One morning at Himezakura Private Girls' Academy, Miyabi was checking her schedule for the day when suddenly, her Aikatsu Phone Smart started ringing. It was a FaceTime call from Euterpe. "Hello?" Miyabi answered. "Greetings Miyabi Fujiwara" Euterpe greeted. "Greetings" Miyabi greeted back. "I have an important mission for you" said Euterpe. "I'm listening" said Miyabi. "But you are not going alone" said Euterpe. Miyabi was confused. Then another face appeared on the call. Miyabi was surprised to see who it was. "Sakura Kitaoji?!" she said. "Long time no see Fujiwara" Sakura smiled. "Now for your mission" Euterpe said. She explained that the Hun Army is invading China and a woman named Fa Mulan is going to take part in the war. "What does that have to do with us? Besides, in China isn't it illegal for women to join a war?" Miyabi asked. "Yes. But Mulan is going to join the war because her father is in a serious condition. He's old and he has several injuries from the past wars he participated in" said Euterpe. "That's terrible" Sakura frowned. "And that's why your mission is to help Mulan and save China" Euterpe explained.
"But why me and Sakura?" Miyabi asked. "As naginata users, I believe you two have the power to fight and find your inner warrior. Furthermore, you will be staying with the Fa family before the war as exchange students" said Euterpe. "Exchange students?" Miyabi and Sakura asked. "Correct. I have called Headmistress Orihime and Headmaster Nagaoka and told them to cancel your plans until further notice. Now, are you two ready?" Euterpe replied. Miyabi looked a little hesitant at first. "I'm ready when you are Fujiwara" said Sakura. Miyabi then had a firm look on her face. "Okay. I'm ready" she said. "That's what I like to hear. Good luck and stay safe" said Euterpe. "Right" Miyabi and Sakura said. Euterpe then used her god magic to open two portals. One where Miyabi was and one where Sakura was. Without any hesitation, the two girls went through the portals and they were in China on the other side. Miyabi and Sakura smiled at each other. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Sakura" said Miyabi. "Likewise" Sakura replied. The two girls shook hands before they started searching for where they needed to go. Euterpe called them and gave them directions to the Fa family's house. When they got there, they saw a woman standing in front of the house. "Excuse us, are you Fa Li?" Miyabi asked. "Indeed I am." the woman replied calmly. "Are you the students staying with us for a while?" "Yes. How did you know?" asked Miyabi. "We just received a letter saying two exchange students will be staying with us" Li replied. "Must be Euterpe's doing" Sakura whispered. "My name is Fujiwara Miyabi" said Miyabi. "Kitaoji Sakura" said Sakura. "It's a pleasure to meet you both" Li said. She looked restless and stressed. "Is something wrong?" Sakura asked. "I'm fine, I'm just waiting for my daughter." Li told them. The two girls knew Li must mean Mulan.
"Li, is your daughter here yet?" the bath house lady asked, stepping outside the doors. "The matchmaker is not a patient woman." she then went back inside her shop. "Matchmaker?" the girls asked Li. "Yes." Li replied, answering them. "It's an important tradition. Girls come to the matchmaker after getting dolled up and learn how to properly be with their soul mates when they wed the proper gentleman. Someday, maybe you girls will do the exact same thing when you're Mulan's age." Miyabi and Sakura looked at each other. Suddenly, there came an elder lady with a tiny cage in her hands. "You must be Mulan's grandmother" said Sakura. "Why? Cuz I got wrinkles and white hair you think I'm a grandmother?" the woman scolded her. "I-I-I..." Sakura felt sheepish for her assumption. The woman laughed and patted her head. "I'm only kiddin'! Yes, I'm Mulan's grandmother. Are you those girls coming to stay with us a little while?" "Yes, ma'am." Sakura smiled. Li sighed sharply, looking around. There was still no sign of her daughter. "Of all the days to be late! I should've prayed to the ancestors for luck." "How lucky can they be?" Grandma asked, rolling her eyes. "They're dead. Besides, I've got all the luck we need." she then showed her cage which had a cricket inside, chirping gently. "So cute" Miyabi smiled at the insect. The cricket chirped at her, smiling back. "This is your chance to prove yourself." Grandma told the cricket, covered her eyes with her free hand and walked across the street without looking both ways as there were crashes coming, trying to avoid her and crashed. "Grandma, NO!" Li cried. Grandma uncovered her eyes and looked around to see she made it across the street safely. She turned to the girls on the other side. "Yep, this cricket's a lucky one!" Miyabi and Sakura sighed in relief. Just then, the girls finally got to meet Li's daughter, Mulan. She was riding a black horse, as she was dressed in a green outfit with a flower in her hair. She jumped down in front of everyone. "I'm here!" Li gave her a strict, scolding look. "What?" Mulan felt the harsh gaze. "But, Mom, I had to-" "None of your excuses. Now, let's get you cleaned up." Li told her, moving her in. "You can introduce yourself to your new friends later." Miyabi and Sakura walked into the bath house with the Fa women.
