Esper Story: Tang Xuan

Hiya, kids! I'm Tang Xuan from the Union!

Come on, roll up, roll up! A toy for everyone!

Hey Mister, can I get one of the new ones? I don't like sharks...

Uh, I'm not deciding who gets what here. Each of you can only get one. If you get something you don't want, just arrange a trade with someone.

What about me? I didn't get a toy yet!

Okay, let me find you one...

Oh? There's a toy missing...

Where's my toy? I want my toy... Waaaah...

Don't worry. I'll get you one next time, okay?

Hey, don't cry. Here. You can have mine.

Ada?

Here. It's a little bear. You have it. You can snuggle it in bed, okay?

Okay!

Thanks a lot, Ada. I mean it.

You're welcome.

I should've checked the number of toys beforehand. Sorry. It was my fault.

Let me go get another toy for you, alright?

Don't worry about it.

The other kids got theirs. I'm just happy for them. They'll sleep well tonight.

But... what about you?

Beg your pardon?

You gave yours away. You didn't want one?

...Well, he needed that bear more than me.

Because they're younger, right?

Well, yeah! I'm already 12!

Since I'm older, I gotta look after 'em.

So you like plush toys?

Oh yeah!

......

...But I don't want you to go back just for me... 'Specially 'coz everyone else already got one.

That's selfish!

Oh, no. Certainly not!

I should make sure you all get a gift.

And you did a good job looking out for them. Actually, you probably deserve it.

Really?

I mean it, seriously.

I'm the oldest in my family. Kind of like you here.

I would want to look out for my little brother. Still, some things don't turn out the way I want.

What do you mean?

Well, one time I promised to take my brother to an amusement park on the weekend.

So I woke up early to get tickets. But I fainted 'coz it was too hot in summer and the line was too long!

So my brother ended up having to take me to the doctor! Then we had to spend the whole day after at home.

Haha!

That was very generous of you. Showing the way for the younger kids.

But remember to take care of yourself too.

Now, would you let this old geezer in on a little secret? What toy would you really like?

Really?! Anything?!

But of course!

Well... I-I wanted that shark toy.

The same as the one you brought... Is that okay?

Sure thing. I'll go get another one right now.

It's too late! You should get some sleep first!

I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow!

Hahaha. Sure, no problemo!

Hey, do you know whether the Union is holding a party later tonight?

For the Solstice?

Yep, that's the one. I'm performing this year.

Problem is, I don't know. Any ideas?

Hmmm... How about a classic "break the sandbags with your fists" event?

Naaa. I can't do that these days. I've already broken more than 10 sandbags. The Logistics Division is gonna file a protest over it if I break even one more.

How about something... classier?

Oh! A magic show! I could teach you a few tricks.

Huh?! I didn't know you could do magic!

Heh! Well... never underestimate me.

It's a full moon tonight, by the way. So lemme show you what I'm capable of.

Check my hands. Nothing in them, right?

Sure. Nothing there. So?

I'll grab the moon for you, right outta the sky.

Uh-huh?

......

...Alright, sure. Take it down. There ain't no way.

Open your eyes... But don't blink!

*Phew*

!

Woah. Where's the coin from?

Like it? Good magic trick?

Yeah, but... how? How'd you learn to do that?

I learned it for my brother. And other magic tricks like it.

He always wanted me to pull the moon away for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Heh.

So I learned how to do it really well.

Wow. You sound like a good brother.

He must've had a happy childhood, yeah?

What's going on?

Yeah, he did... I think. But I promised to stay by his side forever.

It's a promise I've failed to keep.

Oh. Right. Can't have been your fault though.

If only I'd known... maybe I could've stopped him from joining the Shadow Decree.

I can't say I did the right thing. So that's on me. I am to blame.

Tang Xuan, you're twins, right?

Correct.

Then you should be the same age, right?

It wasn't up to you. Really. Some join, some don't. Who knows why? It's his decision. He has free will.

Don't say that stuff!

I'm his... older brother!

Technically. But it doesn't mean you're responsible. What is he, twelve? People gotta take responsibility. Come on.

You really think?

Yeah. And it hurts. Because my younger sister also joined the Shadow Decree.

I don't know what happened. I don't know how she and I got to be so different...

I just don't want to ever meet her on the battlefield. But if I had to... I've decided that, yes, I would fight her. Fair and square.

Wow. I'm gonna have a think about that.

Bro, you know, I'm not saying this to make you feel bad...

I know. Thanks for sharing. I mean it.

Change of topic? So how about that magic, huh?

Right! Magic! Can you teach me that trick? I'll try it at the party!

Sure. I could teach you, but...

I've always considered it a special trick. Just between my and my brother... So what do you say? Brothers then?

Finally. A break, And yet we have to come all this way for a BBQ?

It's a long drive. It's raining... And it's crazy busy!

Because they make the best BBQ! Trust me. Don't knock it 'till you try it!

Weird. What's going on?

Don't feel like paying today, huh?

I, uh, forgot my wallet... Could I, uh, pay you next time?

*Huff* Maybe if you give me something as collateral...

How about this necklace? It's a family heirloom.

I'll bring the money tomorrow.

I can't tell if it's genuine. How do I know you're not trying to trick me with some plastic throwaway?

It's the truth, sir! You gotta believe me.

Huh. I don't. I'm calling the police. You're not going until you pay your bill!

Hey, s-stop it...

Sir, do you really need to hold this lady?

Oh, I'm terribly sorry, sir. I handled it. Please, continue.

Uh, no? I don't like it. Here. I'll pay for her.

Uh. Oh. W-well... As long as the bill is paid, then I suppose...

You don't have to, kind sir.

Think nothing of it. It's the least I can do.

