Night-Owl Romance

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Note: So, life punched me right in the guts recently in terms of work place (need to start finding a new one from scratch – oh, what joy, especially when the weather outside is 'oven' level of heat), SO, I have written this chapter faster than expected. ^o^ Enjoy a happy weekend. I'll probably live it partly in an ice tub.

Jk. Not really.

But I did go see some movies – Valerian and Dark Tower. I recommend DT for story, Valerian for the awesome CGI. Also, my jobless tears got soaked up by Game of Thrones – damn, this season is spectacular TwT!

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Chapter 30: Confrontations

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Zen was having a hard time keeping his cool down when confronting Jaehee on the phone. The woman was happily re-explaining the issue she had about his close interactions with MC, trying to portray these concerns into simpler terms compared to those she had used online. She hoped Zen would fully comprehend her views this way.

Her attitude was patronizing.

And the actor's annoyance could only grow from then onwards. Jaehee's passionate ranting that there was even a problem in the beginning was headache inducing. She then continued on revealing a harsh secret she did not shy away from telling Zen on the phone.

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The energetic assistant could still not regard the party planner with keen eyes.

Days after joining their group and her feelings remained unchanged,

so it was unsettling to see how trusting the majority was to MC's presence.

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"W-What...? A-Are you serious?", the fumbling words escaped slowly, Zen's wide smile in steep contradiction with the intensity of his burning eyes, nearly gauged out by the sudden burst of emotions. He was barely blinking anymore. One glance at him would suffice in any man being instantly rendered to their knees despite the physical boundaries not being crossed.

"HA, HA, HA~!", the laughter came out too powerfully. "Come on, Jaehee! Don't joke like that."

He might have understood the woman wrongly, wanting to give her the benefit of the doubt. The few years of knowing Jaehee, never once had she shown signs of being anything other than a compassionate and intelligent human being, wiser than anybody he'd known. Zen would often wonder why she was ever so respectful towards someone like him and would support his musical work. Whenever she admitted to buying his DVDs or stocking up on merchandises from his shows, he would always become shocked and flustered, but very much appreciative.

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'So why was Jaehee speaking against MC?'

'It's so unlike her...'

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"You're not re~allythinking this, are you?!"

"I am not taking this matter lightly, one second."

His expression soured.

"MC has joined the R.F.A. less than four days ago."

"In that short timeframe, it is quite difficult to assess the type of person she may be."

Hence, Jaehee felt the need to advise caution in approaching her, considering the path that had brought the girl into the organization was a dangerous one, not yet resolved by Seven. As such, prudency was an approach the assistant saw fit for them to use until things would become clearer regarding MC and the reason she'd been brought into the apartment by Unknown.

It was important to keep a safe distance – especially in Zen's case, this was almost mandatory to do.

"HUH?!"

The actor needed to take a few steps back and carefully analyze this situation objectively. Currently, Zen was between the most vulnerable members of this group and his reputation was critical to maintain for his career to further soar. The media was already racing to cover stories revolving around his new role with Echo Girl which was raising people's curiosity about him and his character. Dangers surrounding him would increase exponentially if he ended up being careless.

"Caution?"

"Vulnerable?!"

"Danger?!"

"Until matters are completely settled with the intruder, we need to refrain from socializing so intimately with that girl."

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*SNAP*

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"Jaehee, do you really think so poorly of her?!"

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Zen could no longer control the emerging fury, grimacing awfully whilst his hands were shaking uncontrollably.

"That girl, whom you're being overly suspicious of, has shown a fair amount of willingness, kindness and understanding upon entering the R.F.A., more than we had ever deserved!"

"I can't picture the hell she has to go through, day by day, forced to stay and live inside an apartment that is foreign to her whilst knowing that she can never return safely to her own home until this whole hacker mess is sorted out! She can't even leave the apartment without requiring bodyguards, otherwise she gets injured and is in need of medical care!"

"I am not denying the difficulties MC might be facing. Zen –"

"Jaehee! Just, for that alone, any other would have wanted nothing to do with us anymore but to escape and never look back at anything revolving the R.F.A., but she stayed."

"She chose to stay with us!"

"And she is putting her own plans and problems aside while working for the benefit of our organization, helping us with the planning of this charity event! She's working her hardest, trying to achieve this insane deadline set by V with the party date!"

"If only you knew what some guests' demands are to join... Personally, I was amazed at some of the requirements and her diligence and willfulness to research different material."

