34 – 34. Snow Festival (5)
Once again, this is a Tsukuru game.
It’s a game made with outdated Almantool and has pixelated, eye-straining graphics, boasting incredibly uncomfortable and awkward controls.
Therefore, if you’re asked to play a mini-game within the game, it’s almost certain that it will have a crazy difficulty level and will reward you with a tremendous prize if you clear it.
This game was no exception.
You have to control four gauges, including power adjustment, to lift the ball, click not only the handle but also other control devices quickly, and readjust the gauge.
So I had originally given up.
“The size of the ball is about the size of a thumbnail. It doesn’t look angular, and it weighs about one bead, so all you have to do is adjust the power and angle, right? And for the parts that fall out… you can just close them with a button.”
The game I faced in reality was not difficult to analyze.
It was an expansion pack of a game I already knew, with a few more hidden complex elements. Even without the gauge, it seemed like it could be easily solved with hand control.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah. We can start right away.”
“Understood. Then.”
The intern dropped the bead under the board, looking at me after finishing the preparation.
With a clattering sound, the dropped bead hit the rod connected to the handle and jumped to the right.
“Oh, hitting that is worth 25 points, right?”
“This one is worth 35 points.”
“Oh, another 20 points!”
The scores accumulated steadily on the magic calculator.
But then, the ball entered a space where it could fall down.
“Oh my. Was it supposed to be used like that?”
The ball survived tenaciously by pressing the button placed in the right place to block the drop space, adjusting its speed to bounce back, or creating an opportunity to cross dangerous zones.
There are two conditions to receive the prize.
First, fill in the target score entered in the magic calculator.
Second, hit the target object corresponding to the prize with the ball while achieving a score higher than the target score.
Both conditions must be met.
Before I knew it, I had far exceeded the target score. Looking at the score I obtained by persevering, it seemed like there was nothing I couldn’t achieve.
However.
“Oh no.”
Because the higher prizes were in such tricky positions to hit, even a slight mistake resulted in losing all the accumulated score and ending in failure.
I tried to concentrate as much as possible, but it was difficult to aim at the desired angle due to the increasing constraints that came with each increase in score.
My busy hands couldn’t keep up with the calculations in my head.
As a result of the increasing pressure from the constraints that were gradually closing in, I had to accept that this was my last chance.
That’s how I had to accept the slightly disappointing result.
“Wow, impressive. Here is the first prize, the chief blacksmith of the kingdom of Wederos, Turhen’s armor. Please accept it.”
The employee exclaimed and presented the sword.
However.
▶Emergency mission!◀
▶One chance only! Clear the game and bring a teddy bear to Flora!◀
“Oh, this is quite regrettable.”
Increasing Flora’s intimacy is the most difficult task.
Flora, who both disliked Karceine and couldn’t let go of the habits of a child, never thought it was her fault, even if she proved her innocence.
Therefore, she had to raise the intimacy level, even just a little…
While pondering if there was any way to do that, she asked the merchant.
“Is there any chance I can exchange this for a different prize?”
“Pardon?”
“Karceine. What is it saying right now? It’s not an ordinary sword.”
“The blacksmith of the Kingdom of Wederos can no longer be met. It’s a rare limited edition item.”
The fact that they rejected the antique sword from the time of the disappeared Kingdom of Wederos and asked for something else astonished the two sisters.
However, the merchant, perhaps thinking that the item might not be what he wanted, asked for my opinion.
“Um, what would you like instead?”
“That.”
I pretended and pointed at an item with my finger.
“What?!”
“…Karceine?”
“Sir…?”
From that moment on, the merchant also stared at me with a bewildered expression as if I were crazy.
“Is it not possible?”
“You can receive a lower-tier prize… Are you really okay with that?”
“Yeah. Give me that.”
What I pointed at was a teddy bear.
It was the teddy bear that Flora had been staring at, shedding her lingering attachment.
A rare limited edition sword? What does that matter?
I don’t care about the Kingdom of Wederos or anything else.
