Scenario:Mio Honda - Her Origins

Her Origins

Mio hums along to their usual tune on their way to accept a job. As cheerful ever despite having no idea how to return to her home world, Mio explains that a pop idol who delivers happiness to all can't afford to be upset. Lyria has something to ask about that, but the crew is attacked by monsters first.

---

Having accepted a job to hunt monsters, (Captain) and the crew head for the monsters' nesting grounds.

As they travel, the crew hears Mio humming cheerfully as she presses on ahead toward their goal.

Vyrn: Hey, what's up? That's some cheerful humming you're doing. Something good happen?

Mio: Hm? Oh, I was just doing a rhythm exercise.

Mio: I haven't had much time to practice singing since I came to this world.

Mio: I thought it would be good to find some time for it here and there, so I can practice a little, at least.

Vyrn: I get it! You're amazing, you know? Always looking forward.

Vyrn: Hehe, even though you said you can't go home, you're still working as hard as you can.

Mio: Hee hee… I guess I am. Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried…

Mio: I've been thinking a lot about my work, my friends, and Producer.

Mio: But I can't let it get me down! Being cheerful is part of my image as a pop idol. My job is to make people smile!

Lyria: Wow… Being a pop idol sounds like a wonderful job.

Lyria: I'm kind of curious… Mio-san, why did you become a pop idol?

Mio: Whoa, look out, Lyria!

Mio draws her gun, steps behind Lyria, levels it at the approaching monster, and pulls the trigger.

Monster: Grrrrrr…

Monster: Grrrrrr!

Lyria: Eeek!

Vyrn: Oops… I guess we've reached our destination. Thanks, Mio!

Vyrn: All right! Let's take these monsters down.

Mio: Yeah! This skyfaring pop idol is ready to fight! Let's go, (Captain)-san!

Her Origins: Scene 2

(Captain) and company arrive at a town overtaken with a depressing atmosphere. The children there say it's because there is no fun to be had in the town. Mio sings and dance in an effort to cheer them up. As the townspeople plead for more, she tries to sing at the municipal cafe too, but gets caught up with a rowdy bunch.

---

Having finished taking care of the monsters, the crew stops in a nearby town to rest and heal up.

However, the town is wrapped in a gloomy atmosphere, and all the passers-by seem to be angry about something.

Vyrn: Hmm… I'm getting some bad vibes from this place. For now, let's go into that tavern and—

Angry Voice: Why you— Hey! You wanna start somethin'?

Vyrn: Ugh… Wait here a minute. (Captain) and I will take a look and see if it's safe in there.

(Captain) nods, and enters the tavern with Vyrn.

Lyria: Hmm… I hope nothing happens to (Captain).

Mio: (Captain) is strong. I'm sure everything will be all right…

Mio: I wonder why everyone is so tense.

Mio gazes out across the strange town, and she spots a sad-looking little boy sitting on a nearby bench.

Child: …

Mio: Hey there, are you all right? Are you lost?

Child: Nah. I just wandered off 'cause I got bored.

Lyria: B-bored?

Child: Yeah, this town is so boring. There's just nothing to do here.

Child: Ugh… The grown-ups are always at the tavern, partying and getting into brawls.

Lyria: I see… So that's why everyone here looks so unhappy.

Mio: All right, I know what to do!

Mio: I'm gonna give this my all!

Child: H-huh? What does that mean?

Mio: Hee hee… After all, I am Mio, the Grand Magician!

Lyria: What? Really?

Mio: Ah, well, the "Grand Magician" part was a joke, but I think I can pull off a little magic.

Mio: Some extra special magic to cheer everyone up!

And so, in an effort to make people happier, Mio begins to sing and dance there and then.

At first, the boy is confused, but as he watches Mio's performance with interest, he gradually begins to smile cheerfully.

By the time Mio finishes her performance, the child's eyes are sparkling, and he claps enthusiastically.

Mio: Hee hee! How was it? Are you feeling a little better now?

Child: Ahaha! Not just a little! This is the first time I've felt this happy!

Mio: Hee hee… I'm glad!

Mio smiles in relief, but suddenly she finds herself surrounded by a group of people.

Grumpy Man 1: Hey, you!

Mio: Whoa, hey—

Vyrn: What are you talking about? Telling us we should leave town…

Shopkeep: Um… The people in this town are always on edge. It doesn't take much to provoke them.

Vyrn: Huh? How did people end up like this?

Shopkeep: A long time ago, this town used to be very poor. Everyone was desperate to work harder, and it became more prosperous.

Shopkeep: But they worked so hard that they lost something in the process, and burned themselves out.

Shopkeep: (Sigh…) Now all people want to do is hang around the tavern and start fights.

Shopkeep: The locals often go up to strangers and try to pick a fight, and it causes all sorts of trouble.

Vyrn: Hmm… I get it. What a sad little town.

Vyrn: Maybe we should take Lyria and the others to another town.

Vyrn and (Captain) leave the tavern, and see Lyria and Mio surrounded by a group of angry-looking townsfolk.

