Scenario:Makura - The Marching Hare

The Marching Hare

One day, Makura's ears pick up the lamentations of a freeloading husband who has been kicked out of his home by his wife. Upon confirming that his intentions are genuine, Makura attempts to help them make up but is interrupted by another voice in need before she can finish.

---

Makura: It's been so long since I've worked up a sweat like this—I feel so alive!

Vyrn: No kidding. You've been totally killing it out there!

Makura: Heh, did you expect any less? In the world of theater, you pick up all sorts of skills!

Vyrn: Not only that, but our client was a huge fan of yours too!

Makura: Yeah, I never thought I'd get an offering there of all places.

Makura: But it makes me happy—I'd be nothing without the support of my fans.

Makura's ears suddenly perk up.

Vyrn: What is it?

Makura: I just can't sit still when there's people in trouble!

Makura: Don't worry about me, I'll take care of this one alone!

She rolls up her sleeves before hopping toward the cries for help.

Freeloader: Sigh...

Makura: What's a big guy like you got to be so upset about on a beautiful day like this? Spit it out.

Freeloader: Oh, nothing... Just having problems with my wife. You wouldn't be—

The man finally looks up to get a good look at Makura's face.

Freeloader: Wait, y-you're the Divine Rabbit! Oh, blessed day!

Makura: Hey, silly. This really isn't the time for that, is it? Let me know what's happening so I can help.

Freeloader: Oh, about that... My wife kicked me out of the house.

Makura: And why did she do that?

Freeloader: I have no idea.

Freeloader: I'm just a freeloader who lives off his wife's money, but I love her to death, you know? She's my everything.

Freeloader: Earlier today, she broke a plate that was something of a family heirloom, see...

Freeloader: I didn't even care, though. I just wanted to make sure she was okay.

Makura: Aww... I bet that made her feel loved, didn't it?

Freeloader: That's what you'd think, right? But she was like, "get out of the house!"

Makura: Hmm...

Makura: Hold on. How exactly did you phrase your worries to her?

Freeloader: With all of my love, of course!

Freeloader: I told her if she got hurt, I wouldn't be able to drink and have any fun!

After having processed the man's words, Makura lets out a heavy sigh.

Makura: ...Seriously?

Freeloader: Huh?

Makura: You really are an idiot! You don't care about your wife at all, only yourself!

Freeloader: N-no, it's not like that! I mean, uh... That's not the whole story!

Freeloader: I truly was worried for her safety, I mean it!

Freeloader: I really do love her, from the bottom of my heart!

Makura: Aww, that's precious!

Freeloader: D-don't make fun of me!

Makura: Of course not—now you just gotta tell her that to her face!

Freeloader: What? B-but it's so embarrassing...

Makura: Don't be silly. It's like rippin' off a bandage—less painful the quicker you do it.

Makura takes the man's arm and begins dragging him to his house.

Makura: (If only Dad could've told Mom his true feelings...)

Makura: (Maybe Mom wouldn't have run off like that...)

Makura thinks of her mother, who went missing after leaving home one day.

Makura: Scuse us! Is anyone home? Ma'am?

Freeloader: She won't come out no matter how many times I try... Maybe she went back to her parents'...

Makura: No, I can definitely hear someone inside.

Makura: Ma'am! I've brought your husband here! Could you please open the door?

Woman's Voice: Fine, I'm coming already! What kind of busybody would bring my useless husband here?

Hardworking Woman: In fact, I oughtta—Oh! Divine Rabbit, I'm so sorry! P-please, do come in! Welcome to our humble home... I-I'll put on some tea!

Makura: No need to concern yourself, ma'am! More importantly...

Makura pushes the man before his wife.

Makura: You see, some things can't be understood unless they're said aloud, right?

Freeloader: R-right...

The husband looks at his wife, feeling his face heat up in embarrassment.

Freeloader: I, well, you see... I'm sorry about earlier. And... I, uh...

Hardworking Woman: You what?

Freeloader: I've always, well...

As the man musters the courage to tell his wife how much he truly loves her, Makura's ears perk up.

Makura: Wait! Just a minute.

Freeloader: Seriously? You just about ruined the moment!

Makura: Sorry, Mister. I've got another emergency that needs handling. Get your confession over with already!

Makura takes the couple's hands and forces them to shake on it before leaping onto the roof.

Freeloader: Aren't you supposed to be the Divine Rabbit? I thought you were gonna help me with this!

Makura: You're fiiine! You both love each other after all, right?

