Couple Charade
Eager to fulfill her new role as the Evokers' spokesperson, Haaselia decides to organize a gathering for the ladies of the group to build camaraderie. She sets her sights on winning a luxury cottage stay in a couples-only competition in Auguste, enlisting (Captain) as her pretend partner.
The Arcarum—primal beasts created by The World.
Those chosen to form pacts with these beings are known as Evokers.
Several days ago in Auguste, when all ten Evokers convened for the first time, the discussion turned to selecting a spokesperson.
Maria Theresa: A spokesperson, you say... I think that Haase would be best for the job!
Katzelia: Haase is highly responsible, after all! I'm strongly in favor!
Haaselia: All... all right, then! I'll do my best!
In the end, Haaselia was unanimously chosen to fulfill the role.
Haaselia: Hmm...
Haaselia: (Even though I accepted the position of spokesperson, there's nothing that requires my attention at present.)
Haaselia: (But there must be something I can do. I need to take the initiative and find it myself. After all, I wasn't given this title for show.)
The Moon: You appear to have ample free time. Have you returned to being unemployed?
Haaselia: I'm simply deliberating. And you're supposed to be my partner, aren't you? Why don't you contribute some ideas?
The Moon: Was it not you who was chosen as spokesperson? Though should you beg my assistance, I might deign to offer it.
Haaselia: It's irritating when you phrase it that way... Fine then. I'll do this myself.
Haaselia: Let's see... As coordinator of the group, I'd like to understand everyone's personalities better.
Haaselia: I only first met most members the other day, so we hardly know each other. We need to build stronger connections.
Haaselia: There's so much that can be revealed through dialogue! Communication is key!
The Moon: You seem quite enthusiastic. Shall we begin making the rounds to everyone's chambers for discussion, then?
Haaselia: That would be more like conducting interviews. It's far too formal.
Haaselia: The setting makes all the difference for this sort of thing. We need a location and atmosphere that encourages natural dialogue.
The Moon: My, you've given this considerable thought.
Haaselia: But with all ten of us gathered, I doubt the conversation will flow any better than last time. Perhaps a smaller group would make bonding easier?
Haaselia: There are four of us ladies... Numbers-wise, that seems just about right.
The Moon: A girls' night out? That sounds promising.
Haaselia: Hehe, doesn't it?
Haaselia: The question is, what should we do? Just meeting at a cafe feels a little dull.
Haaselia: This will be the first ever girls' night for the Evokers, so I'd like it to be memorable...
Haaselia: I just need to come up with a good idea...
Katzelia: Haase! Did you call for me?
Haaselia: Eep!
Haaselia: Could you not burst in like that? My heart nearly stopped!
Katzelia: What's the matter? Why are you upset? Tell your big brother all about it!
Haaselia: Still as irksome as ever...
Haaselia: Why are you here? I don't recall summoning you.
Katzelia: I sensed you were in distress, so I rushed over at full speed!
The Moon: Bwahaha! Such intuition might as well be a superpower! Truly worthy of an emperor!
Haaselia: This has nothing to do with him being emperor. It's purely coincidental... I think.
Haaselia: I'll admit I'm at a bit of a loss, but it's not something I need to rely on you for, Brother—nor do I intend to.
Haaselia: Since you nominated me as spokesperson, shouldn't you be stepping back and letting me figure things out on my own?
Katzelia: Ah, I see. So this is about your new role... You do make a fair point.
Haaselia: Then would you kindly take your leave, Brother?
Katzelia: Very well. If nothing else, I was able to witness how much you've grown. I suppose I should be content with that.
Katzelia: Still, I plan to stay for a few more days as a sort of vacation. Should you absolutely need help—
Before Katzelia can get another word in, Haaselia promptly ushers him out and shuts the door behind him.
Haaselia: Sigh... That was exhausting.
The Moon: Heh. Your brother is most entertaining.
Haaselia: That's easy to say when you're not the one dealing with him. Though I suppose I'm not as bothered by him as I once was.
Haaselia: Anyway, I think I'll take a brief stroll for a change of scenery. Perhaps some inspiration will strike.
Haaselia walks along deep in thought, taking in the sights of Auguste.
Haaselia: (Hmm... Somewhere stylish... with delicious food and a relaxing atmosphere...)
Haaselia: (There are plenty of venues here that meet those criteria, but they're all missing that extra spark...)
Haaselia: (It needs to be something truly special. A once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience...)
Haaselia: Hm? What's this?
