To the Stage!

...Just who are you, anyway?

Penguin Logistics.

So you're with that logistics company everyone's been buzzing about, the one that's got connections on both sides of the law.

If you don't want to end up like your buddy lying over there, then get lost.

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.

*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!

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

My eyes are so heavy...

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

...Ugh...

...Something's not right.

One time, when I was little, I got really annoyed and sang at the top of my lungs. Somehow, all the kids who heard me got angry too...

That's when I knew my singing could 'influence' people.

If I have a strong thought in my mind and don't try to suppress it, it comes out in my song, and I can't guarantee who it might affect.

Sorry, Texas.

I know you're very capable, which is why I had to lead you to believe...

That you could block my song by covering your ears.

Of course, that's not true.

Wh-Why did you?

So I could get away from all of this.

...

I'm so sorry.

You should apologize... to yourself.

After all, you've just sealed your own fate.

Huh?

How are you—

Your Arts are unique.

All it took was a little bit of digging to find that out.

But those idiots thought dealing with a 'little singer' would be easy. Now I can swoop in and get all the credit.

...!

This crossbow ain't a toy, missy. If you don't wanna die, I suggest you stay put.

...

But there's no need to be scared. The higher-ups want you alive.

And I have to thank you too. That Texas from Penguin Logistics has been making a real name for herself lately. I don't think I could've taken her alone.

'Get away from all of this.' Ha!

You privileged kids really do have some funny ideas, that's for sure.

...

You don't get it.

You're right. I don't. You've got such a great life, singing and dancing for money, and getting all that attention.

And yet, you want to throw that life away, by the hands of a gangster no less.

I'd start regretting if I were you.

I'm stupid... I admit it.

From the start, I kept imagining all the ways I might fail, but I guess I underestimated you and ended up giving away my only chance of being saved.

The reason I failed is kinda funny, even to me.

But... if 'a good life' means singing the songs you're told, saying the words you're given, following the set schedule, and smiling on command every single day...

I rather throw it away.

And the only thing I regret now is not having prepared better.

But for trying to escape this life? I have no regrets.

You're bold, I'll give you that.

Don't worry. You'll get what you wish for.

...

That's not up to you.

What?!

Guh—

Texas, you—

This isn't the best place for a chat.

Let's go.

This should be far enough.

Texas...

Your lullaby really is something.

I almost didn't wake up.

You're the first person who's ever woken up that quickly.

I used to always be alert, paying attention to everything around me. I guess it's become a habit now.

Sorry, Texas.

You already apologized.

Could you be a little angrier? Otherwise, I feel kinda bad...

You have no regrets, and so, I have no reason to be angry.

Ah, haha, you heard me say that.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

Huh?

Really?

You don't like your current life and want to get away from it. There's really nothing wrong with that.

But like you said, next time you should prepare better.

*sigh* If someone had told me what you just did, maybe I would have changed my mind.

Really? But I was encouraging you to escape.

You don't get it.

Sometimes, just having someone who understands can stop you from doing something reckless.

If I had met you earlier, I could've opened up to you about all the things that were bothering me.

And maybe you would've comforted me, talked smack with me about the people who were bad to me.

I'm not one for talking smack, but I could just smack them for you.

Well then I would have stopped you. I'm against violence!

We might have differing philosophies, but at least now I have someone to talk to.

Actually, this is exactly what I've been looking for.

If I had a friend like you in the beginning, I would never have done this.

It's getting late.

Yeah...

But before I leave, could you put on a show with me?

I don't know how.

I'll do the singing. You just need to ask the questions.

And you'll know which questions to ask.

There once was a girl who lived in a high-rise in Lungmen.

Left alone in her big, empty home, she learned how to sing from the idols on TV.

From morning to night, from dusk to dawn...

Music was her only friend.

What about her parents?

Her father is a businessman. Her mother is a C-list celebrity.

Their marriage was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and their careers are both so demanding.

How could they have room to love that which was born, unexpectedly, from impulse?

Did she start singing because she was lonely?

At first, she sang to express her loneliness.

Later, she learned to express more emotions through song.

Singing isn't her crutch, it's her companion.

How did she become an idol?

She didn't want to sing to an empty room.

She wanted people to hear her songs...

So she left her home and went to the garden downstairs.

The neighbor's kids were playing. She stood in between them and started singing.

Her singing attracted other children, as well as their parents.

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!

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 is '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.

Boss, I'm here.

Yeah, just in time.

Hm?

Mr. Emperor, sir....

Texas, when you said 'something came up', was you talkin' about this shawty?

Yes.

She didn't want to go, so I didn't take her.

