Scenario:Makura - Goddess of True Love's Advent

Goddess of True Love's Advent

Makura struggles with practicing the Awawa Dance until she remembers her mother's lesson that entertaining the audience comes first. When the performance begins, Makura's show-stopping entrance draws louder cheers than Mayura's, sparking jealousy in her mother's heart.

---

Makura has at last reunited with her love-obsessed mother Mayura, who had left home in pursuit of romance.

But with Mayura showing no intention of returning to the Lepus Troupe, Makura has devised a strategy to bring her back.

The plan is for Makura to draw every eye in the crowd with Mayura's signature Awawa Dance, forcing her to yield.

Makura: All right, I need to have this polished before the Awawa Dance kicks off this evening!

Vyrn: Polished? But you haven't danced it in forever, right? Is this really gonna work out?

Makura: Heh. More like, I'm gonna make it work.

Vyrn: Might wanna save the laughin' for later...

Harry: This reminds me of that time when the script wasn't done until the morning of the show.

Makura: Ah, right... Haha, we were all scrambling to learn our lines while rehearsing like crazy...

Makura: And when we finally raised the curtain, it ended up being a huge success—standing ovation and everything.

Makura: So yeah, it'll work out. The show must go on!

Harrington: That's quite optimistic of you...

Makura: Don't worry, everything'll be fine! This is where the fun really begins!

Thus, Makura sets about rehearsing the Awawa Dance. However...

Makura: Ughhh...

Lyria: Your dancing looked really good to me...

Harriet: If pulling off a passable performance was enough, then the boss's current approach of winging it would be fine.

Harriet: But she's nowhere near Mayura's level yet. It's night and day between them, like comparing apples to a full-course meal.

Makura: (Seriously, this is no good. I can't steal the show like this, let alone make Mom give up.)

Makura: (I need to get back to the basics...)

Makura thinks back to shortly before she became the Divine Rabbit, when she used to spend her days training with Mayura.

Mayura: Come on, lower your hips more. Keep your back straight and sharp!

Makura: Awawa... Awawa...

Mayura: Relax your shoulders! Wrists loose and limber! Take small steps and follow the beat!

Makura: Ugh, you're so picky! Can't I just forget the forms and have fun with it?

Mayura: If you're aiming to be the star of this troupe, that attitude won't get you very far.

Mayura: As a performer, you need to put the audience's enjoyment ahead of your own.

Makura: Urrrgh...

Mayura: For now, just keep dancing and dancing until it's second nature!

Makura: (I got so fixated on the goal that I lost sight of what really matters in a performance. How lame am I?)

Makura: The most important thing is entertaining the audience. And my own enjoyment comes in the process!

Makura: If I do that, then the cheers and thunderous applause will follow. And beyond that...

Makura: I can see it now... Mom crying tears of frustration after I steal the spotlight right from under her nose!

Smacking her own cheeks, Makura resets her focus.

Makura: I'm gonna dance like crazy with every second of the time I have left!

Makura: Ahaha! Looking good, everyone! Those are some great smiles!

Makura & Crew: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Vyrn: W-wait... Why're we... dancin' too?

Lyria: I'm not sure... My body just started... moving on its own...

Makura: When the crowd can't help but join in, that's the Awawa Dance working its magic!

Makura & Crew: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Harriet: Good, good... Everyone's smiling so brightly.

Makura and the crew continue practicing, and the next thing they know, the sun is already sinking below the horizon.

Meanwhile in the center of town, spectators wait with bated breath for the Awawa Dance to begin.

Mayura: Whew... It's finally time.

Lepus Team Dancer 1: You okay, Mayura?

Mayura: Perfectly fine. Any guy who can't recognize my charm isn't worth my time.

Lepus Team Dancer 2: Well then, let's dance our hearts out... and wait for the boys to fall at our feet!

Mayura: Honestly... We're not doing this to get dates.

Mayura: We're dancing up a storm to fire up this festival!

Mayura: If we succeed at that, the good men will come flocking to us!

