “No point. I’m screwed enough as is here. Total failure.”

“Are you su—“

Their conversation was interrupted by the teacher snapping at them. “Parker? Your report, please.”

Uneasiness filled Peter’s stomach again. It felt borderline nauseous. He slowly walked up to the front desk. “I uh…don’t really have it physically with me right now.” He pointed towards his lab table. “I-It’s on my laptop.”

“Trouble printing it out?” The teacher asked.

“Something like that.” Peter could feel his cheeks growing warm.

The teacher sighed with a head shake. “Well then if you email it to me in the next three minutes, I’ll still give you credit. But next time, Peter, make sure you are able to find a reliable printing source ahead of time when you’re printing your reports. Don’t just try to print them last minute, that’s when these incidents happen.”

“Yes, of course.” Peter swallowed dryly as he shuffled back to his table. His fingers trembled as he opened his laptop, the unfinished pages of his lab report staring back at him. It felt like a punch to the gut. Well…something is better than nothing, right?

After school, the poor exhausted teen wanted nothing more than to go home, face plant onto his bed, and hope his mattress would swallow him up.

He was surprised to see a text message from Happy on his phone screen. Meet at the Avenger’s facility right after school. Your ride is waiting for you out front. New missions are heading your way. :) -Happy

New mission? That perked Peter up a little. At least he could forget about school for the weekend. Sulking in his room would have to wait. Right now, he was curious as to what sort of new mission awaited him at the Avengers’ headquarters!

The car trip didn’t take so much time. It did, however, leave the boy to replay the events that had just happened prior. He slumped in his seat. Suddenly, a new mission with the Avengers didn’t seem to excite him anymore.

Why can’t I just be more responsible? Peter bitterly asked himself. The other Avengers are able to juggle their normal lives and jobs and still manage to fight bad guys all without breaking a sweat. Heck, even Mr. Stark can do it. So why can’t I? *sigh* Am I really that bad of a student? What’s my future going to look like if I can’t even make it through high school?

Ugh! Why is your entire self worth and future determined by one stupid grade?!

Upon arrival, Peter didn’t seem as starry-eyed or ecstatic anymore. At least, that was the noticeable vibe Tony Stark noticed with his young mentee. He, in fact, looked in bad shape. Dark rings circled under his eyes, he looked disheveled like he had been sleeping under a bridge the whole week, and he seemed very anxious. Not the typical anxious-excitement Peter normally projected whenever he heard any mention of a potential new mission.

Tony wrapped an arm around the silently depressed teen. “So how goes it, kid? Survived another week of school?”

Peter scoffed. “Just barely.”

“I hear ya. But hey, cheer up. It looks like a certain web-slinging hero will be tagging along on more serious world-saving missions with the rest of us. Now how’s that upgrade for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?”

The boy merely shrugged. “I guess it could be good for my rep. So long as I don’t screw anything up again.”

“Hey, look. You just made a couple mistakes, underoos. It happens to all of us when we’re starting out as heroes. But this a fresh start; a chance to really show the others and the world that your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man protects more than just the neighborhood and supermarkets. He protects the world, too.” He gave Peter’s shoulder a shake.

“Okay,” Peter said with a small sigh. Oh how he wished he could get back to sulking in his room right about now.

Tony started to grow more worried about his mentee that afternoon. He assumed the kid had a bad day at school or was simply tired after a long week, but this seemed much worse.

Peter didn’t go on mini gush-rants about random things. He didn’t spit out any science jokes or puns. He didn’t even quote any old movies. Peter Parker always quoted his vintage iconic quips and lines. It was like his second vocabulary—first vocabulary being talking in only Star Wars lines.

Something was really wrong. And Stark was not going to wait around any longer to find out.

When Tony finally found Peter, he was sitting upside down from the corner of the ceiling, the hood of his sweater almost covering his face, earbuds in and mindlessly scrolling through his phone.

“Peter?”

Said teen took his earbuds out. His gaze softened when he met eyes with his mentor. “Oh, hey Mr. Stark. What brings you here?”

“That’s just what I want to ask you, kid. What are you doing up there by yourself?”

Peter shrugged. “Bored.”

“Bored?! In the freakin’ Avengers’ facility?”

“Well, sorry. Guess I’m just a little too tired today.”

He’s trying to avoid my question, Tony thought. “A better question would be, why have you been moping around since you got here? Happy even said that you were so quiet in the car ride here. No offense, kid, but you’re never the quiet type. Especially around Happy. So what gives?”

The boy averted his game. “Nothing. It’s nothing. Just tired like I said. Y’know, keeping the neighborhood safe almost every night really drains your energy.”

“Cut the charades, kid,” Tony said firmly. “I wanna know what’s up with you. I’ve known you long enough to know that even with your nighttime gig as Spider-Man, you somehow always have enough energy to set Happy’s blood pressure spiraling, and annoy the rest of the Avengers with your weird vine refreshes and those picture things you call memes.”

Peter averted his gaze. How could he tell his mentor and biggest idol all the crappy events that took place that week? It wasn’t like it was a serious topic. It was just his own failure to be responsible.

“I don’t know,” he answered quietly.”

“Hmm…let me guess. Trouble at school?”

Peter looked up.” Maybe?”

“Alright, give me names here. A description of the punk. Who’s organs do I have to obliterate?”

“What? No, no, no, it’s not like that, Mr. Stark,” Peter quickly objected. “It’s just…rough days at school is all. And my student life.”

“I see. Want to come down from there and talk about it? I’ll have Happy make us some hot chocolate.”

“Alright.”

The warm hot chocolate was very comforting. After the long harsh week of events, a hot comforting drink was just what Peter needed. And it helped ease the hesitance he had earlier so he was able to come clean about what had happened.

“Wow,” Tony said, finally breaking the silence. “It sounds like the week really treated you terribly.”

“Tell me about it.” Peter fixed his gaze on his cup.

“Hey, listen, kid. You just had a bad week. Things will get better. You gotta believe that.”

The teen hero frowned. “How do you know I won’t keep failing? I’ve been screwing up nonstop this entire week. And even when I try to do better, everything always turns out worse. It’s like the universe hates me because I’m Spider-Man.”

Before Tony could respond, Peter kept talking. “And its so dumb, too. This whole situation. I’m sitting here whining about something that could’ve been avoidable if I had been a more responsible student. There’s no one to blame but me. And look at you, Mr. Stark. If you were in my shoes, you wouldn’t be a failing student just because you’re Ironman. I just want to do better, but I don’t feel like I can. And I know the school system doesn’t believe I can either.”

“Hey now, don’t say that,” Tony protested. “You’re a brilliant kid, Peter. Yes, you’re going to hit roadblocks along the way with your full time gig as Spider-Man and as a full time student, but you’re going to be fine. You just need a little encouragement. When you’re out there saving the neighborhood and face-to-face with an enemy that makes you feel like it’s hopeless, I’ve noticed that you never back down. No matter how difficult it is. This right here isn’t any different.

And if the crappy school system that’s been putting too much pressure on their students and treating them like garbage doesn’t believe in you, I do. I believe you can do it, Peter. You’re so much stronger than you think you are.”

Peter almost wanted to tear up at the words his mentor was telling him. Damn, he really was good at this inspirational uplifting speech thing. Maybe even better than Captain America.

He couldn’t stop the tears, though. He had been feeling so emotional this entire week and after hearing Tony freakin’ Stark rant about how he was worth it despite everything he was feeling, Peter really needed to let some tears out.

Seeing the boy’s eyes fill with tears made Tony panic. Had he made the kid feel worse with his words? “Oh god, are you alright? Did i go too far with that?”

Peter let out a breathy laugh. “No, no, you’re good.” He sniffed, and wiped his tears with his sweater sleeve. “Sorry I got emotional back there. Your uplifting speech just got me teary-eyed. Thanks, Mr. Stark. I guess I really needed to hear that.”

Tony gave the teen’s shoulder a comforting squeeze. “Anytime, kiddo. Glad I could help. Now, I do want to help out with your school problem a little so you’re not feeling traumatized Monday morning.”

The boy tilted his head like a curious puppy. “Huh? What do you mean help out?”

“Well I sort of did a little research on what your next assignments for the week are going to be on for your classes. And I took the liberty to have FRIDAY complete next week’s assignments so you’ll have the entire week off to not worry about your homework.”

“You…wait, are you saying that you had FRIDAY hack into my teachers’ lesson plans and did all my homework for me?!”

Tony nodded, stirring his half drunk mug with a spoon. “Yup. Your homework’s done with all the right answers so it’ll guarantee to bring your grades back up to an A+.” He paused. “Well, an A- to make it seem like you did it.”

Peter didn’t know if he should feel grateful or disbelief. “I-I…thank you? I guess?”

Tony smirked. “What, that’s it? I do you a favor here so you can have the week off. You can have more time to focus on your web-slinging career, or use the extra time to take a nap in home room, or stare at girls more between classes.”

Peter blushed at that last comment. “Okay, fine. Thank you, Mr. Stark. I really appreciate it.” For the first time that week, Peter smiled. A genuine warm smile. Then his face melted to concern. “Wait…do you think that it’s cheating?”

“Uhh….nah,” Tony assured him with a wave of his hand. “Hey, as long as it gets you the grades you deserve. Besides, you aren’t even going to use 90% of the crap they teach you in school. You’re gonna forget it immediately anyways.”

Peter giggled, covering his mouth with his sleeve. “Oh my god, Mr. Stark. You’re just as a bad influence as May.”

“Good! Maybe you can learn something here about all the shortcuts and loopholes to high school.”

“There are noho loopholes or shortcuhuhuts to high school!”

“Hell yeah there are! How do you think I got to where I am today?” Tony gestured to himself. “You think all of this happened by being a full time student? No way. High school did nothing to help me be who I am today. All it did was give me anxiety, student debt, and unrealistic expectations on what I needed to thrive in the real world. Oh yeah, high school teaches you nothing on how to adult or pay your bills. But hey, at least they teach you that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, right?”

Peter could not stop his giggles anymore. His giggles turned to laughter, and even while trying to muffle them through his sleeves, Tony could see the corner of his smile and the blush that dusted his cheeks.

It was always so easy to make the kid laugh, and Tony always liked to take advantage of it every time.

“Y-You’re terrihihible, Mr. Stark!” Peter said through his bright laughter. “A bahahad influence! Y-You’re even worse thahahn Loki!”

“Excuuuuse me?!” Tony pretended to be offended. He sat up, scraping the chair back, which made Peter’s eyes widen in alarm.

“Wait, no!” Peter surprised Tony by flipping onto the ceiling. “Don’t—Don’t tickle me, Mr. Stark!” Peter had had enough recent experience knowing what that look meant every time Tony got up from his seat. Having his own mentor know of his one dreaded weakness—the fact that he was insanely ticklish—and using that to mess with him anytime he got depressed or a little too snarky always flustered him to bits.

Tony grinned up at the spider teen on the ceiling. “Huh? Tickle you? Now why on earth would I do that? Oh right, because your ticklishness got dialed up to eleven from the spider bite. Isn’t that what you told me?”

Peter’s blush darkened. “S-Stop saying that so casually! I now what you’re up to!”

“Hey, I’m not up to anything. And honestly, I wasn’t going to tickle you.” A sinister smirk spread across his mentor’s face. “But since that was the first thought that crossed your mind…”

Peter’s tummy did fluttery flip flops. “Oh c’mon!! Mr. Stark nohoho! Dohohon’t you dare!”

“Too late. FRIDAY, a little help?”

“Yep. On it.”

The poor flustered teen squealed in alarm as one of Tony’s Ironman suits came flying over to him, trying to pry him off the ceiling. It was surprisingly easy, as Peter was already too giggly and flustered to concentrate on his sticking to the ceiling.

With Peter off the ceiling, he was dumped ungracefully onto the floor in front of Tony where the Iron suit immediately grabbed and pinned the kid’s wrists above his head.

“What the—FRIDAY you traitohohor!” Peter squawked. He pulled on his wrists, internally pouting that his spider strength wasn’t working in that moment.

