Esper Story: Ahmed

To my all subscribers out there, I've missed you guys!

For our livestreaming session, we'll be visiting our resident superstar, Ahmed!

Normally he's out on missions when he's not on the stage, so it wasn't easy getting this interview.

......

Doesn't he look great in his lab coat? Let's go and say hi!

Let's give him a surprise him on the count of three. One... Two... Three... Yo, Ahmed!

The test subject appears to be unresponsive to the drugs we've administered...

...I don't think he heard me.

Look at that yummy snack. Ahmed looks even better offstage. Love ya!!!

Why's he not looking at the camera?

Q is too short LOL Ahmed doesn't see him!!!

Eh. I am NOT short! Let me show you!

My man!

Ah!

Can you say hi to your fans or...

Why wouldn't the serum work...

......

Awwwww!!! Is he talking to himself?! So cute!!!

I think he's trollin Q right now LOL

TFW you're trying to do your homework and your brother is bothering you lol #QisAnnoying

I'm just asking him to say hi to everyone. It's not like I'm interrupting anything.

Oh, by the way, Ahmed's concert is coming up. I should help him rehearse.

Drums in position! Let's rock, Ahmed!

Ah. Previous data supports the hypothesis that intervention, i.e. divine power infusion, should occur at earlier intervals...

Stay tuned, you guys! Ahmed is gonna collab with the most badass drummer in Grandis!

Alright, everyone start calling out my name in the comments! This is gonna be Q's new bop!

TBH that ain't bad!

I wanna hear Ahmed sing...

He must be trollin Q right now lol bet!

It worked!

!

Q? Q! Where did you come from? What is going on?

My beat's fire, right? Woke you right up didn't it?!

What? What beat? I didn't notice...

???

Stop trollin' me, bro! You saying that you didn't hear anything?

I'm sorry, did I miss something?

You missed everything! Your fans have been waiting for you!

Cut it out, buddy.

Um... I'm sorry? What?

I've heard of geniuses with ADHD. Never heard of a genius who can't see right in front of him.

I'm not a genius...

Let alone particularly smart. That's why I work so hard, to catch up.

If I have one great talent, it's focus.

Alright, alright. So... how'd your experiment go?

Hm.

Stop being so serious. I ain't mad at you. Come on!

Did you guys hear that? Ahmed thinks he's not a genius and... that he's not even that smart!

No, Ahmed, you're the best!!!

Alright, everyone! We're streaming for real now!

Come on, superstar! Greet all your fans in Grandis!

Hi everyone! Sorry about that.

Morning, Dr. Heng.

Morning...? Oh, it's morning already, is it? I should really get some sleep...

Don't tell me you've been here all night...?

And all day yesterday.

These new drugs should theoretically reverse the transformation process, but for some reason, they're not working.

I've tried everything. I don't know what else to do next.

How about a break? You don't have to figure it out right now.

No. I can't afford to waste any more time. There are people out there depending on this.

Don't try to downplay the urgency, if that's what you're thinking.

I'm sorry, Dr. Heng. I didn't mean to...

......

...No, Ahmed. Sorry. I... I'm going crazy in here.

It's alright. Actually, I'm curious about your research. Why do you believe it's so important to develop an Esper transformation reversal?

...Because Esper powers are the source of the most of the world's problems.

Look at the Union... Constant Miramon attacks... criminal Espers... We're being pushed to our breaking point.

Yes, okay. Sure. But the Union wouldn't be able to deal any of these problems without our powers.

That's a logical fallacy. And, sadly, one most people believe.

Why do Esper powers exist? Only because of Miracles. What about all the disasters since? It's the same. Take both away, then we wouldn't have these problems.

Well, you know, people have been fighting for thousands of years over food, water, money... everything else you can think of!

Our powers are just tools for good or evil, nothing more, nothing less.

They didn't cause our issues. It's always been us, it's our human nature to want power.

So you're saying we should see these powers as a gift? A from the gods perhaps?

Well, I wouldn't call them "gifts" per se. But they've allow us to survive the Miracles.

......

Yes, survive the Miracles. But if there were no Miracles... See what I mean? It's a logical fallacy.

I know you and others who think like you mean well, but people really need to...

Yes, okay. But, currently, right now, the world needs our powers. To keep it safe.

......

... Ah, sorry. I mean, I don't mean to interrupt.

I'm sorry, Dr. Heng. If that was... If I'm being a bit... forward.

I don't mean to start an argument, it's just...

Look, it's okay. Let's just agree to disagree.

But, hey, if you really want to make it up to me...

???

Buy me dinner. Then we'll call it even.

Oh, and you also wasted ten minutes I could have used on my project. Or I could've been sleeping.

Yes, heh. Of course!

Do you know what you're gonna sing yet, Brynn?

My greatest hits, of course.

This place has awesome acoustics. The crowd's gonna go wild!

With you there, it's gonna be lit!

I was actually thinking of a bit of a slowburn, more mellow song...

Why's that?

After all, this concert is all about the poor people who've lost their homes to the Miracles. They're going through a lot right now.

I'll do my best to bring them some sort of relief, even if just through music.

