Scenario:Makura - Chasing Two Hares

Chasing Two Hares

Makura and the crew visit a flea market in pursuit of the genuine Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito, only to learn from a sword merchant that they had been sold decades ago. Just then, Makura's ears catch the sounds of a festival and her mother's voice, sending her bounding toward the source.

---

Makura and the crew visit a flea market on one of the eastern islands of Phantagrande.

There, they receive a bit of shocking news from a sword merchant.

Makura: You've got to be kidding me!

Makura: B-both of them? Y-you're saying... they were both already bought?

Lyria: Makura, try to calm down!

Makura: C-calm down? How can I possibly calm down!

Makura: We've been traveling all across the skies, searching high and low for any leads on Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito...

Makura: And now... after we finally tracked them down all the way here...

As Makura stomps her foot in frustration, (Captain) and company do their best to reassure her.

Vyrn: If somebody bought 'em, why not find the buyer and see if they'll sell 'em to ya?

Makura: Ohh! That's my Vyrn! What a great idea!

Vyrn: Wh-whoa! Quit nuzzlin' me!

Makura: Hey, mister! Do you remember the person who bought the swords? What were they like?

Sword Merchant: Well, let's see...

Sword Merchant: Hmm...

Makura: ...

Sword Merchant: Hmmmmm...

Makura: Come on, you can do it! Try to remember!

Sword Merchant: Nope, I got nothing. Teehee!

Makura: What the heck! Don't gimme that "teehee"!

In a fury, Makura grabs the merchant by the shoulders and rattles him back and forth.

Lyria: Makura! P-please get a hold of yourself!

Makura: But... But...

Sword Merchant: Well, what do you expect? Those two blades were sold decades ago.

Makura: D-decades?

There is a profound reason behind Makura's shout that echoes throughout the town.

Upon becoming Divine Rabbit and leader of the Lepus Troupe, she had learned a startling truth about the two swords passed down to her...

Makura's Father: You're right... They're replicas.

Makura's Father: Once upon a time, the two blades of the hare, Nitotsuisou and Hanaorimito, were considered to be proof of the Divine Rabbit.

Makura's Father: But the second year spirit was a gambler, and not a very good one, you see. Ever since going into debt, well... The true swords have yet to resurface.

Makura: You're telling me we've been using fakes since the second generation!

Makura's Father: That's correct. I'm sorry.
Cough, cough...

Thus, while searching for her mother who had run off with another man, Makura had also been pursuing the genuine swords.

Makura: What a kick in the teeth...

Makura: Heh... Guess that's why they say if you chase two hares, you end up catching none.

Vyrn: I get how ya feel, but don't be so down about it.

Lyria: That's right! Even if it was decades ago, we at least know now that someone bought them.

Lyria: So let's track down that person together! We'll help you!

Makura: Ahh... Hearing that makes me so happy I could cry! How can you guys be so sweet...

Harrington: How marvelous. This is true friendship!

Harry: But y'know, Boss, what we really need from you is—

Harriet: D-don't butt in with stuff like that. You know as well as I do that she can't handle that...

Vyrn: Still as brutal as ever.

Just then, Makura's ears snap upright and begin flicking back and forth.

Makura: Heehee.

Harriet: Crying one minute, laughing the next.

Makura: Well, I heard parade music. Couldn't help but feel a little giddy.

Lyria: Parade music? You mean from a festival?

Vyrn: Sounds perfect! No point just mopin' around, so how 'bout we go blow off some steam?

Vyrn: C'mon, (Captain)! Let's snag some candy apples!

Makura: Hehe... Ahaha! I was wondering what the occasion was. Turns out it's the Awawa Dance Festival!

Lyria: Awawa Dance Festival?

Crouching low with her toes inward and weight forward, Makura raises both hands in a figure eight motion and breaks into a rhythmic dance.

Makura: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Makura: Doesn't ring any bells?

Seeing (Captain) and company staring blankly, Makura laughs and gives her own forehead a playful smack.

Makura: Welp. I figured everyone in the skies knew the dance, but I guess it's not that famous yet.

