Stage 1-4: Reason and Emotion

## Navigation

**Reason and Emotion** is the fourth stage in Chapter 1: The Uninvited I. This is a Styling Stage.

## Stage Summary

After the protagonist argues back at the mean man, she learns from Ashley that he is Gerald, the chairman of a big tech company and a business partner of Ashley's detective agency, which makes the protagonist apologize profusely.

The tension is broken by Ashley, who gives the protagonist ice cream. The protagonist tries to find out what Gerald and Ashley were talking about, and Gerald refuses to disclose it to her, which makes her retract her apology.

The protagonist scrolls through VVANNA and tries out a new style.

## Transcript

*In the brief silence between the two of them, I got up and looked at the mean man sitting opposite.*
**Me:** Excuse me, who are you?
**Ashley:** Right, I haven't introduced you both yet.
**Ashley:** This is Gerald, the chairman of Endpoint technology.
**Ashley:** Gerald, this is my sister [Player].
**Me:** I remember now, I have seen your project launch conference.
**Me:** Ashley mentioned that you were a long-term partner of the firm!
**Gerald:** Nice to meet you.
**Me:** But I disagree with your point of view just now.
**Gerald:** Oh?
**Me:** You are a businessman, and there is nothing wrong with maximizing profits.
**Me:** But Ashley is right that data are not the whole story.
**Me:** Emotional stuff may bring unexpected results.
*There was a sudden silence.*
*Gerald looked me straight in the eye. He wanted to say something, and his sharp gaze made me a little uneasy.*
*I didn't offend him, did I?*
*At this moment, Ashley patted me on the shoulder and broke the silence smilingly.*
**Ashley:** Now, now. We were chatting about work.
**Ashley:** There is no need to argue.
**Ashley:** Here, try this ice cream.
*Ashley picked up a cup of ice cream from the dessert rack and handed it to me.*
*The cup looks plain, far less fancy than the one in Gerald's hand.*
*I once thought it would be insipid. I didn't expect it to be such a delicacy.*
**Me:** This is so good! Where did you buy it? I wanna buy a whole box of it!
*Gerald slowly picked up a small spoon and savored his parfait.*
*I don't know if it was my illusion, his expression seemed to relax a little.*
*Perhaps it was the dessert and the setting sun, the mood was eased.*
**Me:** I'm sorry for my presumptuous words. I got a little carried away.
**Gerald:** There is no need to apologize. You have a point there.
**Gerald:** Ashley, I can give them a chance.
**Gerald:** But it all depends on their performance afterward.
**Ashley:** That's more than enough. And that's how far I can help.
**Me:** What are you talking about? Can't you make it clear?
**Gerald:** This is a trade secret of the company.
**Gerald:** Before everything settles, pardon me for not revealing it.
**Me:** ... I would like to retract my apology just now! The consequences of ignoring my curiosity are very serious!
**Ashley:** Rest easy. You will know when the time comes.
*While waiting for the others, let me check out what's trending on VVANNA.*
**Me:** (Girl Group hit the trending topic on VVANNA because black sugar was warming up the stage.)
**Me:** (The handsome and aloof style is attracting more and more attention...)
**Me:** (I'll also put on an outfit for the stage.)