It's Me... Leave a Message (II)

At the subway exit of Lumina Square, a familiar figure comes into view.
Ellen, looking troubled, is surrounded by several young girls...

Ruby: Ellen!! Is that Ellen...?!

Ellen: Sorry, you got the wrong person. My name is... uh, Butler.

Ruby: You're obviously Ellen! Your tail is one of a kind!

Monna: Ellen... why are you wearing a maid outfit here? Did something happen?

Ellen: I just wore this to help promote the store I work at.

Lynn: Ellen, where exactly do you work?

Ellen: It's just an ordinary video store.

Ellen: I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd keep asking questions.

(Idle)

Ellen: I really work at a video store...

Monna: Ellen, does the place you work at have a valid business license?

Lynn: Is this elaborate uniform really just a temporary promotional outfit?

Ruby: The video store owner isn't some weird guy in his forties or fifties, right...?

An Indecent Video Store

(Talk to Ellen)

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "An Indecent Video Store"

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Video Summary: Having the staff wearing maid outfits for store promotions seems... reasonable, right?

Story Description: You explain to Ellen's friends that she is in a maid dress to work as a promoter for the video store. Hearing this, her friends are eager to help her promote the store...

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Ellen: Well, this is the boss at the video store where I work part-time.

Sorry. What's happening?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍What happened?^{[Note 1]}What happened?^{[Note 1]}Text for Wise / What's going on?What's going on?Text for Belle‍)

Ellen: They didn't believe I actually worked at a video store.

Monna: Um... it's nice to meet you. We ran into Ellen and saw her wearing a maid outfit. She said this was the dress code at the video store where she works part-time, so we were a little worried...

Ruby: Exactly! No decent video store would require its employees to wear maid outfits!

Uhhh...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Eh... sorry... but this really is a video store.Eh... sorry... but this really is a video store.Text for Wise / Sorry for not being a decent video store I guess...Sorry for not being a decent video store I guess...Text for Belle‍)

Ruby: Wait, don't tell me you're one of those video stores?

No!

This is a decent video store!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍This is just for store promotion! Wearing something cute makes it easier to hand out flyers, right?This is just for store promotion! Wearing something cute makes it easier to hand out flyers, right?Text for Wise / We only asked Ellen to wear something cute while handing out pamphlets to promote the store!We only asked Ellen to wear something cute while handing out pamphlets to promote the store!Text for Belle‍)

Lynn: So to you, "cute" means maid outfit, huh?

Lynn: Ah, I understand now.

Monna: I never would have guessed. You...

Monna: Eh... um.

Ruby: Uhhh...

Ellen: Ahem.

Ellen: Stop teasing the manager. I've worked here for a long time. I'm only dressed like this today to help promote the store.

Ellen: If you guys hadn't gotten in the way, I'd be done and back home by now.

Lynn: You? Doing promotion? You hardly even speak up when ordering lunch.

Lynn: You don't like crowded places either. Are you sure this is the job for you?

Ellen: Hey, you know, my manager is standing right there...

I'm already used to Ellen's personality...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Um... Ellen just needs time to warm up to strangers, but she takes her work very seriously.Um... Ellen just needs time to warm up to strangers, but she takes her work very seriously.Text for Wise / I know what Ellen's like. I just thought that any publicity would help, so I asked Ellen to dress up cute. That way, she would be able to hand out more pamphlets even if she doesn't talk much!I know what Ellen's like. I just thought that any publicity would help, so I asked Ellen to dress up cute. That way, she would be able to hand out more pamphlets even if she doesn't talk much!Text for Belle‍)

Monna: It does seem that we've misunderstood you...

Monna: We even took her away from work. Sorry.

Ruby: To make up for it, we'll help you out. I've done a job like this before, except I didn't have to wear a maid outfit...

Please stop fixating on the maid outfit...

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Um... let's stop talking about maid outfits... But it would be great if you could help out since you're all familiar with the area.Um... let's stop talking about maid outfits... But it would be great if you could help out since you're all familiar with the area.Text for Wise / Please, no more about the maid outfit... But... I'd be absolutely delighted if you girls would help promote the store!Please, no more about the maid outfit... But... I'd be absolutely delighted if you girls would help promote the store!Text for Belle‍)

Monna: Come to think of it... this is a popular shopping area, so handing out flyers would be a breeze.

