Esper Story: Fatum Sisters

Girls, why are you so sad? Tomorrow is your birthday!

You don't like the gifts I gave you?

Mom, we really appreciate them. They're amazing, it's just that...

It's not that we don't like gifts, it's just that we have different personalities and preferences...

So you don't want your gifts to be the same?

Yeah, we want to have unique gifts for each of us.

Really? But that was not what you told me before.

I used to bring you different gifts when you were young...

But none of you were happy about it. You'd all complain about wanting Udanya's toy bunny or Vanessa's strawberry hairpin or Sandrine's pretty dress...

Mom! That was ages ago...

Has it been that long? Feels like yesterday to me.

You always told me to give you each the same thing. You girls specifically told me, "The three of us want everything the same!"

What? Did we really say that?

Yeah, you would cry and scream unless I bought three copies of everything.

But we've grown up, Mom! We're all independent individuals now. You can't treat us like children anymore.

You're right. To think... my babies are all grown up. Time really flies.

How about we go shopping today? You can buy anything you like.

No, I don't want to go with Vanessa. She never knows what she wants and always keeps us waiting.

What about you? It's always so tiring going out with you.

Shopping is about finding things you like, but you always run around and never pick anything.

Please, will you two just stop...?

All right, no more shopping. Girls, please just write down the gifts you want on a piece of paper.

I'll go buy them for you, okay?

Let me see what you three want.

Ah, found them, Oh!

(Ah, now I can't tell which note belongs to whom... Anyway, I may as well check the contents and buy the gifts first.)

(Then I'll wrap the gifts in boxes and present them to the girls. They'll each pick the box that they think is theirs.)

(That way, my daughters won't find out that I didn't know who I bought the gifts for.)

(Oh, Cora, you must be the smartest mother ever.)

Is this Vanessa's? It kind of looks like her handwriting, but they basically share the same handwriting anyway. I wonder how their autographs for their fans look...

The album is out of stock? Guess I'll try my luck at a music store.

So they like the same thing... But how can I get two copies of out-of-stock albums?

......

What? Gyrate's People magazine wants to interview us?

The same magazine that interviewed Gaius, Raven, and the other heroes of Gyrate?!

Yes, that's the one.

The interview is scheduled for a week from now.

B-But... this is the first time we've been invited to an interview from such a major publisher. Should we prepare for it in advance?

Don't be scared. An interview is not like a performance. Just be yourself.

Vanessa, you don't need to be nervous. Sandrine, you need to take this a bit more seriously.

Based on what I've learned, they're reaching out because we stopped a stampede with our powers during that show. We got quite a lot of positive feedback after that.

Their chief editor thinks we have the potential to be the new Esper Stars. That's why we're getting this opportunity.

You don't need me to emphasize the importance of this interview, do you? It's not just some tabloid magazine.

Will it be embarrassing if we can't answer the questions?

They've provided an outline for us to prepare.

Based on this outline, I'll prepare some answers so don't worry.

You ready?

Of course! I've memorized everything on the draft Udanya gave me.

Me too. I'm not going to make Destiny's Kiss look bad!

"We, as idols, want to convey courage and bravery to everyone, just like the heroes of the Union do..."

"I love Raven and revere not only how powerful she is, but ... "

"Becoming an Esper is just one more responsibility with us... Becoming an Esper is just one more responsibility on us... No, no, becoming an Esper..."

Udanya, are you alright?

Hey, Udanya. Aren't you the one who told us to keep calm? You're more nervous than the two of us combined!

Sandrine!

Udanya has been working hard over the past week. While you were sleeping, she was checking through the previous issues of the magazine.

She basically hasn't slept well all week. We got this well-prepared draft because she has been staying up every night.

......

It's okay. As the oldest and captain of our group, this is my responsibility.

Don't worry, we've got your back.

Udanya, do you feel better now? Since they're not here yet, how about we sing "Little Stars"?

...?

(How beautiful.)

"ShrimpWay Hotdogs"... "Seafood noodles"... "Kung Fu Buns"... "Chick-Pit-A"...

Vanessa, what do you want to eat?

Oh... Nothing in particular. Anything is fine.

Okay, I'll order a "Big Mood Salad" for us then.

No, not that one!

Udanya! You didn't even ask me!

I want Chick-Pit-A. Vanessa, tell me you want that too, right?

I'm okay with that...

No! We're just lying around and doing nothing today. We're not even training. We can't eat something that has so many calories.

Udanya, how is it considered a break if we can't even eat the food we want?

As if you only do that on your break day. You always come up with different excuses every day to indulge in fast food.

First, it's because we're on vacation. Then, it's because some restaurant has a discount. After that, it's because you're stressed... And now it's because we're on a break...

I'm just saying... it's because we hardly ever indulge ourselves.

We just won the Best Idol Group award! For the sake of all that hard training we went through, shouldn't we treat ourselves to something delicious?

Just like you mentioned, we're idols. We need to keep ourselves fit and looking great on stage. We have to avoid high-calorie foods.

Udanya, you... you're so unreasonable!

Vanessa, say something! Salad or fried chicken and pita bread?

