After dropping out of school, I chose to join a girls' band.

However, these raindrops were not water droplets, but countless abandoned puppets, falling from the sky and piling up on the stage, forming small mountains.

Doloris stared at the mountain of puppets piled up on the stage, her eyes trembling slightly: "These are all... abandoned puppets?"

“You say I’m a doll? No… I’m clearly alive, just like you.” Dolores seemed unable to accept this fact and said hysterically.

Oblivionis glanced at the crescent moon outside the window and said slowly, "That's because tonight's moon is special. Welcome to Loft Moon."

“Tonight’s moonlight has given our bodies temporary life.” Solitudinis reached out and picked up a discarded doll from the ground, placing it under the moonlight.

“Tonight’s moonlight has given our bodies temporary life.” Solitudinis reached out and picked up a discarded doll from the ground, placing it under the moonlight. Before long, the doll, bathed in moonlight, began to run around on the stage, as if it had truly come to life and become human.

Climax Stage: Chapter Fifteen - Ave_Mujica (Part 2)

“How could this be… Unbelievable.” Dolores’ pupils trembled, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Oblivionis walked up to Dolores, looked her straight in the eye, and asked coldly, "Do you remember your name?"

Doloris fell silent. She tried hard to recall, but found she couldn't remember the name that had once been so familiar. Only a long silence followed.

Timoris crossed his arms and said coldly, "It seems your master hasn't called your name in a long time."

Oblivionis continued, "I suggest you don't force yourself to remember, otherwise you'll definitely want to curse the other person to death."

Doloris shook his head, trying to refute, "How could I!"

"That's hard to say," Timoris shook his head slightly, denying Dolores's words.

Doloris's eyes were filled with struggle and pain as she tried to recall the past, attempting to prove that she was still loved: "She loved me so much!"

Solitudinis's voice was like a sharp blade, piercing Dolores's heart: "But you have already been abandoned since you came here." Her words revealed the truth that Dolores feared most deep in her heart.

Oblivionis stepped to the front of the stage, the moonlight shining on her. Her eyes, like cold blades, stared directly at Dolores, as if trying to rip open her soul: "Do you know what death means to a doll?"

Doloris bit her lip, her eyes darting away, and gave her answer in a trembling voice: "Abandoned...?"

Amoris chuckled and interjected, "Burning at the stake~~"

“That’s a witch,” Timoris retorted coldly.

Mortis, who had been sitting obediently in the chair as if she hadn't drawn life from the moonlight and remained a doll, quietly spoke: "Unable to receive love..."

Solitudinis nodded slightly, giving an answer befitting her name: "Alone."

Oblivionis looked at them, a hint of approval in her eyes: "Indeed, these are all reasons." She took a step forward, raised her arms, crossed her hands in front of her chest, and gave her own answer: "But, the saddest death... is oblivion."

Oblivionis continued, "To forget your name, to forget your existence, to forget the love and warmth you once gave me... this is the most tragic end for a doll."

Her words were like a chilling wind, striking Doloris's heart. Doloris's body trembled slightly, her eyes filled with fear.

Doloris unconsciously took a step back, her face filled with confusion and fear: "I... I've forgotten my name. Am I dead? Is this... our cemetery?"

Oblivionis gently shook his head: "No... I told you, under tonight's moon, we have gained temporary life."

She slowly raised her hands, pointing to the audience below, her tone carrying a mysterious solemnity: "That is, resurrection; this is the time to restore power."

As Oblivionis spoke, the walls behind him began to crumble with a roar, and the moonlight, no longer limited to shining in through the windows, pierced through the ruins and bathed the entire stage.

Moonlight streamed over the ruins, illuminating the small hill of discarded dolls. The dolls stood up, their long-unused joints creaking and clicking.

Doloris's eyes widened as she watched the dolls, awakened by the moonlight, stand up one by one, as if welcoming new life. Her heart was filled with complex emotions: surprise, fear, and a glimmer of hope.

“Then… offer your blessings to the new friend.” Mortis stood up from her chair and took the instrument from the dolls, who surrounded her as if it were a grand ceremony.

