sora

That's how she was discovered.

Did she want to be a pop idol?

Everyone was so happy.

Her parents no longer needed to worry about their daughter's future. They had one less burden.

And Monster Siren Records had a new star.

The girl was also very happy, at the time.

She loved singing to her bones.

She wanted more people to hear her songs.

But things didn't always go her way.

Yes! Yes!

Thank you, everyone, for coming to my show!

I'll be bringing you all even more amazing performances in the future. Please continue to support me!

I'm very happy to meet you all. I hope you can come to my next show!

This is the script she has to repeat every time.

She has more she wants to say.

She has more songs she wants to sing.

Why didn't she tell that to the person around her?

She already told them, but it didn't do any good.

They all told her, 'That's the price you pay for being an idol.'

She doesn't hate them. They love her and care for her.

But she also does hate them, because they've never really cared about her feelings.

They only treat her well because—

She is following the path they chose for her.

So she decided to run away.

When she told her manager, her manager said it was common in the industry.

That's when she decided...

She might as well disappear.

But she loves the stage.

It lets more people hear her songs.

She loves the attention.

She just wants to be heard.

What are her true hopes and dreams?

She's only ever had one true dream—

To be able to sing...

as a free soul...

Without a care in the world!

The riverwalk is empty.

Her only audience is the bright moon, the cool breeze, and Texas.

But Sora has a huge smile on her face.

Thank you, Texas

For helping me fulfill my wish.

Take me to the concert, please.

No, I'm gonna take you back to the Penguin Logistics office.

This...

Yes. The Penguin Logistics office.

I have other orders to deliver.

You can stay here for as long as you like.

Is this gonna be a problem for you with Monster Siren Records?

Yeah, but it's not a big deal.

Why... did you help me?

Last year, I decided to leave Columbia, but I didn't know where to go.

Back then, someone took me to Lungmen, to this very room.

They told me I could stay here for as long as I liked.

And then you just stayed?

And then, we founded Penguin Logistics.

You're saying you were like me? You wanted to run away from your past?

Run away from it? No.

I was just tired of it.

Same as you're tired of being held back by all those rules.

But you're so strong.

My sword can't solve everything.

After hearing you say all that, I know we should've found each other a long time ago.

You could have encouraged me...

And I could have encouraged you.

It's not too late.

Do you mean to say that we're friends now?

I don't have many friends, so I'm not really sure.

Now that you mention it, I don't have many people around me that I can call friends either.

But, we've already shared a bit of our past with each other. Usually, only friends talk about that stuff, right?

True...

Then that settles it. We are friends!

You can call me Sora.

Okay, Sora.

Texas, where you at?!

(Whisper) I'll make myself scarce.

(Whisper) It's fine.

I'm at the office.

Don't you got deliveries to make?

Something came up, so no.

(Whisper) Should you really be that blunt?!

Aight. Word of the day <i>is</i> 'mystery' n' all.

That's a mysterious answer, so we good!

Oh, right, almost forgot the important thing.

(Whisper) I'm not the 'important thing'?!

What'choo doin' right now?

About to deliver an order.

Scratch that. Our keyboard player just had a bad breakup n' vanished. You're on the keyboard!

Usual place?

You know it.

Okay.

Gotta go.

You rest here.

If you want to leave, that's fine too. Just make sure to pull the door down from the outside. Thanks.

Wait.

Hm?

Can I go with you?

Are you afraid of the dark? I'll turn on a light for you.

No.

I'm the one who caused all this trouble. I should go tell Emperor, personally.

That works.