Her eyes land on a flyer advertising a local event.
Haaselia: "Prove your love in the ultimate heart-pounding beachside couples contest!" You could hardly ask for a more summery experience.
Haaselia: First prize is a one-night stay at a luxury cottage...
Haaselia: ...!
Yes! This is it!
Haaselia: A girls' night out in a luxury cottage would make for an unforgettable memory! I can't imagine a better plan!
Haaselia: (There's just one issue...)
Seeing the phrase "couples only" listed in the entry requirements, Haaselia frowns.
Haaselia: (Who should I ask to play the role of my partner? It's pointless unless we win, so I need someone I can trust...)
Haaselia: (Well then. There's really only one option.)
Haaselia: So that's the situation. Would you be willing to be my partner, (Captain)? Just for the duration of the contest, of course.
Vyrn: Hey, that sounds pretty fun!
Vyrn: Braidy Girl's really steppin' up as the Evokers' spokesperson. The least we can do is lend a hand!
- Count me in!
- Won't they notice?
Choose: Count me in!Haaselia: Hehe, that's the answer I was hoping for. I made the right decision asking you.
Choose: Won't they notice?Haaselia: You mean that we're faking?
Haaselia: Not if we put on a good show. As the older one here, I'll take the lead. There's no need for you to worry.
Continue 1Lyria: Good luck, you two! Vyrn and I will be rooting for you!
Haaselia: Thank you. That means a lot.
The Moon: I'll remain behind. You should have no trouble securing victory even without my cheering, yes?
Haaselia: Naturally. Now, let's be on our way.
Haaselia: So this is the venue.
Haaselia: Are you ready, (Captain)? We're not settling for anything less than first place!
After registering for the competition, Haaselia and (Captain) gather their resolve, ready to face the challenge ahead.
Phony Feelings?
On the day of the event, Haaselia and (Captain) compete seriously to win, while the other couples seem more interested in flirting with each other. Bemused by their behavior, Haaselia can't help but steal a glance at (Captain) beside her.
At Haaselia's sudden request, (Captain) has paired up with her to join a couples-only contest.
Several other couples have signed up to participate alongside them.
Haaselia: We're going to win this, whatever it takes! I have complete faith in you, (Captain)!
Girlfriend 1: Listen to this, darling! My heart's pounding like crazy!
Boyfriend 1: Mine too. Must be because you're beside me.
Girlfriend 1: Aww, you're too much! Love you!
Boyfriend 2: L-let's have fun out there together, whether we win or lose!
Girlfriend 2: Hehe. I'm counting on you.
While Haaselia is determined to claim first place, the other couples are all lost in their own lovey-dovey worlds.
Emcee: Welcome, couples! Thank you all so much for being here today!
Emcee: Let's jump straight into the rules, shall we?
The emcee explains that participants will compete in various challenges, earning points according to their rankings.
The team with the highest total score at the end will be declared the winner.
Haaselia: Sounds straightforward. Let's aim to get ahead early and establish a clear lead.
Lyria: (Captain), Haaselia! You can do it!
Vyrn: Don't get yourselves hurt out there!
Emcee: Our first event is... the Beachfront Balance Challenge!
Emcee: Couples must balance on one leg by the water's edge, holding hands all the while!
Emcee: If either partner falls, the pair is out! The last couple standing wins!
Haaselia: I see. The rules are simple enough, but my lighter build puts me at a disadvantage.
Haaselia: You'll need to carry us through this one. Hold my hand firmly and keep us steady.
(Captain) takes Haaselia's small, outstretched hand and squeezes it tightly.
Emcee: Please move to your designated positions. The Beachfront Balance Contest starts... now!
The moment the emcee gives the signal, a strong wave rushes over the contestants' feet.
Haaselia: Whoa! Th-that was a close call...
Girlfriend 1: Eek!
Boyfriend 1: Whoops!
Girlfriend 1: Oh no, I'm sorry! You're totally drenched!
Boyfriend 1: Don't worry, honey. I'd never let you be the only one soaked. This way, we're a matching set.
Haaselia: This challenge is more difficult than I expected. Merely staying upright is—
Haaselia: Wah!
As Haaselia starts to wobble, the captain gives her a strong tug, narrowly preventing her from falling.
Haaselia: Th-thank you. You saved me.
Boyfriend 2: I can handle this! Just don't let go of my hand, no matter what!
Girlfriend 2: Of course—
Girlfriend 2: Eep!