Surrounded by dolls, Oblivionis slowly said, "Come, under this Loft Moon, before the masquerade ball begins, I will bestow upon you temporary titles."

“Mortis!” Oblivionis pointed at Wakaba Mutsu.

"I am not afraid of death," Mortis said expressionlessly.

“Timoris!” Oblivionis pointed to the other side.

Timoris stepped forward, took the bass from the doll beside him, held it firmly in his hand, and whispered, "I am not afraid of terror."

“Amoris!” Oblivionis continued, pointing to the next person.

Amoris chuckled softly, a hint of mischief in her signature smile. She sat behind the drum stand, her hands lightly striking the drumheads, her voice laced with a provocative tone: "I am fearless in the face of love!"

“Solitudinis!” Oblivionis’s finger turned toward the figure at the end of the long table.

Solitudinis slowly raised her head, a faint sadness in her deep eyes, her voice low and lonely: "I am not afraid of loneliness."

“Oblivionis!”

Oblivionis lifted the sides of her skirt with both hands and curtsied to the audience: "I am not afraid to forget."

Finally, her finger turned to Dolores, and all the lights and cameras focused on Dolores's face, her eyes revealing a hint of confusion and sadness. She took a deep breath, picked up her guitar, and slowly said, "I am not afraid of sadness."

As the audience watched Dolores' face on the screen, many female fans screamed excitedly, their voices rising and falling.

Their eyes were fixed on the mysterious singer, their gazes sparkling with admiration and excitement.

The puppets were given a temporary name, and the band's name—Ave Mujica—was projected onto the large screen behind them. This name, like a bolt of lightning, instantly ignited the audience's enthusiasm.

Oblivionis's fingers danced across the black and white keys, and melodious, mysterious notes echoed in the air. Then, the sounds of guitar, bass, and drums gradually joined in, and the band's melody surged into the audience like a tide.

"Welcome to the world of Ave Mujica!" Dolores's voice pierced the silence of the night like a sharp sword, instantly energizing the entire band.

Climax Stage: Chapter Sixteen - The Household Affairs of Oblivionis

"Oh my god! We're trending on social media!" Miao Meng happily browsed the trending topics on her phone. The first topic was the start of the Bang Dream competition, and the second was their band Ave Mujica.

Her voice was filled with excitement and pride, and the atmosphere in the lounge became even more enthusiastic because of the good news.

"Thank you all for your hard work!" Peach came over carrying several bottles of water and distributed them to everyone. A smile of satisfaction graced her face as each person received a bottle from her and expressed their gratitude.

When she walked up to Mutsuka, Mutsuka was closing her eyes and nodding her head repeatedly, clearly exhausted.

Peach gently patted her shoulder: "Especially Xiao Mu~"

Mu barely opened her eyes, looked at Taozi, somewhat confused, but mostly grateful.

Momo handed her a bottle of water, then let Mutsu lean on her shoulder: "Mutsu did a really good job today. Ms. Sakura just said that waiting for Mutsu's decision was a wise move."

"...Is that so?" Mu lowered her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

"The car is ready, we can almost go." Sakura Sakura pushed open the door to the lounge, her voice steady and strong.

"Where's Xiangzi?" Chu Hua looked around but didn't find the blue-haired girl in the lounge. Her tone was a little puzzled.

“Xiangzi…” Ms. Sakura recalled for a moment after hearing this, and then explained, “She just changed her clothes and said that she was going home today and wouldn’t be staying at the apartment.”

"Huh? I wanted to take a picture." Miao Meng looked disappointed when she heard that Xiangzi had left. She pouted and looked a little dejected.

Peach smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, Meow Dream. We'll have plenty of opportunities to take photos in the future."

------------

Xiangzi stood in front of his "home," a place that looked extremely dilapidated. The wooden door frame was cracked, and the peeling paint revealed the dull gray wood beneath.

The windows were covered in dust, making it almost impossible to see inside.

Several roof tiles have fallen off, leaving gaps that make one worry about when it will leak.

