Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Koharu
4 scenes, 260 lines
1. A Show for the Ages
61 linesGyrate: Dance Studio
(An Imperial coin creates a beautiful arc in mid-air, as the golden bell emits a series of crisp rings along with the final touches of the routine.)
(Koharu gently raised her eyes. In the practice mirror, Kaylee pokes her head out from behind Koharu, her eyes glowing as she claps vigorously.)
No matter how many times I see it, it always gets better!
Thanks. But the movement just now still felt a little bit off...
Tada! And of course, there's that Koharu OCD!
(Koharu lets out a small smile.)
Kaylee, I need your help with something.
Can you watch me do this new contemporary piece I'm working on?
Contemporary? Sure, sounds right up my alley!
(Koharu takes a deep breath and moves to the beat.)
(As she finishes the final steps, Koharu looks at Kaylee.)
Hmm... Something seems to be missing?
(Koharu frowns in confusion.)
Each move on its own seems complete, but when you combine them together, something seems to be off...
Perhaps what's missing is some randomness, or maybe the moves need to be a little more relaxed...
!!!
Yes! That's it! Relax...
(After a little while, Koharu starts to frown again.)
How do I refine this part...
Hey, you're not thinking of changing it up again are you?!
Not at all. I'm not conceited enough to think I can master a whole other genre of dance in one go.
It's just that I need to prepare for this dance competition coming up. Big pay day involved...
If I can represent the studio and place near the top, we'll get our rep out there for sure.
Oh... I think I know what you're talking about... I remember the theme was "Classical and Contemporary"?
(Koharu nods. Kaylee seems deep in thought.)
Why don't we sign up together? We can do a duo piece!
Your specialty is classical, and mine is contemporary. We'd be perfect together!
(They seal the deal with a high five.)
(Several days later.)
Gyrate: Competition Site
It's almost our turn to go up.
(Koharu sticks close to Kaylee, and squeezes her hand.)
Are you nervous?
Nah... Just picture the audience in their underwear...
(Applause sounds in the audience, and the two of them enter the stage.)
(Classical and contemporary. The two styles clash on stage to create a unique and colorful masterpiece.)
(Koharu doesn't miss a single step as she unleashes her classical moves. But Kaylee falls a little bit behind the beat and her rhythm is a little off.)
Kaylee!
(Kaylee looks like she's about to fall. Koharu makes a snap decision and changes up her moves.)
(Koharu shows just how agile she is by stepping around and grabbing Kaylee's ribbon belt, pulling back to balance.)
Aaaah!
Uh-oh!
(Unfortunately, due to too much centrifugal force, the ribbon tangles the two dancers together.)
...
... Ohhh.
(Classical and contemporary collide, this time in a physical sense.)
(A few bursts of laughter erupt from the audience, but Koharu doesn't stop dancing.)
Kaylee... C'mon, keep going!
Okay.
(As Koharu relaxes, her dance steps become lighter. The two of them become much more fluid.)
(The competition is over. Koharu and Kaylee didn't end up getting placed very high due to their mistakes in the beginning.)
Sorry, it's my fault...
Forget about the placings. Important thing is you didn't get hurt.
And bumping into each other like that earlier helped with my nervousness. We worked pretty well together in the second half!
But you wanted those prize winnings for the studio so bad...
Prizes, trophies, reputation... These things aren't important.
What's important is we worked hard and stuck together as a team. That and we got to enjoy coming up with a great new dance!
Dancing isn't just about elegance... It's also about relaxing and having fun! You taught me that!
(Koharu leads Kaylee out of the performance hall. The bells on her long sleeves swaying and ringing soft sounds.)
(Like a gentle afternoon in the Spring... Accompanied by the brisk chirping of finches.)
2. A Dance of Blessings
60 linesGyrate: Main Street
Hello. Chloe's Fashion Studio here.
(Just like always, Chloe answers the phone.)
It's me, Koharu.
(On the other side of the call, Koharu's voice sounds apologetic. Chloe lets out a sigh.)
... So you want to cancel your appointment? It's in an hour...
Sorry... Sorry! Something urgent came up!
I'll make it up to you next time, I promise!
Okay. As for making it up to me... Heh heh. You know what I want.
The doors to my collection of fans are always open to you!
(After hanging up the phone and seeing that she wasn't needed in the store for a while, Chloe picks up her jacket and haircut kit and walks out the door.)
(It's a great day out today. An even better day to give volunteer haircuts to the elderly at the nursing home.)
Gyrate: Nursing Home
(Just after arriving at the nursing home, the familiar crisp sound of bells reaches Chloe's ears.)
That sound... Koharu?
(Chloe walks up and sees an old woman patting Koharu's hand in glee.)
My daughter! You've come to see me again...
Oh... Have you been eating properly? Come, have some cake.
