Mystic Messenger: Zen Route Days 8-11
Masterlist of links
So the romance itself continued to be cute! There was some lovely friendship stuff! And also...
Content note: Abusive/toxic family handled with middling nuance. False sexual harassment claims handled VERY BADLY INDEED.
UGH.
Randomly, sometimes the profile images and profile text don't match up very well. Example 1:
(it used to be an image of his cat)
Example 2:
(This is from a sexy musical where Zen gets tied up)
Oooh this chat opened with a Ray-is-hacking-the-app matrixy background and he says something about "you traitor".
Seven: Zen and MC found love through my app! I should turn it into a matchmaking app and become rich! But to create a matchmaking algorithm you must understand love, and I only know about my love towards God. Got bless you guys!
What is up with him and religion.
We see Seven praying.
Seven: Oh mighty Lord, ruler of the universe, of all analogue and digital information. Bless us, O Lord, with my daily Honey Buddha Chips and please prevent my hacking activities from causing major damage to others...
*error sound*
Seven: Huh? What's up with the screen?
Zen comes into chat and explains that he might end up losing the role because he turned down Echo Girl. He and MC get very shmoopy despite Yoosung's HELLO I AM STILL HERE, then for some reason Zen goes on a little tear about how handsome he is.
Jaehee: Imagining Zen's beautiful looks relieves all the stress I had from working last night.
Jaehee. His girlfriend is right there.
Jaehee: It's a pity about Echo Girl but there will alway be opportunities for talented actors who maintain their good image. I hope that Zen is always careful about his good image.
*resists urge to choose "you're not jealous are you?"*
Jaehee: I realise now that your feelings for each other are serious but why not withhold them until his career is more well established?
MC: Thank you for your concern but feelings are not so easily withheld.
Jaehee: Even if you date it will have to be in secret.
MC: You want him to be dishonest with his fans?
Jaehee: Fans only wish for "the honesty they want to hear".
MC: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN
Oh my goodness Echo Girl just showed up to confront Jumin at work! She calls him and Zen "oppa"/"big brother", which afaict is overly familiar in this context. Also, "Echo Girl" is in English.
Jumin: Do you have an appointment?
Echo Girl: I'm here to kindly let you know I am preparing a GINORMOUS revenge scheme on you RFA guys.
Jumin: ...oh.
Echo Girl: It's no use begging for forgiveness!
Jumin: I just realised, I forgot my pen. Driver Kim, let's go back to my penthouse.
Zen just said "Bonjour Mademoiselle" to MC in actual French, which amuses me given how all the Japanese otome I've played with actual French etc characters never bother and just have them use English.
ha Jumin's pen has a DIAMOND in it??
Zen apologises to Jumin for giving him the cold shoulder, saying he would have taken the modelling job if it wasn't for his cat allergy. Jumin is taken aback, but accepts the apology with moderately good grace before going back to worrying about his pen.
Zen's house:
Echo Girl: REVENGE
Zen: Are you ok? You look red, do you need some water?
Echo Girl: DON'T ASK FOR FORGIVENESS! YOU STOMPED ON MY FEELINGS SO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR MY REVENGE!!
Zen: Oh, your manager's here.
Echo Girl: Hide me D:
Seven says he found our dirt on Echo Girl during a background search he was hired to do a while back but refuses to spill the beans. Yoosung and Seven are glad to see Jumin and Zen getting along better, but Yoosung persuades Seven to send MC a photo he took of Zen miserable at the last party because Jumin brought his cat.
I love how supportive this group generally is, so much better than everyone jealously sniping all the time. There's less of that iddy EVERYONE LOVES MC MORE THAN AIR but they still all like her a lot, and it's a nice overall vibe.
Zen rings to tell MC about the Echo Girl visit, wanting their relationship to be built on honesty and trust. He asks if she has anything she wants from him, and I choose "Call me every morning" above "Don't see any other girl".
"I kiss your user icon all the time so don't change it to a guy or something weird, ok?"
Zen, you sap.
There's a chat with Zen at 4:30pm called "My family said" which I am VERY curious about. The one after that is called "It's over"...
Jumin and Jaehee agree (begrudgingly, for different reasons) that Jia has been a good influence on Zen.
Ah Jaehee I love how passive aggressive you are towards Jumin. She and MC are the only ones concerned that Echo Girl might do something genuinely bad to Zen and/or Jumin.
Four years ago:
Rika approaches Zen at the stage entrance with a bouquet of flowers.
Rika: You're still very young but your performance was extraordinary!
Zen: You really think I was good?
Rika: You were amazing! V is never wrong. I've been following you since you started two years ago. You need to be on bigger stages, I'll contact Jumin. Can I get a photo with my fiance when he gets here?
Zen: To be honest I'm a bit shy.
Now:
Zen: I'm so handsome I worry it interfere's with those around me.
Me: *really wants to take the 'you're a narcissist' option*
MC: You cleanse my life!
Zen: My family always told me I should study hard because I'm ugly.
Me and MC: Oh no :(
Zen: Then they told me I'd only be hired because of my looks, not my talent. So I wanted to prove them wrong. Sorry, this must be uncomfortable for you to hear.
MC: Thank you for telling me. You worked hard to be an actor.
Zen: Thanks. Your words always cheer me up :)
URGH. So Echo Girl has made a sexual harassment claim against Zen on tv, and also started rumours that Jumin is gay. REALLY, CHERITZ?? REALLY???
You know what, I'm feeling emotionally fragile today, and I am at like 75% completeness for the day when I only need 50%, I'm going to skip the rest of today's chats and read them tomorrow in one block.
*goes off to play something else for a while*
Mannn all this stuff about how the media is ALL TAKING HER SIDE and HOW UNFAIRLY THINGS ARE STACKED AGAINST ZEN is uh...not great. I realise MeToo hadn't happened yet, or all the recent revelations about widespread sexual mistreatment of women in the Korean entertainment industry, but this game was written by women in 2016, there's really no excuse for this sort of plot.
I don't blame the characters, since apparently they live in a world where the media is taking the girl's side and everything is stacked against the innocently accused man. But I don't live in that world, and neither do Cheritz. I mean THEY DONATED SOME OF THE MONEY FROM THIS GAME TO A WOMEN'S SHELTER OR WHATEVER. What were they thinking? This isn't like...an iddy dubcon sex scene. I don't know, maybe it is for them! Maybe it's hitting some WEIRD NARRATIVE KINK. But I am NOT A FAN.
Here's to this getting resolved soon and the conflict being about like...evil hacking cults etc. (EDIT: Siiiigh)
Until then I am going to pretend Echo Girl accused him of...idk. Being a serial killer or something.
Also it would be nice if ANYONE said or even implied "Obviously it sucks she's lying about Jumin's sexuality but it would be ok if he was gay". I was vaguely headcanoning him as bi anyway, so I shall continue to do so.
