(A new Music x Theatre band) (The soaring popularity of Ave Mujica)
Huh? It was all improvised?
It's not as if I know Mujica's songs.
Huh? How could that be?
What? Whaaat?
What's going on?
Last night's Music Floor was such a laugh!
Thank you.
It was like a comedy skit, wasn't it?
Yeah, you're right!
That's because the host was so interesting to talk to.
Ah, so that's why.
Well, she's a pro, after all.
"She" became "they".
Hey, isn't your dad a TV host?
The world begins to distort.
Manipulated and overflowing, a soundless sound.
Abandoning names
your mosaic is crying!
can not, can not, not, not, not deny
An undeniable truth
Come, entrust it to me,
to go back to the start!
Energy flows in cycles
Yes, we're weightless now
A symbolic parade
Look up to this moonlit night
'Completeness'
Ah, raise up the lamp of life!
KiLLKiSS judy, KiLLKiSS judu, KiLLKiSS juda
Deceive it
KiLLKiSS judy, KiLLKiSS judu, KiLLKiSS juda
Embrace it
Hey, you're defenseless
In this beautiful play,
people begin to break
How ridiculous it is!
Yes, just like this.
Break.
Ahh... I'm so tired...
(#4 The play is over)
Which color then?
I can't decide.
Red or black?
I mustn't, I'm still on a diet.
Ah!
I don't gain weight however much I eat.
I'm so jealous.
Sesame?
It's sesame-flavored.
If we split it, it's half the calories!
That's right!
No, no, you can't say stuff like that!
What is this?
What?
Not long ago, everyone was...
I won't let Mujica disband.
If a member quits, it's the same as disbanding.
This is a critical moment.
Do you really think that is okay?!
Togawa-san, it's you who doesn't pay attention to others.
Whenever I speak up, I ruin everything.
It's all good, right?
For once, we'll all getting on.
Huh?
It's true, the whole atmosphere of the band has improved a lot.
Before, I was really worried we might just disband.
It's all thanks to Mutsumi-chan.
That's right.
Her skills swept away all of the audience's doubts.
Even the disbanding rumors are gone.
Right?
But the casual attitude you showed in that interview... It's unacceptable!
Togawa-san, this Ave Mujica may differ from your ideal.
But Wakaba-san's acting was her own expression of that concept.
It was a great success.
Isn't that why we got a magazine feature?
Starting now, we're a band.
We'll play music together and our destinies will become one!
I will write music worthy of Ave Mujica!
Huh? That sounded like Sakiko just now!
This is what a shared destiny is like, right?
Shared destiny, huh...
That's a bit over the top!
I like the Mujica we have now.
Thank you, Uika-chan.
Are we just going to move on?!
I haven't finished talking yet!
Huhhh?
We might be getting along,
but you're all being too relaxed!
It's already hard to find practice time, now that we're on tour!
Yeah, we have to perform that new song on the last day.
When will it be finished?
Sure would be nice if I can practice it...
Saki-chan has been pretty busy lately…
I'll try to help her out.
Misumi-san, Wakaba-san, it's about time to go.
Off to shoot the cover for "Ella" right? That's so cool.
I'll tell that to the editor.
Yay! Should I come too?
In case I end up doing it in the future.
Don't you have your own shoot?
That's right! I'm filming with Nanaya-san.
Awesome.
Right?! The agency agreed!
Saki-chan... I wonder if she's worn out?
Previously, she'd never show that side of herself.
It's all those invisible jobs, like staging and scripts.
She's handling all of it.
I want to lighten her burden, even if a little.
She's always composing at home too.
Yesterday, she even pulled an all-nighter.
It's not good for her health!
Just tell her that!
Tell her to sleep properly!
When there's too much work, you forget yourself.
Then things tend to spiral.
Mutsumi-chan, you kind of remind me of Mana-chan.
From "Sumimi"?
Yeah, when I'm with you, I feel really at ease.
You've brought us all together.
When we first met, you didn't talk much. I didn't know you were this amazing.
Uika-chan. You said that if a member quits, it's basically the same as disbanding.
I feel the same way.
Right now, the closest person to Sakiko-chan is Uika-chan.
Please take care of Sakiko-chan, okay?
Yes!
Ah, I've got to tell the manager we can make it in time for the shoot.
Uika-chan.
Yes?
This conversation... don't tell Sakiko-chan, okay?
To not wake, is to be eternally dead.
Let me weave a cradle for you.
Guiding you into dreams unaware.
Mutsumi… what's wrong with you?
Saki-chan? Why are you still awake?
I need to compose.
It's not good for your health!
My health?
You're not sleeping enough. Go to bed.
You can't write good songs without sleep.
But…
Saki-chan?
Alright.
Sleep deprived?
Not really. I'm working on songs for the next show.