Harrington: Allow me to explain. The Awawa Dance Festival is an event that originated on an island in the far east.

Harrington: The concept revolves around casting off one's everyday worries and reveling in the joy of living!

Harrington: Teams weave together and parade through the streets, dancing merrily with wild abandon!

Lyria: That sounds really fun! I'd love to watch!

Makura: Just watch?

Makura: With the Awawa Dance, there's a custom of pulling in the crowd to join too. Why don't we all dance together?

Vyrn: Heck yeah! Let's forget about the swords for now and cut loose!

Makura: Swords?

Makura: Waaaugh!

Harriet: Just when she'd finally put them out of her mind. Don't bring them up again...

Vyrn: Sorry, my bad...

At that moment, Makura's ears catch the sound of a familiar voice.

Woman's Voice: Wow, it's really getting lively! This should be a good time.

Makura: ...!

Vyrn: What's up? Your face got all serious outta nowhere.

Makura: Who could've imagined we'd cross paths here...

Makura: Sorry, guys! I'm gonna go on ahead!

With a wide grin, Makura bounds lightly across the rooftops and through the trees.

Vyrn: Never can sit still, can she?

Makura: (That captivating low tone, with the power to reach the very back row of any theater...)

Makura: (There's no mistaking these ears...)

Makura: That was Mom's voice!

Having picked up the voice of her runaway mother, Makura reins in her racing heart and continues bounding onward.

Chasing Two Hares: Scene 2

Makura manages to catch her mother Mayura at the festival, revealing that her father's health has deteriorated since her mother left. Their discussion about Mayura returning home goes nowhere, and when Mayura's lie about her age is exposed to her boyfriend, he dumps her.

---

The bustling island center is packed with food stalls and eager festival-goers.

Off to one side, a group of dancers prepare for their performance.

Sultry Dancer: We've got a huge crowd today. Let's give them a show they'll never forget!

Lepus Team Dancers: Yeeeah!

Lepus Team Dancer 1: Hehe. You're seriously hyped up today, aren't you, Mayura?

Mayura: Oh, is it that obvious?

Lepus Team Dancer 1: Totally! You're absolutely glowing, and your makeup is on point!

Mayura: Well, can you blame me? My darling is running today's festival, you know. I have to give it my all!

Lepus Team Dancer 2: Ooh-la-la! Somebody's head over heels!

As the dancers chatter excitedly, Makura suddenly drops down from above, cutting through the cheerful atmosphere like a knife.

Makura: Wheeew...

Mayura: ...!

Mayura: Wh-what...

Makura: At the end of this seemingly endless journey, at last the wayward soul stands before me.

Makura: This is our moment of reckoning. Whatever your reasons, let us settle this here and—

Mayura: Gyaaah!

Makura: Huh? Hey, wait!

Lepus Team Dancer 1: What was that about!

Mayura: Huff... Huff...

Makura: Just give it up already!

Mayura: I've got nothing to say to you!

Makura: Maybe not, but I've got plenty to say to you!

Makura lunges at Mayura, and they tumble to the ground together, landing on their backs.

Mayura: Oww... Still as heavy-handed as ever, I see...

Makura: I get that from my mother.

Makura & Mayura: ...

Makura: Seems you've been having a grand old time, never once bothering to think about how I might feel. Isn't that right... Mom!

Mayura: It's Mayura.

Makura: Huh?

Mayura: Not Mom.

Mayura: I'm telling you to call me Mayura!

Makura: What? Come on... I'm not gonna treat you like some stranger.

Mayura: I left home. I'm not your mother anymore.

Makura: Then what... Old lady?

Mayura: So insensitive.

Makura: I get that from my mother too.

Mayura: ...
Well, bye.

Makura: You're going to turn tail and run again?

Mayura: Run?

Mayura: Don't be ridiculous. I'm just going to prepare for the Awawa Dance!

Seeing Mayura's obvious annoyance, Makura sighs quietly in disappointment.

Makura: Dad's health tanked.

Mayura: When?

Makura: Right after you took off.

Mayura: How is he?

Makura: Suddenly you care?