Another powerful wave sweeps in, forcing the girl to lean against her boyfriend for support.
Girlfriend 2: I'm so sorry!
Boyfriend 2: N-n-no, it's fine! But your b-b-body is so c-c-close to mine...
Boyfriend 2: Aah!
The flustered boyfriend loses his balance and falls, taking his girlfriend down with him.
Boyfriend 2: S-sorry... That was pretty pathetic...
Girlfriend 2: Not at all. I'll be relying on you for the next challenge too, okay?
One by one, the remaining couples topple over, leaving Haaselia and (Captain) as the last ones standing.
Emcee: And the winners are... Haaselia and (Captain)!
Haaselia: All right, we're off to a great start! Let's make this a winning streak!
Emcee: Now, on to the next event! Our second challenge is... the Sand Tower Showdown!
Emcee: Couples will compete to see who can build the tallest sand tower within the time limit! The shape doesn't matter—only the height!
Emcee: We'll measure the towers once time is called to determine the rankings!
Haaselia: So there's no point in building quickly if that causes it to collapse at the end. What matters most is a strong foundation.
Emcee: Everyone, please spread out and give yourselves some space. And with that, let the Sand Tower Showdown... begin!
Haaselia: I'll gather the sand, so could you fetch some seawater in the meantime, (Captain)?
The captain nods and begins traveling back and forth between the ocean and beach with the provided bucket.
Haaselia: Thank you. Now we just need to sprinkle the seawater onto the sand bit by bit...
Haaselia: Slowly, now! Pack it tightly! And stomp it down!
Following Haaselia's lead, (Captain) begins stepping down hard on the sand to compress it.
Haaselia: There, that should suffice for the foundation. We're past the halfway point, so let's focus on stacking it as high as we can!
Soon, their tower has grown so tall that it surpasses (Captain)'s eyeline.
Haaselia: (At this point, all the couples appear to be neck and neck.)
Haaselia: (But now that I can't reach the top, our pace has decreased. It's only a matter of time before we get overtaken.)
Haaselia: (Perhaps it's time to take a gamble.)
Haaselia: Say, (Captain). Could you crouch down for a moment?
(Captain) bends down as requested, and Haaselia carefully climbs onto the captain's waiting shoulders.
Haaselia: I'll take over the stacking from here! (Captain), make sure to hold me steady!
Girlfriend 1: What! She's riding on her partner's shoulders? Is that even allowed?
Emcee: There's nothing in the rules against it!
Boyfriend 1: Then let's give it a shot too!
Girlfriend 1: No way! I'd die of embarrassment!
Haaselia: (What in the skies are they doing?)
Girlfriend 2: Hey, want to try that shoulder thing too?
Boyfriend 2: N-no, it's too dangerous! And besides, I'm already taller than the two of them put together!
Girlfriend 2: Oh... That's too bad.
Boyfriend 2: Huh? What do you mean—
As the man turns to look at his girlfriend, one of his large horns collides with their sand tower, causing the upper portion to collapse.
Boyfriend 2: Oh no! And we were doing so well!
Haaselia: (This is our chance! Apologies, but we'll be taking this round!)
Haaselia calmly continues stacking the sand, ensuring it maintains its structure as the clock runs down.
Emcee: Time's up! Let's start measuring those sand towers!
Emcee: But I think it's pretty clear who's on top—Haaselia and (Captain)!
Haaselia: That makes two consecutive victories! We've taken a commanding lead!
After that, the other towers are measured in order to decide the rankings.
Girlfriend 1: Sorry. If only I'd put in a little more effort...
Boyfriend 1: Don't worry about it. Just seeing you blush made the whole thing worth it.
Boyfriend 2: I'm sorry! I messed everything up!
Girlfriend 2: No, don't apologize. It's my fault for saying something weird.
Boyfriend 2: Um, so... What did you mean earlier by "that's too bad"?
Girlfriend 2: Hehe. That's my little secret.
However, all the other couples seem far more focused on romance than on winning or losing.
Haaselia: (I've been wondering this for a while now... but am I the only one who's seriously trying to win?)
Haaselia: (Everyone else just seems to be flirting nonstop...)
Haaselia: ...
With an expression of disbelief on her face, Haaselia steals a glance at (Captain) from the corner of her eye.
Phony Feelings?: Scene 2
Haaselia feigns exhaustion during the boat race to play up their couple act, but (Captain) fails to respond as she'd hoped. After her brother Katzelia spots them and assumes they're together, Haaselia loses focus and performs poorly in the remaining events, missing out on victory.
