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Morpheus wanted to build the stage in a dream, but we and Miss Bena unanimously shot that down.

Yeah, I'll pass on dreams for the next while...

Agreed...

Won't somebody show me a smidge of concern? Why am I being given hard labor?!

(Angry chirping)

Bena, accompanying Morpheus, offers no words, instead simply giving one of Morpheus' fluffy ears a nice hard flick.

Ahkh—ow-ow-ow!

(Pained chirping)

You did the crime, now you do the time, Morpheus...

Oh, you're in this with me, Wolff! Go fit that last light!

I... alright.

Wolff places its hands on the ground, and in a snap, transforms before everyone's eyes into a bestial shape.

With the light's power cord held gently in its jaws, it leaps up to the top shelf, and effortlessly drapes it over.

Well? How's that for a new stage?

It's so pretty—!

Nyamu giddily leaps onstage and darts around set after elaborate set.

Humph. Hardly a challenge for me.

Are you forgetting the most important part? <i>The instruments!</i>

Ighk—stop—flicking my ears, I'll bring them out now!

Each instrument appears on stage while Morpheus is still shielding her ears, and the band takes their places.

Mm. Still feels good in the hands.

(Here's hoping that dream-long blank I had didn't screw up my muscle memory—)

Sakiko, we're all ready. Come on.

Sakiko looks up to see her companions on stage, the spotlight shining on each one of them, as well as a familiar keyboard that seems to call for her return.

I look forward to your performance, Miss Sakiko.

We missed out on seeing the whole thing last time! Now we can make up for that.

(Joyful chirping)

Getting to attend your performance, not as an enemy, but as a friend, makes me happier than anything.

Oh, you people are such goody-two-shoes!

A—Anyhow... I'll be listening closely.

Pft... hahahaha...!

Wh-What are you laughing at? Don't think you can walk all over me just because Iris and Bena are here...

No, nothing... haha! I'm coming now.

Sakiko takes her bandmates' hands, and steps onto the stage of Ave{@nbs}Mujica.

Much as when the last piece of a puzzle falls in place, the picture comes as no particular surprise, but it is the very moment when everything becomes whole again.

Everyone! Upon this land, we shall leave our sound!

In the moonlight, the doll takes on a temporal life.

Beneath their marionette forms, the girls' secrets lie.

Love. Fear. Sorrow. Death. Oblivion.

In a castle of dreams, secrets and sins join together and come alive once more.

Raise your candle high. Be brave through the thorns. Part this fog.

Here, a new fairytale is born.

This is the wondrous adventure story of us, the dolls.

Welcome... to the world of Ave{@nbs}Mujica.

Today's masquerade is another huge success!

Did you hear how loud they were cheering for the encore? I bet that one kid was a <i>total</i> Nyamuchi fan!

Like, her eyes were glittering like crazy when I came on stage! Man, that makes me happy.

We should add a little more fan interaction to our next show, whaddaya say?

It's one thing to think of ways to increase appeal, Yūtenji-san, but do not lose sight of Ave{@nbs}Mujica's worldview.

Bleeeh... What, you afraid I'll steal the whole audience away?

My fans are just here to soak up Ave{@nbs}Mujica's masquerades. Why not hook them on Mujica itself?

Your very posture is a part of the performance. We must not let our guards down until the curtains have truly fallen.

It is our mission to see our guests enraptured in this masquerade.

We must therefore present a convincing image—

Alright, alright.

Saaay, Muuko, didn't <i>you</i> get the biggest cheers when you took the stage?

You were happy, weren't you? You wanted even more fans, didn't you? Be honest.

I... don't...

Stop trying to incite Mutsumi, please.

Haha... come on, no arguing...

I just think everyone's looking forward to the next performance—

We've got so many people on our side right now. Here's our chance to repay them by giving our all.

Saki-chan's doing her best to compose the new song. The light in the loft's been on so late these past few days...

Be assured that in the face of all your efforts, I can hardly rest on my own laurels.

Saki-chan...

Sakiko, real talk. Remember to chill out a little.

We all get what you're putting into this, Saki-chan. I'll make sure the lyrics are worthy of the new song.

Togawa-san played me a sample before the show. It's a good song.

Well, if I had to say, maybe... the tempo could be a tiny bit slower?

Huh?! You all heard it already? When??

Just before the show today. I think you weren't in the dressing room?

I wanted to get the opinions of everyone, but time was short, so I simply played it for those present.

Nyamu made me go on her livestream as a guest... I didn't get to hear it.

Guh...!

What?!

Yūtenji, didn't I say not to—

L-Look, the light's turning green! We can talk about this on the other side!

*sigh* What a headache...

...It's so wonderful.

Hm? What's this all of a sudden?

I was touched by what you were saying just now.

Even after all we went through, even though we've fought, the five of us are still together as a band... It's so wonderful.

I've never asked them, but I'm sure everyone thinks that way... I know I do.

As for me, I'm so glad you can put your trust in me this way, Saki-chan.

I could offer my whole life to Mujica, I really could!

Sakiko follows Uika's gaze. A group of girls are merrily crossing the road.

They are unburdened, free of cares, as if this were all a beautiful fairy tale.

Though none say it out loud, they all owe a debt of gratitude to their Saki-chan. In Nyamu's own words, Mujica made her dreams come true.

A dream...

It's like how everything used to be... It's almost like we're dreaming.

Huh...

...Dreaming?

Come on, you two, let's not do this here...

Are you telling me to cast aside our identity as a band?!

Well, band or not, I don't care.

What?!

I mean, is there any reason we have to be a <i>band</i> for this?

What in the world are—

Besides, I don't hear Muuko complaining. Hell, she's the one who said 'it won't last' on TV.

Never mind being a band, I don't think she'd lose too much sleep over leaving Mujica.