Esper Story: Uday

It's horoscope time!

It's worth mentioning that our Aquarius friends out there today are unlucky and prone to passivity.

Compatibility with Taurus also requires special precautions. However, there may be unexpected aid from our Cancer buddies!

Well, it seems that we should avoid anyone that's a Taurus today.

Uday, wanna get some food? One of my friends recommended a decent place.

Okay... Hold up...

(Wait... Isn't Lynn a Taurus?!)

Ah... Actually I forgot, I already had plans with a friend.

Sorry Lynn, another time...

Oh... It's okay. I guess it was kinda sudden.

Sorry for disturbing you. Have fun!

(Lynn looked a little disappointed...)

Uday, I thought you went out to eat with a friend?

(Crap!)

Ah... Hahaha... Yeah... I got hungry again...

Perfect! Come try this cake I just made!

This is a new recipe I've been working on. Fresh outta the oven!

(This morning was already really awkward... Plus I got caught... I can't refuse again.)

(If I don't accept this, she'll think I have something against her.)

Lynn... I really wanna try it, but...

What? You think it's gonna be too sweet?

Don't worry, I only used half sugar on this.

I didn't want it to be too rich, so I added some lemons too.

(So that's why it looks so scary...)

(Li Ao's birthday is in July... He's a Cancer!)

Li Ao, you're just in time to try out Lynn's new cake!

Oohhh, nice! I love cake!

Dangit! Didn't think I'd be paired up with Lynn and Li Ao on a mission tonight.

Good thing today is almost over. Hopefully everything will be fine...

Hmm? Where's Li Ao?

*Cough* Li Ao ate something bad earlier. I'm replacing him.

(I should keep my distance from Lynn, just in case!)

Okay Djoser, let's do this!

Uday, you seem preoccupied.

Sorry, I'll pay more attention!

Watch out!

*ROAR*

Uday, MOVE!

Crap... Djoser is a Taurus too!!!

Okay, it's a deal! Next banquet, we go together!

Remember to dress appropriately...

I don't have anything as fancy as what you wear...

Hey Lilian, are you listening?

...

I got it!

Cecilia, do you have a moment?

My friend invited me to join a banquet, and I need something suitable to wear.

But I'm not all that fashionable. Can you give me some tips?

Okay... What kind of style are you looking for?

Hmm... I haven't decided yet...

Let's start with what you know. What's your favorite theme?

Can we use astrology as a theme?

Nice thinking. What's your sign?

I'm an Aquarius. I guess that means blue?

Good. We can start with a customized classic blue outfit.

Right... Any brand names you recommend?

"Immaculate" has some nice designs. But young people these days all go crazy over Chloe's brand.

(I haven't heard of any of these...)

Lemme do some research on these... Hold on...

!!!

Heh heh... Also, just an outfit won't do... You need a nice bag to match.

I recommend the new "Platinum" from "Penman". You can't go wrong with that one!

Oh, I've heard of that one! Hmm... I dunno... Doesn't seem like it'll suit me...

You seem like the sweet and cute type... Yeah, that's not a good fit.

If you're not trying to look too mature, you could always go with a style that has a mix of colors.

If your outfit is blue, then your bag should accentuate it. Go with a light color.

Wow... So much I didn't know about clothes... Heh...

Jewelry is also a must-have.

If you want to stand out, you'll need earrings, necklace, chest pins, rings... Oh, the styles need to all match too.

As someone who studies astrology and horoscopes, you should know more about gems and stones than I do.

Yeah... Fluorite and Amethyst.

(At least these two I can afford!)

These two huh... Okay. I wanted to suggest something more pricey, but those are fine.

Guess they go with the theme though, so it's okay.

Here's the contact to my stylist.

You can tell him all your needs and preferences, and leave the rest to him.

(And here I thought I could just buy a new dress...)

Thanks Cecilia! You've given me a lot to think about!

Glad I could help.

Hmm... Perhaps it'll be better if I go with a more country style!

How come you're sitting here all by yourself?

Uday?

