Mystic Messenger: Zen Route Days 1-7
Masterlist of links
Time for the last of the first three love interests, the flirty, vain actor Zen.
He's actually grown on me quite a lot! I'm still kinda bored, he's sweet but there's just...so much of this game to play...
Content Note: toxic/abusive family
So my goal here is to headcanon this as Zen/Jaehee/MC, but we'll see how I do.
Urrrrrgh waiting for the early morning to start a new game is always so BORING. But once again I should use the time to decide on a name etc.
I like the idea of this MC being a trans woman, to get a kick out of being treated like a Girl. Someone who's very sure of her own attractiveness, and finds Zen's flirtation amusing. I'll crib from the life of Harisu and make her a pop singer who's actually a little older and more successful than Zen but pretending to be an ordinary girl (only Seven knows the truth, and finds it funny).
The blonde blue-eyed MC icon has the right amount of pep, let's go for her. It's a wig and contacts because she doesn't want to be recognised online. And I like the name Jia.
Also apparently the Korean for Zen is Seon, pronounced "son", but I'm pretty sure they're saying the word "Zen". I wonder if he means it as the Chinese word, the English word or something else. Or if I was just mishearing haha.
I'm starting with 55 hourglasses, and playing through the four days of the common route again.
Huh I just realised the ages given in the chat don't match the ones in the opening credits, everyone's a year older. Are they using Korean ages? Ehh, it's not a big deal, I guess.
Haaa tried saying "I'm not a girl" to see what would happen, Seven just said "She's a girl" and everyone believed him more.
Can't remember if I said before but: Rika's apartment is in V's name, but he never visited and didn't know the passcode because he "respected her privacy".
V says there's "sensitive material" there and once again I don't understand why he encouraged MC to work there instead of from her own home/work. "Maybe Rika wanted someone to do the work she did before from the place she worked before" is...ok, it makes about as much sense as any other V explanation.
I acted uninterested in the RFA because it felt in character, and for variety, and got a Zen heart, excellent :D
MC: What do I get if I join?
Zen: My number ;)
Zen says he had a good dream where he thinks he saw MC. He is totally some sort of psychic fae creature...
Wait. MC never actually agreed to run the party? Ah well, I'll play her as giving it a shot because she thinks Zen is cute and it seems like a lark.
Oh man, Unknown's message is creepier than I remembered: "It'll be really fun from now on. Enjoy your time with everyone. I'll go get you soon."
Ahahaha. So I'm choosing all the assertive, flirty dialogue options and Zen is Into It but Yoosung, while also Into It, is already flailing and out of his depth. Sorry, Yoosung, this MC is not for you. I'm curious to know how things will progress with Zen...but I guess he acted like MC was into his flirting even when she wasn't, so having her respond positively won't necessarily have much of a different effect, at least for a while.
haha oops already alienated Jaehee one sentence into our first private conversation by being too flippant >.>
MC: This game seems like it'll be fun!
Jaehee: IS WORK A FUN GAME TO YOU?! >:( *negative heart*
SORRY JAEHEE I STILL LOVE YOU
Haa I forgot, Zen's first solo chat involves him putting down the other dudes and complaining about being single. "The trust fund jerk is born with a silver spoon in his mouth and likes to brag about his money, Seven's a funny guy but sometimes he's such a...weirdo...and Yoosung's cute but he does't really take me seriously."
On my first playthrough I thought this meant he didn't notice Jaehee but I guess he just has nothing bad to say about her. Haaaa my brain suddenly came up with a reason for him to prefer women so much that's less sexist: Zen's a repressed trans lesbian. It would explain Jaehee's interest ;)
Yoosung: Zen complains about being single but I've never even had a girlfriend.
MC: Are you not into girls?
Yoosung: I think I am? I like teaming up with girls in LoLoL. When Seven said you were a girl my heart jumped a little.
It's funny, his dialogue is exactly the same as before but in this MC's head he seems VERY young.
Heh. Being a shit to Jumin loses me hearts I coulda gotten from him but it's very satisfying :D
So far I'm having fun playing this very differently to my first MC, but we'll see if I get bored as the four days of the common route go on. I may end up forking out $3 for the ability to fast forward.
Tried aggressively flirting with Jumin, just to see what would happen, and he did not like it at all.
Jumin: You might have seen me in various Most Eligible Bachelor lists but I'm rarely if ever interested in that sort of thing.
MC asked him if he had a girlfriend and he started describing his cat o.O I definitely think they drew a little on Creepy Mr Yujin The Skeleton Fetishist from Nameless. Except in Nameless the MC was in the grumpy mistreated assistant role.
Since MC never actually agreed to do this job I am taking some of the "Don't expect too much", "this sounds like a lot of effort" etc options my other MCs were too earnest for. Everyone takes it pretty well, basically saying they just want the excuse to have the party haha. Which also explains how accepting they were in the normal ending when there's no guests. A random stranger coerced by a mysterious hacker is no way to recruit reliable staff.
Zen's flirting is much less annoying when MC is flirting back, it feels less like oblivious sexual harassment and more like they're just both into each other. He's still ridiculously vain though.
Now that I've gotten a feel for MC's personality I've checked a walkthrough, though I'm ignoring anything that feels too OOC. But laid-back, flirty, basically good natured but a little trollish to people other than Zen seems to be about right!
Meanwhile if you don't express interest in Yoosung he comes across as kinda clingy.
End of Day 1!
Kinda bored of replaying already but a walkthrough will make it pretty easy and I only have to make half the chats.
I miss being able to troll Zen when he's being especially narcissistic ;_;
I just realised, Zen describes the Jisoo from Nameless role as "a man who must love one woman to protect his one and only sister". Which...isn't wrong exactly...
Haaa, so on the other routes I tended to annoy Jaehee by not expressing enough enthusiasm for Zen, but now I've annoyed her by being a little too into him: she wants MC to admire him from a distance. Even though Jaehee doesn't seem to want to date Zen herself, she is obviously kinda into him, and has some repressed jealousy issues when he shows interest in MC. Also she thinks he should avoid complications and scandal. Hopefully this won't be too much of a source of conflict going forward, "Love interest's fans tell the protagonist to back off" is one of my least favourite stock otome plots, and I don't want Jaehee turned into an annoying rival.
End of Day 2
*looks at day 3 chat times*
WAIT
I'M GOING TO AVENGERS: ENDGAME
THAT'S LIKE A BAZILLION HOURS LONG
I'LL MISS SO MANY CHATS
Man, I have got to stop leaving the house. I think I should be ok, though, I'll just have to time my sleep carefully. Or pay to unlock a missed chat, but screw that.
Zen says Rika recognised his talent and helped him get famous while V helped him "spiritually".
MC: I want to see you take a shower.
Zen: That's a strange way of greeting me.