Well... salads... are healthier...

But Chick-Pit-A tastes so good... it's hard to choose...

Why are you always like this?! Will you just make up your mind for once?!

Sandrine, you know Vanessa has "indecisive-syndrome"? Let's just order from Big Mood Salad.

No, Chick-Pit-A!

Big Mood Salad!

Chick-Pit-A!

Well... I... I think...

As idols, we should be responsible to our fans. If we can't fit into our outfits or dance properly because we always indulge ourselves, that would not be good.

B-But... we also work really hard during our training. If we aren't allowed to indulge at all, how can we keep our training up?

So how about this... if we order salads, we can get some bubble tea as a reward for our training.

If we order fried chicken and pita bread, we have to exercise for an extra hour this afternoon to offset the extra calories.

Correct.

Vanessa, you're a genius!

...So what do you think? Salad and bubble tea or Chick-Pit-A and exercise?

If we have salads and bubble tea but do nothing, we still won't burn off the extra calories.

Might as well have some fried chicken and pita bread, then we can go exercise...

I don't want more training. Let's just have a salad! Although...

I've been dreaming about Chick-Pit-A since yesterday...

See, I'm not decisive. This is really so hard to choose.

Yeah!!!

Blue skies! White clouds! Sandy beaches!

This is paradise!

Be careful!

Udanya, look!

Hey! What are you doing?!

What do you mean? I'm not doing anything!

Someone just touched my butt. It was you, wasn't it?!

Miss, did you actually see me do anything?

You were the closest person to me. Who else could it be?

C'mon, so you didn't see anything! You're trying to blame it on me because I stood near you?

You... You have no shame, do you? I know it was you!

Did anyone else see this happen? Where's your proof? Miss, you've got no evidence. I could sue you for slander!

I saw it! You're a pervert!

A lot of people were buying slushies at this stall. You took advantage and touched this lady's butt!

W-Who are you? Y-You two must know each other! They're lying!

Hmph! It doesn't matter who I am, you pervert! The police are on the way!

This girl looks so familiar... I've seen her online.

She is a member of Destiny's Kiss! Oh my god! I can't believe she's here in person!

You're not getting away that easily!

... What happened? You're injured! Does it hurt?

I'm fine! An injury like this... ugh... is nothing.

Enough pretending. Let's head back to the hotel and get you fixed up.

Even though it's just some bruises, you've got to stop being so reckless!

I was helping that poor woman! I had to use my fists! I couldn't use my Esper powers on some ordinary guy now, could I?

Still, I'm a pretty good fighter even without my powers. I almost stopped that pervert.

What if he had a knife or something?

Yeah... or what if you got thrown into something sharp when he shoved you?

It's fine! I can protect myself, okay?

When will you stop being so reckless...?

AHHH!!!

Cockroach!

Help! I hate cockroaches!

Time to apply your ointment, oh brave Sandrine.

"Sandrine of Destiny's Kiss and her cold icy stare. Is it because of relationship issues with her sisters?"... What nonsense is this?

These tabloids only write about gossip and rumors. All these articles are lying!

Well, you did seem cold and distant during our event yesterday.

Well, who was to blame for that?!

You two secretly had milk tea behind my back!

That was only because you secretly had Chick-Pit-A without us!

You even hid the take-out box so that we wouldn't notice it.

......

Enough... What should we do about this rumor?

Nothing. We're public figures now. Our every move is being watched.

The more we try to explain things, the more they'll misinterpret our explanations.

Just control your expressions and emotions better. Don't give them anything to write about.

Miss Sandrine, what's your take on the recent news about you not getting along with your sisters?

The story simply isn't true. I'm just tired lately and looked a bit weary last time. I don't think I seemed cold at all.

Destiny's Kiss is the top idol group lately. Miss Vanessa, as the most popular member of the group, what are your expectations for the future of your group?

Ah...

Well... expectations...

(We are working hard to be one of the best in the world so we can give back to our fans.)

I... We are working hard... to be one of the best... so...

"Vanessa has no expectations about Destiny's Kiss. Is she planning to go solo?"... What do they mean by going solo?

You were stuttering when you were talking. The reporters are just putting words in your mouth now.

I wasn't prepared for the question... Udanya already covered for me...

We always give our best performance on stage, what more do the reporters expect? I don't get why they would ask such a silly question.

They're always like that, always trying to create a scandal out of nothing.

I thought we could avoid this by not making inappropriate comments, but it seems they'll do whatever they can to make up a juicy story.

We can't be passive about this anymore. We need to set the record straight.

"There have been some negative rumors about Destiny's Kiss, speculating on our relationship and questioning the future of our group.

"We hereby state that no one is going solo and our group will certainly not disband. Nothing can break our tight sisterhood. The three of us are united as one!"

Alright, sent!

That should work.

Udanya, look!

"Udanya from Destiny's Kiss defends their relationship. Is she trying to cover up the truth?"

......

......

Udanya, you seem to be adding fuel to the fire...

You're tearing the paper into pieces...

Wait, Udanya, why are you rolling up your sleeves?

You're going out? R-Right now?

Hey, Udanya, calm down!