#mlqc analysis

[dawnsbreaking]

One of my favorite things about MLQC is the frequent use of symbolic imagery and motifs to set scenes and center characters. I think it’s incredibly clever, considering the importance of MC’s dreams, that the dreamlike symbolism is present throughout the story. At times, in MC’s confusion of piecing events together, reading the story almost feels like a sort of dream or vision interpretation. I love how consistent these symbols are for the characters and the way conflicting or contrasting imagery is used to add depth throughout the story. Also, since the story is told through MC’s perspective, the use of imagery shows us that her perception of the world is colored by her care for the main cast. When she’s with Gavin, MC notices fluttering leaves, when she’s with Victor, time slows, when she’s with Kiro, the sun is brighter, and when she’s with Lucien, she’s more attentive to light and shadow.

Under the cut, I have written more (1400ish words more) about symbolism in MLQC and how it adds depth to Lucien's characterization in particular.

Aside from adding to the mood of the story, the symbolism can also be used to narrative effect, showing us how MC is interpreting a character’s actions or motivations.

For example, we can look at how MC sorts through her feelings about Kiro/Helios in Chapter 29. Sun imagery pervaded previous chapters that centered Kiro while moon imagery is associated with Helios. In CH29, MC uses the harmony between the sun and moon as a metaphor when she accepts that Kiro and Helios are one and the same. This adds depth to what MC is feeling about Helios and also serves to contextualize the relationship between the two identities. (Note: I just love the idea that Helios has the same “sunshine” as Kiro but that he reflects it in a subtle way rather than being overwhelmingly positive like Kiro. This dynamic is only ever implied by the imagery and symbolism but it’s so perfect.)

In particular, though, I want to talk about some of the symbolism associated with Lucien and what we can learn from the way these symbols interact with one another.

Light and Shadow

One motif that is very present when the story is focused on Lucien is the balance between light and shadow. (Note: It’s very on the nose at times but executed well, I think, so I’ll give them a pass.) This motif is introduced far before Lucien’s betrayal is ever revealed, as early as his first meeting with MC. (Note: I literally wasn’t sure when the motif was first introduced but I went back to Lucien’s first scene and SURE ENOUGH, there it is. I love how consistent the writing is in this regard. The motifs are handled so well and so intentionally.)

During Lucien’s first scene in the game, light shining in from the window obscures his face. Far ahead of the betrayal, light and shadow are symbolically playing at obscuring his identity from MC. The light/shadow motif is used at first to symbolize Lucien being duplicitous, without much hinting toward his internal struggle. Later, when it’s clear that Lucien is struggling with a choice between metaphorical “dark” desire to continue his mission and “light” of protecting MC, light is used to hint at that internal conflict. An example of this is below, from Lucien's first standoff with Victor in Chapter 11.

Notably, though, sometimes, the “light” represents MC directly while the “shadow” represents Lucien. After Lucien’s internal conflict and desire to protect MC is first touched on in Chapter 16, the two are symbolically juxtaposed by scene-settings back-to-back in the last two units of CH16. 16-24 opens with a description of Lucien’s dark, gloomy room and 16-25 opens with a description of the lamp on MC’s desk casting a bright light. (Note: MC’s Evol is also represented by light often, so I think this imagery for her works even beyond its juxtaposition with Lucien.)

The same thing happens again when MC comes back from the Eternal Winter world, Lucien’s office is described as dark and shadowy when he is alone and then it’s cast in an “ephemeral glow” as soon as MC steps into the room.

Mirrors

A large part of Lucien’s character arc is his failure to properly make sense of his own identity, this struggle is represented by mirrors/reflections. Often, mirrors are shattered or distorted, implying an added difficulty of perception.

Because of the expectations that have been put on him from a young age, Lucien is very disconnected from his own identity. Even with Black Swan set completely aside, because of his savant-like personality and inability to relate to others, Lucien doesn’t view himself as a human being. Beyond that, there is also a struggle between the two identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” implied.

I think that the answer to this struggle is MC understanding Lucien and having clarity about who he is as a person. Light reflected in mirrors represents this concept symbolically in the Mirror Painting date. (Note: I believe this date is only currently available in the CN server, I read this translation) In this date, Lucien and MC paint each other and then use mirrors to reflect light onto the painting when it’s displayed. After being painted and, therefore, symbolically seen by MC, Lucien is finally allowed to turn away from the mirrors and stop worrying about who he is. The mirrors that represent his struggle with identity are able to add depth to a beautiful image when paired with the lights that represent MC’s understanding.

Shattered and Distorted Glass

This goes hand-in-hand with the mirror motif but is worth mentioning on its own because the symbolism is slightly different. While distorted mirrors imply difficulty for Lucien to perceive himself, distorted glass implies a difficulty for others to perceive Lucien. Shattered glass also represents a fractured relationship between the identities of “Lucien” and “Ares” in a few scenes.

On the wall of the abandoned Ultima Bioresearch Lab, MC finds a quotation written on the wall from the Bible. “For now we see through a glass, darkly. The truth is projected into the hearts of men through a glass lens. It’s distorted, blurry, and one-dimensional.” (Note: I’m assuming that this verse was translated from the Chinese dialogue and not transcribed from an English Bible translation, because this is, at the very least, not a popular translation of the verse that I’m familiar with. Ironically, it’s more popular to translate “glass” here as “mirror” so there goes this whole section LMAO.)

Because of the way it’s presented, I think that this image of distorted glass represents not how MC actually perceives Lucien but, rather, how Lucien believes he perceives her. Obviously, this is also foreshadowing the betrayal so, in a way, he’s correct in asserting that she is not seeing all of him. But, on the whole, this distorted glass imagery is delivered in a way that implies the distortion more as an insecurity on Lucien’s part rather than the reality of MC’s vision.

Rainbows

Keeping with Lucien’s themes of paradox and duplicity, one of his main motifs is the appearance of rainbows, despite the fact that he is colorblind. This is, again, representative of MC’s “light” being transformative to Lucien because the rainbows appear when they are together. I think that, rather than being a symbol for Lucien alone, rainbows represent Lucien’s relationship with MC. It’s a sort of combination of MC’s light imagery and Lucien’s refraction/distortion imagery. In the right circumstances, they can create something beautiful together.

It’s also implied throughout the story that Lucien is able to see colors when he’s around MC, so he is truly only able to appreciate the beauty of rainbows when he is with her. (Note: It’s unclear how this works but I think that it’s a side-effect of his Evol mimicking hers. There’s a footage mission where it seems like Lucien has to ask MC to look at something before he can tell the color of it so I think that he is somehow able to see the world through her perspective, possibly by using her Evol to have real-time visions. Does this make sense? Who knows, but I refuse to accept it just as soulmate magic!!!!)

If you haven’t, I highly recommend reading Lucien’s “Rainbow Luck” R&S. (Note: A recording is available here!) In this story, told from the perspective of Lucien’s pen, Iridescent, MC and Lucien see a rainbow together and it’s implied that this is Lucien’s first time being able to see a rainbow because MC is there. (Note: Iridescent as a name itself is an instance of Lucien’s rainbow motif.)

(Note: Lucien's Moments also features a rainbow paperweight at Bond Level 40.)

TLDR: Imagery and symbolism are used in MLQC to imply things about the characters and their relationships with MC. In particular, with Lucien, recurring imagery is used to represent his internal conflict and his desire for love and understanding from MC. The symbolism of light and its reflection/refraction is used to great effect throughout Lucien’s story, implying a complex web of internal struggles.

#i'm so normal i'm so normal i'm so normal #lucien is literally colorblind unless he's with MC why DON'T WE TALK ABOUT THAT MORE #606.txt #mlqc #lovepro #love and producer #mr love #mr love queen's choice #mr love dream date #mldd #evol x love #mlqc analysis #lucien #lucien mlqc #lucien mr love #xu mo #xumo #xu shimon #lucien xu #kiro mlqc #gavin mlqc #victor mlqc #mr love analysis

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Nostalgic Memories Date (Eng Translation)

“You’re my first.”

“You’re my first, too.”

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 旧忆之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

─  

【Subbed Video】    

[Heads-up]: Read the transcript for reading, but  PLEASE DO WATCH THE VIDEO!! THE BGMS, THE VOICE ACTING, EVERYTHING!! (also, yes, I’ve made my real-time reactions 🤪)

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【Transcript Version】

【Chapter 1】

Not long ago, Victor received a commemorative book.

The sender is his alma mater, Loveland Central Elementary School, which is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The book is filled with old photos of his school. With unending excitement, I relentlessly search for that familiar figure among them.

Little Victor holding up his award certificates with a composed demeanor, hoisting the national flag with aplomb, or standing on the winner’s podium during the sports meet… all these are images of him I haven’t seen before.

MC: Model student, flag-raiser, long-distance running gold medalist… how many more surprises does this man have in store that I still don’t know about?

?? (Victor): What are you muttering to yourself this time?

I look up and find that Victor has entered the bedroom without me noticing.

MC: I can’t help but feel sentimental~ After all, you were that “kid from someone else’s family” when we were little.

–

[Tidbits]: The term MC uses here is “别人家的小孩,” I guess you’ll understand this better if you are an Asian/ of Asian descendance/ have Asian parents LOL; it’s often used to describe how parents spur their own kids into working harder by often mentioning “the other kid” as a role model who usually excels in many aspects~ :> And MC playfully follows this with– he belongs to her/ they’re a family now. So, she can take pride that “the prized boy” is all hers 🤣💕 (aside from the obvious knife about MC being regretful of missing out on each other’s lives, which comes later~ 🥲)

–

Victor: Someone else’s family?

Watching his cool and collected expression as he arches an eyebrow, I cheekily walk up to him.

MC: Hehe, but now you’re mine~

As I notice him smiling slightly, I can’t help but be insatiable and pull him along to join me in flipping through the photo album.

We have just flipped through a few photos of the “Campus Singing Competition” when the person beside me seems to have seen something, causing his pupils to quiver ever so slightly.

Following his gaze, I catch a glimpse of a young kid with dramatic stage makeup, sporting a red dot on the space between his brows.

Before I can take a closer look, the commemorative book in front of me is abruptly snapped shut.

MC: Wait!

Hastily, I clutch his hand down and carefully inspect the photo. There is actually a small caption below it that reads–– “Little Victor, photographed by Dad”

Astounded, I snatch the book and examine it closely–– the child’s solemn expression, with furrowed brows, is unmistakably identical to that of a certain someone I know so well.

I stare at Victor in utter disbelief, while he seems to have already resigned himself and closed his eyes.

MC: Hahahaha–– you’re so cute, hahaha!

Victor: …stop laughing, give me back the book.

MC: Alright, but you have to agree to one condition of mine.

Victor: ...you sure know how to make demands.

MC: Don’t want to agree? Well, then I might just turn you into an emoji pack, huh?

Victor takes a deep breath as if he has reached the limit of his patience. He then takes out his phone, quickly taps on the screen, and holds it to his ear.

Victor: I had planned to bring a certain someone along to visit the school when I’d sign the contract to donate to the school building.

Victor: But since the photos seem enough to satisfy you, I think I’m gonna talk to the school about reducing your title to a colleague.

Hearing his words, I immediately grab his arm, displaying a sincere expression.

MC: Why didn’t you tell me about the building donation before? I’m not laughing anymore, I promise!

He arches an eyebrow and moves his phone a few inches away, as if waiting for me to offer a bigger bargaining chip.

I narrow my eyes and steel myself.

MC: I’ll give you three of my embarrassing childhood photos!

Victor: Deal.

Hearing a muffled chuckle in my ears, I suddenly realize what’s going on. I seize his phone and, sure enough, find that the screen is still locked.

MC: …you’re so childish, Victor!

Despite my reproach, he remains composed and raps my head.

Victor: He who touches ink becomes black, you know?

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 2】

Victor: …wish strips?

An old metal box is gently placed on the table, inside of which is stacked with many pieces of weathered papers, tinged with a yellow hue.

After the completion of the donation contract signing, only three people remain in the empty conference room— the two of us and the principal.

Principal: When I learned that you were coming back, I inquired with your homeroom teacher about anything that might have been left behind from back then, and she really found it.

Even as I try hard to focus my attention on their conversation, an inevitably innate urge drives me to reach out and flip through the wish strips with my fingers, looking for a certain one.

Soon, a weathered piece of paper catches my eyes, with meticulously and neatly penned six letters that form the name “Victor.”

However, before I can reach my hand for it, a large hand with slender fingers lands on top of the paper––

Forced by the seriousness of the atmosphere we are in now, I can do nothing but watch helplessly as Victor nonchalantly slips the note into his pocket.

Victor: If there’s anything else you need help with in the future, please feel free to contact me again.

Principal: Thank you, Little Vic. Despite your remarkable achievements in the outside world, you still haven’t forgotten your alma mater.

–

[Tidbits]: I’m freaking crying, haha–– look at his Principal still calling this grown-ass man “小李 (Xiao Li)” aksdknld– the sheer adoration you can’t let go of despite the admiration a person has achieved from you– 🥺 

–

Victor: You’re too kind. On a different note, I wish to take my girlfriend on a tour of the school later. I wonder if it would be convenient?

Principal: Absolutely! You two are welcome to wander around and have a good time.

–

It’s summer vacation, and the campus is absolutely empty.

The continuous symphony of cicadas seems to transport me through countless summers, carrying me to the past that belongs to him.

Hand in hand, we walk beneath the shade of the sycamore tree, retracing the journey captured in old photos, from the faintly plastic-scented crimson athletic track to the library, and eventually arriving at his former classroom.

–

MC: Where would you sit back then?

Seeing him pointing to a seat in the back row, I press against the window frame and peer inside, yearning to glimpse that small figure across the boundaries of time and space.

MC: Do you have any special memory from your elementary school days?

Victor: What do you mean by special?

MC: Copying homework? Not paying attention in class? Or maybe… puppy love?

It seems like he’s heard something that displeased him; a slight frown creeps onto his face, and he gives me a subtle, scrutinizing look.

Victor: [strikes immediately LMFAO]  Your elementary school life was this eventful and colorful? It seems like I underestimated you a little.

MC: Of course not; I didn’t do anything of the sort! I’m just simply curious about your school life~

Victor: It was like any regular elementary school student’s life–– attending classes, doing homework after school, and occasionally playing soccer. Nothing out of the ordinary–– 

Suddenly, the sound of a series of brisk footsteps interrupts his words. Before long, two kids carrying backpacks appear at the far end of our sight.

Little Boy: Did you check? If you forget to bring your homework again, I won’t come with you next time.

Little Girl: I’ve really brought it this time! Where should we go to do our homework today?

Little Boy: The library.

Little Girl: But we need to stay quiet in the library, and I won’t be able to talk with you there.

Little Boy: …let’s go to the burger joint then.

Watching their departing figures from behind, I tug at the corner of Victor’s clothes.

MC: Have you ever done homework together with other kids?

Victor: Might have done some group assignments at some point.

MC: With you sitting next to them, their study efficiency must have gotten a massive boost. I’m really envious of those classmates who had the chance to do homework with you…

Hearing me say this, Victor’s face takes on a curious and contemplative expression.

Victor: Don’t be envious. I’ve got an idea.

MC: What do you have in mind?

Victor: It just so happens that I have to work tonight. You can bring in your unfinished proposal, and we can “do homework” together.

MC: …I’ll pass. Even a dummy can tell the difference between a friendly invitation and being supervised by a capitalist.

As we are talking, I see the kids from earlier run out of the convenience store in front of the school gate.

With delight on their faces, they share a pack of crisp instant noodles. The savory and crispy aroma from afar feels as if it reaches the tip of my teeth as well.

Just like me, Victor turns his head toward the source of the noise. Upon seeing his reaction, I immediately reach out and take his hand.

MC: Wanna go to the convenience store? It’s my treat!

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 3】

The store is not big, but it boasts a diverse selection of snacks arranged on the shelves.

However, my eyes are drawn to a seemingly ordinary pack of candy tucked away in the corner. Memories of my elementary school days rush back, when this candy was all the rage for playing pranks, and I also couldn’t resist tasting it once myself––

Even at this very moment, the fast secretion of saliva in my mouth is a vivid reminder of its “special” flavor.

Filled with curiosity, I pick up the candy and shake it at Victor.

MC: This candy used to be so popular back in the day. Have you ever tried it?

Victor: Nope, I haven’t.

MC: Your childhood is missing just a little something, then.

Victor: If being a glutton is your yardstick, you probably had the most complete childhood in the whole world.

Listening to his playful banter, I silently make up my mind to tease him a little. I grab the candy and settle the bill.

Just imagining the look on his face when he tastes the sourness makes me involuntarily curl my lips into a smile. However, realizing that his gaze is fixed on my face, I hasten to temper my smile.

MC: Victor, may I fill in the missing pieces of your childhood?

Victor: No need.

Ignoring his attempt to decline with a shake of his head, I affectionately bring a candy close to his lips.

MC: Come on, give me some face! I never asked any boy students out for snacks back when I was in school. You’re my first.

Upon hearing my words, his motions pause momentarily, and he stares at me fixedly with downcast eyes.

Just when I think he’s going to reject me again, he softly lets his lips part, lowers his head, and eats the candy from my hand.

I instantly widen my eyes, not wanting to miss any nuance of his expression. But all I see him is chewing the candy nonchalantly without any changes in his demeanor.

This isn’t right… could they have changed the recipe? Puzzled, I pop a candy into my mouth, but as soon as it touches my tongue, I grimace from the sourness.

MC: Sss! So sour!

Victor seems to can’t hold back and bursts into laughter.

Victor: Mmm, it’s indeed sour.

MC: You did that on purpose!

As my indignant glare meets his eyes, he arches an eyebrow in response.

Victor: You sure have a talent for turning the tables. But speaking of doing it on purpose—

Victor: Back when I was in school, I never teased or played with any girl students, either. You’re my first, too.

The candy in my mouth still gives rise to an unending stream of sourness, yet I can distinctly taste a sweet flavor.

Victor: So happy that you’re in a silly daze?

Upon hearing his teasing, I  realize I’ve been rooted to the spot and giggling like a silly person this whole time. I quickly pretend to be composed and divert the topic.

MC: I was thinking that we visited all the locations where each of the old photos was taken, except for one that slipped through the cracks!

MC: Where was that adorable picture of you with the red dot between your brows taken?

Victor: Why do you always apply your surplus obsession in places where it’s not necessary?

MC: Humph, it took me so much effort to get you to bring me here. Even if I have to dig the school three feet deep today, I’ll definitely find it!

Seeing me steadfastly staring at him, he lets out a sigh and helplessly takes my hand.

Victor: My alma mater had to spend so much effort to reach the lifespan of a hundred years. I’m not letting it be dug up by you.

—

We’re obviously supposed to be searching for the location of the photo. However, Victor brings me back to his old family home, which is currently empty.

Before I can even ask anything, my gaze is captivated by a rather extravagant box of jewelry on the foyer table.

As I let out a small gasp of surprise, Victor also glances over, and his expression turns somewhat speechless.

Victor: Aunt Grace purchased these during her trip abroad. She said you might get tired of seeing me in formal attire, so I should occasionally change things up…

MC: Pfftt! Why didn’t she just send them to you directly?

Victor: Because I declined. She probably planned to take a roundabout approach and ask my dad for help.

MC: Well, that works out perfectly. There’s no need to bother Uncle.

I “obligingly” pat my chest as an expression of “taking responsibility” and put the ornaments in my bag.

MC: But you didn’t especially bring me here just to pick this up, right?

Victor shoots me a wordless glance and then points toward the flower house ahead.

–

Victor: Not just the head is slow, the eyes are slow too.

MC: Hey, you meanie…

After a few seconds, I’m suddenly taken aback, my eyes widening. I pull out the photo from the commemorative book and compare it to the flower house before my eyes. To my surprise, it turns out to be exactly the same.

MC: This photo was actually taken at home?

Victor: After I came back from the performance, the teacher notified us that we needed to take a photo.

MC: But I thought you would remove your makeup right after the performance!

Victor: You’re right. I did wipe it off as soon as I got off the stage. But my dad deliberately used a red seal ink paste to reapply that dot.

Seeing the awkward look on his face, I can’t resist the urge to tease him and fish out the lipstick from my bag.

MC: How is it fair if you just make do with a red seal ink paste? Since the other kids have it on, you should too.

Victor: …I should not have told you.

He firmly grasps my unruly hand, but I use my left hand to snatch the lipstick and persistently keep inching closer to him. At this point, I’m practically draped onto his body.

Just as the lipstick is about to touch his forehead, he suddenly looks behind me.

Victor: Dad, you’re back.

I jump off him in a panic, and with my eyes closed, I immediately bow towards the entrance.

MC: Hello, Uncle!

After waiting for quite a considerable amount of time without any response, I’m beginning to feel slightly puzzled when I hear a soft chuckle from above me.

Victor: Turns out that there are still ways to restrain a certain someone’s out-of-control unruliness.

I raise my head and see that there is no one at the entrance.

Seeing the smirk of triumph in his eyes, I let out a “humph” and decide to turn the tables against him. At this moment, I coincidentally spot the wish strip peeking out from his pocket because of our earlier playful fooling around.

But he’s guessed my intentions, and almost simultaneously, he presses his fingertips on the slip of paper along with me. This results in a brief standoff as neither of us releases our hold.

The silent confrontation lasts for a few seconds until I pout, and that’s when I hear him let out a resigned sigh of compromise. I finally have my wish fulfilled and get my hands on his wish strip.

The paper has already yellowed and become brittle, but the carefully and neatly written words haven’t faded even a bit during the overlong passage of time––

“I want to grow up fast so that I can find her.”

Caught off guard by intruding into the “secret” of his past, I somehow feel a mixture of indescribable emotions flooding my heart.

How come he never mentioned to me that he had such a wish before? I can’t help but lift my eyes to look into his.

And he stares at me for a long, long time, as if he too wants to glean something from my expression. His lips twitch, but he doesn’t utter a single word even after a long time passes by.

Seeing him hesitate like this, I decide to be the one to break the silence first.

MC: Haha, I didn’t expect your wish to be so sincere and honest.

MC: But don’t worry, who didn’t have some little secrets in their childhood? I’ll just pretend I didn’t see it!

Victor: Little secret?

He doesn’t seem to have expected me to say this, causing him to evidently be stunned for a moment. But soon, a glint of playfulness sparks in his eyes.

Victor: Well, that’s a shame. I was originally going to share it with you, but since a certain dummy isn’t curious––

Victor: I guess I’ll just have to leave it be.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

【Chapter 4】

He has really done what he said, not uttering a single word of explanation.

He even seems to be in high spirits as he grabs a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet, as if he does not feel my indignant glare fixed on him at all.

Victor: Let’s celebrate together.

MC: Celebrate what?

Victor: I’m really lucky; my wish has come true.

With a hint of tenderness crested between his eyebrows and in his eyes, he uncorks the wine bottle. “Pop”–– the celebration begins, but I feel as if it’s my heart that has begun to deflate.

I push down the bitter feelings in my heart and take a sip of my drink.

MC: Congratulations to you, then.

Victor: Why does this “congratulations” sound a bit like you’re saying it against your will?

Being relentlessly pressed by his step-by-step advances while he is greatly amused, I suddenly feel a mix of embarrassment and anger soaring into my chest.

MC: How should I congratulate you then? Do you want me to take a photo of you for comparison to prove that you’ve grown up properly, just as you wished?

Victor: Sure, how do you plan to take the photo for me?