Mayura: ...

Mayura: Well, he's got the troupe members, so there should be more than enough people to look after him.

Makura: Are you being serious right now?

Mayura: So what if I am?

Makura: ...!

Makura grabs Mayura by the arm and begins dragging her determinedly along.

Mayura: Ow! Hey, that hurts!

Makura: Dad's heart is hurting a thousand times more. Don't you get that?

Mayura: Forcing me to come home like this isn't going to change anything!

Mayura: You might be able to haul me back, but my heart's a different story!

Makura: Urk...

Makura: Argh, dammit! What am I supposed to do, then!

Stamping her feet, Makura pulls at her hair in frustration. When suddenly...

Rugged Man: Oh, there you are, Mayura. The rest of the Lepus Team is waiting for you.

Mayura: Squee! Darling!

In stark contrast to a moment ago, Mayura sidles up to the rugged man with coquettish charm, leaving Makura speechless.

Makura: ...
We're not done talking yet. C'mon, Mo—

Makura: ...!

Mayura: ...!

Makura: (Giving her own daughter a death glare? What a world we live in...)

Rugged Man: Huh? That girl... Don't you think she kind of looks like you?

Mayura: Really? I don't see it!

Makura: (Acting all cutesy in front of her own daughter without a shred of shame... I can't watch this...)

Rugged Man: Heh. You're too cute, Mayura.

Mayura: Teehee. Oh, stop it.

Watching Mayura and the man lose themselves in their own saccharine little world, Makura's patience finally snaps.

Makura: Gaaah!

Rugged Man: Whoa, wh-what!

Makura: Hey, Mom!

Mayura: ...?

Makura: Yeah, I'm talking to you! The one putting on the whole clueless act!

Mayura: Who, me?

Makura: Grr! Don't play innocent with me, you bonehead!

Mayura: Excuse me? Bonehead?

Mayura: How dare you speak to your mother like that!

Rugged Man: M-mother?

Mayura: Ack!

Mayura: N-no, you've got it all wrong! This is just a b-big misunderstanding!

Makura: Nyeh-heh. Looks like the cat's out of the bag.

Rugged Man: Mayura... Didn't you say you were twenty years old? How do you have a grown daughter?

Makura: S-seriously, Mom? Just how many years did you shave off?

Mayura: What did you fall for—my age? Or my face? My personality?

Rugged Man: W-well... Your personality, of course. Age doesn't matter. But still...

Mayura: That's right—I'm in my forties! But that's just a number! What's age got to do with anything?

Mayura: Is our love really so fragile that it could be shattered by something like this?

Makura: (That's rich coming from someone who was fudging her age...)

Rugged Man: Gyaaah!

Makura: (C'mon, don't overthink it. This is the part where you get mad...)

Makura: Hey, mister. Sorry, but I need a word with my mom. Could you give us a minute?

Rugged Man: ...!

Makura: Huh?

Rugged Man: Hey there, little lady. If you're interested, how about you and me—

Mayura: Hyaaah!

Rugged Man: Gweeeh!

Mayura unleashes a brilliant roundhouse kick, sending the man sailing far into the distance and out of sight.

Makura: Yikes...

Mayura: Whew...

Mayura: Urgh... Dumped again...

Makura: (Like it isn't her own fault.)

Makura: Again, huh? How many guys is that now?

Mayura begins counting on her fingers, but even both hands aren't enough.

Makura: Haah... This is so pathetic I could cry.

As Mayura sobs softly before her, Makura heaves a long, weary sigh.

Chasing Two Hares: Scene 3

Mayura remains determined to dance in the festival rather than rejoin the Lepus Troupe, declaring that she is tired of performing in the theater. Makura devises a plan to steal the spotlight with Mayura's signature Awawa Dance, hoping this will force her attention-seeking mother to cave.

---

Mayura: Sniffle... Waaah!

Makura: Oh, come on. I know you got your heart broken, but ugly-crying in front of your daughter?

Mayura: ...

Snapping her head up in irritation, Mayura spots the two replica swords at Makura's side and lets out a derisive snort.

