Esper Story: Camille

Love is poison. A sweet poison.

What's wrong? Is someone bothering you?

You remember Jack?

Yeah, you used to hang out with him a lot.

I just found out the other day that he has been chasing 4 girls at the same time...

He'd prepare 4 identical gifts and send them identical messages.

Holy cow... How did you find out?

When he invited me to the amusement park on All Hallows' Eve, he sent me a bunch of messages.

But he must've wanted to send them to someone else because the messages referred to another girl's name.

What a scumbag!

Hey baby, let me take a photo of you on the carousel.

Cool, why don't you sit on that white horse, and I'll take a picture of you?

...

Hey, if I ride that horse, that makes me your Prince Charming, right?

Whoa!

Mom, look! That man just broke the horse!

Hahaha... I can't believe that happened.

No, it's not what you think... There's something wrong with this carousel!

Hahaha, Prince Charming... my tail!

I'm a pro with bumper cars.

Really?

Of course, but I won't bump you... unless you want me to. Hahaha...

(What a creep...)

Whoa!

Dammit…

(Hmph! Trying to get out? Nope!)

It's not my day today. Sorry you had to see that.

I-It's fine...

Alright, it's all fun from now on.

I have been to this haunted house like a dozen times. I know where all the "ghosts" are.

Don't worry. I'll protect you...

*Scream*

AHHH!!!!

I... finally... found... you...

AAAAAHHH!!!!

No!!! Get away!!!

Crap!

What's wrong with you? You said the ghosts wouldn't attack the guests!

You promised they wouldn't touch us. This is against the regulations!

I'm not an employee here...

*Sigh*... I'm sorry. I just wanted to scare you a little. I didn't know you'd fall down the stairs.

I'll cover all of your medical expenses.

That's it? You think you can get away with this by just paying my bills?

Hold on, you look familiar. Oh, I remember now!

What do you remember?

Melanie?

I was wondering why I was so unlucky today. You guys were pranking me!

Who pranked you?

Ummm...

Tell her, Jack.

You know each other?

Of course, Jack is my...

She's a friend of mine. Just a friend.

Okay, but why did you prank him?

Yeah, why would we prank you?

Jack, haven't you told her about me?

...

Fine, let me explain. Actually...

Actually, this is all a misunderstanding!

I bet them that they couldn't scare me, so they played a little joke on me.

Their pranks caused you to get a swollen ankle.

It's not as bad as it looks. Oh, you don't have to pay my medical bills. It's fine.

Alright, we'll get out of your hair now. Hope you feel better.

Melanie, what are you doing here?

I didn't see you today. I thought you were taking a day off.

Then Celine told me you went to the amusement park to get back at Jack. So I came over right away.

Only, I just couldn't find you.

I see.

I heard there was an incident at the haunted house, so I decided to check the infirmary...

I got here just in time.

Sorry, Melanie.

I wanted to help you get revenge, but in the end, you helped me.

I'm really happy to have a friend who's willing to stand up for me.

It's a shame that scumbag didn't get the punishment he deserves.

It's okay. I'm sure he'll pay for what he has done sooner or later.

...

Come on, pull yourself together.

It's All Hallows' Eve. We gotta get in some more fun before the park closes.

What happened?

Someone spray-painted on my door...

I clearly see that. I'm asking why someone would do that.

I'll explain when we get inside...

Ummm...

Why?

The door lock's been jammed.

Who the heck did all this?

I got first place in a popularity contest among some other live streamers.

Their fans think I won because I cheated or I knew the contest holders.

So they spray-painted on your door?

Seems like it. Looks like they're gonna cause trouble unless I give up the first-place position.

This is outrageous. I'll troll their online profiles for you.

Don't worry about it. I won fair and square. They'll know that in time.

You aren't mad about this? That's so unlike you.

They aren't just trying to scare me. They wanna film me going crazy.

They wanna see me lose my temper? Not gonna happen!

I'm known to the public as outgoing and cute. I'm not gonna let them ruin my reputation!

*Chuckle*... That's the Camille I know.

Don't worry. They'll stop doing this after a few more days.

Where's the owner? We're here to complain about one of your employees.

It's her! She dropped our plate of fried chicken on the floor!

It wasn't like that when I served it to their table.

Stop lying! You dropped it! I got grease stains on my pants now.

We demand an explanation!

Hello, sir. Please calm down and let me know what happened.