"I've never bothered with the invitations before since Rika had always made it seem so easy. I honestly thought the process was far simpler, a few pleasantries and greetings, then scheduling the date and – presto!"

"The information some want are near impossible to answer without time and effort from her side – and that's only what I've noticed from the couple of e-mails I've read involving my suggestions because she was at a loss what to do. I can't imagine the hours she's spending on the entire guest list, trying to satisfy each of the guests' whims."

"Jaehee, do you understand what this means?!"

"How hard and difficult the situation is for her?!"

"I do, believe me, I know very well the amount of work that goes into organizing events... However, it is not enough to convince me of her true intentions – "

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"JAEHEE!"

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He was flabbergasted, unknowing how the young assistant did not consider her actions, nor misplaced words, to be out of line. Zen knew, with the entirety of the fibers residing in his body and senses, that Mina was a genuinely kind hearted and a sweet girl. The actor could not fully explain his reasoning to Jaehee. Nonetheless, he could sense it deep into his core – and, with each encounter, the girl was slowly unveiling new information and quirks which only added extra layers to her loveliness.

He did not find Mina dangerous, not for a second, and refused to oblige to Jaehee's wishes.

He just... couldn't.

The coordinator appeared like a precious rare gem in this world, mixing within a pool of cheap glass shards that only made her radiate that much profoundly. She had caught his eyes, the selfless actions shown so far seeming almost unnatural, inhuman-like.

Alien.

Mina deserved a better treatment for sure, Zen's urge to protect her consuming his mind as he was suddenly remembering those students who had caused the girl to turn her back on the musical rehearsals at the theatre.

As he was trying to convince Jaehee of her wrongfulness, the words flowed out of him so naturally and strongly that his tone became harsher than before.

"This week alone, Mina's accomplished so much for the R.F.A.! Hell – this year! She has put a lot of effort into this crumbling group, more so than I've noticed ANYBODY else. V included! He is supposed to be our leader and guide us through thin and thick, but for the past year he has been mostly absent!"

"The R.F.A. was dying!"

"I was sure it would end soon... Looking back at those quiet days, Mina's presence has changed everything in the R.F.A., revitalizing this organization! You can't tell me there is no positive change in her being with us!"

"Like you've said, it hasn't even been four days since she's joined!"

"But in that time, Mina's been constantly proving her worth as a new member. She has fully earned my trust since day one and will continue to have it for as long as she'll stick around with us!"

"And even later on, I will always support her!"

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"I. TRUST. HER!"

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The actor made sure to enunciate every single word at the end, Jaehee rendered in complete silence. Seconds were passing by with nothing but the sounds of their breaths being exchanged, Zen pondering whether his scolding had finally made a significant dent in the woman's suspicions. Instead, the young male realized he had spoken without carefully filtering his thoughts. He had been too riled up in his fury to notice what he had mistakenly revealed.

"Mina..."

"MC's real name I gather...", Jaehee narrowed her eyes at his reticence to confirm, instantly realizing she was meddling in a losing battle.

It was too late.

Her voice sounded fainter as a result. "You two are already on a first name basis..."

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'At this rate, it is only a matter of time before...'

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The assistant leaned against the office wall, closing her eyes while exhaling loudly. She was so tired and helpless... However, Jaehee was not going to sit idly on the side. Zen's career was heading towards fragile directions, the spotlight of the media dangerously lingering above him.

This was his chance!

His big break where the talent within Zen could be appreciated nation-wide!

And, despite Jaehee wishing he continued doing these musical theatre productions which would enrapture and heal her battered body and soul – thus, keeping the actor to herself and the rest of their small, tight-knit fandom – the silver haired male deserved his moment to shine and to capture every heart found nationwide.

His face on TV was delightful, more handsome sometimes than on-stage!

Oh~~~~!

Just imagining his face was enough for her heart to flutter happily~!

As Seven once wrote... Badump... BADUMP~!

However, the obstacles were closing in. Fast. Beyond expectations.

MC may become a large distraction who could deter Zen from his true goals and hinder his progress.

Unfortunately, Jaehee might have been too late to prevent anything from taking place between them. Seeds had already been seemingly planted and were now waiting to flourish. The compliments Zen had showered the girl were audible to her ears, the woman grimacing how easy and reckless he was with his opinions about the party planner.

She... was not able to properly reach him.

