Esper Story: Jacqueline

......

Jacqueline! You're here too!

Yu Jing!?

Finals are almost here, and I've spent the last few weeks partying... Now I have to cram all night just to catch up.

Same here! There's so much to review, and I'm nowhere near done.

Want to study together?

I keep nodding off when I'm on my own... I could really use someone to keep me on track.

I brought snacks too! We can share!

I'd like that. It'll be nice not to study alone.

And if you start dozing off, I'll wake you!

Yu Jing! Hey, wake up!

Huh? Oh!

I got one for you too! Save it for when the yawning starts!

Coffee? Perfect, thanks!

Yu Jing? Come on, wake up.

Yu Jing...?

Huh? What happened to my candied hawthorn...?

You fell asleep again.

Oh! That was a dream?

Thanks. Good thing you woke me.

No, no, no!

What's wrong?

I'm never going to finish... I've barely studied anything, but somehow I've gone through a mountain of snacks.

I'm too tired to remember anything... What if I fail?!

You... haven't touched your coffee?

Oh, right! I completely forgot about it. I wasn't tired, so I never needed it.

It's the middle of the night, and you're still wide awake. How?!

It's the divine power I got from Nott. It keeps me awake at night.

Since my Transformation, I don't get tired or need sleep.

That's amazing... I'm so jealous.

If only I could do that.

......

Wait, your divine power!

Jacqueline, I have an idea!

What?

Use it on me! Then I can stay awake and actually get through all this.

But... I've never tried using my power on anyone else before...

I'm sure it'll be fine! Just this once?

But...

Please, Jacqueline... I only need it to get through finals!

I'll make it up to you! Anything you want, name it.

Alright. But tell me as soon as anything feels wrong.

As for making it up to me... Want to go see the fireflies after finals?

Absolutely! I've never seen them before!

Done. How do you feel?

Wow...

Yu Jing?

Whoa... This is incredible! I'm not tired at all!

Now I can finally study! Thank you, Jacqueline!

Yes! I got through even more than I planned!

Me too! Studying together really did help.

I brought two flashlights. Here's one for you! You can make it brighter if you're scared.

Whoa, you put a little charm on it! It's the star charm I gave you!

Cute, right? I thought it looked good there!

How much farther?

We're almost there! There's a stream up ahead, and the fireflies gather there at night. They like clean water.

We're here!

Where? Where are the fireflies?

Hehe, want to see a magic trick? Turn off your flashlight.

Here? But it's pitch-black.

Fireflies are sensitive to artificial light. It throws off their natural rhythm.

We won't see them until the flashlights are off.

Okay. I trust you!

Jacqueline...?

It's okay. Give your eyes a moment to adjust! Trust me.

Yu Jing, look!

Whoa! Fireflies, there are so many!

Stay right there. Let me get a picture!

Three, two, one... Perfect!

Let's take some selfies too. This place is gorgeous!

I've never seen fireflies before. They're beautiful!

I can't believe there's such a beautiful view right near the academy. How has no one ever mentioned it?

The fireflies are all the way at the northern edge of the forest. They are not easy to find.

And most people won't come this deep into the woods after dark.

Great shot!

If you ever have another fun outing planned, be sure to invite me!

Speaking of which... Venus will be at its brightest next weekend. If we miss it, we'll have to wait another year.

Stargazing? I'm in!

We could make a whole night party out of it and invite everyone!

Yes! That'd be so much fun!

Telescope, camping chairs... and blankets, in case anyone gets cold!

Come to me for marshmallows and hot dogs! Jacqueline's got cocoa and tea!

Wow, you thought of everything!

Nice! Then I'll handle the music!

See those stars to the north, shaped like a ladle? That's the Big Dipper, part of Ursa Major.

Draw a line through the two stars at the outer edge of the bowl. Follow it about five times that distance, and it'll lead you to Polaris.

I found it! So that way is due north, right?

Exactly. People often use it to find their way when they're lost.

Phew... so sleepy...

No! I can't fall asleep yet. I promised my fans a photo of Venus!

It's only three. We have at least another hour.

Oh no... I could pass out any second.

What am I supposed to do? I came for Venus, but I'm exhausted.

......

I could use my power on you... It would keep you awake.

Seriously? You can do that?

We tested it during finals! It's how I stayed awake to study.

Then sign me up! I'm not missing Venus!

Me too!

Alright. Relax and let the power flow through you.

Whoa... I'm wide awake!

Yes! Keep the music going!

There! See it?

Finally! Got it! My fans are going to love this.

It's so bright!

Jacqueline! I'm back!

Jacqueline...? Are you listening?

Oh!

It's you.

Are you okay...? You look tired.

Huh? I'm fine.

You're here for another boost, right? No problem!

Thanks! You know me so well!

I brought you another gift! It's a bow with stars on it!

Wow, thank you! I love it!

You really don't have to give me something every time. I'm only helping a little.

