Story Reader / Event Story / Stellar Narratives / Story
Night at the Youth Center is quiet.
The children staying here have played to their hearts' content and are now being led off to rest by their caretakers.
The laughter and noise of the day have faded. In a dimly lit lecture hall, a white-haired young man sits alone, tidying up his materials and equipment.
..."Professor Wanshi"?
In the corner, where the only light comes from glowing equipment, Wanshi lifts his head. His gaze instantly lands on you—someone he hadn't expected to see.
Weren't we supposed to meet up after I finished here and head to Cons...
Alright.
He nods and gestures for you to come over.
Come take a look. I haven't powered it down yet.
You walk into the room, stepping up beside him. Together, you look down at the screen.
The Youth Center's been running events to share different cultural traditions. Since today's the Double Seventh Festival, I put together some info about the customs—stuff I thought the kids might enjoy.
Things like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, the Magpie Bridge, wishing for better skills... You probably know all that already.
But the kids were pretty fascinated.
As the page scrolls down with Wanshi's gaze, you only half pay attention. Soon, something else catches your eye—a decorative braid hanging down his back.
What?
You lift the braid to show him—what started as a neat three-strand plait suddenly splits into four, then becomes a mess of decorative knots, ending in an exaggerated butterfly bow.
Obviously the kids did it. Can you undo it for me? It'll dig into the back of my head if I try to sleep with it.
While you're at it, could you check my pockets too?
He glances down at his stuffed coat pockets as something seems to occur to him.
They were swarming me earlier. I felt a lot of little hands reaching into my coat. Just make sure there's no reptiles or bionic frogs again.
You hold up the braid with one hand and start unfastening the clips. With the other, you reach curiously into his pocket.
Find anything?
Soft rustling comes from the pocket. Your fingers brush against oddly shaped little items—not sharp, just random—and it starts to feel like digging through a surprise treasure box.
...They really can't be bothered to throw away their trash?
Anything else? This all seems suspiciously normal.
You let go of his braid and slide both hands into his pockets, leaning against his back like a clinging koala as you continue digging.
What shape?
Still a bionic frog.
Wanshi closes his eyes with a resigned expression, declaring with certainty.
A muffled ribbit sounds from inside the pocket, as if to confirm.
That's all, right?
There's a hint of hope in his voice.
Just as you say that, your fingers brush against something soft and fuzzy. It wriggles wildly and bursts out of the pocket, fluttering up toward the ceiling.
...A bird?
You both look up to see a crooked, black-and-white bionic bird flapping around near the ceiling. It's bumping into the light fixtures, making them sway.
And it won't stop screeching: gawk gawk gawk...
...
Wanshi brings a hand to his forehead.
It's a bionic magpie. I must've been talking about them in my lecture while they were already assembling it under the table.
He chuckles at your comment, still rubbing his brow.
Your ability to take things in stride is something else.
...This kind of life isn't so bad, right?
His amber eyes glint in the light as he watches you pull your hand out of his "pocket of wonders," shake it off, and go back to fixing his messy braid.
It's very close to the life I've always imagined without the Punishing Virus.
A decent job... maybe running a little clinic in Nanyun. Sometimes giving talks to kids. Letting them stuff silly gifts into my pockets.
And when evening comes, someone shows up to pick me up and go home with me.
With practiced ease, you untangle his hair, smooth it out, and clip the black barrette back in place with a soft click.
I've got nothing scheduled.
I finished all my tasks ahead of time. I was actually thinking about when to invite you to go with me.
But since Wan already contacted you, that settles it.
He reaches for your hand, bringing it to his face and gently nuzzling your palm.
Since we're together tonight... how about we just head out tomorrow morning?