The conversation reached its inevitable conclusion, Jaehee excusing herself to handle urgent issues at work – yes, she was at the C&R on a weekend, Mr. Han coming up with an interesting business thought for a product. And by interesting, she did refer to his usual cat projects.

"Jaehee...", Zen was still annoyed by her actions but he didn't hold the woman any ill will or judgment. His anger was in fact beginning to target her cold-hearted boss. But the assistant had no choice but to accept all tasks given to her. ^^ A job was a job, no complaints allowed unless she risked her secure livelihood.

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"Regardless, I truly desire the best for the members in the R.F.A."

"It was not my intention to enrage you, Zen."

"However, you cannot ignore the person you are and your reputation in the industry."

"If not for this... then think of your fans."

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"You're overanalyzing things Jaehee. Nothing dangerous is happening. You should relax.", he tried to dismiss her assumptions but his voice came out weak. Unsure. And Zen was left hanging without a response, his thoughts jumbled up as he tried making sense of these complicated emotions suddenly pilling up.

He stared back into the chat room, skimming through the previous logs.

Most of the members had noticed the fondness oozing between Zen and MC which she did not replicate with any other within the group. Seven and Yoosung had been spamming the topic before he came online whereas Jaehee rammed his brain on the phone, going on and on about the party planner. Fuck, even the trust fund kid noticed MC had an affinity towards Zen.

"Perhaps it is because he is so simple minded which usually caters them into individuals who appear most approachable."

"Zen has the tendency to respond as a result of emotional incentives rather than intellectual which humans often respond to in favorable manners."

"SIMPLE MINDED, REALLY?!", Zen brought the messenger closer to his face, fuming menacingly as his right eye was twitching. His fingers hurried on the screen, roughly typing out his frustrations.

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He was sick of their banter!

And the trust fund kid's insults!

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Their non-stop chatter was seriously unfounded because there was nothing going on between him and Mina!

Right?!

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Right...?

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After all, she would always deny it...

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~oOo~

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Mina was sprawled across the floor, limbs planted over every pillow she could find in the apartment. Her hunger was unyielding as she was close to losing the last bit of her energy reserves, drowsiness numbing her body. She had given up trying to finish the follow up e-mails, the pile growing in a rhythm which did not seem to slow down.

She had lost interest...

And focus too.

The day had been so draining... which was funny because Mina had done the least amount of physical work she could muster for a human being. Plus, now, after everything that had happened, the party planner wanted nothing more than to lie on her stomach and watch a relaxing show online, emptying her essence of the negativity and hateful thoughts.

*deep sigh* It wasn't going as planned, the coordinator's mind being unnecessarily stressed.

Jaehee truly did a number on Mina's sanity whereas Zen added additional fuel to the fire with the USB drive. Honestly, it was in his possession and he'd simply forgotten to tell her? Only when she was scared of having lost it, did he bother to enlighten the girl?

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'Why did he not text me the moment he had received it?'

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There was no logic behind his reticence, the girl feeling she should have been informed on the spot. Yet she was not, Mina incapable of understanding his decision and wondering whether it was intentional on the actor's part.

'Maybe he wanted to see its content before deciding the next best move...?'

"Like, conditioning me into meeting him face-to-face?", she mumbled upset, honey brown eyes static while countless scenes played in front as a blur before groaning deeply.

'No... Zen wouldn't plot such a thing...'

'Right?'

He was probably too busy with his own workload and could not find the time to properly announce it. Heck, Mina had swept him with her own issues regarding the party rather quickly so he could have forgotten to inform the girl during those hours. She wouldn't know – but, it was surely a possibility.

Still...

Mina felt a little betrayed by Zen's actions, unable to shake off this paranoia...

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~oOo~

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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*

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The drowsiness was dissipating as ear screeching vibrations became never ending. Its noise was killing her lazy spree, Mina slowly rolling onto the hard wooden floor and painstakingly reaching for the phone that was a bit too high up the desk for comfort.

"Ngh... What the hell is going on...?"

The buzzing was far too chaotic than normal, curiosity eventually winning over her internal struggle. She was hesitant in engaging with the members though, logging in just to inspect –

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The chaos.

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~oOo~

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[Jumin Han]: Assistant Kang?

[Jumin Han]: Assistant Kang.

[Jumin Han]: Assistant Kang!

[Yoosung]: She's still not online, Jumin.

[Yoosung]: You still haven't found her?!