It's fine! Whenever I see something that suits you, I can't help buying it. Hehe!

Still... I didn't realize I'd given you this much.

!

Did you just... use your power on him?

Huh? Yeah. Why?

But... he didn't ask you to.

So? He was tired, so I helped him stay awake.

I just didn't realize you were using it on people without being asked.

How long have you been doing this?

For a while. Sometimes I help people stay awake at night. Other times, I keep them from having nightmares.

I want everyone to enjoy their nights more, so I often go around and see if anyone needs help.

So that's why I can never find you at night anymore.

I'm worried, though... What if using your power like this takes a toll on you?

You do look a little pale. Are you sure you're okay?

I'm fine! I don't feel sick or anything.

But... you didn't look like this before.

Wait... are those dark circles under your eyes?!

Really...? You're probably just seeing my eye shadow.

I have divine power. How could I be tired?

Well... you should still ease up on using it for a while.

Okay, okay.

Let's go see a show next weekend and take a break. That band you like is playing!

Sounds great! See you next week!

What's happening? My eyes hurt...

!!!

Jacqueline?!

Her breathing is shallow, and I can barely sense her power... Did she use too much of it?

I'm... still in Jacqueline's room?

Where did she go?

That's strange... Why is it so dark?

Where could Jacqueline be...? Wait, her bag is gone too. Maybe she went to the library.

This is weird... Why does everyone look so blank?

She should be in her usual spot... There she is!

Jacqueline!!!

Yu Jing?

There you are! I was so worried about you...

You're here! Perfect! Let's go see the fireflies!

Fireflies...? Weren't we going to a show tonight?

A show? Wait... How do you know about that?

Jacqueline... what's going on?

I... I found you asleep and tried to wake you. Then I ended up here.

......

Forget about that. Let's go see the fireflies! This is the perfect time.

No, Jacqueline... Are you okay?

What's wrong?

I mean...

It's night. Could you please stop ruining it?

I...

Everyone here loves the night, just like I do. Look, there are so many people here with me!

Um...

I don't care where we are. I like it here.

If I want them to, they'll stay with me forever. And if I want it to, it'll always be night here.

Wait, Jacqueline!

Maybe... this is where I belong. Here, I'm just like everyone else.

This isn't right. None of this is right! I don't know what's happening, but something is seriously wrong with this place!

It's supposed to be afternoon. Why is it midnight?

What's wrong with midnight?

No, that's not what I meant...

...Of course. How could you understand?

You said you envied my power. But that power makes me feel as if everyone else lives in a different world.

Late at night, I'm always the only one awake. It feels like the whole world has left me behind.

If you hate it here so much, then leave.

Wait!

Isn't this... Jacqueline's gift box?

Jacqueline led the way last time... I don't know how to get there.

Wait... Haven't I already been through here?!

It's still so dark... Wait, is that... the North Star?

Right... The fireflies were on the north side of the forest.

The ground is getting wet... Are those footprints?

Oh!

Jacqueline!!!

Yu Jing!?

How did you...

You...

There you are!

Why are you still here?

...I'm sorry, Jacqueline. I owe you a real apology.

......

I only thought about how I felt. I never stopped to think about what this was like for you.

I should've paid more attention to you... and I shouldn't have kept asking for your power as if it cost you nothing.

Spare me the empty words. I'm happy here.

Wait! Don't go!

Ow!

Your hand...

Oh, I was nervous and kept squeezing the charm...

......

And these gifts...

I tripped over them earlier...

Oh, I found that galaxy lollipop at a candy store!

......

I noticed you had a lot of little bone-themed accessories. I wasn't sure if you'd like it...

......

I made those moon earrings myself! I saw the pendants at a craft workshop and immediately thought they'd look perfect on you.

You... put a lot of thought into these.

Of course I did! You're my friend!

I really don't understand you sometimes. It's like you know me so well... and don't know me at all.

I still don't think... we can ever truly understand each other.

You don't need to worry about me. I like it here.

It's like a dream that never ends. I'll never feel lonely here...

......

Are you kidding me?!

I...

You're not alone! So many people care about you...

We want to spend time with you because we like you, not because of your power!

You showed me how wonderful the night can be. We've had so many good times together!

Yu Jing...

Yeah. Maybe we'll never know exactly what it's like to be you. But we see you, Jacqueline. We're right there with you!

......

But... the more I think about that, the more afraid I am of being alone.

I was being selfish. I wanted the party to go on forever so everyone would stay with me.

It's okay.

I may never understand completely, but I'll keep trying.

......

That's what friends are for.

I'm sorry. I don't need to keep everyone here in the night, and I shouldn't.

Everyone should be free to spend the night however they choose.

Thank you...

I don't think I'm afraid of spending the night alone anymore...

We're back! Finally!

I'm exhausted. I could really use some sleep. It's a shame about those tickets you worked so hard to get, though...

Don't worry about it! There will be other shows. You need to rest first!