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Mutsumi(Failure is not an option... There's no turning back... Haa... Haa...)

AmorisGive me back my perfect face! Give me back those beautiful, pitiful eyes! Give me back those gracefully curved lips...!

Mutsumi...!

Mutsumi(It started? When?)

AmorisThis... this isn't the real me!

OblivionisAmoris, this is what you wished for.

AmorisNo, I...! Ah, the moon... The moonlight will surely make me shine...!

DolorisRight, the moon, it surely will...!

TimorisHow unfortunate. The moon heals no one.

OblivionisNot only that, it will press closer and closer.

MutsumiHaa... Haa...

OblivionisOnce broken, you'll have to live with this face forever...

Mutsumi...!

Multiple Mutsumi...

MutsumiThere's... no escaping now...

OblivionisEven so, if you still seek solace...

OblivionisThen leave everything to Ave Mujica!

Uika—♪

Mutsumi(Failure is not an option...)

Mutsumi(Failure is not an option, failure is not an option, failure is not—)

Mutsumi...!

Mutsumi...

Sakiko...!

Umiri、Uika...

Nyamu(Amazing...)

After the Performance

Dressing Room

UikaMutsumi-chan, you were amazing! The audience was so surprised too. I didn't think you could pull off a performance like that.

Mutsumi...

UmiriDid you plan it out with Togawa-san?

UikaHuh...?

UmiriBecause it was so perfect, it didn't seem impromptu...

SakikoAnyway, at least the staff was convinced. Why did you do something like that?

MutsumiThe guitar... I made a mistake.

Nyamu、Uika、Sakiko!?

NyamuYou mean it wasn't pre-planned or an impromptu?

UikaMutsumi-chan, I didn't know you would make mistakes during live performances...

UmiriAnd you just froze on stage without even trying to bluff your way out?

SakikoBluffing her way out—Mutsumi isn't capable of that...

UikaI see...

UikaSaki-chan, you're incredible too. You can react so quickly. Thanks to your impromptu, we managed to get through after that.

Sakiko...

Mutsumi...

Mutsumi...

MortisMutsumi-chan?

MortisYou can't sleep again?

MutsumiWhy do I always... mess things up so badly?

MortisMutsumi-chan! Welcome to our show today!

MutsumiAh...!

BearSo cute!

CatShe's just like her mom!

PenguinDo you think she'll become an outstanding actress like Minami-san?

Mortis"Like Mom? What does that mean?"

Mutsumi...

Mutsumi(What should I say? I don't know.)

Mortis"Since a long time ago, Mutsumi-chan has never been good at talking."

Myna BirdNot good at talking? Completely unlike her dad, who only knows how to talk. That's a relief.

TakafumiYou're so annoying. Who are you calling all talk and no action? (lol)

Myna BirdBorn with her parents' aura? And not just one parent—double aura! But she's so cute!

MinamiThat's right! Mutsumi-chan is super cute and incredibly talented. This isn't just me being biased toward my child.

MutsumiAll those praises belong to Minami-chan and Ta-kun.

Mortis"Not a single one belongs to Mutsumi-chan."

Guitar~~♪

Mutsumi...

Mortis"That guitar sings so vibrantly."

MutsumiAh...

Mortis"She practices for a long, long time every day, and they're always together."

Mortis"Mutsumi-chan finally found something that belongs only to her."

GuitarI want to sing too♪

MutsumiEh...?

MutsumiI... can't do it...

Mortis"But the gods are cruel. They didn't give Mutsumi-chan the ability to let her guitar sing."

GuitarWow, amazing! Tomori-chan's song was so good! Taki-chan's drumming is so cool!

Mutsumi!

GuitarSoyo-chan's tone is always so gentle. And Sakiko-chan is... really amazing!

Mutsumi...

GuitarLet me sing too, please? It would make me so happy!

MutsumiI can't sing... I can't do it...

MutsumiSo...! I can't... enjoy the band...!

SakikoI am quitting CRYCHIC.

SakikoWaaahhh...

Mutsumi!!

MutsumiNo... That's not what I mean...

MutsumiI can't feel the joy of being in a band, it's because... I'm terrible at it...

MutsumiI can't make the guitar sing...

Mortis"Mutsumi, lost her directions."

MutsumiI'm the one... who ruined CRYCHIC.

Mortis"Filled with despair, she curled into herself..."

Mutsumi...

Uika's Mansion - Attic

Sakiko...

Ave Mujica Nationwide Tour First Day: A Huge Success! Praise for Mortis (Mutsumi Wakaba)'s Performance

The motionless Mortis looked just like a real "doll."

Comment AMutsumi-chan's performance was amazing! I absolutely want to see it live on the nationwide tour!!