Makura smiles at the couple before hopping off to the next call for help.

The Marching Hare: Scene 2

Makura follows the voice and finds a young man outside the couple's home—the husband's brother who had hastily left the house just moments earlier to avoid causing a misunderstanding between his brother and sister-in-law. However, when Makura attempts to have him come clean, the woman steers the conversation to keep their correspondence a secret.

---

The voice Makura picked up on came from a man just outside the couple's home.

Young Man: Oh no... What do I do now?

Makura: Relax, I'm here to help.

Young Man: You... You're the Divine Rabbit! Oh, thank the heavens!

Makura: Hold on, I haven't done anything yet—what seems to be the problem?

Young Man: Okay, well... I was alone with the woman of the house, you see...

Makura: Hoooold it! You don't mean this house, do you?

Makura's face goes beet red as she makes a realization.

Makura: You... You shameless womanizer!

Young Man: N-no, you've got the wrong idea! I didn't lay a hand on her!

Makura: That better be true, or you're gonna find out what it's like to eat your own teeth!

Young Man: Please, you've gotta believe me!

Makura: Fine. So what happened?

Young Man: She called me for advice regarding her husband, who happens to be my brother, see...

Young Man: We talked about it over drinks, and... how do I put this... she is very pretty, but...

Makura: ...

Young Man: Oh, no! Not like that, honest! Anyway, as we were talking, he came back!

Young Man: I ran out the back door just so there wouldn't be any sort of misunderstanding.

Makura: Yeah, that checks out. She didn't want to open the door for some time.

Young Man: Huh? Could it be that it was you who brought him back?

Makura: Yup.

Young Man: Ah, the Divine Rabbit's teachings truly are a marvel!

Makura: Ugh, enough with the boot licking!

Young Man: ...

Makura: So nothing happened, right? What's the problem?

Young Man: In my hurry to leave, I left my wallet in the house.

Makura: So? It's just a wallet.

Young Man: You misunderstand! It was a gift from my brother—he would know that it's mine!

Young Man: My brother is a loving husband, and if he found out that I was spending time with his wife while he was away...

Makura: There'd be hell to pay, huh?

Young Man: Yeah...

Makura: Well, standing around out here isn't gonna do anything about it. Let's just explain.

Young Man: What? No way. Absolutely not!

Makura: There hasn't been any foul play here, just a misunderstanding!

Makura: If you're sincere with your explanation, I'm sure everyone will see what happened!

Fully convinced of her words, Makura pushes the young man to return to the couple's home.

Makura: I'm back!

Young Man: ...

Makura: Get it together, man!

Freeloader: Ah, Divine Rabbit! Thank you so much for earlier.

Makura: Oh? From the looks of it, I'm guessing you two made up.

Freeloader: Yup! I promised my wife I'd do more to help around.

Makura: That so? You'd better, then!

Freeloader: Of course! And who's that behind you?

Young Man: Oh, j-just me, dear brother!

Freeloader: You're not in... any trouble, are you?

Makura: No, I mean, well... The truth is...

Freeloader: Wait, lemme guess. A lady in your life?

Young Man: Not exactly, just—

Freeloader: Listen, Divine Rabbit. My brother was born with the good looks in the family, so ladies just flock to him.

Freeloader: But I've never seen him like this, worrying so earnestly... It can only mean one thing, right? He's found love!

Makura: N-no, it's not what you think. He just had a moment of temptation of sorts, m-maybe...

Freeloader: Temptation? Don't tell me you're dealin' with someone taken.

Freeloader: You'd best get out while you can. There's no way something like that ends well.

Young Man: ...

Freeloader: Waaaait a second. Don't tell me... The woman—she's married, isn't she?

Young Man: Huh?

Freeloader: I mean, I had my suspicions, but...

Young Man: No, it's not like that! I was only there to consult her about her marriage!

Young Man: I mean, we may have shared a few drinks together and—wait, what the hell am I saying? Idiot!

Young Man: A-anyway, I didn't do anything! We just had a moment where we looked at each other, that's all!

Freeloader: Seriously? So things were getting hot and heavy, and that's all you did?

Makura: All right, calm down.

Young Man: But I... I was able to stop myself!

Makura: You're not exactly the hero here.

Young Man: For at that moment...

Freeloader: Let me guess, her husband came back!

Young Man: That's right!

Freeloader: Damn.

Makura: Are you seriously not seeing this right now?

Freeloader: Huh? What are you talking about?