Take a seat, slow down...
...?
(Chloe seems a little confused. This old woman wasn't Koharu's mother.)
(Chloe takes a step forward and the haircut kit at her waist accidently hits the floor with a thud.)
(In a flash, the old woman's face suddenly changes.)
!!!
No! Don't come any closer! Don't hurt my daughter!
Ahhhh... Monster! Don't hurt my daughter...!
(Not expecting the old woman to suddenly become so agitated, Chloe was at a loss for words and froze in place.)
Shhh... It's okay... Everything will be fine...
(Koharu leans close to the old woman and whispers comforting words.)
I'm here... I'm okay, see? Don't worry.
Want to watch me dance?
(Koharu starts lightly dancing to the pleasant sound of bells, and the old woman's mood gradually calms.)
Time for a nap.
(After settling the old woman down in her room, Koharu tiptoes back out.)
Chloe, what a surprise to run into you here.
Yea... Didn't think I'd find you here either...
(Chloe's gaze shifts to the elderly woman breathing steadily in the room.)
That old lady... She mistook you for someone else, right?
(Koharu nods.)
Some time ago, I came to this nursing home to do a charity performance, and she recognized me as her daughter, hoping that I could spend more time with her.
The caregiver on the sidelines saw what was bothering me and apologized, saying that the old woman had Alzheimer's disease.
So that's it... And you suddenly canceled on me to take care of her?
Yeah, the hospital called me and said she wasn't doing too well.
Hmm... Why don't you reach out to her real daughter?
...
Her daughter was killed by Miramon several years ago...
...
It wasn't until later that I learned her daughter was also a dancer, and although I could never replace her, I could try my best to be there for this poor old woman.
Also... She kinda reminds me of my own mother...
I hope my dancing can bring her some comfort at least...
Enough to take away some of the pain of loss.
(Chloe thought of Koharu's mother, who also lost her legs to Miramon attacks, and could never step on stage again.)
We all know the Miracles have created huge holes in everyone's lives. It's hard to fill it all...
(Looking at her friend mumbling, Koharu pats her on the back.)
Now isn't the time to think about these things.
Although the Miracles brought disaster, they also gave us the power of Espers.
(With Koharu's encouragement, Chloe starts to cheer up.)
You're right. Our power is needed to make the world a better place.
If I can, I wanna keep dancing.
Dance brings smiles to people!
3. Genie in the Studio
71 linesGyrate's Wings: Lounge
Okay, time's up! Good work everyone, let's take a break.
(Another tiring day of dance practice was finally over, and everyone in the studio is stretching out their aching bodies.)
Hey, get over here!
(A dancer waves at the rest of the group, and the girls form a circle.)
(The girl who started the conversation lowers her voice and acts all mysterious.)
Did you guys hear about what happened in the studio lately?
What? What happened?
Was it... Something horrifying?!
Why are you so excited?
(The girls get closer together to gossip excitedly.)
Come on, out with it! What happened?!
You guys remember last time someone was talking about having insomnia?
The very next day, there were melatonin tea supplements on the table...
That's right, I forgot! Before I always talked about how the studio was too stuffy, and how the air quality wasn't that great.
Then after a few days, we got a new air purifier!
(The girls delve deeper into their discussion as things get more lively.)
So... You guys think we have a secret genie in our midst?
Yeah... Someone that can grant all our wishes... Maybe she lives here.
Speaking of which, there were a few times I came back at night to get something I left behind and heard a strange ringing sound...
But it was too dark to see anything...
*Crash*!
(One of the girls suddenly jumped up and shouted.)
Maybe it's not a genie... But a malevolent spirit that demands a price for its deeds!
(The girls gather even closer, ecstatic with delight and fear at the same time.)
!!!
(On the other side of the studio, Koharu accidently drops her phone, making a *thud*.)
(She turns around rigidly.)
There's no such thing as ghosts or spirits. Stop gossiping about nonsense!
Just 'cause you've never seen it...
... I have better things to do. Don't stay too late guys.
(After Koharu leaves, the girls start chattering again.)
Okay whatever. Whether it's a genie or just a normal person doesn't matter... Tonight, we all stay and find out!
This is going to be so awesome!
Gyrate's Wings: Dance Studio
(As nightfall hits the studio, the girls have all found their own hiding spots.)
(Will someone appear? A genie? A spirit?)
(Everyone is holding their breath.)
(A slender figure, gently tiptoes into the studio.)
Koharu? She's here to practice this late?
But she seems like... She's not back here to practice?
(While the girls communicate using body language, Koharu bends down to finely adjust the height of the dance bar.)
A little higher... Just a little more...
Okay, that looks good!
(Satisfied, she compares the height of the bar and shifts her gaze to the refrigerator next to it.)
Maybe whole milk isn't the best way to go... We'll switch to skim.
