Flashback!
Yasuhiko: I honestly didn't think you'd come. I'm glad we set up that trap.
Vulpecula: Yes, babby's first trap. You think this would hold me?
Yasuhiko: But you still walked into it.
Vulpecula: ...so are you trying to catch me and hand me to the police?
Yasuhiko: No, let's make a deal.
Vulpecula: Really?
Yasuhiko: Yeah. If you came here after posting that video, that means you're here for my family's treasure, the Yatomi Crystal. Right?
Vulpecula: ...go on.
Yasuhiko: Well it's not here. It's hidden somewhere in a place only I know about. I could give it to you depending on your answer. Sell it, break it, whatever.
Vulpecula: Huh.
Yasuhiko: So what's it worth to you?
Title card: Invitation to the Circus
Present
Orient City's bay district. The Yatomi Circus tent is set up on a piece of reclaimed land with shipping containers and stuff scattered around. MC and friends are going inside the big tent.
Melide: ...I know there's no show today, but it's sad how empty it looks in here.
Furlong: Do you guys hear roaring? It's kind of scary...
MC: Yeah / Ruuude / Aren't you a bit too chicken there Furlong?
Yasuhiko: Haha, we're a circus so we keep some big beasts. We have days where we don't feed them for health reasons like today. Don't worry, we'll feed them tomorrow! But yeah, this does look kinda sad for a circus. Stuff happened. Anyway, this way.
Furlong: I know we're being brought here to meet someone for more details, but I wonder who it is? Oh I hope they aren't scary...
Melide: Why ARE you here, Furlong? This is a dealing between the circus and Parallel Flight, so you didn't have to come along.
Furlong: Uh! Umm... yes, but I'm worried about you two...
Melide: ?
Furlong: I-I mean! I'm worried about you two Operators going with a hero you don't know! Not like I don't trust you or anything! I could be your bodyguard or...umm...
Melide: Thanks, but could you stammer less? You're making me feel nervous too now.
Furlong: O-oh. Sorry...
MC: Awkward / Thanks Furlong / Cute
Later
Yasuhiko leads the party to an office backstage that's filled with surprisingly high class furniture. A tall fox dude in a mask is having tea when they come in, at which point he gets up and walks over.
Totally Not Vulpecula: Yasuhiko, are these the people you've hired from outside?
Yasuhiko: Yeah, but I figured we should inform them of things first and brought them over.
Vulpecula: Oh okay, I'll explain. (bows) Hello, I'm Johann. I'm a consultant for rebuilding this circus. Nice to meet you.
Furlong: O-oh. I'm Furlong, a firefighter from UEHA's hero agency.
Melide: Hi. I'm Melide.
MC: I'm MC. Nice to meet you.
Vulpecula: Hmmmm (stares at MC)
MC: Uhh... / Haven't I seen you somewhere before? / O-ooh
Vulpecula: Oh excuse me. You resemble someone I know. Anyways, have a seat! *(leads the party to a leather sofa and makes more tea)*
Vulpecula: So Yasuhiko, may I begin?
Yasuhiko: Yeah, I can't really get all the details out.
Vulpecula: Very well! From the top then.
Furlong: Um, you said you were here to help reconstruct the circus. Is it that bad?
Yasuhiko: Uhh...
Vulpecula: ...yes unfortunately. Time for exposition!
The Yatomi Circus was established about 300 years ago in the Taisho Era (1912-1926), but with the advancement of virtual reality tech and diversifying of entertainment activities with interstellar exchange, show business went on a decline. But Yasuhiko's dad's efforts got them through it all! The new place for the circus show they called it. But then he suddenly disappeared one day, Yasuhiko took over, and here we are.
Vulpecula: Fortunately the circus workers still have high morale, based on their faith in the current and previous bosses. But faith doesn't put food on the table, and there are large animals to think about too.
MC: Why the sudden popularity drop?