Sakiko...

UikaAt least it's resolved now. Thank goodness.

SakikoI don't want the audience to think that's what Ave Mujica's world is like.

SakikoI should've been more attentive to her. Normally, Mutsumi doesn't make mistakes during performances.

SakikoBringing her into this world, pushing her into this situation— that was me.

SakikoI knew all along what kind of girl Mutsumi is. I have known since the beginning.

UikaSince the beginning...

UikaHey, I have donuts here. Want to have some together? There are many flavors—chocolate, strawberry...

SakikoSorry, I still have things to do.

UikaAh... okay.

Nyamu's Dormitory - Private Room

NyamuPhew~ I guess that's about it.

NyamuOh, the video! Has it been uploaded...? Huh? How is it still uploading?

NyamuAlright then. Guess I'll check the analytics... Huh!? What's this? The view count is skyrocketing...!? Which video—

Comment BMutsumi-chan herself doesn't appear in it?

Comment CDo you hang out with Mortis-san regularly?

NyamuWell, as I expected...

NyamuHonestly, at first, I thought she was using her parents' connections. After all, that's a kind of talent too—you should make use of everything you can.

NyamuBut...

NyamuJust sitting there and THAT alone? How does that even work... Muuko is a true genius.

Wakaba's Home - Underground Studio

NyamuGood morning... Hm? Muuko alone?

Mutsumi...

NyamuSay, Muuko, don't you use social media? Let's add each other as friends~

MutsumiI don't use it...

NyamuDon't look so scared~ I just want to get along with you, Muuko.

NyamuAlright, alright, let's film a video for now—

MutsumiI can't. Saki will get mad.

NyamuAh... Sakiko is pretty strict. Then how about we both leave Mujica and go solo—

MutsumiI'm not leaving.

NyamuWhy not?

MutsumiBecause Saki's about to fall apart.

NyamuHuh~~?

MutsumiIf Mujica breaks, Saki will too...

NyamuWhat are you talking about? Sakiko again?

NyamuI want to become a multi-talented artist. For that, I'll do whatever it takes.

NyamuIf there's a chance, I'll grab it. If there isn't, I'll carve out my own way.

NyamuThat's why I joined Ave Mujica. Are you satisfied with just staying as you are, Muuko?

MutsumiEh?

NyamuIsn't Sakiko obviously holding you back? At this rate, you'll both go down.

MutsumiNyamu, why do you keep saying such awful things?

SakikoAre you trying to trick Mutsumi with your one-sided arguments?

NyamuOh my, you heard that~?

SakikoIf you don't want people to hear it, don't say it in the recording room.

NyamuWell, I'm glad that I said it here. That way, you heard every single word, didn't you?

Sakiko...!

UmiriIf you're going to argue, please do it after practice is over.

NyamuOh, Umiko! How's that going?

UmiriWhich one?

NyamuYou know, the one mentioned in the email— The invitation to perform on the Music Floor!

Mutsumi...

MortisI don't like Sakiko-chan!

Mutsumi...!

MortisJust like Nyamu-chan said, because you always listen to Sakiko-chan, Mutsumi-chan is suffering so much.

MortisIt's not good for her health!

MutsumiI... I just don't want her to break.

MortisYou don't want the band to fall apart, right? But if this continues, Mutsumi-chan, you will break first.

MortisWhen you're feeling troubled, speak up! I'm so worried about Mutsumi-chan.

Mutsumi...

???Wakaba-san, Wakaba-san.

Mutsumi!

UmiriWakaba-san, Are you listening?

Mutsumi...

UmiriWe're discussing the Music Floor. This time, we'll be appearing as guests.

NyamuAmazing! It's a national broadcast during prime time. Minami-chan is such a goddess! I can't believe she helped us get introduced!

SakikoThe offer itself is fascinating, but...

UmiriThe client has specific demands regarding the program. They want Mortis to recreate the performance from the first day of the tour.

MutsumiEh...

SakikoThey're asking for the performance to be deliberately interrupted...?

UmiriThat's like they're saying Ave Mujica's music isn't needed.

UmiriYou said it was a mistake before. Can you recreate it?

Mutsumi...

SakikoThere's no need to even think about it. We'll just refuse.

UmiriThen what about the tour?

UmiriWe've received a lot of similar requests. The agency says they want to add the performance starting from the next regional tour.

SakikoOf course, that's also—

NyamuThere's no reason to refuse, is there?

NyamuWe're finally in the spotlight—it's the natural next step. Isn't it a good opportunity for both Mujica and Muuko?

SakikoThis isn't what Mutsumi wants.

NyamuThen we'll have to ask Muuko herself.

Mutsumi!

SakikoMutsumi, what do you think?