For the third challenge, the couples are given a small boat to row around a designated course, with each person holding a single oar.
Having pulled well ahead of their fellow competitors, Haaselia and (Captain) prepare to turn at the midway point.
Haaselia: (The others are quite far behind. Barring any major mishap, we're unlikely to lose our lead.)
Haaselia: ...
Images of the other couples' displays of affection resurface in Haaselia's mind.
Haaselia: (Now that I think about it, we are technically participating as a couple.)
Haaselia: (What does (Captain) make of our current situation, I wonder? Is it not registering as anything? Or maybe...)
Haaselia: (There's no one else around right now. P-perhaps I should test the waters...)
Ignoring the butterflies in her stomach, Haaselia impulsively acts on a plan that springs to mind.
Haaselia: Oh dear... Rowing is far more strenuous than I thought. I'm completely drained.
Haaselia: I need to take a short break...
Feigning exhaustion, Haaselia leans wearily against (Captain).
But while the captain expresses genuine concern for her condition, the response proves less than what she had hoped for.
Haaselia: (No, that's not it! I was expecting... well, you know... something more!)
Haaselia: (Ugh, honestly! All that romantic nonsense earlier must have clouded my thinking! I'm not acting like myself!)
Haaselia: This is hardly the time for such foolishness! I'm going to row nonstop until my arms give out!
With a sudden burst of determination, Haaselia starts paddling at full speed, prompting a bewildered (Captain) to match her pace.
The two end up dominating the competition, taking first place in the event by a wide margin.
The fourth challenge is a watermelon-splitting contest, in which one person is blindfolded while their partner rides on their back and gives directions.
Haaselia: (Based on how many challenges are left, winning this event should guarantee us the overall victory.)
Haaselia: This is where we cement our lead! (Captain), move forward a bit more!
Haaselia: Stop there! A little to your right! Take a half step back! Now, just a touch to the left!
Haaselia: (The angle and distance are perfect! All we need is one clean strike!)
Haaselia: Now, (Captain)—
However, just as Haaselia is about to give the command...
She spots a familiar face out of the corner of her eye, and her voice falters.
Katzelia: H-Haase? But I heard this contest was for couples only...
Katzelia: I see. So you and (Captain) are... Hahaha... Haha...
Face drained of color, Katzelia quickly slips away from the crowd.
Haaselia: B-Brother, wait! This isn't what it looks like!
Startled by Haaselia's sudden outburst, the captain swings and misses completely.
Haaselia: Oh no!
Vyrn: Aw, man! That was so close.
Lyria: Did something happen? Haaselia looks really flustered...
Haaselia: (Brother definitely has the wrong idea! But if I chase after him and leave the venue, we'll be disqualified!)
Haaselia: Arrrgh! What a pain!
Due to this unforeseen development, Haaselia and (Captain) fail to secure the necessary points in the watermelon-splitting contest.
Still shaken by the incident, Haaselia is unable to concentrate on the remaining events, and they fall short of winning the competition.
Phony Feelings?: Scene 3
That night on the beach, a downhearted Haaselia slowly regains her confidence thanks to encouragement from the crew. While wading in the sea afterward, a wave knocks her onto (Captain), leaving them staring into each other's eyes—until Katzelia spots them and faints in shock.
Haaselia: Sigh... What a disaster.
Staring out at the dark waves, Haaselia lets out a heavy, drawn-out sigh.
Haaselia: Things were going so well... We were on the verge of securing victory...
Haaselia: And what about my brother? How am I supposed to explain this to him?
Vyrn: Yeah, Katze totally goes off the rails when it comes to you. This is definitely gonna be a headache.
Lyria: Ahaha... As long as you're honest, I'm sure you can clear up the misunderstanding.
Haaselia: Forgive me, (Captain). I was the one who requested your help, yet I ended up holding you back.
Haaselia: You went out of your way to participate in the competition with me, so I wanted to repay you by winning...
- I had a good time.
- It was a good experience.
Choose: I had a good time.Haaselia: I'm glad. Though I'm disappointed we didn't win, I enjoyed myself too.
Choose: It was a good experience.Haaselia: Your ability to maintain such a positive outlook is truly admirable.
Continue 1Haaselia: ...
Haaselia: I know it's rather late for second thoughts, but I can't help wondering if I was the right choice to serve as spokesperson for the Evokers.