But that's just my point, people need to forget what's going on right now. A distraction.

When I performed in clubs, I learned if the music's good, people would just, you know, ease up, forgot their worries, smile...

People need an outlet. Something really... passionate and intense. To let it all out.

......

Maybe you're right, but I just don't know.

What's up?

Whenever I see people hurting, I just wanna go back to the old classics.

You know, the real heartwarmers. Got me through some hard times myself.

What's the name? Of the song?

"A Blank Sheet". The first time I heard it I was working at Chick-Pit-A.

What?! You used to work at Chick-Pit-A?

Yeah, one near the Lower City Plaza. You did know I was from Lower City, right?

Anyway, so I'm having a bad day. My manager yelled at me, he docked my pay. I was behind on my rent too. It was rough.

We had one of those retro jukeboxes and a customer put on this song.

To cheer you up?

Nope. I didn't know him at all. Just a coincidence. Still... really cheered me up. You could say it changed my life, even...

"Maybe I can't be with you forever."

"But baby, I can feel your pain when we kiss."

That's sweet...

They say your music is really about what you're about. And I like the idea of healing people.

Well, I like hyping people up...

Both great.

You know what, you're right.

Your music's gonna calm everyone down, heh. And then, when the whole place is set, I'll come on and set the stage on fire.

What do you think?

Gonna be a great show.

Thanks, Brynn.

No worries, but I get the last song!

You already know your last song?

"You tell me I have nothing but sorrow."

"I scream I still have tomorrow!"

I know inflation is bad, but... come on. These clothes were nowhere near this expensive last year.

This one's not bad. But that price...

Hi, how can I help? Would you like to try that on?

!

Just having a look...

Sure. By the way, this outfit is from our newest collection.

We also have a special discount today: 40% off with any purchase of 3 or more items.

(Expensive but... how about that 40% discount?)

Ahmed! I wasn't expecting you here.

Hey! Just looking for a new outfit for an upcoming show.

Must be a big show to drag you out here in person!

Heh. Not really. I actually like shopping, you know.

This one...? Hmmm...

It'd totally work on you! And the color matches your hair, too!

Yeah. Was thinking the same.

So what are you waiting for? Go try it on.

Kind of expensive though...

I try not to buy things that make me look too... nice.

Yeah, you seem the low-key type.

But it's for your show so... it's okay to "flex" a bit.

I mean, it looks perfect on you!

Hmm...

If price is an issue, how about I just get it for you as a gift!

Don't worry, I'll tell them to wrap it up...

Wait!

Thanks, Suhua, but there's no need for that!

What?

You want these too? But they look... just "okay".

Yeah, that's the point. I'll wear these around the house or running errands.

You know there's a special discount today? 40% off with any 3 items. Makes more sense than buying just the one.

I already did the math. It's the best deal.

Ahmed, you cannot be that hard-up working for the Union. Is this really necessary?

For me? It is. These little things are important to me.

That outfit, it's part of their latest collection...

So it's not eligible for the discount!

Hi, can please I get a family bucket with extra pita bread?

I'm sorry we don't have a "family bucket".

Really? But on the poster...

Sorry sir, did you mean the "Bird 'n' Bread Mega Tub"?

Uhh... yeah. I think so...

I'm pretty sure it was called the family bucket when I worked here though...

You used to work here? You're... Ah! You're an Esper! Ahmed!

Hey, did you hear that? It's Ahmed over there!

THE Ahmed?!?! My phone! Where's my phone?!

Your order will be ready in just a second, sir. Umm... Can I get an autograph?

(Uh oh. I didn't think this through...)

*Sigh*... Finally!

Hi.

Aaaah!

You've been a celebrity for while now. Don't you know that means everyone recognizes you?

Very funny. You saw what happened. So what brought you here?

The weather's nice so I came out for a walk. And I see you're enjoying your day too.

That's a lot of food by the way. Who else is coming?

Oh, a few friends.

Ahmed?

He's here! He's here!

Hello, Tess, Wilkins, everyone.

You got taller. I'll be sure to bring some new clothes next time. Where's Vic? Come here.

Oh, everyone, this is Raven. She's also a part of the Union.

Hi, kids!

So the extra food is for them?

Yeah... Alright everyone, line up. Tess, make sure everyone gets some. And everyone, don't forget to wash your hands!

You're popular...

We go way back. I used to live around here.

Their parents are too busy making ends meet. Sometimes come by to babysit and get lunch.

You were always such a nice guy, even back then, when I first met you around here.

It's been years... and you're still the same old Ahmed.

Thanks, I guess. I'm not going out of my way or anything to do this, by the way. It's just...

It's just they remind me so much of when I was a kid. You know, I had to drop out of school to put food on the table.

These kids deserve better.

I'm glad to see fame hasn't changed you.

But I always knew you'd make it.

Not just as a celebrity, but also as a babysitter.

...Very funny. Again.

Let's have a game. Ahmed!

Sure, in a bit. I just need to talk to Raven about something...

It's alright, just go.

Raven, come on! Play with us!

Yeah! Let's go!

Sure, what are we playing?

Wilkins has a hover-ball!

Ahmed, let's go!

?!