Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Daniel
4 scenes, 265 lines
1. Problem Children
66 linesGyrate: Esper Academy
Now then, are there any questions about today's lesson?
If you're too nervous to ask right now, you can always come to see me after class.
Professor Daniel? Can we go on a field trip for our next practical lesson?
(All of Daniel's students nod at him in excitement... All except for one student, who quickly averts her gaze.)
Hmm... That will all depend on your performance in class, as well as the results of your next test.
If there are no further questions, then the class is dismissed.
(The same group of students approach Daniel after class.)
Professor Daniel!
Hello, everyone.
(Daniel sees Jen hiding in the crowd of students, and greets her.)
Hello, Jen.
......
(Upon being noticed by Daniel, Jen ignores his greeting and runs away.)
Wait...
Don't worry about the new girl, professor. That's just how she is.
Is she okay?
She's extremely shy, and doesn't really want to talk to any of us.
Oh, I see...
(For some time afterwards, Daniel begins to pay closer attention to Jen.)
(He quickly realizes that Jen refuses to interact with any of her classmates, and spends most of her time in class staring at a photograph.)
I'm sorry... I didn't mean to look at that photograph without asking.
!
The place in that photo is very beautiful... Was it taken in the grasslands, by chance?
...Uh-huh.
You must be quite fond of that place, considering you look at this photograph so often.
It's... my family's horse ranch.
I see... It's a lovely ranch, Jen. Tell me... Have you been feeling homesick lately?
(Jen silently lowers her head, not daring to look Daniel in the eyes. Feeling somewhat helpless, Daniel simply pats her on the head and takes his leave.)
(Several days later...)
Alright, class! Please pair up into groups of four or five, and prepare to begin your field studies! I expect a report on the Miramon commonly found in the plains by next week!
Well, the good news is we finally got to go on a field trip!
But the bad news is... we have to write a report on it! Can't you give us a break, professor?!
(As expected, Jen refuses to pair up with any of her fellow classmates, and is the only student in the entire class without a partner.)
Jen? Could you please come to see me in my office after class?
!
Esper Academy: Daniel's Office
I thought you might enjoy a project like this, Jen... Why won't you work with any of the other students?
I... I want to, but... I don't think I'm good enough to join them...
(Jen stares at a small, stuffed sheep on Daniel's desk throughout the entire conversation. Suddenly, a thought occurs to Daniel.)
......
Say, Jen... How would you like to go on a special practical course with me before our next lesson?
Huh? Sure...
Esper Academy: Wilderness Just Outside of Gyrate
What do you think of this place? It's the closest thing I could think of to grasslands.
(Daniel notices that Jen's expression has gotten much more relaxed.)
I had no idea there was a place like this so close to Gyrate... It's beautiful...
But it's nothing compared to your family's ranch, yes?
Of course! Er, I mean... the grass is much taller back home... It should be about as high as my knees by now.
That makes sense. After all, the groundskeepers mow these fields regularly to keep the grass short.
It looks so soft... C-Can I lay down on it?
(Daniel nods his head.)
...It really is soft!
And it smells so fresh, too!
(Jen begins happily rolling around on the ground, her clothing strewn with loose blades of grass.)
This place is amazing!
Thank you, Professor Daniel...!
(Jen suddenly stops, and gazes reluctantly into the distant sky.)
You know, Jen... Next week's practical course will be held here in these fields.
Really?!
Yes, really. I'll be here every step of the way to make sure nothing goes awry, as well.
And should you manage to finish your report... I'll have a very special surprise for you!
I... I'll do my best, then.
(One week later, Daniel received Jen's report.)
(He also noticed that a handful of his students were offering Jen their support, however clumsily. Slowly but surely, she was becoming part of the class.)
(True to his word, Daniel gave the stuffed sheep on his desk to Jen as her reward. After seeing the light in her eyes, he was convinced that she would adapt to academy life soon enough.)
2. Daniel's Woes
76 linesGyrate: Central Gardens
No, Karo, don't lick that!
*Meow*
If you keep this up, I'm not taking you out for walks anymore! Do you hear me, Karo?
*Meowwww*
(Daniel recently took in a stray cat, one that requires daily walks in order to feel at ease.)