END OF DAY EIGHT I GUESS
A brief break from the gross with some reminiscences with Zen. V was the first person he'd met as handsome as himself haha. One day Zen got into a motorcycle accident and V showed up saying he'd been...following him secretly taking photos? Uh, ok then.
Looks like there's some bad ends this afternoon, so chances are everything before then will just be rehashes of the same thing. BLUHHHHH
Oh no I napped through a chat *yawn*
Jaehee, I know you mean well, but Zen is not going to give up acting.
Huh! Jumin says Zen has probably gone to his "secret place" in the mountains, which is where they first met.
On their first meeting, at Rika's request Jumin offered to invest in Zen's success in lots of ways, including paying for Zen's tuition, but Zen refused them all, saying he didn't want to go to school.
Ha! My choices are "Zen would refuse all of that ^^", "He kicked away his chances to become Cinderella" and "just do it secretly from now on".
THIS IS AN OPEN CHAT, BAD!END MC.
V rang Jumin wanting to make sure Zen was ok (and not whether Jumin was ok, which annoyed Jumin, even though...he is in fact ok)
Jumin: If even V has heard about it, I may have underestimated the situation. I will prepare materials to put a stop to all this. Of course I'll make it seem as if I'm not the one behind it.
Aw, a sweet call from Jumin saying how much MC has helped Zen and hoping she stays by his side. "Narcissism may be the result of not having the leisure to love someone else".
No, I am not picking "If bad things come out about Echo Girl her autographs won't be worth as much T_T". Looks like bad!MC sees this as a chance to steal Zen away from the world. But good MC is being optimistic and plucky.
Jaehee is happily surprised to find out that Jumin is paying for everything with his personal funds rather than the company's. "It's because V asked." *still ships it*
Jahee: Ugh, Jumin's run off and I have to run this cat food model audition.
Seven: PICK ME!!!
Jaehee: I'll be off. Don't skip lunch, MC *leaves*
Seven: What about me T_T
MC: Don't skip lunch, Seven.
Seven: Thanks. But I'm not kidding lol. If I take off my glasses...I actually don't look that bad!!
MC: ooh, I want to see.
Seven: heehee
We see Jumin approach Zen in a pretty outdoors location.
Jumin: My father just acquired a teacup company, why don't you model for them?
Zen: Are you serious?! The public hates me now.
Jumin: I'm always serious. And I don't care what the public thinks.
Zen: Because our lives are so different. I don't want to get a job for any reason other than my skill.
Jumin: I don't think we're so different. As you naturally chose musicals, I naturally chose to manage my family company. I don't regret it, and I'm sure you have no regrets about the choices you make.
I wouldn't go that far, Zen *still bitter about Jaehee path, while simultaneously kinda shipping Zen/Jumin*
Zen: Maybe I mistook your intentions because you sounded cold and calculating, you know, like a douche.
Jumin: You're the first person who's called me nice. I understand not liking me.
Jumin: My father is actually nice other than making stupid decisions because of women. When I was young, noone told me off, so I tried to be perfect if I was going to hear compliments anyway. Later I realised...my father will fire any employee who makes a mistake, but he will never abandon me. That's family. And RFA is practically my second family. Even if you do a horrible job at modelling, I won't turn my back on you.
Zen: Since when did you care so much about me?
Jumin: I trust you because V brought you in. And I know that if Rika was alive, she would have wanted me to do this too. Zen, if you think you can trust me, take my hand.
Zen: You always trash your father, but a parent who won't abandon you whatever you do...I'm jealous :)
Jumin: I don't know much about your family, but I hope everything works out.
Zen: You're worrying about me now? But RFA is basically my family too. Seven, Yoosung, Jaehee, V...and Rika. Not you, really, but if you weren't in the RFA our organisation wouldn't be complete. I always hoped to make a family, people who would stand by me...but...I already had one.
NOW KISS
Zen agrees to do the modelling job... for the cat food. "Just be understanding if there are a ton of outtakes. And don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to make money or become popular with you on my back. I'm doing it because of your effort and loyalty".
Jumin: This is the part where I should be touched. But we already hired a model for that job.
Zen: ...oh.
Jumin: Just joking, we'll hire you :)
The start talking about the Echo Girl thing, and Jumin claims not to care what anyone says about him online because he was considering coming out anyway.
(LOOK AT THEM)
Jumin: Good genes.
Zen: Then why don't I have professor genes?
Jumin: With that hair you're clearly a mutant.
OH. A MUTANT. THAT WORKS.
There's a shot of "the city", and it resembles the images I looked up for Seoul.
yaaaay Zen's fanclub is now supporting him and doubting Echo Girl's claims... That is...in no way a gross reminder of the actual behaviour of fan clubs for real life Korean musicians when they've been accused of sexual misconduct...
Ugh. Like this is an actively harmful message to be promoting, especially in Korea, given what I know of how music fandom works over there. Cheritz had a chance to actually critique the sexual mores of the music industry, and took the laziest, worst approach possible. I AM DISSAPOINTED, CHERITZ. Normally I'm more cautious critiquing how writers from a very different culture approach feminist etc themes, and I'm sure there's nuances I'm missing, but this is still just blatantly terrible.
Everyone was worried when Jumin and Zen weren't answering their calls.
Zen: Why is it so cute that I have a bunch of missed calls from Yoosung.
Jaehee apologises for being so negative and vows to support Zen.
Zen calls MC, saying that if he gets through this he'll ask her to be his girlfriend. "You don't have to answer right away. But I'd make a pretty good husband. I tell you where I am all the time, I'm good-looking, I'm nice, and I do what I'm told. I'm a workaholic, so I'll never drink with my friends through the night and come home late. Besides, I'm incredibly romantic when we're alone...!"
Zen: I'm nervous since you're not saying anything. Is this too soon?
Me: A little?
MC: That's more than a good husband for me. So, wanna grab the marriage registration form first?
Zen, a little breathless: That's fine by me! Um, you'll probably think it's too early for this too, but I've been thinking about children...
ZEN
Seven: Let's invite the God of Genesis to the party. He's a sun god who act in fantasy movies to make a living.
I was just complaining to a friend that this game is too normal/mundane for my tastes, but every now and then...
Jaehee calls MC to say nice things and invite her to hang out and watch Zen musicals with her. "In case you can't tell this is the most precious thing I can offer." Aw, Jaehee, that's kind of a weird thing to say to Zen's girlfriend but still sweet (also Jaehee's voice still makes me swoon)
My options are "Thank you. Let's do that" and... "I want your glasses"?? I...am curious, but no, let's not. Aw, "I want you to know I'm no longer skeptical of your relationship with Zen".
Awwwwwwww Zen talks about how RFA is like family to him.
Zen: For the first time I realise there are people who will worry about me when I'm sick, comfort me when I'm sad, and love me, and trust me. Now I feel confident that if I reach out to my family our relationship will be better than pretending we don't exist in each other's lives. I want to connect with my roots. Even if things go wrong, I know you and the RFA will be there for me.
