Scenario:Anthuria - Sham Sweethearts
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Sham Sweethearts
One day just before the holidays, Anthuria runs into a fellow dancer named Felt. Finding herself the target of her friend's teasing, Anthuria ends up snapping and saying that she and (Captain) are dating. When Felt hands her an invitation to a holiday party, she asks (Captain) if they can attend as a couple.
One day just before the holidays, Anthuria is in town on a shopping trip.
She wanders the streets alone in search of the perfect gift for (Captain).
Anthuria: (Sigh... I should have known there'd be couples everywhere. It is that time of year...)
Finding herself surrounded by lovebirds, Anthuria smiles grimly, a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
Anthuria: What I wouldn't give to walk around with (Captain) like that someday—
Anthuria: ...
Anthuria: (No... I shouldn't think like that.)
Anthuria: (With the holidays coming up, I ought to take this chance to tell (Captain) how I feel again.)
Anthuria: (Last time I got caught up in the moment and confessed on the spot...)
Anthuria: B-because... I love you with all my heart.
Anthuria: (Captain), I just want you to know that what I said in front of those men was all true.
Anthuria: Every word of it.
Anthuria: I'd give you all of me, if that's what you wanted.
Anthuria: Please don't forget that.
Anthuria: (So this time I'm going to tell (Captain) how I feel of my own accord.)
Anthuria: (A-and if all goes well, maybe we can be a couple and spend a very merry eve together...)
Anthuria: (Hngh... My body's burning up just thinking about it.)
Anthuria: (B-but I really do love (Captain)...)
Anthuria: (So it's okay for me to want that... right?)
Anthuria: But first things first. I need to pick out a present that will set the mood—
Man 1: H-hey, is that who I think it is?
Woman 1: Anthuria? No way! What's she doing here?
Man 2: Let's go say hi! Who knows—maybe she'll want to get to know us better!
Man 1: Aah!
One by one, the townspeople begin to recognize Anthuria, and soon she finds herself surrounded by a crowd of fans.
Anthuria sighs, her expression weary.
Anthuria: Sigh... Here we go again. Why is it always like this?
???: This way, Anthuria. You know, this wouldn't happen if you had a little more self-awareness.
Hearing a voice call out to her from behind, Anthuria turns to see a young woman.
Anthuria: Huh? Why are you here—
???: Save the questions for later. Right now we need to focus on getting out of here.
So saying, the woman takes Anthuria's hand and drags her off, leaving the throng of people behind.
Meanwhile, (Captain) and the crew are munching on snacks in a nearby restaurant, enjoying a well-deserved break.
Vyrn: Back already, Fire Girl? That was fast.
Lyria: And you brought... company?
Seemingly unaware that she's being spoken to, Anthuria silently approaches (Captain).
She then grabs the captain's arm and wraps her own tightly around it.
Anthuria: Let me introduce you, Felt. Th-this is my one-and-only sweetheart!
Lyria: What!
Vyrn: Huh?
???: Oh, so this is the one I've heard so much about. You certainly like them young and cute, don't you, Anthuria?
Anthuria: Ngh. Is there something wrong with that?
???: Not at all. It's just a little unexpected.
Felt smiles and pats Anthuria's head gently.
Anthuria: Grr. Don't treat me like a child!
Vyrn: Uh... So you're a friend of Fire Girl here?
???: Yes, that's right.
Oh, forgive me. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?
Oh, forgive me. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?
Felt: My name is Felt. Anthuria and I studied dance under the same instructor.
Felt: It's nice to meet you, (Captain), Lyria, Vyrn.
Vyrn: Huh? You know who we are?
Felt: Yes. Anthuria's told me all about you.
Felt: But I have to say...
Felt puts a hand to (Captain)'s cheek and stares appraisingly.
Felt: Hehe. You sure are cute.
Felt: Those beautiful eyes... so straightforward... like they're focused on a dream in the distance...
Felt: And you care deeply about the people around you... That's what your eyes tell me.