Originally, it was just an impulsive remark I made out of anger. But his reply suddenly causes me to choke, rendering me momentarily speechless. I can’t help but feel a little itch in my teeth.

However, upon glancing at the extravagant jewelry box in my bag, I narrow my eyes.

The next second, I push him onto the couch and start “hanging” all the jewelry on him without even asking him.

Victor: …are you decorating a Christmas tree?

MC: Since we are taking new photos in the once familiar place, you naturally have to dress up enough like an adult to give them the true value of commemoration.

However, I gradually realize that the ornaments on him don’t look over the top at all; instead, they make him look even more exquisite.

Seeing this, I wickedly pull open a section of his collar, exposing a large expanse of sculpted muscles that charges into my eyes. I can’t help but gulp at the sight.

Victor: Is this how a certain dummy defines an adult?

MC: Why? Can’t I do this?

Hearing his soft chuckle, I huff in anger as I mutter under my breath.

The next second, my wrist is clasped in place, and I find myself falling into his arms. That familiar scent of his hems me tightly.

Victor: Of course you can. But I think there’s still a bit of room for enhancement.

His warm breath grazes my ear now and then, making my heartbeat accelerate involuntarily.

Realizing that my chance to counterattack is slipping through the cracks, I inwardly compose myself and tilt my head slightly, forcefully suppressing my racing heartbeat.

Aiming my gaze at the lipstick on the table, I immediately come up with a plan.

MC: You’re absolutely right; there’s still room for enhancement. It was my bad. I still need to mark you like an adult––

I grab the lipstick and apply several thick coats on my lips, then seal it with a big kiss on his cheek.

The corners of his lips twitch slightly, seemingly evident that he didn’t anticipate my move at all. After a brief moment, he just casually leans back against the couch.

Victor: Have you finished all your preparations for taking the photo?

Looking at his face painted with the mark of my kiss, I nod in satisfaction.

He raises an eyebrow at my reaction, then pulls me closer to him once again.

Victor: Now it’s my turn.

Victor: Photos that hold the true value of commemoration should be taken alongside the witness testimony who made my wish come true.

MC: Witness testimony? Me?

Victor: Is there a third person here?

Victor rubs his temples helplessly, but the smile hanging at the edge of his lips seems to validate the daring conjecture harbored in the depths of my heart.

MC: The “her” you wrote about in your wish strip… it’s me?

Victor: You dummy, who else could it possibly be except you?

Without a moment’s hesitation, he admits it candidly.

In this instant, my heart feels as if it has been drenched.

The mottled wish strip in front of me is akin to the tip of an iceberg I have somehow peered into. It reminds me that in places I’ve never seen, millions of emotions lie buried that I still don’t know about and have yet to fathom.

And those deep eyes of his, which have been fixed on me all along, are so honest and sincere without the slightest concealment, make me surer than ever that––

The impact of our childhood encounter, the bond that forged our destinies together, perhaps runs much deeper than I had ever imagined it to be possible.

It turns out that I have already had my place in his past long ago.

By the time I speak again, my tone has already become joyful.

MC: Ah–– it turns out I had already become your heart’s desire so, so early on. I must have had quite the charm back when I was little, huh~

Victor: …I really underestimated how thick-skinned you can be.

He laughs involuntarily and watches me quietly for a while. The light in his gaze becomes even deeper and more earnest.

Victor: But MC, when I say “I’m lucky,” it’s not because I found the little girl from my past.

Victor: It’s because of the fortunate circumstance–– that little girl turned out to be you.

I instinctively find myself rooted to the spot, feeling a tingling itch sprouting in my heart, as if a wobbly little flower has blossomed within me.

It’s not until he takes hold of my hand that I finally snap out of it. Accompanied by the silky smooth touch of his fingertips, an English word takes form on the glass wall of the flower room –– Morii.

MC: What does it mean?

He lowers his gaze to look at me, his eyes seemingly concealing a subtle smile.

Victor: Originally, for me, those past days were nothing but ordinary moments, days that I would never want to look back on.

Victor: But the moment you stepped inside and looked around, those old times suddenly came to life again.

Victor: Perhaps it’s the gift of a certain dummy; you’ve always made me want to keep holding onto these moments that exist because of you.

His gentle voice is reminiscent of a feather landing in my heart, creating concentric ripples of waves.

I find myself unable to contain my giggle and lean in closer to him.

MC: Then let’s keep holding onto it.

He is slightly stumped for a moment but soon understands the meaning of my words and turns on the camera, aiming it at us. From beginning to end, those eyes of his gazing at me have held a perpetual interplay of tender and fervent glimmers.

Lifting myself up on my toes, I approach the figure that is also drawing closer to me.

Two throbbing hearts appear to have traversed the confines of endless dusty time, seeking solace in each other’s arms time and time again.

Right at this moment, the flash of the camera lights up.

────────

[Tidbits]: Didn’t wanna break the immersion, so kept it for the last here. The word Victor led MC to write together, i.e., “Morii” means the “desire to capture a fleeting moment that cannot be retained.” It’s basically the ephemeral nature of life, the reminder of everything inevitable. It’s like a time in which you expect the least, a time in which that moment spontaneously confronts you, but there is nothing you can do to preserve it— and the desire to do all you can to keep that moment to yourself is “Morii.” And if you know Victor and Victor x MC’s story, I’m sure you understand why it’s so important that they wrote it together, or rather MC instinctively followed his strokes without asking why— (இ﹏இ`｡)❤️

—

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[Anika’s Long Analysis & Ramblings]

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#SCREAMING INTO MY HANDS EVEN NOW. PEOPLE READ THIS DATE WATCH THE VIDEO READ THIS DATE WATCH THE VIDEO AJSJDJDHF #also analysis + rambling word count: twelve hundred plus 🤗🫠 #AKSHDHDJFHJ I JUST — WEEPING SCREAMING THROWING HANDS I LOVE HIM SO FCKING MUCH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH AJDHDGHHDH #mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mlqc #mr love victor #mr love queen's choice #李泽言 #恋与制作人 #love and producer #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc translations

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Distant Similarity MQ translation + video with sub EN

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

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

I can only watch as he leisurely pulls on the string, keeping my breath held as the front of my garment could easily come undone at any moment.

As if unintentionally, Lucien raises his leg a little bit, and I slide down to the bottom, tightly pressed against him through the thin fabric.

I can even feel his muscles momentarily tense up. Unable to hold back, I let out a soft moan, which is rewarded with a rush of heated breath against my chest.

After several failed attempts, the person in front of me finally seems to lose patience. His fingers hook onto the thin fabric, undoing it.

[Warning]: The content of this MQ is pretty explicit and may not be  suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

=[Video + English subtitle]=

(T/N: I highly recommend watch the MQ in video format or following the voice acting for complete experience.)

note: if it doesn’t work, check reblog~

=[Transcript ver]=

[Part 1]

??(Lucien): Excuse me, this classmate, do you also have a class in Building 48 next?

A familiar voice brings my gaze back, and the person in front of me curved his eyebrows and eyes. The tips of his hair gently sway in the wind, radiating beautiful colors.

MC: What if I do?

Lucien: If you do, perhaps I can share the journey of the past with you.

MC: ...Oh dear, what if I say I remembered it wrong, and I actually have no class?

I curl my lips with a mischievous smile as he takes a step closer to me, his voice filled with suppressed grievances.

Lucien: Then, may I have your contact information? So that after class, I can share dinner time with you.

MC: (laughs)….Pfft, I can't escape from you, can I?

Lucien: I can only blame you for being so charming.

He said it as if it was only natural, allowing those sweet and delightful feelings to naturally fill my heart.

MC: Oh, have you finished "reporting" already?

Lucien: Yes, I believe the teacher in charge of reception will take me to the classroom shortly.

He gently interlaces his fingers with mine, and together we lean against the outer wall of the open-air corridor, letting the refreshing sea breeze envelop us.

Colorful rays shimmer on the surface of the sea, and brilliant golden light blends into the abundant azure, winding all the way to the horizon.

MC: It's so comfortable to have classes here, isn't it?

Lucien: It's still a bit stuffy. Later, you can take a stroll in the shade, but take it easy and go at a slower pace.

Lucien: Otherwise, when all my classes are over, the repetitive scenery might dampen MC's enthusiasm.

MC: Professor Lucien underestimates his own charm. I just hope that by then, my eyes will still have some spare attention for other sceneries that aren’t you.

This summer, Lucien, as a guest lecturer, came to the H University summer camp located by the seaside to give a three-day lecture series.

Due to the beautiful sea views nearby, he also invited me to spend a week exploring the area after the lectures are over.

MC: However, your classes are shorter than I imagined. Let me check where your classes are taking place in a moment.

MC: I'll just wander around the school and pick you up after your class... Where should we go afterward?

Lucien: What to do, I'm already looking forward to the time speeding up until it's time for class to end.

MC: It's a pity that Professor Lucien can't skip class~

The gentle sea breeze carries the laughter that resonates at the same time from far away. But, an unfamiliar voice accompanied by anxious footsteps interjects into our conversation.

??: Professor Lucien, I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long.

A young man with a worried expression hurriedly approached, his forehead glistening with sweat, and the shoulders of his shirt damp.

He nervously and discreetly wipes his hands on the sides of his pants and extends his hand to Lucien very politely.

??: You can call me Xiao Tian. I'm in charge of welcoming you to this summer camp.

Lucien: Hello, Teacher Tian. It seems like it's about time. Could you please take me to the classroom first?

Xiao Tian: Of course, Professor.

He nervously purses his lips and looks apologetically at us.

Xiao Tian: The temperature has been extremely high these past few days, leading to a significant increase in electricity usage and causing circuit malfunctions. As a result, the air conditioning is not functioning properly.

Xiao Tian: We are currently working on emergency repairs, but considering the situation of the special guest lecturers…

Xiao Tian: If it is convenient for your schedule, we can reschedule the classes to a later time.

I remain silent and sneak a glance at Lucien.

There is no emotion on his face as if he has not been disturbed by the restlessness. After a moment, he calmly speaks.

Lucien: Are the other classes of the summer camp proceeding as usual?

Xiao Tian: Yes, they are, but we really don't want to cause any inconvenience to the special guest lecturers. We will try to fix the electrical issue as quickly as possible, and then…

Lucien: Thank you for understanding, but since the students are attending classes as usual, there is no need for me to make alternative arrangements.

Lucien calmly interrupts Xiao Tian's words and checks the time on his watch.

Lucien: Teacher Tian, you have worked hard. Please show us the way.

The other person is momentarily stunned, seemingly surprised by Lucien's response. He quickly expresses his gratitude with a deep bow.

Xiao Tian: Please follow me.

Lucien: No wonder the vice dean's office felt a bit stuffy earlier. It seems like I have “demonized” the temperature here a bit.

As we walk behind Teacher Tian, Lucien quietly leaned down and whispered into my ear.

I almost couldn't hold back my laughter and had to bite my lip, leaning closer to him and whispering back into his ear.

MC: The weather is still hot, and I can imagine that the classrooms without proper ventilation will be even hotter.

MC: You've been working in the laboratory overtime for the past few months. Is it okay for you to handle such hot weather?

Lucien: Of course, and I also don't want unnecessary things to occupy our time in the coming days.

Lucien: As for my body…

Lucien: (chuckles) To ensure the satisfaction of my Miss Supervisor, I have been diligently taking care of myself day and night, even more diligently than how I nurtured the tissues in the culture dishes.

His eyes hold an even deeper smile, and his index finger gently twines around my fingertip, as if to comfort me.

Lucien: Besides, in the face of the current situation, I have some small ways to resolve it.

The scorching sun mercilessly radiates its heat, and the humid sensation fills the hot air.

Seeing his unwavering confidence and knowing that he has always been able to make accurate judgments in such situations, I find peace in my heart as well.

MC: Can Professor Lucien also conjure up a functioning air conditioner?

Lucien: It's just some practical tricks, nothing more.

As his words fall, I feel a sense of clarity in the surrounding air. A cool and refreshing sensation envelops my body.

I blink in surprise, colliding with Lucien's delighted gaze.

MC: How is this possible…

Before I can finish my sentence, the sound of falling tiny water droplets reaches my ears.

I lower my head and see numerous water droplets slowly forming on the dry ground. Following their trajectory upward, I finally notice the "trick" he mentioned—

Thin, transparent ice shards stealthily create a barrier, silently and precisely separating the scorching heat from our surroundings. The barrier hovers just a few centimeters away from our bodies.

The cool summer breeze playfully brushes against his forehead, lifting his hair in a brisk arc.

Lucien even effortlessly flicks his fingertips, and a few tiny ice flowers appear in front of me, sparkling with radiant light in the sunshine.

MC: Professor Lucien can even secretly cool himself down!

MC: But…

I glance at the "meandering" trail of water behind us and can't help but playfully squeeze his palm, unable to contain my amusement.

MC: What should we do if everyone notices a puddle of water on the podium after class?

After a moment of contemplation, Lucien's serious gaze hides a hint of amusement.

Lucien: Then I'll have to honestly tell everyone that Professor Lucien has "melted”.

[Part 2]

As the bell rings, I embark on the journey of solo exploration.

The campus during the summer break is devoid of many people, and the occasional scattered figures do not disturb this tranquility.

Walking along the unfamiliar path, the sound of cicadas fills the air, and traces of distant memories seep through the lush foliage along with the sunlight.

Not far from the dormitory entrance, a young boy waits under a tree, eagerly gazing at the dormitory lobby.

A girl angrily shouts at her screen, "I don't believe I won't be able to get a seat in the library today!" as she hurriedly passes by me.

Everything seems to be adorned with a gentle summer filter. I smile and allow myself to sink into this serene atmosphere.

The stifling heat gradually envelops my mind and a thin layer of sweat forms on my back. I ultimately decide to wait for Lucien in the teaching building where he has his class.

The shaded corridor offers no respite from the heat, and from a slightly ajar back door of a classroom, I can faintly hear a familiar voice.

I snicker and purse my lips, finding an empty classroom on the same floor and casually sitting down there.

Perhaps due to the excessive heat, my brain feels heavy and sluggish, and the drowsiness creeps in.

MC: Why isn't your class over yet…

I yawn, propping up my head, and watch the chubby clouds lazily drifting across the sky outside.

I suddenly have a feeling as if I'm in college, waiting for my boyfriend from a different department to finish his class.

MC: But I guess he must have more classes than me, right?

MC: We probably won't be able to take elective courses together either…

As I mumbled to myself, I imagined what it would be like to have Lucien sitting next to me, taking notes.

He would probably listen attentively, but still notice my stolen glances towards him.

MC: No, geniuses don't need to take notes…

MC: Then he must be able to help me with my assignments... By that time, he would probably already be a graduate student…

The bothersome heat that was disturbing my mind just moments ago seems to have faded away unnoticed as if the image of Lucien in my mind is helping me cool down.

I can't help but smile as if because of him, even the waiting becomes joyful.

??(Lucien): Did I miss something interesting?

A voice with a playful tone interrupts my thoughts. I pause for a moment and realize that Lucien is leaning against the door, smiling at me.

MC: You are done with your class!

I instantly wake up and run happily towards him.

MC: Are you tired? Or do you feel hot?

Lucien: Compared to me, you appear to be in hotter condition.

He reaches out his hand, enveloping it with refreshing coldness, and gently caresses my cheek.

I instinctively let out a contented sigh and couldn't resist hugging him. The pleasant sensation of the cold instantly dispels all the summer heat, leaving nothing but boundless comfort.

MC: Wow, it feels so much better now~ I'm not worried about you anymore.

MC: I finally experienced the feeling of seeking refuge in an igloo to escape the intense heat.

A muffled laughter resonates from his chest and reaches my ears. Lucien hugs me even tighter, affectionately pressing his cheek against mine.

Lucien: I don't expect the ninety minutes to feel so long either.

Lucien: But from what I observed just now, this waiting time didn't seem to bore you too much.

MC: Because it's you I'm waiting for.

I couldn't help but recall the vivid imagination that was swirling in my mind just moments ago. I turn my face to the side and smile as I look at him.

MC: Lucien, did you graduate from college at around the age of 20?

Lucien: Although I'm not sure why you're asking this out of the blue, I attended my college graduation ceremony at the age of 15 and obtained my doctoral degree by the age of 20.

MC: ….

MC: So, does that mean while I haven't even finished college, you've already completed your doctoral degree?!

I look at the person in front of me, and in an instant, all the bubbles of fantasy I had just moments ago vanish into thin air.

Lucien: Hmm, what's wrong?

MC: ...I was just imagining scenarios where I could audit your classes and take elective courses together with you.

MC: I never expected reality to be even more magical…

Perhaps my expression of shock was too evident, as it caused his lips to curve into a more pleasant arc.

Lucien: Besides those, what else were you thinking about?

MC: Oh, it's nothing really.

Thinking about those fantasies that aren't suitable to be spoken aloud, I cross my arms and pretend to avert my gaze with a serious expression.

Lucien: If it were me, I would probably indulge in even more outrageous "imaginations".

I raise my head puzzlingly, sinking into his comfortable warmth, and my entire body relaxes.

Lucien: I would imagine... how you would dress and sit next to me, and the kind of gaze you would use to look at me;

Lucien: If I were to solve a difficult problem for you, would it make you show a more radiant smile than usual?

Lucien: If we were to go to the library together, I might not be able to concentrate on reading but instead think about how to make this classmate beside me pay more attention to me;

Lucien: And... bring you to the self-study room that I usually have all to myself, like this.

A gentle and tender peck lands on my cheek, accompanied by the soft whisper of his voice. His words, coupled with the touch of his lips near mine, send my thoughts soaring and dancing along with those words.

Lucien: Embracing you.

Unfulfilled yearning delicately envelops us, lingering between our lips and teeth, filled with tender nostalgia.

With each separation, the reluctance to part grows stronger, craving for more than what fleeting imagination can offer.

Lucien's hand wraps around my waist, his fingertips slowly slipping into the gaps between my left hand's fingers, while his other hand rests against the back of my head.

The summer that's isolated from the outside world transforms into a scorching breath of fiery passion, intensifying as our tongues entwine.

Lucien: But I think... This is not the most outrageous part yet.

The ice seems to melt even faster, and his voice becomes moist, drenching me along with it.

The faint sound of footsteps intermittently tugs at my nerves, yet he swiftly engulfs me in even deeper waves.

The classroom seems to continuously shrink, transforming into the small self-study room within his words, allowing us to explore the secret mysteries of the world clandestinely.

(to explore the secret mysteries of the world is their euphemism for exploring each other-)

??: Ha, look who I meet here.

Suddenly, a lively yet aged voice cuts through and intrudes into my hazy consciousness.

I immediately take a big step back, and after a brief moment of surprise, Lucien gathers himself, tidying up the confusion and disarray on his face and breath. He pulls me closer, positioning me behind him.

At the door stands a spirited and sharp-looking elderly man dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. Next to him is a rather capable-looking young man.

The old man meticulously combs his silver-white hair, and his right-hand rests on a dark brown suit jacket. He raises a gentle smile in our direction.

Beside me, Lucien recognizes that person and slightly raises his eyebrows.

Lucien: Dr. Lawson? Never thought I'd meet you here someday.

His slender eyes curve gently, with a touch of nostalgia in his tone.

Dr. Lawson: How's everything going? Well, I do hear you a lot though.

Dr. Lawson: I just recommended your work as references to my graduates about… a week ago I guess.

Lucien: My honor.

Lucien: And congratulations on your newly published article.

I secretly observe their familiar conversation from behind him, and at this moment, Lucien appears particularly obedient.

Seemingly aware of my gaze, he naturally tucks my slightly disheveled hair behind my ear and politely raises his hand in greeting the old man.

Lucien: This is Dr. Lawson, my professor who guided me during my graduate and doctoral studies.

Dr. Lawson also exchanged a few words with the young person beside him. From their gestures, it seemed like he was introducing himself.

The young person displayed a look of realization and took a step forward to shake hands with Lucien.

Young man: Hello, Professor Lucien. I've long admired your reputation. I am Dr. Yang, the accompanying translator for this trip.

Lucien: Hello, thank you for taking care of Dr. Lawson during this trip.

With the translator present, I can somewhat keep up with the conversations between Lucien and Dr. Lawson.

Lucien: When I saw your name on the promotional brochure, I thought it would be just a video lecture. I didn't expect you to be here in person as well.

Dr. Lawson: It always brings me greater joy to see my students in person.

Dr. Lawson: If you have the time, would you also like to come? Even though it's all content you already know.

Dr. Lawson: Of course, if you're willing, you can also bring your partner along.

Dr. Lawson raises his eyes with great interest, his gaze sweeping over Lucien and me.

However, this invitation makes Lucien hesitate slightly as he purses his lips.

I understand that he is considering our future itinerary. However, the joy he feels when meeting his former professor has already caught my attention before him.

MC: Lucien, can we go and listen? I also really want to know what kind of person our Great Professor Lucien was as a student.

[Part 3]

I naturally won't be able to understand Dr. Lawson's lecture.

We sit at the back of the classroom, several rows away from the summer camp students.

The professor on the podium delivers his lecture gracefully, displaying a serious yet elegant demeanor. Occasionally, he highlights key points on the slides using a red laser pointer.

His tone is calm but not dull. When discussing certain points, he even emphasizes them by adding a slight emphasis on a few occasions.

Although I am unfamiliar with the content, seeing the students deeply engrossed and occasionally laughing, it must be an incredibly captivating class.

I prop my hand against my head, but my peripheral vision sneakily glides to the side.

Lucien supports his chin, his gaze not fully focused on Dr. Lawson, wearing a contented expression that suggests he is in a good mood.

Rather than saying he is attending the lecture, it seems like he is immersed in the atmosphere.

At this moment, what do you see through your eyes?

I lean on the desk and gaze at him, feeling somewhat dreamy and lost in thought.

On the stage is his professor from his master's and doctoral years, while we sit together in the same classroom, listening to the lecture.

The coincidence is so beautiful, carving out a corner of unity in the otherwise unconnected realms of time and space, fulfilling my small dream.

I happily squint my eyes and can't help but curl up the corners of my mouth.

Lucien: Can I join you in your smile too?

His gaze still lingers on the blackboard, but his head tilts down, and his warm lips lightly brush against my earlobe as if it were an accidental touch.

MC: Professor Lucien, don't get distracted now.

MC: So, were you also not focused during your previous classes, secretly slipping away from the ocean of knowledge?

Lucien: Does it seem like I'm not fully immersed in it?

Lucien: Dr. Lawson is currently talking about the second experimental model on page ten of the handout.

He casually mentions it, and his fingertips naturally intertwine with mine at the same time.

Lucien: However, it's indeed my first time listening to a lecture like this.

Lucien: Perhaps this is what the feeling of "university" is like?

MC: Hmph, it sounds like the genius Professor Lucien didn't properly attend university before…

Before the unfinished banter can escape my lips, I suddenly freeze for a moment.

Completing university education at the age of 15 and obtaining a doctoral degree at 20... In such a short and youthful period of time, Lucien seems to have walked faster than anyone else.

Perhaps he always knew what he wanted, disregarding all the complicated things, and kept moving forward without losing sight of his goals.

He probably never wasted anything, efficiently managing not only his time but also himself.

My eyes are suddenly filled with the image of a calm young boy. He appears so content and absorbed in his pursuits, yet I can't help but want to reach out and hold his hand.

Lucien: What's wrong?

His face comes closer, overlapping with that distant face.

My fingertips gently caress his cheek, filled with indescribable affection and tenderness.

In his puzzled gaze, I lift my head and, in the split second when Dr. Lawson looks away, I quickly peck his cheek.