Zen. Take a hint.
haha oh god the more I flirt with Zen the more hearts I lose with Jaehee. I have never lost this many hearts with a character before. Yet MC telling Jaehee she wants to lick Zen's abs in a private message gains a heart.
Seven: I'm trapped at work ;_;
MC: You must have done something to deserve it.
Me: Lol, trolling people is fun but it does mean I get less hearts.
Jaehee: *giving MC a heart* You must have. Think carefully. You must have done something wrong to everyone. For example violating their privacy.
Jaehee, you're odd, but I love you <3
(I don't think this MC actually likes Jaehee very much right now. But I do)
End Day 3!
I'm already at 70 hourglasses, and I only need 85 to see the Normal ending and unlock Jumin and Seven.
Replaying the first four days has been mildly interesting, now that I have a better grasp of the characters and am roleplaying a very different MC. But I'm glad I won't have to do it again, since the rest of the routes have a different start (except for day 1, which is always the same, and is going to get VERY BORING by the end)
Zen hasn't really won my heart but I find him less annoying this time around, and I'm mildly intrigued to see how his romance plays out.
Zen, MC, and Jaehee team up to tease Yoosung and I feel a little bad.
Zen: It's cute to see Yoosung get so angry
Jahee: I don't know if it's cute but I did feel a bit of pleasure
MC: Jaehee, you're not...
Jaehee: No. I don't know what the question is, but no.
The problem with being kind of a jerk to Jaehee, asides from it DESTROYING MY SOUL, is that right now on the common route she still acts like MC is being a Great Friend and it breaks the immersion. Then again Jaehee is so lonely that maybe this looks like great friendship to her :(
End of day 4! On the Zen route! TIME FOR NEW CONTENT OMG
Zen: I am so handsome
MC: You sure are!
Me: :/
Zen: *hearts and hourglasses I can use to unlock other characters*
Me: :D
Looks like the good/bad distinction this time is "talk up his skill as an actor" versus "just focus on his looks" (or just put him down) Aww, I looked up a walkthrough, and it said "Acting aggressively possessive or mean to fans especially Jaehee should be avoided at all costs".
The other suggestions are "Do not flirt with Jumin nor take his side", "Help mend relationships", and "trust Zen's decisions, and encourage him when he decides to do things".
I was going to complain that that sounds like a lot of emotional labour to help him mature as a person, but that's what the other two were and I was fine with that. I guess what I need is more of him valuing MC as herself and not just being nice to her because she's A Cute Girl.
He's endearing when he's being sincere, though. I just had a phonecall where he rambled about sneaking into a stage at night to rehearse when he was young, and then said some nice supportive things about MC being about to shine on stage herself.
The voice actor was an interesting choice, he's got a hyperactive, boyish energy, and randomly shouts and laughs breathlessly a lot, overcome by excitement and glee. I watched a little bit of a voice actor video and he apparently improvises a lot.
Hearts from private messages don't affect what ending you get, so I was tempted to flirt with Jumin in secret to get points, but that would feel kinda oogy. Ha, I talked up Zen instead and got a Zen heart! ARE YOU READING MY MESSAGES, ZEN?
Zen's next musical is alongside a popular tv star and singer, Echo Girl! I have the option to be supportive or get jealous that he's hanging out with a hot girl.
Yoosung: Wow, when I was in highschool Zen was working two jobs while doing theater...I should get his autograph while I still can!
MC: I won't be happy with just his autograph. I want his everything.
Yoosung: You're so cute and amazing. I've never seen a girl say so confidently that she'll have her man! lolol
Aw. You're cute and amazing, Yoosung. But alas, I am dating Zen.
Zen is sweetly appreciative of MC's support and endearingly nervous about his new role. Jaehee is grudgingly supportive of the two of them getting together since it seems inevitable, but clearly jealous that Zen is so much more happy about MC's support than hers. I am doggedly not taking offence.
Jaehee: I've been supporting him longer.
MC: Let's cheer for Zen together! ^_^
Jaehee: You dating him will damage his career.
MC: Thanks for worrying about Zen! ^_^
Jumin, being an ass, offers to let Zen do an ad for his company...for cat food, and says he should overcome his cat allergy with professionalism and ~love.
NOOOOO WHEN I SAID "ZEN DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE EMPLOYED WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT" I MEANT HE DOESN'T DESERVE SUCH BAD TREATMENT, NOT THAT HE DESERVES TO BE UNEMPLOYED /o\
*hopes this one bad choice doesn't screw up my game*
Zen: *goes on a long rant about how Jumin is a jerk and always has been*
Jumin: You've been thinking about me all this time. You don't have feelings for me, do you?
Zen: DUDE
Yoosung rings asking MC to get Zen's autograph, since Zen would say it was weird if he asked directly. "Get him to sign 'To my loving friend Yoosung'. Oh but that's a bit cringy..." *continues to ship them a little*
Aw, Zen hurt his ankle again and is probably going to have to give up on this new job. He gets very depressed about it.
I know all this acceptance of Jaehee's concern for Zen is supposed to be MC being nice and supportive of Zen as an artist, but I am absolutely reading it as her and Jaehee slowly heading to a mutual openness to poly before falling madly in love.
Yoosung is so cute about wanting to cheer up Zen and encouraging MC to support him.
...NO, SELF, DO NOT START IMAGINING COMPLEX POLY FICS. YOU STILL HAVEN'T FINISHED THE LAST ONE.
As I hoped, Zen has gotten more sincere and less annoying as the path has gone on, and hasn't been sleazy at all. He said he wants to meet MC in person, but just to hold her hand, aw. I still don't ship it especially hard, and am a little bored, but it's inoffensive enough so far.
The way his flirtation has turned into sincere interest is mildly interesting, he's mostly pretty confident and open about how much he likes MC and enjoys her company, but doesn't want to assume too much or be needy.
Eighty five hearts! Woo! I can unlock everything I need for the next two paths! Now the rest is gravy.
Jaehee wants to visit Zen while he's sick, arguing that MC being seen there would be ~scandalous. Jumin is trolling Jaehee about how much Zen would rather see MC, because he is an ass.
That's right, Zen's legal name is Hyun Ryu. I get the sense this is a boring, common sort of name, but have no idea really.
Aw. Seven think Jaehee's concern for Zen is cute, and reassures MC that Jaehee really does only like him as a fan and wants nothing more. Which is true! And then he encourages MC to go visit Zen, bringing Yoosung to make it not feel weird if she needs to.
Holy crap some of these guests are written in such a racist way /o\
Jumin rings saying he thinks MC should visit Zen, but then asks if she's going to be put off by him being poor. Naturally, I pick no :) I get the feeling he wants MC and Zen to get together so Jaehee stops being distracted from work by worrying about Zen.
There's a discussion of families: Yoosung's is pretty average (and he assumes Jaehee's is too), Zen ran away, Jumin dislikes his father but they work together closely. Yoosung asks Seven about his family and he avoids answering as long as he can, then says he ran away, but had a brother.