Monna: In fact... this teamilk store we like is doing a promotion.^{[Note 2]} Ruby? Hey, slow down!

(After the cutscene)

Ellen: Phew... Thanks for saving me.

Ellen: I did a commission earlier, and I haven't had the chance to change.

Ellen: I didn't expect to run into them at Lumina Square.

Ellen: They would still be bickering if you didn't show up.

Ellen: Anyway, thanks, I'll treat you to a drink later.

(Idle, by the road)

Bystander 1: Look, look! That's the school I mentioned last time. Their uniforms are so cute!

(Idle, next to the teamilk store)

Monna: Miss Clerk! Miss Clerk! Are you alright?!

Lynn: Ruby, please don't lean on the clerk...

Ruby: Miss Clerk smells so sweet... like full-sugar teamilk... Let me have another sniff...

Coco: So embarrassing... I just want to run away, just want to escape...

(Interact with Ruby)

Ellen rescued Coco from Ruby, and then Ellen asked Coco...

Ellen: Can we put up some flyers here?

Coco: F-F-Flyers?! T-t-to help me?

Ellen: Uh... I meant putting up the flyers for the Random Play video store here.

Ellen: In return, we'll promote your teamilk store at school.

Coco: N-n-n-no, thank you!

Coco: I mean, you can put up flyers here, but you don't need to promote my teamilk store for now...

Coco: You've already helped me so much before... I have nothing to give in return...

Ellen: Huh...

Coco: Mmm... I'm already very grateful! You've recommended so many people before.

Coco: Just give me the video store flyers. I'll put them in a prominent place.

Ellen: Thanks.

Ruby: I can't stay here for another second, or I'll end up buying a full-sugar teamilk again!

Ruby: Ellen, the store I go to is also great for promoting stuff, and there's a lot of foot traffic!

Ruby: Anyway, I'm leaving first. Hurry and catch up!

(After the cutscene)

Ellen: Don't worry about it... Ruby's just a bit of a hothead.

Ellen: She often goes to the convenience store near the metro station.

Ellen: Ruby loves to buy all sorts of snacks.

Ellen: But Ruby frequently loses bets to Lynn, and Lynn takes all her snacks.

Ellen: Although normally, Monna would reprimand her for this sort of thing.

Ellen: They can be a bit difficult to deal with, but... they're all good people.

Ellen: Don't mind what they say, Proxy.

Ellen: They don't mean it.

(Idle)

Lynn: It's "thank you for your patronage"...

Monna: Stop provoking her, Lynn.

Ruby: Ahhh... I missed again!

(Interact with Ruby)

Under Ruby's encouragement, Ellen also bought a bottle of the new drink. When she opened the cap, she discovered—

Ellen: Ah... I won a free drink.

Ruby: Why is this happening?! Is my luck really this bad... I've been buying it for a whole month already...

Ellen: Uh... You haven't won a single one? It's hard to imagine...

Ruby: No, no, no! The next bottle will be different for sure! Manager, please! Can you buy it for me?

I bought another bottle for Ruby, and as expected—
Huh? The cap actually says "Congratulations"!

Ruby: Manager— "Random Play" Manager!! *Sob*

Ruby: "Random Play" Manager, you are my lucky star—

Actually, I have a name...

Stop yelling!

Ruby: That's promotion too! After I shouted three times just now, so many people started looking this way, see?

I don't need that kind of promotion.

That's actually true...

Ellen: Manager, this should be enough promotion for now. We are heading back.

Ruby: Sure, lead the way!

Ellen: Don't you need to work on the group project? I'll find you after my shift.

Ruby: I want to rent some videotapes from the store where Ellen works. This could also help broaden our ideas for the project topic!

Ruby: Manager, you wouldn't turn away a few customers, right?

Wel~come!

I would never turn away customers.

Ruby: Then let's go!

Welcome Home, Master

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Welcome Home, Master"

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Video Summary: Let's do that thing where we say, "Welcome home, Master!"

Story Description: Ellen and her friends come to the video store, so Ellen has to pretend to be working there.

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The group returns to the video store.

Ellen: Pick whatever you want.