The real family was the friends we made along the way ;_; As plots about people being encouraged to reconnect with estranged, toxic family go, this hasn't been too bad.
We see Zen on the phone with Jumin discussing some press conference, and then grumpily trying to get out of wearing cat ears for the commercial haha.
And then Zen gathers up his courage, and picks up his phone again.
Zen: Hi, it's me, Hyun. How are you, and mum and dad? Sorry it's been a while since we spoke...
The next chat is called "Zen's press conference" and I hope SO HARD it is the end of this Echo Girl business, much of which I have been glossing over because uuurgh.
So! The chat is just Jaehee telling MC that the press conference is going to happen. I mean it is 11pm, that would be a weird time to hold it.
Story mode! I'm there wondering if it'll be the press conference or something related...and it's Mint Eye headquarters?!
???: I will torture them until they are ruined, and then once we start being nice to them again, they will recognise happiness. Then finally...we'll have the party of paradise. Just a you predicted, saviour. I will disable the security system and bring her here to Magenta, our paradise, and then the others will follow.
We shift to Rika's apartment.
Notification: The security system has been reset. Restarting...
Zen rings MC complaining that Jumin wants him to wear cat ears and say "Meow- be my owner!". KINKY.
MC: I'd like to see you meow ;)
Zen: I can't do it on tv, but I'll do it just for you ;)
End of Day 9!
Jumin: I've never hit on or dated a man, so why are there rumours I'm gay?
Zen: Because you treat women like they're bricks. Meanwhile, when I'm around Jia...
Jumin: Studies show that excessive hormones cause increased aging.
*ponders whether Jumin is asexual or just messed up by having a hypersexual dad*
Zen says the call with his brother started out awkward when the brother assumed he was asking for money haha. They hadn't realised he'd become an actor. He'd always wanted them to seek him out, but they're not proactive enough to do that, and he hopes they can work things out enough for him to introduce Jia to them one day.
"I don't know if things will work out, but I'm not going to ignore their existence any more. I have to be a strong reliable man to take care of my woman. I should at least try to resolve things with my family."
...WHOA
SO WE'RE BACK AT THE APARTMENT
AND RAY IS THERE
Ray: Shh, if you scream I'll have to to force you to shut up. I won't hurt you. I've been ordered to bring you alive. I'm the one who brought you here so it's natural I take you back. If you stay quiet, I'll treat you like a princess. Let's go to paradise.
Zen, in his house: What was that, a dream?
PSYCHIC MUTANT POWERS ACTIVATE
He rings MC to make sure she's ok. I click the only option, "Yeah I'm ok", but don't know if she's saying that under duress /o\
I had to play the call with the sound off because it's 1am and I can't find my headphones, I'm wondering how sad Zen sounded, he seemed pretty scared.
Seven tells MC about the bomb! The way he explains it is that Rika said she'd found evidence of people trying to break into the apartment, and said she'd been stalked, so persuaded Seven it was necessary. HMMM.
Anyway, it's been hacked so MC should stay where she is so she doesn't BLOW UP.
I slept poorly thanks to a CERTAIN CAT WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS who felt the need to complain to me at length about how hungry and bored she was at 2am, so we'll see if I sleep through any chats today.
Jaehee and Zen: JIA ARE YOU OK
Me: *quietly ships*
Zen explains that sometimes when he wakes from dreams with a headache, drenched in sweat, that mean the dream is precognitive. So Jia needs to get out of the apartment before she gets kidnapped by "the man with white hair"!
Zen says he'll call V and get him to tell the address? OR ASK JIA SHE IS RIGHT THERE
Jaehee: Didn't Seven say the bomb would go off if any RFA members entered the room?
Zen: Oh...
Apparently Zen left a billion messages on Yoosung's phone making sure he's ok too? CUTE. He also rang Seven and shouted at him a bunch.
Seven asks Yoosung to come to his house to keep researching Echo Girl while Seven fixes the bomb.
Seven: I hope you can get through my security system
MC: Do you have a bomb there too?
Seven: It's a secret ;)
Yoosung: D:
Seven: Do you speak Arabic?
Yoosung: No?
Seven: Kids these days!
Seven: I have disabled the bomb! Jia can leave!
MC: Can Zen come get me?
Seven: Not until V says it's ok for me to reveal the location.
Jaehee: IS THAT REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN MC IS IN DANGER??
Jaehee <3
Zen leaves the chat in a rush then shows up at Seven's house!
Zen: TELL ME THE ADDRESS
Yoosung: Yeah, you should really tell him.
Seven: AHHHHH
Yoosung: MC! You don't have to worry any more!
MC: Why?
Yoosung: Um. It's better as a surprise.
MC: Is Zen coming?
Yoosung: OMG. UH. I DUNNO ANYTHING.
Aw, Yoosung's really happy to feel like he's helping out (...by discrediting a woman claiming sexual harassment BUT ANYWAY)
Cut to the apartment. ZEN'S DREAM IS COMING TRUE.
Ray: Shh, if you scream I'll have to to force you to shut up.
MC: What do you want?
Ray: I'm from paradise. Endless parties, overflowing love, joy without pain. Reality is ugly. I'll save you.
And then Zen arrives!!
Ray: See this switch here? If you come closer I'll press it!
And then I have the option to bite his hand >:D
MC runs to Zen and the two of them make their escape!
Zen: WTF SEVEN YOU SAID SHE'D BE SAFE!! YOU AND V ARE SO IRRESPONSIBLE!!
Seven is incredibly apologetic.
We switch to Zen's place. He offers MC tea and says he'll look after her just like she stood by him.
Jaehee rings, incredibly glad to hear that MC is safe. "Are you really ok? Since Zen is with you, I'm counting on him with your safety". Aw, look how the dynamic has changed!
Bluh bluh Yoosung found proof Echo Girl lied.
Jahee: Are you going to bed MC?
Me: It's 8pm??
MC: No, I'll stay up a little longer since Zen is up :)
Jaehee: I would have given you a lecture as usual but I don't care now as long as you two are safe :)
And then she sends a message saying "Until now, Zen was the only one I supported...but now I would like to support the love between the two of you." Awww.
Zen is clearly trying very hard not to think about having sex with MC when she just survived a kidnapping attempt (her opinion is not asked, sigh)
And then...V arrives in chat! Zen is pissed, and V apologises profusely to both of them. He didn't bring his phone when he went away because he's going blind? V'S LOGIC IS AS CLEAR AS EVER.
V: This was my last trip taking photos...I took a lot so you can use them for future parties.
Zn: What organisation that puts people's lives in danger will hold parties in the future?! You keep secrets, you only ever talk to Seven, you go away without telling us...I don't know if I can trust you any more.
V: I'll do anything, even if it costs my life.
Oh my godddd V is such a woobie. His route is going to be solid angst isn't it?