Camille, what's all the fuss about?

They dropped their fried chicken on the floor and accused me of doing it.

Hey! Just because you're a bit famous doesn't mean you can disrespect your customers like this!

Everyone, calm down. Camille has stated clearly that she didn't drop your food.

Guys, Evening Sounds is insulting their customers just to protect one of their live streamers.

That explains why their employees cheated in the popularity competition by buying votes for her!

Please put away your phones and stop filming.

I'll call the Marshals if you keep causing trouble.

Let me remind you that a thousand people are watching my stream right now.

Everyone, look! This woman is trying to snatch my friend's phone!

Remember her face! She is a waitress at Evening Sounds! She's trying to protect this streamer even when she tried to hit us. Her name is...

This is ENOUGH!

You jammed my door lock and spray-painted the outside of my house. Now you come to my friend's place and start trouble?!

See! This is what Camille is like in real life!

The innocent, cute girl you know online is just...

Ugh!

We're still live! How dare you...

I never SAID I was an innocent, cute girl!

You want to mess with my friend? Don't even think about it!

Don't let me see you here again!

L-Let's get out of here!

Ugh... Y-You'll pay for this!

What should we do? Now everyone has seen your angry side.

Will this affect your popularity?

Like I care. You're more important to me.

You're incorrigible...

Well, if anyone makes trouble for you at Evening Sounds tomorrow, I'll kick them out.

Hello, is Camille working here?

She's not here...

I'm warning you. Stay away from her. Otherwise, all of the Evening Sounds will make you regret it.

Oh! Are you Melanie?

Are you people looking for me?

What are you doing out here? Get back inside!

No! What if they try to take it out on you again?

Wow! It's just as they said! Miss Melanie is so protective of Camille!

I'm crushing on you two.

???

Miss Melanie, you've misunderstood us. We're Camille's fans. We're here for your autographs.

Our autographs?

Yes, you're so honest and sincere! You were willing to sacrifice your popularity for Miss Melanie.

Camille is definitely the cutest girl on the planet!

Miss Melanie, if you don't mind, could you sign your name here?

Why are you asking for my autograph?

I-I'm a big fan of both of you. The relationship you two have is truly touching!

...

Melanie! Melanie! Are you listening to me?

Sorry, I was somewhere else. What did you just say?

It's no big deal, but why are you so absent-minded today?

I'm going to a singles mixer tomorrow. I'm struggling to pick what to wear.

Singles mixer? What's that?

You've never been to one?

Nope.

It's a place where you can meet handsome single men.

Many Espers go. Even some famous guys.

The theme of this event this time is a frisbee game. Men and women team up and face off.

Frisbee?

Yea, sounds fun, doesn't it? Wanna go with me?

Well...

Come on, trust me! You won't regret it!

Once you feel the charged atmosphere, I bet you'll love it!

Okay...

Miss Melanie, I didn't expect to see you here.

The weather is so nice that I just had to go out.

And who's your friend?

This is Camille. It's her first time to one of these.

You must be Lewis from the Union, right? I've seen you on the news before.

R-Really?

Yeah, you're pretty well-known. I heard you're always helping out people in need.

*Chuckle* Thanks for the compliment...

(Is Lewis actually blushing?)

(Famous hero with a sweet celebrity streamer? They'd be a perfect match. I can imagine the headlines now!)

How about we have a match?

Sure, why not?

Miss Camille, have you played frisbee before?

I've seen people play but never played myself.

I'm not bad. Wanna team up? We'll win together.

Alright, nice!

(Oh man, she isn't on Lewis' team.)

(Still, Bardon and her look like those couples from a rom-com. Yes! Just like in those Shojo mangas. This could be good.)

Melanie, what are you doing? The game is about to start. You're on Lewis' team.

Oh, sure! I'm coming!

Watch this!

Ha!

Wow! I didn't expect you to catch that one.

I can do more than just catch!

Bardon!

There's more where that came from!

If that's the case, I better start taking this game more seriously.

Bring it on!

Hahaha! Just don't cry when you lose!

That's what I was gonna say.

How was that? Just admit you lost!

Ha! No way! You got lucky today! Let's go again after this break.

No... Please no...

We... played... the whole... afternoon... I can barely... lift my hand...

All right, then let's have another match next week. But mark my words, next time I'm going to win!

...

(My fantasy of the famous hero getting together with the celebrity streamer has gone out the door. They're becoming mortal enemies!)