“Hey now, don’t you insult FRIDAY,” Tony playfully scolded with a poke to the boy’s stomach. Peter squeaked at the touch. “We’re just here to help you out. I know how rough it’s been with school lately, and I don’t want to lose my underoos just because of that. You’ve been real upset ever since you got here and I know you’ve been upset all week. So no more of that now. You should know the Avengers’ facility is a no-sadness zone!”

And with that said, Tony right away scribbled both hands into his kid’s belly, making Peter screech.

“EeeAAAHAAaahahaaa! HeHEHE—Heyyyy! No faHAHAhahair!” Peter thrashed and kicked, instinctively trying to pull his arms down to no avail. “Mr. Stahahark! Nohoho pleasHEEAheeheehease!”

“Sorry, no can do, kiddo,” Tony casually answered over his mentee’s squeaky laughter. “I haven’t seen my underoos’ favorite smile in forever so I’m making up for lost time!”

“B-But nohohot like tha—HAAAHA! Heheheyyy!” Peter arched his back as Tony’s fingers crept up to his ribs. His blush now spread to the tips of his ears. He was cursing internally at how his Spidey strength was suddenly no longer there as he was laughing like a maniac.

Any other intense situation, Spider-Man would be able to easily get himself out of, but this was different. The ticklish sensations buzzing throughout his nervous system plus all his laughing was sapping any strength he had left, including his spider strength.

As Tony let his fingers inch closer to the teen’s underarms, he was playfully shocked when Peter tried to bite him. He pulled his hands back with a gasp.

“Whoa! What the heck was that?! What are you, a biting tarantula now?”

“You were getting too close to my armpits!” Peter shot back.

“Ohhhh I see.” Tony flashed him an evil grin that reminded Peter of that creepy, murderous knife-hiding doll from that 80s movie that always came back from the dead. “That’s your death spot, isn’t it?”

Peter shifted uncomfortably, his blush darkening. “N-No..?”

“Wrong answer.”

“AAAAAAHHERRHWHRHFEAAHAAAAAHAAAHA!! No Mr. Stahahahark!! NAAAHAHAHAO!!” Peter squirmed like a fish out of water, his body instinctively trying to twist away from Tony’s evil scribbling fingers. But no matter which way he turned, it didn’t help much. Tony’s fingers seemed glued to his hollows.

“EEEEAAAAHEHEEHHAAAA!! M-MR STAHAHARK!! IT…IHIHIT REALLY TIHIHAHAHA TIHIHICKLES BAAAAHAHAHD!!”

“That’s the point, kiddo! It’s more—whoa! You are just extra kicky today, aren’t you? FRIDAY, a little help here?”

“NOOOHOHOHO!”

Tony and FRIDAY had switched places; FRIDAY grabbing ahold of Peter’s flailing legs while Tony grabbed the boy’s wrists in one hand. Even as the two switched places, Tony couldn’t help but notice how Peter wasn’t putting up a fight to get away. He could’ve easily gotten up and bolted the second they let go of his limbs, or curl up with his arms wrapped around his torso so they couldn’t bring his arms up anymore, but he just laid there with a silly smile and blushy cheeks. Almost as if he secretly wanted this to keep going.

Tony had to ask the billion dollar question. “Y’know Pete, despite all your complaints, you’re not even putting up a fight to stop me or FRIDAY. Could it be because…you actually like this? You like getting tickled?”

Peter fell silent. He looked anywhere but his mentor’s eyes. He opened his mouth to answer but all that came out was stutters and keyboard smashes.

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Really? Look, I’m barely holding down your arms here and you’re not even trying to get away!” Peter’s face felt like was on fire now. “You know you can easily break out of my grip—even FRIDAY’s—and hightail it outta here, buuuut…I’m starting to think you don’t want to. Am I right or what?”

“I-I…” was all that came out of Peter’s mouth. Finally, he sighed and locked eyes with his mentor. His flustered, trembling lip suddenly curled into a crap-eating grin. With a defiant smirk, Peter stuck his tongue out. “Bite me, old man!”

Tony’s mouth formed a perfect O. Oh the kid was so asking for it! Recovering in a millisecond, Tony cracked his knuckled for dramatic effect. “That’s it! You’re finished, kid! You know I’m sensitive about my age!”

Peter actually had the nerve to stick his tongue out at him again.

Okay, so maybe truthfully he didn’t want this playful attack to cease. It was a great stress reliever after the rough week he endured. And if Peter wanted to dig a little deeper into it, while he was being tickled to pieces and screeching at frequencies only dogs should hear, he couldn’t think of all the bad things that had happened—his lab report incident, academic pressure, or even any general insecurities he had as Peter Parker and Spider-Man.

All he could think about in the heat of the moment was the playful ticklish feeling, the waves of dopamine, and the pure fun bonding vibe. So despite all the squealing and squirming, Peter was genuinely having fun. He’d be bummed if Tony stopped so soon. So he had to provoke his mentor some more to keep the fun going.

And that’s just what he did.

Oh, but if only FRIDAY hadn’t been traitorous enough to actually look up other sorts of tickling methods and suggest them to Tony to use against Peter.

“W-Wait! Wahahahit!! NonononoAAAAAAHAHAHEEHEHAHAAAA!! EEEEEHHAAAHAEHE!! THAT FEEHEEHEEHEELS AHAHA—AWFUFUFUL!! *snort* NAAAAAAHEHEAAHAAAAHAHAAA!!”

“Did you just snort, kid?!”

“N-Nohoho!! Shuhuhut uhuhup!! AAAAH! Waitwaitwait!! I tahahahake it baHAAAAAAHAHAAAAA!!”

Better hope that none of the Avengers nor his enemies finds out about Spider-Man’s adorable little weakness.

#sfw tickling community #tickle fic #tickle fluff #spiderman tickle #spiderman #marvel tickle #marvel #peter parker #tony stark #lee!peter #ler!tony #this was so much fun #eeeee <3 #mushy writes stuff

198 notes · View notes

haikirii · 7 months

Text

q!Cellbit just wants to give what he didn't have, because now he's living the life he never could: an analysis of his relationship with the Eggs

disclaimer: I wrote this long before the eggs disappeared so… MAYBE it's out of date, keep that in mind when you read it but this is my analysis of that time

q!Cellbit grew up in the war, that is a fact. His life has never been particularly peaceful since then and, considering that shortly after the war ended he was arrested, he was never able to truly live.

Survive. Your mind is always focused on surviving, on not dying to anything or anyone, on staying alive. His playground was the battlefield, his childhood games were to kill his adversaries. His "quiet time" was amidst the chaos of a field of blood.

Soon after he was arrested, living a few good years there before escaping in a miraculous way after threatening everyone and having a gun with a bullet and a dream. He had miraculous therapy, became a detective and is now living on an island; married; with a son; being friends with the people he threatened; leader of a resistance and constantly being manipulated - and trying to manipulate back - a cruel mysterious organization that has trapped everyone where they are.

Anyway, I've repeated these lines so much that they were simply written automatically without me even thinking straight. I may seem repetitive in the next paragraph, but it's something I want to emphasize: q!Cellbit didn't have a life.

q!Cellbit didn't live his life. He spent all these years before arriving on the island thinking about just surviving, he only had the chance to live a "normal" life NOW. On that island where he was tortured; mistaken; kidnapped; had his friend kidnapped; his son was threatened; his family broken multiple times; his nearly month-long investigation stolen; all this, for this damn place to be where he's probably having the best time of his life.

Understand? Do you understand how absurd this seems? And that's exactly why q!Cellbit does everything to protect the eggs: he wants all of them to have the life he didn't have. That they can play without worrying about having to survive another day; that they just be the children they deserve to be and not the killing machine he was when he was younger.

q!Cellbit wants his son to just do the pranks he does, for Richarlyson to enjoy his childhood and his paintings without him having to worry about who the person he will kill tomorrow will be. q!Cellbit wants his son to live a normal life. In fact, he wants all the eggs to live a normal childhood.

Even with all the dangers that plague the island, even though the eggs were forced to be little warriors like he was, he still always does his best to encourage them to play. He always joins in on their games, always falls for their pranks, always prioritizes talking to them and has always treated them like what they are: children.

And that's exactly what makes it 1000x worse that he was the one who found the report of the little egg abandoned at the adoption center. For me, he saw his reflection there in those dirty pages and desperate words of a child who just wanted to be loved by someone.

An egg that I'm sure q!Cellbit would have loved to give the love he so deserved, a love that overflows with his failures and setbacks.

A love that every child deserves.

pt-br

disclaimer: eu escrevi isso bem antes dos ovos sumirem então... TALVEZ esteja desatualizado, tenham isso em mente quando ler mas isso é a minha análise daquela época

q!Cellbit cresceu na guerra, isso é um fato. Sua vida nunca foi particularmente tranquila desde então e, considerando que logo depois que a guerra acabou ele foi preso, ele nunca pôde realmente viver.

Sobreviver. Sua mente sempre focada em sobreviver, em não morrer para nada e nem ninguém, em ficar vivo. Seu parquinho era o campo de batalha, suas brincadeiras eram matar seus adversários. Sua "época tranquila" foi em meio ao caos de um campo de sangue.

Logo depois ele foi preso, vivendo alguns bons anos lá antes de fugir de uma forma mirabolante depois de ameaçar todos e tendo uma arma com uma bala e um sonho. Fez uma terapia milagrosa, virou um detetive e agora está vivendo em uma ilha; casado; com um filho; sendo amigo das pessoas que ameaçou; líder de uma resistência e sendo constantemente manipulado - e tentando manipular de volta - uma organização misteriosa cruel que prendeu todos aonde estão.

Enfim, eu já repeti tanto essas linhas que elas simplesmente foram escritas automáticamente sem eu sequer pensar direito. Posso parecer repetitivo no próximo paragrafo, mas é algo que eu quero frisar: q!Cellbit não teve uma vida.

q!Cellbit não viveu a vida dele. Ele passou todos esses anos até chegar na ilha pensando em apenas sobreviver, ele só teve a chance de viver uma vida "normal" AGORA. Nessa ilha onde ele foi torturado; enganado; sequestrado; teve seu amigo sequestrado; seu filho ameaçado; sua família quebrada diversas vezes; sua investigação de quase um mês roubada; tudo isso, para esse lugar maldito ser onde ele provavelmente estar tendo a melhor fase de sua vida.

Entende? Entende o quão absurdo isso parece? E é exatamente por isso que q!Cellbit faz de tudo para proteger os ovos: ele quer que todos eles tenham a vida que ele não teve. Que eles possam brincar sem se preocupar em ter que sobreviver mais um dia; que eles sejam apenas as crianças que eles merecem ser e não a máquina de matar que ele foi quando menor.

q!Cellbit quer que seu filho apenas faça as pegadinhas que ele faz, que Richarlyson aproveite sua infância e suas pinturas sem que ele tenha que se preocupar quem será a pessoa que ele matará amanhã. q!Cellbit quer que seu filho viva uma vida normal. Na verdade, ele quer que todos os ovos vivam uma infância normal.

Mesmo com todos os perigos que assolam a ilha, mesmo que os ovos tenham sido forçados a serem pequenos guerreiros como ele fora, ainda assim ele sempre faz o possível para incentivar que eles brinquem. Sempre entra nas brincadeiras deles, sempre cai nas pegadinhas, sempre dá prioridade para falar com eles e sempre os tratou como o que eles são: crianças.

E é exatamente nisso que é 1000x pior que tenha sido ele a achar o relato do pequeno ovo abandonado no centro de adoção. Para mim, ele viu seu reflexo ali naquelas páginas sujas e palavras desesperadas de uma criança que só queria ser amada por alguém.

Um ovo que eu tenho certeza de que q!Cellbit teria amado dar o amor que tanto merecia, um amor que transborda de suas falhas e recaídas.

Um amor que toda criança merece.

#qsmp #cellbit #qsmp cellbit #qsmp brasil

75 notes · View notes

not-that-fanartist · 1 month

Text

New OC time!!