Do you need math?
I'm good at it. No thanks.
I see.
I never thought I'd one day borrow notes from you.
Me neither.
I never thought I'd see Umiri on TV five days a week.
By the way, why this spot?
The classroom is too noisy.
So? How's it going?
What do you mean?
The band. Rumor was it might disband?
That's been resolved.
Tour's going well too.
Schedule's full of TV appearances and interviews.
It's like a sparkler about to burn out.
Huh?
Can you try to show more expression?
Your expression is too stiff.
Yeah, yeah! Relax more!
What are you doing!
Uika-chan! Umiri-chan! You too!
No choice, I guess.
I was going for a different image from Sumimi.
Looking great!
Personally, I love this photo!
Yeah.
It's not Mujica's style, but in a good way.
Yeah, it's something new.
Yeah, totally.
I like this photo too.
Then it's agreed!
Let's use this one!
I heard the tour is going to Fukuoka this weekend.
We'll do our best to show the audience a beautiful dream.
Nyamu-chan... Amoris's family will be there to watch, right?
That's right.
Though, technically, as dolls, we don't have famil—
Hakata dolls!
Huh? Oh, right...
There's a shop Minami-chan likes.
I'm super eager to visit!
On Mujica's social media and comment sections, you can post your own recommendations!
As she says!
Actually, we have a Fukuoka special next week.
Would you like to be on it?
Thank you so much! I'll ask Mr Manager...
Ah, that gesture means no... So it's no good...
We'd love to have you anytime.
We might actually take you up on that!
I can't take this!
Pass me the topic then steal it back? Seriously!?
I'm trying so hard, you know.
You just can't beat talent.
Ahhhhhhhhhh.
(Mommy)
Mooommy!
Why ya soundin' so down? What happened?
What coulda happened!
I was so sure I'd grab myself an opportunity in Tokyo,
but turns out I'm surrounded by geniuses.
Oh dear, really?
Yeah, so today I figure I'd bounce off Muuko and really talk it up.
But she took over, couldn't get a word in.
Oh my.
That's why, even though I don't drink this junk,
I went and bought the biggest latte they had.
Don't worry so much.
Nyamu, your name means "young sprig of barley".
Bein' stepped on just makes ya grow better.
Tomorrow, you'll be even more amazin', ya hear?
Oh Mooom!
Sis!
I wanna talk to Nya-chan!
Wait your turn!
Don't y'all fight!
Rock-paper-scissors!
Ah…
I win!
Nya-chan, thanks for the cat plushie!
Ain't it just adorable? Happy birthday!
We saw ya on TV.
Everyone's sayin' you're amazin'! I'm so proud!
I see.
Alrighty! Sis is feelin' all fired up now!
I'll be a big ol' firework for y'all!
Y'all see, 'kay?
Take care now. We're all rootin' for ya!
Thank ya kindly. I'll do ma best!
Look forward to the Fukuoka concert in a couple days!
Give a holler to big bro and sis for me, will ya?
Good night, y'all!
Sound test, start!
Heard you haven't done group practice lately.
Shall we try a few songs?
Sincere apologies for the inconvenience.
Alright, let's start.
Mortis-san, your guitar.
No guitar.
Mutsumi, what are you saying?
Because I can't play guitar.
Huh?!
What do you mean by that?!
Sakiko-chan formed Mujica, so I joined up.
I've never touched a guitar.
Huh? What about before?
I've never played it before.
Are your fingers or arms hurting?
Not at all.
You played on the first day of the tour.
The setlist hasn't changed.
I can't play any of it!
Wait, what are you talking about? I can't understand you.
Are you serious?
What's the problem?
I'm fine without a guitar, right?
What should we do?
When we were on TV before, it was fine because we only played one song.
But the entire set...
Wait, what about rehearsals?
Ow!
Come with me.
What are you thinking?!
You already ruined the show by ad-libbing,
and now you're saying you won't play?
You used to care so much about the guitar!
I can't understand you anymore!
This is all for Ave Mujica.
You said it, Sakiko-chan.
That I make you do everything.
So, I decided to talk to everyone on your behalf.
Uika-chan, Umiri-chan, Nyamu-chan—
Everyone loves Ave Mujica now.
If we stay like this, we can stay together forever.
Sakiko-chan.
What on earth is this nonsense?
Do you truly not get it?
Sakiko-chan, you're so fixated on the band.
Because you want that, right?
Mutsumi… wouldn't call me that.
Are you… really Mutsumi?
Mutsumi-chan died.
Ah, I got it wrong.
It's more like she's asleep, as if dead.
Don't joke around!
I'm serious.
What do you mean by "asleep"?!
Explain it to me!
My name is Mortis.
Huh?