Lepus Team Dancers: Yeeeah!

Lepus Team: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

The Lepus Team's dance instantly captivates the crowd, who begin cheering wildly.

Mayura: (Ahh, this is amazing! I can feel the audience's eyes all over me!)

Mayura: (Right now, the brightest star on this island is none other than yours truly! Whoo!)

Mayura: Haaah... I'm in heaven!

As Mayura is blissfully basking in the attention, a roar of applause rises in the distance.

Mayura: ...!

Mayura: There must be someone incredible over there!

Makura: Find an Awawa-some groove and watch your woes melt Awawa-way! Dance with style and just go wild!

Makura: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Harrington: Lepus Troupe, represent!

Mayura: M-Makura!

Catching sight of Makura and company in the midst of the cheering crowd, Mayura's heart ignites with jealousy.

Goddess of True Love's Advent: Scene 2

The mother-daughter dance battle sends the festival into a frenzy, with Makura emerging victorious. Realizing that forcing Mayura home won't solve anything, Makura tells her to leave her father for good—when suddenly Apparetei Rakusho, who happened to be visiting the island, intervenes.

---

Makura: Find an Awawa-some groove and watch your woes melt Awawa-way! Dance with style and just go wild!

Makura: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Harrington: Lepus Troupe, represent!

Lepus Team Dancer 1: Whoa, Mayura... Who is that gal?

Mayura: Listen up, girls! It doesn't matter who we're up against—no one's stealing the Awawa Dance spotlight from us!

Lepus Team Dancers: Right on, Mayura!

Makura: Looks like we lit a fire under Mom. But we can't afford to lose either!

The Crew: Yeah!

The moment Makura and Mayura's eyes meet, both teams give in to their passion, dancing with wild abandon.

Swept up by their fervor, the spectators join in as well, and the festival erupts into a frenzy.

The Crew: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Dancers: Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!

Meanwhile, Makura's rakugo teacher Apparetei Rakusho and his apprentice Rakko stroll along nearby.

By chance, they had recently arrived on the island for a rakugo performance.

Apparetei Rakko: What's happening over there, Master? The crowd's going totally crazy...

Apparetei Rakusho: Ahh, that's the Awawa Dance.

Apparetei Rakko: Oh, I've heard of that! It's the one where you go "awawa, awawa," right?

Apparetei Rakusho: Ahaha! That just makes it sound like you're flustered and panicking. Basically you every day!

Apparetei Rakusho: There's a bit more to it than that. You dance while chanting, "Awawa! Awawa! Awa wasshoi!"

Apparetei Rakko: Ooh! I wanna give it a whirl too!

Apparetei Rakusho: Sounds good to me. Let's get out there and whoop it up!

Rakusho and Rakko eagerly dive into the Awawa Dance together with the swarm of spectators. However...

Apparetei Rakko: Awa! Awawa! Awawawawaaa...

Apparetei Rakko: M-Master! Is the Awawa Dance supposed to be this fast and intense?

Apparetei Rakusho: Absolutely not!

Apparetei Rakusho: I remember it being way more laid-back... and just plain fun!

As the dance continues to infect the crowd like a contagious madness, people soon begin dropping like flies.

Apparetei Rakko: Yikes! Th-they're keeling over one after another, completely wiped out!

Apparetei Rakusho: Huff, huff... I-I'm about... done for too...

Apparetei Rakusho: Wait, is that Makura?

Makura: Find an Awawa-some groove and watch your woes melt Awawa-way!

Mayura: Dance with style and just go wild!

Makura: Awawa!

Mayura: Awawa!

Makura & Mayura: Awa wasshoi!

Apparetei Rakko: Makura... What in the skies are you doing?

Apparetei Rakko: Hang on. Could that lady be Makura's mom?

Apparetei Rakusho: That gorgeous woman is... her... mother?

Apparetei Rakko: Master!

The street turns into a war zone, with exhausted spectators collapsing left and right, creating a scene of utter carnage.

At last, even (Captain)'s crew and the Lepus Team hit their breaking point, leaving only one dancer standing.

