Ever since she was a child, Wakaba Mutsumi had deeply respected Togawa Sakiko.
Though they were both born into high-pressure, complicated families, Sakiko had not become weak like her. That strength to never give up no matter the hardship, and that pride to hold her head high even if it meant sacrificing everything, was a power she had always admired, yet found unreachable.
However, it was this very strength that had forced Sakiko to carry a burden so heavy it was hard to breathe.
She did not naturally find happiness because of this strength; on the contrary, she was tormented by her pride, forced to cut away everything she had.
And this was why Mutsumi had always just watched her from afar, instead of immediately following in her footsteps.
Having grown accustomed to being obedient, she couldn't even imagine what her life would become once the chains that had bound her since birth were unlocked. Without her mother's control, would she still be able to find her own direction? Without the support of the Wakaba family, would she become a good-for-nothing?
The hardships and bitterness of the past made her want to leave this place with her suitcase right now, yet her doubts about the road ahead, and even about herself, made her hesitate to take that first step—
Ping.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message.
When she took it out and read the contents, she felt an indescribable warmth welling up from the bottom of her heart—
[Mutsumi's room is all cleaned up. You can come over whenever you make up your mind.]
Nagasaki Soyo had also attached a photo of the empty room.
[Even if it's not for a long stay, you can just come and hang out for a few days.]
"Soyo..."
Before clearing up the misunderstanding from a year ago, Mutsumi had always held incredibly complex feelings for her.
On one hand, there was guilt. On the day [CRYCHIC] disbanded, she had said cruel and hurtful things to Soyo to help Sakiko maintain her lie.
On the other hand, there was curiosity. For Mutsumi, whose emotions had grown numb under the immense pressure, Soyo's devotion to [CRYCHIC] was something she could neither understand nor replicate.
Yet, it was precisely because of Soyo's devotion to [CRYCHIC] that she had suffered a loneliness far more cruel than anyone else.
Her devotion hadn't helped her keep anyone; it had only left her with a period of disappointment from unfulfilled expectations, a feeling unequal to anyone else's.
Before this, Mutsumi had always thought of herself as a very pitiful person.
Everything she had suffered made it impossible for her to accept her own family, who were so admired by others. And the two people she herself admired had not found their own happiness.
She had thought that she would probably have to spend the rest of her life being controlled by her mother, while watching the two people she admired walk step by step toward an unhappy future—
Until the appearance of Chihaya Tetsuya.
First, he had extended a helping hand to Sakiko just as she was on the verge of despair, showing her a path that could lead her to hope.
Then, he had forcefully intervened in the relationship between Sakiko and Soyo, clearing up the misunderstanding between them and giving Soyo a new place to belong.
Mutsumi had never seen such an amazing adult.
Every one of his decisions and actions could guide the situation toward the best possible outcome. Goals that she had once thought were forever unattainable, he had conquered one by one with ease.
Even Sakiko and Soyo, who were more outstanding than she was, were now walking their own paths under his guidance. In that case... could he, just like before, coolly and effortlessly resolve her own confusion?
"...Soyo lives on the floor above Chihaya-san now."
Which meant, if she moved there... she, too, could see the incredibly resourceful Chihaya-san every day, just like Soyo.
Finally, this sliver of hope broke through her hesitation, allowing her to successfully take the first step.
And then, after she opened the front door, the bright, sunny sky outside ensured that her following steps would no longer falter.
This girl, who had been like a doll her entire life, at last had a destination of her own.
...
"Ah, I forgot about this."
When Nagasaki Soyo, who had been contacted beforehand, saw Mutsumi struggling to get out of the taxi with a huge guitar case on her back and a suitcase in her hand, she clapped her palm to her forehead.
"Wait a moment, Mutsumi, I'll go get some help!"
Then, before the dazed Mutsumi could even say hello, she saw Soyo rush back into the apartment building, only to re-emerge a moment later, dragging Chihaya Anon down with her.
"Whoa! That's a huge guitar case!"
The first thing Anon did after coming downstairs was to look at what was on Mutsumi's back in amazement.
"What model is your guitar, Wakaba-san?"
"...A SCHECTER [EX-24-7st]. A seven-string."
Mutsumi answered truthfully.
"My usual pickups are in here too..."
"Wow! This is the first time I've seen someone I know use a seven-string guitar!"
Hearing this, Anon excitedly ran to her side and took the guitar case off the bewildered Mutsumi's back—
"I'll carry it up for you, Wakaba-san! You have to let me see you play it later!"
"Eh..."
"Hey, you. Mutsumi just moved here. No matter how you look at it, she should unpack her luggage first, right?"
"Oh, right."
Anon stuck out her tongue.
"Then I'll take the guitar up first, okay? You can help Wakaba-san with the suitcase!"
With that, she excitedly slung the guitar case over her shoulder and jogged into the apartment building.
"Sigh... I can't with her."
Watching that whirlwind of a figure, Soyo couldn't help but sigh.
"Sorry, Mutsumi. This is an old building, so there's no elevator. We'll have to carry the suitcase up together."
"...Mhm."
Mutsumi nodded and retracted the handle. Soyo came to her side and lifted the handle on the side of the suitcase—
"I know you must have a lot of thoughts you haven't been able to sort out yet, but it's okay. As long as that guy is around, all these problems will definitely be solved."
Soyo said, looking at the somewhat dazed Mutsumi.
"Let's go, Mutsumi."
"...Mhm."
Although the many uncertainties and worries in her heart had not yet been resolved, the moment she felt the weight of the suitcase lighten by half, she no longer had any thought of turning back.
This puppet girl, having broken free from her strings, had finally arrived on a stage of her own choosing.