Ruby: Aren't you going to say it?

Ellen: Say what?

Ruby: "Welcome home, Master! It must have been a long day!"

Ellen: Welcome home, Master! It must have been a long day earning money to pay me with. Please pay before entering.

Ruby: This is a video store, not a maid cafe! Why would you need an entrance fee? Wait a minute, maid cafes don't charge an entrance fee either!

Ellen: Good! I'm happy you know this is a place where you rent videotapes. I'm only responsible for telling you about them. Let me know if you find any you like.

(Idle)

Ruby: Clerk, I want to watch an inspirational movie! Can you recommend one for me?

(Talk to Ruby)

Ellen casually grabbed a videotape and handed it to Ruby.

Ruby: That's so unprofessional! You clearly just grabbed a random tape for me...

Ruby: Fine, let me see what this is... "Toothy Shark Adventure"? What's this one about?

Ellen: Let me check the synopsis — Oh, it's an inspirational film.

Ruby: A-are you sure?

Ellen: Yeah, it tells the story of a little shark who goes through various challenges in the deep sea, eventually growing into the master of the ocean — while enjoying lots of delicious food along the way.

Ruby: R—Really?

Ellen: Yeah, it's a great story.

Ruby: But it says "16+" and "Thriller" on the cover... Manager, is it really as Ellen says?

Everyone has their own interpretation of a movie.

Ellen: The word "Adventure" is always very inspiring. It seems like a movie that's perfect for you.

Ellen: Oh, and there's a second one — a travel and food documentary. Do you want to rent that one too?

Ellen: The plot is about the now-grown shark meeting many humans at the beach and starting a brand-new gourmet adventure.

Ruby: W—Wait... This doesn't seem like a matter of different interpretations anymore, does it?

Ellen is right!

Ellen: Oh, by the way, the sequel is about the now-grown shark meeting many humans at the beach and starting a brand-new gourmet adventure.

Ellen: Since you've asked so many questions, would you like to rent these two tapes, Miss Customer?

Ruby: Uh... I-I just remembered I don't have a videotape player at home!

Ellen: If you don't have a videotape player at home, Miss Customer, I, as the clerk, can lend you mine.

Ruby: Ellen, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have teased you! Go find Lynn, I'll choose on my own... *sob*

(Idle)

Lynn: Do you have any recommendations?

(Talk to Lynn)

Ellen stood troubled in front of the row of videotape display racks, and looked over this way for help—

Ellen: Manager...

Lynn: Don't ask someone else! You work here, so just pick one for me.

Ellen: I don't know the kind you're asking about...

Lynn: Films like this should be pretty common... Wait, you're not tricking us by saying you work here, are you...?

Ellen: Uhhh...

Ellen was mainly in charge of stocking up.

I'm the one in charge of recommendations here.

Ellen: Just ask the Manager directly. The type you're looking for is too specific.

Lynn: It's very ordinary, just *&... *%...

What's that now?

We don't carry "*&... *%..." in the store.

Ellen: She said she's looking for a videotape that depicts the inexplicable interactions between adult men and women, driven by biological genes.

Lynn: Does it really have to be explained like that?

What on Earth are you going on about?

Lynn: So, just a romance movie...

Ellen: Manager, do you have any recommendations?

"Oh~ Sweetie"

Lynn: ...Ellen, isn't the Manager here a bit strange? Why did you choose to work here?

Ellen: Ah, it's a great place to slack off...

Lynn: ...Yeah, that's true. Alright, just take care of yourself.

I can hear everything you're saying...

Coffee Mate

Lynn: This one seems pretty highly rated... Ellen, your Manager is so professional, it feels like you are not needed here at all...

Lynn: How did you even get hired?

Ellen: Ah... It's a great place to slack off, so I asked the Manager to let me work here permanently.

Yeah, I'm very kind.

Last Flight

Lynn: Uh... A middle-aged man with a failed marriage... Manager, your definition of romance is so pessimistic.

Ellen: Anyway, that's the recommendation. Take your time, and when you're ready to check out, head to the cashier.

(Idle)

Monna: Ellen, I've been feeling quite stressed lately...

(Talk to Monna)

Ellen pulls out a candy and hands it to Monna, seemingly trying to comfort her. Then, Ellen asks why Monna feels so stressed...