When it's just the two of them, V tells MC "please be safe and happy. And...please take good care of the RFA members."
MC: That sounds like a good bye.
V: Does it? I love everyone in the RFA. Jumin seems to be logical, but he's hiding his emotional side. Jaehee seems to be on top of everything but she's anxious inside. Yooung seems like an ordinary college student but he has fire in his heart. Luciel has a complicated life and Zen...has wounds from his family. I thought I'd be the one to heal the RFA, but that was arrogance. I think you'll be able to heal everyone. You were chosen after all.
MC: Chosen?
V: Forget what I just said. I can't help everyone with this body now, but you might be able to. If there is a god in this world somewhere, I wish he'd put me in hell and save everyone. But things aren't that simple.
My choices are "Do you think I can all clear this game" and "Do you believe in God". I chose the more meta one.
V: There's nothing you can't do. Go ahead, Hyun's waiting.
I am very dubious of Cheritz's ability to not go to a gross place with V's blindness and emotional issues. That'll be a fun journey for future me.
Back at Zen's house, he is happily watching MC eat the dinner he cooked and making sure she's ok. He asks her to stay here from now on. "Things must have been difficult for you before now. I'll work enough to make a living for the two of us, so don't worry."
Wait, MC was canonically kinda homeless?? Well, I say this one isn't, dammit! In my head she eventually explains that she does in fact earn plenty of money and he gets a little embarrassed but it's fine.
He talks about how much her words have helped him, and how important she is to him, and then pulls her into a hug.
Zen: I love you. Do you share my feelings?
MC: I...Zen...
They kiss. Aw!
And now Zen's profile is an image of MC, and his usericon is the two of them together. SUCH A SAP.
...wait, they are totally lying in bed together in that profile image haha. HMM WONDER WHAT THEY GOT UP TO ALONE IN THAT HOUSE AFTER DINNER.
The vagueness of MC's face in these CGs is a bit off-putting. Since she has a canon hair etc anyway I'd rather they drew more details in. But I know some players prefer vagueness for self insert purposes.
V pov, looking up at the stars. "If I have to give up my life to protect you all, I will gladly do so. My love, at least I am coming for you."
End of Day 10
So when is the press conference? There's only two scenes left, including the party! Is it AT the party?!
MC: Zenny <3 <3
Zen: I'm here baby <3 <3
Jumin: I'm against a single man and woman living together
Me: *has heard spoilers for his path that make me side eye this significantly*
Jaehee: I agree...but I don't think we have a right to say anything as we did not save Jia.
Is that really still a big deal in Korea? Wow.
Jaehee: I'm glad to see MC doing so well
MC: Zenny...gave me a lot of love, so I'm good.
Yoosung: OMG. Like in movies when the couple goes through a crisis and spends the night together *blush emoji*
Jumin: I'm against living together before marriage.
Zen: Nothing happened. YET.
MC: *cough cough*
Jumin: I need wine.
Your dad really did a number on your sexuality, didn't he, Jumin...
It's kind of surreal seeing brunette!MC in Zen's icon and blonde!MC in her icon.
Zen keeps ringing MC to say sappy things every time he pops out to get dry cleaning etc, it's cute.
GOOD ENDING:
I keep thinking "Ok, so if it's noon in Korea, there's a one hour time difference, so..."
Zen: Your short skirt is so sexy...if I see any guys giving you the look, I'll bite their heads off!
MC: No violence.
Zen: So to maintain peace all you have to do is stay beside me ;)
Blech. I had to spend the whole route being good natured about other women being into Zen but he gets to be possessive?
OH YAY ANGRY STRAW FEMINISTS. THANKS CHERITZ.
Time to distract myself by listening for honorifics!
Jaehee uses "ssi" for Zen and Yoosung, which is a polite way to refer to a peer, and not as respectful as the "nim" she uses for MC ("tang-zan-nim"?) and V (V-nim). Zen calls her something that sounds like "Jee-shi", is that her calling her Miss Jae? Or a weird pronunciation of Jaehee? He's definitely not saying her surname "Kang". He uses "a" for Yoosung which is an informal way to refer to a peer, and is now calling MC something like "jogi-ya".
Yoosung used something like...Jumin-jung, Zen-yo, and Seven-yo? Wikipedia doesn't have those, unless I'm mishearing.
Omg I am pretty sure Jumin called MC "Lady" in English. THAT'S A BIT WEIRD JUMIN. And he said something like V-nun and Seven-ee. SO. MANY. HONORIFICS.
Yoosung is so tiny! Stop being jealous of him Zen, he wasn't like that when he dated MC.
Uuuurgh they "prove" Echo Girl wasn't sexually harassed by Zen by showing evidence she's been talking about wanting to sleep with him since highschool. That does contradict the details of her story but is still SO GROSS as proof an older famous actor didn't harass a younger fan. SO GROSS URGH.
Anyway, Zen talks about his feeling about acting and wanting to present his honest self to the world, and tells everyone he's dating MC.
Zen: I wanted to tell the world that you're mine. I love you.
THE END
YES, CHERITZ, I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR YOU SENDING MONEY TO A WOMEN'S SHELTER.
Normal Ending:
Oh, interesting, some of the guests I mostly screwed up showed up to this party and not the previous one. Luckily not enough to tip me over into a passing grade!
Ha, it's a lot less crowded with reporters and guests which makes Zen less nervous.
Zen: I thought about being completely honest, but as Jaehee said, I plan to act like a proper public figure, so don't worry. I want to make sure my career isn't affected so I can take care of you.
Ha, Jumin complains that only weirdos showed up to the party and tells MC to try harder next time. I was wondering if anyone would ever complain about the lack of guests in one of these normal endings, naturally it's Jumin.
Yoosung: We should just be glad to have the party again!
Jumin: yes, you're right.
Reporter: Do you have a girlfriend?
Zen: That is irrelevant. No comment.
Afterwards he takes MC aside.
Zen: I wanted to be honest, but I realised we don't live in a dream. The only thing we can do is choose the best options presented in reality. Then maybe we'll slowly become closer to our dreams.
He hugs MC, and we see that she's in a black dress this time!
Zen: As private as this relationship is, I'll show you how much of a turn on it is for me. You better brace yourself.
THE END
The voice actor Jang Kim was apparently voted for the role by fans? He speaks exactly like Zen and seems kind of flirty and full of himself, he seems to have just been playing himself lol. Ha! He says he even had financial troubles in his youth, and then allergies during recording. Though he suggests that Zen is an alien. Also he refers to himself as "Zen Jang", which the translator notes is Korean for "damn it", heh.
Anyway. The romance was mostly cute! The plot was awful! I am definitely taking a break from this game for a while.
I unlocked and checked the start of the Seven and Jumin story, just to make sure it worked, and it did! The first day is the same so there were no spoilers. I'm now at 49 hourglasses, so I can unlock a couple more After Endings if I want etc.
