Thread:PIA MiTomo Forum Board/@comment-26809367-20171230180017/@comment-26809367-20171231130422

Some hours later

Hibiki: Ngh...? *wakes up on the desk* Did I... fall asleep? What time is it...?

Everything around her was... different

It was as if time stopped

Hibiki: What's going on...?

She tried turning the TV on, but that only showed a static image

"I CAN'T DO THIS!!!"

She heard someone sobbing

When she blinked, she was standing on top of a stage, with everyone looking at her

Haruka: *crying* I'm sorry... *falls on her knees*

At a loss, she looked at the audience, hearing laughter, insults, people talking

And nobody was there

No, the stage was full of people

But someone was missing, and everything was crumbling down

Hibiki had no clue what she was supposed to do, hearing the girl sobbing uncontrollably and Meganee's voice announcing the early ending of the finals because she isn't able to perform

Haruka: I'm sorry... I can't pull it off... I'm an idiot... am I...?

The girl looked at a clueless Hibiki with teary eyes

Hibiki: N-no, wai-

Suddenly, a flash

Time stopped, and Hibiki could see countless strings around the stage, decorating it, as if they were strobe lights

There was someone behind her

He had a black and white old cape, a big magician's hat, decorated with checks, like a chess board

The hat was slightly pulled down, and he wore a Pierrot's mask

Only a strand of blue hair could be seen

Mystery: ...who do you think I am?

Hibiki: Mystery-

Mystery: Am I a person... or a shadow?

Hibiki: A per-

Mystery: I'm not just a shadow... right now... I'm your shadow, am I?

Silence

Mystery: This is but one of the countless worlds where I died *shrugs* This timeline is about to end, crushed by Inoue Hanako

Hibiki: About to... end...?

Mystery: Your world... is a very frail world... and it is on the verge of breaking down. I think you realized it can't go on

Hibiki: MY world?! You're there too-

Mystery: Perhaps you're talking about my future self then

Hibiki: Future... self...

Mystery: This is how things would've gone if you were at my place, right now

Hibiki: ...

Mystery: Which has happened. Countless times already. This is but an illusion

Hibiki: An illusion...

Mystery: Do you... want to save someone's life?

Hibiki: Someone's life?

Mystery: Human lives... people who forget everything everytime they change timelines... they're way down my league, but I fell in love with one of them

Hibiki: ...

Mystery: And I want to protect her

Hibiki: ...I know...

Mystery: But I can't let this world to end, either. I'm sure... countless precious dreams will meet a terrible end in this world

Hibiki: Yeah... they will

Mystery: Yours and mine too.

Hibiki: Yours...?

Mystery: Dreams of idols... of singing... how does it feel? Flying with golden wings in the sky? Seeing people admire you, having an audience who loves your tricks... what are they called again? What kind of magic is it? I want to know. And to master it *spreads arms*

Hibiki: Magic, huh... never thought of it as magic...

Mystery: There were countless worlds I could protect... but this one is the one He chose. I wonder why... but all these new things, how a voice is able to bring miracles... it really excites me

Hibiki: ...

Mystery: Do you love this world? Do you... imagine a future where you can't sing? Where there's no music?

Hibiki: I...

Mystery: I know it's an hard question. But you were chosen to answer it

Hibiki: Me--?!

Mystery: You. You are the Paradox Jewel Holder... you're the key to save this timeline

Hibiki: ...

Mystery: You are me *points at her*

Hibiki: Hah?!

Mystery: We Paradox Jewel Holders share an unbreakable bond. Our breaths are all synchronized, and there's only one of us in every multiverse

Hibiki: ...and why me...?

Mystery: Because we're the same *smiles*

Hibiki: ...the same...

Mystery: And it's not just an exaggeration

Hibiki: ...what does that mean?

Mystery: What you want it to mean

Hibiki: HAH?!

Mystery: That's not something easy to understand... but I hope, someday... you will *faces the opposite side*

Hibiki: No, wai-

Mystery: This is all I had to tell you *leaves*

As Mystery disappears in the darkness, the dream shatters

Hibiki: *opens the eyes, on the desk* What... *looks at the cold cup of coffee*