So…we all know Deltarune, right? ovo

As I’ve become viscerally obsessed with it over the years, it only makes sense to introduce you to an OC I’ve made for the franchise^^

Let me introduce you to Retra! The preppy, curious, fun-loving 80s themed printer girl!

Residing in the famed Cyber City, she spends her days making beautiful printer pieces for her cyber citizens! Living an artist’s dream. At night…

Sneaking away to meet someone…?👀

Ooo, mystery! (Except not really as is clearly depicted in the above picture)

This calls for a backstory!

…

The earliest of her memories…was not the most pleasant. Far behind in a long abandoned alleyway, a musical trio had been wandering around looking for scraps when they came across something heart-rending.

The three were shocked! It was a new face…roughed up and unconscious behind a sewer grate.

“What should we do? They need our help!”

But it was hardly worth pondering. You don’t just leave an unconscious person stranded in an alleyway.

“K_K, quick, help us take her back to the shop!”

“We can’t allow any mademoiselle to be left on the streets! Hurry! She needs us!”

They promptly ran her to their scrap shop. Soon, slowly, she came to. Awaking confused, but grateful for the rescue. It seems…she really remembered nothing. Not even what led to her being in such a scrappy state. Nobody seemed to recognize her either. A new face, no story.

Well, no point in dwelling on it for now. The trio happily volunteered to clean her wounds, give her plenty of refreshments and even offer her an old jacket of theirs to keep her warm.

They all got along very easily.

Spending some time together, she couldn’t help but reflect the best of their personalities. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little empty.

Then, a new proposal!

“Hey, we love you hangin around…”

“But why don’t we take a trip downtown!”

“We know some folks you might like to meet!”

“Can I come too?”

“You always go with us, K_K.”

And so they journeyed deeper into Cyber City, arriving to introduce their new friend…

To the Addisons!

Oh the adoration, the sympathies. It was like they had seen a lost puppy.

They were willing…no, insistent on taking her in! They treated her like she was one of them. And while Retra was always welcome back at the scrap shop, she felt like the city really gave her room to breathe! It was really her element.

Finally free to build her identity, the Addisons gleefully gave their new member of the Ad family a fresh makeover!

But their craft was yet finished! Soon enough, Retra was taught the way of the advertiser.

But their true ambitions were in the arts. So, confiding in their musical friends, they created their own print shop from borrowed scraps and started her journey as not only an Addison, but a commissioner!

And it's going smooth! Well, it was for a while at least. Since this strange "outage", business has been quite slow. But she aims to keep her head up high!

Something strange though... "Rose" Addison, at some point pulled her aside to warn her about a certain...someone. She was not allowed near THAT dumpster so long as she was living with them.

The warning was vague...just that this mysterious individual got corrupted somehow...and she doesn't want to see the same happen to them. A kind enough gesture, they supposed but...

Yeah it didn't go very far.

One night, deciding not to wait for the garbage person, they decided against the Addisons' wishes and took matters into their own hands. It was just one small trip after all, what harm could it do? Maybe something interesting would finally happen after a long streak of slow business and boring empty shifts.

And Interesting things happen, they did. Of course, this is where she met her scrappy little friend and well...perhaps that's a story for another time^^

The little retro rebel kept sneaking out to see him night after night, getting up to ridiculous shenanigans and wondering how the Addisons could ever keep her from such a funny little soul.

She just couldn't help but be drawn to him! After all...he reminded her of a certain someone else who once wound up stuck in the gutter...

...

#art #digital #deltarune #deltarune art #spamton fanart #spamton deltarune #spamton #oc x canon #deltarune oc #digital fanart #deltarune fanart #deltarune fan character #oc fanart #deltarune ship

22 notes · View notes

laxmiree · 1 year

Text

[CN] MLQC Season 2 Chapter 43 Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

This post contains a VERY HEAVY SPOILER for the chapter that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

IMPORTANT!!! to fully understand the story, prior knowledge of previous S2 chapters are needed. Before, I made a short summary that i should update explain those chapters. I hope this can help :D

“...Ares?”

“I-it's really Ares!!”

“You see, I found Queen! I know you have the authority in the organization, so please, you must restore my identity…”

“Do I need to repeat myself a second time?”

As the words were spoken, several sharp and thin icicles suddenly appeared and were placed directly against the man's throat.

Previous chapter-> [Here]

[Chapter 41-1 & 41-2 tid-bits]

Xiao Yue leans back in his office chair. The bright white light turns his hidden gloomy expression even more indifferent.

"Overlapping Worlds", "CORE", and "Comet Doomsday"… These words are scribbled on the notebook spread out in front of him.

He writes "didn't happen" next to "The New Year Change Incidents" and puts a question mark beside it.

The fuzzy information that suddenly appears in his mind is fragmented, familiar and unfamiliar, like his own experience but he has no memory of it.

??(Lucien): Mr. Xiao.

An unexpected person knocks on the door, Xiao Yue closes his notebook and raises his head.

Xiao Yue: Professor Lucien, you must have a certain reason for coming today. Is there a new development in the CORE experiment?

Lucien: It takes time to slowly infiltrate a powerful force. Mr. Xiao is too impatient.

Lucien: Focusing too much on one thing and neglecting other critical information isn't worth the trouble.

Xiao Yue squints his eyes and leans back in his chair, silently hiding the scrutiny in his eyes.

Lucien: Does Mr. Xiao notice any changes in himself?

Lucien gently points to his own temple. Seeing Xiao Yue's eyes slightly change, he calmly waits for a reply.

After a short while, Xiao Yue asks Lucien to sit down.

Xiao Yue: I would like to hear more about it.

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

The buzzing phone wakes me up with a jolt. I look at the notebook spread out on my desk, my heart still pounding.

The pain from getting hit by a falling billboard feels real, I take a deep breath and realize that my palms are full of cold sweat.

MC: …A dream?

Although the weather outside is perfect, I inexplicably feel a sense of chill.

Every detail of the dream remains vivid in my mind, the smell of the rain and the loud crashing sound seems to linger in my perception.

MC: Precognitive dream...

I suddenly feel a little bit of panic for no apparent reason. Could this be caused by CORE's awakening, or was it something else? Is this precognition giving me a hint of something?

No, maybe I'm just overthinking it and it's just a simple nightmare.

I shake my head, trying to dispel the chaotic thoughts in my head. I grabbed my phone and saw an unread email on the screen.

Lucien: "The good news is that the effective drug for blood disease has passed clinical evaluation and follow-up monitoring. It is estimated that it will be available for sale soon. You can rest assured."

MC: !

His straightforward and simple message disperses all of my earlier worries right away. I immediately cheer up and reply to Lucien.

MC: "Many thanks to Professor Lucien for the great news OvO!"

Lucien: "This great news is the result of your own efforts ^_^"

((the way they reply each other with kaomoji is so cute :’))

I unconsciously curl the corners of my mouth and lean back in my chair. The setting sun cast the office in a warm orange color, and I feel that all the gloom in my heart has been lifted.

With the joy of this good news, I finished my work for the day and stepped out with the last light of day.

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

ANYWAY, a lot of things happened after this, but just for background info:

MC's precognitive dream is back.

It turns out that MC and the boys aren't the only ones who remember their past lives in S1.

Leto, in particular, is very interested in this phenomenon, in chapter 41 he meets with MC as the representative of the City Hall. He tells her that he's looking forward to their future cooperation (a very important detail!). He also tells her about his dreams' where he fight MC and lost his life in it. MC brushed it off as nothing, and Leto seems to be not fully convinced but decides to not dwell on it.

Some people are trying to kill/kidnap MC after discovering she is Queen/CORE.

In chapter 43-1 she learned from Shaw that many people have been inquiring about her recently. She proposed to join in his information exchange, Shaw sent her an address. MC left her home after disguising herself, but then she met Lucien on the first floor.

The elevator slowly descends with a mechanical hum, and with a ding, the door slowly opens up.

I press the brim of my hat and move forward, but the person in front of the door doesn't move at all. I suspiciously tried to move around, but a gentle voice rang in my ears.

??(Lucien): I seem to rarely see you in this kind of outfit.

I froze for a moment and look up to see Lucien standing outside the door. He's looking at me with a little hint of curiosity.

MC: You're home early today! Is your work at the research institute over?

Lucien: Not yet. I just forgot to bring some documents, so I came by to pick them up. How about you? Is this-

MC: I...

I hesitated for a moment, and when I was about to explain, Lucien laughed again.

Lucien: Are you going undercover?

I let out a sigh of relief and nodded unconsciously. I suddenly think of something and speak with chagrin.

MC: Looks like there are still many flaws in my disguise. How could you recognize me at a glance!

((because she's the only color in his eyes :”’ how can he not recognize her at a glance-)

Lucien: No, your disguise is very successful. It's just that I'm familiar with every little thing about your demeanor and habits.

As Lucien spoke, his eyes inadvertently shifted to the entrance door.

Lucien: Seems like it's going to rain. Just to be safe, it's better for you to bring an umbrella.

I blink and belatedly glance at my empty hands.

MC: Thanks for the reminder Professor Lucien~ It's perfect. We can go up together.

I said and pressed the floor button, but Lucien just stood outside the elevator without moving.

Lucien: You go up first. I just received news from the research center. I'll call them back.

He waves his hand and moves aside to take out his cell phone. I whispered, "I'll go up first" before pressing the button and letting the elevator doors block my view.

After packing the umbrella, I return to the first floor but don't see Lucien's figure anymore.

He probably went back to the research center…

I reluctantly walk out of the apartment building and stop a car on the side of the road.

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

Just like that, he’s gone to the research center while MC continued meeting with Shaw.

When Lucien left the research center, he noticed a black car parked on the side.

When walking out of the research center, Lucien sees a black car parked on the corner.

He calmly opens the car door. A familiar figure sits in the left seat and nods at him.

Leto: Professor Lucien.

Lucien: This is an unexpected meeting place.

Leto: There are a lot of people and eyes watching. Besides, this can save a lot of time.

(Leto: *gets shot by sniper Lucien two times in two separate timelines*, Also Leto: this guy totally can be trusted)

The barrier between the front and back seats was lowered, and the car window showed the flowing street scenery. In silence, Leto opens his mouth.

Leto: I remembered something that was forgotten.

Lucien: So, what do you want to do now?

Leto: ...You really do know about this.

Leto said, withdrawing his gaze from the window.

Leto: I need a group of even more elite people. As for how to pick them, I would like to leave it to Professor Lucien.

Leto: Of course, I will pay you with an equal reward.

The sky is gloomy, and there is a faint smell of the approaching storm in the air. Lucien turns off his phone and speaks indifferently.

Lucien: I’m looking forward to it.

*insert Shaw and MC shenanigans here.*

In the morning, Anna suddenly calls MC, telling her that the TV Station wants to talk to her about a project. It's something that struck MC as odd because usually, the TV Station always produces its own program. Even though there is some external cooperation, it's usually not THIS easy and straightforward. The program is about a social education program, and in addition to funding, the TV Station will support them in terms of venue and so on. This cooperation can be beneficial to her company if it's successful.

In the meeting room, MC meets with Gao Xin, the program director of the TV Station. The theme of the show project is the current phenomenon of "overlapping memories". Because this phenomenon caused minor panics and might cause even worse things, the TV Station wants to work with her to eliminate the negative effects.

MC notices that the project commissioner is The City Hall, which means that Leto may be behind this. But since stopping the phenomenon from causing even more chaos is more urgent right now, and TV stations have more power to influence people, she decided to consider it for now.

[Chapter 43-9]

After the meeting, MC sits back at her desk and opens the submission mailbox containing emails from people affected by this phenomenon.

MC sorts and reads the submitted email individually, realizing the phenomenon's effect is more severe than she imagined. If it doesn't get dealt with in time, the chaos will only snowball, affecting more people. She then clicked the next email from a Loveland University student.

MC: "... I have been doing a theoretical study on the properties of topological semimetallic materials with my roommate."