(There's still hope for Bardon though. The two of them worked really well together. There has to be a spark there, right?)

(I'd watch their rom-com any day...)

Miss Camille, forgive me for my words earlier!

Let's team up again next time. If I'm with you, we'll definitely win!

Hahahaha, sure, no problem! You can count on me!

(What...?)

(What kind of mixer is this?!)

Melanie, thank you. This has been a blast!

When's the next one?

...

The warehouse got messed up again last night...

What? Did someone break in?

Well... We had a thief, but it wasn't a person.

Take a look. The surveillance camera captured everything.

It's only a dog...

A dog is more troublesome than a person though. We don't know why it's coming in and making a mess of things.

It's been coming for 2 days now too. If we don't stop it, everything in the warehouse will get destroyed.

Don't worry. I'll scare it away the next time it comes.

...

You little thief, what do you want?!

!!!

Woof, woof, woof!

What? You think you're the only one who knows how to bark?

*Scream*

This is my place. Get outta here!

If you come and mess stuff up again, you'll end up just like this wall!

*Whimper*

You know your place!

Oh... I clawed the wall too hard. I think I broke a nail.

I better get home to treat it.

*Whimper*

AHHH!!!!

Thief! How dare you steal something right from under my nose! I'm gonna make you pay for this!

*Whimper*Whimper*

*Whimper*

*Sigh*...

This won't work.

Woof, woof, woof!

Easy, puppy, I'm not gonna take it away.

Woof, woof, woof!

Will you stop barking? I'm going to treat her wound!

Camille, thanks for your help. The stray dog stopped bothering us, just like you said.

Don't mention it. I can handle petty thieves easily.

Really? I heard the stray dogs around here are scary. They sometimes bite people.

No matter how scary they are, can they beat a giant wolf?

I show them my claws, and they go running.

You're awesome!

All right, I'm gonna go home. You should go too. It's getting late. It's dangerous out here.

See ya!

See ya!

Woof, woof!

Woof!

My babies! Did you miss me? I brought some tasty snacks for ya!

Hmmm... the smell of wild lilacs, a woman's perfume.

I often smell this scent at Evening Sounds.

Hmmm, Melanie isn't messing with me, is she?

Sending me a fake love letter... Ha! She's using my own methods against me? That's so lame.

How should I let her know I've seen through her ploy...

How about this...

I'll pretend to believe her and then prank her myself!

*Chuckle*... This is gonna be fun.

To dear... Mr. Callan.

Thank you for your lovely letter to me.

I'm interested in getting to know you more. Perhaps we can start by becoming pen pals.

I believe that one day when we finally meet... sparks will fly.

Ha! Melanie, you're in for it now!

"Actually, I've appreciated you and your actions, Miss Camille, for quite a long time now."

"When you bravely and frankly shared your thoughts on social media that day, it gave me tremendous encouragement."

What the... why mention the past all of a sudden?

Okay, fine. Melanie, you win.

We've been exchanging letters for a while now. Guess it's time to be frank, wouldn't you agree... Mr. Callan?

...?

Give me a break. I know you're pretending to be Mr. Callan in order to get revenge for the fake love letter I wrote to you.

Your love letters are so bad I don't even know how to reply anymore!

I was offended by your fake love letters.

But I thought we made up? Why would I do the same stupid thing to you?

...Well, how do you explain the smell of your perfume on the letters?

I always smell the same perfume when I work here.

Don't tell me it's not yours...

Every time Miss Callan orders a cocktail from me, I smell this perfume on her.

Miss C-Callan?

Yep, she's one of our regulars. She's also a fan of yours.

She doesn't want to bother you, so she never tried to talk to you.

...Oh... I see...

So the content of the letters... Where is she? Can I talk to her in person?

She thanked me in her letters, but in fact, I should thank her.

I am grateful to her for recognizing the courage in me and for valuing the real me. I had once been too scared to confront myself, but not anymore.

She was in Evening Sounds a few days ago. She's left the city by now.

!!!

She said she sold her shop and planned to move to a small town somewhere.

She wants to open a milk tea shop and adopt a black cat.

Sold her shop? What about all the business and customers she had here?

Yeah, she said her parents are about to disown her for her decision. And other people are calling her crazy for doing this.

But it was always her choice in the end, wasn't it?

May you always aim for the stars, my friend.