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Here goes. Please enjoy...

<i>Haruhikage</i>.

A melody Sakiko could never forget comes to life once more in Mutsumi's dream.

The same warm tone she remembered subtly soothes the hearts of all present.

The Mutsumi Wakaba before her is almost a stranger to Sakiko.

She is no longer the Mutsumi who struggles to express herself.

While her emotional expressions are still not very rich, here and now, she seems... so happy.

'A heart grown numb with cold, a trembling gaze'

'In all the world, I was alone'

'All I knew of spring was falling petals'

'And every year, my feelings are brushed off with indifference'

So this is what you wished for, Mutsumi...

Sakiko has had countless opportunities to pull Mutsumi away from here, and she is certain Mutsumi would follow if she did.

But ultimately, she cannot bring herself to do it.

Not when this Mutsumi is so very happy.

The crowd lightly sways to the music. The feeble candlelight casts their shadows against the wall, like warm spring sunlight casting lilting shadows of trees.

Mutsumi sits on her stool, surrounded by all. Her eyes are closed, and as she strums, she gently sings.

What is on her mind in this moment?

'Heart-rending and endearing'

'Now that I'm here, now that I feel'

'Heartwarming and tormenting'

'That me who couldn't cry that day'

'The light gently guides that me along with it—'

Some indescribable emotion clouds Sakiko's mind.

Is it gratification... or a refusal to accept things? Perhaps, a mix of the two.

Mutsumi Wakaba, as she is now, is much happier than when she was with Sakiko.

She sits there, alone on her stool, earnestly singing this familiar song.

'Shimmering and sparkling, sail through the clouds'

'My heart filled, it overflows'

'Shimmering and sparkling, down my cheeks, unnoticed'

'Burning, scorching, wetting my skin'

'Why is your hand so very warm?'

'Please, just stay like this and don't let go of my hands—'

If she does not let go—

Then the happiness Mutsumi has found here—

Sakiko turns, and runs away in a panic.

And like that, she disappears into the night.