[sfx: Footsteps, plastic bag rustling]
Rokuta: We ended up buying a lotta meat, huh~?
Itsuki: Yes. It is a bit far from home, but going out of our way was worthwhile. It was approximately 17% cheaper than it would have been at the store we usually go to.
Rokuta: And we got lots of meat aside from just the stuff for karaage! It was pretty fun, right?
Itsuki: Indeed.
Rokuta: ... ah.
Itsuki: Is something the matter? Is there something we forgot to pick up?
Rokuta: Nuh-uh. It's just that VISTY are over there.
Itsuki: VISTY?
Rokuta: Look, sitting in the window of that family restaurant over there. That's them, right?
Itsuki: ...!
Rokuta: But who's that guy in the suit that they're with? What're they talking about?
Itsuki: ...!!
Rokuta: ...? What's up, Itsuki-nii? You've got a really scary expression...
Itsuki: Do you not remember him?
Rokuta: Huh?
Itsuki: That man was present at the facility.
Rokuta: ...! When you say facility, do you mean...?
Itsuki: The one we were at-- the Alter Trigger company's facility.
Rokuta: ... ... I... don't recognize him at all.
Itsuki: [sigh] It's not your fault. That man was not among the usual staff. He would visit the facility only on occasion to receive updates on the experiments that were done to us. It is likely that he was someone further up the chain of command.
Rokuta: But the Alter Trigger company has already been dissolved, hasn't it?
Itsuki: Yes. But even so, a company of that size doesn't simply vanish overnight.
Rokuta: Then that guy is still...?
Itsuki: We can't discount the possibility. But regardless, we need to ascertain what that man wants with VISTY.
Rokuta: ... yeah!

[sfx: family restaraunt chatter]
Man: So with that said, esteemed gentlemen of VISTY, I think you will find that there is no downside whatsoever for you in the proposal that I have laid out.
Shogo: I suppose. But even so, I don't think we want to make such a big decisions so qui--
Man: Seeing you make the decision to part with a major established talent industry and blaze a new trail under your own power... we at Ginsekai were deeply moved by your display of independent spirit. As our company begins making headway into entertainment industry business ventures, we can think of no better group than you who could serve as a figurehead of our image than all of you fine gentlemen.
VISTY: ...
Man: Of course, we do not expect to receive a response on such short notice. Please take your time to consider our offer.
Shogo: ... yes, we will.
Man: Well, then. With that, I will take my leave; please excuse me. [standing up] With the backing and promotion that Ginsekai can offer, I have no doubt that VISTY would be able to hone your skills and become top idols at the forefront of the phantom live scene.
VISTY: ...
Man: Ah, and one more thing. Once, there was someone who suddenly betrayed his companions, with whom he had shared both joy and sorrow. Am I correct in assuming that you would like to get revenge on someone who did something like that?
VISTY: ...!
Man: Haha. Well, with that, I anticipate the results of your consideration.
[sfx: footsteps, automatic door opening]
Restaurant Hostess: Thank you very much!
Toma: So, Sho-chin? What're you thinking?
Shogo: What do you mean?
Aoi: It feels like it came a bit too out of nowhere, didn't it?
Kantaro: [phone tapping] Ah, here it is. I found Ginsekai's homepage. Looks pretty legit to me.
Toma: Sure does.
Aoi: Looks like their main business is pharmeceutical development; that checks out with what he was saying.
Shogo: Now that you mention it, I've heard rumors lately-- that a group from a completely different field has been starting to branch out into the entertainment industry for some reason.
Toma: So this must be the group in question, huh?
Kantaro: So then wouldn't that mean we could be like, the face of that company?
Toma: For real...?
Aoi: That's like... a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, isn't it?
Shogo: Yeah.
VISTY: ...

[flash forward]

Kei: ... I see. You were unable to convince them, then?
Itsuki: ... I apologize. I lost my composure and made a mistake in how I chose to approach the situation. The fact that they were unable to understand was due to my error.
Rokuta: It's not your fault, Itsuki-nii! When we talked to them, I realized that I had done something really awful to the members of VISTY.
Kei: Rokuta...
Rokuta: He told me. Kantaro did, I mean.