MC: Then let me give you a little more of this "feeling".

His deep pupils visibly contract for a moment, and the bright sunshine pours in, washing over us like a tidal wave.

Amidst a dazzling halo of light, seeing his rare moment of bewilderment, I seize the opportunity and give him another kiss while Dr. Lawson turns his head.

Lucien: It seems like I missed quite a lot.

His voice is filled with a sense of confusion, and he lowers his head as he sees the smile in my narrowed eyes.

Suddenly, I feel a faint gaze and instinctively turn my face, and Lucien also follows my gaze, shifting his attention along with me-

Dr. Lawson looks at us from afar, raising his eyebrows.

Noticing our gaze, he purses his lips and squints his eyes slightly, his gaze taking on a more scrutinizing look.

But that's all there is to it.

The next second, Dr. Lawson shrugs and continues to focus on his lecture slides.

And my rationality immediately kicks in, realizing what I have just done. My face flushes with embarrassment.

But Lucien seems to be in a better mood now. He leans on the desk and looks at me with a playful smile.

Lucien: This class turned out to be even better than I expected.

The sweltering heat silently engulfs the world, and halfway through the class, I notice tiny beads of sweat forming on Dr. Lawson's temples.

Lucien raises his gaze for just a moment before lowering his head again, gently caressing my fingers, lost in his own thoughts.

Is it okay for the lecture to continue like this?

I blink my eyes, considering that Lucien would probably be more aware of the situation than me, so I refrain from asking the question out loud.

Meanwhile, the person on the stage seems completely unaffected by the unfavorable circumstances and continues to guide the students in understanding one key point after another.

However, after some time, the sweat beads that were previously rolling down slowly disappear. The doctor's flushed cheeks, which were red due to the heat, return to their normal color.

In that instant, I knew who was behind this change.

Perhaps worried about being discovered, the layer of ice around the doctor must have gradually formed, subtly lowering the temperature less noticeably.

I purse my lips and lean in close to his ear, speaking softly.

MC: Uh oh, there will be a puddle of water at the doctor's feet soon.

Lucien: In this case, it should be considered a normal occurrence.

Lucien smiles calmly, even looking at his teacher with a hint of curiosity and interest.

Lucien: With the weather being so hot, Dr. Lawson has also honestly "melted" away.

For the next two days, our itinerary was quite simple.

While Lucien attended his classes, I would wander around and explore other places until he finished, and then we would attend the lectures together.

On the third day, the school's electricity was finally repaired, and Lucien no longer had to rely on Evol every day.

MC: Why do I feel like I'm becoming more and more like a girlfriend accompanying her boyfriend to class during summer break in college?

In the evening, Lucien and I walk together along the path, waiting for the time when Dr. Lawson's class begins.

With curved eyes and a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth, he can't hide his happiness.

Lucien: If you want, I would be more than happy to help you join the classroom.

MC: Please spare me, as I'm afraid I won't be able to fully appreciate the mysteries of neuroscience.

Just imagining those complex model data gives me a headache. I quickly wave my hand to decline his offer.

MC: But if there were any group assignments, I would definitely team up with you, the "academic god."

MC: With you around, I'm sure we won't have to worry about anything.

MC: People who get to do group assignments with you in college must be very fortunate indeed…

Lucien: I'm not quite sure if they're fortunate or not.

He squints his eyes, seemingly pondering for a moment.

Lucien: I don't have a lot of group assignments to participate in, and most of the time I choose to complete all the work by myself.

Lucien: This way, I won't waste time, and often it actually allows me to have more free time to do other things.

His voice is gentle, blending into the summer breeze.

MC: Will you miss that time?

Lucien: It was just a period of time that had to be experienced, nothing more.

It felt as if countless days and nights of solitude were spent in such a matter-of-course manner, making the illustrious title of "genius" seem so weightless.

Lucien: But now I enjoy wasting time like this with you.

Lucien: Going for a walk, or just having a chat, or perhaps... without needing to say anything at all.

I freeze for a moment, gazing into his ink-like eyes.

Lucien: Sometimes you make the time go faster, and sometimes you make it go slower... It's like everything has a different meaning now.

MC: That’s not good, the truth and mysteries waiting to be explored by Professor Lucien will protest because of being neglected.

Lucien: I just want to explore the one that interests me the most.

I couldn't help but laugh and playfully pinch his nose.

MC: It's okay, no matter which one you want to explore, I'll be there with you.

The oil-painting-like sunset cast its hues behind him as if he himself was captivating brush strokes carefully painted by God.

The similar silhouettes stretch long, blending into the warm hues of the twilight.

The sound of the bell rings, and reluctantly, I peck his lips again and take his hand.

MC: Let's go, it's time for class...

Before I could finish my sentence, a force pulled me into his embrace.

He simply hugs me without saying a word, his chin resting on top of my head.

MC: We'll be late.

Lucien: (whispers clingily) But... I don't want to go.

The evening breeze gently enveloped us, capturing the warmth of the summer within an embrace akin to a passionate kiss.

Lucien: I don't think the professor would mind if I miss one foundational class.

Lucien: (whisper) It feels like such a waste not to spend this beautiful night together with you.

[Part 4]

Dr. Lawson: Farewell, Dr. Lucien.

Dr. Lawson: Looking forward to hearing you from journal soon.

Lucien: I'll try my best.

Then, Lucien softly says a few more words. The sentence is short, yet carries a profound significance.

Lucien: Take care.

As Dr. Lawson sits with a smile in the backseat of the car and gradually disappears from sight, Lucien takes my hand and eagerly walks in the opposite direction.

Lucien: It's time to officially embark on the summer that only belongs to us.

MC: I thought you've been enjoying these past few days.

Lucien: Enjoying it is one thing, but sharing it exclusively with you is another.

Following the plan we had made earlier, Lucien and I head to the seaside guesthouse to check in as arranged.

We swiftly pack our summer essentials and set off to chase the radiant beauty of the summer without wasting any time.

The rising temperature does not deter our steps. With the ocean tides surging, it feels as if the world has gathered all its brilliance here, creating an atmosphere of comfort and freedom.

The beach remains lively in the afternoon, with the restless beats and melodies dancing along with the shimmering waves not far away. People sing songs and dance freely, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

I maneuver through the crowd, holding two glasses of smoothies, and when I return to the shade, I notice that Lucien seems to be in a daze.

MC: Is it too noisy here? Shall we go somewhere else for a while?

He blinks slowly and offers me a reassuring smile.

Lucien: It's alright, maybe it's just too hot.

MC: Wow! Our Professor Lucien won't "melt" here, right?

He seems amused by my teasing and takes one of the smoothies. He gently places my palm against the side of his face.

Lucien: Well then, Miss, you'll be responsible for freezing me back properly.

It seems that Lucien always maintains that confident and composed demeanor, effortlessly handling any unexpected situations that arise.

Upon hearing his response, I trust in him without a doubt. However, soon…

I start to regret the judgment I made.

There is no emotion on Lucien's face as large beads of sweat occasionally roll down from his temples. His eyes gaze straight ahead, focused on the path ahead.

MC: Lucien? Lucien!

It's only when I wave my hand in front of his eyes that he blinks and turns his head, seemingly coming back to his senses.

Lucien: ...Hmm? Sorry, I didn't hear what you were saying just now.

MC: What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?

After a moment, my words seem to reach his ears in fragments, and he slowly opens his mouth to respond.

Lucien: It's alright, I'm just feeling a bit hot.

Lucien: How about you? Do you need to take a break?

His fingertips brush against the side of my face, carrying a damp and slightly warm sensation.

I suddenly realize what's going on and quickly touch his forehead—different from steaming heat of the environment, a hot temperature emanates through my palm.

Upon closer inspection, I notice that his neck is also covered in beads of sweat, trickling down into the inner part of his shirt.

I quickly pull him to a shaded area, and to my surprise, he doesn't resist at all, obediently standing in front of me.

MC: Lucien, I feel like something's not right with you... Are you experiencing heatstroke?

Lucien: I won't get heatstroke.

Lucien denies it without batting an eye. Clean, precise, and straightforward, it's like an instinctive response after a mental shutdown.

MC: ....Why won't you get heatstroke?

Lucien: Because I don't meet the conditions for heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs under high temperatures, high humidity, lack of ventilation, or intense heat radiation, combined with prolonged engagement in strenuous activities that lead to an increase in body heat.

MC: …..

Feeling increasingly uneasy, I refrain from saying anything more and immediately hail a taxi, bringing him back to the guesthouse.

Lucien: I don't think the current situation is enough to disrupt our plans. I understand the state of my body very well….

MC: Dizziness, body heat, sweating... Your current symptoms are exactly like those of heatstroke.

I interrupt him without hesitation, firmly poking his flushed cheek.

MC: You've been working non-stop before, and attending classes in such a hot place. Plus, you've been using Evol for an extended period of time.

MC: Your body must be exhausted from all the work, and with today's temperature reaching nearly 40 degrees, it's highly likely that you accidentally suffered from heatstroke.

I quickly turn on the air conditioning in the room, help him change into a fresh set of clothes, and gently guide him to lie down on the bed. Then, I hurriedly fetch a glass of water and encourage him to drink it slowly.

MC: Even if it's not heatstroke, it's still good to take a rest. We can afford to take some time off and enjoy ourselves, right?

Finally, it seems like my words have "registered" in his mind, and Lucien slowly becomes aware of the abnormalities in his body.

He lies flat on the bed, furrowing his brow tightly, displaying a rare expression of displeasure.

Seeing him obediently lying down, I open the food delivery app on my way to boil water and place an order for some medications and alcohol.

Given the intense heat, it seems that many people have experienced heatstroke. The delivery platform even has shortage notifications, and it would take nearly half a day for the order to be delivered.

I sigh with concern and proceed to purchase some physical cooling sprays online.

After I set the hot water on the windowsill to cool, I return to the bedroom only to find Lucien sitting up again.

Lucien: I have already rested enough.

Lucien: I have a sufficient understanding of my own physiological condition.

His ink-like eyes still appear slightly unfocused, but he wears a resolute expression as if our brief departure has become irrefutable proof of something.

Lucien: Essentially, my condition hasn't reached a level that would affect our plan.

Lucien: While there may be another opportunity to visit the destinations we planned for, the efficiency would be too low. With the same amount of time, we can explore other places.

Lucien: In addition, it would also alleviate your worries and allow us to continue enjoying our trip happily.

MC: ….

Hearing his rigid response, I also feel a bit annoyed.

It's rare for me to see Lucien lose control like this.

MC: Heatstroke is not something to be embarrassed about. What are you resisting?

Lucien: I'm just stating the facts.

Lucien: But if you don't want to go out, we can do something else.

His usual calm tone is wrapped in a little bit of stubbornness, and with a determined momentum, he pulled me into a hot embrace.

MC: You need to lie down first…

My remaining words fail to form as they shatter in his overwhelming intrusion, wet and without restraint, relentlessly entangling.

He vigorously sweeps through my mouth, creating slick sounds.

His scorching breath, along with the rising body temperature, engulfs everything, burning every nerve ending and instantly dissolving all of my rationality.

I tremble involuntarily, feeling as though I'm standing on a floating iceberg, desperately clinging to him in the midst of the surging tide.

The sticky fabric of our clothes binds our closely pressed skin even more intimately, eliciting waves of indulgent shivers with each rubbing.

I lose myself in a daze, attempting to gather some consciousness by turning to the side, but I'm immediately turned over and pressed against the bed, with both of my hands firmly held in the grip of his strong and large hand.

Lucien: (whisper) Look... you're sweating a lot now too.

Lucien: Just like me…

His scorching fingertips caress my back, and I find myself unable to utter a single word of refutation as it gets consumed by his dense breath, leaving only a shallow moan to escape.

Lucien: You feel hot too, don't you?

Lucien: (whisper) Do you want some water?

The air conditioner seems to have stopped, allowing our rapid breaths to intertwine and steadily raise the temperature. Slowly but powerfully, it infiltrates every limb and bone of mine.

Lucien: Don't worry about things that don't need your concern... Just focus on feeling me.

His voice is hoarse, and the corners of his eyes are tinged with seductive crimson.

The scorching heat blankets my back, while delicate kisses trace a path from the nape of my neck downwards. I can't see Lucien's face, but I can vividly feel every blazing fireworks he ignites-

-setting the world ablaze, burning me to the very end.

(yes it’s ‘that’ kind of fireworks)

In the darkness, I can only hear his voice seeping through the kisses drenched with longing and desire.

Lucien: (with slight gasps at the end) I still have the energy to accompany you to do more things.

[Part 5- Intertwined Emotions]

The night grows late, and everything remains quiet. The girl's steady and peaceful breathing blends into the moonlit scene.

Lucien gazes fixedly at the girl in his arms, instinctively tightening his arms around her again.

The real and familiar sensation of touch and body warmth pressed against him, soothing and comforting, causing him to instinctively emit a contented sigh.

He feels as if he is still floating.

A swaying sensation ripples throughout his body, his brain not responding to commands, causing a sluggish and delayed state that leaves him feeling somewhat annoyed.

He doesn't like this feeling.

Lucien: ….

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, and when he opens his eyes again, there is a hint of sobriety that’s maintained by self-control in his gaze.

The next moment, Lucien gets up and walks towards the bathroom. A gentle stream of water flows  slowly from the faucet, and he reaches out to catch it, pressing it against his still warm cheeks.

After repeating the motion several times, he finally places both hands on the sink, leaning towards the mirror.

Perhaps due to the lighting, his own complexion appears slightly pale and his eyes look bloodshot. It's as if he has been drenched by seawater…

-He appears in a complete mess.

The world spins with intense dizziness. He takes another deep breath, making sure his feet are firmly planted on the ground before slowly stepping out of the bathroom.

Faint knocking sounds at the door, causing him to furrow his brow. As he opens the door, he finds a delivery person standing outside.

He can't quite make out what the person says, but instinctively takes the item handed to him and closes the door—

—It seems to be something the girl bought for him.

He slowly closes his eyes and softly takes out a bottle of medicine from the bag, examining it with his blurred vision under the dim light.

Lucien: ….

When he sees that the applicable symptoms almost match his own, he stands there in a daze for a while.

Lucien: ...Why do I get heatstroke?

He tries to make sense of something, but the overwhelming emotions swallowed by the sea surge over him once again.

Some unfamiliar yet gentle sensations seem to envelop him, and in the blurry world, he can hear MC's steady breath clearly.

They seem to silence everything.

[the sensations are the feeling of being safe but he doesn’t know yet :”]

He doesn't think anymore, he simply instinctively puts the medicine back into the paper bag and lies back down beside her.

Just one sleep and everything will be all right.

Watching her tranquil sleeping expression, Lucien can't help but extend his fingertip, landing softly on her cheek, and gently stroking it.

Lucien: (softly) There won't be any unexpected situations like this tomorrow.

Lucien: I will continue to take leisurely walks with you by the seaside and accompany you to see the scenery you desire.

Lucien: Goodnight.

After he speaks in a barely audible voice, he hooks his hand around the girl's fingertips and closes his eyes heavily.

The next second, he feels as if he's caught in a vortex.

The girl pulls his hand and they dance together, splashing waves of silver and white.

Later, they run to the valley, up in the clouds, and in the depths of a secluded pool.

He can vividly feel the warmth of her embrace, the intimate words she whispered into his ear, and the scorching, moist sensation as their lips meet.

The world is terribly hot, yet she continues to accompany him, melting together with him in every corner.

After their countless collisions, a brilliant beam of light suddenly casts onto his retina.

(another poetic euphemism-)

Even though he doesn't open his eyes, he can still see it—a brilliant sunlit sky against a backdrop of blue.

Beneath the brilliant sun, the girl wears a sun hat and her favorite floral dress, happily waving at him with a smile.

Although he can't hear the sound clearly, he can still discern the girl's lip movements with clarity.

MC: Lucien, look over here! It's so beautiful—

Lucien: I think the most beautiful scenery is already right in front of me.

Without hesitation, he takes a step forward and walks towards the girl, then hugs her in his arms.

And just like countless ordinary moments in the past, he lowers his head and kisses her.

Indeed, those uncomfortable feelings were all illusions, or rather, it was a very brief and unpleasant bad dream.

At this very moment, he is still doing what he should do today, according to his heart's desire….

—Embracing her.

—And falling in love with her.

[can i say that this part is just so beautifully written sob sob]

[Part 5]

Lucien has suffered from complete heatstroke.

I sigh wordlessly, looking at the man who is deeply asleep on the bed, and I anxiously wipe his sweat-drenched forehead and cheeks with an alcohol pad.

MC: Lucien, you big fool.

I couldn't help but mutter angrily at him, and I drew a small pig nose on his forehead with an alcohol pad.

MC: Disobedient big fool…

I rarely see Lucien in such a weak state. He has always been poised and composed. Even when tired, he would hide it deeply, as if he never experiences those negative states.

Although he often shows vulnerability to me, I am well aware that it is just another facet of his gentle nature.

He seems to always stand firmly, calmly observing everything.

Come to think of it, this time his heatstroke situation is particularly unusual.

I can't resist sighing again, but in the next moment, my gaze crashes into eyes filled with a drowsy and profound gaze.

I don't know when he opens his eyes, but he doesn't say a word. He just looks at me quietly and serenely.

MC: Are you awake? Do you want to have some water?

Lucien: ....Want to drink.

(t/n: In CN Lucien talks in simple and short 2-3 words sentence, which is actually really cute if not for the fact that it’s caused by his heatstroke)

I immediately pick up the warmed-up glass of water and, seeing him dizzily sit up, I support his shoulder and bring it to his lips.

MC: While you were sleeping, I called a doctor from a nearby clinic to come and check on you.

MC: He said the problem isn't too serious, and you just need to rest well for the next few days.

The severe dizziness seems to still be afflicting him, despite my efforts to speak softly and slow down my speech, it takes a considerable amount of time for my words to reach his ears.

He doesn't say anything, just nods obediently, as if in some kind of "offline mode."

MC: Do you want to have some porridge?

Lucien: ...Not really.

MC: How about taking a nap again? By the time you wake up, you should have enough strength to eat something.

Lucien: …Um, okay.

Seeing him weakly lie back down, I open the app and consider whether to simply buy some millet and vegetables. Takeout food tends to be greasy, and I feel like he wouldn't want to eat it even more.

I was lost in my thoughts until I suddenly realized that there is a gaze fixed on me.

I instinctively turn my head and find Lucien lying on the bed, silently gazing at me. His gaze is serene as if there are emotions silently surging within him.

MC: What's wrong? Can't sleep? Are you feeling dizzy?

He remains silent, simply gazing at me intently.

Feeling a bit anxious, I take out an alcohol wipe and gently wipe his face and arms, trying to make him as comfortable as possible.

MC: Don't overthink it either, let your brain rest and relax.

MC: Trust me and let go of your worries. I'll take care of "freezing" you back properly. So, there's nothing to worry about.

[she’s mimicking his joke from earlier, when he asks her to be responsible for freezing him back :’]

I gently kiss his forehead and eyes, tenderly caressing his still slightly hot cheeks.

MC: Don't worry about anything.

Lucien exhales softly, his gaze distant yet incredibly earnest as he continues to stare attentively.

After a while, he raises his hand and gently hugs me.

Lucien: (chuckles and says quietly)...come to my side.

I yield to his strength and find myself enveloped in his embrace.

Lucien: I need you here.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps the accumulated exhaustion of many days suddenly overwhelmed him. In the following days, Lucien remained in a drowsy and lethargic state, but the signs of heatstroke noticeably diminished.

At times, he still sleeps restlessly, as if subconsciously worrying about something. However, when he sees me, he slowly exhales as if finding solace-

-and he extends his arm towards me, inviting me to join him in deep slumber.

The evening by the seaside has cooled down considerably, with the sea breeze carrying a gentle salty scent along with the rolling waves.

Having been confined indoors for too long, Lucien takes advantage of the current coolness and lies down on the soft couch on the terrace.

The evening glow spills like ink across the horizon, blending with the azure hues to create a hazy halo of warmth.

The twinkling lights shimmer and complement the distant stars, as the flickering lights gently envelop him, exuding a warm and soothing glow, akin to polished jade.

Separated by the glass, I feel the comforting tranquility surrounding me as well.

He raises his gaze and looks over amid a gentle golden glow.

There is no particular emotion in his eyes, and the act of gazing becomes meaningful in itself, like another form of silent and intimate touch.

MC: What's the matter, my great professor?

I stick my head out from behind the door with a smile and shake a glass of water at him.

MC: Do you want some water? Or are you hungry?

This overly familiar conversation has been repeated many times in these past few days. He squints his eyes, lazily tilting his head at me.

Lucien: MC, I think I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable.

MC: Hm? Uncomfortable?

Startled, I quickly move closer to him and touch his forehead and cheeks.

MC: The temperature seems okay. Are you feeling dizzy again?

In response, he takes hold of my hands and gently places them on his face, exhaling with a sense of relief.

Lucien: (jokingly as he says the same thing as MC said earlier in this MQ) Finally experienced the feeling of seeking refuge in an igloo to escape the intense heat.

MC: …Pfft.

Upon hearing this familiar exclamation coming from his mouth, I can't hold back and burst into laughter.

Lucien: I've noticed that your smile seems to make me even more comfortable.

He smoothly pulled me into his embrace, shifting his body to allow us to lie down together on the soft couch. He wrapped my hand around his body.

The sound of the tide and his steady heartbeat resonate in my ears, creating a peaceful echo.

MC: If you weren't so stubborn, you could have been comfortable much earlier.

I can't help scratching his back with my fingertips, feeling a sense of helplessness and frustration when I think about his behavior at that time.

MC: How did I not know before that Professor Lucien had such a stubborn side?

Lucien: Because I believed that I shouldn't have gotten heatstroke.

MC: There's no such thing as "should" or "shouldn't" when it comes to sudden discomfort in the body. It's a normal thing to happen.

He remains silent for a moment, only speaking after a long while.

Lucien: I should have taken proper precautions and measures to prevent and avoid the accident from happening so that the original plan could proceed smoothly.

Lucien: This is something that could have been avoided.

Lucien: ...Why did it happen?

He murmured a question, but that question doesn't seem to be directed toward me.

During his isolated years, he probably avoided numerous troubles and trivial matters in this way multiple times.

But when self-preservation becomes etched in one's marrow and melds into an instinct, it feels a bit lonely.

I don't know what to say, so I just softly kiss his lips with tender affection.

MC: You're right, we should indeed try our best to avoid getting sick, but it’s okay even if we do get sick.

MC: Because I'll be by your side.

MC: When you're sick, just rest well, and when you're tired, you can lean on my shoulder.

MC: You can live like this, taking it for granted.

In his eyes, there seemed to be a surging tide, and the darkening night in the distance seemed to slowly seep into them.

After a long while, he let out a deep sigh and gently traces my face with his fingertips.

Lucien: So... it's because you're here.

[because he subconsciously feels safe enough that he can show her his vulnerable side :”]

MC: Huh? Of course, I'm right here.

I rub against his warm fingertips, unable to resist the desire to hold him even tighter.

MC: Even when you're feeling troubled, I'll still be by your side.

MC: I will tell you that being sick is not just a troublesome matter, but you will also receive a lot of care and concern.

MC: Even if our plan gets disrupted, we will still have plenty of time to come back and complete it.

I know you've been walking alone for too long, but as long as you lower your head, you will see my hand tightly holding onto yours.

Lucien: If... what I want is more than just care?

MC: I'll give you whatever you want.