(Kaylee, who also happens to own an outdoors-loving cat, bumps into Daniel and Karo by chance.)
Good morning, Daniel! It looks like we're the only ones who take their cats out for walks around here, eh?
Hahaha... Perhaps it's because she was a stray, but Karo just can't seem to stay put indoors.
Awww, what a pretty kitty! Can I pet you, little one?
Meow, meow.
(Karo sniffs Kaylee's hand, then begins brushing up against her.)
(However, Karo quickly turns her attention to Kaylee's cat, Chili. The two felines stare cautiously at one another.)
Play nice, Chili! No picking on little Karo, okay?
Ooo...
(Before Kaylee finishes speaking Chili leaps at Karo and the two begin to tussle on the ground.)
(Daniel, caught entirely by surprise, lets go of Karo's leash, and Karo darts away with Chili in hot pursuit.)
W-Wait, Karo!
Oh no! Bad Chili!
(Daniel charges after Karo as she dashes into the nearby woods. Kaylee, who managed to grab hold of Chili's leash, picks up her cat and quickly follows.)
I'm so sorry! Cats can be so crazy sometimes...
It's perfectly fine. Karo is easily frightened, to begin with; she'll come out once she feels safe again.
Why don't you head back for now? I'm sure Chili had quite the scare, as well.
I really am sorry, Daniel. I'll be sure to bring Karo a few cans of cat food to make it up to her.
(After saying goodbye to Kaylee, Daniel enters the woods to search for Karo. Soon enough, he discovers her hiding in a small, secluded area.)
There you are, Karo! Come here, girl!
*Meow*
Hmm? Is that... another cat?
(You seem to be making lots of friends today, Karo.)
First Chili, now this... I hope you're not making more trouble for this cat?
Such a restless kitten you are, Karo...
Meow––
Esper Union: Apartment
What's the matter, Karo? You hardly want to go outside anymore...
Meow...
What's that? Hungry again?
Meow!
What am I supposed to do with you? Here, this is one of the cans that Kaylee sent you. Do you want it?
!!!
*Meowww!!!*
(A thought suddenly occurs to Daniel as he watches Karo wolf down her meal.)
Is it me, or have you been gaining weight lately, Karo?
In fact, if I look closely... Your belly has gotten much bigger than before!
Could it be...?!
(Daniel excitedly reaches for his phone and calls Kaylee.)
Oh, hi Daniel! How have you been? I haven't seen you or Karo outside for a while now!
Well, it's because Karo has been feeling a bit sluggish lately... That and her belly has gotten quite big.
Is she sick?
No, no... not sick, but pregnant! ...Or so I believe.
Really? Oh my goodness, congratulations!
That's why I haven't taken her out on her usual walks lately. If my hunch is right, she'll need all the rest she can get!
Well, don't just leave it at a hunch! Go see a veterinarian and make sure everything's okay! I'll send some more cat food, too!
(Two months later...)
Gyrate: Shrimpy's Pet Shop
(Daniel and Kaylee take Karo to a pet hospital for a quick examination.)
Oh, this is so exciting! I've already prepared a few things for raising kittens.
So, doctor? Is my little Karo okay?
Yes, professor. By all accounts, Karo is healthy and well... Though she could stand to lose some weight.
Hmm? Wait... You mean she's not pregnant?
Pregnant? Sir, this is a male cat.
...?
...?
...?
(Karo's chubby face stares inquisitively at Daniel and Kaylee's stunned expressions.)
You mean, after all this time... You didn't know? In fact, Karo appears to have been released into the wild after being neutered.
I-Is that so?
I thought she, I mean, he was pregnant, so I fed him all kinds of nutritious foods over the last few weeks.
That settles it, Karo! No more midnight snacks!
Starting today, I'm also cutting your meals down to size.
*Meowwww*
(Sensing that his food supply is at risk, Karo begins acting as adorable as possible.)
Rolling around won't save you now, Karo. You're overweight, and that's the truth!
We won't be needing any more canned food either, Kaylee. Karo will be on the strictest of diets for the foreseeable future!
Pffft!
Now then, diet is the only part of the weight-loss journey. We'll be taking plenty of walks after each of your meals, Karo!