[Yoosung]: Zen couldn't get to her either... is she OK?!

[Yoosung]: Is she in trouble?! Sick?!

[Jumin Han]: Oh, I do not follow whether her wellbeing is being maintained or not. It is not my responsibility, nor focus, but hers how she manages the levels of her health.

[Yoosung]: Wow... you're not even remotely worried?!

[Jumin Han]: No.

[Jumin Han]: It would be trivial.

[Yoosung]: W-Wow! *surprised emoji*

[Jumin Han]: Moreover, I did manage to contact her.

[Jumin Han]: However, the connection did not last. I believe there are some issues with the network service again.

[Jumin Han]: I presumed she would be here to listen to the full length of my proposal. Assistant Kang had disappeared right in the middle of the briefing, connection lost.

[Jumin Han]: Unfortunately, it does not seem to be the case. *disappointed emoji* I need to send a team to verify if the system is experiencing glitches.

[707]: I would more than happily try to help ya there, Jumin.

[Jumin Han]: *disappointed emoji*

[Jumin Han]: I seek professionals at C&R, not criminals.

[707]: *shocked emoji*

[707]: B-But my work is legit and legal even if it's officially secret!

[707]: Don't you trust me?!

[Jumin Han]: No.

[707]: *shocked emoji*

[Yoosung]: Jumin is so honest... I still can't stop feeling amazed about his bluntness.

[Jumin Han]: It is natural to speak truthfully, it deters no good to lie and withhold truths. Either way, it is most frustrating to have her offline.

[Jumin Han]: Luciel, did you not install that Assistant App feature on her messenger yet? I would like to have her come online whenever I request her presence.

[Yoosung]: *shocked emoji*

[707]: Well, I was pretty 'tied up' for a good chunk of the day so I couldn't do much work on it.

[707]: Still can't.

[707]: Plus, Jaehee might be mad if I go on with this plan, LOL.

[Jumin Han]: *disappointed emoji* Ah... Elizabeth the Third's delicious cat treats will have to be postponed.

[Jumin Han]: What tragedy.

[Yoosung]: You're buying her something new to eat?

[Jumin Han]: Not 'buying' per se, but producing a new cat food line in the name of Elizabeth the Third. Assistant Kang was in the process of noting my ideas when the disconnection suddenly happened.

[Yoosung]: *blank-stare emoji*

[Yoosung]: I wonder why...

[Jumin Han]: I do as well. I might have to search for new employees in the Communications Department if it keeps happening at such inappropriate moments.

[707]: LOLOL, it's almost like the phones hate it when cat businesses are mentioned.

[Yoosung]: LOLOL, I think so too.

[707]: LOLOL – LOLOL – LOLOL

[Jumin Han]: *disappointed emoji*

[707]: Well, if you ever need better technicians in your department, you can always rely on me ~!

[Jumin Han]: I would rather rely on someone with highly inferior technological capabilities than you.

[Jumin Han]: Such as Yoosung.

[Jumin Han]: And that is stretching it.

[Yoosung]: ...

[Yoosung]: That sounds like an insult. *crying emoji*

[707]: LOLOL

[Jumin Han]: Now that you two have reminded me...

[Jumin Han]: There is another matter I wanted to address.

[707]: Damn, bothbolded and underlined!

[Yoosung]: Something serious coming up!

[707]: Abort spaceship!

[Yoosung]: What spaceship?!

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[Jumin Han]: You have been spamming the chat room with a lot of nonsense lately.*disappointed emoji*the only noteworthy information was V's talk about the party date and that was a while ago.

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[Yoosung]: It's not like we don't talk about anything important in-between. *crying emoji*

[707]: Yeah, yeah, yeah~! How can you ignore someone's single status being dismissed soon enough in the group?! *shocked emoji*

[707]: And in such an important season!

[707]: It's an R.F.A. Early-Christmas Miracle! *excited emoji*

[Yoosung]: Please stop reminding me this, Seven. *is-forever-alone*

[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*

[Jumin Han]: *disappointed emoji*

[Jumin Han]: So childish...

[Yoosung]: I'm so jealous of Zen... It's like he's having the best RNG right now, not in game, but in real life. TwT

[707]: His stars are all in alignment~!

[707]: The universe has spoken up!

[Jumin Han]: I do not understand you two.

[Jumin Han]: You speak as though it is reality and not your imagination twisting facts.