Mayura: Not... bad...

Makura: Huff... Huff...

Makura: Leader of the Lepus Troupe and star of the show! That's me, Makura—the one and only!

Makura: Looks like I take this one, huh?

Mayura: You baited me knowing full well I wouldn't be able to resist, didn't you?

Mayura: Fine, I lost. I'll go home. Happy?

Seeing Mayura's bitter resignation, Makura feels her heart sink.

Makura: ...

Makura: I was dead set on bringing you back, no matter what it took.

Makura: But... maybe that's wrong.

Mayura: ...?

Makura: Even if I drag you home and make you talk things over with Dad...

Makura: As long as your heart hasn't changed, it won't do any good.

Makura: If anything, it might just hurt Dad even more than he already is.

Makura: So maybe it's better if I just... tell him I never found you.

Mayura: Well, well. That's quite the thoughtful plan coming from you.

Makura: ...

Mayura: In that case, I'll be making myself scarce now.

Makura reaches out toward Mayura's retreating back but stops short, clenching her hand.

Makura: You're awfully nonchalant about this...

Mayura: It's better for both of you this way, isn't it?

Makura: Both of us...

A vision of her ailing father flashes through Makura's mind, the same wistful smile etched on his face.

Makura: Ngh... No! I take back what I said.

Makura: If I just act like I never found you, I'll just be left with regrets.

Makura: So Mom... Could you at least give Dad a clear-cut goodbye?

Mayura: ...

Makura: Please.

Mayura: Makura... Do you hate me?

Makura: I do think you're selfish.

Makura: But... that doesn't mean I could ever hate you.

Makura: You've taught me so much, Mom.

Makura: And I don't just mean the Awawa Dance. How to perform, how to think, how to live...

Makura: I've learned everything I could from you, and stolen everything I could steal.

Makura: To me, you're still my precious mother, flaws and all.

Makura: And from now until forever... you're the performer I aspire to be.

Mayura: ...

Makura: But that's beside the point.

Makura: If you don't love Dad anymore, and you're ready to go your own way...

Makura: Then you need to make a clean break so you can both get on with your lives.

Mayura: ...

Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere any longer, Makura looks up at the sky.

(Captain) places a comforting hand on her shoulder, asking if this is what she truly wants.

Makura: I guess... this is just how life goes sometimes.

???: You damn fool! Quit acting like some wise old sage!

Apparetei Rakusho: You're too young to be doing that! Sure, life's not fair, but what happened to fighting back!

Makura: M-Master! What are you doing here?

Apparetei Rakko: Hello there, Makura. Everyone. Fancy bumping into you like this.

Rakusho and Rakko make a theatrical entrance, unceremoniously interjecting themselves into the tense exchange between mother and child.

Goddess of True Love's Advent: Scene 3

Encouraged by Rakusho, Mayura admits feeling guilty that her husband quit acting to work behind the scenes after they married, leading her to run away. Though moved by a letter expressing her husband's unconditional love and respect for her freedom, she insists she can't simply return home.

---

The crew stands frozen in surprise as Rakusho and Rakko cut in between Makura and Mayura.

Apparetei Rakusho: Ahaha! I must say, ma'am. That Awawa Dance of yours was incredibly sexy!

Apparetei Rakusho: If you're game... how about grabbing a drink with me?

Mayura: Huh?

Harrington: Hmph! Flirting, now of all times? I must put a stop to this—

Vyrn: Hang on, Harrington!

Vyrn: Maybe he's tryin' to, y'know, lighten the mood!

Apparetei Rakko: Nope. Makura's mom is just his type.

Vyrn: You gotta be kiddin' me...

Mayura takes Rakusho's outstretched hand in both of hers and smiles up at him.

Mayura: Hehe, how sweet of you to ask. I'd love to.

Makura: Bye, then.

Vyrn: Hey, Makura! You really okay with this?

Makura: Yeah. I'm not putting my hopes in other people.

Mayura: Well then, shall we be on our way?

