Esper Story: Ophelia

What a heartfelt movie...

I was almost in tears when they broke up at that coffee shop where they first met.

Almost? You wiped them off on my shirt.

Haha... Sorry about that. How about a cup of coffee by way of apology?

Hi. What can I get for you today?

Something about this cafe is so familiar...

We're doing a special partnership with the distributor of "Go Love Go". We've remodeled after the coffee shop in the film.

...And if you can say the name of the coffee special the main character likes, you also get a discount.

Really? I actually want to try that drink. Ophelia, do you remember what it was called?

I do actually. Can we get two "Burning Rums"?

Right! Please have a seat. We'll bring it over to you.

I can't believe you remembered that.

All I remember was two main characters met in a coffee shop, a coffee got spilled or something. And it was romantic gesture when the guy shielded the girl.

What was your favorite moment from the film?

......

Something wrong?

...I, uh, I actually didn't like it.

Oh! Why?

...It struck a little too close to home.

I mean, the way they loved each other so much at the start, but still broke up in the end. It just kind of made me sad.

Oh, you're talking about you and your...

Yeah. We joined the Union together.

But he passed away...

Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize.

...No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I didn't mean to talk about it.

It's just that... the movies aren't real. They're just "fantasy". In the real world, no matter how good things get, they just don't last.

Ophelia, I...

Your coffees. Enjoy!

Watch out!

I'm so sorry! Are you hurt?!

I'm fine. Lynn?

I'm alright. Let's get you cleaned up.

Umm... Ophelia...

Thanks. That was very agile.

Not agile enough. At least it didn't get you.

...Do you think we resemble that couple in the movie?

......

I know it's just a coincidence, but isn't it funny?

They may have broken up... But we're still friends. You know I've always got your back.

...You sure know how to make a girl feel supported.

Thank you.

It's so empty...

(Hmmm... is that kid playing on his own?)

This is the demon lord's lair!

We will defeat him today!

Yes! Kill the demon lord!

(Are these kids playing in an abandoned warehouse? Where are the parents? But there's no harm in it, I guess.)

Who wants to scout the demon king's lair? We need a volunteer... Anyone?

Hey! You with the red coat! What's your name?

Me...? I'm Jack...

Alright. You go first.

W-why me?

Look, dummy. You're skinny enough to get into those tight spaces. You're perfect.

Get in there and report to us the location of the demon lord's treasure.

You get to be the hero!

Alright! I'll bring back good news!

What an idiot! Jack? A hero?! Heh. He believed that!

......

It's so dark in here... I can't see anything!

What floor am I on!

The third floor.

Whoa!

Wh-who are you?!

No one's supposed to be here... Oh! You must be the d-d-demon lord!

......

Yes.

Is that your weapon...*sob*sob*...

You poor thing! How can they send you in here to challenge me all by yourself?

I've got backup! They'll come when I send the signal! I'm not afraid of you!

Oh really? I just saw all your so-called "friends" leave.

What...

Liar! You're trying to trick me!

Just listen. Do you hear their voices outside or not?

......

W-will you eat me...?

No, not at all. You're too skinny. You won't fill me up.

Today's your lucky day. I will spare you... just this once. But leave now and never return!

...No!

?

I'll never retreat... even if my friends do!

Aren't you upset at them? For abandoning you?

I... know they were making fun of me.

B-but... A warrior never backs down!

Poor thing. A smart person knows when to fight and when to leave.

I'm not done yet! If I run away now... I... I will regret it for the rest of my life!

Then come at me! I will defeat you fair and square!

(How did he get so stubborn?)

Hey!

Do you really think you can defeat me with just this wooden stick?

...When I can bequeath upon you a sword of great power and magic if you so desire!

...I-Is this a trick, Demon Lord? Will it turn me into your minion?

Every year I must reward the bravest warrior who ventures into my lair!

Really? You think I'm brave? But I just tripped...

I'm the Demon Lord! Everyone fears me!

But I have judged you worthy! For you did not lose heart, even when your friends abandoned you.

That is true bravery! And so you have earned your reward.

This... This is just a sword made of paper... Oh, wow! It's glowing?!

Yes! Paper though it is, it is also quite powerful.

You must promise never to use it to hurt anyone!

Of course!

A-are you... really a demon lord?

Of course.

...If luck favors you, you may come and challenge me again.

*Nod*

Now get out of my lair. It's late. Your parents must be worried sick!

Why are the kitchen lights still on at this hour?

Huh? Where's the pot gone...?

Miss Ophelia?

Sorry, I was just passing through. Am I interrupting something?

No, no. It's nothing. I was just baking a cake.

You're baking a cake? Here? That's... awesome!

I like chiffon cakes. But I never tried making one.

We can make this one together if you've got time. I've assembled the ingredients already.

I can teach you, step by step.

I don't want to bother...

No, it's no bother. I'd love the company.

Okay then... Thanks!

Alright. First, let's split the yolks and egg whites.

Watch me do it. First, crack the egg and then do this...

Hold on! I can't keep up... Oh crud. I spilled it.

Let me try again.

It's okay. I can see you're trying. So you'll get the hang of it before long.

It worked!

Good! Next, we need to do this...

......

Hey, Ophelia, did you add flour yet?

...

Gentle! You'll break the bowl otherwise.

Ah! Try not to spill the egg white.

.......

It just needs an hour in the oven after mixing. Then, the cake will be done!

Let me take a look at that temperature... Should be alright.

Are you sure?

Yes. Anywhere between 150 and 180 degrees Celsius.