Monna: It's because of the final exams... Just thinking about going to school really stresses me out. I wonder if watching something uplifting would help...

Monna: Or maybe a movie that's more relaxing and refreshing would help.

Ellen: Yeah, this one seems perfect for you.

Monna: "Escape from the Tutoring Center: The Last Survivor"... Will this really make someone happy?

Ellen: Just from the title, it should be full of ways to delay the final exams.

Ellen: Although it might be slightly exaggerated, it could offer some useful insights or ideas. Maybe it'll help solve the source of your stress.

Ellen: What's wrong? Why are you looking at me with such a worried expression?

Monna: Ellen, are you sure it's fine for you to work here? If you randomly recommend videotapes like this, the Manager might get angry...

Monna: And your Manager is standing right next to you...

Ellen: This is also the Manager's preference, so no problems there.

Monna: Huh...? Huh?! The Manager's preference?

Ellen: Isn't it, Manager?

That's the unique charm of our store.

Monna: So unique... No wonder Ellen can work here.

Ellen is just joking...

Monna: Ah... Then... Do you have any normal recommendations, Manager?

Raiders of the Hollow

Monna: Wow... The man on the cover is... No, I mean... *ahem* Never mind... I don't want to watch this one.

Ellen: Manager, she'll take this one.

Monna: Ellen!

Ellen: You're welcome.

Small Body Big Crisis

Monna: It seems like a lighthearted comedy, as expected from the Manager's recommendation!

Monna: Phew... I feel a bit relieved now, at least Ellen isn't working in some strange store... Ah, I didn't mean it like that! Please wrap it up for me! I'll take this one!

7710 and Its Cat

Monna: I've watched this one several times! But watching it again is totally fine, since each time I rewatch it, it's so comforting.

Monna: A Manager who can recommend such a delicate and heartwarming videotape definitely isn't a weirdo. It seems Ellen was just joking earlier, after all.

Ellen: If you've made your choice, I'll pack it up for you. If you have any questions, just ask the Manager later!

Ellen: I'm going to take a break.

The Catalyst for Friendship

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Catalyst for Friendship"

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Video Summary: Sometimes all it takes to become friends is just one opportunity.

Story Description: Ellen takes a group photo with her friends. After her friends leave, she tells you how she befriended them... and on the other side, her friends start to get suspicious of Ellen's work...

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Monna: Manager, Manager!

Ruby: Over here, over here!

Are you looking for Ellen?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I'll go and get Ellen if you're here to see her.I'll go and get Ellen if you're here to see her.Text for Wise / Are you looking for Ellen? I'll go and get her for you.Are you looking for Ellen? I'll go and get her for you.Text for Belle‍)

Ruby: No, shh!

Huh?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Huh?

Lynn: We want to take a photo with Ellen.

Ruby: With Ellen in a maid outfit! This might be a one time chance, so we have to get a pic!

Ruby: We'll drag Ellen over there. You just need to press the button at the right time.

Ruby: Ah, here, use my phone!

Ruby: Please take it vertical! I want to use it as a wallpaper!

After Ellen's friends drag her over to a corner of the video store, you take a photo of them while Ellen isn't paying attention.
However, Ellen snatches the phone before you can check the photo.

Ellen: You're not allowed to see it! Also, Ruby, delete the photo now.

Ruby: No way! It's on my phone, so it belongs to me!

Ruby: Getting this wasn't easy. If we delete it we would've come here for nothing!

Ellen: ...You told me you came here to find reference materials for the project.

Monna: Ahem...

Lynn: Umm...

Ruby: Well, um... Oh yeah! When do you get off work, Ellen? Let's have dinner at the place I mentioned last time!

Ruby: We've been talking about it for ages, but you're always busy!

Ellen: Um... I still need to work.

Ruby: We can wait.

Ellen: Manager...?

(Ellen seems to be in a dilemma.)