[flash back]
Kantaro: Hah?! The hell is that supposed to mean!?
Aoi: Hold on, Kantaro! You need to calm down.
Kantaro: No way! Are you listening to this nonsense? "Oh, the people from Ginsekai are planning to use you in illegal experiments!". What kind of tinfoil-hat conspiracy theory is that?
Itsuki: It is not a conspiracy theory. Though I am not at liberty to disclose it, there is plenty of evidence to support my claim.
Kantaro: "Evidence"? What evidence!?
Itsuki: That we... ... ... just know that there is evidence. I need you to trust me on this matter.
Kantaro: ... [deep breath] "Trust you"? ... Abso. Lutely. Not.
Toma: Reel it in, Kantaro--
Kantaro: Why should we!? Kei's stabbed us in the back before! He made such a big fuss about how he just couldn't bear to do phantom lives anymore!
Rokuta and Itsuki: ...
Kantaro: And then you know what happened? He said that and he just threw us away, and then immediately formed a new team with the two of you and jumped right into the Paradox Live! And shining so much brighter than before-- what were we supposed to take away from that!?
Rokuta and Itsuki: ...
Kantaro: And now you come waltzing right back into tell us, "oh, don't get involved with Ginsekai, they're sooo dangerous"!? You come in and start slinging mud at them just because they had the audacity to recognize us and offer to support us! Why the absolute fuck should we believe a single goddamn word you say!?
VISTY: ...
Kantaro: You guys, don't just stand there silently! Say something!
Shogo: Kantaro, it's just...
Kantaro: Fine! Then I'll say it! They're not content with just taking Kei away from us, but now they're trying to take away every other opportunity we have! How much more are they going to take from us before they're satisfied!?
Everyone Else: ...!

[flash forward]

Rokuta: And when he said that, Kantaro looked so... sad.
Itsuki: Yes. ... I had already anticipated that they would not harbor positive sentiment towards us. Even so, when confronted head-on with such intense emotions, I was unable to respond in an appropriate manner. As such, nothing came of the conversation. ... no, rather than nothing coming from it, it may have instead ignited contrarian sentiment and made them even more determined to go through with it. It was an abject failure. ... Kei.
Kei: Mm.
Itsuki: What transpired between you and VISTY? We are still unaware of the details of what happened between you. All that we know is that you are reticent to discuss the matter.
Kei: I'm sorry.
Itsuki: It is not necessary to apologize. You are simply trying to be considerate of us, correct?
Kei: ...
Itsuki: I understand that you wish to distance yourself from them because of your past experiences. However--
Rokuta: Kei-chan! I'm absolutely sure that Ginsekai are trying to replace us with the members of VISTY. I don't want anyone else to ever have to go through something like that...
Kei: Rokuta...
Itsuki: It seems that no matter how we try to articulate it, we are not getting through to them.
Rokuta: So, please, Kei-chan, you've gotta protect everyone in VISTY!
Kei: ...!

Aoi and Toma: Huh?!?
Kantaro: WHAT?
Toma: 1Nm8 are coming...
Aoi: Over to our apartment!?
Shogo: Yeah, I just heard from Kei. He said he wanted to talk about what happened the other day.
Toma: No way, no way, no way...!
Aoi: I thought that conversation was already--
[sfx: Doorbell]
Toma: You've gotta be kidding!? They're already here!?
Aoi: I HAVEN'T HAD THE CHANCE TO BRACE MYSELF YET!!
Toma: Ah, my face, does it look alright?? Am I fine?
Aoi: Yeah, you're fine, you're fine, but, uh, what should we do!? What expression am I supposed to make when I see him!?
Kantaro: ... [sigh] He's just doing whatever he wants without considering anyone else's circumstances. Seems Kei's still as oblivious to the world as he ever was, huh?
Shogo: ... [sigh] Just stay calm and keep your head cool.
[sfx: door opening]
Kei: I apologize for the intrusion.
Toma: Ah! Here he comes...!
Aoi: Ah...!
Kantaro: [disgruntled sigh]
VISTY: ...
Kei: ... it has been a while.
Aoi: Uh, yeah.
Toma: It, uh, sure has... haha...
Kantaro: I mean, obviously it's been a while. We've been avoiding each other like the plague.
Kei: ... ... that was not my intention... however... perhaps you are right. Ever since we parted, I have been avoiding facing all of you directly.
VISTY: ...
Kei: I lacked the courage to face you. I betrayed all of you. That fact remains unchanged. Even if I tried to say something now, it would be nothing more than an excuse. As such, I felt it was better to say nothing at all. I felt that my... that our feelings would better be conveyed through 1Nm8's music.
Shogo: Kei...
Kei: But I was wrong to believe that. There are times where you have no choice but to express yourself directly. If absolutely nothing else, I had the obligation to explain it properly to you back then-- why I left VISTY, and why I chose to cease doing phantom lives.
Kantaro: Then why--!?
Kei: -- but I couldn't bring myself to say it, no matter how hard I tried.
VISTY: ...
Kei: And so I came here today to tell you. I do not think that this will be my absolution. I do not even expect you to forgive me. But I hope that by listening to me here, you will understand why Itsuki and Rokuta -- who have come with me -- did why they did the other day, and the danger that Ginsekai pose to you.
Itsuki: I regret my actions the other day. I was unable to remain calm and cognizant of your feelings. And for that, I apologize.
Rokuta: It's totally natural that everyone was gonna be mad at us. But I didn't know anything about it. I didn't do anything. I'm so sorry.
VISTY: ...
Kantaro: ... hmph. What good does that do us now?
Shogo: Ah... why don't we all have a seat?