This entry was originally posted at https://alias-sqbr.dreamwidth.org/725711.html. There are
comments.
So the romance itself continued to be cute! There was some lovely friendship stuff! And also...
Content note: Abusive/toxic family handled with middling nuance. False sexual harassment claims handled VERY BADLY INDEED.
UGH.
Randomly, sometimes the profile images and profile text don't match up very well. Example 1:
(it used to be an image of his cat)
Example 2:
(This is from a sexy musical where Zen gets tied up)
Oooh this chat opened with a Ray-is-hacking-the-app matrixy background and he says something about "you traitor".
Seven: Zen and MC found love through my app! I should turn it into a matchmaking app and become rich! But to create a matchmaking algorithm you must understand love, and I only know about my love towards God. Got bless you guys!
What is up with him and religion.
We see Seven praying.
Seven: Oh mighty Lord, ruler of the universe, of all analogue and digital information. Bless us, O Lord, with my daily Honey Buddha Chips and please prevent my hacking activities from causing major damage to others...
*error sound*
Seven: Huh? What's up with the screen?
Zen comes into chat and explains that he might end up losing the role because he turned down Echo Girl. He and MC get very shmoopy despite Yoosung's HELLO I AM STILL HERE, then for some reason Zen goes on a little tear about how handsome he is.
Jaehee: Imagining Zen's beautiful looks relieves all the stress I had from working last night.
Jaehee. His girlfriend is right there.
Jaehee: It's a pity about Echo Girl but there will alway be opportunities for talented actors who maintain their good image. I hope that Zen is always careful about his good image.
*resists urge to choose "you're not jealous are you?"*
Jaehee: I realise now that your feelings for each other are serious but why not withhold them until his career is more well established?
MC: Thank you for your concern but feelings are not so easily withheld.
Jaehee: Even if you date it will have to be in secret.
MC: You want him to be dishonest with his fans?
Jaehee: Fans only wish for "the honesty they want to hear".
MC: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN
Oh my goodness Echo Girl just showed up to confront Jumin at work! She calls him and Zen "oppa"/"big brother", which afaict is overly familiar in this context. Also, "Echo Girl" is in English.
Jumin: Do you have an appointment?
Echo Girl: I'm here to kindly let you know I am preparing a GINORMOUS revenge scheme on you RFA guys.
Jumin: ...oh.
Echo Girl: It's no use begging for forgiveness!
Jumin: I just realised, I forgot my pen. Driver Kim, let's go back to my penthouse.
Zen just said "Bonjour Mademoiselle" to MC in actual French, which amuses me given how all the Japanese otome I've played with actual French etc characters never bother and just have them use English.
ha Jumin's pen has a DIAMOND in it??
Zen apologises to Jumin for giving him the cold shoulder, saying he would have taken the modelling job if it wasn't for his cat allergy. Jumin is taken aback, but accepts the apology with moderately good grace before going back to worrying about his pen.
Zen's house:
Echo Girl: REVENGE
Zen: Are you ok? You look red, do you need some water?
Echo Girl: DON'T ASK FOR FORGIVENESS! YOU STOMPED ON MY FEELINGS SO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR MY REVENGE!!
Zen: Oh, your manager's here.
Echo Girl: Hide me D:
Seven says he found our dirt on Echo Girl during a background search he was hired to do a while back but refuses to spill the beans. Yoosung and Seven are glad to see Jumin and Zen getting along better, but Yoosung persuades Seven to send MC a photo he took of Zen miserable at the last party because Jumin brought his cat.
I love how supportive this group generally is, so much better than everyone jealously sniping all the time. There's less of that iddy EVERYONE LOVES MC MORE THAN AIR but they still all like her a lot, and it's a nice overall vibe.
Zen rings to tell MC about the Echo Girl visit, wanting their relationship to be built on honesty and trust. He asks if she has anything she wants from him, and I choose "Call me every morning" above "Don't see any other girl".
"I kiss your user icon all the time so don't change it to a guy or something weird, ok?"
Zen, you sap.
There's a chat with Zen at 4:30pm called "My family said" which I am VERY curious about. The one after that is called "It's over"...
Jumin and Jaehee agree (begrudgingly, for different reasons) that Jia has been a good influence on Zen.
Ah Jaehee I love how passive aggressive you are towards Jumin. She and MC are the only ones concerned that Echo Girl might do something genuinely bad to Zen and/or Jumin.
Four years ago:
Rika approaches Zen at the stage entrance with a bouquet of flowers.
Rika: You're still very young but your performance was extraordinary!
Zen: You really think I was good?
Rika: You were amazing! V is never wrong. I've been following you since you started two years ago. You need to be on bigger stages, I'll contact Jumin. Can I get a photo with my fiance when he gets here?
Zen: To be honest I'm a bit shy.
Now:
Zen: I'm so handsome I worry it interfere's with those around me.
Me: *really wants to take the 'you're a narcissist' option*
MC: You cleanse my life!
Zen: My family always told me I should study hard because I'm ugly.
Me and MC: Oh no :(
Zen: Then they told me I'd only be hired because of my looks, not my talent. So I wanted to prove them wrong. Sorry, this must be uncomfortable for you to hear.
MC: Thank you for telling me. You worked hard to be an actor.
Zen: Thanks. Your words always cheer me up :)
URGH. So Echo Girl has made a sexual harassment claim against Zen on tv, and also started rumours that Jumin is gay. REALLY, CHERITZ?? REALLY???
You know what, I'm feeling emotionally fragile today, and I am at like 75% completeness for the day when I only need 50%, I'm going to skip the rest of today's chats and read them tomorrow in one block.
*goes off to play something else for a while*
Mannn all this stuff about how the media is ALL TAKING HER SIDE and HOW UNFAIRLY THINGS ARE STACKED AGAINST ZEN is uh...not great. I realise MeToo hadn't happened yet, or all the recent revelations about widespread sexual mistreatment of women in the Korean entertainment industry, but this game was written by women in 2016, there's really no excuse for this sort of plot.
I don't blame the characters, since apparently they live in a world where the media is taking the girl's side and everything is stacked against the innocently accused man. But I don't live in that world, and neither do Cheritz. I mean THEY DONATED SOME OF THE MONEY FROM THIS GAME TO A WOMEN'S SHELTER OR WHATEVER. What were they thinking? This isn't like...an iddy dubcon sex scene. I don't know, maybe it is for them! Maybe it's hitting some WEIRD NARRATIVE KINK. But I am NOT A FAN.
Here's to this getting resolved soon and the conflict being about like...evil hacking cults etc. (EDIT: Siiiigh)
Until then I am going to pretend Echo Girl accused him of...idk. Being a serial killer or something.
Also it would be nice if ANYONE said or even implied "Obviously it sucks she's lying about Jumin's sexuality but it would be ok if he was gay". I was vaguely headcanoning him as bi anyway, so I shall continue to do so.