Makura: I just... I'm having a little trouble keeping up with this back-and-forth right now.

Hardworking Woman: Sorry, I couldn't help but eavesdrop. That sounds like quite an ordeal you had.

Young Man: Oh, yes, ma'am!

Hardworking Woman: I'd like to hear more of your story, actually. Did her husband see you, by any chance?

Young Man: Oh, well... I'm not sure. Did he?

Freeloader: Why are you asking me?

Young Man: He did not!

Hardworking Woman: So what exactly is the point of this story? You didn't lay a hand on her, right?

Young Man: No, but...

Hardworking Woman: And besides...

Hardworking Woman: Even if you had left something there on accident, this woman isn't the type to see another man while her husband is away, right?

Hardworking Woman: I'm sure she wouldn't be so careless as to not notice something so obvious and carefully put it away.

Freeloader: Yup. Even if that weren't the case, we're talkin' about a guy that wouldn't even notice someone else had been in his home.

Freeloader: There's no way someone so dull would notice something like that! Ahaha!

The wife and young man nervously join the man in laughter.

However, Makura isn't satisfied with the resolution.

Makura: Is this seriously happening!

Freeloader: Wh-what's the matter, all of a sudden?

Makura: Don't you even give me that! You call that an explanation?

Young Man: Divine Rabbit! Could you please keep this to yourself? All's well that ends well, right? Please!

Makura: ...

The young man tearfully begs for Makura not to press the issue, and she begrudgingly agrees.

The Marching Hare: Scene 3

Makura offers a stranger her own money so that he can retrieve his tools and pay off his debts. However, when Makura rushes to the scene of a robbery later that night, she confronts the thief—who happens to be the same man she had been so charitable to earlier that day.

---

Makura: I don't feel good about this...

Harrington: Regardless, it seems that things resolved themselves.

Harry: That would've been crazy if he'd actually been cheating, right? Ahaha!

Harriet: B-but... I'm glad we were able to help them...

Harley: Boss... I'm hungry...

Makura: Oh! Sorry, Harley... We've got a bit of extra cash today, so I'll buy you some dumplings on the way home, 'kay?

Just as Makura raises her fist in the air, her ears perk up once again.

Harley: Aw...

Makura: That's the sound of someone in trouble...

Makura: Understood! I'll be there!

Harley: Aw, come on! What about my dumplings?

Ragged Man: Damn, this sucks...

Makura: Hey there, mister. What's the problem?

Ragged Man: Huh? The heck did you come from?

Makura: I'm Makura, a traveling actress.

Ragged Man: Actress, eh? That ain't gonna do me much good.

Makura: We'll see about that.

Ragged Man: I'm broke, y'see. Can't do much about that, can you?

Makura: You never know, right? Let me hear your story first, at least.

Ragged Man: Sure thing. I'm workin' to pay off my debts, but they took my tools as collateral.

Ragged Man: To pay off my debts, I gotta work. But I can't do much without my tools, can I?

Ragged Man: And I can't get my tools back, 'cuz I ain't got no money!

Makura: Can't you just explain that to the debt collector?

Ragged Man: Ahah! Good luck tryin' to get that person to listen to reason!

Makura: Yeah, I get it.

Makura looks at the two replica hare blades hanging from her belt.

Makura: (Collateral, huh? I've been there, buddy.)

A few years ago, at the Lepus Troupe's rehearsal theater.

The troupe members are here to congratulate Makura on her performance as the lead.

Makura's Father: Listen here, Makura. From now on, you'll be acting as the leader of the Lepus Troupe.

Makura: Understood!

Makura: As the leader, I'll make sure the Lepus Troupe is the best in all the skies!

Makura's Father: Cough, cough... All right, bring 'em out...

The four shikigami rabbits leap about, bringing forth two ceremonial blades.

Makura: Whoa...

Makura's Father: These swords here, you see...

Makura: D'aww, wook at the widdle bunnies, carrying their widdle swords! Sooooo adooorbs!

Makura's Father: Ah, oh. Yes...

Makura: You mean to tell me that I'll get to have them as well?

Makura's Father: Er, yes, of course...

Harrington: We four shikigami, Harrington, Harry, Harold, and Harley will perform our utmost to serve you, Boss.

Makura: D'aww... C-can I pet you?

Without waiting for them to answer, she rubs her cheeks against their furry little bodies.

Makura: Aaah! I'm in paradise...

Makura's Father: Makura... Makura!
Cough, cough...