Oh, aight.

That's it? Just 'aight'?

What? Decided you wanna go now?

No.

Then you don't go. I'll handle Monster Siren Records.

Thank you... Mr. Emperor.

Cool. Texas, go get ready. I'mma 'bout to take the stage.

Okay.

Texas, you can play an instrument?

Yeah. Boss forced me to learn a few.

He's always saying a good Messenger has to play a musical instrument, so I did.

Personally, I like the cello.

Haha! I'd love to see you play the cello.

Next time maybe.

...

Hey, can I ask you how you left? Columbia, I mean.

Did you do what I did and just leave everything behind, all of a sudden?

No.

I started a fire, ki... fought some people, and told everyone to stay away from me.

...

Will they listen?

They will. They know who I am, so they won't come looking for me.

Although, it seems one of them still hasn't given up yet.

Well, did you do it?

Do what?

Did you really escape your past?

Since I left, I've only been certain about one thing—

One day, my past will catch up to me.

Why?

Because I grew up in that world.

The ties I have with it can't be severed by any sword.

It's like rainwater flowing into the drain, then the river. But eventually, it evaporates and becomes rain again.

You mean running away is pointless?

No. It got me to Lungmen, to your songs. It made us friends.

And I've come to realize that delivering packages isn't nearly as easy as I thought.

So when your past does catch up to you, what will you do then?

I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

That's all?

Yeah. That's all.

...

Pfft!

What's wrong?

Nothing. It's just that... I feel like so many of my problems suddenly melted away.

You ready, Texas?

Yeah.

Aight...

Emperor, I took a look at the set list. Can I join you for the next one, please?

Oh? You wanna try one of my legendary tracks for yourself?

You may not know, but I've been practicing my rapping. I've perfected my flow.

It's just that the label never gives me a chance to rap.

Naw, I know.

Huh?

Our recording studios are pretty damned close, c'mon.

So... what do you think of my rapping?

I think I can take this song, and this stage, and hand 'em right off to you.

Thanks!

I only got one condition.

Bring the house down, right?

Leave it to me!

Hey! Shouldn't Emperor be on vocals? What's that girl doing onstage?

She looks familiar. Wait, it's Sora, from Monster Siren Records!

What's she doing here? Can she even rap?

Everyone is so surprised.

I'm even more surprised you can do one of boss's songs.

I'm a professional, I'll have you know.

And also...

I've changed my mind, Texas.

After I finish this one, can you take me to the concert hall?

I should still be able to make it.

Are you sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Hello everyone. Today I will be performing an Emperor classic.

Some of you may know me, and some of you may not. It's fine either way.

Just remember to get on your feet and make some noise!

Because tonight, we're tearing the roof down!

Alright. This is far enough.

From here on, I'll go it alone.

You don't need my help?

This is my business, and I'll handle it.

...

Thank you, Texas.

You already thanked me.

One thank you is not enough.

You saved my life; you listened to me. Plus, you told me—

That even if I'm going to leave, I should tell everyone what kind of person I am.

Now that I think about it, if I just up and left, everyone would just think of me as 'that teen idol.' That's not the legacy I want for myself.

I just never had the courage to face up to it before.

Now I do.

Okay, I'm going now.

If you run into any trouble, just give me a call.

Of course!

Damn, she leaves one helluva impression.

I'm thinkin' her path to true stardom starts right here.

Boss, you chose 'mystery' as the word of the day because you never intended to complete the Monster Siren Records job, right?

From where I'm standin', looks to me like we got the job done?

If this is what counts as done, I think our clients aren't going to be too happy.

Alright. I've solved today's 'mystery'. You're the one who called in the job.

Me?

Naw, you got this all twisted, Texas.

Sora's deep yearnin' for freedom put out the job.

Now, think about it, you know what the real job is, don't you?

Yeah, I do.

Monster Siren Records wanted us to 'deliver Sora to the stage.'

But the job I was assigned was...

To 'deliver the true Sora to the stage.'

Hmm... hmmhmm...♫

Hey, Texas, have you heard my new song yet?

Yeah. It's pretty good.

That's all you have to say about it?

I'd like some more detailed feedback, please.

...

Let me listen to it a few more times.

Okay.

We got a new job. Which one of you's takin'?

Me! I'll go!

Aight, you got this one, Sora.

Don't you go doing what you did last time, singin' for your fans n' forgettin' the job.

Don't worry, I won't!

Boss, after I deliver this one, can I go record another song?

Aight.

Thanks, boss!

...

...

Keep an eye on 'er, Texas.

Okay.

Heh, put those two together, and it's gonna be straight fire.