Diana's dates

Please forgive me for choosing to meet in such a crowded downtown, Leader.

It's because I feel that you might need to get in touch with being a normal person. It'll help you relieve some anxiety as you're always indulging in battles.

I like to walk around by myself in a place with lots of people when I'm feeling down.

When I see everybody busy trying to make a living, it makes me feel like my worries aren't even worthwhile.

No need to feel that way, you're already really awesome.

It's just a normal relationship between partners. After all, Emma always forgets to eat and sleep when she's doing experiments, and I just happen to be watching out for everyone.

So, I'll make sure to keep everyone happy!

Hey, why is the crowd getting restless? What's going on up ahead?

It looks like...a group of high schoolers are brawling.

Do you want to stop them too? That's what I'm thinking too.

Fighting on the street is causing trouble for everyone. You're damaging public property even if you didn't get hurt.

It's smart to avoid conflict, but it makes me uncomfortable to just leave them.

If possible, do you think you can check it out with me? I want to help, even if I won't be able to do much.

Hey, fighting is wrong. You can resolve your conflicts peacefully while sitting down! No need to resort to violence.

You don't need to know who I am. I just want to give you guys a reminder that you're making things hard for everyone else around you!

Everyone's here shopping or getting food. We are all here to make our lives better, and your negativity from all the fighting is affecting everyone around you.

Right, Leader?

No, that's not exaggerated at all. Everything evil in this world stems from something minuscule.

It could start from something like refusing to apologize for spilling a classmate's water, or making a huge fuss over a bump on the shoulder. Fighting as well. Everything can escalate bit by bit.

If you recognize your mistakes from the beginning, then nothing bad would follow up.

You're not just hurting yourselves, but you're making other people's lives hard as well. Moreover, you're making your parents and teachers worried.

You carry the love and expectations of your parents the moment you are born into this world. You are their hope for the future.

Now your lives are just beginning. You should put your effort and time on making yourselves knowledgeable so you can have a foundation to build your future!

I encountered a lot of short-tempered people when I taught abroad, and every time I subdue them by force they will calm down. But is violence really the answer?

No, it is not. As I take you down, you only fear my power, but you don't agree with my point.

You should know well that a strong physique means nothing, because one day you'll grow old. What will you use to solve your problems then?

Like right now. I can subdue you by force, but I can also convince you with reason, or limit what you can do with rules.

Of course I didn't call the police. I don't know how things got to this point, and I don't know if this is the first time you're doing something like this.

I think I should give you a chance, and give myself a chance too to convince you of your wrongdoing and resolve this conflict.

Thank you so much for being able to understand me. I hope they think that way as well.

So are you going to continue solving problems with violence? Or do you want to find a quiet place and talk things out?

I don't know if they understood me, but at least they've stopped fighting.

Look like things are resolved.

If that's the case, I would have no choice but call the police.

They will feel how serious a lecture from an adult can be.

Really? It's just how I really felt.

If I can set people straight by lecturing, I would do it nonstop.

Alright, let's start our relaxing walk.

But you should promise me that you'll squeeze out every bit of your stress and make your life easier.

Great, you're here. Could you take a look at these paintings?

The charity gallery is starting soon. These are all made by children, and need a bit of description.

This is a very important charity event hosted by Phoenix. All proceedings will be donated to the monasteries and orphanages in the area.

Don't worry, these are all children's works. Their ideas are simple and direct. The best part of their artwork is that they can use colors and lines to express how they feel.

Plus, art comes from life, and each person has their own interpretation. All you need to do is talk about how you feel truthfully.

Thank goodness you want to help!

If you could, let's organize these paintings first. We can group them according to themes.

I hope you could provide a short commentary on each of the paintings just below them.

Different perspectives can provide a clash of ideas, which would then dig out even more value out of artwork.

Don't worry about it. The comments will be anonymous, and I'll be commenting as well.

I already distributed some of the paintings to the Phoenix members...However, Miyuki's comments are too haughty, and Phoebe's comments contain a lot of confusing phrases.

Emma's obsessed with experiments and everything becomes a calculation with her. Carol...let's just leave her to have fun on her own.

