Mutsumi

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

Amoris

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

Mutsumi

...!

Mutsumi

(It started? When?)

Amoris

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

Oblivionis

Amoris, this is what you wished for.

Amoris

No, I...! Ah, the moon... The moonlight will surely make me shine...!

Doloris

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

Timoris

How unfortunate. The moon heals no one.

Oblivionis

Not only that, it will press closer and closer.

Mutsumi

Haa... Haa...

Oblivionis

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

Mutsumi

...!

Multiple Mutsumi

...

Mutsumi

There's... no escaping now...

Oblivionis

Even so, if you still seek solace...

Oblivionis

Then 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...)

Uika

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

Mutsumi

...

Umiri

Did you plan it out with Togawa-san?

Uika

Huh...?

Umiri

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

Sakiko

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

Mutsumi

The guitar... I made a mistake.

Nyamu・Uika・Sakiko

!?

Nyamu

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

Uika

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

Umiri

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

Sakiko

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

Uika

I see...

Uika

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

Sakiko

...

Mutsumi

...

Mutsumi

...

Mortis

Mutsumi-chan?

Mortis

You can't sleep again?

Mutsumi

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

Mortis

Mutsumi-chan! Welcome to our show today!

Mutsumi

Ah...!

So cute!

She's just like her mom!

Do 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."

Not good at talking? Completely unlike her dad, who only knows how to talk. That's a relief.

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

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

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

Mutsumi

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

Mortis

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

~~♪

Mutsumi

...

Mortis

"That guitar sings so vibrantly."

Mutsumi

Ah...

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."

I want to sing too♪

Mutsumi

Eh...?

Mutsumi

I... can't do it...

Mortis

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

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

Mutsumi

!

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

Mutsumi

...

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

Mutsumi

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

Mutsumi

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

Sakiko

I am quitting CRYCHIC.

Sakiko

Waaahhh...

Mutsumi

!!

Mutsumi

No... That's not what I mean...

Mutsumi

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

Mutsumi

I can't make the guitar sing...

Mortis

"Mutsumi, lost her directions."

Mutsumi

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

Mortis

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

Mutsumi

...

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."

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

Sakiko

...

Uika

At least it's resolved now. Thank goodness.

Sakiko

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

Sakiko

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

Sakiko

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

Sakiko

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

Uika

Since the beginning...

Uika

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

Sakiko

Sorry, I still have things to do.

Uika

Ah... okay.

Nyamu

Phew~ I guess that's about it.

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi-chan herself doesn't appear in it?

Do you hang out with Mortis-san regularly?

Nyamu

Well, as I expected...

Nyamu

Honestly, 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.

Nyamu

But...

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

Good morning... Hm? Muuko alone?

Mutsumi

...

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi

I don't use it...

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi

I can't. Saki will get mad.

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi

I'm not leaving.

Nyamu

Why not?

Mutsumi

Because Saki's about to fall apart.

Nyamu

Huh~~?

Mutsumi

If Mujica breaks, Saki will too...

Nyamu

What are you talking about? Sakiko again?

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi

Eh?

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi

Nyamu, why do you keep saying such awful things?

Sakiko

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

Nyamu

Oh my, you heard that~?

Sakiko

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

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

...!

Umiri

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

Nyamu

Oh, Umiko! How's that going?

Umiri

Which one?

Nyamu

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

Mutsumi

...

Mortis

I don't like Sakiko-chan!

Mutsumi

...!

Mortis

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

Mortis

It's not good for her health!

Mutsumi

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

Mortis

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

Mortis

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

Mutsumi

...

??? (Umiri)

Wakaba-san, Wakaba-san.

Mutsumi

!

Umiri

Wakaba-san, Are you listening?

Mutsumi

...

Umiri

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

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

The offer itself is fascinating, but...

Umiri

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

Mutsumi

Eh...

Sakiko

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

Umiri

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

Umiri

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

Mutsumi

...

Sakiko

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

Umiri

Then what about the tour?

Umiri

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

Sakiko

Of course, that's also—

Nyamu

There's no reason to refuse, is there?

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

This isn't what Mutsumi wants.

Nyamu

Then we'll have to ask Muuko herself.

Mutsumi

!

Sakiko

Mutsumi, what do you think?

Mutsumi

...

Sakiko

Mutsumi...?

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

But she hasn't said she wants to either!

Umiri

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

Nyamu

Fine~

Mutsumi

...

Nyamu

Say, aren't you going to perform?

Sakiko

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

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

If you only do what you want...

Sakiko

What are you even trying to say?

Nyamu

Do you even understand what the audience wants?

Mutsumi

...

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

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

Nyamu

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

Nyamu

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

Umiri

...

Uika

You two shouldn't be arguing here...

Sakiko

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

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

What are you saying—

Nyamu

Besides, Muuko herself hasn't even said anything.

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

Ugh, that's—

Uika

I won't let Mujica disband.

Nyamu

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

Uika

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

Nyamu

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

Uika

...

Nyamu

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

Uika

...

Nyamu

Isn't that completely irresponsible?

Mutsumi

!!

Taki

And isn't this kind of irresponsible of you?

Sakiko

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

Sakiko

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

Mutsumi

Haa... Haa...!

Umiri

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

Sakiko

!

Nyamu

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

Uika

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

Soyo

Wait! Let's talk this out!

Mutsumi

Haa... Haa...!

Mutsumi

(What should I do...?)

Mutsumi

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

Mutsumi

(Help me, Saki...)

Mutsumi

...

Uika

Mutsumi-chan is following us...

Sakiko

Can you go back first?

Uika

O-Okay.

Sakiko

How far are you going to follow me?

Mutsumi

...

Sakiko

Why 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...

Mutsumi

Whenever I speak up, I ruin everything...

Sakiko

Stop playing innocent!!

Mutsumi

!

Sakiko

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

Mutsumi

Saki—

Sakiko

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

Sakiko

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

Sakiko

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

Mutsumi

!

Sakiko

...!

Mutsumi

...

It's time for a commercial...

Sakiko

Get a grip! This is a live broadcast.

Nyamu

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

Hey... they're still arguing.

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

Sakiko

I thought we agreed we'd just play.

Mutsumi

(Mujica will fall apart.)

Nyamu

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

Sakiko

You don't have to accept it.

Nyamu

Huh!?

Mutsumi

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

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

Mortis

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

Mortis

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

Mortis

Guiding you into dreams unaware.

Umiri

What's happening?

Uika

I, I don't know...

Nyamu

...

Mortis

So, there's no need to worry!

Sakiko

Mutsumi...?

Mortis

Goodnight. Sweet dreams.

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