Apparetei Rakusho: Are you sure?

Mayura: But of course.

Apparetei Rakusho: Then... why are your eyes all misty?

Mayura: ...!

Spotting a tear in the corner of Mayura's eye, Apparetei Rakusho gently brushes it away with his fingertip.

Apparetei Rakusho: You need to be more upfront with your feelings. Otherwise, all the subtleties of love...

Apparetei Rakusho: They're never gonna get through to that naive kid of yours.

Drawing a deep breath, Mayura calls out to Makura as she walks away.

Mayura: Makura!

Makura: ...

Mayura: Makura! Wait just a moment!

Makura: ...

Lyria: U-um... Please, Makura! Won't you try talking to your mother just once more?

Lyria: You've been searching for her all this time!

Makura: What is it?

Mayura: You probably don't know this, but your father was an actor who lived for the stage.

Mayura: But after marrying me... he started working behind the scenes instead.

Mayura: I tried time and again to talk him back, of course. But he wouldn't budge.

Mayura: He ran around trying to scrape up funds to keep the Lepus Troupe afloat, choosing a life behind the curtain.

Makura: ...

Mayura: You see... I loved your father's acting. I loved it dearly.

Mayura: And yet... I'm the reason he quit performing.

Mayura: Every time I saw him working so hard backstage, the guilt tore me apart.

Mayura: Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore... so I left.

Makura: ...
I had no idea.

Makura: So when you ran off chasing some guy you liked, and all the times after that, you weren't serious? It was just a front?

Mayura: Well... This time, and the others too...

Mayura: I was a little serious.

Makura: Oh, c'mon!

Apparetei Rakko: (Talk about a force of nature... She's definitely Makura's mom.)

Mayura: But even that came from my guilt toward your father. Maybe I just wanted to avert my eyes from reality.

Confronted with this complex tangle of emotions, Makura tries to make sense of it but fails, tugging at her hair in frustration.

Makura: Hrrrm...

Makura: Ah!

Suddenly, she remembers the letter her father had entrusted to her.

Makura: Here, read this. Dad's feelings should be spelled out inside.

Mayura: All right.

Mayura takes the letter, taking a moment to muster her resolve before breaking the seal.

Makura's Father: Dear Mayura,
Are you keeping well? Knowing you, I'm sure there's no need for me to worry.

Makura's Father: It pains me greatly not being able to watch your performances now that you've left the Lepus Troupe.

Makura's Father: But if you've found something you wish to pursue other than acting, I want you to cherish it.

Makura's Father: Your free spirit is exactly what makes you so charming, after all.

Mayura: ...

Makura's Father: Makura says she's going to bring you back, but I'm sure I can make her understand.

Makura's Father: As long as you're happy, that's what matters most.

Mayura: Sniffle... Sob...
What am I supposed to do with that man...

Mayura: Makura, you should read this too.

After scanning the letter, Makura can't hide her bewilderment at how different the contents are from what she expected.

Makura: Wait... What? Huh?

Apparetei Rakusho: Let me have a look.

Apparetei Rakusho: Amazing. That's love right there. Pure love.

Makura: Master...

Apparetei Rakusho: A theater troupe can't function without the folks supporting it from behind the scenes.

Apparetei Rakusho: Your dad chose to protect the stage rather than stand on it himself.

Apparetei Rakusho: He stepped into the wings of his own will in order to keep watching his beloved Mayura perform.

Apparetei Rakusho: And those aren't the words of a man who regrets it.

Apparetei Rakusho: Still, from Mayura's point of view, I get why she couldn't accept his choice—and why it hurt.

Mayura: ...

Apparetei Rakusho: But what blows me away more than anything is your dad's love.

Apparetei Rakusho: They ended up on different wavelengths, and Mayura left home...

Apparetei Rakusho: Even when he probably couldn't see the point of protecting the Lepus Troupe anymore, he still respected her wishes.

Apparetei Rakusho: And he even gave her a push—man, that's something else!