MC: "But now, because of an unexpected memory, my roommate suddenly said that our research is destined to lag behind others… And there is no way out."

MC: "So, he wants to quit halfway through…."

I blink my eyes and unconsciously fiddle with the mouse.

College students are always a good subject and may be a good entry point.

With that in mind, I sent an email asking if it would be convenient for him to be interviewed. After about ten minutes, there is a new message in the mailbox.

MC: "I'd be happy to do an interview, but my schedule is very full today, and I'm only free around 3:00."

MC: "If you are coming, please find me in room 407 in the Physics Department of Loveland University. Contact information..."

I look at my phone. There are less than two hours before 3:00 p.m., there is still enough time.

After briefly packing the necessary materials for the interview, I message the student about the appointment and go to Loveland university.

Perhaps it's not easy to get a cab because of the rainy weather.

Ten minutes later, after watching another occupied cab whiz by, I take a deep breath and look at my phone.

Less than an hour left before the meeting time. If I take a shortcut, walking to Loveland University is not impossible...

MC: ...?!

A sudden chill comes across the back of my neck. It's as if some kind of grim creature is staring at me.

I step into the alley, quickly turn around and look back.

The rain curtain hides the traffic, the pedestrians come and go in a hurry, and nothing looks different.

MC: ...

I've experienced this feeling many times.

I hesitantly exit the alley when I suddenly hear a hoarse voice.

??: There you are.

MC: ....!

I automatically look for the source of the voice, only to see a slightly hunched man with his hands folded, half leaning on the ramp railing and staring directly at me.

His eyes are black with faint bloodshot in them, his pupils flashing with abnormal excitement.

??: You look the same as the one in memory… So, what I have in my head is not a hallucination?

??: It turns out that my life can be like that… It's so interesting...

There is a mixture of excitement and despair on the man's face as he mutters incoherently, letting the raindrops slide across the throbbing veins of his forehead.

Suddenly, he seems to have figured something out and gives me a creepy smile.

??: Hello, Miss Queen.

My heart nearly stops for a split second. The memories of BS and the long-unheard name swept over me without warning.

I don't answer his words and slowly take a half-step back. I quickly scan the surroundings from the corner of my eyes.

There are not many pedestrians on a rainy day, and the neighborhood is a bit deserted. Just a few steps away, a CCTV mounted on a pole is silently watching us.

Seeing that I didn't respond, the other party straightened up and walked towards me step by step, with fanatical earnestness in his tone.

??: I won't harm you. Just think of it as a favor…

??: You may not remember me, but it's okay. I remember you, I really remember you….

MC: ...Sir, you don't seem to be in good condition. Please calm down.

I gulp and quietly reach into my bag while keeping my distance from him.

Calling for help isn't the best option now because it might anger him. But if I can bring him into the CCTV field of view, I may be able to attract the attention of security personnel.

Even if I get caught, the videos captured by the CCTV will be enough to identify him at first sight…

The moment my fingertips touch the taser and about to pull it out, a voice abruptly comes from the side.

??(Lucien): I think the lady has already said it clear enough.

Holding a gray umbrella in his hand, Lucien cut through the thin rain curtain and unhurriedly walked towards me.

It isn't until he gets closer that his eyes sweep past me and look at the man. The color of his dark eyes is like a deep pool covered with thin ice, revealing a few hints of coldness.

??: ...Ares?

The man freezes for a few seconds and suddenly becomes excited.

??: I-it's really Ares!!

??: You see, I found Queen! I know you have the authority in the organization, so please, you must restore my identity…

Lucien frowns a little as the man becomes more incoherent in his wording.

Lucien: Do I need to repeat myself a second time?

His indifferent words seem to carry a heavy pressure, forcing the other side to stop.

Lucien: I'm not sure why you're so insistent on memory with no basis or corroboration...

Lucien: But there is one thing.

Lucien: I'm afraid you won't have a chance to leave with any decency if you keep dwelling on it.

As the words were spoken, several sharp and thin icicles suddenly appeared and were placed directly against the man's throat.

Our surrounding temperature suddenly dropped. Tiny raindrops turned into cold white ice shards and slowly fell.

The man opens his lips, and his body trembles unconsciously, seemingly thinking about something. His flickering gaze locks with Lucien's momentarily and then falls on me again.

At the same time, my palm is being gently stroked. His gentle touch is in contrast to our surroundings, making my heart skip a beat.

I take a deep breath, put on a similarly vigilant and cold expression, and lift my chin at the distant surveillance.

MC: Just a reminder, your every move has been recorded since a while ago.

MC: You don't think that you really don't have to pay any price for continuing to mess around like this, do you?

In the silence, there is a rustling sound of ice falling on the ground like a silent surge of undercurrent.

After a while, the man drops his head in defeat.

??: I...probably just misremembered...

Even though the man said so, the pace of his departure was languid. I watch tensely as he slowly walks to the alley entrance and then suddenly looks back.

An icicle suddenly burst from the ground near his feet, menacingly obstructing his sight.

Lucien: (coldly) Still want to continue?

The other party turns his head away in shock, and his body disappears completely in the rain.

In an instant, the alley regains its silence, and I finally breathe a sigh of relief. Lucien turns around, takes the umbrella from my hand, and then slightly bends down to me.

His fingers that had just touched my palm slipped to mine and gently clasped my hand.

The reassuring warmth from his fingertips gently softened my knuckles, that was stiff from tension.

Those dark eyes look at me questioningly, with a hint of helplessness.

Lucien: Were you scared?

[Chapter 43-11]

Honestly, I wasn't scared that badly. After all, I'm not the same weak little girl anymore and have experienced even more dangerous situations before.

But Lucien's tender and mellow voice carry a natural comfort that makes me instinctively want to get a little closer to him.

I squeeze his hand, rest my head on his shoulder, and nod vigorously.

MC: Yup, that just scared the hell out of me.

Hearing the exaggeration in my tone, Lucien can't help but laugh.

Lucien: (chuckle) It seems that our smart and brave Miss Nox can be a little delicate every once in a while?

MC: Because you are here, I want to be "delicate". Can't I do this?

(T/N: 娇弱 means soft and delicate, mostly referring to women who provokes pity)

Lucien: Of course you can.

Lucien: But I think you would still do the right thing even if I weren't there, wouldn't you?

MC: Yeah, after all...

I paused, thinking for half a second, and then decided to confess.

MC: In fact, some people have already come to trouble me, so I've done a lot of preparation now.

MC: (smiles) There are taser, a portable safety alarm… If there is an emergency, my mobile phone will make an emergency call to you!

I look up at Lucien and wink at him.

MC: But today it's all thanks to Professor Lucien that I could "defeat the enemy without a fight".

Lucien: Thanks to the Great Producer, we can work together seamlessly.

Lucien slightly shifts the umbrella towards me and sweeps a glance at the neighborhood.

Lucien: Where are you going now? I'll give you a ride.

MC: I'm planning to go to Loveland University…

I stopped talking and raised my head after realizing something.

MC: By the way, how did you appear here? It can't be another coincidence, can it?

Lucien calmly turns his head to look at me. There's a hint of seriousness in his tone.

Lucien: Of course it was "pre-planned".

MC: Eh?

Lucien lets out a long sigh, but his eyes show a little smile.

Lucien: My plan is… I miss you, so I really want to see you.

Lucien: I couldn't get a car because of the rain, so I took a shortcut.

Lucien: But I'm glad I made the decision, because it allowed me to meet you earlier.

He cunningly and frankly said his plan, with a smiling face that made my cheeks blush.

MC: I thought a busy person like Professor Lucien wouldn't have time to think about me…

Lucien: I'll always find time, and now haven't I just managed to spare half a day?

Lucien: But it seems like you have other plans for this afternoon?

I nod somewhat helplessly and tell Lucien about the circumstances that led up to the interview.

MC: My company received a submission about a student who wanted to abandon ongoing academic research because of the overlapping memories.

MC: So I'm going to interview them and find out what's actually going on.

Lucien seems to remember something, nodding thoughtfully

Lucien: Mm, I don't think that's an exaggeration. I did hear other professors talk about a similar turmoil.

MC: Similar?

In other words, there has been more than one of this kind of situation…

I give a soft "ah" and sigh with a bit of a headache.

Lucien: You don't have to sigh. You're going to Loveland University to solve this kind of problem, right?

I nod, and as we walk, I gently poke Lucien's shoulder with my finger.

MC: Don't forget to lend me your "Visiting Professor of Loveland University" status later!

Lucien: Sure, I'd happily "lend" everything I have to you.

Following the address in the email, they entered the Physics department and entered the fourth-floor hallway. They meet the email sender; he's surprised when seeing MC comes with Professor Lucien. Because the hallway isn't a convenient place to talk, he brings MC and Lucien to the balcony.

The sound of the operating instrument disappears, replaced by the sound of rain. I take out my notebook and notice the faint eyebags under the boy's eyes.

MC: Looks like… it's been a rough time?

Student: Yes, it goes without saying that the research is at its critical stage.

The boy said, smiling bitterly and rubbing his eyes.

Student: The situation was better when I worked with my colleague.

MC: Have you worked on this project with him for a long time?

Student: Yes, it's been about a year. Although there are no final results yet, the data is steadily progressing.

Student: That's why I found it hard to accept when he suddenly came to me last week and said he decided to quit.

Lucien: What's the reason?

The boy looks sideways in the direction of the laboratory and speaks after a long time.

Student: He said he saw our research's future in that abrupt memory.

Student: ...After investing a lot of time, we still lag behind others and end up with no results.

His voice is clearly lowered. I paused my writing, and saw the boy purse his dry lips and speak in a low voice.

Student: "Our current efforts are like throwing stones into a dry well and getting no response"… That's what he said.

Student: I wanted to persuade him to give it some more thought… We all are scholars, and giving up research for a memory that came from nowhere is not sensible.

Student: But now he refuses to communicate with me, resulting in…

Lucien: Your research is in danger of being discontinued.

With difficulty, the boy slowly nods, and his complexion becomes gloomy. I stop my writing and let out a light sigh.

I've seen Lucien stay up all night in front of the data countless times and how the light in the research center stays on all year round.

Academic devotion is a path of lonely pursuit. Even though I haven't been deeply involved in the field of research, I know how much work goes into a research project every day and night.

Anyone would feel reluctant to terminate a project that has lasted so long because of such reason…

I felt a little saddened. I was carefully choosing my words when I suddenly heard Lucien speak.

Lucien: Have you ever thought that maybe his choice is not wrong?

MC: ...Lucien?

The boy's eyes widen a little in disbelief. I look up with equal confusion, unable to believe my ears.

As a scientist, he obviously knows better than me what it means to abandon the project...

I unconsciously lift my hand to pull his sleeve. But Lucien still calmly looks at the student without seeming to be moved in the slightest.

Lucien: If you follow scientific research news, you should be aware that there are countless terminated studies every year.

Lucien: Out of hundreds of projects, only a few of them can produce results at the end.

Lucien: Misdirection, theory stagnation… There are many projects that have invested more than yours.

Lucien: What if this study turns out to be as hopeless as he claims?

[Chapter 43-12]

The boy's face shows a little struggle, and a few moments later, he clenches his palm.

Student: ...No, that will not happen.

Student: We did thorough research before starting the project and confirmed the feasibility with our supervisor.

Lucien: ...So what?

Lucien's voice was not high when he asked the question, but there was a compelling coldness.

Lucien: Every researcher goes through this process at the beginning of a project, and you are not an exception.

Lucien: The supervisor's permission only confirms the research value but is not a guarantee of results.

The boy opens his lips and then purses them in silence.

The atmosphere is a little dull for a while. I instinctively want to comfort, but when the words come to my mouth, I fail to say them.

It is easy to say and pretend everything is going well.

But I'm well aware that even though there are some deviations in this world, the direction of most people's lives does not make much difference.

So the experiment may indeed be the same as that memory, and no results can be obtained.

In the suffocating silence, the boy suddenly moves his body.

Student: ...When I chose to study for a Ph.D., my supervisor told me that every effort does not equal a harvest.

