Sincere or Pretending?

(Idle)

Lizzie: Don't tell me this is your first time at Richard Teamilk, Seth?

Lizzie: When it's so close by!

Seth: ...

(Interact with Seth)

Seth: I'm not too familiar with the teamilk flavors...

Lizzie: I'd be happy to give you some suggestions!

Lizzie: Do you have a sweet tooth? I know that spicy food's not your thing. If you do have a sweet tooth, I'd recommend going 70% sugar for the teamilk! 50% works too~

Lizzie: Forget about going full sugar, seeing as you've got training to do, right? I get it~

Seth: Is there a no sugar option?

It's just teamilk. Do you really have to be that healthy?

Sugar is the soul of teamilk, you know.

Seth: (‍WiseWiseText for Wise / BelleBelleText for Belle‍)! ...I mean, Manager...

Lizzie: Manager? Are you a friend of Seth's? How about a little introduction?

Seth: Yep, this is a friend of mine. Runs a video store on Sixth Street.

Seth: Manager, meet Lizzie. She's a colleague of mine at Public Security.

Lizzie: Nice to meet you, Manager! Since you're here, let me treat you as well~

Treat me?

Lizzie: Yep! Seth helped me out today, so I'm treating him to some teamilk as thanks.
It's such a coincidence to have bumped into you, so why not drink together?

Lizzie: What can I get you?

Caramel Boba Oolong Teamilk

Yumyum Mint Teamilk

Seth: I'll have what (‍heheText for Wise / shesheText for Belle‍)'s having...

Okay, I'd like extra ice and full sugar!

Lizzie: H—Huh? Is that okay with you, Seth?

Lizzie: You said you didn't want sugar, right, Seth?

Lizzie: Going with no sugar would be better...

Okay, I'd like no ice and no sugar!

Lizzie: H—Huh? That's not what you said earlier, right, Manager?

Lizzie: Teamilk without sugar tastes so different... I hope you still like it...

Lizzie: I think going with some sugar would be better...

(Both choices lead to the following)

What do you think, Seth?

Seth: ...

Seth: I'll just have what you're having...

Lizzie: Is that right...

Seth: I really don't get all these options...

Lizzie: Alright, alright, the same as the Manager's, I gotcha~

You, Seth, and Lizzie all enjoy some teamilk together. Of course, you paid for your own drink and didn't let Lizzie treat you.

Lizzie tries to keep a lively atmosphere, but you seem to be the only one responding to her. Perhaps you are overthinking things, but Seth seems to be having a hard time keeping up with her...

(Talk with Seth again, optional)

Seth: Shall we head back now?

Why not chill for a little longer?

Seth drinking teamilk feels like he's ticking off a task.

Lizzie: Manager~ You're so right!

Seth: ...

 Seth seems to be at Lumina Square's teamilk shop. Let's go see him.

---

I bumped into Seth and his colleague Lizzie at the teamilk shop. Lizzie turns out to be a new friend of Seth's, but something feels a little off between the two... Could it just be my imagination? In any case, it's time to call it a day. Let's come back to Lumina Square another day.

Lumina Square

(Wait until the day after)

 Go to Lumina Square's noodle shop

---

There appear to be two Public Security Officers talking about Seth outside Lumina Square's noodle shop. Hey, isn't one of them Lizzie? The one who was at the teamilk shop before?
What could they be talking about exactly... Let's go and find out.

Lumina Square

(Idle)

Lizzie: He's such a hard nut to crack!

Female Public Security Officer: What did I tell you...

(Approach the two officers)

As you pass by Waterfall Soup, you suddenly hear the name "Seth" amidst the bustling crowd. You turn towards the voice and see that female Public Security Officer from the teamilk shop before talking with her companion.

Female Public Security Officer: How's that master plan of yours coming along?

Female Public Security Officer: I heard you two were spotted at the training grounds again~

Lizzie: ...Sigh...

Lizzie: Am I making progress, not making progress? I don't know...

Lizzie: I've already figured out his favorite noodles, his regular training schedule, his preferred brand of bandages—oh, and that he likes watching videotapes on the weekend.

Lizzie: But what exactly goes on in his head all day!?

Female Public Security Officer: Huh? You mean Seth? He always struck me as the straightforward type. Could he be more cunning than he seems?

Lizzie: Uh, using that word for him feels really off... I didn't mean it like that! It's just that every time I see him, he reacts so strange...

Lizzie: Do I not treat him well enough? Why does he seem so uncomfortable around me? He's such a tough nut to crack.

Female Public Security Officer: Maybe he just gets nervous when he sees you~ That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Lizzie: Really...

Lizzie: I'm starting to think that... maybe someone of his nobility simply can't stand the scent of a commoner.

Lizzie: ...Even though he...

Female Public Security Officer: Sigh... I told you. Seth may seem clueless, but he's not from the same world as us.

Female Public Security Officer: Your master plan and all that... Well, it's not like you'd listen to me now anyway.

Lizzie: ...

Lizzie: ...You're right. If that's the case, I have to seize my chance!