Thanks for your help! Lastly, we need to clean up.

I'm sorry. I really made a mess...

Miss Ophelia, do you cook much?

No... I don't even know how to cook.

My family was always cooking and I guess at some point... I decided I was better off not even trying.

I always used to ask them to teach me, but they could never get around to it.

Did they think you'd get hurt or something?

Kitchens can be dangerous. You know, boiling water, hot ovens, that kind of thing.

Maybe that's why, they didn't want me to get hurt.

But I really did want to help.

It's the thought that counts, Ophelia.

I always cook better when I've got company.

I would've thought your family would be delighted to have a kitchen spectator.

Thanks for saying so.

Wait... Do you smell that?

Ah! Smoke!

Uh oh... Did I set the temperature wrong?!

I think it was 180 degrees. Didn't want it to take too long...

Oh dear. The darned oven's gone haywire! It's because you set the temperature high right at the start.

No time to fix it. Just turn it off! Hey?! Why is there flour everywhere?!

Oh, cruddlesticks, it's on fire!

(This explains why Ophelia's family didn't want her in the kitchen...)

Where are the materials for recycling?

See that pointy building on the left? Over there.

Why is that Miramon all on its own?

It must've gotten separated from the group. We can wait for it to leave.

Boring...

It keeps circling around the entrance. Who knows how long we'll be waiting?

Right. We need a distraction.

Can't we just kill it?

Bonnie, based on your, no, our situation, fighting isn't the optimal strategy.

I'm sorry. What are you implying?

Am I not good enough for you?

Don't be angry at me for being honest, Bonnie. You're not ready, plain and simple.

What did you just say?

Look at the way you swing your scythe... It's just so... so inefficient.

You exaggerate your movements. Your strikes are too fancy. There's no punch.

Get lost. I don't need you to coach me!

I'm not coaching you. I'm just being honest. I don't think you have what it takes to down this Miramon.

Or maybe you just need a better weapon.

Now what are you saying? I can't handle a scythe?!

Tell you what, I'll go eliminate this Miramon on my own. You stay put!

Heh. Really? Well, if you're that confident... sure. Give it a shot.

I'll come help whenever you need me.

...Now you're really getting to me.

I demand an apology, on your knees, darnit, after I kill that piece of rubbish!

Let me handle it! Get lost!

Alright...

*ROAR*

Hello to my "Dark Kiss"!

*ROAR*

Darn! It's not working!

It's... tougher than I thought!

*ROAR*

Shut up you monster! Argh! Die!

Uh!

You damn annoying piece of...!

Stay down!

*Whimper*

*Pant*...*Pant*... Ophelia... Ophelia!

Come out and apologize!

Well done!

I got what we wanted. Let's go.

......

Wait?! What?! When did you...

...I couldn't have done it without you.

You did great, Bonnie.

You... you... despicable piece of trash!

You set me up, didn't you? You were egging me on the whole time!

Au contraire, I was entirely sincere.

I can help you with that scythe of yours at the Training Ground, if you want.

Just zip it.

Oh, one more thing...

You keep telegraphing what you're going to do next. You're basically telling your enemies how to counter you.

Argh! I'm gonna kill you instead!!!

Ophelia! Ophelia!

What's up?

This is yours, right? Your butterfly. But why, Ophelia? Why? Why curse me? What have I done? I...

Stop, stop, stop. Explain. What's going on? Where did you find that?

You were folding and burning paper butterflies in the garden. I saw you. Everyone knows what that means.

And then what do I see back in my room? The same thing! The butterfly!

Um...

And it's been haunting my dreams, giving me nightmares, ever since! I saw a ghost last night! Can you believe it?

A ghost?

A... giant shadow! A furry giant shadow with six wings! That means a ghost!

Isn't that the point of your butterflies? To haunt your worst enemies.

Huh? Where'd you get that from? I can't do that.

Honestly? Please, Ophelia.

I'm serious! It's origami. Just origami...

Well, what do you write in them?

...None of your business.

Then why burn them?

People from Tangton say if you burn something in this world, the dead receive it on the other side.

Now that's the kind of witchcraft I'm talking about!

Please, Ophelia! Did I do something to hurt you?

No.

Or perhaps I offend a ghost? An evil spirit?

Then can you write a letter to him or it or her for me? Just say something like, "Xie Yuzhi is a decent person."

Yuzhi, the butterflies are for the people I love, to convey my thoughts and best wishes!

Please cut it out. It's not funny.

Okay... Sorry...

But please, Ophelia... I know I'm cursed. Could you lift it?

Relax. This is a conversation about origami. Just origami.

And I don't recall marking you.

The butterfly isn't yours?

Are you serious? Look at these creases. Not my folds.

Then whose?

Ophelia, please have a think about it. Have you ever taught anyone? Anyone at all?

Ophelia!

Tang Yun? What's up?

I'd like to know how to make those wonderful paper butterflies of yours.

I saw you folding them in the gardens. Would you consider teaching me?

And, uh, I was wondering... why burn them?

......

I mean, it's okay if you don't want to.

No, no. That's alright. Let me run you through the basics.

...Oh!

Something come to mind?

I did teach Tang Yun.

I knew it!

...But they have nothing to do with bad dreams.

Consider getting it checked out at a clinic. I would.

But...

...Th-that's the ghost!

Hold on... Is that you, Tang Yun?

You went to Ophelia, didn't you!

Seriously? You... coward!

......

How'd you like my paper butterfly? Not bad, right?

You're trying to mess with me! Stop right there! Stop!

?