Bath House Lady: This is what you got me to work with?
Well honey, I've seen worse
We're going to turn this sow's ear
Into a silk purse
Mulan was thrown into the tub and instantly shivered, holding herself. "It's freezing!" "It would've been warm if you were here on time." Li smirked. Mulan's hair then splashed as the bath house lady dumped a bucket of water on her to wash her. Bath House Lady: We'll have you washed and dried
Primped and polished til you glow with pride
Just my recipe for instant bride
You'll bring honor to us all
"Mulan, what's this?" Li asked, noticing strange marking's on her daughter's arm. "Uh...notes?" Mulan shrugged, innocently. "In case I forget something?" "Hold this." Grandma handed the cricket cage to Miyabi. "We're going to need more luck than I thought." After the bath, Miyabi and Sakura saw that two women were combing and braiding Mulan's hair as she sat still, or at least tried to.
Women: Wait and see, when we're through
Boys will gladly go to war for you
With good fortune and a great hairdo
You'll bring honor to us all
Miyabi and Sakura followed Mulan and her family to another place for Mulan's makeup designs. Mulan stopped as she saw a couple of men playing checkers. One man made his move while the other seemed stumped over his next one. Mulan moved for him to allow him to win the game. Li came over and pulled Mulan away as they went in to get Mulan into proper clothes and her makeup before she would meet the matchmaker.
Women: A girl can bring her family
Great honor in one way
By striking a good match
And this shall be the day
Mulan was now being dressed by a couple of women in similar clothes.
Women: Men want girls
With good taste
Calm, obedient, who work fast pace
With good breeding
And a tiny waist
You'll bring honor to us all
Mulan, Miyabi and Sakura passed through yet another part of town. There were two boys having a sword fight match with each other. The little girl with them was playing with her toy, but one of the boys took it from her. Mulan didn't like that, so she grabbed the toy from him and handed it back to the girl who happily hugged it.
Chorus: We all must serve our emperor
Who guards us from the Huns
A man by bearing bonds
A girl by bearing sons
In the makeup room, Miyabi and Sakura watched as Mulan had make-up applied to her face. The make-up woman applied the lipstick and now Mulan looked suitable enough to earn herself a husband to bring honor to her family.
Make-up Woman: When we're through
We can't fail
Like a lotus blossom,
Soft and pale
How can any fellow say 'no sale'?
You'll bring honor to us all
The Make-Up woman handed a mirror to show Mulan, Cherry, Peach and Li the new and improved Mulan. "There." Li placed a comb with a flower on it in her daughter's hair. "You're ready." "Not yet!" Grandma spoke up, shoving an apple in her granddaughter's mouth. "An apple for serenity, a pendent for balance."
Jewel Woman: Beads of jade for beauty
Grandma: You must proudly show it
Now add a cricket, just for luck
And even you can't blow it!
Mulan went outside as her family and new friends waved her off. "Are we going in with her, Li?" Miyabi asked, following the Fa family to look after Mulan to meet the matchmaker. "No." Li replied. "We must wait out here. It is all up to Mulan now." "I hope she does well" said Sakura. "I'm sure she will" said Li. Mulan and the other girls bowed with their umbrellas out. That was when the matchmaker came out, surprising Sakura and Miyabi. "Fa Mulan." the matchmaker picked the first name on her clipboard. "Present!" Mulan raised her hand. "Speaking without permission." the matchmaker jotted down, going inside with Mulan. Mulan's family and new friends patiently waited for her to come back outside.
