Esper Story: Lauren

Excuse me! Make way, please!

Good morning, Doctor Lauren.

Going to Medical? I can help you carry some of these.

Thanks, Drew. A bit too many for one person, I think.

But don't let me distract you from your work...

My pleasure. I haven't been assigned any missions today.

In fact, I was hoping to run into someone I might be able to help!

Oh. Interesting...

Yes, Drew?

These are... storybooks.

Picture books, actually.

Medical's dealing with quite a few injured children at the moment. I thought they could use some cheering up.

Judging from the covers and titles, these should prove excellent.

Good choice.

Full of profound truths too, even if couched in the language of fairytales.

A lot in it for adults too.

Mm. Full of the innocence of childhood.

Straightforward, attention-grabbing stories.

Sounds perfect for a children's book.

...I had thought most of the children in the Ward right now were teenagers.

You never know, Mr. Drew.

Childhood is the best time of a lot of people's lives. Let's help bring it back.

Even I'm rather taken with some of the stories.

They'll love them.

Excellent. I'll come with you. I'm looking forward to it.

Guess who's here?

Doctor Lauren!

Morning, Anna. You look well today. Are you feeling better?

Much better. Thank you, Laura! But...

A bit boring in the ward, right? By yourself?

I guess so. Not much to do.

Well, you won't stay bored for long. Here. I've got something for you.

A picture storybook! Thanks, Doctor Lauren!

Hmm...

What is it, Anna? Not appealing?

It's alright I guess. But, I mean... "Adventures of the White Goose", " Tales of the Star Prince"...

It's a bit... young, you know? Doctor Lauren...

I'm a big girl now.

Apologies, Doctor Lauren. I'm afraid my concerns were proven correct.

The fairytales appear to be insufficiently complex.

I really didn't expect Anna not to like it...

Luckily I have a few more options...

How about a more advanced book? Take this story for instance.

This looks much more interesting. Thanks, Doctor Lauren!

Anna's a big girl now... It's good to grow up.

Then again, I still love these so-called "childish" picture books. Even as an adult.

Because, at the end of the day, I'm still a little frog.

It's terrible. Shocking. I don't know how we can save them all.

The Miramon are all gone at least. And most have already evacuated to the shelters.

But that still leaves a lot of injured. Or stranded as well. But that's why we're here.

...Must have been terrifying to live through that attack.

It's our privilege as Espers to do whatever we can.

*Sob*Sob*

You hear that, Suhua? Sounds like a child...

Watch out!

Miramon?! Darnit. I was hoping we could avoid another fight!

Wait! Suhua! He's not a Miramon!

Get away, you monsters! Stay away from us!

Sir! Please calm down! Please!

We are Espers! We are here to help.

Help? What help?!

You're all monsters! All of you! You destroyed my home!

...I'm so sad to hear you've lost your home, sir. The Union will try to compensate you for whatever the Miramon have done.

Please calm down, sir. You could hurt yourself with...

You did this! It was all your fault!

Monsters! They're all monsters!

We...

Lauren, what is it?

Is that... a child?

Hello, little girl. Are you hurt?

Dad, it hurts...

Don't worry. I can treat you...

What are you doing! Get away from my daughter!

Lauren! Watch out!

Sir, please. I'm going to have to ask you to trust us. We have healing powers beyond typical doctors.

And we're here for you, to help you and other innocents hurt in the Miramon attack.

What happened? M-my wound... It's... healed?

Like I said, sir, I have healing powers.

Please just let us help your daughter. We won't cause you or anyone any trouble. We're just here to help and heal.

......

Dad...

Fine. But only you!

I will keep an eye on your partner. Try anything funny, and I'll kill her!

Don't worry about me. Go for it.

You're hurt pretty badly, right? It must be very painful. Come. Lean on me. It'll feel better.

Don't be afraid. You'll recover soon.

Ah... It hurts...

What's going on? What are you doing to my daughter?!

Just using my powers to accelerate the healing process. It can be uncomfortable. But it won't hurt her. I promise.

I can maybe understand where you're coming from. But I'm also a doctor. Trust me. I know how to care for wounds.

Dad!

Luna! Th- Thank you! Thank you both! I'm, uh... I'm... sorry...

It's alright. It happens especially in disasters like this. Everyone's stressed, and looking for the enemy. You're just trying to be a good father.

By the way, you'd better leave via the main road. I have some colleagues on the other side. They'll be able to help you further.

Whew. Wow. Thank goodness that went well. Now let's go find the next person.

What's wrong, Suhua? You're staring. Something on my face?

Oh, no. Nothing. I just realized something... you're really warm toward others. It's kind of like a superpower actually.

He was pretty... pretty close to the edge I thought. Yet you managed to persuade him to lay down his arms. Clearly I have a few things to learn.

He's just an anxious father at the end of the day. I can put myself in his shoes.

Maybe my superpower is just being hyper-aware of what other people are feeling. Works better than healing sometimes.

We all need a bit of empathy.

A lot new styles... I love 'em. Lauren, any eyes on anything in particular?

When was the last time you treated yourself? You know what... maybe I could get it? You could use a little upgrade.

No, no, no. I don't want the patients to...

Sorry? Patients?

Medicine in conjunction with Esper powers are more effective than... Oh!

You were a million miles away. What were you thinking about?

...Oh, just... brainstorming solutions for that patient.

I've come up with something preliminary. I'll run a simulation to check when we get back.

Only to be expected of Heng Yue!

You weren't listening, were you?

Listning? Uh...

I was just saying, have you seen anything you like? I want to treat you to a new outfit.

A new outfit...? Like a dress?

Thanks for the kind offer. But I don't think any of these are really me.

None of them? Come on. We're in the most exclusive shopping district in Gyrate. If you're just saying "no" to save me a few bucks, please don't.

The clothes are too stylish! They're not practical.

I'd feel embarrassed wearing these in a clinic. And they might get in the way.

Okay. Fine. I won't push you. How about something else?

But in exchange... You have to accompany me until I find what I like...

Heng Yue! Wait!

A 10 mg increase heightened organs' internal functioning by...

Lauren? Are you there?

Heng Yue! Let me guess: another field mission? Hold on a sec. I'll be ready in under a minute.

So focused on your work, as always.

Relax. No missions, and no new patients today. I'm here to present you with a special gift.

"A special gift"? What could it be?

What indeed! Feel free to open it up and have a look.

This is a... a new frog hood?

I'm determined to upgrade your wardrobe, even if you did try to stop me on our last trip!

A practical, everyday item, just what you needed, right? Your current one is getting old.

Right. I made it myself after my transformation. It is getting on a bit. Yeah.

What's wrong? You don't seem that happy about it.

I am! I really like it, Heng Yue!

Exquisite craftsmanship!

Right. Assembly lines do not meet my high standards!

It's personally tailored. I organized it with a famous fashion artist. And they made sure it's very practical and easy to wear, easier probably.

Try it on! I'm excited for our next mission with you in this new, cool headgear.

Well... It's, uh, quite a familiar, comfortable feel.

You know how important that is to me... It's lightweight. It's like a feather.

I don't know what it is. It can't be, but it somehow feels... heavier?