Yoosung: And you have no plans to talk to them ever again??
Seven: It's complicated. Let's stop talking about me. If Zen can return to his family, I think he should.
End of Day 6!
Day 7 has a lot of Zen-pov "story mode" scenes, when we see what's going on offline. Interesting!
OH. IT'S A FLASHBACK.
There was a bit more pressure on Zen to reconnect with his family than I liked, with the assumption they would support him because they're family. Let's see what they were actually like...
18 years ago: His mother worries all the compliments he gets for being handsome will make him soft, like his cousin who JOINED A BAND and SMOKES and DATES GIRLS.
(I'm not sure I've mentioned it, but Zen smokes)
Zen finally steels himself to tell the director he can't make rehearsals, but just says he's "sick", then feels bad for lying.
Zen: The world is telling me a theatre actor with just good looks doesn't deserve to go on stage with a tv star.
MC: Have confidence and don't limit yourself like that.
Zen: Thank you, without you I wouldn't have been able to do all this ^_^
We see Zen pop out to grab some food, then see a limo parked outside his house.
Echo Girl (the tv star): My Zen would never live in a place like this!
SIGH. Oh well, if they have to have a cliched rival, at least they didn't turn Jaehee into one (she's jealous and a little antagonistic, but isn't a thoughtless jerk about it)
Eco Girl turns out to be a huge fan who's seen all Zen's musicals and has been trying without success to be invited to a RFA party. Apparently she's from a rich family and worked with Jumin once, and he flirted with her while they worked together then stopped returning her calls once the job was done.
Echo Girl: You hurt your ankle! If the director finds out he'll replace you!
Zen: There are lots of actors who are better than me, I can refer some.
Echo Girl: It has to be you! Just practice your lines, that's all I've been doing anyway. My dad will smooth things over if he has to. Let's go into your house and discuss it...
Zen calls MC, very excited and happy that he still has the part, then asks her about herself as much as the game allows, saying he's looking forward to hanging out with her even if they just sit around eating snacks.
One downside of MC being a blank slate is that the LIs can't engage meaningfully with her life outside the RFA, which makes them come across as a bit self centered. I just imagine they have conversations with MC about her life that we don't see, since they've all expressed an interest in what she's doing/how she's feeling etc.
One upside to Jumin being an ass about Zen is that shutting him down is a fun bonding activity for MC and Jaehee.
Jumin offers to send a limo to take MC to Zen...if she persuades him to take the cat food ad job. My options are "what do I get" and "I could ask him about it"?? WHERE'S MY "SOD OFF JUMIN" CHOICE??
Jaehee: I worry for Zen...MC, please protect him. Many fans are watching.
Jia: Don't worry. I won't do anything to harm him.
This is all rather surreal. Nobody would care if a 22 year old Australian musical actor had a girl come over.
FLASHBACK TIME WITH ADORABLE BABY ZEN. He complains to his brother that schoolwork is hard and his teacher keeps trying to pinch his cheeks.
Zen: Everyone keeps trying to touch me, I don't like it.
Brother: They just want to be friends with you. It's because you're pretty.
Brother: She's just trying to keep you humble. But you're really pretty, Hyun, and I want you to be proud of how you look. I'll protect you no matter what, so just be yourself. Okay?
Zen hates his brother now, what happened? (Also, hello Cheritz mommy issues)
Seven: I was just talking and my phone called you. Do I have a superpower?!
MC: You too?!
Haha, my options are "The power to see through walls and clothes" and "Backward words say to power the".
Seven: IS THIS AN ALIEN LANGUAGE? I should hire you as the translator at my space wedding!
I don't feel much romantic pull towards Seven but I can see his path being fun.
The next chat is called "About Echo Girl", I wonder if she's going to see MC visiting Zen and FREAK OUT.
The chat so far is just Zen explaining the Echo Girl situation, reassuring MC he only has eyes for her, and then excitedly saying he has to go clean up before MC arrives. And then we switch to MC arriving!
Awww, he's blushing! I think he's hugging her or something?
Zen: You're really cute. I don't want to let you go.
ZEN. YOU HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER A WEEK, AND MET IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME THIRTY SECONDS AGO.
You could read it as hyperbole but he started rambling about how nice it would be to live together in an earlier phonecall, too. He's pretty lonely.
He asks if she wants to go grocery shopping because he doesn't have anything to offer her to eat or drink. This is cute!
Haaa Jumin rings to remind MC she's just there to convince Zen to do the commercial. Yeaahh....I don't think that's her first priority right now, dude.
I keep getting dialogue options to suddenly switch to taking Jumin's side and be mean to Zen, and am having trouble imagining how a consistently characterised MC could get this far into the route and then say those things. But I can't see myself ever playing the bad ends anyway, so that's not something I have to worry about!
Jumin is annoyed that MC is staying past the two hours he said she should stay (His driver is WAITING!!) and that Zen refused to get help from Jumin before "because he doesn't want to rely on connections" yet is willing to use Echo Girls' connections.
Back at Zen's house Zen says it is unlike him to accept Echo Girl's help. He can't stand "elites".
Zen: My brother is a so-called elite. He always emphasised that I have to make compromises with the world. Jumin's not like him, but he treats me in a similar way. That's why I don't like him. When we were little we were so close...but now I don't even talk to him.
Zen, blushing: You're staying for dinner, right? And you can...even stay the night!
Oooooh ;)
MC: Ok!
Zen: Don't worry, I won't do anything weird. It's just that it's getting dark and I'll get worried. And I...want you to stay here longer.
And then he cooks her dinner.
ADORABLE
Ok, I am on the Zen train.
It's funny that this flirty, romantically experienced twenty something dude is less sexually forward than the teen characters of Nameless but I'm down with it.
Haaa and then a worried Jaehee rings. TIME TO TELL HER MC IS GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH ZEN I GUESS.
Jaehee: As much as I cherish Zen in my heart, you must cherish him with your actions. May I count on you?
MC: I cherish Zen deeply too.
Me: *poly feelings intensify*
Jaehee: I am aware of that...but it's no good if our definitions of cherish don't match. Please do not advance further than being a fan. The RFA should all care for each other, and noone should get in another's way, so that we can all win. Do you understand?
Sadly there is no option to say "Sorry, but we are absolutely going to bang. Bye!" (I am fine with there being no sex in the game, I just enjoy thinking of MC as sexually uninhibited, since unlike most otome there's no inner monologue telling me otherwise)
Flashback to Zen's mother cutting his hair deliberately to be ugly. His brother says it's Zen's fault for skipping school to busk with a guitar.
Mother: I'll shave your head if this keeps up!
Zen: Brother, save me!
Brother: He used to be so well behaved...you can't do music without money or connections. I explained this to you before. I guess you're not smart enough to understand.