Apparetei Rakusho: Guess that's what it means to really love a woman. I oughta take a page from his book.

Makura: Bit much, don't you think?

Mayura: Definitely.

Apparetei Rakusho: You're kidding!

Mayura: But... it makes me really happy.

Makura: Then why don't you just come home already?

Mayura: I ran off after another man. How am I supposed to just waltz back?

Makura: Dad doesn't care about that.

Mayura: Even if he doesn't, I do.

Makura: Ugh, you're such a pain...

Makura: Still, maybe this is what true love is.

Not loving someone and expecting something in return...

But rather wishing for their happiness, even if it means putting them before yourself.

Makura: If the person you love is happy, that makes you happy too, huh...

Makura murmurs this slowly, pondering the words.

Goddess of True Love's Advent: Scene 4

Touched by her parents' love, Makura resolves to reconcile them, prompting her two swords to reveal their true forms. Her shikigami explain that a previous Divine Rabbit had disguised the blades as a lesson about guiding others with love. After helping her parents reunite, Makura puts on a special show for the crew with her mother.

---

Makura: If the person you love is happy, that makes you happy too, huh...

Makura: How do I put this... It still hasn't quite clicked for me. Like, I can't make sense of it yet...

Makura: But I least see now that this kind of love really exists... or something.

Makura: Argh! It's so frustrating not being able to put it into words!

Vyrn: Yeah, I don't really get it either.

Lyria: Hmm... I feel like I sort of do, in a way!

Makura catches Lyria sneaking a glance at (Captain) and smiles to herself.

Makura: If I can get my head around it someday, maybe it'll help me grow as an actor.

Apparetei Rakusho: You'll figure it out in time.

Apparetei Rakusho: Love can be a pretty roundabout thing.

Apparetei Rakko: I don't really understand what love is all about yet either...

Apparetei Rakko: But why not try doing what you can do as their child, Makura?

Makura: As their child?

Makura: Ahaha, gotcha. Children are the glue that holds a family together and all that, right?

Apparetei Rakko: Exactly!

Taking a deep breath, Makura looks at Mayura with a quiet warmth.

Makura: Mom?

Mayura: Yes?

Makura: Just like I planned from the start, I'm dragging you back home. Even if I have to tie you up to do it.

Makura: No objections, right?

Mayura: If you're that serious about it, I guess I'll have no choice but to come quietly.

Makura: I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, so I can't claim to understand everything...

Makura: But I want you to find the way of living that's right for you—and Dad to find his too.

Makura: And I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

At that moment, a rabbit pattern appears on each of Makura's replica swords, radiating with heat.

The plating on the surface peels away like a thin skin...

And from within emerge a pair of blades gleaming a brilliant crimson.

Makura: Huh? Wait, hang on. What is even happening?

Makura: Why're my swords all red and glowy!

Harrington: Our ever-naive and oblivious boss has been touched by true love and discovered its splendor.

Harrington: As a result, the two swords have acknowledged you as their rightful master!

Makura: Say what!

Makura: Wait, does that mean they hadn't acknowledged me this whole time?

Harriet: Did you seriously think they had?

Makura: Hey, ouch!

Mayura: Well, it worked out, didn't it? Every cloud has a silver lining. Who would've thought my little runaway stunt would actually help?

Makura: Huh? You knew about this too, Mom?

Mayura: More or less. I heard the Divine Rabbit from a couple of generations back bought the two blades after they'd been pawned off.

Makura: But why! Why were the real swords disguised as fakes!

Harrington: The previous Divine Rabbit was horrified at the idea of the swords being sold off as gambling collateral again...

Harrington: So she used a secret technique to make them appear as replicas!

Makura: Why go to all that trouble?

Harrington: We shikigami have served the Divine Rabbits across generations.

Harrington: The one from two generations ago was arguably the only person of character among them.

Makura: R-right...

Harrington: She wished for future generations not to be consumed by gambling like their predecessors...

Harrington: But to become respected Divine Rabbits who guide others with love.