Haaselia: Someone who can't even win a friendly competition probably has no business being in such an important position.
Vyrn: C'mon, you're bein' too hard on yourself. I don't see how the results of some contest relate to you bein' a good rep or not.
Haaselia: It's not just about today. My entire life has been plagued with setbacks, ever since I can remember.
Haaselia: That's why, at the very least, I wanted to make my first undertaking as spokesperson a success, no matter what.
Haaselia: But look at how things turned out. It's hard not to feel discouraged.
Lyria: Personally, I think it's great that you were picked as spokesperson, Haase!
Haaselia: May I inquire as to your reasoning?
Lyria: Because you have such a strong sense of responsibility! That's probably why you tried so hard and ended up feeling so down.
Haaselia: Yes, you could be right. I always set my standards high, but my actual abilities are nowhere near sufficient.
Haaselia: I suppose there's always the option of stepping down as spokesperson...
Vyrn: Hey now, what's gotten into ya? The Braidy Girl we know isn't the type to throw in the towel over somethin' like this.
Vyrn: You were able to work out that mess back home 'cause ya kept fightin' and wouldn't stay down, right? That's how I see it, anyway.
Lyria: Yeah! We know just how many challenges you've overcome already, Haase!
Haaselia: ...
Haaselia: You're absolutely right. I had almost forgotten that I'm not one to give up so easily.
Haaselia: I can't afford to be disheartened by such a minor bump in the road. My new journey has only just begun!
Vyrn: Yeah! That's the spirit!
Haaselia: Whew! Now that I've cleared my head, I'm feeling parched. I'll go fetch some beverages.
Lyria: Oh! In that case, let me get them for you! You should stay here and take it easy!
Haaselia: Really? Well then, I suppose I'll take you up on that.
Vyrn: I'll tag along! We'll grab somethin' for you too, (Captain)!
Lyria and Vyrn head off to the nearby shop, leaving Haaselia and (Captain) behind.
Haaselia: ...
Haaselia: It's so quiet here. You can hear every crash of the waves.
Haaselia: Say, shall we take a quick dip? There weren't any water events in the competition, so I haven't gotten to swim at all.
- Swimming at night is dangerous.
- You can swim?
Choose: Swimming at night is dangerous.Haaselia: Please, I'm not a child. You can be such a worrywart, (Captain).
Choose: You can swim?Haaselia: My, how rude. I happen to be quite proficient at it, thank you very much.
Continue 2Haaselia: There's no need to worry. I don't intend to venture out very far—
Haaselia: Whoa!
Caught off guard by a surprisingly powerful wave, Haaselia loses her balance.
But just as she's about to fall, (Captain) swiftly reaches out to steady her.
Haaselia: Th-thank you. You saved—
Before Haaselia can finish her sentence, an even bigger wave hits, taking them both down together.
Haaselia: In the end, we still fell. Hehe, what a sorry pair we make.
Haaselia: Oh...
Looking down, Haaselia suddenly realizes that (Captain) is pinned underneath her.
Haaselia: Well, this is certainly a new perspective. I'm always the one looking up at you, so having the tables turned feels rather nice.
Haaselia: ...
Haaselia: Tell me, (Captain). What would you do if I asked you to close your eyes right now?
For an instant, Haaselia's softly spoken words seem to drown out even the crashing of the waves.
The pair gaze silently into each other's eyes, completely at a loss for words.
At that moment...
Katzelia: H-H-Haase!
Haaselia: B-Brother! Wh-wh-what are you doing here?
Katzelia: I-I just ran into Lyria and Vyrn, and they e-explained what happened earlier...
Katzelia: Th-that you were only pretending to be a couple for the c-c-contest, and it was all a m-m-misunderstanding on my part...
Katzelia: At least, that's what I was t-told... But now I see you k-k-k... k...
Unable to bear the shock of the scene before him, Katzelia's eyes roll back in his head, and he collapses to the ground.
Haaselia: What! Brother, pull yourself together!
Haaselia: That whole couple thing was just a big mix-up! And what you saw just now was... well, it was merely an accident!
Katzelia: ...
Haaselia: Wake up, Brother! Brother!
Haaselia: (Ugh, what is with him! It's been one thing after another with him all day!)
Haaselia: (If he hadn't interrupted, there might have been a chance that...)
Haaselia: ...!
Brother, you idiot!
Filled with a jumble of emotions, Haaselia's shout echoes out across the moonlit sea.
Her new journey is still only just beginning.