Zen: You...you said I had talent...
Brother: On the assumption you played as a hobby. But now your grades are dropping.
Mother: It's all because he's good looking that he hangs around with bad people. I'm going to pick you up from school from now on, to make sure you do your homework.
:(
(Also his mum wonders where he got his colouring from, he is TOTALLY a changeling or some Korean equivalent)
Zen logs into the chat and tells Seven that MC went into his room and won't say why? It's a little weird having her do unknown things offscreen like this. YOU ARE MY PUPPET, MC, NO ACQUIRING AGENCY BEHIND MY BACK.
Zen: You were probably surprised to see me living in a half-basement like this. I've been living here since highschool, I worked so hard to get it. *blush* I like that rent is cheap, but let me show you my favourite part.
He takes her out onto a...rooftop balcony (Or something?) and looks up at the stars.
Zen: Sorry to keep you out so late. But I wish I could keep you here forever.
MC: I want to stay.
Zen: Do you think I deserve to do rehearsals when my ankle is like this?
"I don't think it matters as long as it helps you" and "I trust your decision"
See this is an interesting choice, compared to all the "I support you" vs "Jumin's right, you suck".
I'm not sure what I'd have chosen if the walkthrough hadn't told me to trust his decisions, but that does feel like the right choice.
Zen talks about how he used to be close to his brother, who's ten years older than him. But when Zen got into singing in middle school, he became seen as the Troublemaker Son, including by his brother, who'd started studying to become a lawyer. Zen could handle his parents putting him down all the time, but not his brother. So he ran away.
He did all sorts of jobs to survive, including theft. But then he started acting, and met Rika. She introduced him to Jumin, but he reminded Zen of his brother, and Zen wanted to prove that he could succeed without money or connections.
Zen: I don't normally talk about myself...but it's strange, I feel like I've known you for a long time.
CUTE
MC: Hold tight and never let go.
Zen: ...oh. I'd like to. But there'll be trouble if you stay the night.
Hmm! My choices are "I want to stay the night~~~!! Right beside you!" and "What do you mean?"
FINE, game, I get the hint, I'll pick the second.
ahaha ok so he basically implies that if she stays they'll end up having sex. ("I'm a guy after all" blah blah)
oh no, I have the chance to reply "I want to stay the night with you...", which is a pretty overt "WHO SAYS SEX WOULD BE BAD??"
...gonna take it even though I am SURE I'm not supposed to. SORRY FOR WANTING TO TAKE THIS RARE CHANCE FOR AN OTOME HEROINE TO ACTIVELY SEEK SEX INSTEAD OF HAVING IT BE ALL DUBCON DOMINATION BY THE DUDE, CHERITZ
Awww he says "I'd like to, but we just met today". Fair. I probably missed the chance for an extra heart but that's not a big deal, and it didn't otherwise feel like Zen or the game were being judgy.
The moment she leaves he sends a soppy text about how much he likes her and is definitely fine with her saying "Don't send me back next time".
I started out imagining MC also being in the entertainment industry but now I kinda like the idea of her being a lawyer. Like...the good human rights sort. Comfortably off, but not rich. Super book smart. It would be an interesting contrast.
The latest guest is...a literal Egyptian mummy, who is asking MC to recommend new clothes.
*Stares at my choices of "pink bandage" and "sturdy bandage", and decides to err on the side of fabulous*
Zen's doorbell rings and he is possibly hoping for MC, but...it's Echo Girl!!
Zen: It's late, what if someone sees?
Echo: A scandal would just add to your popularity!
Me: Oooh, Jaehee would not like you.
Zen: I won't want to get more popular like that, so please go home. Why are you even here?
Echo Girl: Well ;) I'm a girl visiting you at night ;) ;)
Zen: God. Look, Echo Girl...what's your real name?
Echo Girl: Kyungji Choi. It's not sophisticated, but I we should probably use our real names now...
Zen: Kyungji...go home.
Echo Girl: But I helped get you this role! If we're together you'll get all sorts of career opportunities! MY BREASTS ARE A NATURAL D!!
Zen: I'm sorry, I already have someone I like. If you don't want to take a cab I can call your manager...
Echo Girl: You talk like Jumin! ALL THE MEN IN RFA ARE WEIRDOS.
You were doing so well on the not slut-shaming, game...
Makes me glad I took all the horny options, lol. But I do wonder how often Zen has had women try to treat him like a high class sex worker.
Zen: Did you get home safe?
Me: I will be tasteful and not take the "Yes but it's a pity we didn't have sex" option in public chat.
MC: Yes, I'm back safe.
Yoosung: lol if she'd stayed longer we could have misunderstood ;)
Zen: If she'd stayed longer I couldn't have controlled...
Yoosung: !?!?!?!?!
Zen: Never mind
Me: WELL THEN
MC: You shouldn't have controlled yourself, Zen ;)
Zen: ;D
Yoosung: lol. I'm jealous, I wish I looked like a man...
Me: Aw, Yoosung, you look like...ok you look like a 12 year old girl. But a cute one!
MC: You're attractive in your own way, Yoosung.
Zen: Am I not attractive?!
Zen, she was throwing Yoosung a pity compliment, you are 1000% hotter than him and you know it.
MC: You're blindingly attractive and you know it.
Ha, these dialogue options are coming up after I summarise my thoughts, I guess MC and me are just on the same wavelength this chat.
Zen: Grr, Jumin. I have to admit I was a bit unfair to him. There are some things I want to sort out, with him and work... And when I think I can truly protect MC, I'll do whatever it takes to make her mine.
*just barely decides YOU CAN HAVE ME RIGHT NOW would be a little too tacky*
Zen: MC, are you going to bed?
MC: You should put me to bed ;)
Zen: God. THE THINGS I AM IMAGINING.
Yoosung: BYE I AM GOING TO PLAY GAMES NOW.
...it just occurred to me that Jaehee is going to read all this later. SORRY JAEHEE. (No apologies to Jumin. And Seven will just think it's funny)
End of Day 7
I haven't checked how my choices line up with the walkthrough but feel like I'm walking a line between too self centeredly focused on Zen caring about MC over everything else, and being too cold/practical. And as far as I can tell, those extremes lead to two different bad ends, one for not getting enough points (cold), and another for getting too many bad points (needy/selfish).
Ok I checked and that seems to be about right, but the especially mean and money focussed cold answers lead to the same bad end as the needy/selfish ones. I guess that MC is like Echo Girl and only likes Zen for his body, with no respect for him as a person. I'm actually mildly curious to know what it would be like to play that MC now. Not enough to play the three whole days of doucheyness required to see a bad end, but maybe I'll load up the day 5 save and play "bad" for a chat or two.
Some of the especially forward horny choices get bad points, but "send me to bed" gets good points, and either way it won't make much difference if the rest of your choices are consistently "good"/"bad".
