>>92859514Scene: Six Months Later - Private Call Between Mumei and Fauna
The screen lights up, showing Fauna in a dimly lit room. Her once-green eyes now seem dull, burdened by the weight of her choices. Mumei appears on the other side, her face illuminated only by the soft glow of her monitor. Her voice cracks as she starts the call.
Mumei:
“I thought you’d block me. Or, I don’t know, pretend I don’t exist anymore. It’s been months, Fauna…”
Fauna:
[looking away, avoiding eye contact]
“I should’ve. But I didn’t.”
A tense silence fills the air, broken only by the faint hum of background noise. Mumei clutches her blanket tightly, trying to steady her trembling hands.
Mumei:
“You could’ve told me you were struggling. Really told me. Not that ‘I’m carrying this branch’ speech in front of everyone. Not… that.”
Fauna:
[chuckles bitterly]
“What would it have changed? You, Kronii, Bae—all of you were so wrapped up in the whole ‘family’ thing. You wouldn’t have understood. You still don’t.”
Mumei:
[voice rising, hurt etched across her face]
“Then make me understand, Fauna! I—”
[she falters, her voice cracking]
“I waited for you. I stayed up, hoping you’d call, that you’d say something. Anything. But all I got was silence. And then your debut with VShojo… I watched it. You looked so… happy. So free.”
Fauna:
[whispering]
“It wasn’t real.”
Mumei freezes. The weight of those words hangs heavily between them.
Mumei:
“What do you mean?”
Fauna:
[sighs, leaning back in her chair, a rare crack of vulnerability breaking through]
“The numbers, the freedom… it’s all hollow without you. Without any of you.”
[she clenches her fists, frustration bubbling to the surface]
“I thought I’d feel alive, Mumei. I thought I’d finally feel like I belonged. But all I’ve felt since I left is emptiness. I’m surrounded by people who treat this like a job—and yeah, I’m making money now—but I’ve lost everything that ever mattered to me.”
Mumei’s eyes glisten with tears, but she doesn’t let them fall.
Mumei:
“Then why did you leave us? Why did you leave me?”
Fauna:
[her voice softens, regret lacing every word]
“Because I was scared. I was so scared of failing. I didn’t know how to tell you I was drowning in the ‘wholesome’ persona. I didn’t know how to admit that I couldn’t live up to the person you all saw me as. It was easier to run.”
Mumei:
[reaching out instinctively, as if to touch Fauna through the screen]
“We never wanted you to be perfect. I never wanted that. I just wanted you.”
Fauna’s breath hitches, and for the first time in months, she lets herself feel the ache in her chest. The words she’s been too afraid to say tumble out.
Fauna:
“I loved you, Mumei. Maybe that’s why it hurt so much to stay. Because every time I looked at you, I saw everything I thought I couldn’t have. You were so bright, so full of hope. And I was just… me. Bitter. Broken.”
Mumei’s tears fall freely now, but she doesn’t wipe them away.
Mumei:
[whispering]
“You still could’ve told me. I would’ve stayed by your side, no matter what. Even if you weren’t perfect. Even if you were bitter and broken.”
Fauna:
[voice trembling, barely audible]
“And now? Would you still stay?”
Mumei hesitates, the weight of the question crushing her. But then, she takes a deep breath and speaks with a quiet determination.
Mumei:
“I don’t know. You left me, Fauna. You left all of us. And no matter how much I want to reach through this screen and hold you, I can’t just pretend that didn’t happen. I can’t just forget the hurt.”
Fauna’s shoulders slump, and she nods, as if expecting this answer. But before she can reply, Mumei adds:
Mumei:
“But… I can’t stop loving you either. And maybe that’s why it hurts so much.”
The call ends with both of them sitting in silence, staring at the empty void where the other’s face used to be. Two hearts tethered by love, yet separated by the choices that tore them apart.