*Meowwww*
3. Academic Sharing
59 linesEsper Union Research Center: Lecture Hall
And that concludes my lecture on the locomotive behavior of Miramon. Are there any further questions?
If there are no more questions, then I would like to invite our next speaker up to the stage to share the results of their research.
(Daniel looks across the lecture hall, only to find most of his audience either playing on their phones or dozing off.)
...Now then, please welcome Professor Sienna as she delivers her own report.
(Suddenly, the audience bursts into uproarious applause.)
...
(After finishing their lectures, Daniel and Sienna return to the Esper Union together. On the way, Daniel overhears a discussion between two young researchers.)
Professor Sienna's my idol, you know?
Remember that guy who gave his lecture before her? I think he's Professor Sienna's student or something. What was his name again...?
I barely understood anything he said, to be honest.
Same... I almost fell asleep listening to him.
(The two boys suddenly realize that Daniel and Sienna are eavesdropping on their conversation. Without missing a beat, they turn tail and run off.)
......
Are you alright, Daniel?
Professor... It's thanks to your help that my research bore such positive results.
But time and time again, my work does little to grab the attention of our young students...
What makes you say that?
Well, whenever I give a lecture, the audience always seems to be on the verge of falling asleep. Could there be something wrong with my work? Could it be that my research is... boring?
(Sienna smiles gently.)
Rest assured, it has nothing to do with the quality of your work. No one could ever doubt your expertise.
However... delivering lectures is a field of study, in and of itself.
You should try using your strengths to your advantage. For example, why not use a more "practical" approach when displaying the results of your research?
(Daniel lowers his head in contemplation. After taking his own past into consideration, he finally discovers a solution to his dilemma.)
I understand now. Thank you, professor!
(Two weeks later...)
(Daniel stands nervously at the podium as he prepares to deliver his next lecture. Scanning the audience, he sees Sienna looking back at him. She gives him a small wink, which greatly calms his nerves.)
Students and fellow researchers! It has come to my attention that the contents of my previous lecture were a bit difficult to comprehend.
This time, however, my new "assistant" will be helping me with today's lecture!
(Daniel signals to a worker, who promptly enters the room and places an enormous crate in the center of the lecture hall.)
(Daniel pries open the crate, and the audience lets out a collective gasp. Sitting inside of the crate is a living, breathing Miramon.)
*Grrrrr*... *Wriggle*
(The audience is completely astounded by Daniel's stunt. Everyone's attention is focused on the Miramon.)
(Daniel waves his hands reassuringly at the crowd.)
Calm down, everyone! I can assure you, no one is in danger!
Now then, there are still many mysteries surrounding Miramon and their existence...
But it is my belief that by studying them, we can avert many subsequent disasters caused by the Miracles.
To defeat our enemy, we must first know our enemy.
*Squeak*
(To the surprise of many audience members, Daniel begins to walk around the Miramon.)
Please direct your attention to the stage, where I have set up a number of training robots.
(Daniel walks over to the center of the stage, surrounded by the aforementioned robots.)
Now pay close attention, everyone! For the longest time, we believed that Miramon utilized a form of motion-capturing technology in order to acquire their targets.
However, this doesn't always appear to be the case! You see, Miramon have a very high level of sensitivity for living creatures.
(With the push of a button, Daniel orders the robots to surround the Miramon and begin waving their hands at it.)
*Squeak*
(The Miramon appears somewhat confused, as if it does not know which way to look.)
(However, the moment Daniel begins to wave his arms at it, the Miramon immediately turns towards him and begins growling.)
*Grrrr*
(The audience lets out another collective gasp.)
Not to worry, everyone! This Miramon is virtually harmless.
(Daniel claps his hands, and the same worker returns to carry the Miramon away.)
As my previous research indicated, Miramon have an abnormally-powerful sensitivity when it comes to detecting living, sentient beings such as ourselves.
This discovery, in turn, has reshaped our understanding of their locomotive behaviors.
My next goal is to develop a way to disrupt or even disable the detection capabilities of Miramon. I have already come up with a number of ideas, but I will need some help from research and development...
I won't lie, that was my first time seeing a Miramon so up close.
Same. Today's lecture was really something else, huh?