Vyrn: Damn it! We only took our eyes off them for a moment. Hey, you!

Grumpy Man 1: It… it was so beautiful! I'm all weak at the knees! Miss, please…

Grumpy Man 2: Hey, miss! Maybe you can do something to help this town. Please, come with me!

Vyrn: Huh? What's going on here?

Mio: Hee hee, it looks like I have some new fans.

Vyrn: Um… So it seems. He wants you to follow him, though. What are you going to do?

Mio: Hmm… He really does seem to be in trouble, so I guess I'll go with him.

Grumpy Man 1: Thank you so much! This way!

Head bowed, the man leads the crew into the tavern (Captain) just left.

As they enter the tavern, the two men begin pleading with the patrons.

Grumpy Man 1: Ah, you're all in here! Everyone, listen to this!

Grumpy Man 2: This girl helped us find something we thought we lost!

Angry-Looking Woman: Hm, that girl did? OK, let's have a look, then.

Tavern Regular: Humph! There's no way that little girl has anything to offer us!

Vyrn: Come on, there's no need to be like that.

Tavern Regular: Huh? You got a problem? Fine, bring it on!

Vyrn: Damn, he has a weapon! Quick, (Captain), let's cool his head a little!

Her Origins: Scene 3

Previously uncertain as to whether she could continue on as a pop idol in the Sky Realm, her fear are laid to rest upon seeing everyone in such good spirits after hearing her sing. Lyria wonders what spurred Mio into becoming a pop idol in the first place, to which she responds "So everyone can become my friend, and so I can bring a smile to their face!"

---

The defeated man mutters curses at the crew, and moves to leave the tavern.

Mio: Hey, wait!

Tavern Regular: Humph… What, you want me to get down on my knees and apologize?

Mio: What? No, no. It's just… I haven't even started my performance yet.

Tavern Regular: Huh?

Mio: I think… I figured out something about this town. I know what you're all missing!

Mio: Well, I think I do. So I'm going to give it back to you. Please, stay and watch!

Tavern Regular: Fine, if you're that desperate to show me, I guess I can stay.

Mio: Yeah, you have nothing to lose by watching! Now, it's time for this evening's special live performance… Let's go!

Mio jumps up onto the tavern stage, flashes the audience a brilliant smile, and begins to sing and dance.

The tavern patrons are captivated by Mio's performance as it fills them with joy.

When Mio's performance ends, the tavern patrons rise to their feet, cheering and clapping.

Tavern Regular: Wow! That was amazing! I've never had so much fun before, Mio-chan!

Grumpy Man 1: Ah… That was wonderful. I haven't had this much fun since the town's humbler days.

Angry-Looking Woman: It wasn't always easy back then, but we knew how to appreciate the simple pleasures in life.

Angry-Looking Woman: I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed listening to music.

Tavern Regular: Ha ha… I think I'll be able to go back to work feeling positive again tomorrow.

Tavern Regular: But it makes me a little sad to think today is the only day we'll be able to enjoy this.

Mio: The only day? If you like, I can come back again for another performance.

Tavern Regular: What, really? Th-that makes me so happy to hear… (sob…)

Mio: Aw, there's no need to cry. And I'd just got you smiling! Come on, let's turn that frown around!

Tavern Regular: Heh… These are tears of joy. OK, everyone, let's give Mio-chan and her friends a proper welcome!

Angry-Looking Woman: I'm already working on it. Come on, let's throw a feast!

The gloomy atmosphere lifts from the town and disappears without a trace, and everyone comes together to enjoy the feast.

Mio: I'm so glad everyone has cheered up!

Mio: To be honest, it's something I've been worrying about. Whether there's a place for me as a pop idol in this world.

Mio: But now I understand. I'm the same person wherever I go.

Mio: I want to make people smile, and that's not going to change, so I'm going to do my best as a pop idol!

Vyrn: Hehe… You really are full of joy.

Mio: Tee hee, thanks! Oh, by the way, Lyria, were you trying to ask me something this morning?

Lyria: Oh, yeah, I was. It's nothing much, just something I was wondering…

Lyria: Why did you become a pop idol, Mio-san?

As she hears Lyria's question, she gazes fondly at the smiling townsfolk.

Mio: I want to become friends with all kinds of different people.

Mio: I became a pop idol because I want to make friends and bring smiles to everyone's faces!

Lyria: That's a wonderful reason, Mio-san! It's just like you.

Tavern Regular: Heeey, Mio-chaaan! Please sing us another song!

Mio: All right, let's bring those smiles out one more time!

Mio: (I wish Shiburin and Shimamu could be here to sing with me, too…)

As Mio climbs onto the stage, she imagines singing and dancing with her precious friends.

Mio: (Hee hee… If we could get everyone together, this would be the best concert ever!)

With that thought in mind, Mio begins to sing and dance again.

For a short time, everyone in the tavern enjoys watching the songstress shining like the sun as she gives her performance.