Vulpecula: Well Yasuhiko's father broached a lot of unspoken rules in the Earth circus world. Like people usually stick with humans and Earth animals for their shows, but he decided to hire aliens to do things like acrobatics humans couldn't. He also used virtual reality to make the seats part of the stage show too. Traditionalists rejected the idea, but it also let the circus group recover.
Yasuhiko: (looks away)
Melide: Okay. Does that have something to do with us? I don't mean anything weird by that, I just don't see why you'd need heroes and Operators specifically.
Furlong: That's true... Is there something we can help with?
Yasuhiko: I wanna try putting in an acrobatic show with hero abilities in our next performance.
MC: What?
Yasuhiko: So like I said back at the bar, I'm technically a hero. I don't really make use of the power much though, nor have I thought about using it for the shows.
Vulpecula: I thought that was a waste since lots of hero abilities catch audience attention. In fact I hear several other members in this circus have hero powers too. Might as well use it, right?
Furlong: Y-yes. Though we can do our work because we have people watching. Are you asking us to perform?
Vulpecula: Well we'll have enough people if we add in my assistants. We don't have any Operators though. I mean I have one employed, but they can't handle more than ten people, so we needed others.
Yasuhiko: And like I said earlier...we don't really use our hero powers. Frankly we don't have any heroes on board who can really attract audiences, so I figured I'd try asking for someone who does hero stuff regularly.
Furlong: D-does that mean you want...
Vulpecula: Yes, you Burn Striker.
Furlong: How do you know that!?
Vulpecula: Research I did just now! And I seem to be right based on your reaction. (pulls out a tablet)
Vulpecula: "B Rank Hero with UEHA Japan who uses firefighter skills and motifs. Frequently dispatched and has a high mission completion rate through working with Symphonic Trigger. His daring, self-confident attitude and figure has gained him tons of fans." You'd be perfect!
Furlong: Kill me now!
MC: You ARE cool and brave as a hero. I didn't know you had that many fans.
Furlong: Um, I never thought about it before. This is embarrassing...
Melide: You really are different in and out of hero mode.
Yasuhiko: Please help I beg on bended knees! The show is on 3/14 but ticket sales are horrible! We're gonna be homeless at this rate!
MC: Uhh...
Melide: Well we can't just say yes or no on our own. You should call the direct--oh wait he sent you a text, MC.
MC: Perfect timing! I'll call him.
Some time later
Huckle: Hello! I'm glad I got through. I know you went to hear more about the job, but I was thinking about how I hadn't heard anything and tried calling myself. How's that going by the way?
MC: I wanted to talk about that actually...
Huckle: Okay?
The next day
Yasuhiko: Okay guys, time for practice!
Trainees: THANKS FOR HELPING US
MC: I did not see this coming / This is great! / how did this happen
Furlong: I'm surprised UEHA okayed me too. I said I'd do it, but I'm still nervous...
Melide: I like circuses. I watch the shows while eating the licorice candy they sell. I don't have a lot of good memories of my childhood, but that one was nice.
Vulpecula: Today we will be testing things out. Allow me to evaluate your abilities! My assistants will serve as your opponents in a mock battle.
Melide: I'll be Operating for them, and you will be Operator for Furlong and the others. First time fighting like this with you, MC. Go easy on me?
Yasuhiko: I haven't seen a hero battle in a while. This is exciting!
Vulpecula: ...you're fighting too.
Yasuhiko: Really!?
Vulpecula: Yes, that's why I'm only putting up three of my assistants. You said you were getting rusty too.
Yasuhiko: O-okay... let's do this Melide! MISS Melide!
Melide: Melide is fine. You're older than me. (holds out hands to transform Yasuhiko)
MC: You really DO look like a circus ringmaster like that!
Yasuhiko: Alright, just watch me do my thing!
Furlong: I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! Alright, I'm ready MC!
MC: R-right! Execute! / You're so cool like this Furlong!
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(C) Furlong: W-what!? N-never mind that and transform me!
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Furlong: Burn Striker is on the scene! Let 'er rip!
BATTLE START
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