Once again, Mio's gaze flits from the stage to Chaosbringer's face. She stares him down for a long moment, trying to find something in his expression. Whatever it is and whether she finds it isn't clear and after a moment, her eyes return to the stage.

Little Mio beaming like the sun, fingers dancing over the keys. Music that sounds like magic.

Mio blinks. Once, twice. A little too quickly. And then breaking free from her lashes, a stream of tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

"... I really want to go back. I don't need a stage. I don't need to win anything or be the best, I just... I don't want to dance anymore. I don't want to sing anymore. If people get mad, I want to let them be mad. And if they make it my problem–"

She surges to her feet, fists scrunched into her skirt at her sides. Her hands are shaking.

"I want to let them hate me– and I want to tell them shut up! Screw you! If you couldn't handle it without putting it all on my shoulders then why'd you even try in the first place?! Eat shit and die about it!"

She starts, like she's hearing her own words for the first time – like it's the first time she's ever let herself say them or even think them in as much clarity.

Mio takes a deep breath and then turns to look down at Chaosbringer. Her eyes are still overbright with tears but now they're clear. Awake.

"... is that... really okay?"