Esper Story: Li Guang

It's just too cold. Endless snowdrifts... no melting ice.

Wait! Is that snow moving? Am I hallucinating?

Whoa!

Wait... don't go!

Can you help me? I'm stuck!

Let me go first!

No! What if you run off? I need help!

......

*Ahem* T-thank you...

...Who the heck are you?

I'm Li Guang, explorer extraordinaire!

I'm deeply, deeply grateful for that. That was very unpleasant. And could've meant the end of my journey...

Uh... don't mention it.

May I know your name?

Aurelius.

Can I ask why you're here? There's nothing here but snow and ice.

I...*burp* I've come in search of a rare treasure.

But it's inaccessible most of the year. Except Spring.

...Treasure? Here? I've lived in these snowfields for a long time. First I've heard of it.

Hah. That's what the life of the explorer is all about!

Well, sounds like I should get going. Thanks again for saving me!

Hold on. Would you mind if I walked with you for a little while?

You don't know the area. You don't want to get stuck one of those wretched snowdrifts again.

Hmm... Makes sense... Thanks for the escort!

...This it?

Well, uh, yes and no.

What do you mean?

The treasure is down by that cliff over there. I'll need to rappel down directly from the peak.

Could you help me check the rope? Make sure it's tight?

*Grunts* Feels like it to me.

I'd usually do this kind of thing on my own, but since you're here... Do you mind keeping an eye on the rope?

Tsk... That wind cut like a knife.

I just hope I'm right about the treasure... Huh. What's that?

Yes! Found it!

(Didn't think she'd find anything...)

Aaaaaaah!

Get the rope, Aurelius! The rope!

Li Guang?!

That was way, way too close. Going one hand on that rope was too risky... Thanks for pulling me back up.

What happened?!

I didn't count on the wind. It was crazy.

But it's all good. I got the treasure!

You jumped off a cliff for a... for a... photo?! What? I mean...

It's proof of Spring. It's what I was looking for.

"Proof of Spring"?

That's right, Spring. Spring, even in one of the coldest places on earth...

Turns out flowers can bloom even on a snowy mountain peak.

They look like the first snow lotuses of the season.

Really? Then we're in... the first day of Spring?!

...Yeah.

...They are beautiful. I should plant some myself...

You know how to replant them? Let me grab some for you!

No, no. That's okay!

"Steamed Bun Eating Competition"... "Eat 5 buns in 1 minute and your buns are free"!

Hah! Steamed buns? Easy-peasy!

Lemme see where this shop is...

Huh? Seems kinda empty...

Hello? Anyone here?

Coming!

I saw an advert about a steamed bun-eating challenge. Is it still on?

Yes! We'll give you one minute...

...to eat five buns, right? You're on!

W-what? These buns are... huuuuge!

...And only in our shop. Big, meaty, thin-skinned steamed buns!

Alright... Get ready. I'm about to start!

Hey, you make...*burp*... amazing steamed buns.

And each a different flavor... Wow... Amazing!

I'm honestly... speechless...

Well, congratulations on the free meal. You're our first customer, ever, to win!

What? No one else did?

Well, uh, not exactly... It's more like you're the first to accept the challenge...

What's going on?

*Sigh* Tough times. A lot of other traditional dim sum shops that used to operate near us have already closed.

So I decided on a little competition, a little promotion...

But no one was interested, except you, of course...

What?! Why?! Your buns are amazing!

Especially the cilantro one. A unique flavor plus a real sweet aftertaste...

Best steamed buns ever. Best I ever had in my whole life!

Thank you! We've tested a hundred different fillings. Only the best go into our buns.

But none of that matters without customers...

I can't believe it! It's such a shame. People gotta know about your buns!

Hmm. So is the farmers' market on Amuse Street open this weekend?

Uh, yeah. Why?

I've got an idea...

Will this work?...

No harm in trying!

I was told this works even better than traditional advertising. It's the latest thing.

*Ahem* Everyone, come and check out these freshly made steamed buns! Big, meaty steamed buns!

Ooh... Nice smell... What flavor?

Check the menu. There are 35 different fillings.

35! Wow! A lot of choice! Which one should I get?

If you don't know, just try your luck!

What do you mean?

Just pick a random ball outta the box here. You'll get a flavor based on the color and number on the ball.

It'll be random, but I guarantee it'll be amazing!

You might also get super lucky and pick out our "hidden flavor ball". It has a super secret 36th flavor, only available through our lottery!

A blind box lottery game, huh? Cute. Lemme try!

Hmmm... cilantro?! Well, okay. Let's see... Wow. It's actually not bad...

I want to the secret one. Let me pick another one!

I wanna try too!

Miss Li Guang, how can I thank you enough...

Don't mention it. It only works 'cos your buns are delicious.

I simply don't know how to repay you. Please. Pick some to take home, whatever you like!

Heh heh. I'll gladly pick one of each!

Li Guang! Sit here!

Okay!

That was a long stint away. Oh... have you lost weight?

Heh! You can't be serious...

So? Interesting travels?

You bet. So many places! So many stories!

...But I enjoyed the snowfields the most. Can you believe that? Because I found so many beautiful flowers there. Even in a cold, dead place like that.