(It looks like she wants me to help her get out of it.)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Excuse me, but Ellen's paid by the hour and she's been goofing off, so she's got a lot of time to make up. You wouldn't leave before you covered all your hours, right Ellen?Excuse me, but Ellen's paid by the hour and she's been goofing off, so she's got a lot of time to make up. You wouldn't leave before you covered all your hours, right Ellen?Text for Wise / Ahem, Ellen has wasted a lot of time today, so she'll need to make up for the time she spent playing. After all, she's paid on an hourly basis. Right, Ellen?Ahem, Ellen has wasted a lot of time today, so she'll need to make up for the time she spent playing. After all, she's paid on an hourly basis. Right, Ellen?Text for Belle‍)

Ellen: Yeah.

(Pretend to be a mean boss for once)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Well, that's the situation. You girls run along and have dinner now. Ellen has to keep working until we close for the day.Well, that's the situation. You girls run along and have dinner now. Ellen has to keep working until we close for the day.Text for Wise / Ahem, well, that's the situation. You girls should go and have dinner now. Ellen has to work until we close for the day.Ahem, well, that's the situation. You girls should go and have dinner now. Ellen has to work until we close for the day.Text for Belle‍)

It seems like Ellen's friends want to say something else, but they leave the video store after Ellen shakes her head.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍Ellen, your friends have left...Ellen, your friends have left...Text for Wise / Looks like they're gone now, huh?Looks like they're gone now, huh?Text for Belle‍)

Ellen: Yeah.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): You have to head back to Victoria Housekeeping soon, right?

Ellen: Thanks for covering for me.

It's quite alright.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Of course. Student Ellen or working Ellen, you're important to us.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍I'm really curious about how you became friends with them. I bet it wasn't just because you were classmates.I'm really curious about how you became friends with them. I bet it wasn't just because you were classmates.Text for Wise / How did you become friends with those girls? What's the story there?How did you become friends with those girls? What's the story there?Text for Belle‍)

Ellen: Nothing special...

Ellen: In Monna's case... There was this time I kicked open a locked bathroom door because I was in a hurry to complete a commission, only to find her stuck inside... Later we became close because she insisted on thanking me.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): What about Lynn?

Ellen: I was taking a ton of commissions at one point and wanted to catch up on sleep in the back row of class. She happened to sit next to me, and since she looked like a top student, I borrowed her notes.

Ellen: Ruby...

Ellen: In Ruby's case, Rina made me a lunch and I shared it with her...

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍...Huh. Sounds like Ruby has a stomach of steel....Huh. Sounds like Ruby has a stomach of steel.Text for Wise / Whoa, sounds like Ruby has a stomach of steel.Whoa, sounds like Ruby has a stomach of steel.Text for Belle‍)

Ellen: The boss just sent me a message about the commission. I gotta head back.

Ellen: I'll call you later.

At the same time, on the other side...

Ruby: Don't you feel there's something off about Ellen's part-time job?

Monna: The boss seems pretty nice to me...

Ruby: A good boss wouldn't make their employees work so late!

Ruby: Plus, that video store doesn't have many customers, so why would Ellen always be so busy?

Ruby: Something must be up!

Monna: But...

Lynn: I agree with Ruby this time.

Lynn: Ellen's been exhausted after work lately, way more than someone who's just a receptionist at a video store would be.

Monna: In that case...

Ruby: We have to investigate!

(Talk to (‍BelleBelleText for Wise / WiseWiseText for Belle‍))

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍I- saw- it- all-! You're so fierce, Wise!I- saw- it- all-! You're so fierce, Wise!Text for Wise / Belle's "bad boss" persona is so cool!Belle's "bad boss" persona is so cool!Text for Belle‍)

Spare me, please...

I performed well, right?

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍If I were Ellen's friend, I'd probably start to suspect that she's working for a secretly evil boss who's just putting up a smiley facade.If I were Ellen's friend, I'd probably start to suspect that she's working for a secretly evil boss who's just putting up a smiley facade.Text for Wise / I hope her friends don't really think that Ellen is working for an evil boss.I hope her friends don't really think that Ellen is working for an evil boss.Text for Belle‍)

I'm not that scary, am I?

I guess not.

(SiblingSiblingWise / Belle): (‍Anyway, we've made it through today! Let's close up and rest...Anyway, we've made it through today! Let's close up and rest...Text for Wise / The video store's made quite a profit today, so let's close up and rest.The video store's made quite a profit today, so let's close up and rest.Text for Belle‍)

Good night. (Leave Story)