Almost as if it slipped out involuntarily, I couldn't help but burst into a giggle.

But as he is about to speak, I notice that the lingering warmth of the summer night continues to make him sweat a little, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

My body moves faster than my mind, I run to the living room and grab the chilled bottled water from the refrigerator and the cooling spray on the dining table.

MC: Even though you're already feeling much better, it's still important to be more cautious.

I hand him the bottled water, vigorously shake the cooling spray, and gently spray it onto his body.

Lucien: …

MC: Is it too cold?

Lucien: It's okay, but I still want... to feel even more comfortable.

Lucien leans the bottled water against his face, partially propping himself up, his gaze locked on me.

I'm not sure why I feel a bit nervous under his intense gaze, but I still make an effort to suppress my thoughts. I reach out my hand and gently spread the foam-like gel on his body.

I feel the tautness of his muscles beneath my fingertips, and his damp skin slightly rises and falls in my palm, emanating a moist sensation.

Lucien: (whisper) ...Here, I also want to be touched by you here.

His voice carries a seductive power, guiding my fingertips to caress his neck and chest, and gradually moving downwards.

The icy gel takes on a hint of warmth from his heated skin, making it difficult to distinguish whether it is his warmth or mine.

Lucien: And... Here, don't forget about here as well.

Lucien: It's also a bit uncomfortable here.

He covers my hand with his, placing it on the yet unexplored area. The scorching heat seeps through the thin fabric, causing me to instinctively inhale sharply.

(it’s implied that he guides her to his d-)

MC: You seem to be feeling hot…

Lucien: (hoarsely) I think it's probably unrelated to heatstroke.

MC: ....Can I believe that?

Lucien: Then how should I prove it this time?

Lucien's supressed noises seem to be suffused with warmth, causing me to feel somewhat parched and thirsty.

Droplets of sweat occasionally slide from his ear, slowly descending along his jawline and dripping onto his chest, merging with the remaining sweat, forming ambiguous curves.

Subtle gasps overflow from his throat and alluring blush spread across his face.

Lucien doesn't shift his gaze even for a moment, staring at me intently.

MC: You, um, just stay lying there.

Under such intense gaze, my voice trembles slightly, and my fingertips nervously fumble while stroking.

MC: You... don't keep looking at me like this.

Lucien: Why not?

MC: You make me distracted... and especially nervous.

I lick my dry lips, but I can't tear my gaze away even for a moment.

I see him smile gently.

Lucien: (whisper) You seem more like my summer.

He pulls me into his embrace, a mix of warmth and coolness enveloping me, causing me to instinctively shiver for a moment.

I nestle in the hollow of his shoulder, observing as his Adam's apple bobs up and down, and a droplet of sweat lands on my lips.

His breath surrounds me, overwhelming and all-encompassing. I may have escaped from his deep gaze, but I feel him even more intensely.

Lucien: Letting me make irrational judgments, leaving me dizzy and enthralled, making me forget everything…

Lucien: Allowing me to see this...real side of myself.

His voice, like sweat, glides into my ears. He firmly holds onto my wrist, mischievously sucking and kissing his way up from my earlobe.

As my consciousness gradually drifts away, the lingering sensation of gel feels slightly sticky. I can only instinctively follow his lead, stroking his increasingly heated skin.

Lucien: (hoarsely) Make me more comfortable in your own way.

[Part 6]

MC: The temperature seems to have risen again today. Are you sure you can handle it?

Lucien: Oh no, it seems like I'm turning into a glass doll in MC's eyes.

Lucien: If possible, I still hope you can trust my judgment a bit more.

He lazily sits on the sofa, yet his eyes remain full of interest.

Lucien: It's rare to come to the seaside, but until now, I haven't found an opportunity to go into the water with you.

Lucien: I always feel like something is missing.

With a hint of unspoken grievance in his words, I can't help but laugh and playfully pinch his nose.

MC: Do you really want to go into the water?

Lucien: Of course, I want to be with you. Is that not possible?

I know that he must still be considering my feelings, and my heart can't help but soften even more.

MC: But it's so hot at the beach.

Lucien: How about the pool next to our terrace? Does that meet your requirements?

Lucien: If it's too hot, we can quickly return to the house, and it will still fulfill my wish to go into the water.

MC: I see, so you had already planned this, didn't you?

He presents his case with sound reasoning and evidence, smiling as he stands up.

Lucien: I just thought, it would be perfect, isn't it?

MC: I can't argue with you, but if you feel uncomfortable at any point, be sure to let me know immediately, okay?

After receiving a nod of approval, he contentedly pecks my lips and walks over to the suitcase to retrieve the swimsuit.

MC: Do we really need to dress up so formally just to play at the pool?

(read: we can just skinny dip if it's just the two of us)

Lucien: We still have the whole afternoon.

(read: we still have a lot of time, we can skinny dip later-)

Lucien: And besides, I remember you spent a long time choosing a swimsuit for this trip as well.

Lucien: If we just leave without seeing it, it feels like there will be even more regrets for this summer.

(read: i just want to see you in the swimsuit)

His eyes and brows curve, as if he has returned to a state that I am most familiar with.

But I can also distinctly sense that something is different.

MC: Then I can't become the "culprit" of Professor Lucien's summer regrets.

MC: Wait for me here for a moment, okay?

The water in the pool is still a bit chilly. After thinking for a moment, I grab the hose and sprinkle some water in the shallow area to adjust the temperature.

Worried about Lucien experiencing a sudden change from the heat to a colder temperature, I cautiously decided to let him acclimate to the water temperature before getting in.

Meanwhile, "Mr. Former Patient" pays no attention and sits on the side, wearing a smile and appearing to be in a good mood.

I cup some water in my hands and sprinkle it over his body.

MC: Let your body adjust to the water temperature a bit more, okay?

Lucien: The temperature still feels a bit cold.

Upon hearing him say that, I hesitate for a moment, wondering if we should just turn back inside.

cue his beautiful 5th birthday bgm :”

But in the next second, a strong force pulls me downwards, and after a brief moment of surprise, I find myself falling into his arms.

The hose in my hand spins uncontrollably, splashing water that seems to wet both of us and everything around us.

I blink uncomfortably and shake my head to get rid of the water droplets on my forehead. When I raise my eyes again, I find the person in front of me still gazing at me with shining eyes.

Lucien: (chuckle) This is much better now.

MC: (unamused) Can you still play tricks like this?

Lucien: Didn't you say I could live more naturally and take things for granted?

He interlaces his fingers with mine, bringing us even closer together.

Lucien: If I were to say that I like it when you care about me when I'm sick, or when your eyes are filled by me, and when you think about me in everything... would you be unhappy?

Lucien: If I were to say that because of you, I allow myself to become slow-witted and greedy, would it be difficult for you?

Lucien: If I were to say that the most beautiful things appeared in my life because of something I never dared to do, or something that had long been forgotten by me…

Lucien: What kind of expression would you show me then?

Even though they are questions, they feel like declarations of love, with his deep voice mingling with the moist breath.

Lucien whispers softly, yet it's enough to make my heart tremble.

Lucien: Why do I crave your answer so much…

Lucien: And why do I believe that you can fulfill all my needs and wishes?

I don't know how to express my emotions, so I can only respond to him with love and tenderness.

This person, he's cunning and dangerous, yet distant and gentle, effortlessly captivates my entire heart and soul without even intending to.

But he is such a good person. Even if he is the only one in this world, whether he belongs to me or not, he is simply wonderful.

I can't help but sink in his ink-like eyes. He is so alive and real when he embraces me.

MC: ...Don't you know the answers to these questions?

Lucien: I know. And it seems like I've accepted this fact... faster than I had imagined.

Lucien: I allow myself to be by your side without any burdens.

Lucien: You make me feel safe.

It feels like a kind of sublime surrender, gently encroaching upon the depths of my soul.

It makes me surrender the same heart in return.

MC: Then, prove it to me one more time.

Lucien bends his left leg, instantly altering the support beneath me. I shift my weight, pressing my body against his thigh.

I instinctively lean back, but he doesn't offer much resistance. He simply lifts himself slightly and effortlessly bites onto the string at my chest.

Lucien: Are you trying to escape already?

With my hands firmly held by him, I can only watch as he leisurely pulls on the string, keeping my breath held as the front of my garment could easily come undone at any moment.

The warm breath continuously brushes against my skin, like a suggestive hint, arousing all my senses throughout my body.

In the close proximity of our gazes, there is still a hint of wilfulness and coquetry in his eyes, but the strength in his arms is irresistible.

The droplets of water from his hair fall onto my body, and the rising body temperature momentarily turn chill, causing me to shiver involuntarily.

As if unintentionally, Lucien raises his leg a little bit, and I slide down to the bottom, tightly pressed against him through the thin fabric.

I can even feel his muscles momentarily tense up. Unable to hold back, I let out a soft moan, which is rewarded with a rush of heated breath against my chest.

Everything becomes slippery and unbearable. I want to escape, but I'm completely powerless to do so.

After several failed attempts, the person in front of me finally seems to lose patience. His fingers hook onto the thin fabric, undoing it.

Before the coolness has a chance to gather, it is quickly dispersed by his heat.

The water rushing out of the hose forms trembling waves in the air, and we are like a drifting boat caught in them, on the verge of being capsized.

The hairpin at the back of my head almost falls as it is burdened by a heavy task, but Lucien catches it just in time.

(heavy task as in trying to stay in place as she ‘moves’ on his lap cough-)

The knot at my chest has already come undone, and the thin string sways and jumps between us, but my attention is snatched away by his kisses and breath.

Amidst the dense sound of water, my own voice gradually fades into the distance, only leaving the sound of his voice.

Lucien: I’m more than willing to gradually prove my every demand and desire for you.

[Lux’s rambling corner]

This MQ has NO RIGHT to be this good :""""""". From fulfilling a college romance dream to Lucien learning how to receive love and show weakness, it's just *sobs* so fucking good. Even without all the, yanno, I'd get this karma in a heartbeat even if it's expensive af to raise. Whether it's the art, new features, or the plot, I think it's worth the expensive price. This MQ in essence is about how Lucien, because of his 'abnormal' past has a hard time trusting others with his burdens and showing them his vulnerability, but through this MQ, he learns that since now he's no longer alone, he can share them with MC. I want to quickly talk about some highlight and plot of this MQ.

The first half starts with them kind of role-playing campus life. Little scenes like a feeling of having bf from a different department, or getting caught making out by his professor, or skipping class for yanno, they're really cute LOL. And yet, this seemingly cute part already laid the groundwork for what was about to come.

We get introduced to his professor Dr. Lawson, and I think the way Lucien interacts with him is an image of how he handles interpersonal relationships, he obviously cares (on this MQ, he did help the professor to cool down with his evol) but still put some distance and is indifferent. MC is the only exception, the only person that he allowed to get into his world. The way Lucien’s acts around MC puzzles Dr. Lawson who’s used to see him being serious in his study and indiferent around other people.

In this MQ, we also get glimpses of his college year. It’s... sad that he never really enjoy life before he meets her :”. He probably content with that kind of life but... can you really call that ‘living’? Which is why I’m glad that in this MQ he got a chance to know the ‘feels’ to be in college. To slow down and enjoy life instead of keep walking faster.

But when self-preservation becomes etched in one's marrow and melds into an instinct, it feels a bit lonely.

In the past, Lucien's survive and fight on his own. Unforeseen events are burdensome because he has had to endure them alone. Consequently, he instinctively tries to maintain control over everything, striving to prevent accidents and unexpected situations from occurring in the first place (the self-preservation that melds into instinct). This mindset, however, makes it harder for him to accept that there are things beyond his control. So when he experiences heatstroke, his first instinctive reaction is to deny it.

Besides that, there are also another reasons why he deny the heatstroke, he didn’t want to worry her and to spend time with her. I think for him, time is very precious because he knows very well how fleeting time can be, and maybe that is just me, but sometimes he gives off vibes as if he’s running out of time.

In his eyes, there seemed to be a surging tide, and the darkening night in the distance seemed to slowly seep into them.

After a long while, he let out a deep sigh and gently traces my face with his fingertips.

“So... it's because you're here.”

After the initial refusal, Lucien begins to carefully examine the situation. Gradually, he comes to a realization that one of the underlying reasons he "allowed" himself to fall sick this time is because he subconsciously feels safe in MC's presence. He instinctively trusts her with his vulnerabilities and needs, subconsciously recognizing that for once he doesn't have to shoulder the burden alone, because when two people care for each other, they can share the burden and support one another. This realization marks a significant shift in Lucien's perspective and his willingness to let someone else be there for him.

“If I were to say that I like it when you care about me when I'm sick, or when all you see is me, and when you think about me in every situation... would you be unhappy?”

“If I were to say that because of you, I allow myself to become slow-witted and greedy, would it be difficult for you?”

“If I were to say that the most beautiful things appeared in my life because of something I never dared to do, or something that had long been forgotten by me…”

“What kind of expression would you show me then?”

Even though they’re questions, they feel like declarations of love, with his deep voice mingling with the moist breath.

Lucien whispers softly, yet it's enough to make my heart tremble.

“Why do I crave your answer so much…”

“And why do I believe that you can fulfill all my needs and wishes?”

Something that he never dared to, or had long forgotten is to share his burden with other people and allow them to see his vulnerable side, or perhaps ‘becoming humans’. 'If I allowed myself to be weak in front of you, would you be okay with that? Is it okay for me to receive your love and care, taking it for granted?' He craves her answer, for the reassurance that it's okay for him to continue living like this.

“...Don't you know the answers to these questions?”

“I know. And it seems like I've accepted this fact... faster than I had imagined.”

“I allow myself to be by your side without any burdens.”

“You make me feel safe.”

It feels like a kind of sublime surrender, gently encroaching upon the depths of my soul.

It makes me surrender the same heart in return.

In fact, he already knows that the answer is a resounding yes. MC already assures him that she is willing to fulfill his every demand and desire. With this realization, he understands that he doesn't have to bear everything alone in front of her, his safe haven. So he allows himself to be by her side without burden. To trust her with his wishes, demands, and desires, to show her his most vulnerable side, it's him surrendering his whole heart to her and his declaration of love.

ALSO, a little bit out of topic but this date kind of reminds me of S2 ch 28 you know, the one where Lucien tried to hide the wound on his back from MC by stripping. There’s a quote that I like from the scene when MC found Lucien in bloody mess and being just as stubborn. “On that light gray road, I wanted to touch the heart that hadn’t been delivered.” And I think this MQ is how he finally delivers his heart to MC on its entirety, marking another growth and change from him.

#wrote 1k words of analysis at the end of the date enjoy #DIDN'T EXPECT THE MQ TO BE THIS GOOD THEME WISE??????? #10/10 make me cry for a whole dang week #mlqc lucien #mr. love queen's choice #mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mlqc translation #mlqc translations #love and producer #mr love queen's choice #xu mo #mlqc xu mo

[cheesy09]

[CN] Upcoming Kiro S2 Chapter Karmas

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for content that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

You asked what would remain, after the spotlight dissipates.

I will find you, no matter how long it takes.

#THAT SECOND PICTURRRRREEEE *SCREAMS* #LOSING MY MIND THAT THIS IS FROM THE MAIN STORY #ALSO #name of this card is 'obsession' #mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc kiro #p.s. i will no longer be translating cn content cuz it's taking all the fun out of the game for me #not to mention time and effort #however i will do these karma previews amd go back to making my own content #eg. analysis posts. chapter reactions. etc #but anyway! #LOOK AT THEMMM :') #that second quote just screams 'THEM'

[citrakirana]

Victor dan Keindahan

Victor adalah seorang yang sangat rasional. Dia mengelola perasaan dengan sangat hati-hati agar tidak terbawa perasaan. Namun, ada satu hal yang tidak bisa dikendalikannya, perasaannya kepada MC.

Sebagai pengendali waktu, yang sudah berkali-kali, bolak-balik ke masa lalu dan masa depan, dia paham sekali apa yang akan terjadi, tetapi tetap kesulitan mengendalikan diri jika berhubungan dengan MC.

Masih ingat tindakan impulsifnya mengirim MC ke dimensi lain agar bisa menyelamatkannya. Tindakan ini membuatnya tidak bisa bertemu MC selama beberapa waktu dan itu membuatnya kacau sekacau-kacaunya.

Jadi, seperti apakah keindahan di mata Vic?

"Beberapa hal menjadi indah karena hanya berlangsung sekejap mata."

Aku tidak tahu kata yang digunakan dalam kalimat aslinya (aslinya dalam bahasa Mandarin). Namun, terjemahan resmi ini sudah cukup bikin baper. "Fleeting" menurut Merriam-Webster berarti "passing swiftly", berlalu dengan sangat cepat.

Ketika mendengar Vic mengatakan ini, jantungku langsung berdebar. Dia tahu, betapa cepat waktu berlalu. Dia tahu, segala sesuatu hanya berlangsung sebentar. Sepuluh ribu tahun saja berlalu begitu cepat baginya, apalah artinya setahun dua tahun, kan?

Dia sadar, takdir tidak bisa diubah. Dia bukan orang yang pasrah atas takdir. Berkali-kali sudah, dia berusaha mengubahnya, tetapi kembali kepada putusan yang sama.

Pada akhirnya, dia hanya bisa menikmati tiap detik bersama MC. Kadang, waktu diperlambatnya sedikit agar mereka bisa bersama lebih lama lagi.

MC pun sama, dia juga ingin menikmati waktu lebih banyak lagi bersama Victor. Karenanya, berkali-kali dia seolah ingin mengawetkan segala hal yang berhubungan dengan Victor.

Namun, menurut Victor, itu tidak perlu.

"Cukup diingat saja. Tidak perlu diawetkan."

Bagaimanapun, MC tidak setuju. Baginya, beberapa keindangan memang dimaksudkan untuk diingat, tetapi ada juga yang harus diawetkan.

MC merasa dirinya sangat pelupa. Dia bisa melupakan banyak hal jika tidak dicatat atau, dalam istilahnya, diawetkan. Momen-momen bersama Vic adalah salah satu yang sangat ingin diawetkannya. Jika tidak mungkin dibekukan. Karenanya, dia merasa perlu mengambil foto, menyimpan kenangan dalam bentuk fisik agar dapat mengingatkannya akan masa-masa indah itu.

MC pun sudah sadar, bahwa waktu yang mereka punya tidaklah banyak. Takdir pasti akan membawanya pada pilihan yang sama lagi dan dia harus menghancurkan segalanya.

Vic juga punya kesadaran yang sama. Namun, dia juga tahu, saat segalanya hancur, tidak akan ada lagi yang tersisa. Bahkan kenangan pun hilang bersama menghilangnya dunia. Lalu apa gunanya semua ini? Menikmati momen ini, mengingatnya, meresapi maknanya, adalah cara Vic.

Namun, dia terlalu menyayangi MC untuk menolak keinginan kekasihnya itu.

"Kalau begitu, aku akan melihatnya lebih lama lagi, dan berusaha mengingat sebanyak yang aku mampu. Dengan begitu, aku akan bisa menceritakannya kepadamu di masa depan."

Oh, my, God!

Aku meleleh tak tertahankan mendengar Vic ngomong begini. Dia tidak memaksa MC melakukan sesuatu di luar kemampuannya. Baiklah, MC memang pelupa, baginya itu tidak masalah. Dia ada di situ, selalu siap sedia menjadi back up memory buat MC.

Bukan hanya back up memory, dia bersedia jadi back up apa pun demi MC. Dia selalu mendukung MC, apa pun yang diinginkannya, termasuk soal mengawetkan kenangan.

Oke, girls, kalo ketemu cowok kaya gini, kekepin, girls, kekepin. Kamu ngga cuma bakal bahagia sama dia, tapi juga terus berkembang jadi versi terbaik dirimu.

#victor mlqc #mlqc victor #mr love victor #mlqc #mr love queen's choice #mr love #mr love game #mr love analysis

[haru-luo]

Heyooo as cheri is stepping down from translating the major works ( they are wonderful ❤) and as I only know your blog other than theirs which is also ❣wonderful❣ I would be glad if you recommended me some more blogs which translate mlqc stuff like dates and all

Have a great day ahead lots of love

*virtual hugggggg*

Hello !

These are some blogs that I'm aware of ! (i hope the blog owners don't mind me tagging them ahaha)

@perhaps-in-anotherdream - Victor's translations (plus her analysis posts are *chef's kiss*) @laxmiree - Lucien’s translations @xiaomoxu - Lucien’s translations (they've already stopped translating but you'll find lots of Luci translations in their blog!) @cheesy09 - Kiro's translations @link4eva - Kiro's translations @sylvia-forest - Shaw's translations @keliosyfan - Kiro’s translations (thank you for informing me, @ link4eva !)

Have a wonderful day too! *sending you a virtual hug back*

(i'm rlly sorry if i left out some more everyone, please reply with their @ below if i did!)

#anon ask #mlqc #mlqc translations #mr love queen's choice

[skyholders]

MLQC Mini Garden Series: Victor

A character-study-headcannon series where I diagnose MLQC characters with plants and a bit of poetry. Part four.

Karma CG by @acrispyapple

Other parts of the series: Lucien / Gavin / Kiro

Strawberry blossoms

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." - Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

It's only fitting of us to mention a sweet blossom for our sweet-tooth(ed) Victor. Strawberry blossoms are a Shakespearean favourite. It symbolises perfect righteousness, as - according to Shakespeare - strawberries taste sweet even if they're traced with poison. No vile things can possibly taint a strawberry.

Because of this, strawberry blossoms also symbolise excellence!

And beyond these meanings, they can also be used to represent the pleasure of love, sensuality, or lust.. well, he is so far the character with the most lustful-looking of karmas, isn't he?

Gladiolus

"The future has several names. For the weak, it is impossible; for the fainthearted, it is unknown; but for the valiant, it is ideal." - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Gladiolus' name - befitting of the flower's long and pointed shape - comes from the Latin word gladius, meaning sword. Therefore the meaning of gladiolus flowers are victory, strength of character, pride and honour. They also represent faithfulness and integrity. They can also symbolise remembrance.

A red gladiolus can also be given to tell someone that they have pierced your heart, which I find strangely romantic. And quite frankly, very fitting for someone like Victor.

Red roses

"They sat on a park bench, held hands, and told each other their stories hour after hour. They were not lonely anymore. They had found and been found by their 100% perfect other. What a wonderful thing it is to find and be found by your 100% perfect other. It's a miracle, a cosmic miracle." - Haruki Murakami, 1Q84

It isn't possible to mention Victor without mentioning roses. Having appeared in many of his karmas, character CGs, and official art, the rose is canonically the flower to describe Victor.

Red roses, to be specific. The universal flower of love.

Roses come in plenty of colours, each with very different meanings (E.G: Blue for unattainable dreams, and yellow for friendship, or infidelity).

When it comes to red roses, the number of roses one gifts can convey all sorts of romantic messages:

1 rose: I love you; you are the only one for me.

2 roses: Let us be together, unity.

3 roses: You, me, and our time together.

6 roses: I'm halfway head over heels for you.

10 roses: Perfect love.

12 roses: Be mine.

24 roses: I am yours.

36 roses: I will remember all about us.

40 roses: My love is genuine.

50 roses: My love for you is limitless.

Anything above that: I am horribly rich.

Arbutus flowers

"When two souls, which have sought each other for, however long in the throng, have finally found each other.. a union, firey and pure as they themselves are.. begins on Earth and forever continues in heaven." - Victor Hugo

Arbutus flowers aren't as widely popular as, say, roses or tulips. However, in the places where they're commonly grown, they're known for their healing properties and their fruits are used to make brandy.

