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Invitation to the Ball
We laugh together, we cry together.
Up on this beautiful stage, we act out a vibrant monodrama.
I do not fear death.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Here, Saki. Drink.
- Sakiko Togawa
My throat doesn't hurt so much now...
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Good. Here. For you. Rim Billiton is all dust and sand. You need waterskins and goggles.
Sakiko takes each item as Mutsumi offers them. She clutches them tightly. The swollen waterskin looks fit to burst.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Saki. You seem bad. Are you sick?
- Sakiko Togawa
No, it's nothing...
- Sakiko Togawa
Mutsumi, you... remember me?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Of course.
- Sakiko Togawa
You remember all the things we've been through?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Mmhm. I remember all of it.
Sakiko feels she can finally relax a little. She casts her gaze around—
The long, narrow mineshaft they have been following dives deep into the ground, all the way down to here.
It is damp and dark, with only oil lanterns and stoves to provide feeble pinpricks of light.
There is space for only one between the bed and dining table, and based on the number of cups on that table, Mutsumi is not living here alone.
- Sakiko Togawa
Mutsumi, how... how long have you been living here?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
A year. Maybe more. There's nothing complicated to think about here, and time doesn't pass that clearly.
- Sakiko Togawa
No... You can't sense the passing of time because you're in a dream.
- Sakiko Togawa
Mutsumi, why would you dream of this...?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Dream...?
- Sakiko Togawa
I have something very important to tell you, Mutsumi. None of this is real. We need to—
- ???
Oh hello, now—back already, Mutsumi-chan?
Someone rushes in behind them, and tackles Mutsumi straight down on the soft bed.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
M-Mum, you're all dusty, get off of me...
- ???
Oh, but we haven't seen each other in nearly a day! Just let me hug you a bit!
- Mutsumi Wakaba
W-We have guests...
- Mutsumi's Mother
Oh! If it isn't Saki-chan!
- Mutsumi's Mother
You haven't come over to ours in how long, now?
- Sakiko Togawa
Minami-san...
- Mutsumi's Mother
Oh, no need to be so formal, just 'Minami' will do.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Mmhm. Sometimes I call Mum that too.
- Sakiko Togawa
......
- Sakiko Togawa
Mutsumi, since when did you have such a good relationship with Minami-san...?
- Mutsumi's Mother
We've always had one! We're mother and daughter, after all~
- Mutsumi's Mother
Mutsumi-chan, how were today's earnings?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
(Sifts through pockets) It was hot today, so more people wanted cucumber juice.
Mutsumi carefully opens the pouch in her hand. Within are a scant few coins.
- Mutsumi's Mother
Hooh—attagirl, Mutsumi-chan!
- Mutsumi's Mother
(Sifts through pockets) Here, here's what I got.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Wow... You're amazing, Mum.
- Mutsumi's Mother
Aren't I? I don't know why, but today I had a lot more people wanting their clothes mended!
- Mutsumi's Mother
Your dad's been working hard too, putting in a full day's work at the construction site. When I went to drop off his lunch and saw his dust-covered face and exhausted look, I gave him special permission to go for a pint after work.
- Mutsumi's Mother
I'm sure by now, he's downed a whole tanker!
- Mutsumi's Mother
And to top it all off, now Saki-chan's here! You know what time I think it is? Time to get everyone together for dinner!
- Mutsumi Wakaba
I'm glad. Eating with everyone is really nice.
- Mutsumi's Mother
Isn't it just! And today was such a good day for us, we can't go being stingy now!
- Sakiko Togawa
......
- Mutsumi's Mother
Saki-chan, don't be shy! You're invited too!
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Saki. What's wrong?
- Sakiko Togawa
No... Nothing...
They're clearly not a prosperous family. The bare mud walls, the dim lantern light...
Why would Mutsumi's dream be like this?
- Warmy
Hello, Mutsumi, Minami... Oh, who's this?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
She's a friend from childhood. Saki.
- Warmy
Hello!
- Warmy
I came over to ask if you all wanted dinner?
- Warmy
I made a lot tonight, and if you'd like, we can eat together.
- Mutsumi's Mother
...Now can we really accept?
- Warmy
Your neighbors say there hasn't been smoke from your chimney for a few days now...
- Mutsumi Wakaba
(Rubs stomach) Mmnh...
- Warmy
Besides, it's been almost a month since the last party, right?
- Warmy
Everyone really wants to see Mutsumi perform again.
- Mutsumi's Mother
Well, if that's the case... What do you think, Mutsumi-chan?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
M-M... Me?
- Mutsumi's Mother
I'm sure you want to see too, right, Saki? I could listen to it a hundred more times and still not get tired!
- Mutsumi's Mother
If you don't mind, we can hold the party at ours! What a coincidence, we were just talking about inviting everyone over for dinner!
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Saki, what do you think?
- Sakiko Togawa
I...
- Sakiko Togawa
I think... you should make the decision, Mutsumi.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
...Mm. I'm okay with it.
Rowdy chatter, hearty laughs, clanking cups.
The cramped house is stuffed full with people, but nobody seems to mind the lack of space.
- Mutsumi's Mother
Alright, alright, time for another round!
- Mutsumi's Mother
Now, a warm welcome to Mutsumi-chan's pal—Sakiko!
- Everyone
Eyyy! Hello, Sakiko!
Everyone turns to look at her, sitting in the corner.
- Mutsumi's Mother
(Lifting her pint glass) Sakiko...?
- Sakiko Togawa
Ch—Cheers.
- Everyone
Cheers—!
With her welcomed, everyone's attention returns to the party. Sakiko leans against the wall alone, her eyes a mix of emotions as she watches it all unfold.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Saki.
- Sakiko Togawa
Mutsumi...?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Actually... I know about it all.
- Sakiko Togawa
Huh...?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
This is all fake. Minami being so nice to me. It's all fake.
- Sakiko Togawa
Th-This—
- Mutsumi Wakaba
So when I saw you, I knew, it was time to go back.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
But... give me a chance.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
A chance to say goodbye. Then we can end it.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Here, I can sing freely, just like everyone else.
- Sakiko Togawa
Mutsumi...
Before Sakiko can even respond, Mutsumi picks up her guitar, and slowly walks up to the crowd.
- Mutsumi's Mother
You all ready, Mutsumi-chan?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
...Hi, everyone.
- Mutsumi's Mother
What is it, Mutsumi-chan? Something wrong?
- Mutsumi Wakaba
...Chair. My chair.
- Mutsumi's Mother
All ready for you. This one, yeah? The one you normally use?
Mutsumi stares intently at the stool, its seat covered in deep cracks.
- Mutsumi Wakaba
Mm. That's it.
She slowly sits down. Everyone quiets their breathing.
- Sakiko Togawa
—!
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'
- Sakiko Togawa
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.