Anyway! It's been cute!
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Time for the last of the first three love interests, the flirty, vain actor Zen.
He's actually grown on me quite a lot! I'm still kinda bored, he's sweet but there's just...so much of this game to play...
Content Note: toxic/abusive family
So my goal here is to headcanon this as Zen/Jaehee/MC, but we'll see how I do.
Urrrrrgh waiting for the early morning to start a new game is always so BORING. But once again I should use the time to decide on a name etc.
I like the idea of this MC being a trans woman, to get a kick out of being treated like a Girl. Someone who's very sure of her own attractiveness, and finds Zen's flirtation amusing. I'll crib from the life of Harisu and make her a pop singer who's actually a little older and more successful than Zen but pretending to be an ordinary girl (only Seven knows the truth, and finds it funny).
The blonde blue-eyed MC icon has the right amount of pep, let's go for her. It's a wig and contacts because she doesn't want to be recognised online. And I like the name Jia.
Also apparently the Korean for Zen is Seon, pronounced "son", but I'm pretty sure they're saying the word "Zen". I wonder if he means it as the Chinese word, the English word or something else. Or if I was just mishearing haha.
I'm starting with 55 hourglasses, and playing through the four days of the common route again.
Huh I just realised the ages given in the chat don't match the ones in the opening credits, everyone's a year older. Are they using Korean ages? Ehh, it's not a big deal, I guess.
Haaa tried saying "I'm not a girl" to see what would happen, Seven just said "She's a girl" and everyone believed him more.
Can't remember if I said before but: Rika's apartment is in V's name, but he never visited and didn't know the passcode because he "respected her privacy".
V says there's "sensitive material" there and once again I don't understand why he encouraged MC to work there instead of from her own home/work. "Maybe Rika wanted someone to do the work she did before from the place she worked before" is...ok, it makes about as much sense as any other V explanation.
I acted uninterested in the RFA because it felt in character, and for variety, and got a Zen heart, excellent :D
MC: What do I get if I join?
Zen: My number ;)
Zen says he had a good dream where he thinks he saw MC. He is totally some sort of psychic fae creature...
Wait. MC never actually agreed to run the party? Ah well, I'll play her as giving it a shot because she thinks Zen is cute and it seems like a lark.
Oh man, Unknown's message is creepier than I remembered: "It'll be really fun from now on. Enjoy your time with everyone. I'll go get you soon."
Ahahaha. So I'm choosing all the assertive, flirty dialogue options and Zen is Into It but Yoosung, while also Into It, is already flailing and out of his depth. Sorry, Yoosung, this MC is not for you. I'm curious to know how things will progress with Zen...but I guess he acted like MC was into his flirting even when she wasn't, so having her respond positively won't necessarily have much of a different effect, at least for a while.
haha oops already alienated Jaehee one sentence into our first private conversation by being too flippant >.>
MC: This game seems like it'll be fun!
Jaehee: IS WORK A FUN GAME TO YOU?! >:( *negative heart*
SORRY JAEHEE I STILL LOVE YOU
Haa I forgot, Zen's first solo chat involves him putting down the other dudes and complaining about being single. "The trust fund jerk is born with a silver spoon in his mouth and likes to brag about his money, Seven's a funny guy but sometimes he's such a...weirdo...and Yoosung's cute but he does't really take me seriously."
On my first playthrough I thought this meant he didn't notice Jaehee but I guess he just has nothing bad to say about her. Haaaa my brain suddenly came up with a reason for him to prefer women so much that's less sexist: Zen's a repressed trans lesbian. It would explain Jaehee's interest ;)
Yoosung: Zen complains about being single but I've never even had a girlfriend.
MC: Are you not into girls?
Yoosung: I think I am? I like teaming up with girls in LoLoL. When Seven said you were a girl my heart jumped a little.
It's funny, his dialogue is exactly the same as before but in this MC's head he seems VERY young.
Heh. Being a shit to Jumin loses me hearts I coulda gotten from him but it's very satisfying :D
So far I'm having fun playing this very differently to my first MC, but we'll see if I get bored as the four days of the common route go on. I may end up forking out $3 for the ability to fast forward.
Tried aggressively flirting with Jumin, just to see what would happen, and he did not like it at all.
Jumin: You might have seen me in various Most Eligible Bachelor lists but I'm rarely if ever interested in that sort of thing.
MC asked him if he had a girlfriend and he started describing his cat o.O I definitely think they drew a little on Creepy Mr Yujin The Skeleton Fetishist from Nameless. Except in Nameless the MC was in the grumpy mistreated assistant role.
Since MC never actually agreed to do this job I am taking some of the "Don't expect too much", "this sounds like a lot of effort" etc options my other MCs were too earnest for. Everyone takes it pretty well, basically saying they just want the excuse to have the party haha. Which also explains how accepting they were in the normal ending when there's no guests. A random stranger coerced by a mysterious hacker is no way to recruit reliable staff.
Zen's flirting is much less annoying when MC is flirting back, it feels less like oblivious sexual harassment and more like they're just both into each other. He's still ridiculously vain though.
Now that I've gotten a feel for MC's personality I've checked a walkthrough, though I'm ignoring anything that feels too OOC. But laid-back, flirty, basically good natured but a little trollish to people other than Zen seems to be about right!
Meanwhile if you don't express interest in Yoosung he comes across as kinda clingy.
End of Day 1!
Kinda bored of replaying already but a walkthrough will make it pretty easy and I only have to make half the chats.
I miss being able to troll Zen when he's being especially narcissistic ;_;
I just realised, Zen describes the Jisoo from Nameless role as "a man who must love one woman to protect his one and only sister". Which...isn't wrong exactly...
Haaa, so on the other routes I tended to annoy Jaehee by not expressing enough enthusiasm for Zen, but now I've annoyed her by being a little too into him: she wants MC to admire him from a distance. Even though Jaehee doesn't seem to want to date Zen herself, she is obviously kinda into him, and has some repressed jealousy issues when he shows interest in MC. Also she thinks he should avoid complications and scandal. Hopefully this won't be too much of a source of conflict going forward, "Love interest's fans tell the protagonist to back off" is one of my least favourite stock otome plots, and I don't want Jaehee turned into an annoying rival.
End of Day 2
*looks at day 3 chat times*
WAIT
I'M GOING TO AVENGERS: ENDGAME
THAT'S LIKE A BAZILLION HOURS LONG
I'LL MISS SO MANY CHATS
Man, I have got to stop leaving the house. I think I should be ok, though, I'll just have to time my sleep carefully. Or pay to unlock a missed chat, but screw that.
Zen says Rika recognised his talent and helped him get famous while V helped him "spiritually".
MC: I want to see you take a shower.
Zen: That's a strange way of greeting me.