Arbutus flowers come in two colours: white and light pink. Both of them bear different meanings. For white arbutus flowers, they symbolise respect, humility, purity and dedication. Light pink arbutus flowers symbolise an everlasting love and an eternal devotion - this pretty much summarises Victor's love, does it not? It reminds me of his quiet affection; his respect and dedication for MC.

Not only so, but these flowers, regardless of colour, symbolise promises kept. What's even more romantic is the fact that sometimes, the arbutus plants' leaves are heart-shaped.

Honeysuckle

"Even where a path ends, there's someone becoming a path. There's someone becoming a spring path, and endlessly walking along." - Jeong Ho Seung, A Spring Path

These sweet and beautiful flowers are treasured in both France and China. Though they have had many different meanings throughout history, today, they are mainly a symbol of happiness. As the vines of a honeysuckle plant are stubborn and hard to be killed, a honeysuckle flower can also symbolise devotion and an everlasting love, or 'the flames of love'.

Interestingly, these flowers can also symbolise affection - namely, a lover's embrace. Therefore they too, symbolise true love and faithfulness.

Honeysuckles are actually a medicinal plant. The flower can be added into herbal medicine as a remedy for coughs and colds (and in some cases, poison), and give you positive feelings of comfort and nostalgia. Like Victor's puddings :)

Plum blossom:

"We were hands, we baled the darkness empty, we found the word that ascended summer: flower."

"Flower - a blindman's word. Your eye and mine: they see - to water." - Paul Celan, Flower

Plum blossoms have been a meaning-filled flower since ancient times. As they are flowers which bloom proudly at the end of winter, they are known as the herald of spring in Japan. A sign of good things the come, of purity, and renewal.

This is especially true in Chinese cultures, where plum blossoms, known as 梅花 (méi huā), are seen painted in paintings, written in poems, and decorated around the house during the Lunar New Year. They represent good luck, prosperity, wealth, health, and virtue. Plum blossoms are also the national flower of China.

As they are one of the few blossoms to bloom between the cusp of winter and spring, they also symbolise perseverance and hope; transitions of life and the values of virtue. In summary, it tells the tale of a long darkness being alit and enveloped with light.

[END]

Couldn't upload this sooner as I was caught up with assignments, but here it is! MC's mini garden is coming next, though it should take a while, given the fact that there's something I have to do for her post.

Hope you're enjoying the series. Stay safe, and have a wonderful Saturday!

- Shio

#mlqc #mlqc victor #恋与制作人 #mr love queen's choice #mr love queens choice #evol x love #mlqc analysis #mini garden series

[ginkgomoon]

New VAs- Mini Analysis and First Impressions

From the very recent change of the official character profiles, I predicted that they would introduce the new voices soon, but I didn't expect it to be this soon- what a surprise! But I'm super excited to share some thoughts on the new cast.

Kiro

Andrew Bates' voice as Kiro is quite fitting because as Kiro has a voice that's a tad higher than the rest of the guys, Bates' voice range and flexibility allow the execution of the little signature switches in tones that Kiro has, especially with the huskiness that we can hear that appears with his Helios persona. From the first line, I thought this was done really well, and it's nice to see that both men- previous VA Sean Chiplock and Andrew Bates are from Los Angeles, CA!

Lucien

The first impression that I got straight away was that his accent was slightly different from previous VA Bill Rogers' one. Anthony Hansen also comes from Los Angeles, while Rogers was born in New York. Hansen had to demonstrate a voice register much lower than his normal voice to fit Lucien's character. It's also much more softer-sounding, and I can't wait to hear more of Lucien's lines!

Gavin

Alan Adelberg did a fantastic job with Gavin's voice. It's a bit lower than previous VA Joe Zieja's voice, but I guess we can say that Gavin matured and now sounds like this!

Zieja had revealed that they don't listen to the Chinese dub before recording and additionally, when casting for the first time, the production crew don't know exactly what voices they're looking for. But in this case, the production crew probably did, and the new VAs may have used the old voice samples as a guide for the characters’ ideal voices to appeal to existing expectations from players. This could be said for why they may sound very similar in terms of character voice styles.

Victor

The one I was most excited about when the new crew got released! Eliah Mountjoy's sounds less deep at first than previous VAs, but it also gives a more 'natural' sound to his voice. His second line is lower-sounding, much closer to Victor's deep voice we are accustomed to.

Another point I want to stress again from a previous post is that the voices aren’t supposed to be an exact copy of the previous VAs, but to achieve the ideal voices in mind as they make up a lot of our perception of the characters. Old voice samples may have been beneficial in achieving this! Overall, I am super excited for all of them to grow more comfortable in their character personality and voices in the future. They’re already doing a great job from the few lines we received from the PV!

#sorry about the delay! #mlqc #mr love queens choice #love and producer #恋与制作人 #mlqc gavin #mlqc analysis #mlqc en #mlqc kiro #mlqc victor #mlqc Lucien

[hakutaichou]

MLQC Season 2 Worldview Timeline Analysis

A/N: I'm not used to doing heavy analysis or theory but...when I saw the worldview in Love and Deep Space (Another series of Love (恋与)), i’m suddenly thinking to make this analysis like...ARGH!

If you don’t want to get a pinch of spoiler from MLQC, LoveDP, nor Norn9, please skip this post.

First of all, the Questions:

“Why Loveland City become more modern in Season 2?”

.

When I seeing the whole city buildings, why? just why? don't MC go back to 17 years ago? the buildings should be same as Season 1 (2017), why its different now?

And then, when I saw one of my moots in twitter talking about Love and Deep Space, I suddenly remember their city.

Love and Deep Space’s story is happening in 2034, the city is more modern, and the city buildings are similar with...MLQC Season 2???

“What?”

After I discussed with a several moots in my post on twitter, I don’t know why but...MLQC worldview nor plot(?)..., remind me to japanese otome game named “Norn9 ~Norn + Nonette~”

.

What is “Norn9 ~Norn + Nonette~”?

Norn9 ~Norn + Nonette~ is one of popular japanese otome game by Otomate that released in around 2013, and got anime adaptation in 2016.

A/N: Natsuhiko-san! Why are you so handsome?! ๐·°(৹˃̵﹏˂̵৹)°·๐

Game Summary:

Within an old-fashioned town, much like the Meiji and Taisho Era, there exists a giant globe that floats in midair. This is the ‘ship’ called ‘Norn’. The inside is set like a small town with parks, etc.

The story takes place a little in the future. Guided by one particular song, young elementary kid, Suzuhara Sorata is warped through a time skip to an unfamiliar place much like the Meiji and Taisho eras from his textbooks. In this world, he meets 3 young ladies and 9 young men, and joins them on a journey aboard the mysterious ‘Norn’ ship in the sky.

The Question:

“Why there’s futuristic floating ship in the Meiji Era town’s sky?”

.

That game’s worldview and time is set in around 1919, but in reality, the ‘real’ timeline is set in year 8075.

“What’s happened???”

In Norn9, there’s “Reset”.

“Reset” is a system that can initialize the civilization, it’s like if the mankind turned the civilization they build back to zero, and started the history over, the earth would back to its beautiful state.

Norn9 world already did "Reset" three times, that's why people still think that they're in timeline year 1919, but in 'technological development'/real timeline, it's year 8075.

.....

Back to MLQC

In Chapter 37 to Season 2 Prequel, MC took the crown and back to 17 years ago, where she, 5 y.o MC, can meet the bois in laboratory first, and change the fate.

17 years later, the timeline is 2017, MC become a successful producer in Loveland City and become Black Swan Nox.

so, from Norn9 worldview...

When MC back to her 5 y.o, the human civilization timeline is 2000, but in reality, it's still in 2017-2018, which means...

The Answer:

"The 'real' timeline in MLQC Season 2 is 2034, same as Love and Deep Space story timeline."

.

"Human civilization" is went back, but not with "Technological development"

.

#mlqc #mlqc analysis #kinda hurt me bcuz i should dig up my old fandom data again in my brain

[rinharu-purple]

Hi Rinharu~ just wanted to say I enjoy reading your analysis on MLQC (mainly the Gavin content). Just wondering what particular things you didn't like about his new birthday karma? Although I understand with the edit mistakes made :/ At least they were called out for it.

A happy Sunday to you lovely anon and a grandios thank you for your support! 🤗🤗🤗

To answer your question, I'd love to take you for a detour to my post here and show you what my expectations of this event were. As you can see, none of my wishes came true (bummer). But that's not my main problem.

What bothers me is the sudden change of gear from 7th to 2nd in a matter of seconds. For example, if you ever try to turn down your cars torque that fast, your engine chokes and you experience one nasty shock of drive flow disturbance (watching some sports car review videos while writing this but the association is accurate, trust me on this :D)

How is that you might ask, and that's a legitimate question. If we take a look at the momentum of Gavin dates in the last 12 months in CN server, the sudden drop can be observed better. But I need to use spoilers for that, I hope that’s ok for you.

I'll be using @cheri-translates input for the following, so please consider taking a look at her account and leave her a like or subscription if you feel like it ^_^

The timeline of Gavin dates after his birthday event '20 in CN server looks roughly like this:

Spoilers start below this line

- Late Autumn Date: MC is dedicating the rest of her life to Gavin and they share one really steamy make session. This was plus-minus around the same time as his birthday, so we should actually get it in the ENG server soon.

- Same Path Date: This date belongs to an AU for the Double Seventh festival. This date ends with Gavin saying “I helped your village resolve the flood. In return, I will take the most beautiful lady on the altar.”  

- Return from Afar Date: Aside from being one of my favorite dates, Gavin takes MC to a venue which is used for fake weddings and brings a gem with him.

-  Deep Longing Date: A wholesome fluffy date where Gavin and MC visit a Scandinavian country for Xmas.

- Obsession/ When the Galaxy Falls Dates: If you haven’t seen these yet, then I wouldn’t spoil these for you. One word describes these: Perfection

- Blessings Date: Another AU date with Gavin proposing to MC.

So as you can see, during last year, MC and Gavin’s relationship has gradually evolved into a firmly established, long-term relationship which is slowly entering the “future plans, engagement/marriage” phase. Taking that into consideration, the rational move for Gavin’s birthday would be something that fits into the pattern and scheme of the dates in the last 12 months. Papergames could’ve done so many other things or even just enrich the date with the elements suitable for current Gavin x MC dynamics.

- For example they could’ve switch the badge with the actual badge that Gavin had sent to his father, perhaps even going one step further and explaining how MC retrieved from his father, accompanied by a small dialogue between MC and Gavin’s father. Allowing us to have an insight on his father’s approach to things and maybe add a sparkle of humanity into him, thus presenting the fans a tiny bit of relief.

- The date mentions kids being around the playground, where MC and Gavin hang out. Wouldn’t that be a nice detail, if they’ve spent some with the kids. Picture this: one of the girls ask Gavin if he would play  piggy back ride with her and Gavin offers her playing the pilot, him being the plane and MC watching him from afar. He would then fold a paperplane for her and give her a pep-talk.

- What about adding his younger brother into the mix? Yes, I know that PG has changed their mind about Shaw being the younger brother. However Gavin still has a younger brother in the canon story. Wouldn’t that be nice touch if his brother had given him a call or just sent him a small box with trivial things to show Gavin his feelings? Both the R&S and the date are lacking emotions and quite dull if you ask me.

- Since Gavin opened up about his memory with the competition, why not take MC to the gravestones of his grandparents and his mother? They are so intimate and far in their love and trust, they should visit places that mean more to their story. Not just an old airbase to which Gavin doesn’t have any personal bond. 

- The matching outfits don’t have any specific back-story to it. That’s why neither Iridescent nor the edited Caelum mean anything for the players. Funny thing, for Gavin and MC we have so many alternative options! Loveland High uniforms, STF uniform, STF drill track suits, motorcycle outfits/ or helmets or hell matching jerseys from a team, because Gavin and MC help them for a fundraising event. So many options!

- Last but not least, the dialogue between Gavin and MC is not romantic enough for a couple spending the fourth birthday together. Gavin and MC are together since four years! Sure, the older a relationship gets, the every-dayish it becomes. But this is MLQC, we are in a fantasy world and me as a player want to read a neverending romance-story. 

I’m not saying its a bad date, but the way its written, it would be more suitable for a regular SR karma. I was just expecting more depth and intimacy from Gavin’s birthday karma. What MC does is also a very nice gesture, but it doesn’t look like an action one would do on her boyfriend’s birthday. Papergames usually pays much attention to previous events and sew threads between them. However everything in this date feels random: The location, the dialogue, the cake, the gift, everything. 

Plus they don’t even kiss, are you kidding me?! Who doesn’t kiss her bf on his birthday?!

You see, dearest anon, I was quite felt let down by this year’s Gavin birthday event in CN server because I had very high expectations :/

How did you find the date and the R&S? I would really love to know :) <3 

#anon asks #birthday #Happy birthday #relationship development #mlqc #mlqc gavin #mlqc baiqi #mlqc haku #mr. love queen's choice #mr. love dream date #mlqc analysis #mlqc spoilers

[sharinluna]

MLQC Analysis Masterlist (Final Version)

As I posted earlier. I am retiring from doing Analysis and Translations. This is the Final version of Masterlist that includes all of my works.

I highly recommend that you read these in the order listed below.

.

Foundations

10 things you might not know about MC

Related Post: Name bashing

Lucien Blossom Date Translation Error

Related Post: Garda

Romantic Qixi Event PV Poetry References

Related Post: Elex Translation of PV

MC x LI Relationships (slight spoiler for chapter 21)

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Analysis & Translations (Chapters 1 ~ 10)

1. Lucien and Color

Related Post: Lucien and Color Part 2

Related Post: Lucien Rainy Date

Related Post: How Lucien Sees the World

2. Lucien and Roman Holiday(Chapter 13 spoilers)

Related Post: Just Like Roman Holiday(Chapter 16 spoilers)

3. Lucien True Love Date Analysis

4. Lucien Firefly Date Analysis

5. Mr. Love Queen’s Choice and Through the Looking Glass

Related Post: MLQC as a Chess Game in Through the Looking Glass(Chapter 20 Spoilers)

6. Gavin and Gattaca

7. How Victor and Gavin Loves You

8. Gavin x MC and Lucien x MC

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Analysis & Translations (Chapters 11 ~ 18)

1. Chapter 11 Analysis

2. Chapter 12 Analysis

3. Chapter 13 Analysis

Related Date: Lucien Promised Date

Related Date: Lucien Overseas Date

4. Chapter 14 Analysis

Related Date: Kiro’s Kiss Date

5. Chapter 15 Analysis

6. Chapter 16 Analysis

Related Post: Just Like Roman Holiday

Related Post: Lucien x MC tangent

Related Post: Lucien x MC in Chapter 16

7. Kiro’s Call Translation & Analysis (Chapter 17 related)

8. Kiro’s Date Translation & Analysis (Chapter 17 related)

9. Victor: Idealized Patriarch (Chapter 18 related)

10. Sacrifice for Greater Good (Chapter 18 related)

11. The Little Mermaid’s Fate (Chapter 18 related)

.

Analysis & Translations (Chapters 19 ~ 21)

1. Theory About MC

2. MC’s Journey Throughout the Gameplay

3. MC’s Connection With the Universe

4. The Dark Mirror World of Winter

5. Through the Looking Glass Part 2

6. Love and Producer = Evol DNA Producer

7. Mr. Heartbreak Widow’s Choice

8. Story of MC

9. Chapter 21 Thoughts Part 1

10. Chapter 21 Thoughts Part 2

11. Lucien Unspoken Words Date Translation

12. Gavin: Wind Date Translation

13. Gavin Qixi Karma Call Translation & Analysis

14. La La Land reference from Lucien’s Qixi Event (and what it means)

15. Lucien and MC’s Different Thoughts

.

Quotes & Miscellaneous Translations

Lucien Rainfall Date

Lucien Promised Date

Gavin Mediterranean Date

Victor Doomsday Date

Lucien Overseas Date

Chapter 19 Lucien

Chapter 19 Gavin

Chapter 21 Ares

Lucien Wedding Call Translation

Victor Wedding Call Translation

Victor 2nd Qixi Call Translation

Victor 2nd Qixi Special Encounter Translation

.

Fun Stuff & Extra Info

Unfair Accusations of MLQC Boys

Lucien’s Birthday tangent

Gavin’s Valentine Day & Chinese New Year Date tangent

Left Behind

Sunsh1nⓔ Boi

Bracelet, Pen, Candy

Guys’ Reaction to Chapter 20~21 Spoilers Headcanon

Love and Producer Incorrect Quotes

Guys’ Reaction to MC Working Late Frequently

I Only Want to Say(Gethsemane)

Dungeons & Dragons Alignment of MLQC Characters

Our MC the Hero & Savior

Chapter 21 Ares

Future MC’s Child: Mom, how did you and Dad get married?

#mlqc #mlqc analysis #mlqc translation #mlqc analysis masterlist

[kazuko-stuff]

The Humanity representations in MLQC

Mc symbolizes the good of humanity. She is caring, kind,selfless, motivated, protector of life, peaceful, and welcoming despite her silliness and idiotic nature. She is willing to protect the world and the people she love just like kiana in Honkai impact 3. But like Kiana she also has dark part in her. Kiana is a clone of siren, who was the previous herrscher of the void, who was the most cruelest of all herrscher and want to destroy humanity out of spite. The black queen is one of many selves of Mc who feel into despair and started to dwell into her inner darkness. Like the herrscher of the void, she is cruel and views humans as insects and killing humans to them, is just the same as killing an ant. Both The herrscher of the void and dark Mc tried to persuade and even tried to take over Kiana and Mc body to finish out their plans. They both view humans as a mistake as they say they only care for themselves and only fight against each other. Both however where shown to be capable of love at some point, but they viewed it a waste of time as they all ready dwell in their inner darkness as they hate themselves for being human. Both of them show the worst of humanity, cruel, selfish, arrogant, hateful,uncaring, warlike and the destroyer of life. They are both willing to dispose of those who are considered useless and deceive others to do the most horrible things.

The dark Mc is an example of an innocent human being who had saw the true colors of humanity. Who knows, maybe the dark Mc personality was based the her since that happen to be a very popular game and she was one of the most well known in the market

#love and producer #mr love queen's choice #mr love dream date #mlqc #mr love #mlqc mc #mlqc analysis #honkaimpact3rd #kiana kaslana #herrscher of the void #my drabble

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Sea Voyage Date (Eng Translation)

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 寻海之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡

[Translation under the cut]

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•  

【Subbed Video】

[Notes from Anika]: There’s obviously a long analysis +rambling  at the end of the post. But for those of you who wish to read it, but are directly gonna head to the subtitle and don’t want to scroll all the way down later, you can find the analysis +rambling here too: ♡♡

──────────────────  

【Transcript】

【Chapter 1】

The weather is sunny and cloudless~ Truly a great day for going out to sea! The beach is covered in pristine, white gravel without any footprints~ What a perfect canvas to write something on!

I casually pick up a twig and write on the sandy beach: “Victor is the universe’s No. 1––”

Before I can finish the last stroke of my writing, the branch unearths a beautiful shell as I pull it out from the sand. 

I hurriedly bend down to pick it up. But as soon as I do, seeing my already bulging pockets causes me to feel distressed.

Victor: I told you to wait on the boat. Why are you sunbathing here by yourself?

Victor’s voice drifts from behind me, and as I turn to look, he is already walking toward me in large strides. The sea breeze ruffles his bangs and swells out his slightly open shirt.

I trot over to him and show him the seashell I’ve just picked up.

MC: I found another lovely little shell, but look at my pockets…

I pat my two pockets, which generates a solid and heavy sound of seashells clashing together.

MC: So, I’ve decided to bury this seashell under the writing “Vic” over there.

I point to the words I’ve written on the beach to show him.

MC: When we come back, I’ll dig it out of the sand again.

He looks up at the words written on the beach and nods his head in a manner as if he is very much in earnest.

Victor: You’re really genius to have come up with such a brilliant idea.

Victor: When we return, it will be high tide, and the water will come up to the shore, possibly reaching the spot we are standing right now. Do you think these words will still be there by then?

The teasing in his words is very obvious.

Victor: If you want to express that I’m the universe’s No. 1 dummy…

Victor: When it comes to the “dummy” discussion, I really don’t think I can be considered the No. 1 in your presence.

MC: Ahem! Mm… you’re right, though. So, I have come up with an even more genius idea!

I directly reach into Victor’s pants pocket and put the small seashell inside.

MC: The safest option is to keep it here!

Victor seems unable to refute, so he once again directs his gaze to the words written on the beach.

Victor: So, in your eyes, I’m the universe’s No. 1 safe-keeper?

MC: That’s not it.

I stumble over my words.

MC: …I haven’t thought about what I want to write yet.

I initially wanted to write that Victor is the universe’s No. 1 big dummy!

I turn my head and ponder my unfinished “masterpiece” multiple times, but I’m still unable to come up with anything.

MC: It doesn’t matter. Let’s get on the boat first. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll get some inspiration after seeing your performance today!

Victor: [dragging out teasingly]  Performance?

Victor savors the word, the hint of a smile tinges his eyes, and he reaches out his hand to me.

Victor: Let’s go.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•    

  —  

【Chapter 2】

The sea’s winds and waves are gentle, and the boat rocks only slightly. The real-time footage transmitted by the drone is displayed on the tablet computer in Victor’s hands.

In the footage, a dolphin leaps out of the water and then dives back in, swimming its way to the northeast underwater.

MC: Does it still recognize the route to its home?

Victor: It’s smarter than you.

I pout, deciding to not comment.

Several weeks ago, LFG Marine Foundation rescued a stranded dolphin. And today, we’ve come to the sea to send it back home to its marine environment.

—

───── [Flashback Begins] ─────

 MC: It looks very dispirited.

Victor: The doctor just gave it a shot and medication, but it won’t have an immediate effect. We’ll need to keep it under observation for some time.

The stranded dolphin has been rescued and is now being adequately taken care of in the oceanarium the foundation is preparing to build.

It’s lying on its stomach in the pool, with its head drooping, resembling a listless puppy.

MC: Would it still be able to return to the sea?

Victor: After complete recovery, there may be a spell during which it will receive wildness training. If everything goes well, it can be released back into the sea.

Victor: If you feel concerned, you can come and visit it often.

—

In the following days, the stranded dolphin is nursed back to health in the oceanarium with utmost care and gradually recovers day by day. And with my feeding from time to time, it quickly develops a friendship with me too.

The only problem is that I don’t know what to call it, resorting to always using “hey” or “come here” to communicate. Victor suggests that I give the dolphin a name.

MC: But it’s not my pet…

Victor: Friends can also give each other nicknames.

Victor looks at me somewhat meaningfully–– the answer is already ready to appear on the call.

I crouch down and pet its head in the pool.

MC: Let’s call you “Dum-Dum,” then. As Victor often says, dummies usually have good luck. You’ll surely recover soon and return to the ocean where you belong.

—

[Anika’s notes]: I honestly struggled to come up with a good translation for the nickname LMAO. MC named the dolphin 笨笨 (BenBen), taking the first character from the nickname 笨蛋 (Bendan - dummy) Victor calls her. The fun here is that the character “笨” independently means “silly/dummy.” The “蛋” term is complementary in 笨蛋. So, using only 笨 for the nickname still means calling the dolphin “dummy.” MC simply used iteration (笨笨) cause it sounds cutesy in Chinese haha~ 🥺💕

───── [Flashback Ends] ─────

—

MC: I didn’t realize how quickly time would pass. In the blink of an eye, it’s already time to send it home. 

