Esper Story: Ren Si

There's not a chance in hades that's going to work!

So your idea is a lot better, is it?

What are you two arguing over?

R, Ren Si! Sir!

We were... We were just talking about your shield.

My shield?

Yes sir, your shield is incredible. It's unlike anything we've ever seen. We're in awe of it!

During your last engagement, you protected your entire team against a horde of Miramon and no one suffered a scratch!

We're just so curious! I mean, can it block anything? Anything at all?

We're definitely not asking how someone could break your shield, that's for sure!

......

No, we have no interest in anything like that...

Oh. So you're just asking about what it would take to break my shield?

Here's an idea: why don't you give it a shot?

No, boss, don't get the wrong idea! We're not trying to wind you up!

We would never even dream of doing anything like that, boss! Honest!

Plus, we were just...

Enough nonsense.

Pick up my shield and have a try.

So you really want us, I mean, boss, you really think...

I guess we could!

Uh, it's crazy heavy!

Yikes, careful now!

Now get ready for a whack!

Ah!

Wait -

And another -

AHHH!

Are you going to keep falling back or what?

And another!

"Bang!"

Stop, Stop boss! We give up!

(Phew) That's why you're the boss, eh!

Now do you understand?

Got it! We understand! This shield is yours and yours alone!

We heard about your battle with Triki, even Triki couldn't do anything against your shield!

You're the only one who can use this shield to its full potential.

You got it?

Remember this battle. Remember your performance.

There's two of you and one of me. One of you could have attacked while the other defended.

But you both hid behind the shield, forcing yourselves into an endless retreat.

We're, We're sorry! Boss, we just...

We're weak! We're no match for you or your shield, sorry boss!

It's not your muscles that are weak, it's your resolve!

My physical strength wasn't the only thing that protected my teammates from the Miramon in that battle.

It was because I bought them time to counterattack so we could fight our way out of there!

We gave it our all even though we were surrounded! But look at you two. The shield doesn't have a scratch, but you just fell apart at the seams.

I didn't destroy your defenses because of my attacks, you lost your nerve!

Ohhh.. ow!

Bro, you proved yourself a hero today.

Not afraid of getting hurt, I take it?

Of course I am, but...

What happened?

...H-Hey boss...

It wasn't a tough mission. Care to explain the injury? It sure looks bad.

I'm... I'm sorry. It won't happen again! I'll be more careful next time.

I hope, for your sake, that you're right.

Yes, Yes sir! I'll do better!

I'm done for...

He didn't look too happy. I'm getting kicked out of Graywater, aren't I?

Yep, and I think he's gonna kick you out himself... ha ha!

What are you laughing for? What about my pay?

Let me take a look at that.

You were deep in the action the whole time during that engagement, weren't you?

Yes, Yes sir!

You bit off more than you could chew. That kind of thinking is going to get you killed or, worse, mess up your team's plan.

I'm sorry, boss! I just heard someone say that heroes get higher pay...

You need money, eh?

Mom's sick, I've gotta pay the hospital bills...

Ow! Ouch!

Don't move when I'm applying the ointment!

Ointment?

You mean, this plant paste, it's medicine?

What did you think it was? Why else would the boss bring a plant like that here?

Our boss comes from a family of doctors and herbalists. It's your lucky day!

It's not ideal, but it'll do the trick. And save your life.

If you're going to be serving with us, you'd better get used to the smell of our ointments and pain.

Sorry, boss! I'm not picky, I was just...

I was just surprised that you'd go to the effort of helping someone like me.

While you're one of my men, you're under my care.

The boss is saying that when we're out here, we're teammates, and teammates gotta help each other out!

Don't take it off for two days whatever you do.

Yes, sir!

It feels weird and smells awful... and a little painful at first...

But the wound definitely feels better already!

That's why you're the leader, sir! You're amazing!

Come and find me after you're fully recovered.

Huh? Me? Sir, I'll recover as fast as I can! Please don't kick me out of Graywater!

Far from it. I'm going to give you a special training session.

Special... special training?

Or would you rather see your mother kicked out of the hospital 'cos you can't pay her medical bills because you're dead in the middle of some miserable battlefield?

I... Got it. Thanks sir!

Bro, I told you the boss was gonna take care of ya, hah!

Hey? Can you believe he's locked himself away in that room for so long? How long is he going to stay there?

Do you think he's... angry? Angry at us?

Angry? Why would Ren Si be angry?

Sir... Sir!

What are you doing lounging around Ren Si's door?

He hasn't come out all day, sir, and he asked us not to bother him.