Zen. Take a hint.
haha oh god the more I flirt with Zen the more hearts I lose with Jaehee. I have never lost this many hearts with a character before. Yet MC telling Jaehee she wants to lick Zen's abs in a private message gains a heart.
Seven: I'm trapped at work ;_;
MC: You must have done something to deserve it.
Me: Lol, trolling people is fun but it does mean I get less hearts.
Jaehee: *giving MC a heart* You must have. Think carefully. You must have done something wrong to everyone. For example violating their privacy.
Jaehee, you're odd, but I love you <3
(I don't think this MC actually likes Jaehee very much right now. But I do)
End Day 3!
I'm already at 70 hourglasses, and I only need 85 to see the Normal ending and unlock Jumin and Seven.
Replaying the first four days has been mildly interesting, now that I have a better grasp of the characters and am roleplaying a very different MC. But I'm glad I won't have to do it again, since the rest of the routes have a different start (except for day 1, which is always the same, and is going to get VERY BORING by the end)
Zen hasn't really won my heart but I find him less annoying this time around, and I'm mildly intrigued to see how his romance plays out.
Zen, MC, and Jaehee team up to tease Yoosung and I feel a little bad.
Zen: It's cute to see Yoosung get so angry
Jahee: I don't know if it's cute but I did feel a bit of pleasure
MC: Jaehee, you're not...
Jaehee: No. I don't know what the question is, but no.
The problem with being kind of a jerk to Jaehee, asides from it DESTROYING MY SOUL, is that right now on the common route she still acts like MC is being a Great Friend and it breaks the immersion. Then again Jaehee is so lonely that maybe this looks like great friendship to her :(
End of day 4! On the Zen route! TIME FOR NEW CONTENT OMG
Zen: I am so handsome
MC: You sure are!
Me: :/
Zen: *hearts and hourglasses I can use to unlock other characters*
Me: :D
Looks like the good/bad distinction this time is "talk up his skill as an actor" versus "just focus on his looks" (or just put him down) Aww, I looked up a walkthrough, and it said "Acting aggressively possessive or mean to fans especially Jaehee should be avoided at all costs".
The other suggestions are "Do not flirt with Jumin nor take his side", "Help mend relationships", and "trust Zen's decisions, and encourage him when he decides to do things".
I was going to complain that that sounds like a lot of emotional labour to help him mature as a person, but that's what the other two were and I was fine with that. I guess what I need is more of him valuing MC as herself and not just being nice to her because she's A Cute Girl.
He's endearing when he's being sincere, though. I just had a phonecall where he rambled about sneaking into a stage at night to rehearse when he was young, and then said some nice supportive things about MC being about to shine on stage herself.
The voice actor was an interesting choice, he's got a hyperactive, boyish energy, and randomly shouts and laughs breathlessly a lot, overcome by excitement and glee. I watched a little bit of a voice actor video and he apparently improvises a lot.
Hearts from private messages don't affect what ending you get, so I was tempted to flirt with Jumin in secret to get points, but that would feel kinda oogy. Ha, I talked up Zen instead and got a Zen heart! ARE YOU READING MY MESSAGES, ZEN?
Zen's next musical is alongside a popular tv star and singer, Echo Girl! I have the option to be supportive or get jealous that he's hanging out with a hot girl.
Yoosung: Wow, when I was in highschool Zen was working two jobs while doing theater...I should get his autograph while I still can!
MC: I won't be happy with just his autograph. I want his everything.
Yoosung: You're so cute and amazing. I've never seen a girl say so confidently that she'll have her man! lolol
Aw. You're cute and amazing, Yoosung. But alas, I am dating Zen.
Zen is sweetly appreciative of MC's support and endearingly nervous about his new role. Jaehee is grudgingly supportive of the two of them getting together since it seems inevitable, but clearly jealous that Zen is so much more happy about MC's support than hers. I am doggedly not taking offence.
Jaehee: I've been supporting him longer.
MC: Let's cheer for Zen together! ^_^
Jaehee: You dating him will damage his career.
MC: Thanks for worrying about Zen! ^_^
Jumin, being an ass, offers to let Zen do an ad for his company...for cat food, and says he should overcome his cat allergy with professionalism and ~love.
NOOOOO WHEN I SAID "ZEN DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE EMPLOYED WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT" I MEANT HE DOESN'T DESERVE SUCH BAD TREATMENT, NOT THAT HE DESERVES TO BE UNEMPLOYED /o\
*hopes this one bad choice doesn't screw up my game*
Zen: *goes on a long rant about how Jumin is a jerk and always has been*
Jumin: You've been thinking about me all this time. You don't have feelings for me, do you?
Zen: DUDE
Yoosung rings asking MC to get Zen's autograph, since Zen would say it was weird if he asked directly. "Get him to sign 'To my loving friend Yoosung'. Oh but that's a bit cringy..." *continues to ship them a little*
Aw, Zen hurt his ankle again and is probably going to have to give up on this new job. He gets very depressed about it.
I know all this acceptance of Jaehee's concern for Zen is supposed to be MC being nice and supportive of Zen as an artist, but I am absolutely reading it as her and Jaehee slowly heading to a mutual openness to poly before falling madly in love.
Yoosung is so cute about wanting to cheer up Zen and encouraging MC to support him.
...NO, SELF, DO NOT START IMAGINING COMPLEX POLY FICS. YOU STILL HAVEN'T FINISHED THE LAST ONE.
As I hoped, Zen has gotten more sincere and less annoying as the path has gone on, and hasn't been sleazy at all. He said he wants to meet MC in person, but just to hold her hand, aw. I still don't ship it especially hard, and am a little bored, but it's inoffensive enough so far.
The way his flirtation has turned into sincere interest is mildly interesting, he's mostly pretty confident and open about how much he likes MC and enjoys her company, but doesn't want to assume too much or be needy.
Eighty five hearts! Woo! I can unlock everything I need for the next two paths! Now the rest is gravy.
Jaehee wants to visit Zen while he's sick, arguing that MC being seen there would be ~scandalous. Jumin is trolling Jaehee about how much Zen would rather see MC, because he is an ass.
That's right, Zen's legal name is Hyun Ryu. I get the sense this is a boring, common sort of name, but have no idea really.
Aw. Seven think Jaehee's concern for Zen is cute, and reassures MC that Jaehee really does only like him as a fan and wants nothing more. Which is true! And then he encourages MC to go visit Zen, bringing Yoosung to make it not feel weird if she needs to.
Holy crap some of these guests are written in such a racist way /o\
Jumin rings saying he thinks MC should visit Zen, but then asks if she's going to be put off by him being poor. Naturally, I pick no :) I get the feeling he wants MC and Zen to get together so Jaehee stops being distracted from work by worrying about Zen.
There's a discussion of families: Yoosung's is pretty average (and he assumes Jaehee's is too), Zen ran away, Jumin dislikes his father but they work together closely. Yoosung asks Seven about his family and he avoids answering as long as he can, then says he ran away, but had a brother.