Victor hands me the tablet and points to the route displayed on the screen.

Victor: Dr. Yu said that as long as Dum-Dum moves a certain distance from the coast, we don’t need to continue observing it.

Victor: It has already reached home.

There is no longer any sign of Dum-Dum’s figure in the real-time footage. The azure sea is as serene as ever.

That smart little dolphin must have already made it back to its familiar nest and is now reuniting with its family and friends from whom it had been separated for a long time.

MC: This heartless little Dum-Dum! Forgot about its good friend as soon as it got home!

MC: I wonder if I’ll ever have the opportunity to see it again in the future…

Victor takes the tablet from my hands and turns off the signal source.

Victor: Who knows? Perhaps you will meet again next time you guys go to the sea.

MC: Mm… hmm? Hold on–– did I catch the keyword right? Does it mean that CEO Victor has decided to support my new show?

About two weeks ago, an Evolver who previously participated in “Finding Miracles” contacted us seeking assistance.

It’s highly likely that there are a few surviving individuals of a fish species that has already been declared extinct. But this year’s monsoon weather is unusual. And it means that if no action is taken, they may not survive winter.

This guest has never been wrong with their predictions about marine life activities, and I really want to join them on a sea expedition to search for this fish species and film a program about it.

 …even setting aside how the result of this filming will be, this trip out to sea will take me several months at the very least.

Victor: Are you saying that if I don’t support it, you won’t film the show?

Victor: I’ve noticed you’ve been working till midnight every day recently. Isn’t it because you’ve been occupied with this project?

MC: Hehe, I really can’t hide anything from CEO Victor.

When I talked to Victor about this project before any concrete plan was on the drawing board, he didn’t even express any opinion and left the decision up to me.

But after spending some time with Dum-Dum, I developed a new appreciation for the ocean, and as a result, I decided to start preparing for the project.

Victor: You’ve met Dr. Yu from the foundation. He is an expert in marine biology and is very interested in your project. He would like to join you guys on the journey.

Victor: Earlier at the dock, you already saw the ship, drones for aerial photography, and underwater equipment needed for the sea expedition. I will be providing all of these for you.

Victor: Instead of letting you go around seeking investments everywhere and owing favors to others, I’d rather you owe me that favor.

MC: Woah–– CEO Victor, you’re so generous…

Seeing that I’m about to get up enthusiastically to express my “sincere gratitude,” Victor reaches out and pushes me back down.

Victor: [laughs softly]  I’m not done yet.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•   ��

  —  

【Chapter 3】

The surface of the sea glistens clearly in the sunlight, reflecting Victor’s lightly smiling profile.

Victor: Modern-day technology is capable of solving 90% of maritime emergencies. So, I don’t have concerns regarding your safety issue.

MC: …but shouldn’t you still worry a little bit? After all, I’ll be drifting alone on the ocean for several months.

Victor: It’s not the era of Titanic anymore. Besides, you won’t be alone.

Seeing me deliberately putting on an expression of feeling wronged, Victor appears slightly contemplative.

Victor: The show’s concept is great. But the topic of rescuing endangered species is always controversial and can cause public opinion disputes. So, you need to come up with a corresponding plan to ensure LFG’s stock price doesn’t get negatively affected.

MC: Huh? Oh…

Met with my half-hearted response, Victor’s tone elevates slightly.

Victor: It’s business.

MC: Of course, CEO Victor. Noted!

After a slight pause of two seconds, Victor speaks again.

Victor: Furthermore, I’m lending you experts and equipment, but you must comply with one condition of mine.

MC: Please, go ahead~

Victor finally looks at me with an earnest expression, a smile gracing his lips.

Victor: [chuckles softly]  Call me every day to let me know you’re safe and sound.

I prop my chin up, wearing a troubled expression.

MC: But the signal reception is poor when out at sea...

Victor: There is no such problem with satellite phones.

Inwardly amused, I stretch out my hand and gently run my fingertips over his forearm, tracing my way up from where he is holding onto the boat’s railing until I reach the sleeve folded at his elbow.

MC: Victor, you must miss me a lot when I leave, won’t you?

Victor picks up the camera nonchalantly and adjusts the parameters.

Victor: If I’m not busy, I might think about you once in a while.

Not receiving a satisfactory answer, I tug at his sleeve.

MC: But CEO Victor… for the next few months, you will have to go home alone after work, eat alone, and feed the cat alone…

MC: And amidst a pile of taxing work, you will also have to wait anxiously for a phone call from the sea.

My fingertips trail up his arm and linger on his neck, straightening the collar that has been blown askew by the wind.

MC: When the time comes, I’m sure you will miss me terribly.

Victor helplessly removes my hand resting on his neckline.

Victor: We are on a boat. Sit tight.

However, instead of letting go of my hand, he gently strokes the backs of my fingers with his own.

Victor: You’re about to set sail towards the stars and the sea, yet you’re still worried about whether or not I will miss you often?

MC: Of course. Because I will miss you like crazy.

I gently caress his palm, trying to engrave every grain on it in my memory.

MC: If it weren’t for you waiting for me, I’d truly be someone adrift on the sea all alone.

MC: When you have no home to return to, even freedom doesn’t seem valuable anymore.

I look up and carefully observe Victor’s slightly upturned lips, then continue to speak unhurriedly.

MC: So every day after setting sail, I will keep thinking about you all the time and take notes of every moment of my voyage…

MC: I will look forward to our reunion on the journey back and telling you about everything I’ve seen and experienced on the vast sea under the starry sky in our time apart.

With abundant patience, Victor waits for me to finish my speech, then cups my hand directly into his palm.

Victor: All these grand reasonings, just for coaxing me into saying I will miss you?

MC: What I said was…

Suddenly, the sound of dolphins comes from the sea surface, and I immediately lift my head––

MC: Dum-Dum!

It’s not only Dum-Dum! While we weren’t noticing, four or five dolphins appeared around our boat at some point, leaping and diving in the water surrounding us.

MC: Dum-Dum, come here!

Seeing me wave my hand, Dum-Dum takes the initiative to approach our boat and advances with us.

MC: Victor, look–– Our friendship is still strong. At least, it didn’t forget about me as soon as it got home.

Victor: You look ahead.

–

Amidst the cerulean sea and sky, four or five dolphins swim alongside our boat, jumping and diving up and down. Victor seeks to capture the moment by picking up his camera and framing the scene.

The sea breeze tousles the tips of his hair, drawing his entire being into the unbounded and more liberating expanse of the turquoise sky.

A dolphin, slightly chubbier than Dum-Dum, suddenly propels itself out of the water, carving a beautiful arc in the air before crashing back into the sea with a resounding splash.

Under the leadership of this dolphin, all the other dolphins follow suit, playfully jumping and competing with each other in response to the undulating waves.

Splish, splash! Water sprays all around, wetting Victor’s bangs and shirt. And as for me, I cheer Dum-Dum on enthusiastically.

MC: HAHAHA! Dum-Dum, you’re such a dummy! You’re about to be left behind by them! Hurry up! Catch up with them!

At this very moment, Victor suddenly aims the camera at me. And within just a few seconds, the shutter clicks away several times.

When I snap out of my reverie, he has already set aside the camera and is beaming at me with a smile.

—

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•    

  —  

【Chapter 4】

MC: Victor, shall we stop the boat and let them come closer?

Victor: Dr. Yu said that Dum-Dum has gotten accustomed to living independently of human support with great difficulty, so we shouldn’t approach it too closely.

But when Victor sees Dum-Dum calling out to me from the sea, he hesitates for a moment before eventually stopping the boat.

Victor: [sighs helplessly]  You can only play for a short while.

MC: Yes, sir!

I lean over the boat’s rail and shout loudly at Dum-Dum––

MC: DUM-DUM! WE MAY NOT HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. BE GOOD, AND LET ME TAKE THE MOST STUNNING PHOTO OF YOU!

As Dum-Dum pokes its head out of the water, I scramble to take out my phone.

MC: AHHHHHHHHH––

Victor is checking the photos he has just taken with his head lowered when my practically deafening scream startles him so much that he is left looking dumbfounded.

MC: My phone has dropped!

I stand in the spot where my phone has just slipped from my grasp, craning my neck to look again and again.

Victor’s bewildered expression lasts for a fleeting second before he quickly shakes his head with a subdued expression. I know all too well what this look means–– what he is simply trying to say is…

Victor: [chuckles softly]  I wasn’t thinking of calling you “dummy.”

Out of the blue, Dum-Dum pops up from the sea and promptly tosses my phone into the boat with its head.

The entire thing happens in a span of five seconds, and the transition from sadness to joy is so abrupt that I’m left dumbfounded. Wide-eyed, I stare blankly into Dum-Dum’s tiny eyes.

Victor, who witnessed the entire episode, suddenly laughs out loud.

Victor: [elated laugh]  MC, how could you dare to name it Dum-Dum?

I pick up my phone I’ve just regained and check it thoroughly–– Great, great, it’s not damaged.

MC: Oh, right! There are fish in the cabin. I’ll go and get them for you!

Carrying a heart filled with gratitude, I bring all the fresh fish from Victor’s cabin.

MC: Dum-Dum, you’re the smartest and cutest dolphin in the whole world! Thank you for saving my phone from premature death…

MC: All these fish are for you!

I find myself a pair of gloves and put them on before throwing a raw fish from the bucket to Dum-Dum. Seeing how busy I am, Victor reaches out and fixes my hair windblown hair.

Victor: The fish was on my boat. What’s up with this presenting the Buddha with borrowed flowers?

—

[Tidbits]: The music from here is his 6th birthday music btw~ T__T

Of course, I know what he is hinting at, but I deliberately pretend not to hear him. However, suddenly, Dum-Dum leaps up and gently brushes against Victor’s cheek.

MC: Woah!

If I understand correctly, it gave Victor–– a kiss.

Victor’s expression is replaced by a rare look of astonishment, and his hand holding the camera wavers slightly for a moment. What a shame! The moment was so fleeting that I couldn’t capture it on camera.

After Dum-Dum returns to the sea, Victor touches the water droplets on his cheek and sweeps his gaze over my face, who is laughing heartily.

Victor: I wonder who Dum-Dum learned to do that from.

White seagulls glide swiftly over our heads, flying toward the direction where the sun is hanging high.

As I gaze out at the sea, the friendly dolphins keep trying to playfully interact with me. I take a cue from them and lean over the boat’s side, gently tapping my head with Victor’s.

MC: Do you see how it’s swimming back and forth in a circle? Is it trying to tell us something?

As if to confirm my guess, Dum-Dum jumps up again and gently touches its head to mine.

MC: Victor, do you think it’s trying to thank us? Probably it’s thanking us for helping it?

MC: We humans express our feelings through kisses, and perhaps dolphins do the same too?

Victor: Is that so?

Victor lowers his gaze, speaking in a whispered tone as if he’s suddenly realized something.

Victor: Humans express their feelings through kisses, do they?

MC: Mhm… that’s right.

Receiving the implication in his words, I pretend to play with Dum-Dum and splash water, while my mind is quietly counting down the seconds.

At the end of the countdown, I’ll seize the moment when he isn’t paying attention and… kiss him.

Five, four, three…

Victor suddenly bends down and plants a kiss on my cheek.

MC: …

MC: [blushing]  How come I lost to you again…

Victor: I’m expressing my feelings to you right now, aren’t I?

Victor doesn’t wait for my response and directly throws me the answer. Though he speaks in a seemingly nonchalant tone, a profound tenderness is nestled within.

Victor: A scene like this before us is only possible when you are by my side.

Victor: This is also the reason why I support your freedom to explore the world freely to the maximum extent possible.

Victor: Like Dum-Dum, I am the recipient of your unconditional love and your meticulous care in every possible way. And so, I can’t help but reciprocate these feelings to you.

His voice is engulfed by the crashing waves, but it still sinks heavily into my ears.

Victor: Maybe it’s just the innate nature of all living beings–– just like how it’s for Dum-Dum, it’s the same for me too.

I slowly look into his eyes. His gaze hides within it many words that are yet to be spoken, but my heart already understands them all.

MC: Victor today seems a bit different, doesn’t he?

Victor doesn’t offer me any rebuttal. Instead, he simply withdraws his gaze and gestures for me to look at the time.

Victor: We should let Dum-Dum go now.

MC: Yes!

I exhale deeply and wave my hand toward Dum-Dum.

MC: It’s time for us to head back. We can’t keep playing with you any longer. You’re all good now, so hurry up and go home!

MC: If an opportunity arises in the future, we may cross paths again!

This time, I purposely refrain from calling it “Dum-Dum.”

I hope it can remember the time we had never met and how it lived so freely in this uninhibited and boundless sea.

As if understanding my words, Dum-Dum calls out twice from the sea surface and swiftly joins its companions as they swim into the wider ocean.

Victor and I stand on the deck, gazing at the dolphins breaking through the tranquil sea surface. Every time they soar upwards, the waves are refracted into a spectrum of colorful light beneath the sunlight. 

MC: Victor.

Victor: Hm?

I lift myself on my toes and steal a kiss on his cheek.

MC: I feel like… I am the one who is always being looked after by you, receiving too much of your love and care. And so, I can’t help but reciprocate these feelings to you.

Victor presses his lips together, and his gaze slowly lingers on the coastline as we make our way back.

Victor: So, have you thought about what I’m “No. 1 in the universe” for?

MC: Aw~ I see now. So you said all those deeply moving words today, just for coaxing me into praising you~

Victor: Those weren’t emotional enough to be deeply moving.

Victor’s tone is unhurried, speaking calmly.

Victor: I’m going to miss you terribly when you leave.

Victor: Amidst a pile of taxing work, I will wait anxiously for a phone call from the sea every day.

Though in a somewhat silly manner, I nod my head in understanding, satisfied as I take Victor’s hand in mine.

MC: Hmm… I’ve thought about it.

With my fingertips, I write two words on his palm. Victor watches me intently as I make one stroke after another, leaving traces in his palm.

MC: Never mind what you’re No. 1 in the universe or No. 1 in the world for. In any case, in my heart, only these two words can describe you most accurately.

These two words represent the sufficient tacit understanding and thoughtfulness between us every day, and they also represent the beginning and end point of every journey I embark upon.

Using this same hand that I have so attentively stroked, Victor wraps me in his arms in a habitual manner.

Victor: [the most euphoric of sighs as if holding the entire universe in his arms and yet feeling as light as a feather]  …

There’s no need to add any superfluous prefixes or embellishments. In my heart, there are only two words that can describe the name “Victor”––

My Beloved.

──

[Tidbits]: The term MC wrote is “爱人”, which actually means “spouse” i.e., you won’t casually refer to your girlfriend/boyfriend/lover as 爱人, unless they are the person you call “home”~ 🥺💕

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────  

[Anika’s Ramblings + what seems like an analysis LOL]

──

#SCREAMING CRYING THROWING HANDS INTO AIR KNOCKING ON HEAVENS DOOR #and i truly do appreciate if you actually read through the 1.39K words analysis and ramblings LOL #I CANNOT TELL YOU ENOUGH JUST HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS MAN AND THESE TWO DUMMIES 🙏😭❤️ #mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mlqc #mr love victor #mr love queen's choice #恋与制作人 #李泽言 #love and producer #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc translations

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Entrapment date translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

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

“The artist once hoped to put the butterfly on a glass cover and keep it with him forever. But later, he discovered that even when he let the butterfly go, it flew back to him.”

“It gave him happiness he had never felt or imagined before.”

“I love you.”

“Everything about you, every time you approach me... makes my heart beat excitedly.”

“It makes me fall in love with you again and again... for countless times.”

Translation under cut

(T/N: VERY RECOMMENDED TO HEAR THE VOICE ACTING, ESP THE I LOVE YOU BC IT’S JUST *clenches fist* SO GOOD. BLESS XIA LEI FOR GIVING US THE MOST TENDER, LOVING, AND SEXIEST 我爱你. Anyway I subtitle this date on youtube(turn on CC!) and don’t forget to come back here if you want to read my rambling slash analysis about this date if you want to, I’ll put it on the bottom part of this post-)

[Part 1]

A breeze blew the balcony curtain, and the clear blue sky was intermittently visible through the gap.

The light and shadow of the lamp brushed over the meals on the table and also reflected on Lucien's clear and elegant profile.

I withdrew my gaze and gently rubbed my coffee cup. After a few moments, I couldn't refrain from sneaking another glance at Lucien.

I heard a soft sound of metal touching the porcelain plate. Lucien put down the knife with a faint smile in his voice.

Lucien: Seems like MC has been secretly watching me since this morning.

Lucien: Is there something you want to talk about?

My small movement got busted. I paused a little and calmly denied it.

MC: ...Nothing, I'm just a little curious about your current condition.

MC: After being together for so long, I rarely see you drink as much as you did last night…

[Flashback start]

Some time ago, our work at hand came to an end, and we finally had a chance to relax.

With the intention of unwinding, we arranged a vacation to the city where a classic romance movie was set.

It was Valentine's Day, and romantic decorations could be seen all around the small town. The hotel also sent flowers and local red wine.

After a day of strolling around the old streets, I pulled Lucien to sit on the balcony sofa and enjoy the scenery at night.

The smell of red wine diffuses in the night. Lucien picked up the decanter and swirled it, then poured the wine into the glass.

I took a few sips, and the mellow aroma of the wine spread in my mouth.

I comfortably exhaled, and my tense nerves became relaxed. I saw a book of Spanish poetry on the corner of the table and opened it casually.

After stumbling over a few lines, an unfamiliar phrase caught my attention.

MC: distancia íntima…

I didn't know why I repeated it, and I saw Lucien on the sofa, gazing down at the color of the red wine.

So I gently leaned my head, rested my chin on his shoulder, and dragged the tail notes.

MC: Professor Lucien, I don't quite understand this part.

Lucien put down his glass and glanced over the line of poetry that I pointed to. Then, his gaze fell on my face.

Lucien: It refers to an interpersonal distance of 46 cm, which is also the minimum distance for self-defense.

Lucien: Typically, it is reserved exclusively for family members… or lovers.

Lucien's fingertips fell to my lips, gently wiping away the faint red wine stains. I asked him a follow-up question.

MC: What will happen if we overcome this distance?

Lucien: Then both parties will unconsciously want to share… love.

As Lucien spoke, his face approached mine a little closer. I could almost smell the faint scent of alcohol on his breath.

There seem to be unspoken and heavy emotions between our eyes. I put down the glass, smiling, and hooked Lucien's neck.

MC: What is it?

Lucien bowed his head along with my force. His falling bangs brushed my face.

Lucien: I find that there seems to be something else more worth focusing on… I can't wait for this 'lecture' to be over.

MC: Pfft, why are you getting more and more straightforward?

Lucien: [chuckle] I prefer to describe it as something "uncontrollable" rather than straightforward.

Lucien: I've heard that when your heart feels excited, your words or actions will unconsciously show it.

Lucien: (whisper) Just like right now, when I think that MC is very cute…

A drunken kiss fell on my lips along with his words.

The unfinished poetry book fell to the ground with a thud, but no one bothered to pick it up. I clutched the corner of Lucien's coat and instinctively responded to his kiss.

The moonlight is gentle. Between our intertwined breaths, I heard a vague whisper on my lips.

Lucien: (whispering between the kisses-) ...I love you...

My heart suddenly beat a little faster. I pulled away from Lucien, slightly panting. I want to hear more clearly.

MC: Y-you just said…

My words were interrupted by his lips that were chasing mine. I don't know if it is because of alcohol, but Lucien is a little more irresistible than usual.

As the kiss deepened, I gradually lost my focus. I can only close my eyes and cater to his demands.

But that whispered phrase lightly tickled my heart, with little tickles appearing now and then.

[Flashback ends]

[Part 2]

Lucien: MC?

Lucien's voice came to my ears. I looked back and saw Lucien looking at me with interest.

Lucien: Your ears are red... Did you think of something?

MC: (blushing) ...No, it's probably because the coffee is too hot.

I pretended to blow on the coffee in my cup and spoke in a casual manner.

MC: Speaking of which, do you remember what you said to me on the balcony last night?

Lucien tilted his head and seemed to think seriously for a moment.

Lucien: [chuckle] I can't quite remember.

Lucien: It seems that a lot of things happened and many things were said last night.

Lucien: Which one would MC like to hear? Maybe you can give me a hint?

Lucien's expression reveals a little bit of innocence as if he really can't remember the whisper that brushed through his lips.

I opened my lips, and a jumble of chaotic memories accompanied by hot whispers flashed through my mind.

How does this remind us that at that time we were on-

After a moment of staring at each other, I blushed and changed the subject.

MC: ... N-nothing, let's talk about it later.

(they really did ‘that’ on balcony-)

Lucien didn't ask any more questions, as if he didn't notice anything unusual. But I couldn't help thinking, how can I hear him say those three words again?

My heart skipped a beat when I glanced at the book of poems on the corner of my desk.

When I was flipping through the book last night, I saw that there were quite a few love poems included in the book. Maybe… I can use this to create an opportunity?

Thinking of this, I naturally picked up the poetry book and raised it at Lucien.

MC: I suddenly remembered that I hadn't finished reading this book yet.

MC: How about this… Please teach me to read some poems for the occasion of Valentine's Day, Professor Lucien~

I put a little more emphasis on the word "for the occasion".

Lucien looked at me for a moment, got up like he understood what I meant, and then sat beside me.

As the other side of the sofa sank down, I leaned towards Lucien, watching him take over the poetry book as he carefully selected the titles.

I looked at him expectantly. However, I heard Lucien speak in distress at the next second.

Lucien: There are many masterpieces in this poetry collection. Which one does MC want me to read with you?

...Have I not implied enough?

I was a little stunned, and unconsciously spoke.

MC: It's the kind of confession that says I love you-

I abruptly stopped talking for a moment. My ears flushed a little.

... I'm obviously here to set up the conversation. How come I fell into the trap before Lucien did?

I blinked unconsciously. Lucien rested the poetry collection on his chin and thoughtfully looked at me.

A few moments later, a warm hand fell on my shoulder. Lucien hugged me and brought us closer together.

I could almost smell the faint scent of cedar on him- it was the same scent I had been deeply tainted with from last night.

(heh, 'deeply tainted from last night')

Lucien: There is only one copy of the book, so I will have to ask this classmate to read it with me.

His fingertips stopped at a page of the poetry book as he spoke.

Lucien: Aquite amo (Here I love you)… I think this is the one that you like.

Lucien: Andan días iguales persiguiéndose (Days, all one kind, go chasing each other)…

His low reading voice came like a soft evening breeze passing through the twilight-shrouded pine forest.

I held my breath and subconsciously turned my head to look at Lucien. I belatedly discovered that we were already so close.

His side profile is just a short distance away, as if I can drop a kiss on his jaw by just tilting my head.

Noticing my gaze, Lucien raised his eyes to look at me. His voice filled with a couple of imperceptible laughter.

Lucien: [chuckle] Fellow student, please pay attention.

MC: (blush)...I'm paying attention!

I blushed and looked at the page, but I didn't know where I should focus on.

There was a gentle, meaningful laugh ringing in my ears. Lucien raised his hand and held my fingers.

I felt the soft touch of the paper through my fingertips. He guided me across the paper and landed on one line.

Lucien: I have already read this far.

Lucien: Aquí te amo y en vano te oculta el horizonte.

Lucien: Here I love you and the horizon hides you in vain…

The long-awaited words just suddenly came to my ears. My heart beat a little faster, and I instinctively responded to his voice.