All I need right now is intimacy.
The butler, with a faint smile, picked up the tray, seemingly aware of my sincerity.
And then, Flora handed her the large teddy bear she had been yearning for.
“Wow-.”
Flora cheered as she held the big teddy bear in her arms.
And to me,
“I truly admire your thoughtfulness for your younger sister, Your Grace.”
-Ding!
▶You have cleared an urgent mission!◀
▶Family intimacy has increased, and the Duke’s reputation has greatly risen!◀
▶The level of recognition has increased to reputation level!◀
■Rewards
[ Increased intimacy value: 3% ]
[ The time limit for restricted areas increases from 3 seconds to 30 seconds. ]
[ Some of the danger in restricted areas is released, easing them into warning areas. ]
▶Current status of family intimacy
[ Arina: 15% ]
[Clare: 25%]
[Flora: 6%]
[Isabella: 43%]
A significant reward followed.
It was the result of giving up the 1st place prize and obtaining the 5th place prize.
‘What’s the use of thinking about my younger sister.’
I just chose to save her, that’s all.
***
Could there be a reason for us to come to the festival street just to play one game?
After that, the Bagrande dukedom continued to celebrate the festival.
Of course, if there was one thing that had changed in just a few hours, it was the way people looked at Carsane. It had changed a lot.
But he didn’t find it very pleasing.
Since giving Flora the teddy bear, Carsane had unknowingly started to distance himself.
Everyone just went along with it.
Well, it was possible.
They thought that since the family had grown tired from the game, they didn’t participate.
Carsane was left behind, silently watching over the family.
Clare was the first to notice his behavior.
“He’s been distancing himself since earlier…”
Although she thought it was understandable, she hoped that they could enjoy the festival more as a family.
But being apart like this turned out to be an opportunity for Claire.
“Even if it’s just an apology for doubting you. You and Carsein aren’t really on bad terms, are you?”
It was because of Arthien’s advice that came to mind.
“I wonder if I can say those words to Carsein now.”
Because of what happened with the chairman, whom she had suspected without any basis, she hadn’t actually had a conversation with Carsein.
While Arina had asked a few times how she felt about it, Claire couldn’t say anything.
If it had been the usual situation, she would have definitely comforted her and patted her on the back, saying that she had thought of Flora as well. Even if not, she would have had enough conversation with Carsein.
The suspicion that had started a few hours ago kept coming back, and this awkwardness wasn’t going away.
So, this was her chance.
“Ahem! Carsein.”
Claire coughed, covering her mouth, and approached Carsein.
“You… have you changed lately?”
“What?”
“You’ve been more accommodating towards the youngest. And… uh, yeah. You’ve been accommodating…”
From Noble mtl dot com
Carsein, who was jotting something down, looked at her with a bewildered expression.
Nevertheless, Carsein also had a vague sense of what she meant, so she corrected her words that had sounded confusing.
“Are you talking about conceding in the game to Flora and giving her a doll?”
“Uh? Uh, yeah. That’s what I mean. Yeah.”
Understanding it as a positive view towards the youngest, Carsein responded sullenly.
“Nothing’s changed. I just repaid what I owed.”
“Is it really my fault?”
“For making Flora feel bad inside the carriage. That’s how I repaid her. So don’t misunderstand.”
“Repay… What kind of conversation did you have in the carriage?”
As if he didn’t care, Carcine turned to the next page.
“I was the one who was wrong. Just let it go.”
I don’t know what conversation took place in that carriage.
But Claire knows that she shouldn’t take this statement at face value. She shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that it’s all Carcine’s fault.
After Flora got out of the carriage, she warned Carcine.
When she received the teddy bear, she was smiling brightly.
“It was just a little grumbling.”
Or maybe, the more mature Carcine was simply indulging the youngest one’s tantrum.
“Is that all you came here to talk about?”
“Huh? Oh, no.”
Claire, who was looking at Carcine with relaxed eyes, hastily regained her composure at his sudden question.