The two take their noodles takeout and leave the restaurant. But what was all that about? Seth? Nobility? Master plan...?

Getting involved with other people's relationship issues doesn't seem all too wise...

Should we tell Seth about this...?

 Go to Lumina Square's noodle shop

---

At Lumina Square's noodle shop, I overhear a conversation between Seth's colleague, Lizzie, and her companion. Lizzie mentioned that Seth seems to be acting different to how he usually is... Should I bring this up with Seth? Or should I just trust him to handle it himself?
It's impossible to decide on such short notice... Perhaps I should give it some more thought and come back to Lumina Square another day.

Lumina Square

(Wait until the day after)

 Find Seth on the second floor of Lumina Square's coffee shop

---

While passing by Lumina Square's coffee shop, I hear Seth's voice coming from the second floor. The other voice seems to be Lizzie's, the female Public Security Officer from before...
What I hesitated to tell Seth about before seems like it can't wait any longer. It's time to head upstairs and talk to them.

Lumina Square

(Idle)

Lizzie: Um, Seth, I have something I'd like to tell you...

Seth: ...

(Approach Seth)

It looks like Seth and his colleague are stood over there.
But what's with this atmosphere... Is she...?

Lizzie: Seth, you know why I asked you out today, right?

Seth: ...I'm terrible at guessing what people are thinking, so don't blame me if I get it wrong.

Lizzie: Blame you? I would never do such a thing~

Lizzie: Come on, just take a guess~

What's a Friend?

The following is recorded in the Partner Archive

 "What's a Friend?"

---

Story Description: You witness Seth reject a colleague's love confession. Guess you can never underestimate the power of being "straightforward." On the other hand, overthinking might be a more common mistake made by most people.

---

---

Seth: Lizzie, do you want to take the day off? I can take over your shift.

Lizzie: ...Of course not!
But if you want to hang out together during vacation, I can line my schedule up with yours so we can take some days off together!

Seth: I'm just looking to work some overtime.

Lizzie: ...

Lizzie: Ok. I'm just gonna come out and say it. Seth, there's something I want to tell you. Seth, I...

Lizzie: I like you! Please be my boyfriend!

You're fairly sure that last time you encountered this girl she was complaining to her friend at the noodle shop about how difficult Seth was to crack... Surely her confession couldn't be sincere.

(Interrupt their conversation)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Hey Seth? And... Lizzie, right? What a coincidence. What are you two chatting about?Hey Seth? And... Lizzie, right? What a coincidence. What are you two chatting about?Text for Wise / Hey! What a coincidence, Seth! And this must be Lizzie, right? What are you two talking about?Hey! What a coincidence, Seth! And this must be Lizzie, right? What are you two talking about?Text for Belle‍)

(Wave frantically at Seth)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍(I really can't wave my hand any harder. Hopefully, Seth catches my drift... I have to tell him what I heard at the noodle shop.)(I really can't wave my hand any harder. Hopefully, Seth catches my drift... I have to tell him what I heard at the noodle shop.)Text for Wise / (I'm just gonna keep waving until Seth sees me! I have to tell him what I heard at the noodle shop before he makes his decision!)(I'm just gonna keep waving until Seth sees me! I have to tell him what I heard at the noodle shop before he makes his decision!)Text for Belle‍)

Seth: Ah, it's the Manager!
Why are you waving so hard at me? I have good eyesight. I can see you perfectly fine.

Lizzie: Oh, Manager? Are you the video store owner I met last time?
Small world! Sorry, but we're kind of in the middle of something private here. Is it okay if I send Seth to catch up with you later?

Send him? Shouldn't Seth get a say in this?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍Miss Lizzie, this is something Seth should decide for himself, right? Why are you "sending" him to do things?Miss Lizzie, this is something Seth should decide for himself, right? Why are you "sending" him to do things?Text for Wise / Um, what do you mean by "send him?"... I think Seth can decide for himself.Um, what do you mean by "send him?"... I think Seth can decide for himself.Text for Belle‍)

Lizzie: Ah, my bad. I'm just feeling a little anxious. But, we really are having an important conversation here...

Seth: It's okay, Lizzie. I can answer your question right now.

I have something urgent to discuss with Seth too.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I'm sorry, Ms. Lizzie, but I have urgent matters to discuss with Seth too.I'm sorry, Ms. Lizzie, but I have urgent matters to discuss with Seth too.Text for Wise / Ah! But I have something urgent that needs Seth's attention too! It's super super urgent!Ah! But I have something urgent that needs Seth's attention too! It's super super urgent!Text for Belle‍)

Seth: Don't worry, Manager. I just need to answer Lizzie's question first. It won't take long.

Seth: Lizzie, I don't want to be your boyfriend.