I just want to talk about how I really feel.

I learned art for a while before. I think art is a uniquely beautiful medium that people use to express themselves. It's a bit of a shallow interpretation.

That's why Miyuki invited me for this job.

Let's get started.

What do you think of this painting? The theme is life, and I think the yellow and red colors present the sun. It's like how a morning sun shining upon everything.

Everything becomes filled with life with the sun's light!

Haha, you sure know how to make a joke. Were you doing a Carol impersonation?

Then again, I suppose this painting is touching in a different way.

That's a nice idea. Leaving aside things like lines and colors, and just feel it visually.

That's the most direct way to experience the meaning behind artwork.

Do you have any kind of artistic hobbies? Like drawing or music?

Comics? I love them too. When I was still at the monastery, the kids all loved to imitate some of the characters and enact stories.

It can be a bit childish at times, but as I watch them talking about dreams, comrades, the future, and what not in a clumsy but hopeful fashion, I can feel the fun rubbing off on me.

Have you had the same experience?

I really like movies too!

Each film is like an integration of all arts. Acting, story, camera works, scenes, all put together into a masterpiece!

I thought you would say you have no hobbies or something like that, since you're always fighting and training.

It's nice to talk about these topics. I feel like we've grown a little closer.

I'm going to be bugging you for chats from now on then. I hope you won't blame me for being annoying then.

I guess...it's because you always look so busy, which doesn't leave any time to develop hobbies.

Ah, it's already this hour.

Let's get to work. Can I ask you to help me organize the artwork?

Great. I actually got to use Muscipula's kitchen. I get envious every time I see Anna making dessert here!

Our lab is filled with Emma's weird ingredients and machines. We add something weird by accident every time we try to make a dessert.

Eventually people stopped liking my food. Now I can finally make a normal dessert!

A lot. Random edibles like plants or other organisms, and inedibles like strange elemental concoctions.

Ah, sorry. Normally these shouldn't be eaten, but since everyone is still alive after eating the dessert I made with those ingredients...

So I just assumed they are edible.

Yes we've got all the ingredients and tools you need. It's basically heaven for a girl who loves to cook!

I'm not really into cooking, but I'm really happy to see everyone's smiles when they enjoy good food.

Alright, let's make some mini cakes. Is there a flavor you like?

Emma and Gigi don't like bitter gourd, but it's really good for the body, especially for people like them who stay in a lab all the time. It helps calm the emotions as well.

Let's make them some bitter gourd mini cakes then. As for Carol...how about wasabi cake? She wanted sushi lately.

What about you, Leader?

Don't worry, just tell me your preferences. I'll be fine making any odd flavor for the sake of everyone's enjoyment.

Like cilantro, or mapo tofu...they really seem like a good challenge.

Like chocolate or strawberry?

Regular flavors are nice too, but I really like making cakes that are made especially for each of my friends.

You are going to taste both the cake's flavors and my gesture of friendship.

Flavors aside, we should start with the cake base. Tastes can wait.

Let's first separate the yolk from the white, and beat the egg white...

Okay, first, turn on the blender...

Hm...yes, I think there's a tool called whisk.

Ah, here it is. Okay, let's beat the eggs again.

I'm pretty confident if it's just the cake base!

I make several of them each time I make a cake.

Next...melt the butter and mix it with milk...

Oh, yes. We should use a pan.

I feel more affinity towards alcohol burners. I used to use them all the time, but I guess if there're more professional tools, we can use those.

Okay, if you persist.

...I guess it's right, mostly. Even though I skipped a few steps, but it should be fine.

Hey, the white is spilling out. Is it over beaten?

Hm, which one is the pause button...

Whew, all done. Even though only three creations survived, but they contain my whole hour of effort!

Try it out, Leader. This is the Surstromming cake, made just for you.

You sure love to share. Okay, let's hope everyone likes my dessert.

The friends at the lab will be happy for sure!

Hey, what's up? Is it really that tasty? You are so happy that you fainted!

Okay, I'll leave you here to savor the feeling again. See you later.

Take back the rest of the cakes. Eat them while they're hot!