What did they look like?

Here, let me show you some photos!

Whoa. Beautiful!

What a romantic setting! Imagine walking past all these flowers with a special someone...

Li Guang? Are you interested in dating?

I, uh, I've never really thought about it that much...

If you'd like, I could introduce some of my friends to you. Who knows? Maybe there'll be some sparks. Then you could go on trips together. Romantic, right?

You've had so many thrilling adventures alone, enough to fascinate plenty of folks.

I...

Hi there. Were you talking about going traveling?

Can I join you?

Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Melanie. This is Li Guang.

See? Speak of the devil.

Please have a seat.

So, you like traveling?

Yeah, I travel a lot. Hey, have you ever been to Utgard?

Of course, I went to see Raine's Wall in person just last year...

(I think they're hitting it off! Perhaps I should let them continue in private...)

...You should've seen it. A Miramon as big as a mountain! Took me quite a while to take this picture!

(Since when did they start talking about Miramon?! Ugh.)

I was resting in a cave, and then when I turn around... Boom! Suddenly there's a huge Miramon inside!

It saw me right away, obviously. Then charged right at me! My ears were almost bleeding from the scream it made!

That's, uh, terrifying! Oh gosh!

I ran like heck. And then guess what? The Miramon was so big... it got stuck getting out of the cave!

Heh, wow. Awesome job...

Oh, and that giant sand "waterfall" everyone talks about in Debia? I was planning to go surf it last year and... guess what happened?

W-what happened?

There was a giant skeleton! Just under the sand. I tripped over it before I could even get started. Then... bam! Into the quicksand!

I don't know what the story was with that skeleton. I'd never seen it or heard about it before... I was like, "What?" Thinking about it now, it was actually pretty funny.

(That's funny? Seriously, Li Guang?)

Oh, Melanie! You're back!

Uh. Yes...

Sorry ladies, I just remembered I left something back at work I gotta finish tonight. I, uh, should get going now. Great to meet you!

Pardon me...

What a shame he had to go just then... He's a really good listener. Quite interested in my adventures! I was going to invite him along!

What makes you, uh, think he's interested in coming?

Huh? What do you mean? Am I not fun enough?

Oh! Yes, you are! *Ahem* Very fun! Maybe too fun...

Just lead with your least dangerous, stress-inducing greatest hits next time.

Like, maybe focus on hiking or rafting? Something where you're not in danger of dying?

Yeah, rafting... Oh! There was a time I rafted down a jungle river, and this crocodile came right up to me!

Did I ever tell you that story, Melanie?

Hey, what's wrong? You look a bit pale?

I'm, uh, fine!

So Fabrice... Here we are in an alleyway. Why are we here?

You'll find out soon.

What happened?

Huh? What's going on? I had everything arranged...

Arranged...?

Could something have happened? Let's have a look.

Happy birthday!!!

Whoa!

This...

Today's your birthday! And I hired a band for a private concert!

This concert is dedicated to my young friend, Li Guang.

Let's wish her a happy birthday. May she stay safe in all her travels, no matter how risky!

Whoa... Thank you all!

So, what did you think?

A real treat for my ears! Thank you, everyone! Fabrice!

There was one particular song... I think I've heard you humming that around the place.

Did you compose that song?

Yeah. The tune came to me one day when I was travelling around the world solo. Turned it into a suite.

I call it the "Song of the Sojourner".

Great name!

I look forward to hearing your next original.

It won't take too long. I'm heading off on a new trip pretty soon.

A new trip? When?

Tomorrow morning.

Wow! That's... soon!

Let me check what time it is... Wait. It's already midnight in a couple of hours.

But you just got back to Gyrate this morning! I....*Cough*!

Calm down. Take a deep breath. What is it you want to say?

I AM CALM!

I... I just...

...I just wanted to say... thank you, Fabrice. I mean it. Thank you from the heart. Thanks for everything you've done for me.

You're welcome! And I'm glad you really enjoyed the concert.

I'm not just thanking you for that. Also for saving my life. You taught me how to survive on my own and, most of all, the tricks of the bounty hunter trade.

I couldn't have this life, this quality of life, without you.

And now look at this, you've prepared an amazing concert for my birthday! I... I'm speechless!

If only this moment, and this concert, could last forever... I'd be happy with that...

......

This "moment" hasn't ended yet.

Huh? The band's left...

Li Guang... follow me.

Try humming a tune. Any tune.

I, uh, I couldn't. I haven't prepared anything...

Just hum. Anything.

...The finale of the Song of the Sojourner.

"Oh traveler, how you should care."

Sorry, I'm not that good at singing...

...You've got a beautiful voice.

"Song of the Sojourner" is ultimately about all the people I've encountered during my travels.

...And you're one of them.

Me?

For my travels with you always leave such a deep impression.

"Song of the Sojourner" is dedicated to all our fellow wanderers out there. It's a testament to our manifold journeys.

My song will accompany you forever, Li Guang. Especially after this concert!

...It surely will. I won't ever forget it!

So I guess we'd better go traveling together again sometime? For more inspiration, right?

What about stories from our future travels? Is there room for them in your next song?

You bet. And I can't wait to hear your latest adventures.

Deal! I won't let you down!