Student: Very often, it takes a hundred percent of effort to knock on the door of science theory.

Student: But… Professor Lucien, as long as the possibility still exists, it is worth the effort, isn't it?

The boy's speech speed is getting faster and faster. Lucien is unmoved as he looks at him. His eyes are still indifferent and cold.

Lucien: But you can't force others to hold the same point of view as you.

Student: I know… So, I just want to fight one last time too.

Student: If he insists on not coming back, I won't force it. I will move forward on my own, even if it takes more time.

Tiny raindrops hit the glass, and the sounds of distant instruments seemingly mix with the silence.

The boy faintly clenches his fist, not avoiding Lucien's gaze. I feel a little shaken by the scene in front of me.

I have seen this kind of perseverance more than once.

I have seen a similar light in Lucien's eyes and those of the scientists in the research institute, the laboratory, and the underground mines before the doomsday.

It's the same perseverance of exploring unknown areas with your whole life.

Lucien's expression visibly loosens a little.

Lucien: The struggle you are experiencing now won't be the last.

Lucien: Scientific research is never a straight path that gets smoother and easier. The deeper you dig, the more bottlenecks and confusion you will face.

Lucien: When you feel that you are unable to move forward, I hope you will remember today's words.

Student: Well, that's my commitment to science and myself.

His firm words echoed through the balcony, like a vow cutting through the rain curtain.

I write down the last sentence with a sour heart, and speak to the boy.

MC: Although a bit of work may not equal a bit of harvest, I think every step taken won't be a let down.

MC: Even if it doesn't reach the finish line, the effort will bear fruit elsewhere.

Student: That's what I'm hoping for. If there is a breakthrough, I hope to hear from you again.

MC: Definitely.

MC: Thank you, my interview is over. Professor Lucien and I will convey everything you want to say to him.

As the bell rings, Lucien and I walk down the stairs of the physics department. The students noisily pass by, laughing and smiling.

The outline of the school building is fading away, but the boy's words still remain in my mind. I look at Lucien, who is at the bottom of the steps, and can't resist speaking.

MC: Lucien, why did you just ask him a rhetorical question about his point of view?

Lucien raises his head a little and looks at me. Amidst the crowd of people, his gaze seems extraordinarily calm.

Lucien: Because that's the norm in research.

Lucien: With the exception of a few miraculous discoveries, science has been progressing slowly. Many people have been unable to make a single advance in their lifetimes.

Lucien: Not a few people regret it after spending years of their lives.

Looking at Lucien's quiet profile, I suddenly realize something.

MC: ...Did you test him just now? To see if he is really that persistent?

Lucien doesn't deny it. His gaze passes behind me and looks towards the yard where the bell rings in the distance.

Lucien: In order to be deeply involved in the academic field, persistence after seeing the reality is as important as the love for science itself.

Lucien: Life is vast, and academia is not the only path they can take. For him, this is also an opportunity to choose a way of life.

MC: And have you ever had any regrets?

He doesn't seem to expect my question. Lucien ponders for a moment.

Lucien: When it comes to research, I've never had one.

Lucien: The direction of each research is the result of careful consideration. Even if I were to do it all over again, I would make the same choice.

MC: What about things other than research?

The figure in front of me seems to pause for a moment. Lucien's eyes fall on me as if looking into a distant past.

Lucien: (quietly, with the loneliest tone you've ever heard-) ...I have.

This time, I get taken aback. I blink and curiously ask after him, stopping him in his tracks.

MC: Hmm? What was the situation?

As if being pricked by a dark hidden thorn in his heart, Lucien's eyelashes trembles and he answers in a quiet voice.

Lucien: …When I thought you were gone forever.

I freeze, suddenly remembering the memory of the scattered capsules and his bloodshot eyes.

A small sourness wells up within my heart. I reach out and hug him as if wanting to erase a memory that hurts so much for both of us.

MC: It's all in the past. I'm still alive and standing in front of you now.

Lucien wraps his arms around me, and his chin gently rests on the crook of my neck. His voice is gentle and firm.

Lucien: Um, I can feel it.

Lucien: So it will be the one and only time.

Afterward, Lucien and MC interviewed the student's classmate who decided to quit. When facing the boy's question of whether one should continue when knowing there's no hope, Lucien pointed out that things aren't always predictable. There is some scientific breakthrough caused by accidents.

Lucien invited MC to share her thought. And she frankly expressed her feelings about it.

Lucien: Every exploration is approaching the truth through twists and turns. Seemingly hopeless trial and error often accumulate possibilities for the emergence of "unexpected factors".

Lucien: In this regard, Miss Producer also has her say.

I blinked, and when I met Lucien's quiet gaze, I suddenly understood what he was referring to.

There were countless nights when I thought I might not be able to keep going.

But I still gritted my teeth and struggled towards that tiny hope until the end.

And not only has he accompanied me in every difficult step, but also clearly recorded all the past for me.

MC: ...Um, when difficulties surrounded me, I also hesitated to keep moving forward.

MC: But now, I'm glad I didn't stop there. Otherwise, I would have really given up the last possibility of luck coming to me.

The boy didn't say anything, but the indifference on his face was gradually replaced by contemplation.

I close my notebook and follow Lucien to leave the room at a lighter pace.

The weather has cleared, and the sunlight leaking through the clouds shines on the rain-soaked road.

I'm holding Lucien's arm, walking down the stairs filled with flower petals step by step.

The silhouette of the school building gradually shrinks behind me. I withdraw my gaze and speak thoughtfully.

MC: I feel as if the boy is not as unattached to the abandoned project as he said he is.

Lucien: Mm, he probably needs a few days to clear his mind.

Lucien: But like what you said, everyone has their own choices. We are just slowing down the decision-making process and giving him more time to think about it.

I drop my gaze thoughtfully, and my pace gradually slows down. Lucien also stops walking in response and looks down at me.

Lucien: What's wrong?

MC: I'm thinking of…. I've been wondering if I should make a show on the theme of this returning memory.

MC: The actual situation obviously can't be revealed to the public, but denying means concealing...

I said and looked up at Lucien. As my eyes become a little brighter, my inner thoughts also grow firmer little by little.

MC: But when I heard you ask them just now, I also clearly thought about something.

MC: The right to believe or not is up to the audience. What we have to do is to provide them with the necessary psychological support.

Lucien lets out a low laugh while watching me pull his hand and gently shake it.

Lucien: Turns out there was more than one student in that classroom just now.

MC: It was initially unfamiliar, but I became skillful later on. Anyway, it's not like I've never "freeloaded" on your class before~

Lucien lets out an "oh", and his eyes fall on the corners of my already curved lips.

Lucien: You already "borrowed" my status as a professor for the interview, and yet MC still holds my hand and acts coquettishly. Do you have any other requests?

MC: As expected of Professor Lucien, your intuition is very sharp!

I said as I looked up, then grinning and cheerfully say.

MC: I want to make this program into the stone that breaks the situation.

MC: So, Professor Lucien, can I invite you to be my guest?

[Chapter 43-13]

The light from the shadows of the trees swayed on the person in front of me and settled into his deep eyes.

Lucien: If it's an invitation...

Lucien: Then, before I say yes, I need to know how the show is going to be prepared.

MC: I will always welcome Professor Lucien's field visits- Why don't you come back to the company with me later and watch my work~

Lucien: There's no time like the present.

Lucien arches his eyebrows in a very good mood, holding my hand down the stairs.

Lucien: (chuckle) After all, it's been a long time since I've seen Miss Producer at work.

I took Lucien out of the elevator lightly, and just after walking a few steps, everyone looked in unison.

Several colleagues exchange glances, and Anna is the first to speak with a smile.

Anna: Professor Lucien, you're here. Let me get you a cup of water.

Kiki: Woah! Is Professor Lucien wants to join our program?

MC: Not sure yet... I'll show him around first!

Lucien takes the glass of water, smiles, and nods beside me.

Lucien: Um, I just came to see what you all have prepared. There is absolutely no such reason as wanting to see your boss or anything like that.

Amidst the snickering of my colleagues, I blush and pull Lucien to my desk. I make him sit on my chair by pressing his shoulder.

Facing the gossiping gazes around me, I clear my throat and begin to introduce the progress to Lucien in a serious manner.

Lucien looks through the various materials I handed him, occasionally nodding to affirm my words.

MC: ... This is the information so far. As for the direction of the program, I have two considerations.

MC: The first one is a social education program that follows the tradition of serious science and explains examples of the submissions.

MC: And the other direction is light-hearted and casual, enhancing the watchability of the program through activities.

MC: However, I'm still a bit torn about which one to use.

Lucien: If choosing is difficult, why don't you listen to other people's opinions?

MC: …Other people?

Lucien: Yes. After all, I'm only here to "investigate" the project today.

Lucien: Your colleagues' opinions regarding the program's production should be more informative than mine.

As Lucien said that, he slowly and carefully picked up a glass of water, showing a relaxed look. I can't help but pout.

MC: Hmph, you are really "investigating" seriously.

Lucien: Uh-huh.

(the way he says 'uh-huh' is so cute and irritating at the same time lmaoo)

They discussed it with her other co-worker. Willow suggested a serious science program, while Minor suggested a more entertaining program. MC proposed a debate program between the scholar and the viewer

MC: How about a fun debate style?

MC: In each episode, a scholar is invited to speak on the pro side, and four or five audience members take turns speaking on the contra side.

MC: This way, both sides of the argument can be fully expressed.

Anna: It's a good idea. Since we are inviting scholars, why don't we ask Professor Lucien what he thinks?

MC: Indeed~ when it comes to his field of expertise, Professor Lucien won't be able to resist, right?

Lucien puts down his glass of water and looks at me a little banteringly.

Lucien: Pitting one against many. Doesn't it seem very demanding for the pro side?

MC: That's why the first episode needs a powerful guest~ After all, knowledge is the best weapon.

Lucien: (chuckle) In that case, this powerful guest wants to add to his argument by using other methods.

Lucien smiles and bites the words "powerful guest", but still refuses to take the bait. But I'm not discouraged and continue to ask him questions.

MC: So, let's hear what Professor Lucien is going to say?

Lucien slightly raises the corners of his lips. The shadow of the tree outside the window flickers in his eyes, making it hard to see them clearly.

Lucien: Perhaps we can conduct a social psychology experiment for the first episode.

MC: A social psychology experiment?

Lucien: Mm. The more affected a person's life is, the more convinced they are of the authenticity of the overlapping memories.

Lucien: I think there is no better way to sway their opinion than to create a false memory on the spot.

Anna: However, the risk is very high. If you get caught before the announcement, it will be difficult to turn public opinion, right?

Lucien: Rather, I really hope to see such a person appear.

Lucien: After all, that makes the show so much more interesting, right?

As Lucien spoke, he raised his eyebrows a little and revealed a smile of interest.

I write down a few ideas in my notebook. After thinking for a moment, I nod my head.

MC: Considering the advantages and disadvantages, this is a good plan that can be adopted into the planning proposal.

Willow and Anna are looking at each other, coughing and speaking.

Willow: Boss, since the style and format of the program have taken shape, can we consider collaborating with the TV station…?

MC: Not yet.

As I spoke, I turned my head and solemnly looked at Lucien.

MC: Because the show's esteemed guest has not been decided yet. I can't afford to make this call if he doesn't nod.

Lucien lowers his eyes and puts one hand on his chin.

Lucien: Let me think about it... I really like this topic, and the program's format is also very interesting.

Lucien: However, it seems that the days when the show will be filmed coincide with the completion of my current project.

MC: …And so?

Lucien looks at my expectant eyes and opens his mouth with a smile.

Lucien: So I'll be working intensively these days to complete the work on the research center.

Lucien: Looking forward to working with you. I'm glad to be your first guest.

After finalizing the other details, MC calls the TV Station to express her willingness to cooperate. The other party happily agreed and only proposed that the submission should be submitted to the TV Station for review.

MC gives the coordination work to Kiki while she is interviewing people about the recent phenomenon.

MC: What do you think about the recent "overlapping memory" rumor?