Makura: Ohmygosh. Sorry! Ahem... So these two blades have been passed down from generation to generation as—

Makura: Wait a sec! These swords... they're fakes!

Makura's father opens his mouth to speak, his eyes full of tears.

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...

Makura: (If we can't get his tools back now, who knows when he'll get another chance?)

Makura: Okay! I'll skip dinner for tonight. Here!

Makura hands over the bag of rupies she earned earlier in the day.

Ragged Man: Miss, I...

Makura: Use this to get your tools back so you can get to work!

Ragged Man: I owe you for this.

Makura: Don't worry about it!

Ragged Man: But... This won't be enough.

Makura: Huh? Oh, geez... Well, that's embarrassing.

Ragged Man: Please, I need just a little more!

Makura: Ngh... Okay, here!

Makura takes out the rest of the pocket change she's carrying and hands it to the man.

Ragged Man: Bahaha! This should do it! Thank you, stranger!

Makura: Heh... Money's meant to be spent, right?

Makura says this to the man, misty-eyed.

Makura returns to her bed, exhausted after a hard day's work.

Suddenly, her rabbit ears perk up once again.

Makura: ...!

Makura: This is a big one... Understood!

Vyrn: Wait, was that...

Lyria: Makura?

Vyrn: Something must've happened again. Let's move!

Hopping from roof to roof, Makura finally arrives at the spot where she heard the call for help.

Makura: Too late, huh... Where'd you go?

Woman's Voice: Thiiief!

Makura: There!

Makura focuses her hearing, tracking down the thief's footsteps.

Makura: Heh, you're not getting away that easily!

Freeloader's Voice: Where'd that lousy thief run off to!

Ragged Man: Heh-heh... You're gonna have to do better than that.

Ragged Man: What the... Is someone there?

The thief turns around to see Makura standing right behind him.

Makura: ...

Ragged Man: Oh, you. What's with the angry face? I've been able to get back to work all thanks to you, see?

Makura: So you were a thief, huh? How did I miss that one...

Ragged Man: Traveling actress, was it? Don't lie, you want in on this too, don't you?

Ragged Man: How about you help me, and I help you? If you catch my drift, heh...

Makura: No, nope. Absolutely not.

Harrington: Lepus Troupe, represent!

Makura: You've already played me like a fool. There's no way I'm gonna let you take my dignity too!

Makura raises her blades to the sky, glinting in the moonlight.

Harry: Give it to 'em good, Boss!

Makura: Get a good look at the moon, because it's curtains for you tonight!

The Marching Hare: Scene 4

After disposing of the thief, Makura shows the crew a tradition she and the Lepus Troupe have on the night of a full moon. Shortly after, the married couple and young man appear before Makura again after having cleared the air with each other. Together, they all enjoy the festivities under the light of the full moon.

---

Makura: Gilded Heaven Strike!

Ragged Man: Gurk...

Makura: I used the dull side. You'll live.

Lyria's Voice: Makuraaa!

Makura: Oh! To what do I owe this pleasure?

(Captain) and the others find Makura standing before the thief lying on the ground.

Lyria: Wow... I can't believe you caught this person all by yourself!

Makura: It's not as impressive as it looks, really! I'm nothing without you guys.

Makura: I mean, I wouldn't even have been able to come here if it weren't for your help.

Vyrn: I dunno if we did much, but I'm glad you think so!

Makura: I do hope that we can continue to count on each other in the times to come.

Makura looks up to the night sky, smiling under the moonlight.

Makura: A full moon... It's already the fifteenth, huh?

Lyria: Yes... Isn't it pretty?

Makura: We of the Lepus Troupe have a little tradition for nights like these, actually.

Makura: On the night of a full moon, we'd place offerings of dumplings and liquor on the altar.

Lyria: Is it a holy ritual?

Makura: Nah, we just party it up!

Vyrn: It's just food and drink with you guys, huh?

Freeloader: Divine Rabbit!

Makura: Oh, it's you three again.

Young Man: Just as you instructed, I told my brother everything. We're all good now!

Seeing the three happy faces, Makura smiles back at the group.

Makura: Cool if they join us tonight, (Captain)?

1. Of course!

Choose: Of course!

Makura: Thanks! You're quick on the uptake as always!

Makura: We were thinkin' about throwin' a party tonight... You're all more than welcome to join us!

Following Makura's instructions, (Captain) and the friendly strangers help prepare the celebration.

When all is ready, they enjoy the festivities under the light of the full moon.