I'm guessing it's 'cos he lost that bet with you last night. Maybe he's embarrassed? And that's why he doesn't want to come out.

Embarrassed?

You win. I lost...

Hah! I'm a hard man to beat in a battle of wits.

You win some, you lose some...

Hey boss, what are you up to?

Eh... You must be up to something...

Your boss and I had a friendly bet over which group, the Union or Shadow Decree, would clean out the new Miracle first.

He lost, and so his penalty is one hour under that flower vase.

It's been a while. How's your neck doing? Tired?

I'm fine...

!!!

Uh-oh!

Yikes. The vase is in pieces. What a shame to see your performance end like this...

You don't think Ren Si would be upset over a trivial thing like that, do you? I don't think so. He's never cared what anyone else thinks.

Ren Si, Ren Si!

Triki?

What are you doing staying in your office all day?

Fixing the vase.

Fixing... the vase?

Yeah. The one I broke yesterday.

We agreed that if I lost I'd stand under the vase for an hour. It broke after half an hour.

So... you intend to fix it in order to make up the remaining half an hour?

Of course.

I... I don't think that's quite necessary. You were already there for quite a while in front of everyone...

No. A promise is a promise. I said an hour so I'll give you an hour. It's a slippery slope if I don't stick to my word.

......

We can make an exception... Oh, forget it. You do you.

But you know, Ren Si, you can afford to be a little bit flexible in life.

Ren Si, why don't you do it with another vase? There's no point spending the whole afternoon putting all these pieces back together, is there?

I'm pretty flexible. It was you who taught me not to suffer in silence. I still remember.

That's why I checked out the vases ahead of time. This one is definitely the easiest to carry.

If it's another one, I'll be making things harder for myself.

What are you worried about now, Ren Si? I hope our recent deal is still on?

It's not that. Evening Sounds accepted our proposal... But I'm afraid I've offended Melanie...

Melanie? The Evening Sounds waitress?

Yeah...

And how could you have offended Melanie?

Because last night...

I think that concludes our new arrangement then. Here's to our new partnership.

Evening Sounds welcomes partners from all over the world... but we like to keep it strictly business around here. I hope you don't get any other ideas.

???

If I wanted to chat you up and send you flowers, I wouldn't use business as a pretext.

This is strictly a business relationship.

And then she left, just like that.

My dear Ren Si, don't you realize the essential ambiguity of giving flowers in such a situation?

Triki... I can be a bit dense at times, but I'm not a fool.

I chose herbs that can be easily turned into medicine. It's a very useful gift.

And what kinds of medicines can these flowers be turned into?

Lavender and evening primrose, both of which are good for sleep. I grew them myself as well.

And I got the florist to gift-wrap it to make it obvious that it's nothing more than a nice gesture.

The florist... And what did you say to the florist then?

That I'm giving these flowers to someone, so please wrap them nicely.

Do you know what other things lavender and evening primrose can signify?

What can they signify?

Goodness me... It's my fault. I should have told you.

Some of the girls at Evening Sounds, particularly poor Melanie, have had a rather rough time with certain men in their lives, and thus they're a lot more guarded than most.

Lavender can symbolize the notion of someone "waiting for love to happen" and, worse still, evening primrose can symbolize a kind of "silent, respectful love" for others.

That brilliant floral green packaging doesn't help your case either. I can understand how she could have gotten the wrong impression.

......

I had no idea.

As something of a gardener yourself, how could you not know what each of the different species symbolizes?

......

My family ran a chemist and herbalist shop in Tangton, as you know.

All I know about flowers, herbs, and their various uses came from the big book of pharmacology. I can tell you, there was nothing about romance in that book!

Fair enough. But I suggest you read up on it in your free time then, lest we repeat this experience.

Okay. I'll memorize it by heart.

You don't have to memorize it, do you?

Melanie! Melanie! There's a delivery for you. A gift from a Mr. Ren Si of Graywater.

Ren Si? What could he be sending me now? Don't tell me it's more flowers?!

Miss Melanie, may I suggest you calm yourself?

I heard Mr. Ren Si is a bit slow on the uptake, and doesn't understand the "symbolism of flowers" as he probably should.

Perhaps he just meant to send well-wishes for our partnership.

Plus, he did look awfully confused... So there probably wasn't any subtext.

Not to mention the flowers are quite beautiful, and really tie the room together.

What's this?

Whoa!

Miss Melanie, your hand is bleeding! I'll grab the first aid kit!

Looking at your hand... perhaps you should take tonight off?

Ren Si!!!