Mutsumi...

SakikoMutsumi...?

NyamuSee? She hasn't said she doesn't want to perform~

SakikoBut she hasn't said she wants to either!

UmiriThis is about the direction of our band. We can't decide without Misumi-san present.

NyamuFine~

Mutsumi...

Nationwide Tour - Sendai First Day

During Rehearsal

NyamuSay, aren't you going to perform?

SakikoWe won't. Does a band that takes their performances lightly even have a reason to exist?

NyamuHuh? Of course they do. Responding to what's requested is what entertainment is about.

NyamuIf you only do what you want...

SakikoWhat are you even trying to say?

NyamuDo you even understand what the audience wants?

Mutsumi...

After the Performance

Sendai Station - Platform

NyamuIgnoring the audience's expectations—what's the point of that!? This is such an important moment. Do you really think this is okay?

SakikoI think it's fine. How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?

NyamuHave you even looked at the audience? The guests are all downcast.

NyamuThey came in the rain, but they didn't see what they wanted!

Umiri...

UikaYou two shouldn't be arguing here...

SakikoAre you telling me to abandon the band's identity!?

NyamuI'm fine with not performing as a band. In the end, do we really have to be a band?

SakikoWhat are you saying—

NyamuBesides, Muuko herself hasn't even said anything.

NyamuShe said during the TV interview it wouldn't last long. Forget the band—Wasn't that practically saying she could even give up Mujica?

SakikoUgh, that's—

UikaI won't let Mujica disband.

NyamuWhy are we even talking about disbanding? I never said anything about that!

UikaIf a band member quits, it's basically the same as disbanding. It's also betraying the fans who support us.

NyamuDidn't I already say we've betrayed them once before?

Uika...

NyamuBesides, don't act like it's so important. Uiko is so busy, you barely even come to practice, right?

Uika...

NyamuIsn't that completely irresponsible?

Mutsumi!!

TakiAnd isn't this kind of irresponsible of you?

SakikoSpeaking of responsibility, shouldn't you, Yūtenji-san, practice more?

SakikoTomori, you need to practice more than anyone else. What have you been doing all this time?

MutsumiHaa... Haa...!

UmiriI've never thought Yūtenji-san lacked practice. Togawa-san, aren't you the one not paying attention to the members?

Sakiko!

NyamuDon't say unnecessary things. Anyway, I can't accept this.

UikaSorry, let's not argue. Let's calm down and talk this through.

SoyoWait! Let's talk this out!

MutsumiHaa... Haa...!

Mutsumi(What should I do...?)

Mutsumi(I don't know... I don't know, I don't know...)

Mutsumi(Help me, Saki...)

Mutsumi...

UikaMutsumi-chan is following us...

SakikoCan you go back first?

UikaO-Okay.

SakikoHow far are you going to follow me?

Mutsumi...

SakikoWhy don't you just say you don't want to do it? You want to play the guitar more than perform, don't you? But you...

MutsumiWhenever I speak up, I ruin everything...

SakikoStop playing innocent!!

Mutsumi!

SakikoIs this the time to worry about that? If this continues, Mujica won't be Mujica anymore!

MutsumiSaki—

SakikoYou used to talk more. You used to smile more. Now you leave everything to me!

SakikoWhy...? Why aren't you on my side!?

SakikoMujica is... This world is all I have left!

Mutsumi!

Sakiko...!

Mutsumi...

Music Show - Recording Studio

Staff AIt's time for a commercial...

SakikoGet a grip! This is a live broadcast.

NyamuI'm only saying this because if we don't fix it now, it'll be too late.

Staff AHey... they're still arguing.

Staff BIsn't this bad? At this timing. What are we supposed to do now?

SakikoI thought we agreed we'd just play.

Mutsumi(Mujica will fall apart.)

NyamuI'm telling you! It's not finalized yet. I can't accept this!

SakikoYou don't have to accept it.

NyamuHuh!?

Mutsumi(Again... it's my fault.)

mortisIt's painful, isn't it?

mortisIt hurts, doesn't it?

mortisI'm the only one on Mutsumi-chan's side.

MutsumiMortis...

MutsumiHuh...?

Staff AThe commercial is ending! Five seconds until we go live! Four, three—

MortisEvery awakening brings rebirth. Only eternal death will bring no awakening.

MortisLet me weave a cradle for you. A lullaby wrapped in velvety darkness, like a coffin. Gently enclosing you—

MortisGuiding you into dreams unaware.

UmiriWhat's happening?

UikaI, I don't know...

Nyamu...

MortisSo, there's no need to worry!

SakikoMutsumi...?

MortisGoodnight. Sweet dreams.

StorytellerIs this sleep, or is it death? At least... may it be at peace.