MC: Te estoy amando aun entra estas frías cosas (I love you still among these cold things)...

The room echoed with our overlapping voices as we read it to each other. But my eyes gradually began to wander.

I snuck a glance at Lucien, and leaned closer to him. The idea of being "greedy" probes a little bit.

It seems that I want so much more than that.

It would be nice to hear him speak his love... in a straightforward way.

[Part 3]

I pursed my lips in distress.

I know that Lucien won't refuse if I ask him. But a direct request is not as romantic as being unable to restrain your emotions.

But under what circumstances would Lucien say love?

The sound of reading stopped at some point. I belatedly raised my head and met Lucien's gaze.

Lucien: I finished reading the poem that MC wanted to hear. Should I continue?

MC: No~ I want to arrange some other activities.

MC: When traveling, we can't stay just stay in the hotel.

Besides, it is easier to create opportunities in a new environment!

I planned to get up from Lucien's arms, but he caught me by the waist, and I fell back into the embrace behind me.

Lucien's chin gently rested against my shoulder, mimicking my affectionate actions from last night.

Lucien: I have an alternative plan. Would you like to hear it?

Lucien: When I checked in yesterday, the front desk recommended the nearby home gallery and said it would be a good place to visit.

MC: A home gallery?

Lucien: Um, it was converted from a personal residence. The gallery owner changes the theme from time to time and selects paintings for display.

Lucien: The works on display are not those of famous artists. But the personal touch is stronger, and the atmosphere is quiet. The theme in recent days happens to be "lovers".

That sounds like… a good place for creating an opportunity.

I hugged Lucien's arm and nodded with joy.

MC: Well, let's go check it out~

The gallery mentioned by the receptionist wasn't too far from the hotel. Lucien and I strolled along the street, sometimes pausing to look at the roadside scenery.

After about ten minutes, I saw a building with a "Galeria" sign. Curious, I went ahead and pushed the door open.

The room was full of paintings. The elderly owner got up from behind the board and said some words to us with a smile.

Lucien nodded his head in response; I tugged on his sleeve curiously.

Before I said anything, he explained in a low voice.

Lucien: He said that the art exhibition is open, and painting tools are provided to create your own paintings.

Lucien: If you don't mind the surroundings, you can do it in the living room. Or if you don't want to be disturbed, you can also reserve a room. You can decide after the exhibition.

The old man gestured kindly towards the deep corridor in response to his words. Then he sat back at his drawing board and continued to paint.

Not wanting to disturb the old man's work anymore, Lucien and I glanced at each other and lightened our steps in unison.

The daylight flows quietly on the varnished floor, and various portrait paintings hang on the dark vine-patterned walls.

The brush strokes are either smooth or rough, but the faces drawn out are filled with love. I leaned close to the painting frame and carefully examined it.

MC: It seems that not all the portraits here are made by professional artists.

Lucien: Indeed, it is more like a portrait of a lover painted by a visitor on a whim.

I can't help but think of the scene in the movie where the young artist is at a loss as to what to do with his beloved and smile gently.

MC: It is indeed very appropriate to leave this kind of painting for each other in the "holy land of love"~

Lucien: Then, can MC paint a portrait for me?

I blinked in surprise and suddenly thought of something.

Last night, Lucien said that the intimate distance would make people unconsciously want to share their love.

Maybe this can be used to quietly close the distance and create an atmosphere that makes Lucien open his mouth!

Having made up my mind, I nodded with a smile.

MC: Then I'll invite Professor Lucien to be my model this time~

The door of the room was closed silently.

The silence slowly spread, and I could hear the rustling sound of swaying trees from time to time. Lucien looked around and saw the narrow prop bed in the corner.

Lucien: As a model, I have to maintain a pose for a long time… MC, do you mind if I slack off in this way?

As Lucien spoke, he walked around the table and chairs, and sat on the side of the prop bed. I coughed and spun the paintbrush twice.

MC: Sure. So, does Professor Lucien have any ideas about the modeling?

Lucien bent his slender eyebrows.

Lucien: I'll leave it up to the artist to decide.

Lucien: I'm willing to work with you on whatever you need.

Our eyes met for a moment. I held my drawing board and went to stand beside Lucien.

MC: Then I would like you to take a more relaxed pose, Professor Lucien.

As I said that, I pushed Lucien's shoulder. He cooperatively fell back on the pillow and looked at me sincerely.

Lucien: Is this enough?

MC: Let's get a little more relaxed.

MC: I want to portray the way you look when you're at ease~

I explained solemnly and leaned down to unbutton his coat.

MC: ...You should also dress in a way that brings out your sensuality, don't be so tense.

MC: Imagine that you're in the bedroom at home.

His coat fell to the bed sheet, making the atmosphere a little quiet and charming. Lucien looked at me and slightly moved his eyes.

Everything is going as expected. I sat down on the chair beside the bed. And I was beginning to plan how to move forward when I heard Lucien speak.

Lucien: Is this enough for you?

Lucien asked as he lifted his hand and unbuttoned his shirt one by one while I watched.

The collar that was buttoned to the top slowly opens up, and the smooth lines outline the firm shapes, which are gradually hidden behind the bottom of the hem. My ears suddenly turned red.

MC: I-I...

Lucien: I just think it will be more in line with the state that MC wants.

Lucien: (whisper seductively) Or do you need me to relax a bit more?

Lucien's fingertips continued to move down; his tail note was slightly lighter. For some reason, I suddenly felt that the air seemed to heat up a bit.

I quickly averted my gaze and subconsciously tightened my grip on the brush.

MC: No need, this will do!

As I said that, I hurriedly sketched out some lines on the board.

Lucien's soft laugh came to my ears. After the rustling of the fabric, the room returned to silence, with only the rustling sound of the brushes stroking over the canvas remaining.

In addition to wanting to create an opportunity to hear Lucien say those three words, I also wanted to give him this painting as a memento of our Valentine's Day trip.

Dark hair, slender eyebrows… I depicted every emotion stroke by stroke, and the familiar outline gradually emerged on the paper.

It's just that every time I look up, I can see Lucien's smiling eyes.

My face was getting hotter and hotter, and I started to avert my eyes.

The artist's red face when facing the model in the movie came to my mind. I hastily withdrew my gaze and huffed in empathy.

…It turns out that the scene was not exaggerated.

Gazing at the person you like for so long, you really can't control your heartbeat.

I tried my best to maintain my composure and finished most of the painting. Then, Lucien's phone suddenly rang.

He helplessly blinked at me. Before he could say anything, I handed over the phone.

MC: Let's take a look. What if it's news from the research institute~

Lucien took the phone, but his body still remained in the same position as before. He just raised his hand a bit and looked at the message.

The screen's glow shines on his face, sharp and gentle, wonderfully distinguishing between light and dark. Lucien glanced at me, smiled softly, and spoke.

Lucien: Can Miss Artist continue like this?

Realizing this opportunity, I put down my drawing board and got up from my chair.

MC: The angle has changed a bit. Let me correct it.

I said and touched Lucien's cheek, and quietly guided him.

MC: But I didn't expect Professor Lucien to be so calm when he posed in front of me in such a "seductive" way~

Lucien cooperated and tilted his head. His soft bangs brushed against my palm.

Lucien: After all, the job of a model is to work with the creative process.

Lucien: And in the eyes of Miss Artist, now I should be no different from a… butterfly

MC: Now the positions are switched.

I smiled, seeing that Lucien also seemed to have lost in the memory, and then he opened his mouth.

Lucien: The artist once hoped to put the butterfly on a glass cover and keep it with him forever. But later, he discovered that even when he let the butterfly go, it flew back to him.

Lucien: It gave him happiness he had never felt or imagined before.

MC: From the butterfly's perspective, it also reaped the happiness that comes from being willing to stop… The artist and the butterfly are meant to complement each other.

MC: Just like now, you are a "butterfly" that complements me.

Lucien silently looked at me for a moment and bent the corners of his lips.

Lucien: That's right. As you said, painting is a two-way street between the artist and the depicted subject.

Lucien: So, now I will also do my best to assist.

Lucien winked as he talked, and his posture became more relaxed.

I went around in circles and didn't hear the expected response. I pursed my lips and took a roundabout approach to lead him.

MC: Professor Lucien is a very cooperative model. He's probably the ideal partner for any artist~

Lucien: Perhaps. But this kind of close observation is a privilege that belongs only to you.

My heart skipped a beat.

MC: ....Will Professor Lucien have a special feeling when facing the artist like that butterfly?

Lucien: I have.

Lucien said and looked at me.

Lucien: Facing you, I seem to have no way to restrain my heartbeat.

Suddenly, his drunken confessions from last night come to mind, intertwined with his whispers at this moment.

Lucien: (whisper) Just like now. By simply looking at you, I can't help but want to…

Lucien paused.

Amid the accelerated heartbeat, he held my hand that was touching his cheek and slowly rubbed it. The already close distance was shortened again, and my wrist was warmed by the heat of his breath.

Bathed in a faint soft light, he stared at me and spoke softly.

Lucien: (continuing his whisper) So, I'm also a little curious.

Lucien: (still whispering) Now that MC is facing me, what are the thoughts in her heart?

[Part 4]

The church bells rang in the distance, and the birds fluttered their wings and flew past the window.

The shadow of the daylight reflected on Lucien's profile, and the air between us seemed to be stained with lingering and deep affection.

I gazed into Lucien's dark eyes and picked up the painting I was about to finish from the chair.

MC: All I want to express is here.

MC: In that movie, the moment the main character saw the painting, they understood the artist's intention…

MC: So, can you feel my emotions by looking at this?

Lucien looked at the painting. His eyes lingered on every spot as if he was facing a priceless work of art, and there seemed to be some emotions surging in his gaze.

Lucien: Mm, every stroke is full of tenderness and… yearning.

Lucien: Did I get it right?

Seeing his serious expression, I opened my lips hesitantly.

I painted each stroke of the painting with love. How can Lucien didn't feel it…?

Or is my drawing skill so clumsy… that I can't even convey my emotions?

I doubted myself and forcibly raised the corners of my mouth.

MC: It's not wrong, but it's not the right answer either. What I'm trying to express is- ah, just forget it.

I sat back in my chair, feeling a little bit defeated, and sighed unnoticeably.

A very soft sigh came from behind me. Accompanied by the rustling of clothes, I was swept into a warm embrace.

Lucien wrapped me from behind and held the paintbrush together with me.

His faint cedar scent surrounds my body. Lucien leaned close to my cheek and spoke in a low voice.

Lucien: Remember what I told you about "intimate distance"?

Lucien: Within 46 cm, you can feel every subtle change in the breathing and temperature of the person in front of you.

Lucien: For me, you are the only person who can enter this distance.

The brush we hold lands on the canvas. Amidst the rubbing sound caused by the friction of the brush and the canvas, the unrefined half of the face gradually becomes clear.

Lucien immediately put down the paintbrush. He didn't let me go and maintained our hugging position. We looked at the drawing board together.

The canvas shows him lying on the edge of the bed with a faint smile on his face.

However, upon closer look, I find that although the brushwork is more refined later on, something seems to be missing in how the painting subject is portrayed.

I opened my lips but heard Lucien speak.

Lucien: You noticed it too, didn't you?

Lucien: Even I can't paint a true portrait of how I look in your eyes.

Lucien: (whisper) Relaxed, disorganized, and also perhaps a little bit of what you call "playing tricks"… Only in front of you, everything about me will be open without reservation.

Lucien: (whisper) This is a side only you can see… And when I put the brush to the canvas, I can't pour more love into it than you do.

I looked at Lucien, a little stumped for words. In addition to the full attention in his eyes, he also showed a little helpless smile.

Is it possible that he has already understood what I want to express?

So why did he keep avoiding the word "love"? It's like he was trying to bait me to say the word….

I suddenly thought of something and broke free from Lucien's embrace with a little effort.

Then I got up and pressed him down on the chair, unsurely asking him a question.

MC: Your reaction to many things seems to be different than usual today.

MC: …Lucien, are you also planning something?

Lucien: Hmm? 'Also'?

Lucien's voice hid a deeper meaning to it. I opened my mouth and finally admitted with a blushing face.

MC: I admit, I have indeed been trying to bait you to say something to me… What about you?

In the gradual acceleration of my heartbeat, I met with Lucien's gaze.

Lucien: Of course, I… have the same purpose as you.

I blinked in astonishment.

MC: For what reason?

Lucien: For what reason…?

Lucien gently repeated my question, and his warm breath close against my skin.

Lucien: At first, I just thought that the way you worked hard was cute, and I wanted to see more of it. But then I became "greedy" too.

Lucien: Rather than fulfilling your wish, I rather see MC's most instinctive desire for me being revealed in the intimate distance that only belongs to us…

Lucien: Together with the most straightforward expression of love.

Lucien: But looking at it now, it ended up backfired. So, in order to make amends, I'm willing to accept any punishment.

Finally, there is an explanation for this man's various "unromanticism" today. I snorted softly and suddenly thought of something.

MC: But speaking of which, did Professor Lucien remember wrongly?

MC: When we were reading the poem, I was "tricked" into saying I love you first.

Lucien spoke with a voice that was filled with inaudible grievances.

Lucien: But those are the words of the poet, not yours.

Lucien: What I want to hear is a straightforward confession from MC.

I was stunned. I couldn't help laughing when thinking about how I precisely thought the same thing as him. My fingers pulled on Lucien's tie, and I moved closer to him.

Our breathing is gradually intertwined. I asked him a question in a soft voice.

MC: So, is the distance between us now less than 46 centimeters?

Lucien gazed at me and suddenly grabbed my waist.

Lucien: (chuckles, then whispers seductively) I think… It can still be a little closer.

The hands on my waist tightened a little. I leaned over to get close to him and spoke in a teasing manner.

MC: Doesn't Professor Lucien want to take the initiative this time?

Lucien looked as if he was allowing himself to be captured, but his eyes weren't wavering.

Lucien: After all, it's punishment time. So, I'm going to hand over all the initiative to you.

Despite saying these words, his hand did not loosen up in the slightest. Instead, he caressed upward, bringing me closer to him.

I couldn't suppress my laughter. I whispered as I bowed my head.

MC: How cunning.

I kissed Lucien as soon as the words fell.

A slightly cool sensation comes through equally soft lips, and my heart trembles with each restless movement.

I sank into the seemingly passive yet irresistible demands of the person in front of me.

The strength of my body was drained away before I knew it. I half-kneeled, half-sat in his embrace, and couldn't resist closing my eyes.

Entangling, deeply penetrating… The tip of his tongue lightly swept my sensitive upper palate. I shuddered and instinctively wanted to struggle.

But I was firmly confined and had nowhere to escape.

…I don't want to stay away either.

Until every breath that reaches deep into my soul gradually becomes fully tainted with his breath.

I could hear the rustling of the curtains brushing against the window and the sound of people walking in the hallway, but I didn't care about it anymore.

My senses, my everything… All melted in this kiss and the depth of his eyes.

Between our melded breaths, I slightly pulled myself away from Lucien and instinctively opened my mouth to speak.

Lucien: (with the most tender and loving whisper between the kisses) I love you.

MC: (whispering at the very same time as Lucien) I love you.

Coincidentally, our unanimous whispers were intertwined in the air. In just an instant, my heart was filled with happiness, flying like a feather in the warm sunlight.

I raised the corners of my lips and stroked Lucien's cheek.

MC: Is Professor Lucien satisfied with my expression?

Lucien clasped my hand and interlocked our fingers together.

Lucien: (whisper) It's even better than I imagined.

Lucien: (whisper) Everything about you, every time you approach me... makes my heart beat excitedly.

His warm breath brushed against my ear. Lucien tilted his head again and irresistibly chased after my lips.

The spring scenery is deeply reflected in his eyes, and I also saw my figure reflected in them.

After those whispers, I heard him whisper once again.

Lucien: It makes me fall in love with you again and again... for countless times.

[Personal Rambles + Date analysis(?) corner]

I love this date. Personally, I would even say that I like this date better than last month’s SP and SSR. I think it is worth being the one date where it has ‘I love you’ in it. Not just ‘I like you’, or his ‘definition of love’.

There are many things I want to scream about this date- but to keep it simple, I’ll just talk about some parts that I think are really interesting this date.

[Here I love you]

Okay, so the first one is the poem, ‘Here I love you’ by Pablo Neruda. I like this part because their poem exchange reminds me of the scene from Lucien’s Blossoms date where they wittily quoted poems to each other (something that sadly, gets lost in translation:”).

But anyway, back to the topic of my interpretation of how some lines of this poem coincided with parts of the dates and their story in general.

First of all, I love how PG choose this poem that explores love and fear of losing someone you love, which is THE big angst theme for Lucien.

"In that hazy memory, he seems to have lost someone."

—In his dream, he also sat with a girl under a tall tree, painting. He never understood why but when they drew a seedling on the paper, he would draw a glass to cover it.

Until just now, after he experienced the moment of losing the only color in his life, Lucien understood his choice in the dream.

—This is a fear of losing someone again.'  - [R&S Eternity and a day.]

There’s a reason why PG chooses to torture this man by making him believe that MC is dead after chapter 18 [R&S Not Planned On] and making him watch her die again and again in [Main Story S2 chapters 13 and 14]. Because he already lost so much in life, he’s probably the one who fear losing MC the most.

Here I love you. The word here indicates that the poet is the one who stays and waits in one place. Just like Lucien, who is always waiting for her to take him home in S2. He doesn’t mind waiting for her answer no matter how long. It’s also something that’s highlighted in [Dating Reality Show Date]. Where we learn that he was the one who fell at first sight and waited for MC whose love is something that grows with time and his companionship.

This is a port. Here I love you. Just like ships that always come and go in the port, so do people. But ships can always come back to port after they parted. The butterfly can always fly back to the artist even after the artist lets her go. I’ll dive deeper into it in its own section ;)

I love what I do not have. It really reminds me of what MC said in the only color call. Where she said that to love someone is to love them as an individual, and there’s no requirement for a special relationship. You just want the person you love to be happy, not to ‘have’ them :”.

The moon turns its clockwork dream; The biggest stars look at me with your eyes. Lucien will unconsciously reveal his sides that he doesn’t even notice. Only in front of her, he will open up everything about himself without reservation. ‘The biggest star’ is the love in her eyes as she gazes at him as if he’s the only person she can see in this world.

“You noticed it too, didn't you?”

“Even I can't paint a true portrait of how I look in your eyes.”

And the opposite also true, because he too, always gazes at her as if she’s the only person he can see in this world.

The spring scenery is deeply reflected in his eyes, and I also saw my figure reflected in them.

[Distancia Intima]

This one is probably the shortest part ahah, but distancia intima or Intimate Distance is the nearest space around our body and is reserved for an intimate person like a family member or lover.

For Lucien, it’s a space that only belongs to one person. Only in front of her, he can show his most unreserved sides.

But on the other side, it also means that she’s the only important person left in his life. Whether as his ‘family member’ or lover :”...

[Reverse Artist and Butterfly]

OK BUT, this one is definitely an unexpected twist, but pleasant. I love how in the process of confessing ‘I love you’ we get taken back to his very first definition of love, the Artist and Butterfly.

“If you can meet that artist, tell him this for me. That he actually doesn’t love the butterfly, does he?”

“Why do you think that the artist doesn’t love the butterfly? If you love someone, aren’t you supposed to move heaven and earth to tie them to your side?”

“But that is too selfish.”

“Yes, even I find it selfish.”

“But if he doesn’t do that, it’s likely that the artist will lose the butterfly.”

“And then his life will be like how it was before, his whole world would just be black and white.”

“If he really loves the butterfly, then he wouldn’t want to see them suffer, right?”

“Maybe I’m too simple, but for me, genuine love is simply loving that person as an individual, and I wouldn’t need a special relationship with them. I’d just want them to be happy.”

“If you were this butterfly, and there was someone who wanted to confine you to their side so they could keep you together with them forever…”

“Would you be willing?” - [The Only Color Call]

For him at first, to love is to bind someone by his side, but for MC to love is simply loving the person as an individual and wanting them to be happy. It reminds me of the saying ‘If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were.’

The artist let the butterfly go, but the butterfly flew back and decided to stay with the artist because it is happy to be by the artist’s side. This happiness is a two-way street because the butterfly’s willingness to stop also brings the artist happiness he never felt before… Their choice of being by each other side is the longest confession of love.

It is even more interesting that this date talks about the identity exchange between the artist and the butterfly. All this time, we usually thought that Lucien is the ‘artist’ while MC is the ‘butterfly’ but it seems that, the reverse also works.

Because Lucien also brings color to MC just like the butterfly to the artist. They color each other’s world.

Perhaps for everyone, the world was monochromatic at the beginning.

With time and encounters, the world gradually became stained with colors, giving value to different people and things.

Slowly, the whole world becomes colorful as it interacts with memory. It also has smells and sounds.

Until the most special existence appeared that makes the color of this world more distinctive.

It's as if the whole picture has been retouched so that everything has a new meaning.

While we quietly shared the cake, I looked at Lucien's face lit by the warm lights.

“Lucien, you’re colorful right now” – Lucien’s 3rd birthday date

-and because MC too, just like the artist, also greedily wants to keep him safe forever. But because she knew that she couldn’t stop Lucien from walking towards his aspiration, all she can do is let him go and try to catch up to him.

Both of them learn to let go as the artist and also choose to stay as the butterfly because it’s what makes them happy.

[我爱你]

From ‘Can you teach me how to love?’ to ‘I love you.’ LOOK AT HOW FAR HE’S GROWN. I can’t believe it’s been days since the date and the PV but I still sob every time I heard him say that. It’s been a long process, even though he’s been declaring his love in his own way, whether it is his wordless declaration of love in S1 chapters 35 and 36. Or the wheat field as the representation of his heart, with the ebbs and flow of the tide as his heartbeat in S2 chapter 34.

I love you is special as the most straightforward way to declare one’s love. I love how on this date these two fools tried to trap each other into confessing but ended up confessing instinctively at the very same time lmao. The situation is really funny, with MC who’s trying her best to create an atmosphere where Lucien would say I love you vs Lucien that knows all along about her plan, even manages to trap MC into confessing first but ends up feeling dissatisfied with the confession because it’s the poet words, not hers (-how childish-).

On this date, both of them ended up becoming greedy, wanting to hear the most direct love confession from each other.

I snuck a glance at Lucien, and leaned closer to him. The idea of being “greedy" probes a little bit.

It seems that I want so much more than that.

It would be nice to hear him speak his love... in a straightforward way.

-

“At first, I just thought that the way you worked hard was cute, and wanted to see more of it. But then I became “greedy” too.”

“Rather than fulfilling your wish, I rather see MC's most instinctive desire for me being revealed in the intimate distance that only belongs to us…”

“Together with the most straightforward expression of love.”

“What I want to hear is a straightforward confession from MC.”

-although both of their plans also end up backfiring as neither of them gets the straightforward love confession from their plans, MC was unhappy, and Lucien ended up taking the initiative to open up the first because he can’t stand seeing her in distress.

“It's not wrong, but it's not the right answer either. What I’m trying to express is- ah, just forget it.”

I sat back in my chair, feeling a little bit defeated, and sighed unnoticeably.

A very soft sigh came from behind me. Accompanied by the rustling of clothes, I was swept into a warm embrace.

It’s interesting sometimes how they sometimes mirror each other, having the same expectation and desires, while also opposing each other on the other occasion, like their belief and the way they see things. But one thing always remains the same, and it’s the fact that they’ll always yearn for each other.