[Yoosung]: Jumin, even you can't deny how well they seem to match.

[Yoosung]: You've seen it too and commented on it before, remember?

[Jumin Han]: I had acknowledged a distinct possibility yet nothing more.

[Jumin Han]: As there is also a possibility nothing may happen which renders all this talk useless.

[Yoosung]: Still... SO JEALOUS! What does Zen have that I don't? T-T

[Yoosung]: ...

[Yoosung]: O-On second thought, please don't answer –

[707]: A youthful expression, a very tall posture, a muscled up machine body that men kill for having as well as women, a face that embodies everything our populations deem handsome in a man, perfect genetics that are borderline inhuman in percentage.

[Yoosung]: ...

[707]: The entire musical actor's package which contains skills refined in: singing, dancing, acting, instrumental playing (piano and guitar).

[707]: Sprinkle these traits with a mixture of charm, charisma, epic flirting skills and fan service talents, a truckload of them; plus, a side of hard work and diligence.

[Yoosung]: I study hard!

[Yoosung]: And I have many talents too!

[707]: Financial independence that does not include monthly allowance from parents and constant support from them while their son is busy wasting their efforts because he is playing games all day.

[Yoosung]: B-Being a student alone here is hard! *crying emoji*

[Yoosung]: My teachers can be so harsh...

[Yoosung]: Games release my stress!

[707]: Old enough to drink, smoke and ride a motorcycle with proper driving license and is able to fight off a mob of people, escaping mostly unharmed while the rest are in need of medical care.

[Yoosung]: I'm old enough to do those too! *crying emoji*

[Yoosung]: And is that last part even real?! *shocked emoji*

[707]: A man who's built himself from the ground up, with determination and lots of blood, sweat and tears. No help for years, surviving only on sheer will, passion and strength.

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[707]: His life is like a real drama and Zen's got the main character role of the game we call Mystic Life!

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[707]: While you represent that socially awkward, best-friend type of guy, who has a crush on the MC but then is constantly friendzoned by her and, thus, must live in agony and despair while watching the two main people live happily ever after ~!

[Yoosung]: ...

[Yoosung]: Wow.

[707]: Anyone would fall for such traits ~~~!

[Yoosung]: I'm so depressed, my body's turned numb...

[Yoosung]: *angry emoji*

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[Yoosung]: SEVEN! I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS!

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[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*

[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*

[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*

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Yoosung has left the chatroom –

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[Jumin Han]: *disappointed emoji* I would like to believe MC has more common sense than that. Regardless, your description fits well to portray the ideal image of a troublesome delinquent playboy rather than a trustworthy companion a lady would want as a lifelong partner.

[707]: L-Lifelong partner?! Could it be?!

[707]: *shocked emoji*

[707]: Jumin Han, can my wizarding skills not see the prophecy as clearly as you do!

[Jumin Han]: Perhaps it is because he is so simple minded which usually caters them into individuals who appear most approachable to others.

[Jumin Han]: Zen has the tendency to respond as a result of emotional incentives rather than intellectual which humans often respond to in favorable manners.

[Jumin Han]: As Assistant Kang mentioned in her surprisingly lengthy messages she had sent during her additional work hours –

[707]: Poor Jaehee...

[Jumin Han]: MC would be wise as to avoid anything unnecessary.

[707]: Speaking of 'unnecessary' - *goes to grab popcorn*

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Zen has entered the messenger –

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[707]: *hearts emoji* This shall be good.

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End note: 30 chapters, whooooaa~! This is a huge accomplishment for me as a fanfic writer OwO Also, since it's a nice, round number, I'm curious about my readers' perception of the story written so far. ^^

I would really appreciate some answers for the following questions.

Do you guys enjoy the progression of this fic? Is there anything that could have gone different to become better? Anything you dislike or hate?

Do you like the MC I've portrayed here in my story? Does she seem like she'd be a good fit for Zen, the one I am aiming for of coupling her with? Do you guys see it work? OwO

Is Zen pretty much like you've pictured in the game? Or do I make him sound too OOC?

If you could change any scene or event happened, what would it be?

Also, if you could include any scenes or events in the future – what would you be interested in seeing the most? OwO

Be as honest as you pleaseDon't feel pressured in only being positive in comments if you feel anything wrong with what I am doing. Since I'm basically writing this on my own, I don't really get the chance of having second opinions as often as I'd like, so my brain may go to weird, weird places and not realize the levels of them.