END OF DAY EIGHT I GUESS
A brief break from the gross with some reminiscences with Zen. V was the first person he'd met as handsome as himself haha. One day Zen got into a motorcycle accident and V showed up saying he'd been...following him secretly taking photos? Uh, ok then.
Looks like there's some bad ends this afternoon, so chances are everything before then will just be rehashes of the same thing. BLUHHHHH
Oh no I napped through a chat *yawn*
Jaehee, I know you mean well, but Zen is not going to give up acting.
Huh! Jumin says Zen has probably gone to his "secret place" in the mountains, which is where they first met.
On their first meeting, at Rika's request Jumin offered to invest in Zen's success in lots of ways, including paying for Zen's tuition, but Zen refused them all, saying he didn't want to go to school.
Ha! My choices are "Zen would refuse all of that ^^", "He kicked away his chances to become Cinderella" and "just do it secretly from now on".
THIS IS AN OPEN CHAT, BAD!END MC.
V rang Jumin wanting to make sure Zen was ok (and not whether Jumin was ok, which annoyed Jumin, even though...he is in fact ok)
Jumin: If even V has heard about it, I may have underestimated the situation. I will prepare materials to put a stop to all this. Of course I'll make it seem as if I'm not the one behind it.
Aw, a sweet call from Jumin saying how much MC has helped Zen and hoping she stays by his side. "Narcissism may be the result of not having the leisure to love someone else".
No, I am not picking "If bad things come out about Echo Girl her autographs won't be worth as much T_T". Looks like bad!MC sees this as a chance to steal Zen away from the world. But good MC is being optimistic and plucky.
Jaehee is happily surprised to find out that Jumin is paying for everything with his personal funds rather than the company's. "It's because V asked." *still ships it*
Jahee: Ugh, Jumin's run off and I have to run this cat food model audition.
Seven: PICK ME!!!
Jaehee: I'll be off. Don't skip lunch, MC *leaves*
Seven: What about me T_T
MC: Don't skip lunch, Seven.
Seven: Thanks. But I'm not kidding lol. If I take off my glasses...I actually don't look that bad!!
MC: ooh, I want to see.
Seven: heehee
We see Jumin approach Zen in a pretty outdoors location.
Jumin: My father just acquired a teacup company, why don't you model for them?
Zen: Are you serious?! The public hates me now.
Jumin: I'm always serious. And I don't care what the public thinks.
Zen: Because our lives are so different. I don't want to get a job for any reason other than my skill.
Jumin: I don't think we're so different. As you naturally chose musicals, I naturally chose to manage my family company. I don't regret it, and I'm sure you have no regrets about the choices you make.
I wouldn't go that far, Zen *still bitter about Jaehee path, while simultaneously kinda shipping Zen/Jumin*
Zen: Maybe I mistook your intentions because you sounded cold and calculating, you know, like a douche.
Jumin: You're the first person who's called me nice. I understand not liking me.
Jumin: My father is actually nice other than making stupid decisions because of women. When I was young, noone told me off, so I tried to be perfect if I was going to hear compliments anyway. Later I realised...my father will fire any employee who makes a mistake, but he will never abandon me. That's family. And RFA is practically my second family. Even if you do a horrible job at modelling, I won't turn my back on you.
Zen: Since when did you care so much about me?
Jumin: I trust you because V brought you in. And I know that if Rika was alive, she would have wanted me to do this too. Zen, if you think you can trust me, take my hand.
Zen: You always trash your father, but a parent who won't abandon you whatever you do...I'm jealous :)
Jumin: I don't know much about your family, but I hope everything works out.
Zen: You're worrying about me now? But RFA is basically my family too. Seven, Yoosung, Jaehee, V...and Rika. Not you, really, but if you weren't in the RFA our organisation wouldn't be complete. I always hoped to make a family, people who would stand by me...but...I already had one.
NOW KISS
Zen agrees to do the modelling job... for the cat food. "Just be understanding if there are a ton of outtakes. And don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to make money or become popular with you on my back. I'm doing it because of your effort and loyalty".
Jumin: This is the part where I should be touched. But we already hired a model for that job.
Zen: ...oh.
Jumin: Just joking, we'll hire you :)
The start talking about the Echo Girl thing, and Jumin claims not to care what anyone says about him online because he was considering coming out anyway.
(LOOK AT THEM)
Jumin: Good genes.
Zen: Then why don't I have professor genes?
Jumin: With that hair you're clearly a mutant.
OH. A MUTANT. THAT WORKS.
There's a shot of "the city", and it resembles the images I looked up for Seoul.
yaaaay Zen's fanclub is now supporting him and doubting Echo Girl's claims... That is...in no way a gross reminder of the actual behaviour of fan clubs for real life Korean musicians when they've been accused of sexual misconduct...
Ugh. Like this is an actively harmful message to be promoting, especially in Korea, given what I know of how music fandom works over there. Cheritz had a chance to actually critique the sexual mores of the music industry, and took the laziest, worst approach possible. I AM DISSAPOINTED, CHERITZ. Normally I'm more cautious critiquing how writers from a very different culture approach feminist etc themes, and I'm sure there's nuances I'm missing, but this is still just blatantly terrible.
Everyone was worried when Jumin and Zen weren't answering their calls.
Zen: Why is it so cute that I have a bunch of missed calls from Yoosung.
Jaehee apologises for being so negative and vows to support Zen.
Zen calls MC, saying that if he gets through this he'll ask her to be his girlfriend. "You don't have to answer right away. But I'd make a pretty good husband. I tell you where I am all the time, I'm good-looking, I'm nice, and I do what I'm told. I'm a workaholic, so I'll never drink with my friends through the night and come home late. Besides, I'm incredibly romantic when we're alone...!"
Zen: I'm nervous since you're not saying anything. Is this too soon?
Me: A little?
MC: That's more than a good husband for me. So, wanna grab the marriage registration form first?
Zen, a little breathless: That's fine by me! Um, you'll probably think it's too early for this too, but I've been thinking about children...
ZEN
Seven: Let's invite the God of Genesis to the party. He's a sun god who act in fantasy movies to make a living.
I was just complaining to a friend that this game is too normal/mundane for my tastes, but every now and then...
Jaehee calls MC to say nice things and invite her to hang out and watch Zen musicals with her. "In case you can't tell this is the most precious thing I can offer." Aw, Jaehee, that's kind of a weird thing to say to Zen's girlfriend but still sweet (also Jaehee's voice still makes me swoon)
My options are "Thank you. Let's do that" and... "I want your glasses"?? I...am curious, but no, let's not. Aw, "I want you to know I'm no longer skeptical of your relationship with Zen".
Awwwwwwww Zen talks about how RFA is like family to him.
Zen: For the first time I realise there are people who will worry about me when I'm sick, comfort me when I'm sad, and love me, and trust me. Now I feel confident that if I reach out to my family our relationship will be better than pretending we don't exist in each other's lives. I want to connect with my roots. Even if things go wrong, I know you and the RFA will be there for me.