Passerby A: I've never cared about it, but doesn't it sounds like some multi-channel network hype to scam money?

Passerby B: This hysteria has ruined my son... he now stays at home all day in disbelief, and his homework has been neglected for days!

Passerby C: This must be God's instruction! It points the way for our future!

Questioning, admiration, disdain, curiosity. The different attitudes make me feel that this incident's scope seems more significant than I imagined.

As if there's an invisible string that is constantly tightening, and it will break if you don't pay attention.

While MC is sorting through the interview, Kiki suddenly calls her because there's an emergency. And then, MC finds out that the TV Station returned the submissions that have too much contrast between memory and reality.

MC: Thank you for your hard work. But, I would like to clarify why some of the submissions were rejected after being screened by my company?

As if anticipating my arrival, the other party speaks without haste.

Staff: The contrast between their previous and present lives is too apparent.

Staff: Look, the former starlet is now a common seller; the well-known boss is now retired to their family...

Staff: Their attitudes and words carry a strong sense of resentment and discontent.

MC: But the essence of social education programs is to fully reflect the true picture of society.

MC: I disagree that the focus is only on those who have a stable life.

Staff: Miss MC, forgive me for reminding you once again.

Staff: The program's original purpose was to promote social stability to support the city's redevelopment plan.

Staff: As for other things, if it can be achieved along the way then it'd be the icing on the cake. But if it can't be achieved then we can only give up.

I grip the script a bit harder, and the suspicions in my heart gradually become clear.

The TV Station's position is clear enough.

What they want is to put a specific person in the spotlight rather than expose the truth.

With the same approach as the City Hall in the redevelopment plan, they wanted to hear only words of obedience, not voices of other opinions.

Instead of wasting time on unnecessary negotiations, it is better to retreat and try to gain the initiative in other ways.

After thinking about this, I speak in a calm voice.

MC: We respect the station's arrangement. But this is collaborative filming, not an outsourcing project.

MC: My company must also have the opportunity of expression, and can not be pushed around in everything.

Staff: It's only natural that we won't interfere too much with the rest of the show. Please don't worry.

The business-like tone is also a concession. I can't say anything else except respectfully nod my head.

[Chapter 43-15]

So, just as the staff from the TV Station said, the process besides the submission review goes much smoother. MC secretly tells Kiki to 'fix' the wording of the contrasting submission so it won't get rejected. Once the schedule is set, they start to finalize other show details.

A week passed, and soon came the day of the program recording. MC dials Lucien's phone.

MC: I'm really sorry, I may be a few minutes late…

Hearing my anxious tone, Lucien's voice carries a touch of reassurance.

Lucien: Don't rush. Just take your time. I'll be waiting for you in the backstage lounge.

??: Professor Lucien, have some tea!

I froze momentarily as a cheerful and attentive stranger's voice came from the other end of the receiver.

MC: Is there someone meeting you already?

Lucien: Yeah, we had a nice chat, don't worry about it.

MC: Okay then, I'll see you later~

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

I hung up the phone with a bit of confusion. I hastily stop a taxi and rush to the TV station. When I arrived backstage, I saw Kiki standing outside the lounge, and she immediately approached me.

Kiki: Boss, all the guests have arrived and are chatting with Professor Lucien inside!

MC: Wait, it's the guests who are meeting with Lucien?

Kiki: Yeah, they were having such a good time, we couldn't even get in the conversation!

MC: Haha really, then I'll go and take a look. It would be best if you told people to get ready~

I pretend not to be surprised and laugh. Today's guests have the impression that they don't have a good personality to get along with, and Lucien has always disliked polite social interaction, so how can they…

At the same time, I push open the lounge door, and a polite question comes into my ears.

??: …So, Professor Lucien, what could be the reason for my grandson's sudden change in temper since his parents took him away?

I lighten my steps and see a few guests sitting on the couch, listening intently.

Lucien is wearing a polite smile on his lips, accepting the cup of tea handed to him by the old man. And as if noticing my movement, he looks at me through the crowd.

I wink at Lucien and naturally sit next to him. Lucien casually puts the tea on the table, then turns his head to the old man and explains gently.

Lucien: In developing children, their mirror neurons* are more active than adults. So, they're physiologically more susceptible to the influence of their surrounding environment.

(T/N: Mirror neurons are a type of neuron in the brain that fires both when an individual performs a certain action and when they observe another individual performing the same action. In other words, when you see someone else performing an action, your mirror neurons "mirror" that action in your own brain, as if you were performing it yourself.)

Lucien: If there is a sudden personality change, perhaps it is because there is someone in their new environment who has problems managing emotions. You can pay more attention to it.

Old Man: ... Indeed, his father brings people home twice a day to play mahjong! So that's where the root is!

Old Man: I've already lived two lifetimes combined and yet still don't understand how to raise children...

I pour another cup of tea, hand it to Lucien, and smoothly take over the conversation.

MC: How can you have two lifetimes?

Old Man: Just a few days ago, I got several years' worth of memories in my head!

Old Man: The neighborhood, hospital, and the central plaza where I walk through…. Each and every aspect of the picture is clear!

Lucien picks up the teapot and fills up a cup of tea for the old man.

Lucien: When it comes to the central plaza, I also have some impressions.

Lucien: From that memory, it seems that its clock tower was damaged by accident.

The middle-aged man is rubbing his glass of water, seemingly recalling something.

Man: Why don't I remember much about it…

Like throwing a stone into the lake, the crowd is either murmuring or pondering at the same time, I look at Lucien, and my gaze collides with his.

I understand what he is trying to do, and I pretend to be confused.

MC: If I think about it, I do remember a bit.

MC: The clock tower… It stopped working for several days before someone came to repair it, and there were complaints.

Noticing our conversation, the old man taps his cane and speaks in a definitive manner.

Old Man: Yes, I remember it clearly too!

Man: That being said, it seems to be the case…

My cell phone suddenly vibrates twice and makes an unnoticeable buzzing sound. I sweep a glance, secretly squeeze Lucien's palm, and then smile and get up to open my mouth.

MC: It's almost time to shoot. Please move to the dressing room and get ready for the stage~

MC: If there's anything else to discuss, let's save it for the stage.

The lighting lights up the big space, soft leather sofas are placed opposite to each other, and the right armrests are put next to the standing mic.

Lucien sits alone on the other side of the table and quietly listens, looking a little powerless. And the six guests seated on the opposite side are chatting together, showing relaxed laughter from time to time.

After the person next to them finished speaking, they began to share their "past life memories".

After 20 minutes of talking about his experience of living under a bridge, he put down his mic.

Middle-aged Man: My mouth is dry from talking… Okay, I've finished my speech. Professor Lucien, do you have any rebuttal to this?

Lucien lightly responds his fingertips gently tapping on the table.

Lucien: Interesting perspective indeed. But I wonder if that memory is all true…

Lucien: Because then the society we "experience" should also have the same details.

A girl sitting on the left side of the front seat is impatient and speaks up.

Girl: The mall I used to go to has changed half of its brands!

Lucien: But it is difficult to make reference to experiences that are too personal. Is there any evidence that is more general in nature?

Lucien cleverly pushes the argument back again. After contemplating for a moment, the girl hesitantly opens her mouth.

Girl: In the memory from that time, it seems that there was not so much Evolver as there is now, so should this be considered social evidence?

Lucien: Can you please describe it in detail?

Girl: Everyone lives a normal life, going to and from work every day, and we never heard of Evol or anything...

Lucien: Well, wasn't Evolver's existence hidden from the public eye until a few accidents exposed it?

Lucien said, carefully closing the documents in his hand.

Lucien: Most of the literature written on the theme of "Evol doesn't exist" has gone in that direction.

Lucien: I just looked at the pre-show questionnaire and see that you and everyone else on the other side of the table have seen or read similar works.

Lucien: So how can you be sure that your subconscious is not being influenced by the novels?

Lucien's words promptly cause a small discussion on the spot. The girl grits her teeth, unable to refute for a moment, but the old man beside her speaks with certainty.

Old Man: I can give you another example.

Old Man: In our previous life, the clock tower in the central plaza was shut down for several days because of an accident. Ask anyone else, and they'll remember it.

Old Man: This one should not be related to any novel!

Several other people at the guest table are showing their support, and Lucien even nods affirmatively.

Lucien: Indeed, this example can eliminate the baseline factor of cognitive formation based on past experience.

Lucien: But it also confirms that the anchoring effect* can influence judgment.

(T/N: The anchoring effect is a cognitive bias that causes people to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive when making decisions or judgments. This initial information serves as an "anchor" that influences subsequent thoughts and judgments. People tend to adjust their subsequent judgments from the initial anchor rather than starting from scratch, even if the initial information is irrelevant or arbitrary.)

Lucien: When acquiring information, people always use the information they hear first-hand as an anchor point, but rarely confirm its authenticity.

The old man heavily taps his cane and frowns.

Old Man: So many explanations. Are you trying to say that I also remember it wrong?

Old Man: Professor Lucien, don't you also remember this very well?

Lucien: What if I say that actually, it doesn't happen?

Lucien said, glancing at me off-stage. I pick up my walkie-talkie and whisper a few words to the director.

The screen at the back of the studio immediately displays a video.

"Why don't I remember much about it…"; "If I think about it, I do remember a bit."

On the screen, the discussion before and after the recording is replayed in its entirety.

Lucien's sight falls to their puzzled expression, and he lifts up the mic on the table. His deep voice is clearly transmitted to everyone's ears through the loudspeaker.

Lucien: (chuckle) I'm sorry, but what you all just described is a false memory.

Lucien: In fact, the recording had already started in the longue.

[Chapter 43-16]

The recording site suddenly goes into an uproar.

Some people stare blankly at the screen as if they haven't reacted; while others look at Lucien and retort in incredulous whispers.

After a few moments, the guests who finally understood the situation exchange glances in astonishment, then can't help but speak up.

Middle-aged Man: Professor Lucien, what do you mean by that?

Lucien adjusts the mic with his fingertips and calmly leans over.

Lucien: As you can see, the "clock tower failure" is just an event that the Producer and I made up on the spot using psychology.

Lucien: You have demonstrated that under herd mentality*, individuals will give up their own opinions and conform their behavior to others according to the group's influence.

(T/N: Herd mentality is a term used to describe the tendency of people to follow the behaviors, beliefs, and opinions of the group they belong to or the people around them. In other words, it refers to the way individuals are influenced by the actions and decisions of their peers or the majority, rather than making their own independent choices.)

Lucien: In the process of subconsciously transforming the collective memory into a part of their own memory, the present "overlapping memory" is formed.

After looking at each other, the girl in the guest seat slightly raises her voice.

Girl: B-but I have a picture of the clock tower failing in my mind! Because of the accident, the businesses near the clock tower were also closed for several days-

Lucien: -and during that period, many people in the neighborhood complained about the inconvenience of living there, didn't they?

Lucien spoke as if he had predicted the scene in the girl's memory.

The girl hesitantly nods her head. My eyes widen in astonishment behind the camera, and I silently mouth the word "amazing" to Lucien.

A little brilliant smile appears in his eyes. Lucien immediately turns his head and gives a gesture at the distant director. In the next second, the 3D image of the human brain suddenly emerges on the screen.

Everyone's gaze instantly converges on the screen. Lucien naturally moves closer in my direction and explains in a calm voice.

Lucien: Memory is not a single, continuous image but rather a collection or composition of multiple images.

Lucien: When the memory fragments are incomplete, they are automatically completed in the hippocampus according to the recollector's logic and beliefs.

Lucien: In other words, our memory isn't inherently infallible.

As the words were spoken, our distance was reduced to arm's length. Lucien extends his hand to me in the audience.

Lucien: In order to support this view, I have conducted a survey in advance.

Lucien: Can I ask Miss Producer to cooperate with me and distribute it to all the guests?

He said and held out his hand to me, his eyebrows slightly bent. I glance down at the script.

In the original setup, there is no such thing as a guest inviting a producer to the stage.