“Then why did you come?”
“Well…”
With each consecutive question from her younger brother, Claire became increasingly tense.
It felt like something was blocking her throat, preventing her from speaking.
I’m sorry for what happened at the company.
I’m sorry for suspecting you from the beginning.
But despite needing to say it, the words just wouldn’t come out of her mouth.
In the end, different words slipped out.
“Do you, do you happen to want anything?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Well, Karsein, you didn’t eat anything during this festival, and you don’t seem to want anything, so I thought…”
Despite being a different topic, it smoothly transitioned.
In reality, I don’t know what Karsein wants.
Just like on their birthday, they had to know what they wanted in order to give them a present.
Also, instead of just feeling sorry, it seemed easier to convey it with a gift.
This was a golden opportunity.
“You can tell me anything. It’s not Mom’s money, I’m paying for it with my own savings.”
Everything could be repaid.
The birthday present too.
Today’s mistake too.
No. Perhaps even the accumulated debts from before.
With confidence, Claire waited for Karsein’s answer.
But…
“I don’t need anything.”
Karsein firmly rejected Claire’s touch once again.
“It doesn’t seem like I’m the one who’s changed. You never showed any interest before, so why today?”
The flaw that was immediately pointed out.
In response, Claire felt a little annoyed.
“You. You’re my younger sibling. What’s wrong with wanting to buy something for my younger sibling at the festival?”
“Because you’re doing something you never did before. When I did the laundry, which you never did, you said something about it. Can’t I do the same?”
“Well, that’s…”
There was nothing to say in response to that.
Compared to the yelling in the laundry room, this was clearly a double standard.
But strangely, it only fueled Claire’s frustration.
“I’m sorry!”
With a slightly flushed face, Claire raised her voice.
She had planned to reveal her true intentions a little later, but she had no choice but to bring it up despite feeling awkward.
“I wanted to buy something… because I felt guilty about what I suspected as the president! And… I couldn’t even give you a birthday present.”
Once words are thrown out, they cannot be taken back.
Remembering Arsen’s words to be honest, Claire tries to suppress her temper a little more.
“So, I’m sorry. Karsen. I suspected you first…”
As Claire continued with her clumsy apology, she scratched her head while avoiding eye contact.
Thump.
Karsen’s notebook was closed.
Startled by the sound, Claire turned her head as if sensing something.
In the distance, the firstborn was approaching.
“I’ll think about it. So, just leave me alone for now.”
“…There’s no point in saying anything about it later. Got it?”
“Got it.”
With a much-improved mood, Claire turned towards Isabella and Flora.
The two sisters exchanged a conversation, crossing paths.
Looking back and forth between Karsene and Claire, she asked,
“What’s the problem again, Karsene?”
That, became the catalyst for another incident.
***
She had thought it was unexpected.
To hear such words coming out of Claire’s mouth.
Among the things Karsene had seen and heard at this Snowflake Festival, the most unexpected was undoubtedly Claire’s awkward words just now.
And perhaps, she enjoyed the rest of the festival with a slightly improved mood.
However, as expected, expected thoughts circulated in Karsene’s mind.
“I don’t understand why she’s alone, missing out on a festival that families enjoy. She doesn’t even eat like those people. She has no interest in anything. She doesn’t enjoy it together. When I ask about it, she just says she’s not interested. What’s the problem?”
Upon Ariana’s remark, Karsene snorted.
“It’s strange. I’m already being treated like I caused some kind of problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was just talking to Claire, but you’re talking as if I’ve done something wrong. Aren’t you?”
But now, she had something she wanted to say.
Karceine couldn’t hold back.
“You want me to enjoy the festival? Where am I supposed to find enjoyment?”
“Karceine.”
Ariana’s brow furrowed slightly.
“A family festival? Enjoying something while being watched, is that it?”
“…What?”
“I’m just here to keep an eye on things. Isn’t that right?”
Instead, Karceine laughed at Ariana.
I am looking forward to when he leaves the house