The real family was the friends we made along the way ;_; As plots about people being encouraged to reconnect with estranged, toxic family go, this hasn't been too bad.
We see Zen on the phone with Jumin discussing some press conference, and then grumpily trying to get out of wearing cat ears for the commercial haha.
And then Zen gathers up his courage, and picks up his phone again.
Zen: Hi, it's me, Hyun. How are you, and mum and dad? Sorry it's been a while since we spoke...
The next chat is called "Zen's press conference" and I hope SO HARD it is the end of this Echo Girl business, much of which I have been glossing over because uuurgh.
So! The chat is just Jaehee telling MC that the press conference is going to happen. I mean it is 11pm, that would be a weird time to hold it.
Story mode! I'm there wondering if it'll be the press conference or something related...and it's Mint Eye headquarters?!
???: I will torture them until they are ruined, and then once we start being nice to them again, they will recognise happiness. Then finally...we'll have the party of paradise. Just a you predicted, saviour. I will disable the security system and bring her here to Magenta, our paradise, and then the others will follow.
We shift to Rika's apartment.
Notification: The security system has been reset. Restarting...
Zen rings MC complaining that Jumin wants him to wear cat ears and say "Meow- be my owner!". KINKY.
MC: I'd like to see you meow ;)
Zen: I can't do it on tv, but I'll do it just for you ;)
End of Day 9!
Jumin: I've never hit on or dated a man, so why are there rumours I'm gay?
Zen: Because you treat women like they're bricks. Meanwhile, when I'm around Jia...
Jumin: Studies show that excessive hormones cause increased aging.
*ponders whether Jumin is asexual or just messed up by having a hypersexual dad*
Zen says the call with his brother started out awkward when the brother assumed he was asking for money haha. They hadn't realised he'd become an actor. He'd always wanted them to seek him out, but they're not proactive enough to do that, and he hopes they can work things out enough for him to introduce Jia to them one day.
"I don't know if things will work out, but I'm not going to ignore their existence any more. I have to be a strong reliable man to take care of my woman. I should at least try to resolve things with my family."
...WHOA
SO WE'RE BACK AT THE APARTMENT
AND RAY IS THERE
Ray: Shh, if you scream I'll have to to force you to shut up. I won't hurt you. I've been ordered to bring you alive. I'm the one who brought you here so it's natural I take you back. If you stay quiet, I'll treat you like a princess. Let's go to paradise.
Zen, in his house: What was that, a dream?
PSYCHIC MUTANT POWERS ACTIVATE
He rings MC to make sure she's ok. I click the only option, "Yeah I'm ok", but don't know if she's saying that under duress /o\
I had to play the call with the sound off because it's 1am and I can't find my headphones, I'm wondering how sad Zen sounded, he seemed pretty scared.
Seven tells MC about the bomb! The way he explains it is that Rika said she'd found evidence of people trying to break into the apartment, and said she'd been stalked, so persuaded Seven it was necessary. HMMM.
Anyway, it's been hacked so MC should stay where she is so she doesn't BLOW UP.
I slept poorly thanks to a CERTAIN CAT WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS who felt the need to complain to me at length about how hungry and bored she was at 2am, so we'll see if I sleep through any chats today.
Jaehee and Zen: JIA ARE YOU OK
Me: *quietly ships*
Zen explains that sometimes when he wakes from dreams with a headache, drenched in sweat, that mean the dream is precognitive. So Jia needs to get out of the apartment before she gets kidnapped by "the man with white hair"!
Zen says he'll call V and get him to tell the address? OR ASK JIA SHE IS RIGHT THERE
Jaehee: Didn't Seven say the bomb would go off if any RFA members entered the room?
Zen: Oh...
Apparently Zen left a billion messages on Yoosung's phone making sure he's ok too? CUTE. He also rang Seven and shouted at him a bunch.
Seven asks Yoosung to come to his house to keep researching Echo Girl while Seven fixes the bomb.
Seven: I hope you can get through my security system
MC: Do you have a bomb there too?
Seven: It's a secret ;)
Yoosung: D:
Seven: Do you speak Arabic?
Yoosung: No?
Seven: Kids these days!
Seven: I have disabled the bomb! Jia can leave!
MC: Can Zen come get me?
Seven: Not until V says it's ok for me to reveal the location.
Jaehee: IS THAT REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN MC IS IN DANGER??
Jaehee <3
Zen leaves the chat in a rush then shows up at Seven's house!
Zen: TELL ME THE ADDRESS
Yoosung: Yeah, you should really tell him.
Seven: AHHHHH
Yoosung: MC! You don't have to worry any more!
MC: Why?
Yoosung: Um. It's better as a surprise.
MC: Is Zen coming?
Yoosung: OMG. UH. I DUNNO ANYTHING.
Aw, Yoosung's really happy to feel like he's helping out (...by discrediting a woman claiming sexual harassment BUT ANYWAY)
Cut to the apartment. ZEN'S DREAM IS COMING TRUE.
Ray: Shh, if you scream I'll have to to force you to shut up.
MC: What do you want?
Ray: I'm from paradise. Endless parties, overflowing love, joy without pain. Reality is ugly. I'll save you.
And then Zen arrives!!
Ray: See this switch here? If you come closer I'll press it!
And then I have the option to bite his hand >:D
MC runs to Zen and the two of them make their escape!
Zen: WTF SEVEN YOU SAID SHE'D BE SAFE!! YOU AND V ARE SO IRRESPONSIBLE!!
Seven is incredibly apologetic.
We switch to Zen's place. He offers MC tea and says he'll look after her just like she stood by him.
Jaehee rings, incredibly glad to hear that MC is safe. "Are you really ok? Since Zen is with you, I'm counting on him with your safety". Aw, look how the dynamic has changed!
Bluh bluh Yoosung found proof Echo Girl lied.
Jahee: Are you going to bed MC?
Me: It's 8pm??
MC: No, I'll stay up a little longer since Zen is up :)
Jaehee: I would have given you a lecture as usual but I don't care now as long as you two are safe :)
And then she sends a message saying "Until now, Zen was the only one I supported...but now I would like to support the love between the two of you." Awww.
Zen is clearly trying very hard not to think about having sex with MC when she just survived a kidnapping attempt (her opinion is not asked, sigh)
And then...V arrives in chat! Zen is pissed, and V apologises profusely to both of them. He didn't bring his phone when he went away because he's going blind? V'S LOGIC IS AS CLEAR AS EVER.
V: This was my last trip taking photos...I took a lot so you can use them for future parties.
Zn: What organisation that puts people's lives in danger will hold parties in the future?! You keep secrets, you only ever talk to Seven, you go away without telling us...I don't know if I can trust you any more.
V: I'll do anything, even if it costs my life.
Oh my godddd V is such a woobie. His route is going to be solid angst isn't it?