Yoosung: And you have no plans to talk to them ever again??
Seven: It's complicated. Let's stop talking about me. If Zen can return to his family, I think he should.
End of Day 6!
Day 7 has a lot of Zen-pov "story mode" scenes, when we see what's going on offline. Interesting!
OH. IT'S A FLASHBACK.
There was a bit more pressure on Zen to reconnect with his family than I liked, with the assumption they would support him because they're family. Let's see what they were actually like...
18 years ago: His mother worries all the compliments he gets for being handsome will make him soft, like his cousin who JOINED A BAND and SMOKES and DATES GIRLS.
(I'm not sure I've mentioned it, but Zen smokes)
Zen finally steels himself to tell the director he can't make rehearsals, but just says he's "sick", then feels bad for lying.
Zen: The world is telling me a theatre actor with just good looks doesn't deserve to go on stage with a tv star.
MC: Have confidence and don't limit yourself like that.
Zen: Thank you, without you I wouldn't have been able to do all this ^_^
We see Zen pop out to grab some food, then see a limo parked outside his house.
Echo Girl (the tv star): My Zen would never live in a place like this!
SIGH. Oh well, if they have to have a cliched rival, at least they didn't turn Jaehee into one (she's jealous and a little antagonistic, but isn't a thoughtless jerk about it)
Eco Girl turns out to be a huge fan who's seen all Zen's musicals and has been trying without success to be invited to a RFA party. Apparently she's from a rich family and worked with Jumin once, and he flirted with her while they worked together then stopped returning her calls once the job was done.
Echo Girl: You hurt your ankle! If the director finds out he'll replace you!
Zen: There are lots of actors who are better than me, I can refer some.
Echo Girl: It has to be you! Just practice your lines, that's all I've been doing anyway. My dad will smooth things over if he has to. Let's go into your house and discuss it...
Zen calls MC, very excited and happy that he still has the part, then asks her about herself as much as the game allows, saying he's looking forward to hanging out with her even if they just sit around eating snacks.
One downside of MC being a blank slate is that the LIs can't engage meaningfully with her life outside the RFA, which makes them come across as a bit self centered. I just imagine they have conversations with MC about her life that we don't see, since they've all expressed an interest in what she's doing/how she's feeling etc.
One upside to Jumin being an ass about Zen is that shutting him down is a fun bonding activity for MC and Jaehee.
Jumin offers to send a limo to take MC to Zen...if she persuades him to take the cat food ad job. My options are "what do I get" and "I could ask him about it"?? WHERE'S MY "SOD OFF JUMIN" CHOICE??
Jaehee: I worry for Zen...MC, please protect him. Many fans are watching.
Jia: Don't worry. I won't do anything to harm him.
This is all rather surreal. Nobody would care if a 22 year old Australian musical actor had a girl come over.
FLASHBACK TIME WITH ADORABLE BABY ZEN. He complains to his brother that schoolwork is hard and his teacher keeps trying to pinch his cheeks.
Zen: Everyone keeps trying to touch me, I don't like it.
Brother: They just want to be friends with you. It's because you're pretty.
Brother: She's just trying to keep you humble. But you're really pretty, Hyun, and I want you to be proud of how you look. I'll protect you no matter what, so just be yourself. Okay?
Zen hates his brother now, what happened? (Also, hello Cheritz mommy issues)
Seven: I was just talking and my phone called you. Do I have a superpower?!
MC: You too?!
Haha, my options are "The power to see through walls and clothes" and "Backward words say to power the".
Seven: IS THIS AN ALIEN LANGUAGE? I should hire you as the translator at my space wedding!
I don't feel much romantic pull towards Seven but I can see his path being fun.
The next chat is called "About Echo Girl", I wonder if she's going to see MC visiting Zen and FREAK OUT.
The chat so far is just Zen explaining the Echo Girl situation, reassuring MC he only has eyes for her, and then excitedly saying he has to go clean up before MC arrives. And then we switch to MC arriving!
Awww, he's blushing! I think he's hugging her or something?
Zen: You're really cute. I don't want to let you go.
ZEN. YOU HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER A WEEK, AND MET IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME THIRTY SECONDS AGO.
You could read it as hyperbole but he started rambling about how nice it would be to live together in an earlier phonecall, too. He's pretty lonely.
He asks if she wants to go grocery shopping because he doesn't have anything to offer her to eat or drink. This is cute!
Haaa Jumin rings to remind MC she's just there to convince Zen to do the commercial. Yeaahh....I don't think that's her first priority right now, dude.
I keep getting dialogue options to suddenly switch to taking Jumin's side and be mean to Zen, and am having trouble imagining how a consistently characterised MC could get this far into the route and then say those things. But I can't see myself ever playing the bad ends anyway, so that's not something I have to worry about!
Jumin is annoyed that MC is staying past the two hours he said she should stay (His driver is WAITING!!) and that Zen refused to get help from Jumin before "because he doesn't want to rely on connections" yet is willing to use Echo Girls' connections.
Back at Zen's house Zen says it is unlike him to accept Echo Girl's help. He can't stand "elites".
Zen: My brother is a so-called elite. He always emphasised that I have to make compromises with the world. Jumin's not like him, but he treats me in a similar way. That's why I don't like him. When we were little we were so close...but now I don't even talk to him.
Zen, blushing: You're staying for dinner, right? And you can...even stay the night!
Oooooh ;)
MC: Ok!
Zen: Don't worry, I won't do anything weird. It's just that it's getting dark and I'll get worried. And I...want you to stay here longer.
And then he cooks her dinner.
ADORABLE
Ok, I am on the Zen train.
It's funny that this flirty, romantically experienced twenty something dude is less sexually forward than the teen characters of Nameless but I'm down with it.
Haaa and then a worried Jaehee rings. TIME TO TELL HER MC IS GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH ZEN I GUESS.
Jaehee: As much as I cherish Zen in my heart, you must cherish him with your actions. May I count on you?
MC: I cherish Zen deeply too.
Me: *poly feelings intensify*
Jaehee: I am aware of that...but it's no good if our definitions of cherish don't match. Please do not advance further than being a fan. The RFA should all care for each other, and noone should get in another's way, so that we can all win. Do you understand?
Sadly there is no option to say "Sorry, but we are absolutely going to bang. Bye!" (I am fine with there being no sex in the game, I just enjoy thinking of MC as sexually uninhibited, since unlike most otome there's no inner monologue telling me otherwise)
Flashback to Zen's mother cutting his hair deliberately to be ugly. His brother says it's Zen's fault for skipping school to busk with a guitar.
Mother: I'll shave your head if this keeps up!
Zen: Brother, save me!
Brother: He used to be so well behaved...you can't do music without money or connections. I explained this to you before. I guess you're not smart enough to understand.
Zen: You...you said I had talent...