(Wow... That was brutal...)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍(That was so direct that it actually sounded brutal... People who are straightforward can be scary sometimes...)(That was so direct that it actually sounded brutal... People who are straightforward can be scary sometimes...)Text for Wise / (Wow... That was absolutely brutal. Is this the kind of power that comes with being a straight shooter...)(Wow... That was absolutely brutal. Is this the kind of power that comes with being a straight shooter...)Text for Belle‍)

(Ugh... I guess I don't have to step in anymore...)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍(Seems like I don't have to step in anymore.)(Seems like I don't have to step in anymore.)Text for Wise / (Ugh... I guess I don't have to step in anymore...)(Ugh... I guess I don't have to step in anymore...)Text for Belle‍)

Lizzie: Wh—Why? Am I not nice to you? Did I do something to upset you?

Seth: You're nice to me, but I don't think you like me at all.

Seth: You always chat with me, and I never get what you're talking about, or even know how to respond. Every time you visit the training ground to see me, you just sit there looking bored. I don't understand why you keep coming back.

Seth: That one time you invited me for dinner, the server reached out to give you those noodles that come in the black bowls as soon as you sat down at the counter. But you said you liked the ones that come in the white bowls as much as I do. Why would you lie about that?

Lizzie: ...Fine, I've done lots of things that I don't like for you, I try to take an interest in all the things you prefer. Doesn't that show how much I like you?

Seth: ...I don't know what you mean by "like," but I can tell you aren't happy. That's not how good friendships should work.

Seth: Lizzie, you're very nice to me, and I believe you're not a bad person, but... Do you really want to be lovers or friends with me?

Seth: I think you need to consider what it is that you truly want.

Lizzie: ...

Lizzie: It must've been so nice growing up with a silver spoon.— You get to lecture people and still sound like you're in the right at the same time. Growing up, you could get whatever you wanted as long as you were "honest", right?

Lizzie: I'm so sorry for spending so much time around you lately. It won't happen again.

Lizzie turns around and leaves the cafe without waiting for Seth to respond.
Seth's face turns slightly somber...

Seth: Well... it's done. Manager, you said you have something urgent to talk to me about?

(Tell Seth what happened at the noodle shop)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Hmm... It might be pointless to bring this up now, but I ran into Lizzie at the noodle shop the other day...

You briefly recount what took place at the noodle shop to Seth, wondering whether it will make him feel better or worse...

Seth: ...So that's what happened.

Did you already know about that?

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Umm... Did you already know about that from the start? Otherwise, why would you be so harsh to Lizzie?

Seth: ...I didn't know.
Was what I said really that harsh?

Seth: ...Honestly, I do feel kind of bad about it. I should appreciate Lizzie for being so nice to me, but it's not because of who I am, it's for some other reason...

Seth: If this kept up someone was eventually bound to get hurt. Maybe me, maybe her. I just did what I had to do.

Seth: ...Manager, is it right for me to think like that? In hindsight, all she's ever done is be nice to me. Even if it is because of my family background, I'm still the one who benefitted from her kindness.

You did the right thing.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): I think you did the right thing. As for Lizzie...(‍this whole ordeal might not end up being bad for her.this whole ordeal might not end up being bad for her.Text for Wise / this might not end up so bad for her either.this might not end up so bad for her either.Text for Belle‍)

I'm surprised you're doubting yourself.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍...I didn't know you were capable of understanding that......I didn't know you were capable of understanding that...Text for Wise / I'm surprised you're doubting yourself.I'm surprised you're doubting yourself.Text for Belle‍)

Seth: ...I'm not an idiot, you know!

Seth: Well... I just think that friends aren't only "people who are good to you," but also "people who are being real with each other." For example, you said I looked stupid playing soccer—I actually much prefer that kind of interaction.

I get it.

You enjoy getting dissed.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): (‍I seeI seeText for Wise / I got itI got itText for Belle‍). You enjoy getting dissed.

Seth: That's not what I what mean at all! I'm saying that friends should be real with each other. I'd call you out too if you were acting dumb.

Seth: ...And no one would say I'm being a bully because of my family background.

...In your opinion, what counts as being real with each other?

...I don't share everything about myself with you either.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Hmm... I have a question for you, Seth. In your opinion, what counts as being real with each other? (‍There are things I haven't told you either.There are things I haven't told you either.Text for Wise / I don't share everything about myself with you either.I don't share everything about myself with you either.Text for Belle‍)

Seth: That doesn't matter at all. Being honest doesn't mean we have to tell each other everything — I'm not interested in knowing what color toothbrush you have, or who your childhood crush was, or whatever.

Seth: I'm not a kid anymore, you know? There are surely things about you that I am not aware of, but what's the big deal?

Seth: I know you genuinely want to be my friend because you like me for me...and that's what counts.

...You're right.

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): ...You're right. I'm happy that you consider me a friend.

Seth: Yeah! Same here! Qingyi always says that real friends are hard to come by, so I need to cherish the ones I have! Ugh... why does that sound so corny when I say it?

Seth: Whatever. This whole conversation is too much work. You get what I mean, right?

Trust Rank Upgrade to Trusted with Seth Lowell

(Idle)

Seth: ...That was... kind of... cheesy...

(Talk to Seth again, optional)

Seth: I might have accidentally just said something a little cheesy... Just pretend you didn't hear anything!

Couldn't forget it even if I tried.

Seth: Forget it right now!!!

You said something?

Seth: Now that's what I call a friend!