When it's just the two of them, V tells MC "please be safe and happy. And...please take good care of the RFA members."
MC: That sounds like a good bye.
V: Does it? I love everyone in the RFA. Jumin seems to be logical, but he's hiding his emotional side. Jaehee seems to be on top of everything but she's anxious inside. Yooung seems like an ordinary college student but he has fire in his heart. Luciel has a complicated life and Zen...has wounds from his family. I thought I'd be the one to heal the RFA, but that was arrogance. I think you'll be able to heal everyone. You were chosen after all.
MC: Chosen?
V: Forget what I just said. I can't help everyone with this body now, but you might be able to. If there is a god in this world somewhere, I wish he'd put me in hell and save everyone. But things aren't that simple.
My choices are "Do you think I can all clear this game" and "Do you believe in God". I chose the more meta one.
V: There's nothing you can't do. Go ahead, Hyun's waiting.
I am very dubious of Cheritz's ability to not go to a gross place with V's blindness and emotional issues. That'll be a fun journey for future me.
Back at Zen's house, he is happily watching MC eat the dinner he cooked and making sure she's ok. He asks her to stay here from now on. "Things must have been difficult for you before now. I'll work enough to make a living for the two of us, so don't worry."
Wait, MC was canonically kinda homeless?? Well, I say this one isn't, dammit! In my head she eventually explains that she does in fact earn plenty of money and he gets a little embarrassed but it's fine.
He talks about how much her words have helped him, and how important she is to him, and then pulls her into a hug.
Zen: I love you. Do you share my feelings?
MC: I...Zen...
They kiss. Aw!
And now Zen's profile is an image of MC, and his usericon is the two of them together. SUCH A SAP.
...wait, they are totally lying in bed together in that profile image haha. HMM WONDER WHAT THEY GOT UP TO ALONE IN THAT HOUSE AFTER DINNER.
The vagueness of MC's face in these CGs is a bit off-putting. Since she has a canon hair etc anyway I'd rather they drew more details in. But I know some players prefer vagueness for self insert purposes.
V pov, looking up at the stars. "If I have to give up my life to protect you all, I will gladly do so. My love, at least I am coming for you."
End of Day 10
So when is the press conference? There's only two scenes left, including the party! Is it AT the party?!
MC: Zenny <3 <3
Zen: I'm here baby <3 <3
Jumin: I'm against a single man and woman living together
Me: *has heard spoilers for his path that make me side eye this significantly*
Jaehee: I agree...but I don't think we have a right to say anything as we did not save Jia.
Is that really still a big deal in Korea? Wow.
Jaehee: I'm glad to see MC doing so well
MC: Zenny...gave me a lot of love, so I'm good.
Yoosung: OMG. Like in movies when the couple goes through a crisis and spends the night together *blush emoji*
Jumin: I'm against living together before marriage.
Zen: Nothing happened. YET.
MC: *cough cough*
Jumin: I need wine.
Your dad really did a number on your sexuality, didn't he, Jumin...
It's kind of surreal seeing brunette!MC in Zen's icon and blonde!MC in her icon.
Zen keeps ringing MC to say sappy things every time he pops out to get dry cleaning etc, it's cute.
GOOD ENDING:
I keep thinking "Ok, so if it's noon in Korea, there's a one hour time difference, so..."
Zen: Your short skirt is so sexy...if I see any guys giving you the look, I'll bite their heads off!
MC: No violence.
Zen: So to maintain peace all you have to do is stay beside me ;)
Blech. I had to spend the whole route being good natured about other women being into Zen but he gets to be possessive?
OH YAY ANGRY STRAW FEMINISTS. THANKS CHERITZ.
Time to distract myself by listening for honorifics!
Jaehee uses "ssi" for Zen and Yoosung, which is a polite way to refer to a peer, and not as respectful as the "nim" she uses for MC ("tang-zan-nim"?) and V (V-nim). Zen calls her something that sounds like "Jee-shi", is that her calling her Miss Jae? Or a weird pronunciation of Jaehee? He's definitely not saying her surname "Kang". He uses "a" for Yoosung which is an informal way to refer to a peer, and is now calling MC something like "jogi-ya".
Yoosung used something like...Jumin-jung, Zen-yo, and Seven-yo? Wikipedia doesn't have those, unless I'm mishearing.
Omg I am pretty sure Jumin called MC "Lady" in English. THAT'S A BIT WEIRD JUMIN. And he said something like V-nun and Seven-ee. SO. MANY. HONORIFICS.
Yoosung is so tiny! Stop being jealous of him Zen, he wasn't like that when he dated MC.
Uuuurgh they "prove" Echo Girl wasn't sexually harassed by Zen by showing evidence she's been talking about wanting to sleep with him since highschool. That does contradict the details of her story but is still SO GROSS as proof an older famous actor didn't harass a younger fan. SO GROSS URGH.
Anyway, Zen talks about his feeling about acting and wanting to present his honest self to the world, and tells everyone he's dating MC.
Zen: I wanted to tell the world that you're mine. I love you.
THE END
YES, CHERITZ, I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR YOU SENDING MONEY TO A WOMEN'S SHELTER.
Normal Ending:
Oh, interesting, some of the guests I mostly screwed up showed up to this party and not the previous one. Luckily not enough to tip me over into a passing grade!
Ha, it's a lot less crowded with reporters and guests which makes Zen less nervous.
Zen: I thought about being completely honest, but as Jaehee said, I plan to act like a proper public figure, so don't worry. I want to make sure my career isn't affected so I can take care of you.
Ha, Jumin complains that only weirdos showed up to the party and tells MC to try harder next time. I was wondering if anyone would ever complain about the lack of guests in one of these normal endings, naturally it's Jumin.
Yoosung: We should just be glad to have the party again!
Jumin: yes, you're right.
Reporter: Do you have a girlfriend?
Zen: That is irrelevant. No comment.
Afterwards he takes MC aside.
Zen: I wanted to be honest, but I realised we don't live in a dream. The only thing we can do is choose the best options presented in reality. Then maybe we'll slowly become closer to our dreams.
He hugs MC, and we see that she's in a black dress this time!
Zen: As private as this relationship is, I'll show you how much of a turn on it is for me. You better brace yourself.
THE END
The voice actor Jang Kim was apparently voted for the role by fans? He speaks exactly like Zen and seems kind of flirty and full of himself, he seems to have just been playing himself lol. Ha! He says he even had financial troubles in his youth, and then allergies during recording. Though he suggests that Zen is an alien. Also he refers to himself as "Zen Jang", which the translator notes is Korean for "damn it", heh.
Anyway. The romance was mostly cute! The plot was awful! I am definitely taking a break from this game for a while.
I unlocked and checked the start of the Seven and Jumin story, just to make sure it worked, and it did! The first day is the same so there were no spoilers. I'm now at 49 hourglasses, so I can unlock a couple more After Endings if I want etc.
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