Itsuki: So have you announced whether or not we will be participating in the tournament?
Kei: No. I haven't given a reply yet.
Rokuta: Why not?
Itsuki: Considering 1Nm8's future activity, I do not think it's a bad idea.
Kei: I agree. I feel the same way.
Itsuki: ... so is there something that you're worried about?
Kei: ... Itsuki.
Itsuki: Hm?
Kei: You told me before what happened to you on stage at the Paradox Live.
Itsuki: About the temporary loss of memory?
Kei: Yes.
Rokuta: Uh... what's that? I don't remember hearing anything about this...
Itsuki: Yes. That is because I had not spoken about this with you yet, Rokuta.
Rokuta: ... ... so what happened?
Itsuki: When I was singing on stage, I suddenly felt as though the composition of the world around me was different than usual.
Rokuta: What do you mean...?
Itsuki: If I were to say that I saw what ordinary people see... would that make sense? It was only temporary, but for that moment, I lost my abnormal storage capacity and my memory returned to normal. By the next day, I was back to the way I usually am. Something similar happened at another live show later, but nothing quite so intense as the first. I must conclude that we should assume that it was the Paradox Live that brought about this fortuitous situation.
Rokuta: Ah... that reminds me, something weird happened to me, too.
Kei: --! Rokuta, you, too?
Rokuta: Yeah. I've never remembered anything about you, right, Kei-chan? But you know how when you and I were playing the piano together, I realized that I'd forgotten it? And then, it was something like... this area right here in my chest felt really empty, and I felt lonely. Sometimes it feels like I feel when I'm really hungry.
Itsuki: ...
Kei: Rokuta...
Rokuta: Don't look so sad, Kei-chan, Itsuki-nii. 'Cause I'm fine.
Kei: But...
Rokuta: 'Cause I know now that Kei-chan is my big brother. I know it in my heart. And that makes me way happier than I was before. But then, when I was singing onstage at the Paradox Live with you two, it was like that emptiness suddenly disappeared.
Itsuki: --! That's...
Rokuta: I think maybe it's a little bit different from what happened to you, Itsuki-nii...
Itsuki: No, it is very relevant.
Rokuta: I kinda don't understand all this complicated stuff, but with 1Nm8's music, and all the heads cheering, and being together with Itsuki-nii and Kei-chan, I don't know why, but I felt it super clearly. That my heart and my body haven't forgotten the stuff that the rest of me has. So I'm sure that someday... ... huh? What's the matter? Why are you crying?
Kei: Rokuta...!
[sfx: Kei hugging Rokuta]
Rokuta: --! Kei-chan. Sorry. I won't talk about it. If I say stuff like that, I'm gonna make you worry about me again.
Kei: [tearily] It's fine. Thank you for telling me.
Rokuta: Yeah.
Itsuki: But now it is clear to me. The Paradox Live... there is something about performing on that stage.
Kei: It seems so.
Itsuki: Kei. The reason you are hesitating to confirm our participation is because you are worried about the impact it might have on Rokuta and me. Correct?
Kei: Mm.
Itsuki: That is an unfounded fear. Standing on that stage will certainly affect us; however, the upsides far outweigh the negligible downsides.
Rokuta: That's right, Kei-chan. When I see the faces of everyone cheering for me, I feel super energized. Even more than eating karaage gives me!
Kei: ...
Itsuki: I know you are feeling uncertain; it's not something that we find easy to accept so simply, either. ... but, it's as I said, Kei. Your-- no, 1Nm8's music brings us hope. It is a unique gift.
Kei: "Gift"?
Itsuki: I made the decision to follow you. I am prepared for whatever may happen.
Kei: ...
Rokuta: Kei-chan, I'm okay. I have Kei-chan and Itsuki-nii and 1Nm8's music.
Kei: Rokuta... Itsuki...
Itsuki: Kei.
Rokuta: Let's do it, Kei-chan. I wanna go on stage with the two of you again!
Itsuki: I agree. That special stage is what we need to pursue right now.
Kei: ... ... I understand. We'll do it.
Rokuta: Yay!
Kei: Will we be able to find salvation and hope while using that forbidden fruit, phantometal?
Itsuki: Then let's search for it. Walking the road to salvation may be something that only we can do.
Rokuta: As long as I'm with the two of you, then I'm not scared at all! If I'm going hand in hand with Kei-chan and Itsuki-nii, then I can go anywhere.
Kei: ... that's right. We'll hold hands and get there one step at a time, listening to the voices inside our hearts. Rokuta. Itsuki. Will you come with me?
Itsuki: Yes.
Rokuta: Let's go together! [laughs] Alright! Let's do our best!
Itsuki: If we're going to participate, then we will have to win.
Kei: We'll find it. With 1Nm8's music, we'll find the light that illuminates the road to our hope.