Chapter 11 - Picnic Date (1/2)
Chapter 11: Picnic Date
“Now we’re ready!”
I placed the finishing touches on three sandwiches that I packed neatly away in individual boxes. The kitchen had been in such a fuss because of my cooking. Well, I couldn’t really call this cooking since I only made sandwiches, but at the very least I hoped they wouldn’t taste too bad?
But just in case they didn’t like the sandwiches, I also made sure to pack some ham, wine, cheese, and fruits that we could munch on instead. The picnic basket I had prepared was now stuffed full of food, mats, a blanket, and a parasol to provide us some shade.
Today was Saturday, one of our days off, and the sun was shining brightly overhead—perfect conditions for a picnic. If a man and a woman, both in their primes, happened to spend some time together under these conditions, their intimacy level would undoubtedly increase 100 times faster!
Well, I wasn’t referencing myself specifically, but I meant to say that this was a great opportunity to build a romantic relationship much quicker than usual.
Cultivating a bond and developing romance was usually the predominant goal aside from story completion for games with a female target audience like <Arlandast Saga>. As such, once the player passed a certain point in the “common” or “shared route”, then the plot would diverge and focus on a specific story route belonging to the “target character” or otherwise known as whoever the player built up the highest intimacy with. Also, if the player, acting as the heroine Velkina, managed to level up her favorability with the target character to an even higher degree, then she could unlock the possibility of romancing him. In this case, the target is our Lumins. However, if the player fails to raise enough intimacy with the target character, then the route will remain locked and nothing further will happen between the heroine and the target character’s relationship.
In other words, all I have to do is push our Lumins to the fullest so Velkina will fall for his charm and enter his romantic route!
◇◇◇
Two days ago, I had brought up the idea of having a picnic to Velkina and Lumins as a way to secure the first step toward entering Lumins’ route.
“Picnic? Sounds good! Lumins likes the idea too, right?”
When I had asked whether the three of us should go on a picnic this weekend, Velkina clasped my hands with hers and excitedly accepted my proposal.
I, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you would be this happy…
“I don’t really have any plans that day, either. Where are we going?”
Lumins nodded lightly as he confirmed that he would be happy to join us. All right! Now that both important parties are on board, the plan is set.
“What about the Forest of Delight on the east side of the tower?” I offered. “The scenery must be beautiful since it’s about time for the hyacinths to bloom. Velkina hasn’t been there yet, right?”
“Yes, after entering the Magic Research Institute, all I’ve done is work, so it will be great if we can do this!”
Velkina’s face brimmed with excitement. My heart broke slightly at the sight of seeing her so happy just from receiving an invite to a picnic, and not even a large one at that.
In <Arlandast Saga>, Velkina’s past was never discussed in-depth, but there had been some hints indicating that she had been an orphan who lived in the small realm. So ever since she set foot in the Magic Research Institute, everything seemed totally new and exciting to her.
I knew that part well, because…
“Ugh…”
“Senephin?”