I think I'll start paying a little more attention to this guy's work from now on.
(As Daniel exits the stage to take his seat, he is greeted by honest and enthusiastic applause.)
4. Solstice Surprise
64 linesEsper Academy: Daniel's Office
(Ye Suhua passes by Daniel's office, which is packed to capacity with excited students.)
The Solstice Festival is almost here, Professor Daniel! Could you help us deliver our presents to Professor Sienna?
You're the best, Professor Daniel! You're always so patient and understanding with us!
No problem.
We're counting on you, Professor Daniel!
(My, my... Aren't you the popular one, Professor Daniel?)
(After a brief moment, Ye Suhua suddenly remembers something and leaves without a word.)
(Daniel sees the last of his students out of his office. Just as he is about to heave a huge sigh of relief, he realizes that there is still one student standing quietly in the doorway.)
Is something the matter?
Professor Daniel... It's almost time for the Solstice Festival.
I'm well aware of it, yes.
I... I'm learning how to crochet, so I can make my favorite professor a special gift with my own two hands!
That sounds lovely. I'm sure your professor will be very pleased.
It's just that I'm so clumsy, and I keep getting it wrong... Do you think you could help me, Professor Daniel?
Let me see.
(The student eagerly pulls out her needle and a tangled ball of yarn, and hands them to Daniel.)
(Daniel begins to untangle the ball of yarn.)
See? Now you pass it through like this...
(After deftly untangling the yarn, Daniel crochets a small piece and hands it back to his student.)
...There! Now just keep crocheting it like this until you're done.
Wow! Thanks so much, Professor Daniel!
(The student takes the unfinished scarf, crochets a few more rows to show that she understands, then leaves with a look of joy and satisfaction on her face.)
(Before Daniel has a chance to sit down, another student suddenly pokes his head through the doorway.)
Yes?
Professor Daniel... I need your help!
Yes, can I help you?
I want to make a gift for my favorite professor for the Solstice Festival, and I want to do it with my own two hands.
But no matter what I make, nothing seems to come out right...
(The boy sheepishly takes out a chipped block of wood and a small whittling knife.)
Let me see... Tell me, what exactly are you trying to make out of this?
A little wooden horse!
(Daniel holds up the misshapen block of wood and takes a closer look.)
This is the head, correct? If so, you should try whittling it like this...
(With a few notches, Daniel carves the head into a readily-recognizable figure.)
And this is how you carve the legs out. The tail, on the other hand, is a bit trickier...
(Daniel soon produces a rudimentary, but distinctly horse-shaped carving, and hands it back to the boy.)
Do you understand now? From here, you can adjust it however you see fit.
I'm certain your professor will be very thankful for it.
I-I don't know what to say, except... thank you, Professor Daniel!
(Ye Suhua appears outside the door just in time to see the boy leave in astonishment.)
Oh? Hello, Suhua. Is there something I can help you with?
Not at the moment, Professor Daniel... But thank you for asking.
The children really seem to like you.
Hahaha! Well, the holidays always put them in a good mood.
I imagine their gifts are for Sienna, as well. After all, I've been charged with delivering plenty of presents to her already.
Professor Sienna is so busy these days... I sure hope these gifts don't surprise her too much.
Not at all. She'll be thrilled to receive them, I'm sure.
(The day of the Solstice Festival)
(Daniel enters his office, only to see his desk completely covered in gifts.)
?!
Wh-What is this...?
(Suddenly, his students jump out and surprise him. He quickly realizes that they are the same students who asked for his help previously.)
Here, Professor Daniel! This scarf is for you!
This wooden horse, too! ...B-But it doesn't compare to you, professor!
Hahaha! Surprised, Professor Daniel?
Was this your idea...?
Not entirely, no. I just happened to overhear some of your students earlier.
They're all very fond of you, and they want to get closer to their favorite professor... So they planned a big surprise, just for you.
All I did was encourage them to come to you for help, so that they could make their special gifts for you.
Suhua... All of you... Thank you.
This means a lot to me.
(The students rush forward and surround Daniel, holding up their gifts to his face. Daniel appears slightly embarrassed by all of the attention.)
(Yet another happy Solstice Festival for all.)