Harrington: Hence, she made "being touched by true love" the key to undoing the secret technique.

Makura: So then... what if I'd never experienced true love—

Harry: Don't sweat the details! All's well that ends well!

Harrington: Being touched by true love was merely the start.

Harrington: From here on, you must deepen your understanding of love and use it to lead the people!

Makura: B-but y'know... If that was the deal, you could've just told me from the start.

Mayura: Case in point.

Harriet: It's okay to take it slow, but please aim to become a person of character too...

Makura: Urk...

Apparetei Rakko: You've always been a bit of a mess... but there's no doubt you've grown from this. I can feel it.

Apparetei Rakko blinks her eyes several times, as though seeing some sort of heavenly glow surrounding Makura.

Apparetei Rakko: (Before, when we went to buy Valentine's Day chocolates...)

Apparetei Rakko: (Makura offered a prayer off the cuff to live up to everyone's hopes...)

Makura: Passionate child, pure of heart. Your ancestors watching over you shall rest with ease, as you go with the guidance of the Divine Rabbit.

Makura: When love blooms, you shall be tied by red strings of fate. May good fortune find its way to you. To all of you.

Rabbit-Ear Wearers: Praise be... Praise be, Divine Rabbit, goddess of love!

Apparetei Rakko: (Maybe that wasn't just an accident, but fate at work.)

Apparetei Rakko: (From goddess of love to goddess of true love, eh? Must be a lucky sign. I oughta offer a prayer.)

Apparetei Rakko: Ahh... Praise be... Praise be, Divine Rabbit, goddess of true love!

Lyria: I-I think I'll do it too...

Vyrn: Pretty sure prayin' to Makura isn't gonna do squat though...

And so, Makura returns to the Lepus Troupe with Mayura in tow.

Following their long separation, her parents are finally reunited. However...

Makura's Parents: ...

Mayura: Um... Er...

Makura's Father: Welcome home.

Mayura: ...
Good to be back.

Makura: ...

Makura's Parents: ...

Makura: That's it?

Apparetei Rakusho: When two hearts are in sync, there's no need for words.

Apparetei Rakko: Master, you're acting like some kind of love guru, but aren't you still single?

Apparetei Rakusho: Shut it! Want me to expel you?

Makura's Father: Thank you for always taking such good care of my Makura, everyone. And now even my wife as well.

Vyrn: Heh, don't sweat it! Right, (Captain)?

(Captain) returns the thanks, noting that the whole experience has inspired them to think more deeply about love.

Makura's Father: Please, not at all! I'm a little embarrassed...

Mayura: Say, (Captain). Have you and your friends ever seen Makura acting on stage?

Lyria: We've seen her help at the Sheep Temple's summer festival and dance as the year spirit!

Lyria: But we haven't seen a performance by the Lepus Troupe yet.

Mayura: Hehe, in that case...

Mayura: Are you up for it, Makura?

Makura: You bet I am! Whatever the play is, bring it on!

Makura's Father: Oh my, is that so! What a treat to see your acting straight away!

Makura's Father: The assistant director—my son—and the other troupe members are in the middle of a tour...

Makura's Father: But we have the Lepus Troupe leader and star performer, Makura. And our former star, Mayura.

Makura's Father: Please enjoy their special performance!

Makura: Whew...

Mayura: Getting nervous? That's not like you.

Makura: Look who's talking. Aren't you shaking?

Mayura: Shaking? Don't be ridiculous. I'm simply vibrating with excitement.

Makura: Then we're in the same boat. The idea of performing a two-person play with an actor I admire has me all charged up.

Mayura: Don't think you can slack off just because your partner is your own mother.

Makura: Wouldn't dream of it.

Makura: When I'm up on stage, the only thing on my mind is giving the audience a good time.

Mayura: Heh...

Makura: Come on, it's almost showtime!

Makura and Mayura—plus Makura's father working in the wings.

With the Lepus Troupe now united in love, the curtain rises on their special show.

The heartfelt parent-child performance captures the heart of every viewer, drawing thunderous applause.