Meh... I don't really like crowds or parties. Not really the social type...

C'mon, you need to make some new friends!

Where are you, Uday?

Here!

Come take a look at this. You'll love it!

I'm fine Uday... Go!

Uday, close your eyes. It's a surprise!

Wow Uday... You look really great today!

Uday really stands out, doesn't she?

Thank you!

Uday...

Yeah? Huh?

Uday! Uday! Over here!

*Phew*

!!!

"Parties are the same every year for me..."

What did Bai Liuli want to say to me earlier?

Ugh... I was so worried about showing myself off and having fun. I completely ignored her.

Oh man... She was already pretty down when I saw her... I just made things worse!

What she really meant was that she wanted me to stay with her.

Bai Liuli would probably never get angry at me for something like this... She probably thinks it's all her fault!

What should I do? Uday... You idiot!

Remember to think about others' feelings next time... No matter what they say!!!

It's okay Uday. You'll remember next time!

I'll go apologize to Bai Liuli tomorrow, and take her shopping.

It's gonna be okay...

...

Nope... It can't wait...

Isn't Uday cute?

How come no one told her?

???

Xie Yuzhi... You just wait!

*Sigh*...

I heard there's going to be a comet shower tomorrow. Wanna watch it with me?

(Guess it wouldn't hurt to chill out...)

*Huff* *Huff* -- Sorry, I'm late!

It's okay. I just finished setting up.

Your instruments look really heavy, lemme help with those.

No it's fine! I got it! You just take a break.

If you're cold, I brought a blanket and hand-warmer.

Oh yeah, I brought some astrology books too. It'll help us find the right constellations.

If you're hungry, I got snacks too!

Uday... You don't have to be so nice to me...

Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to scare you...

I just thought you looked a little down on your luck lately, and wanted to cheer you up...

Thanks, Uday.

You brought so much stuff... Hope you didn't go to too much trouble just for me...

Not at all! Besides, no one watches a meteor shower by themselves.

I'm soooo happy you decided to come!

Bai Liuli, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?

Maybe I can even help you out!

Well... It's not a big deal but...

I don't really go to many social events. Well, I mean besides the theatre and maybe an opera here and there.

The few friends I have are all in the same theatre club I belong to. We have a lot in common, so we always have things to talk about.

That's awesome! It's not easy finding friends with the same hobbies these days!

But just last week, they kicked me out of the club.

I tried contacting the individual members, but they all just brushed me off and started ignoring me.

Hmm... Did they say why?

I don't get it either... Maybe they found out something about me they didn't like...?

After the club kicked me out, I felt terrible. I had so much free time, but didn't have anything to do, or anyone to talk to.

I understand what you went through... Losing friends like that...

You invested a lot into your club and friends, and ended up losing it all. Anyone would feel depressed after that.

But then I thought, maybe if I tried a little harder, they would accept me again?

Bai Liuli, you can't think like that... It's not your fault.

If they can toss you aside for some unknown reason that easily, it means that you weren't that important to them in the first place.

True... But maybe if I contributed more, they'd let me back in...?

Hmm... Look at those stars up there. Don't they look really close?

But you know they're actually dozens, even hundreds of light-years away from each other.

Yeah. It's all about perspective. To us, they look close together, even though they're separated by the vast emptiness of space.

It's the same with people. Some look like they're close to you on the surface.

Theatre was just a magnet that attracted like-minded people together. But that's all it was.

True... I mean, other than theatre, we didn't really talk about anything else...

Come to think of it... Besides having the same hobby, I know almost nothing about them.

See? Making a true friend and really understanding them isn't quite that easy. So there's nothing gained by wasting your breath on people who just aren't worth it.

Just like those stars up there. They're just suns that can only attract nearby planets around them. They can't influence the universe in any significant way.

We can't please everyone.

So cheer up already!

Uday...

Quick! Make a wish!

Remember not to say it out loud, or it won't come true!

If later you still...

Uday, I think astrology is also a great hobby!

Can we do this again sometime?

Absolutely!