act45side

I... I...

I'm sorry. I don't know anything about this. All I know is that during your hardest, most painful moments, I wasn't there for you.

Sakiko, I am so, so truly happy that I get to see you.

I really, really want to see you grow up.

And I want to stand right there in front of the stage and see your live shows.

And I want to meet those new friends of yours.

I'm very greedy. I want to know everything about you, and be there by your side.

But because I'm your mother... and because I love you so much...

I want you to leave this place, and seek out your real life.

Go, Sakiko.

Go back to your own 'world'.

Mother...!

The emotion welling up in Sakiko's heart at last overflows. She buries her head in her mother's chest and bursts into tears.

In contrast, as she has always done, Sakiko's mother simply strokes her back and consoles her.

Huh? Sakiko, are you off again?

Sakiko has something important to do.

Oh, you just got home. Can't you stay a little longer...?

Dear...

Alright!

Sakiko, your mother and I are on the same page!

(Breaking up) Just... Just... remember to eat right while you're away from home!

Right. I will.

Okay... I'll be off now.

Sure!

Have a safe journey, Sakiko—

From the rooftop, dozens of stories high, the cars and people on the ground are like specks of dust.

We've strengthened security around your home, Miss Nyamu. Until the situation is under control, please refrain from going out if at all possible.

With the kidnapper still at large, the agency prefers you scale back your activities for the time being out of safety concerns.

Scale back my activities...?

Just temporarily. We're sifting through new prospective partners to ensure your absolute safety.

But my fans...

Miss Nyamu, you are now one of Lungmen's biggest stars. You need to recognize your own popularity a bit more.

But...!

Use this time to get some well-deserved rest, or do something you enjoy.

—Just stay put.

I'm going to hang up now. The L.G.D. wants to talk with us again.

Stay put, stay home, huh...?

Nyamu looks around her home—

If it could even be called one.

The massive TV in the living room, which only ever has one viewer.

Someone comes to make the bed every day. It never looks anything but factory new.

Suddenly, something catches her eye.

Found you...

Perhaps it was not that she had forgotten them; perhaps she just did not want to look for them.

At some point, she chose to abandon them of her own accord.

A set of drumsticks, lying in a corner of the bookshelf.

(Tapping drumsticks together) ...One, two, three, four.

...Wow, that was awful.

You let her go.

You defied my orders.

I broke the terms of our contract this time. Here is the penalty fee.

Umiri pulls out a bag of gold coins, and places it on the table in front of her boss.

...You're rejecting me.

I think it would be best if we stayed hirer and contractor.

I work better as a lone agent. If I want a partner, I have my bass.

No. You want to go back to Francis and his people.

I've had quite a longstanding interest in their musical parties. Sorry, but I won't be taking a seat at your bigger-stakes table.

Hahahaha... When did I ever say you'd have a seat?

You've only ever been a chip.

And a chip not in the hand is worth nothing.

With those words, the door slams open, and Umiri finds herself surrounded by multiple burly brawlers.

Umiri turns back to look at the boss, and is greeted by the glinting end of a barrel.

The island is about to disappear into the distance.

What's wrong? You've been staring at the island this whole time.

I thought I heard someone calling to me...

Haha! Must be hearing things. Nothing in these waters except the sound of waves and fowl.

(Glances) Lotta luggage there. Headed to the city to strike it rich?

...I'm looking for someone.

Ain't that the damnedest thing. You're not the first one to say that...

What...?

(Loudly) These waves are getting rough...

Above them, darkness has started to creep into the sky.

(Even louder) Watch out... grab... railing...

But it is too late.

A wave crashes down on the deck, and sends seawater flooding into the cabins.

Wrong... wrong... wrong!

This guitar sounds... wrong.

But she knows why full well. A classical guitar could never make the sound of an electric.

(Quietly) It's awful late, Mutsumi-chan. Won't you get some sleep?

(Quietly) Look, at least just unlock the door...

(Quietly) We'll sit by your side and tell you bedtime stories, just like old times.

...No.

Not unless you tell me... where Saki went.

Well, we don't know either...

Maybe she went off and found her own happiness, somewhere else?

...You're lying.

Saki's not like that.

There is no response from outside the door.

Saki won't change so easily. She wants me to return to Ave{@nbs}Mujica—

You mustn't change so easily either, Mutsumi-chan.

Somehow, Mutsumi's mother is standing behind her.

This isn't just your dream. It's ours too.

We are all Mutsumi.

This is our dream, together. Where we can all truly exist, where we all find happiness.

Mutsumi-chan, you don't need Sakiko. You only need us.

No...

Let's be—together—forever—and ever—okay?

No—!

Ten minutes left...

Bye, Miss Iris! Bye, Miss Bena—