sora

The dai lo won't let you get away with this.

He can get in line behind everyone else coming after me. Tell your dai lo he'd better hurry up.

Hmph.

Place is cleaned up.

The goods oughta be in the trunk of that car.

What are the goods anyway? You still haven't told me.

And who's the client?

And most importantly, where is the stuff going?

Client's Monster Siren Records.

We're haulin' some stuff for a concert tonight.

Got it.

As for what the stuff is—

Texas, I been thinkin'...

Whenever you say that, nothing good comes of it.

Look, we runnin' a company now, and the most important thing for a company is its corporate culture.

Corporate culture?

Yeah, we gonna build our own corporate culture, startin' today.

And today's keyword is—mystery.

You mean, we're building this thing day-by-day?

Never mind.

By now, Texas has become somewhat used to the Emperor's unpredictability.

She shrugs, opens the trunk of the car, and freezes for a moment.

There's a girl inside, bound tightly with rope, her mouth taped shut. But that isn't what makes Texas freeze—after all, she's seen this scene plenty of times before.

No, it's because she recognizes the girl.

It's Sora, the pop idol who's become viral lately. Texas likes to listen to her songs when she drives.

As soon as Sora sees Texas, she gives a pleading look and begins to struggle.

*muffled screams*!!!

Settle down.

Agh! Look at my outfit! It's all wrinkled.

*huff* Yeah, maybe I shouldn't be worrying about that right now.

Are you here to rescue me, or kill me?

Neither.

I'm here to make a delivery.

Then you must be Texas, from Penguin Logistics, right?

You know me?

This delivery job was actually something I convinced my manager to give you.

You knew you'd be kidnapped?

Yeah. There are some people who don't want me performing. They hired a gang to kidnap me.

I happened to overhear their conversation.

Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Sora, an idol signed to Monster Siren Records.

I know.

I have your CD in my car.

Oh?! You're a fan?!

I have lots of your CDs, actually.

Thanks for your support!

Can you move?

Yes.

Let's go.

I'll give you a lift to the concert hall.

Wait a minute. If I told you to take me somewhere else, would you?

My job is to deliver the goods, that's you, to the concert hall.

But you can tell me first.

Gimme a second.

Mic test, one two one two.

Can you feel the Arts?

No.

Looks like the kidnappers really did break my mic.

Could you take me to a music store to get it fixed first?

What's wrong?

I thought you would want me to take you somewhere safe.

I'm an idol. I have a responsibility to my fans.

Besides, tonight's concert is very important. If I mess it up, the company will be pissed.

Does it matter?

Does it not?

Over there. She should be over here. Surround the area!

Tell me where the music store is.

Will you take me there?

The boss said the word of the day is 'mystery'. We're building a corporate culture, you know.

So winging it seems pretty fitting for 'mystery' right now.

Texas, I saw the CDs in your car. You haven't bought my 'sleep aid' series, have you?

I saw it in the store, but I haven't bought it yet.

I sleep just fine.

And besides, I probably don't need sleep aids when I'm driving.

That's true.

But I still highly recommend my sleep aid series.

You can give it to your insomniac friends!

Looks like you're pretty proud of those.

I'm proud of all my music!

I guarantee the sleep aid series will have you snoozing on your pillow!

Unless, of course, you cover your ears. Then it may not be as effective.

Next time I can't sleep, I'll give it a try.

Oh, right. We should exchange contact info.

I'll just send you one for free.

Compliments of rescuing me from the gang's evil clutches.

Thanks.

I'm the one who should be thanking you.

Alright. We're here.

Give me a sec. I'll be out in real quick.

Okay.

I found her! She's over here!

Get her! Be careful! She's a tricky one!

*sigh* They never learn, do they?

Allow me.

Cover your ears, Texas!

Texas knows what's coming. She quickly covers her ears.

She sees Sora hop onto an adjacent balcony from the second floor of the music store and begins singing into her microphone.

Kill that gir.... huh? I feel... funny.

My eyes are so heavy...

What a nice song. I feel... sleepy... g'night... zzzzzz

After Sora starts singing, the gangsters fall to the floor and drift off into a deep sleep.