In paradisum. / Doloris / Uika Misumi、Mortis / Mutsumi Wakaba、Timoris / Umiri Yahata、Amoris / Nyamu Yūtenji、Oblivionis / Sakiko Togawa / Ephemeral Garden / anotherstory_10443

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Sakiko

(We managed to make it through our re-debut without incident, but...
now comes the real challenge.)

Sakiko

(There is still so much that must be done...)

Mutsumi

Morning.

Sakiko

Good morning.
You have an interview next, don't you?

Mutsumi

Yeah.

Sakiko

I have a meeting.
See you later.

Mutsumi

Yeah. See you.

Sakiko

Yeah.

Sakiko

...

Sakiko

Oh, I got it wrong.
Today's meeting is in Room B, not Room A, right?

Actress A

Long time no see, Mutsumi-chan~♪
Do you remember me?

Sakiko

!

Actress A

I used to visit your home and play with you a lot when you were little. Do you remember?

Mutsumi

It's been a while.

Sakiko

(She's an actress who has worked with Mutsumi's mother several times.)

Actress A

I watched your performance video too, Mutsumi-chan.
Well, you're Minami's daughter, so I guess it's only natural you'd be amazing.
Talent really does run in the family~

Sakiko

...

Sakiko

(Things like this... must have happened to her many times before.)

Actress A

We should perform on stage together sometime. Though if we did,
I might end up completely overshadowed by Minami's talented little daughter!

Sakiko

(How blatant...)

Mutsumi

It's okay.
I know how to make my co-stars shine, too.

Mutsumi

I am a thoroughbred, after all.

Actress A

...!!
Oh, is that so? Well, I'll look forward to it.

Staff

Oh, Wakaba-san~! There you are.
Your interview is about to start.

Mutsumi

Yes.

Sakiko

...?

Sakiko

(Something feels... off?)

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Fan

Wow~~♡ Mortis-sama~!
I wrote you a letter! Would you please accept it?

Mutsumi

Thank you.

Mutsumi

Next time, I'd like to see you at the masquerade.

Mutsumi

Can you do that?

Fan

Y-Yes...! Of course!!!

Sakiko

(She handled that... rather well.)

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Reporter

With parents as famous as yours, I imagine there's a lot of pressure.
People must see you differently wherever you go.

Reporter

No matter where you go or what you do,
there will always be people who say you owe it to your parents' fame, won't there?

Mutsumi

I have the deepest respect for my parents.
Being born to such wonderful parents,
I naturally feel pressure to live up to them.

Mutsumi

But once I have my moment to shine, you'll see just how amazing I am.
If anything, their light only makes mine shine brighter.

Reporter

Haha, that's wonderful.

Sakiko

...

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Sakiko

(As the daughter of celebrities, that was a flawless answer.
And yet, something about it...)

Sakiko

(What exactly... is this feeling?)

Sakiko

Come to think of it... back then...

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Mortis

Sakiko-chan, you don't understand anything either.
"Mutsumi-chan" has never existed from the beginning.

Mortis

Mutsumi-chan and I are both just one of many roles.

Mortis

The character "Mutsumi" gained the consciousness we call "Mutsumi-chan"...
and everyone else disappeared.

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Sakiko

(Could it be...)

Sakiko

(She's neither Mortis... nor Mutsumi...?)

Mutsumi

Saki, aren't you going home? Are you still working?

Sakiko

("Saki.")

Sakiko

(Something feels... different.)

Mutsumi

...?

Sakiko

No... it's nothing.
Let's go home, "Mutsumi."

Mutsumi

Yeah. Let's walk to the station together.

Sakiko

Yeah.

Sakiko

(No matter "who" Mutsumi is now,
my resolve from the day I chose to bear the weight of her life remains unchanged.)

Sakiko

(For now, all I can do is watch over her...
But for "Mutsumi"... I would do anything...)