The steps in front of the door were covered with fallen leaves and dust, probably because no one had taken care of it since I left.

She took a deep breath, her heart filled with complex emotions, a mixture of memories of the past and uncertainty about the future.

Her hand gently touched the doorknob, feeling its rough texture, and her fingertips trembled involuntarily.

She closed her eyes, and after mentally preparing herself, she finally reached out again, inserted the key into the lock, turned the handle, and with a "click," the door slowly opened, revealing the dimly lit interior.

Xiangzi pushed open the door, only to be greeted by complete darkness. Despite it being night, the room was dark, with only the faint static on the television screen emitting a hissing noise. Her foot had barely stepped inside when the wooden door bumped against a soda can behind it, making a crisp metallic clanging sound.

The air inside was thick with the smell of alcohol and had a musty, rotten odor, as if the room hadn't been ventilated in a long time.

A foul odor filled her nostrils, and she frowned, trying to get used to the nauseating smell.

Her gaze swept across the room, and by the dim light of the television, she saw bottles and cans scattered on the floor, and piles of old newspapers and miscellaneous items in the corner; the place had become a garbage dump.

She slowly walked into the "living room," each step making a slight creaking sound, as if the floor was bearing her weight.

Xiangzi stood in the center of the room, looking at the middle-aged man lying on the tatami mat in front of him, who reeked of alcohol, with disgust in his eyes.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger and disappointment, and said coldly, "Damn it... Dad, I'm back."

The middle-aged man had a sallow complexion, an unshaven beard, and wore a wrinkled old shirt. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat.

He had his eyes closed and was unresponsive. Several empty bottles and cigarette butts were scattered on the ground, and there were mottled stains on the tatami mat, probably from instant noodles or alcohol spilled on it.

Xiangzi walked to his side, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out and patted his shoulder, trying to wake him up.

The middle-aged man moved slightly and mumbled something incoherently, but still showed no signs of waking up.

Xiangzi gritted his teeth, a hint of helplessness and heartache flashing in his eyes, but more than that, an undisguised disgust.

"Damn old man!" Xiangzi increased the pressure on his hands, and finally the other person reacted and slowly opened his eyes.

The middle-aged man's eyes were unfocused, half-open as he looked at Xiangzi, his gaze filled with confusion and weariness.

He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and raspy: "Xiangzi...it's you..." He tried to sit up, but his body slumped back down as if he had no bones.

"How was the performance? Did your family give you any trouble?" After struggling for a while, he finally lay down on the ground.

Unlike him, who had already been abandoned by the Toyokawa family, Xiangzi was actually still favored by the main family. It was just that Xiangzi chose him, which led to him being implicated.

He felt guilty about this, believing he had let his daughter down, but he lacked the resolve to make changes and could only drown his sorrows in alcohol, numbing himself with its effects.

Xiangzi had told him many times to make a change, but every time he was determined to change, his fighting spirit would completely dissipate after he was exposed to alcohol.

"Dad, are you really not going to go back to what you want to do?" Xiangzi said softly, her tone carrying a complex emotion.

Hearing this, Xiang's father shook his head, his wrinkles deepening. "I'm already so old. It's good enough for me to support myself by doing odd jobs. Xiangzi, now that you have a place to sign with, you don't really need to come back to see me anymore. After all, you're a public figure now, and it wouldn't be good if someone took a picture of you."

"Tsk..." Xiangzi was furious when he heard his father's unmotivated words.

She took a deep breath, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes, but in the end she just said softly, "Whatever, I'm leaving now. I have rehearsal tomorrow."

After saying that, Xiangzi stood up and wanted to leave.

"Xiang..." Xiang's father looked at his daughter's back, the words stuck in his throat.

"I wish you happiness, you bastard old man." Xiangzi left these words at the door, looking back at the room.

The door slammed shut behind them, completely separating the two. Inside, Xiang's father stared at the closed door, his eyes filled with guilt. Outside, Xiangzi stood in the dark night, took a deep breath, and walked toward the tram station.