I let out an inaudible hmph, take his hand, walk up to the stage, handing out the survey files to the guests, and hear Lucien speak.

Lucien: Before this experiment, I also asked several staff members around me if they had seen this image in their memory.

Lucien: However, the results also confirmed that none of them had any impression of it.

Lucien: I think this should be enough to prove that the "clock tower failure doesn't actually happen" is not a one-sided story.

There are other low murmurs from the guests. A young man who looks like a college student takes the information I handed out and scans it, frowning at the refutation.

Student: But memory error is merely an individual phenomenon.

Student: As you mentioned earlier, other staff members are also experiencing new memory images… What is the explanation for this city-wide memory phenomenon?

Lucien gently shakes his head.

Lucien: I can't give a definite conclusion on this.

Lucien: There are various factors that influence memory. Maybe it comes from the comet, and maybe it's the influence of the overlapping city or something else we don't know yet.

Lucien: But from a neuroscience perspective, I can offer a direction to explore… Have you ever heard of the Mandela Effect?

Several guests shake their heads, looking a bit confused. Only the student thinks for a moment and then speaks first.

Student: You mean a collective memory that doesn't match the facts?

Lucien: Correct. It is possible that someone's memory is biased, and the wrong information is passed on by word of mouth.

Lucien: After a period of time, it became widely spread in society and created a large-scale false impression.

Old Man: ...This so-called Mandela effect sounds very mysterious. How can it be so easy to believe what others say?

The middle-aged man beside the old man tugs his sleeve and hurriedly whispers a few words.

The old man then remembers something and coughs embarrassedly.

Lucien meets the old man's gaze and smiles a little.

Lucien: As you have said, ideally, people would make judgments about the information they receive. However, when dealing with people we trust, we often unconsciously let down our defenses.

Lucien: Without the camera recording, perhaps the "clock tower failure" would have become a new Mandela effect.

The studio falls silent for a while, and many people look thoughtful. Lucien withdraws his gaze and turns his head to look at me.

Lucien: This concludes the arguments of the opposing side.

I take the microphone and look over to the other side of the room.

MC: Are there any more "contestants" on the other side who would like to present a rebuttal?

Student: Although I have no more argument backed up, I still feel unconvinced…

MC: That's fine. The contestants on the opposite side can keep their opinions to themselves.

I said, walking to the middle of the studio and speaking without haste.

MC: While this debate will have winners and losers, it does not mean that there is an opinion that is superior or inferior.

MC: The main purpose of this episode is not to draw conclusions about this phenomenon but rather to offer more possible explanations.

MC: Whether you think it's a deviation, an overlap, or even a migration...

MC: In the end, this is just a picture that suddenly appeared in the mind, and how to interpret it is a matter of personal freedom.

Some of the guests are in thought, and others are unconvinced as if they want to argue something.

My gaze falls to my side, and I see Lucien nodding imperceptibly.

The light shines on his face, making me clearly see myself in his deep eyes.

My originally nervous heart instantly calm down a bit. I withdraw my gaze and speak firmly.

MC: While choosing whether to believe in it or not, I hope you won't forget this.

MC: The most important thing is to hold the present life in your hands.

[Chapter 43-17]

A few days pass, and soon it's the day of the show's premiere.

My colleagues and I sit at our workstations and watch the reactions in the comments section with the utmost attention.

-I have reservations. I still can't accept the theory explained by Professor Lucien…

-I've wanted to say for a long time that giving up reality for an inexplicable picture is basically like putting the cart before the horse*, no?

(T/N: 本末倒置, literally means putting the cart before the horse is an idiom that means ignoring the actual important thing and instead focusing on the insignificant thing)

I exhale softly and hand the document back to Willow.

Even though the negative impact has not completely dissipated, there are more different voices than the previous one, which tended to be panic-stricken.

MC: Let's start preparing for the next episode. We can invite experts in physics to explain it from the perspective of another discipline.

MC: With the three days of time as focus, continue tracking the reactions in the comments section, and put together the top ten pages of comments.

MC: After all, the audience's reaction is the best choice to adjust the program's direction.

Willow: No problem, I'll get in touch now.

Willow takes the folder and leaves in a hurry. I get up, loosen up, and turn around a few times before picking up the phone on my desk.

The program is a big success, and it's time to tell Lucien the good news.

My phone suddenly starts ringing. Seeing the name appearing on the screen, I can't resist bending my eyes and happily picking it up.

MC: Good evening, Professor Lucien~

Lucien: Has something pleasant happened to you?

MC: The audience's response to this episode is better than expected~ it's all thanks to Professor Lucien's work!

Lucien: In that case, I'd like to ask the Great Producer for a small reward.

Lucien: If you have time, can you go to a banquet with me tonight?

MC: Then I have to look at my schedule first-

I pretend to do so, but his familiar figure suddenly enters my sight.

Lucien is standing downstairs, his black suit outlines his slender figure, and when he raises his hand, I can see the smooth lines of his shirt.

MC: …You sneak up on me!

Lucien: (chuckle) Can't I sneak up on Miss Producer?

A soft laugh comes from the other end of the phone. I laugh along with him, quickly pick up my bag and run downstairs.

I'm about to pull open the car door when I suddenly realize something.

MC: Wait, if I want to accompany you to the banquet, do I also have to go home and change my clothes…

Lucien: Don't worry. I've got you covered.

Lucien said while turning his head, motioning for me to look at the exquisite gift box in the rear seat.

Lucien: You can change in the car. I'll wait for you outside.

Such thorough preparation is indeed Lucien's style. I get into the back seat and open the gift box.

(T/N: I subtitled this bit bc the sexy voice and bgm is just so!)

*insert sexy shower bgm*

The delicate fabric, the fit, everything is impeccable, but the narrow space makes it impossible to tidy the tiny accessories behind me.

I bite my lips and finally knock on the car window for help.

MC: Lucien, my zipper...

Lucien's figure outside of the car pauses a little, turns around to look at me, and smiles.

Lucien: (chuckle) Let me help you.

The car door opens and closes again, and with a slight rustling sound, the cold touch of metal slowly climbs up my spine.

My heart beats a little faster. I hear Lucien's hoarse voice coming from behind me.

Lucien: (with THAT hoarse voice) Isn't it strange why I suddenly invited you to a banquet?

MC: Yes, a little… but whatever the reason, I'll say yes.

MC: After all, you've helped me a lot with this show.

Lucien: (whisper) Is that all?

A low whisper brushes my ear, like some kind of enticement. I clutch the hem of my dress and softly speak.

MC: And because I trust in you unconditionally.

The light of a passing car flashes through the window, illuminating the silence inside the car for a moment. Lucien's fingertips linger on the back of my neck, stirring up subtle tingles.

He speaks softly.

Lucien: (chuckle) …You look good in this.

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

The car runs across the long road, drives through several streets, and finally stops in front of a mansion.

I take Lucien's hand and get out of the car, walking along with the crowd to the inside.

The interior of the spacious hall is brightly lit, with gentle music flowing. I suddenly think of something and poke Lucien, who stands beside me.

MC: Speaking of which, what's the theme of this banquet? I don't know the identities of the other people yet.

Lucien takes a glass of white wine from the waiter's hand, and his lips curl slightly.

Lucien: (chuckle) There are no influential people here today, just ordinary citizens. As for the theme, can I keep it a secret for now?

I narrow my eyes when I see how frankly he is trying to keep me in suspense, and I cooperate by picking up another glass of wine from the tray.

MC: Of course, it's useless to hide it from me. After all, I can find out within ten minutes.

Lucien raises his eyebrows with interest and takes a shallow sip.

Lucien: Then I'll look forward to how you solve the mystery.

MC: I won't let you down.

I said and gently clinked my glass with him. I straighten my dress and walk naturally toward the crowd, sweeping my eyes covertly over everyone I pass.

An office worker in a suit with dark circles under his eyes; a young girl with bright makeup, taking selfies in the corner…

My gaze slips through the crowd, and I feel even more puzzled.

The people here are of different ages and backgrounds and don't even seem to know each other… For a while, I hardly find any common ground.

Why does the person who holds the banquet gather them together?

I walk while thinking and slowly paying attention to the conversations around me.

Old Man: ...I was telling my neighbor about my past life when I got the invitation, and I didn't know what I was being invited to…

Girl: …Me? I remember I was a starlet. How can I stand at the counter all day long like this…

Middle-aged Woman: …I should put my career first. If I grit my teeth and insist, now I'm sure I'll be a small boss…

The vague exchange of voices comes to my ears, and I can't help but be struck by them.

These experiences… I think I've seen them in the rejected submissions?!

Lucien walks to my side at some point. I come close to him and lower my voice.

MC: The people here should be those who have a great contrast between their previous and current lives.

MC: We've received submissions from some of them before.

I said, make a great show of being in earnest and tugging at the hem of Lucien's coat.

MC: Lucien, is this the secret of this party?

Lucien's gaze indifferently sweeps through the crowd and slowly falls back on me, with a hint of intrigue, gently shaking the glass in his hand.

Lucien: Hmm… only 30% of the guesses were correct.

MC: I can't believe it's only 30...

Before I can finish my sentence, a strange and unfriendly voice suddenly comes from behind me.

Man: ...Oi! Hey! I'm calling you!

I turn around suspiciously and see a strange man in a suit standing behind me without me knowing, his eyes darting back and forth over my body.

I'm a little displeased to be called out so rudely and to be gawked at in a blatant manner.

MC: Sir, I think you are mistaken…

Man: I think I've seen you somewhere before!

He suddenly clapped his hands and loudly interrupted me.

Man: You're the Producer of "Miracle Finder", right?

Man: In that memory, I was interviewed by you and Professor Lucien!

[Chapter 43-19]

My eyes linger on the man for a few seconds, and I speak hesitantly.

MC: ...I'm sorry, we've interviewed a lot of guests, but what do you mean by "that memory"?

Man: Don't play dumb with me. Remember the elevator malfunction? You approached me to talk about it!

MC: Elevator malfunction…

My hand holding the wine glass tightens slightly, searching for information in my head, and finally, a blurred face emerges in the depths of distant memory.

=Flashback Start=

MC: Hello, I'm a reporter for Miracle Finder. Today I'd like to interview you about the elevator malfunction incident.

Elevator operator: Miracle Finder? Are you talking about that silly program where they go lookin' for superpowers?

Elevator operator: What do you guys know! What do you know?!

Elevator operator: I'm not like you two. I've never used this power! I'm just a normal person. This power has no use to me at all!

=Flashback End=

The air seems to freeze for a moment, and my heartbeat suddenly quickens a little bit.

....The elevator malfunctions incident did occur in Loveland city before it got restarted.

At that time, Lucien and I were following this clue and found Dr. Song, which led to the subsequent events related to the BS.

The person in front of me is actually the elevator operator who was interviewed in that incident...?

A little bit of uneasiness suddenly surges in my heart. I subconsciously look at Lucien beside me and meet his gaze.

He doesn't say anything and just quietly looks at me. A delicate light flows at the bottom of his quiet eyes, inexplicably calming me down.

I take a deep breath, turn to the man, and speak.

MC: I'm sorry. I can't remember which episode I worked with you on, but thank you for your cooperation in the past.

MC: We do often invite passersby to share their views on camera.

MC: I just heard you mention "that memory"…

MC: Coincidentally, our recent program is based on the theme of "memory overlap".

Man: I know, the Mandela effect, right?

Man: My wife and kids think it makes sense, but I don't believe it! That memory is definitely real!

MC: Isn't it a bit too arbitrary for you to say that?

MC: Well, if you don't feel convinced by the perspective of neuroscience, you can follow us later on at…

Man: No need to wait until later. I want to discuss it with you now!

MC: …

Seeing that many people nearby already have eyes on us, I have no choice but to give in.

MC: Well, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

The man licks his lower lip and gestures a little excitedly.

Man: Here's the thing, I always thought my Evol was useless. Until I saw in "that memory" that it could be very strong.

Man: I was skeptical at first, but after using it frequently, as I remembered, my Evol has really improved a lot.