In the end, they learn that they don’t need to go that far. They just need to follow their heart. Because whether when sober or drunk, the heart knows when to beat faster simply by the presence of each other. The most perfect explanation of this mutual eternal heartbeat is ‘I love you’. And he will keep falling in love, again and again, countless times simply by her close proximity or existence alone.

My final words; I’m very, very satisfied with this date~

#HOW CAN SOMETHING BE SWEET SPICY AND ANGSTY AT THE SAME TIME #enjoy the 1.5k date analysis (?) #this one is my personal favourite sobs #mlqc lucien #mr love queen's choice #mlqc date #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mr. love queen's choice #mlqc

[cheesy09]

Thoughts on Kiro's R&S: Parameter Error

"The music video told the story of a young man who sent his love to the ideal place while he himself waited in the dark."

"Love could make errors occur in otherwise stable parameters, but it was love that gave him the courage to open the door."

"...'Cause I'm the steadfast tin soldier under the tower; 'Cause love is the key that unlocks everything."

So, was no one going to warn me on how badly I was gonna bawl my eyes out after reading this Rumors and Secrets? To tell me how emotionally deep this was gonna cut? Another reason I hate PG for putting this stuff in R&S (ಥ﹏ಥ)

After I was done reading this, it felt as if my heart had shattered to a million tiny little pieces, as well as grow three sizes at the same time. I've always known Kiro was extremely selfless and forbearing, despite the harsh past he's been through, but the way they brought it out in this R&S? It made me an emotional mess.

Apparently, this R&S explains a lot of what Kiro's been doing behind the scenes. It had a little bit of everything thrown in. From Kiro's past, to his relationship with Key, his feelings for MC, as well as a bit of insight into his role in the story.

Also, the character development is so obvious.

"In his hands was a computer with a flashing red light, which was the "key" handed to him by his master just now.

This key could open the most important "door" in the world, which would inevitably be coveted. That was why he could trust no one. Only judgment as accurate as machines could guide everything to the right path.

Kiro gripped onto the computer, with the last words of his master echoing in his mind.

-We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light."

-R&S: Parameter Error

In terms of plot, this R&S contains the retelling of the events that occurred in the Behind the Curtains chapter 0-3 and main story Chapter 8, but told from Kiro's perspective.

In the Behind the Curtains plot, Key gives Kiro the "key" to unlocking an important "door" that many people wanted passage to, such as Uncle John.

John: Quickly! Give me the passage key!

?? (Helios): How did you know about that?

An undisguised look of ferocity appeared in his eyes.

John: Discovering that took me 20 years time, but luckily it wasn't too late. No matter what Hades or Ares could do, it is I who will have the last laugh!

-S1 Chapter 17: Beyond Oblivion

This key could be the key to the Black Cabin, but the thing is that it was never explicitly stated. All we know was that this "key" was used to open a very important "door." A door that Kiro had opened only once in order to bring back MC from the Eternal Winter World. And this where I draw my conclusion:

Kiro has never "abandoned" MC.

In Kiro’s Box World: Hidden Action, he was half beaten to death because he helped MC escape at the TV Tower, in his R&S: Snooper, he helped MC in the shadows by getting rid of people who were targeting her life, in his R&S: Night Watchman and R&S: Parameter Error, he helped MC come back to the OG World by opening a door that almost crushed his soul.

He may not be physically present with her, but he’s always been supporting her from the shadows, where no one could see. After all, if it wasn't for him, she would have never even made it back to the OG World.

And he almost died doing it.

We caught a glimpse of it in his R&S: Night Watchman, and was again reinforced in this one. Just... more painfully (ಥ﹏ಥ)

??: This code is the key to opening all doors.

??: You must use it to open a door, and see an important person.

The string of code seemed to be a signal. The figure composed of digits started to float away, and the electronic voice started to flicker and fade from the computer.

??: After this code disappears, you will be this world's last key... You must remember the key's mission...

Even from the emotionless, synthesized voice, Kiro could hear that this was goodbye. He tried to get him to stay.

.........

The digits forming that silhouette were all but faded. His final words came through hazily, yet incredibly determined.

??: Kiro, you must remember. We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light.

-Behind the Curtain 0-3

"He lowered his head and pressed his lips gently to the girl's hair. He whispered a promise in her ear even though she couldn't hear him:

"Don't worry. I've hidden the key. The gates will only open for you."

Kiro had already braced himself when he received the code, but the side effects of Key were much more severe than expected.

In order to save the girl out of the endless winter, he had opened the door once-only once, and it nearly broke him.

A tremendous amount of information poured into his body like a torrent. Every inch of his bones was wailing in agony, as if his body would be crushed the next second.

Scenes flashed before Kiro's eyes, as if he had become one with the information. Each code warned him of parameter errors that required an immediate end to the operation.

Kiro fell on one knee as his legs buckled."

-R&S: Parameter Error

Becoming the key itself meant that Kiro's body was subjected to excruciating pain every time the so-called "door" was opened. Which was why he had never dared to use that key before. Only MC had the privilege of using it. He was willing to go through that torturous pain only for her.

And so, to bring her back, he opened the door.

Honestly, Kiro's soul probably would've broken right there and then when he did it.

But, like a miracle, he soon felt MC's presence.

"At the moment when he was about to lose his consciousness, a pair of hands seemed to reach out to hold him tight - these hands were delicate and soft, which he held numerous times when facing crises and sharing joys together.

"MC."

The moment Kiro uttered the name, he gained the strength to fight against this torrent. He pulled himself up from the ground. The scene in his eyes began to fade, and he was back in his room.

Kiro looked at the screen panting heavily. The progress bar on the screen was now full.

The door had been opened. She was back."

-R&S: Parameter Error

Their souls touched and embraced, and so, Kiro got the strength to survive.

Honestly, this makes the angsty reunion he and MC got in Chapter 28 even more heartaching. Somewhere behind the scenes, where no one could see, this boy almost lost his life bringing his beloved back to the OG World, but she never knew. No one knew. So his pain went by unnoticed.

It makes sense because Kiro has always hid his suffering from MC, but it still hurts :'(

It was only with Kiro when Key would turn from his quiet self and reveal his true nature. It was also precisely this which made Kiro feel as if his master never disappeared. That silver-haired man still lived on in the codes. He must be waiting to meet him somewhere.

-R&S: Parameter Error

Key is still very much a mystery, but I love how they gave us a little more insight on him, and his relationship with Kiro.

Apparently, Kiro was the only one Key trusted enough to put his walls down around him like that. It was with him that Key was free to be himself, just like how MC is for Kiro. And now I know where Kiro acquired his mischievous streak from HAHA.

Aside from that, the other thing that I wanna talk about is the story that Kiro narrates to some children within this R&S.

He tells a story of a young boy who was best friends with an elf girl, and the young boy had an incredibly pure love for the girl.

But then the boy found out that the girl would have to eventually leave him because she couldn't stay on the earth for too long and so he grew incredibly sad.

Not wanting to separate from the girl he travelled to the depths of a forest to seek help from a powerful wizard.

Sadly, even though the wizard was the most powerful in the world, he couldn't make the girl stay. But to reward the boy for his courage, he gave him a magic key that could open the door to the elves' world.

Sounds familiar, right? There are some specific details that cannot be explained at the moment, but might be alluding to something, such as the "elves' world" (this may or may not be a reference to the "New World" that is often brought up in the main story and Kiro's R&S), but for the most part, this is pretty much a parody of Kiro and MC's story.

MC was the elf girl, Kiro was the young boy, and the powerful wizard seems to be Key. But what has me concerned was how Kiro ended the tale.

When one of the children asked if the boy could visit the elf girl since he had the key to their world, all Kiro did was smile and agree that it would be nice if that were possible :(

So were the boy and the girl eternally separated?

Unfortunately, we never come to know how the tale ends.

"The music video told the story of a young man who sent his love to the ideal place while he himself waited in the dark."

-R&S: Parameter Error

Kiro: But what he wants most is for you to be a fairy, free of all cares.

Kiro: Not getting hurt, not getting worried, whose only responsibility is receiving signals of joy and happiness.

-S1 Chapter 28: Apocalypse Park

Kiro: Don’t feel bad.

Kiro: You're... the girl I want to always be happy, my Miss Chips.

-S1 Chapter 36: Final Battle Kiro's Route

The very next day after narrating the story, Kiro's new single gets released, titled "Key in Fairytale."

The music video for this song told the story of a young man who sent his beloved to the best place while he himself waited in the dark. It was a sad story that portrayed a boy's selfishly selfless love for his beloved. And the most popular lines in that song were...

"...'Cause I'm the steadfast tin soldier under the tower; 'Cause love is the key that unlocks everything."

These words may seem simple at first, but the depth behind them was enormous. And remember, these were lyrics written by Kiro himself.

I'll be dividing this into two parts.

PART 1: "...'Cause I'm the steadfast tin soldier under the tower."

"The Steadfast Tin Soldier" was a story written by Danish author Hans Christian Anderson and told the story of a tin soldier's love for a paper ballerina.

For his birthday, a boy received a set of 25 tin soldiers. Our protagonist, the tin soldier, doesn't end up with a happy start to his life. You see, he was different from the other soldiers in the set because he was missing a leg. He had been the last one to be cast and there had not been enough tin to make him whole.

Kiro was autistic when he was a child. He was also an orphan so he didn't know who he was. He was very much incomplete ever since he was born. And hence, why he identifies himself in that tin soldier.

But that's not the only reason.

Despite, his weakness, the tin soldier "stood as firm and steadfast on his one leg as the others did on their two." This is evident in how, despite Kiro's many insecurities and weaknesses, he has never given up and has always walked firmly on the path that he believed in. To “stand in darkness as he defended the light.”

Moving on.

The tin soldier fell in love at first sight with a paper ballerina who he found to be a kindred spirit because they both stood on one leg. It's similar to how Kiro fell in love with MC the moment he laid eyes on her at the orphanage.

But this is where things start taking an ugly turn for the tin soldier.

After the tin soldier gets pushed out of the windowsill by a jealous jack-in-the-box who also loved the paper ballerina, he ends up on the street. Two boys find the soldier, place him in a paper boat, and set him sailing in the gutter. The boat and its passenger wash into a storm drain, where a rat demands the soldier pay a toll.

Despite the trauma from all of this, "The poor tin soldier stood as steady as ever, he did not flinch," just as Kiro faced every danger head on, no matter how broken, scared or terrified he was. For example:

“That man’s hands were hung high up, scars running like winding pythons on his arms. He fell upon his knees, his messy clothes getting full dark red bloodstains. He kept still, looking as if dead or in a sound sleep, totally integrated into the darkness. Kiro didn’t move until a gun reached his gold hair. He looked up silently, without any fear in his eyes.

With the sound of a “Crack”, the gun was loaded.

“Why did you help her?” The masked man uttered coldly again, “Answer me, traitor.”

Keeping silent, Kiro cocked his head to let the dark muzzle aim at him between his eyebrows. He looked at the man in front, seemingly with no fear of him, no fear of guns, and no fear of death.”

-Kiro’s Box World: Hidden Action

I highlighted the word “seemingly” because it tells us that it only appeared as if Kiro wasn’t scared of death. In truth, he really was scared, but he couldn’t show weakness since those people could use it against him. Not to mention how his hands trembled and the paleness of his face when he separated from MC up on the rooftop. I mean, it’s only natural to be afraid of death. Kiro wasn’t suicidal. He NEVER gave up on life, even as a child subjected to experiments. He was self-sacrificial, but he wasn’t suicidal.

Anyways, back to the story.

Sailing on, the boat was washed into a canal, where the tin soldier was swallowed by a fish. When this fish is caught and cut open, the tin soldier finds himself once again on the table top before the ballerina. When he sees that she's still standing there after all his time away, "he almost cried tin tears—and would have, had it not been so undignified," reflecting how Kiro too is unwilling to show weakness in front of others, silently repressing his longing and loneliness. Bian Jiang, his CN voice actor, puts it really well:

“He’s very manly. He never reveals his tiredness or negative sides in front of MC. He carries gargantuan matters by himself. But this really causes one’s heart to ache.”

-Bian Jiang, Kiro’s Official Artbook

“We understand Kiro. He’s someone who will pretend that there’s nothing bothering him when he faces difficulties. He isn’t willing to show his weaknesses either. Because of this, I hope you can understand him more, and empathise with him.”

-Bian Jiang, CN Qixi Greeting

You know why you only got a text from Kiro saying "Welcome back ^^" after the pain he went through getting you back from the Eternal Winter World?

This is the reason why.

During that whole reunion, all of his true feelings were suppressed. Not because he couldn’t bring himself to be weak, but because he felt he needed to be strong.

As for the tin soldier, tragedy didn't end there, but this is the most beautiful part of the tale.

Right after reuniting with his beloved ballerina, a boy chucks the soldier into the stove, and it's the end for him. His paint begins to melt off, and he knows he won't last long. However, he maintains eye contact with the ballerina even during his final moments: "He could feel that he was melting; but he held on as steadfastly as ever to his gun and kept his gaze on the little ballerina in front of the castle."

However, a wind blew the ballerina into the fire with him and they perished together. And when the maid came over to clean the stove, she found something.

It was a little tin heart.

Nothing of the tin soldier remained, except a symbol of his unyielding love for the paper ballerina.

This is Kiro.

A boy whose life was plundered by fate since the day he was born, whose body was torn and ravaged by darkness and evil. A boy who stood brave in the face of adversity, and never gave up, no matter what was thrown his way.

And whose heart beat steadily, steadfastly and passionately for only a single girl.

Even when he was burning in a pit of fire, his body covered in wounds, constantly being subjected to pain and despair... he would still become a little bear to heal her, sing her songs to comfort her and even smile for her to give her hope and strength.

"'Cause he was the steadfast tin soldier under the tower."

"The boy now stood in front of the door with the key from the wizard weighing down his pocket.

He would not hesitate anymore.

Love could make errors occur in otherwise stable parameters, but it was love that gave him the courage to open the door.

A screen popped up in front of him, with an electronic voice asking him to enter the key.

The man’s lips raised slightly as he deftly entered a string of words:

For My Queen."

-R&S: Parameter Error

MC: I was saying, I’m not worried, because even if you go to another world, I’ll find you, just like you found me.

Kiro was a bit stunned, and a strange light swirled in his limpid eyes, making it difficult for me to discern his emotions.

Kiro: Alright, but I won’t hold you to that.

-S1 Chapter 36: Final Battle

Kiro: For the sake of her smile, I keep thinking there are some things I should just shoulder alone.

-3rd Anniversary Interview

Part 2: “’Cause love is the key that unlocks everything.”

This statement goes hand-in-hand with what I said earlier. Kiro’s love is selfless, almost selfishly so. He doesn’t care about what happens to him, as long as his Miss Chips was safe and happy. The reason he could endure the darkness and bear all the pain by himself was because his love for MC was what gave him courage to carry on.

That was why he could open that door and bring her back. It wasn’t the key that opened that door, it was Kiro’s love for her. After all, if he hadn’t had the courage to open that door in the first place, MC would have never made it back to the OG world.

Drawing back to the story Kiro told the kids earlier, both that and the MV titled “The Fairytale Key” delivered the same message: “We shall stand in darkness as we defend the light.” Kiro would keep MC safe even if that meant forever being trapped in darkness himself.

Kiro: Yeah... that illness changed my perspective a lot. I accept fate, but I still try to change it.

Kiro: More and more, I clearly know what I want.

.........

Kiro: Actually, my real goal is...

MC: What?

Kiro: You know what, I can’t tell you yet. You’ll know one day.

-Kiro’s Phone Call: Unsolved Mysteries

That being said, that’s not how Kiro wants their story to end. If him being trapped in darkness while MC was in the light was their fate, he would accept that. But at the same time, he’s also determined to change it, if possible.

This is why his parting with MC at the end of S1 becomes so meaningful and sad. The beloved girl left for the ideal place, while Kiro himself remained behind. But that’s not how things temporarily end for them. After MC leaves, Kiro turns into Helios and goes off somewhere. 

Kiro knew what MC was going to do, and what would happen to him. He knew he was going to forget her after she turned back time, and he was scared. He was scared of the fact that they may not be able to meet again, because Kiro’s not willing to leave everything up to fate. He wanted to write his destiny himself. 

It draws back to something he said in S1 Chapter 19: 

MC: So you believe in things being “ordained by fate” like most little girls do?

Kiro: Yes, but I only believe the “first encounters are arranged by fate” part. Whether you meet again, that’s up to you.

-S1 Chapter 19: Pure White Winter

That’s why when they parted, Kiro promised MC the she “will see him again.” Because even if she couldn’t find him, he would make sure that at least he found her.

Again.

“At that point, he suddenly realized that a pawn was awaiting orders. He paused midsentence and stared at the young man at the bottom of the stairs.

3684 was no longer a weak orphan. As a successful experiment in the B.S project, he was a rising star in the outside world. Yet, this blonde young man maintained a meek posture before them, as if he was deaf to their discussion.”

-R&S: Parameter Error

““And how do you know that you yourself are not affected by my Evol?”

Shocked by these words, the man hurriedly turned around to look toward Kiro. Seeing the straight back of this golden-haired boy, he suddenly had an inkling that their ‘experimental subject’ might be slipping out of their control. But then he quickly decided that he was overthinking it and snorted:

“A puppet is always a puppet.”

As if catching the man’s muttering far behind him, Kiro slightly lifted a corner of his mouth in a smirk.”

-R&S: Thriving in the Sun 

“After numerous twists and turns, no one would have foreseen that the pawn would one day become the final chess player who would lead them back on track towards Black Swan’s ultimate goal.”

-R&S: Parameter Error

The last thing I want to talk about is Kiro’s growth. This boy has had one of the most beautiful and significant character progressions that I’ve seen in any piece of literature so far. And even now, he’s still growing.

In order to fulfill the mission his master gave him, he climbed up the ranks of B.S. with his own power. He overthrew the previous leader, and established control over Black Swan.

This R&S really showed how Kiro went from being a pawn (an autistic patient, a top experimental product, a puppet made to dance to the tune of those in the organization) to becoming the player, i.e. the one who called the shots. The members of B.S. underestimated him, and he proved them wrong. He didn’t just become the most powerful piece on the chess board, he became the chess player itself. And he did it ALL by himself. I’m so proud of him :’D

#mlqc #mlqc kiro #mlqc helios #(ಥ﹏ಥ) #mlqc analysis #kiro's love is so beautiful 😭

[citrakirana]

Shaw dan Kapal Theseus

SMS dari Shaw ini terasa biasa saja, tetapi ketika saya mengkaji ulang tentang Kapal Theseus, saya jadi bertanya-tanya, ada apakah dengan masa kanak-kanakmu, Shaw?

Theseus adalah seorang pahlawan dalam legenda Yunani. Kisahnya yang paling banyak disebut-sebut adalah ketika ia menjadi korban persembahan untuk Minotour. Alih-alih menjadi korban, dia malah mengalahkan makhluk setengah banteng tersebut.

[Gambar: Theseus membunuh Minotaur, lukisan pada vas, oleh Pelukis Kleophrades, abad ke-6 SM. Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum]

Sebagai penghormatan, warga Athena menyandarkan kapalnya di dermaga untuk dijadikan semacam monumen. Setiap tahun, mereka melayarkan kapal tersebut untuk memperingati jasa-jasa Theseus. Setiap tahun pula, terjadi kerusakan pada kapal tersebut. Tukang kapal pun memperbaikinya dengan mengganti bagian yang rusak dengan bagian yang baru.

Plutarch, seorang filsuf Yunani, mengajukan suatu eksperimen pemikiran. Jika setiap tahun, satu Kapal Theseus mengalami penggantian satu bagian, maka, sebut saja pada tahun keseribu, seluruh bagian kapal tersebut sudah diganti dengan bagian yang baru.

Pertanyaannya, apakah kapal pada tahun keseribu itu masih sama dengan Kapal Theseus yang mula-mula? Apakah kita masih bisa menyebutnya sebagai Kapal Theseus?

Pertanyaan serupa juga ditemukan dalam teks kuno Buddha yang berjudul Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa yang kemudian diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Cina menjadi Da zhidu lun (大智度論). Dikisahkan, seorang pengembara bertemu dengan dua iblis pada suatu malam. Iblis pertama meretas bagian tubuhnya satu persatu lalu menggantinya dengan bagian tubuh mayat. Saat si pengembara tersadar, dia bingung tentang siapa sesungguhnya dirinya.

Sebenarnya, mempertimbangkan latar belakang Shaw, saya pikir akan lebih masuk akal jika dia merujuk pada filsafat Cina atau Buddha. Namun, di SMS ini, dia merujuk pada filsafat Barat. Hmmm, kenapakah?

Kembali pada persoalan Kapal Theseus. Dalam filsafat budi (philosophy of mind), persoalan ini berkaitan dengan identitas diri. Kapal Theseus merepresentasikan seseorang yang mempertanyakan identitas dirinya dalam kerangka waktu. Sebagai manusia, kita terus bertumbuh dan berkembang. Saat baru lahir, kita adalah bayi, lalu berubah menjadi anak-anak, kemudian menjadi remaja, dewasa, lalu menjadi tua. Dalam rentang waktu tersebut, manakah yang merupakan diri kita sesungguhnya? Apakah diri kita saat anak-anak sama dengan diri kita saat dewasa? Yang manakah yang merupakan diri kita? Bagaimana kita mendefinisikan diri kita?

SMS di atas dimulai oleh MC yang menanyakan apakah Shaw masih marah karena dia melihat fotonya semasa kecil.

Tentu saja Shaw menolak dikatakan marah karena hal remeh seperti itu. Dia juga mengatakan bahwa dia sendiri sudah lupa tentang foto itu. Di sini agak ambigu, menurut saya, apakah yang dilupakannya? Keberadaan foto itu atau keberadaan anak di dalam foto tersebut?

Gambar di foto tersebut adalah Shaw saat masih kecil. MC menanyakan apakah anak dalam foto tersebut adalah benar-benar Shaw. Alih-alih menolak atau membenarkan, Shaw malah balik bertanya, "Kenapa? Tidak bisa membayangkan aku dengan ekspresi seperti itu?"

Anak di dalam foto tersebut terlihat sangat bahagia. Dia tampak sedang cekikikan (giggling). Saya membayangkan gambar seorang anak yang tersenyum lebar hingga seluruh giginya kelihatan.

Namun, Shaw mengatakan bahwa dia pun tidak familiar dengan ekspresi tersebut. Mengapakah? Apakah dia lupa bahwa dia pernah jadi anak yang sangat bahagia? Ada apakah dengan masa kanak-kanaknya?

Sampai di sini, saya jadi bertanya-tanya. Apakah Shaw selalu mepertanyakan identitas dirinya? Siapakah dia sebenarnya? Apakah si anak cekikikan dalam foto itu, ataukah dirinya yang sekarang?

Di akhir SMS, tampaknya dia sudah sampai pada kesimpulan, "Aku bukan lagi anak yang cekikikan di foto itu. Cuma itu saja yang kamu perlu tahu."

Yeah, Shaw mungkin mewakili anak-anak muda yang selalu galau tentang dirinya. Siapakah dia sebenarnya?

Hmm, seseorang yang berhasil melalui krisis identitas dan berhasil memutuskan identitas diri sendiri di usia dua puluh tahun. Menarik sekali anak ini.

===

Video ini menjelaskan paradoks Kapal Theseus dengan sederhana.

#mldd shaw #mr love shaw #mr love analysis #mr love dream date #mlqc analysis #mr love queen's choice #shaw mr love #mr love spoilers