Felt: I can see why Anthuria is infatuated with you.
Anthuria: Hey, what do you think you're doing!
Anthuria: (Captain)'s my s-sweetheart!
Felt: Please, I'm just window shopping. You know how much I adore cute things.
Anthuria: No! (Captain) is off-limits!
Felt: Hehe. My, are we jealous? You must be quite taken with this one, Anthuria.
Anthuria: Haugh...
Anthuria: A-at any rate, you're done here, right? In that case—
Felt: Oh, right. I almost forgot to give you this.
Removing her hand from (Captain)'s cheek, Felt pulls a sheet of paper out of her pocket and gives it to Anthuria.
Felt: It's an invitation to a holiday party. Our instructor asked me to give it to you.
Felt: And she had a message for you as well—although the final choice is obviously up to you, she'd like you to attend if possible.
Anthuria: Urgh...
Felt: (Captain), you and your crew are welcome to come along.
Vyrn: Wait, us too? You sure?
Felt: Of course. The invitation extends to family members and other close personal contacts.
Felt: And considering (Captain) and Anthuria are dating, you're basically family anyway, right?
Felt: I'd say that more than qualifies you.
Felt: Well, I'd better be off. I hope to see you all at the party.
With a nod to the crew, Felt takes her leave.
Following Felt's departure, an awkward silence hangs in the air.
Lyria turns toward Anthuria, a hint of annoyance on her face.
Lyria: So Anthuria... What did you mean when you said (Captain) was your sweetheart?
Anthuria: Well, you see... Felt and I were having tea, and she kept teasing me about my fans and various rumors floating around...
Anthuria: And I ended up snapping and telling her that the rumors were true—that I was seeing someone.
Vyrn: In other words, you blurted out a lie in the heat of the moment, huh.
Lyria: So you two aren't really dating then... right?
Anthuria: R-right, we're just friends. Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the wrong idea.
Anthuria: That must have really weirded you out, (Captain)...
The captain flashes a slightly pained smile, but denies her words nonetheless.
Anthuria: U-um... (Captain)? If it's not too much trouble, could I maybe ask you... a favor?
Anthuria: I'm thinking about going to that party Felt mentioned.
Anthuria: It's been ages since I've seen my instructor and the other students.
Anthuria: But I'm worried people are going to get suspicious if I show up alone.
Anthuria: I-I mean, I already told Felt we're dating and everything...
Anthuria: So, um... It would obviously just be for the party, but...
Anthuria: Would you be my special someone, (Captain)?
Anthuria: Thank you! I'm sorry to make you do something so strange...
(Captain)'s head shakes back and forth in response.
Anthuria: Wait, huh? Um... What does that mean?
Anthuria: Aah... A-are you trying to say you want us to really—
Lyria: U-um... I think (Captain)'s wondering what happens the next time you see Felt.
Lyria: I mean... Are you never going to tell her the truth?
Anthuria: G-good point...
Anthuria: W-well, for now... let's just get through the party.
Anthuria: I'll figure out the rest afterward.
(Captain) nods, understanding.
Continue 1
Anthuria: Oh, but you know... If you'd rather, we can make our relationship the real thing.
Anthuria: I-I said it before, remember? That I was willing to give you all of me...
Anthuria: I really mean it... S-so think it over, okay?
Anthuria: Hauuuugh...
W-well, I'm going to go get ready for the party now!
W-well, I'm going to go get ready for the party now!
Anthuria hurries from the room, hiding her now beet red face.
After returning to her room, Anthuria looks over her outfit for the party.
Anthuria: Thank goodness I had a new dress on hand...
Anthuria: I won't have to feel embarrassed standing next to (Captain) in this... right?
Anthuria: E-even if it's all a farce, (Captain) and I are going to be a couple tonight.
Anthuria: I'm not going to miss this chance.
Anthuria: I'll use my charm and this dress to win (Captain) over... for real.
Anthuria: A-and then we'll spend this festive eve together... Hngh...
Though her cheeks burn with shame, her eyes are alight with determination.