Man: If the memory is truly false, why does it work?

His question is not difficult to explain with Lucien's theory. I ponder for a moment, rub the wine glass and open my mouth.

MC: All abilities can be enhanced with regular use, and Evol is no exception.

MC: Now, there are many TV shows and novels with Evol as the theme. Maybe the images that facilitate your power as you say…

MC: Is it actually the unconscious psychological suggestion from these sources?

Facing my question, the man seems to be momentarily taken aback.

Finally, there is some room for maneuvering in the tense atmosphere. I feel slightly relieved and look at Lucien.

He's looking at me with a faint smile but doesn't approach me. He expresses approval, but it's also as if he's observing something.

A few doubts arise in my mind, and I suddenly hear a cold snort from the man. In the next second, the glass in his hand suddenly floats up.

I instinctively take a half step back as I see the man heavily swing his hand. The glass shot down violently, denting the hard marble floor!

MC: ...!

A sudden sharp sound shatters the tranquility of the hall and quickly ignites the hidden fires surrounding it.

Guests: There are other people here. Can you watch out?

Guests: These Evolver are just too arrogant! If it's anything like that memory-

The man turns a deaf ear to the exclamation around him and just provocatively looks at me.

Man: If it is an ordinary enhancement, you can still use your theory to muddle through.

Man: But my Evol is exactly the same as the picture in my head, no matter the scale of control or the effect… What's going on?

As soon as the man's voice falls, the chatter around the room grows even louder. Countless curious or questioning gazes and whispers almost pin me in place.

Man: Say, Producer, how do you explain this?

My heart surges with a little trepidation. I brace myself and open my lips.

MC: I...

??: If Miss MC doesn't know how to answer, why don't you ask your program consultant to help you explain?

A strong voice abruptly comes from the side, and Leto, dressed in a tuxedo, slowly walks towards me.

MC: What are you doing here…

In the blink of an eye, I always feel that something has gone off the rails where I can't see it, and now I can only watch it continue to move forward.

After Leto finished speaking, Lucien stepped forward, standing and blocking a little in front of me.

Lucien: You just said that Miss Producer and I came to interview you together, right?

Man: Yeah, what's the matter?

Lucien: I remember the first thing I said to you was-

Lucien: "You're just gonna walk away from the problem and abandon your family?"

Lucien cautiously examines the man's eyes and suddenly smiles.

Lucien: It seems that this time, you have a much better life than you remember. I guess you don't have to worry about the compensation anymore.

Along with Lucien's words, the man's eyes grow wider, and his lip trembles.

Man: Professor Lucien, are you telling me that…

Lucien: Yes, what I'm trying to say is that the memory that we all have in our minds is indeed real.

[Chapter 43-20]

Guest A: That memory is real?!

Guest B: ...So that means I can turn over a new leaf?

There was a moment of silence, and then a muffled exclamation of surprise erupted. This time, it was even louder than when I saw the man hit the floor with Evol.

MC: Lucien...?

I widen my eyes in disbelief, looking from Lucien's side profile, slowly fall to the ecstatic crowd, and finally stop at Leto's smile.

What's going on?

Why would Leto come here, and why would Lucien suddenly say such things to everyone when the show is trying to turn the tide?

MC: That's not right! I…

The words that are about to come from my mouth are stopped by a hand. Lucien uses the hand hidden behind him to squeeze my wrist with a firm grip.

And the man, after the initial excitement, raises a new question.

Man: Professor Lucien, why did you give another set of explanations in the program?

Lucien: Well, I would like to ask Mr. Leto to answer this question.

Lucirn raises his other hand to make a gesture of invitation, and the hall is surging with applause. Leto doesn't refuse, smiling, and comes to the center of the crowd.

Leto: Because in this society, only a small percentage of people have brains - that is, those of you whom I have invited to this banquet.

Leto: For most people, life just needs to be stable. As for what the truth is, they don't care about it.

Leto: The TV station and her company have partnered on that program to meet this demand and allow them to move on with their lives peacefully.

Leto: In contrast, you have the power to manipulate society because you have superior information and judgment.

Leto: Everything in the future will depend on your wishes.

Leto: As for what you all are going through, I had the general picture before I came here.

Leto: Please rest assured that I will do everything in my power to help you restore your former lives. The future of this city needs your strength to help build it together…

Under the reflection of the crystal lamp, Leto looks calm and powerful, making people subconsciously want to listen to his words.

As I look at the thunderous applause of the ballroom, I can't stop feeling chills around my body as if an invisible shadow is quietly coalescing.

The attention focus of these guests is no longer on me and Lucien as they surround Leto after he finishes his speech-

After all, in their eyes, Leto is the one who can give them a future.

Looking at the ridiculous scene in front of me, I stiffly raise the corners of my mouth and drink the wine in my glass.

Lucien: (whisper) Your glass is empty. Would you like some more?

I deliberately ignore his words, but my gaze is unrelentingly fixed on him, which in turn makes him chuckle lightly.

Lucien: I hope Mr. Leto is the cause of your anger and annoyance, not me.

He said aggrievedly as if he was being wronged and gently squeezed my fingers. I vent on him by pinching the palm of his hand, and I take a step closer to him.

MC: Are you not going to explain anything?

Lucien: I was going to.

Lucien: I was going to say, if I've upset you so much, would you be willing to give me a chance to explain? At least for the sake of working on your show this month?

MC: Okay, so you have to explain it well.

Lucien deepens his smile. He clasps my hand and pulls me to the corner of the hall.

When the hidden curtain slightly covers the two of us, he speaks in a low voice.

Lucien: I'm sorry. What I just purposely said to that person was a way to reduce the trouble.

MC: Reduce what trouble? It's clearly making more and more trouble…

I still can't understand it, and I turn my face away a little angrily.

MC: You clearly know that…

MC: In addition to solving social problems, I actually want to use the influence of the TV station…

MC: To make people who know Queen's identity doubtful about their memory and won't try to find me.

MC: If these remarks from Leto get out, my previous efforts may be in vain, both for me and for the program…

Lucien puts down his wine glass and approaches me, his body enveloping me from behind.

His cold fingertips gently touch my cheek, silently signaling me to turn around as if to guide me to re-examine everything in front of me.

Lucien: He won't pass it on because he doesn't have the ability to do that yet - and your presence here is proof of that.

MC: And what about the others?

Lucien: These people? You should've found something in common with them.

Lucien: There is a huge difference between their past and present lives.

Lucien: And these people are subconsciously unwilling to accept reality. They will firmly believe that what is in memory is the life they should have.

Lucien: This is human nature. A person instinctively prefers to blame other factors for failure rather than acknowledge it.

Lucien: Whether it's other people, timing… or fate.

Lucien's tail note is slightly raised. All kinds of countenances passed in front of his eyes like a grand farce.

Lucien: Therefore, there is no amount of arguing that will sway them from their point of view. From the very beginning, the outcome of your argument with them is already predetermined.

I open my lips. I always feel that I can't be fully convinced.

It is true that these people already have a predetermined stance. And if I insist on refuting, perhaps just like what Lucien said, it won't change anything…

But at least in front of us, there is another choice than to add fuel to the flames...

Thinking of this, I can't help but look up and stare at him with some annoyance.

MC: So, is this the secret of the banquet that you want to show me?

Lucien: No. At least not exactly.

Apart from a faint smile on Lucien's face, there was also a hint of helplessness.

He slightly leans over and raises his hand to bring my hair to the back of my ear.

Lucien: I want you to see that not everyone has the same stance as you.

Lucien: Different stances pursue their own interests, and from these interests, motives are created.

Lucien: For those who desire peace, there will certainly be those who want to create as much danger as possible. After all, it is in the chaos that many possibilities can emerge.

Lucien: Holding the power that everyone secretly covets and fears, you are bound to become a target.

Lucien: Rather than letting you get hurt and suffer afterward, it is better for you to discover these unsheathed blades in advance.

The distance between us is so close that I can almost see my reluctant expression in Lucien's eyes.

MC: It's my inescapable destiny… Is that what you think?

Lucien: A person's talent will arouse the envy of others. It's not your fault, nor is it the power's fault.

Lucien: But as CORE, you have to face the truth.

Lucien's words were as precise and cold as a scalpel, but his warm fingers kept rubbing my fingertips reassuringly over and over again.

MC: I have one last question… How did you get the invitation to the banquet when Leto doesn't invite irrelevant people?

Lucien: You already have a guess, don't you?

MC: You're working with him?

Lucien: No, it's just a mutual borrowing of "power".

Lucien: Just like how I produce a program with the help of your identity. Except that his ambition is going to be even greater.

I stiffen and raise the corners of my mouth.

MC: It seems that stance is not so important as long as it is useful to you.

Lucien's voice sounds soft as if it is trying to bewitch.

Lucien: That's the more common rule in the shadow of the world.

Lucien: Besides themselves, all a person can rely on is their power.

Lucien: Like being CORE. It is more than a target, it can also attract people to follow behind you.

Lucien: If you take one small step forward, all the dangers now and then will no longer be a threat.

Lucien: Because you can achieve far more than that.

The moonlight is gentle. A thin curtain suddenly fluttered between us, separating our eyes from each other.

I can't see Lucien's face clearly, but I can feel that he is staring intently at me as if waiting for an answer.

Will it be a passive struggle? Or should I take the initiative to get into the center of this vortex?

After a few moments of silence, I raise my hand and brush away the curtain. I take half a step forward and approach Lucien, meeting his gaze straight on.

MC: ...Those who will follow me, will that also include you?

Lucien's voice softens a little.

The moonlight on his face transparently outlines a sense of danger, making it impossible for anyone to move their eyes.

Lucien: (softly) I've been following behind you since a long time ago.

[Lux’s Rambling Corner]

Okay, before I start rambling a little, can I point out how his last sentence is directly referencing this part-

Lucien, a character who usually acts as a guide, letting her to take the lead and makes the decision because he trusts her is always :"""".

I’ll only ramble a little bc Lucien already explains his point, and this official summary already explains it well enough ahah- but I think this is a pretty fun and fluffy chapter. There’s one single knife when MC asks him about his regret, but that’s it~

This batch of chapters opens with Lucien talking with Xiao Yue, which can foreshadow future main story updates.

I love how the first part of the chapter already foreshadows his plan, like MC ‘borrowing’ Lucien’s identity/status. And their talk with the physics student. You can force everyone to have the same point of view. In addition to people wanting peace, some simply want chaos and danger. MC’s program won’t 100% work because they’re trying to hide the truth.

Lucien is very aware of the possible dangers, so he approaches Leto. Offering cooperation so he can have some kind of control over the situation rather than let it develop quietly like what happened in S2 ch 13-14 ((honestly,,,, Leto is a bit dumb for not thinking that MC’s program can be used to filter people LOL)).

In this chap, everyone basically used each other (mutual “borrowing” of power). Lucien used MC’s program to filter out those people and hold his end of the bargain; MC used the TV station’s influence to also protect herself in addition to solving the social issues; and Leto used MC’s program to stabilize the situation. Lucien cooperates with both sides, and they all get what they want, but I think it’s obvious whose side he leans on ahah. After all, even though he appears to support Leto in the banquet, his actual intention is to make her prepare for danger in advance (and lol, the ‘elite people’ that Lucien filters are a bit half-assed >_> 9 out 10 of them feel like they’d easily betray someone if they can).

In terms of dealing with the danger surrounding MC, I think he never really changes from season 1. He consistently advocates taking the first initiative to walk into the game. He trusts that she’s powerful enough to fight the danger. Power isn’t a bad thing, but since it attracts danger, it’s better to change from passive to active. And he always asked her choice again and again whether she wanted to face the truth calmly or to be fully protected by him. Since she chooses the former, he’s willing to accompany her choice by following from behind and becoming her ‘strength’.

#THAT CAR SCENE #is dis really main story #not a date????#mlqc lucien #mr. love queen's choice #mlqc spoiler #mlqc cn #mlqc #it's all according to keikaku #-lucien probably

44 notes · View notes