These guys, drinking skim milk and eating ice cream, heh.
I wonder if this vanilla ice cream is good...
(Watching Koharu talk to herself, the hidden girls look at each other with understanding and smiles.)
(After Koharu leaves, the girls come out of hiding.)
So Koharu was the genie!
Hey, don't go eating that already!
(In front of the refrigerator, one of the girls puts the ice cream back.)
Has Koharu asked for anything herself?
(Everyone thinks back carefully for a while and then shakes their head.)
(They all turn their heads toward Koharu's worn out dance shoes next to the dance bar.)
(Pink and white and showy, but with significant wear and tear.)
Gyrate's Wings: Lounge
(Early the next morning, Koharu sees a pair of brand new dance shoes neatly arranged in her locker.)
...!
Whoa, you got some nice new kicks, Koharu?
Weird, I don't remember buying new dance shoes... Who put this in my locker?
Huh? That's strange... Isn't this the same style of shoes you always wear?
Maybe it was... The genie!
???
Genies grant wishes, don't they?
(The girls all laugh and head out, leaving Koharu standing there alone in front of her locker.)
But... If it wasn't me...
No... There's no way genies really exist... Is there?
(Koharu gets the chills.)
Sorry guys, I'm taking the day off!
4. Pizzazz
68 linesGyrate: Orphanage
(The place is filled with laughter and delight.)
(The Union Orphanage is bustling with activity today. The kids are having their "quiet time".)
I want a new toy!
That new stuffed sea otter!
Settle down, kids.
When it's your turn, you'll have a chance to play.
(Koharu sits between the kids, and looks at where the boy is pointing.)
(The "Toy Corner" is filled to the brim with toys of all sorts. With the giant stuffed animal the boy wanted at the top.)
(Koharu seems like she wants to play with it too...)
Oh, that's Pizzazz.
Pizzazz?
That furry guy up there.
Huh? Oh. No, I wasn't...
(Stewart rolls his eyes.)
Oh really? That's not what Pizzazz told me...
He also said he has a twin brother in the store next door, if you want to take him home...
Mr. Stewart, I think you have the wrong idea...
I'm not a kid anymore. As a professional dancer, I don't have time for stuffed animals.
(Stewart shrugs.)
That's too bad. Pizzazz is quite popular around here.
Pizzazz! I want Pizzazz!
(The kids can't wait to get their chance to play with all the toys, but Stewart suddenly receives an urgent assignment from the Union.)
...There's been an incident. I gotta go.
Koharu, can you stay here and watch over these kids?
Sure.
(Stewart nods in gratitude, then heads out.)
Perhaps in return, I'll bring you back a Pizzazz... Or a Pizzash...
I don't want a stuffed animal!
(Stewart bursts out laughing as he exits.)
(Toy time has finally arrived, and the kids go crazy to see who gets to play with Pizzazz first.)
(Pizzazz's fur is being ripped apart. Koharu steps in to stop them.)
C'mon guys... Slow down... Hey! Stop that!
(It's painfully clear that her elegant demeanor has no effect on these kids.)
(She raises her bells and shakes them.)
(*Bells ringing* -- The bells collide with a series of beautiful sounds, and the children all quiet down in awe.)
Do I have your attention now?
Hey lady! That bell sounds so cool!
What is it? Looks like something my mom used to have when she sang to me!
(The kids gather around Koharu in curiosity.)
(A little boy stretches out his short hand and squeezes one of Koharu's bells.)
(*Bell rings* -- All the kids gasp in awe.)
Lady, come play with us!
These bells aren't toys. This instrument is a tool for dancing...
We promise... We'll be gentle with it!
(The kids put on their best pleading faces.)
...Alright.
Hmm... So if I'm playing with you guys, does that mean I can play with Pizzazz too...?
*Cough cough* -- I mean... I'll need something to play with too, if I'm going to join you guys...
(The kids all cheer as they drag Koharu over to the toys.)
(Stewart returns to find Koharu with her face nuzzled up to Pizzazz's furry belly.)
(The children are carefully playing with Koharu's bells. With every ring, they smile and giggle.)
...
...!
Stewart! When did you get back?!
Pizzazz called me.
(Koharu blushes.)
I was only playing with the kids...
It's okay, Koharu.
Don't be so serious all the time. If you need to relax, you're always welcome back.
See? I even brought back Pizzash.
(Looking at the cute furry stuffed animal in Stewart's hands, Koharu finally relaxes and accepts the gift.)
(But she suddenly remembers something, and pulls out her notebook.)
Of course, Stewart... I'll be back to play with the kids.
But even while playing, elegance is still important you know...
(She starts scribbling in her notebook.)
Elegance Guidelines #72: Increase time for expression management and grooming exercises.
While spending time with kids, play with elegance and style.