Mayura: Hmph. What kind of Divine Rabbit doesn't even know love?

Makura: Huh? What was that?

Mayura: Nothing at all...

Vyrn: Hey, Makura!

Makura: Ah... Sorry, you guys. I kinda ran off on my own.

Mayura: And who might these folks be?

Makura: Oh, that's (Captain) and the rest of the crew I've been traveling with.

Mayura: I see...

Makura: What's with the look?

Mayura: Nice to meet you, everyone. I'm Makura's mother.

Mayura: Thank you kindly for looking after this tactless little tornado of mine.

Makura: What a way to put it. I don't wanna hear that from a mother who up and left home.

Vyrn: She's got you pegged though, Makura!

Makura: Hey!

Lyria: Makura was really worried about you, ma'am.

Lyria: It's wonderful that you two were able to find each other again! Right, (Captain)?

(Captain) gives Makura a warm, approving smile.

Mayura: Hmm? What's this? Are the two of you perhaps... an item?

Makura: Knock it off! You're gonna give Lyria the wrong idea!

Mayura: Oh, whoopsie! I just thought (Captain) here might be your type.

Lyria: ...!

Makura: Ugh, please don't read into anything she says, Lyria. She's just messing with me.

Lyria: O-oh, okay!

Mayura sticks her tongue out playfully, earning a sharp glare from Makura.

Makura: Come on, we're going home.

Mayura: Why?

Makura: What do you mean "why"? That guy dumped you. No more reason to stick around, right?

Mayura: Actually, there is a reason.

As though goading Makura, Mayura begins stepping lightly in time with the festival music that can be heard in the distance.

Mayura: I formed the Lepus Team so I could take part in today's Awawa Dance.

Makura: But... don't you hate dancing?

Mayura: That man from before is in charge of the festival, so I'm doing it partly because he asked me. But if I'm being perfectly honest...

Mayura: I was only ever tired of dancing in the theater.

Makura: ...

Struck by her mother's words, Makura can only watch in silence as Mayura saunters away.

Vyrn: Hey, I know you said you were gonna bring your mom back... but this looks tough.

Makura: Even so, I can't just leave things as they are.

Makura's Father: Cough, cough... If you happen to find your mother... could you give her this letter?

Makura: Well... I'll hold onto it at least.

Makura: But if you've got something to tell her, saying it to her face is the way to go, right?

Makura's Father: If I could do that... it wouldn't be so hard, now would it?

Makura: Hah! You gotta pull yourself together!

Makura: (I've got to do what I can. For Dad's sake too.)

Harrington: Boss! What's our next course of action?

Makura: If we keep letting Mom make excuses, we'll never get anywhere.

Makura: So there's only one thiiing to do!

Makura: At the island's Awawa Dance Festivaaal!

Harry: Yo! There! Hyah!

Makura: I'm gonna steal the whooole show!

Harriet: Lepus Troupe, represent!

Vyrn: Steal the show? How's that gonna solve anything?

Makura: My mom's an attention hog like you wouldn't believe.

Makura: If I steal the spotlight using her specialty, the Awawa Dance...

Makura: Her pride will be smashed to smithereens. She'll have no choice but to cave!

Lyria: But will that really help you two have a proper discussion?

Makura: Honestly, talking it out with me probably won't fix the problem.

Makura: So I'm sticking to the original plan—drag her back to the Lepus Troupe by force if I have to.

Makura: After that, she and Dad can hash it out on their own.

Harrington: Hmm...

Harrington: While I appreciate your enthusiasm, you haven't practiced the Awawa Dance in some time, have you?

Harriet: Yeah... Isn't it a little unrealistic to think you can beat Mayura of all people?

Makura: Who do you think you're talking to? I'm the star of the Lepus Troupe!

Harry: That's right! We'll power through with pure spirit!

Harrington: ...

Vyrn: You've got it rough, huh, Harrington?

Harley: I'm hungry...

Harrington: Quiet, you!

And so, Makura begins practicing the Awawa Dance to make Mayura throw in the towel.

However, she will soon come to realize that spirit alone won't be enough.