Alrighty then, "kind sir". Can we get back to our meal? *Chuckles*

Hmmm... Wait.

It's pouring outside. How are you gonna back home without any money?

To be honest, it's not gonna be easy. Couple of hours to walk home since I can't get a taxi.

It's not a nice walk in the rain. How about I give you a lift to the station? I'll get a ticket too.

Are you serious, bro? What about our BBQ?!

I can't just turn a blind eye. She needs help. I'll be back before you know it. I promise.

...Fine.

Thank you so much. This is all so kind of you. How can I ever repay you...?

Don't mention it, I...

I'll read your fortune! I know how to do that. And it's the only thing I'm really good at...

Ugh. Pass.

What about you, kind sir? I can sense your Esper affinity... It's Sun Wukong!

Unfortunately, your birthday is October 14th. It means you're bound to face many obstacles this month.

...How'd you know my birthday?

*Smiles* I also know your future. Would you like to hear it?

No. Because I don't want to jinx it. Because I don't really believe in fortune-telling.

I'd rather take my chances with the unknown. Yeah. You could think of it that way.

In that case... you're quite the courageous one.

Here. It's a token of my thanks.

Your jade pendant? I couldn't possibly...

You're gonna need it one day. Trust me.

You're really going to wear the pendant? That's crazy. It's a cheap knockoff.

...It's also her way of saying thanks. You know what? I'll keep it at home.

...*Sigh* Our one day off... Ruined with only a cheap pendant to show for it.

Li Ling! West side Miramon are all clear!

Same here. Let's go back to...

Xuan! Watch your six!

Wha-

*ROAR*

How did I... Where's that Miramon?

It was already dead when it hit you. I just finished it off.

How're you feeling? Does it hurt? It really got into you I thought, but there's no bleeding.

Huh? Yeah. I thought so too. But... I don't think I'm hurt.

Hold on. Is that the pendant? How?

...I don't know.

And... I wasn't wearing it.

Phew... Nothing beats a good afternoon tea and a sofa. If only I had some pudding to go with it...

Huh? What now? Silly lights...

Footsteps on the floor above... But so what? They can't influence the light, can they?

(All Hallows' Eve is just around the corner... Coincidence?)

Ahem! Tang Xuan! Don't overthink it! It's just a prank!

Pull yourself together, man!

Who's there?

Show yourself! I'm warning you!

Gotcha! You guys thought you could scare me, huh?

Li Ling? Lewis?!

......

Aaaaah!!!

Take that!

What the heck is going on here...

Hi, there!

Eek!

Hahahaha... Calm down! It's just me.

David? What are you doing here?

That was amazing. I got it all on camera! Your raw terror!

What the...?! You did it on purpose?

Yep! Just a little project of mine for All Hallows' Eve.

What do you think? Pretty scary, huh?

N-not at all. I wasn't frightened... or anything.

That so? How do you explain our poor training dummy?

Safety first!

What if it had been a Miramon? Gotta act, not react. Or I'd be on the floor.

Eternal vigilance is the price of Esperhood.

Right. Right...

Well... I guess you haven't noticed your teacup yet. You broke the handle.

Probably just hit the door. I opened it in a hurry.

......

I knew it was all a prank from the start. I mean, come on. Turning off the lights? Footsteps? Prank school 101.

You're gonna have to do better than that.

I don't know, man. That was some performance, heh.

I'm the expert when it comes to scaring people, not you.

You gotta sneak up on 'em. Pat them on the left shoulder, and then the right...

Hey!

!!!

Aaaaah!!!

...I certainly didn't expect that.

Told you. Didn't I?

...*Sigh*

I haven't asked yet, Tang Xuan, how you're doing?

I'm good. Uh, thanks. Why?

You rarely sigh. At least it seems to me.

Oh. Right. I didn't even notice I had.

Anything on your mind in particular? If you're comfortable sharing, that is.

Well, yes as a matter of fact, I don't know if I'm cut out for this.

Look at this city.

Corners the light just can't get to.

Suppose something happened that way. We can't help. We're too far.

And if I can't help, I'm useless.

...That is a mighty large burden to lay upon yourself. To change topic slightly, when did you last take time off?

Never. This is "mission month". And I've got more on today too, after night patrol.

May I suggest a day or two off? A dinner with friends can be very rejuvenating in my experience.

I can't. What about them? That's one day someone who needs help doesn't get it.

We have to protect everyone. If we can't, what's the point?

......

Sorry, I...

It's okay. You don't need to apologize for speaking your mind.

Tang Xuan, have you ever jumped straight down from this sort of height?

What do you mean?

Can I suggest a change of scene? On the count of three, let's jump off.

We've already practiced this in combat training. It's perfectly safe for us.

Uh. Okay. But I don't see what it has to do with anything, I mean...

Why now?

Consider it a prelude to the next leg of our night patrol.

As for relevance...

You'll find out on the way down.

?

Don't you want to know?

...Yeah! Of course!

Then on my mark. One, two, three, jump!

Yo... I'll beat you, Drew!

Careful!

How does it feel?

Haha... That was amazing!

Hey... Where am I?

Esper Feud's on tonight, isn't it? Was it eight or nine o'clock? I'd better get back.

No overtime today! I can finally enjoy a real dinner...

Mom, can I do the lights for this year's Solstice?

Tang Xuan, who's walking past? Who do you think they are?

Just, uh, ordinary people?

Why? And why are we even here instead of the roof?

And these ordinary people, who are all quite defenseless, I might add, live...

...Under the light?

I think I get it. It's sort of symbiotic. They need the light to live.

The very light we protect.

Drew, do you really think we're making a difference?

Look around you. You already have your answer.