Brother: On the assumption you played as a hobby. But now your grades are dropping.
Mother: It's all because he's good looking that he hangs around with bad people. I'm going to pick you up from school from now on, to make sure you do your homework.
:(
(Also his mum wonders where he got his colouring from, he is TOTALLY a changeling or some Korean equivalent)
Zen logs into the chat and tells Seven that MC went into his room and won't say why? It's a little weird having her do unknown things offscreen like this. YOU ARE MY PUPPET, MC, NO ACQUIRING AGENCY BEHIND MY BACK.
Zen: You were probably surprised to see me living in a half-basement like this. I've been living here since highschool, I worked so hard to get it. *blush* I like that rent is cheap, but let me show you my favourite part.
He takes her out onto a...rooftop balcony (Or something?) and looks up at the stars.
Zen: Sorry to keep you out so late. But I wish I could keep you here forever.
MC: I want to stay.
Zen: Do you think I deserve to do rehearsals when my ankle is like this?
"I don't think it matters as long as it helps you" and "I trust your decision"
See this is an interesting choice, compared to all the "I support you" vs "Jumin's right, you suck".
I'm not sure what I'd have chosen if the walkthrough hadn't told me to trust his decisions, but that does feel like the right choice.
Zen talks about how he used to be close to his brother, who's ten years older than him. But when Zen got into singing in middle school, he became seen as the Troublemaker Son, including by his brother, who'd started studying to become a lawyer. Zen could handle his parents putting him down all the time, but not his brother. So he ran away.
He did all sorts of jobs to survive, including theft. But then he started acting, and met Rika. She introduced him to Jumin, but he reminded Zen of his brother, and Zen wanted to prove that he could succeed without money or connections.
Zen: I don't normally talk about myself...but it's strange, I feel like I've known you for a long time.
CUTE
MC: Hold tight and never let go.
Zen: ...oh. I'd like to. But there'll be trouble if you stay the night.
Hmm! My choices are "I want to stay the night~~~!! Right beside you!" and "What do you mean?"
FINE, game, I get the hint, I'll pick the second.
ahaha ok so he basically implies that if she stays they'll end up having sex. ("I'm a guy after all" blah blah)
oh no, I have the chance to reply "I want to stay the night with you...", which is a pretty overt "WHO SAYS SEX WOULD BE BAD??"
...gonna take it even though I am SURE I'm not supposed to. SORRY FOR WANTING TO TAKE THIS RARE CHANCE FOR AN OTOME HEROINE TO ACTIVELY SEEK SEX INSTEAD OF HAVING IT BE ALL DUBCON DOMINATION BY THE DUDE, CHERITZ
Awww he says "I'd like to, but we just met today". Fair. I probably missed the chance for an extra heart but that's not a big deal, and it didn't otherwise feel like Zen or the game were being judgy.
The moment she leaves he sends a soppy text about how much he likes her and is definitely fine with her saying "Don't send me back next time".
I started out imagining MC also being in the entertainment industry but now I kinda like the idea of her being a lawyer. Like...the good human rights sort. Comfortably off, but not rich. Super book smart. It would be an interesting contrast.
The latest guest is...a literal Egyptian mummy, who is asking MC to recommend new clothes.
*Stares at my choices of "pink bandage" and "sturdy bandage", and decides to err on the side of fabulous*
Zen's doorbell rings and he is possibly hoping for MC, but...it's Echo Girl!!
Zen: It's late, what if someone sees?
Echo: A scandal would just add to your popularity!
Me: Oooh, Jaehee would not like you.
Zen: I won't want to get more popular like that, so please go home. Why are you even here?
Echo Girl: Well ;) I'm a girl visiting you at night ;) ;)
Zen: God. Look, Echo Girl...what's your real name?
Echo Girl: Kyungji Choi. It's not sophisticated, but I we should probably use our real names now...
Zen: Kyungji...go home.
Echo Girl: But I helped get you this role! If we're together you'll get all sorts of career opportunities! MY BREASTS ARE A NATURAL D!!
Zen: I'm sorry, I already have someone I like. If you don't want to take a cab I can call your manager...
Echo Girl: You talk like Jumin! ALL THE MEN IN RFA ARE WEIRDOS.
You were doing so well on the not slut-shaming, game...
Makes me glad I took all the horny options, lol. But I do wonder how often Zen has had women try to treat him like a high class sex worker.
Zen: Did you get home safe?
Me: I will be tasteful and not take the "Yes but it's a pity we didn't have sex" option in public chat.
MC: Yes, I'm back safe.
Yoosung: lol if she'd stayed longer we could have misunderstood ;)
Zen: If she'd stayed longer I couldn't have controlled...
Yoosung: !?!?!?!?!
Zen: Never mind
Me: WELL THEN
MC: You shouldn't have controlled yourself, Zen ;)
Zen: ;D
Yoosung: lol. I'm jealous, I wish I looked like a man...
Me: Aw, Yoosung, you look like...ok you look like a 12 year old girl. But a cute one!
MC: You're attractive in your own way, Yoosung.
Zen: Am I not attractive?!
Zen, she was throwing Yoosung a pity compliment, you are 1000% hotter than him and you know it.
MC: You're blindingly attractive and you know it.
Ha, these dialogue options are coming up after I summarise my thoughts, I guess MC and me are just on the same wavelength this chat.
Zen: Grr, Jumin. I have to admit I was a bit unfair to him. There are some things I want to sort out, with him and work... And when I think I can truly protect MC, I'll do whatever it takes to make her mine.
*just barely decides YOU CAN HAVE ME RIGHT NOW would be a little too tacky*
Zen: MC, are you going to bed?
MC: You should put me to bed ;)
Zen: God. THE THINGS I AM IMAGINING.
Yoosung: BYE I AM GOING TO PLAY GAMES NOW.
...it just occurred to me that Jaehee is going to read all this later. SORRY JAEHEE. (No apologies to Jumin. And Seven will just think it's funny)
End of Day 7
I haven't checked how my choices line up with the walkthrough but feel like I'm walking a line between too self centeredly focused on Zen caring about MC over everything else, and being too cold/practical. And as far as I can tell, those extremes lead to two different bad ends, one for not getting enough points (cold), and another for getting too many bad points (needy/selfish).
Ok I checked and that seems to be about right, but the especially mean and money focussed cold answers lead to the same bad end as the needy/selfish ones. I guess that MC is like Echo Girl and only likes Zen for his body, with no respect for him as a person. I'm actually mildly curious to know what it would be like to play that MC now. Not enough to play the three whole days of doucheyness required to see a bad end, but maybe I'll load up the day 5 save and play "bad" for a chat or two.
Some of the especially forward horny choices get bad points, but "send me to bed" gets good points, and either way it won't make much difference if the rest of your choices are consistently "good"/"bad".
Anyway! It's been cute!
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