A long time ago, I chatted with Mutsumi-chan,
played with dolls,
and had lots of fun.
A... long time ago...?
After Mutsumi-chan picked up the guitar,
unaware this would be the start of her suffering,
she became a member of your band.
That day, when Mutsumi-chan couldn't sleep from all the pain,
she desperately followed Sakiko-chan, seeking help.
But Sakiko-chan, who only ever thinks of herself,
tore into Mutsumi-chan harshly.
Why?! Why aren't you on my side?!
Just like that, the gravely wounded Mutsumi-chan,
sank into a deep, deep sleep.
That's why I hate you, Sakiko-chan.
Don't worry. I will protect Mutsumi-chan and her beloved band.
But…
If Sakiko-chan stays like this,
Mutsumi-chan might never come back.
Saki-chan!
It seems the rain will stop tomorrow.
What did you talk about with Mutsumi-chan?
That… wasn't Mutsumi.
That came out of nowhere.
A split personality?
Did you call?
Everyone's here!
What did I miss?
Is it true you have a split personality?
Hmmmm?
Let's decide our next steps.
Not only can't we rehearse.
We'll have to cancel tomorrow's show, right?
Cancel?
Cancelling would be...
We didn't record Mutsumi-chan's guitar?
We were focused on playing live. This is the result.
Mutsumi-chan's guitar is the core of our songs.
I can't make it work by myself...
If we're going ahead, I'll find someone to sub in.
Muuko's still here, you know?
I can manage, anytime!
Whether they're here for theatrics or music,
I'm sure my acting can satisfy them completely!
But something like that... wouldn't be a band.
You know, I've been holding back for a long time.
I let Muuko steal the spotlight.
I let myself be ignored.
I can always fake a smile for the audience's sake.
This band, our shows, it's not just for us.
Countless people work behind the scenes.
Without their sleepless nights, we'd be nothing!
Have you thought about our audience looking forward to tomorrow?
Not just tickets.
Travel and accommodation all cost money!
To see Ave Mujica's show, they worked tough jobs, saved pocket money...
You'll betray them?!
Then you should just quit!
Okay, shall we expel Muuko?
Well?
I want Mutsumi...
...back.
You moron!
I've... had enough.
At first, I thought your clothes were shabby.
But I admired your willingness to put your status aside.
I really thought we'd climb to the top together.
You want "the rest of my life"?
I don't have time to play house with a rich girl!
If one person quits, Ave Mujica is over, yes?
That's...
Huh? How did we get on to this?
Calm down!
I am calm.
She said it, didn't she?
She did.
I had to say that at the time!
Uika-chan was lying as usual!
She just wanted to be with Sakiko-chan!
That's why we don't have to disband!
No! No!
Absolutely not!
We won't disband!
A band is about playing music together and destinies becoming one!
Our mission is none other than to show our audience a dream!
Now is the time to determine the true value of our band!
Sakiko-chan, isn't Mujica's world all you have left?!
It was just a matter a time.
Few bands last very long.
Why?!
Why are we even talking about disbanding?!
How did it come to this?!
Didn't I talk to you? All of you?
I told you to "take care of Sakiko-chan"...
Didn't you smile happily?!
I told you we'll use everyone's strengths to make Mujica better?!
So why...
Even Umiri-chan...
You said "I wish Mujica could become a place I can call home!"
Turn it around.
Turn what?!
Why do you want to be part of Mujica?
When you did that doll performance...
You made me tremble with fear.
I knew there were no strings.
But I saw them pulled tight and then snap.
Even though I felt frustrated,
I knew that I was seeing the real deal.
You shouldn't be here.
Why?!
Why would you be mean to me?!
Is it because I can't play guitar?
Say something!
You can't leave, right?!
We'll stay together as a band, right?!
Sakiko-chan!
Uika-chan!
Umiri-chan!
How did this happen...
The silence brought a despair that filled her entirely.
A silence proclaiming the end of everything.
Tracing the silver thread, I draw my thoughts closer
At the end of it, embrace the conceived moon
I am waiting for night to fall from the sun
Hey, fulfill me at that end,
I feel like I can reach you.
Entangled, we dance
Georgette Me, Georgette You
Revolving
Painfully
Look, in a sparkling dress
everlastin' ever...
darlin' ever, ever...
Bind me again
everlastin' ever
So we'll never be apart.
ever ever, ever…
The moon sinks past the horizon.
Stop...!
Our fleeting lives end here.
How can you say that?!
The dolls no longer exist.
But I'm still here!
With tonight's masquerade...
Stop! Don't say it!
We announce the end of Ave Mujica.
NO!!!
An unusual career: Nyamuchi I started playing drums as a makeup streamer and joined a band
Ave Mujica Special Feature Mortis, Doloris interview
(#5 You flee what's done, chase what you must do)