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#to hate themself to keep back the world flooding them when they feel at risk by doing it first
ziracona · 1 year
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The Darkness really is the best song in the show.
#not musically. like as far as sheer Song goes it’s probably It Was A Shit Show or something but for like. emotion and rarity? I’ve never#ever seen someone confront that really ugly side to mental illness and it’s done so well. like yeah. it can become your identity to be ill#and you can fear losing it and it becomes a parasitic relationship that’s killing you and that’s not good and it’s hard to talk about —#almost impossible. because like. you /know/ how bad ‘what if without this I’m not interesting anymore and people have no reason to worry so#they have no reason to care about me’ is as a statement like that’s fucked up to think and feel. but it’s also not malicious or really you#it’s a part of being sick and people who haven’t been don’t understand it which makes it scary to try to confront and best because it makes#you sound so horrible—it makes you sound horrible to /yourself/ and that makes it hard even for you to confront it alone because you have to#admit it to kill it. I got so sick when I was dying of an ED and my brain got so fucked I began to believe with intense primal terror that#it had become so much of my identity nobody would care about me without it. which makes no sense but to a dying addicted head it did. and#I’ve never seen someone confront and discuss that ugliness so openly or so sympathetically at the same time. the line ‘for so many years ive#used the Darkness to feel. But now there are things in my life that are actually real. I’ve got to make a choice darling don’t ask me why.#But will I have the strength? to tell the darkness…goodbye…’ I cry.#it applies to a lot under that. to trauma associated with social neurodivergence where you learn to fear feeling happy as a kid because you#get loud or too much or things you don’t understand enough to not do them so the only way to be safe from repercussions is to not /be/ happy#in the first place. it applies to having clinical depression you’ve survived alone since childhood and your way of making it through life is#so intrinsically tied to coping with depression you have no idea what you’d be without it. it’s learned self-hatred of a cluster B needing#to hate themself to keep back the world flooding them when they feel at risk by doing it first#and it’s not pretty and it’s not easy but it is so fucking important people admit this is such a fucking common thing with serious mental#illness. how are we to get through self hatred and hopelessness and despair if we can’t even see the things we think are too bad to face are#as common a symptom as cutting? and just as curable and forgivable and not representative of who we are#god I love that song#crazy ex-girlfriend
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curewhimsy · 3 years
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Symphony Saga Resonate Outline So Far
This outline has gotten so long... by the way, chapters 1-4 have been written and are on AO3.
—————
Each Arc is 25 chapters.
ARC 1
Chapter 1
(Brief cold opening where the big underlying plot is vaguely explained...)
(Monochrome is trying to ban music.)
(Queen Rainbow is recruiting people to form a magical music group.)
(Motivational message that we all have stories, we all matter, and can all reach our dreams...)
(Brief run-down of Haku’s life, and her grandmother’s recent death.)
(“Haku’s grandmother was the most magical person she knew.”)
(Snowbell was a gift from Haku’s grandmother.)
Lonely Haku had lost 3 important people...
Her brother Dell, her friend Miku, and now her grandmother...
Chapter 2
November 29...
Haku and Neru are two misunderstood, troubled, 16-year-old students who meet at lunch and break period. They both have autism and are ostracized for it. Haku shows Neru her stuffed kitten Snowbell, and they bond and talk about nice things.
There was pizza for lunch, but it ran out because the bullies pushed Haku and Neru to the end of the line. Haku and Neru had to eat nasty asparagus
coleslaw casserole instead. The day isn’t looking too good for them... but at least they met each other.
Haku is happy to have met a new friend.
Chapter 3
Everyone starts talking about Haku and Neru and teasing them.
Bullies start sticking Neru with needles during her walk to gym class.
In gym class, Neru can’t walk far because the lunch upset her stomach. During the 5-mile marathon outside that the boot camp teacher made the class do, Neru lags behind in the rain.
The rain turns into a thunderstorm while Neru is outside. The entire school loses electricity during this time. Meanwhile, Haku has a breakdown in math class because the rain reminds her of her grandmother’s recent death, and has to go to the counselor’s office alone in the dark. And the school is big and even scarier in the dark. Haku then trips and falls down the stairs.
Neru ends her school day in the nurse’s office, and getting painful rubbing alcohol being put in where bullies sticked her with needles. The counselor’s office is nearby, and they see each other there.
Haku and Neru have both had a horrible day. But finally, they can see each other again.
Chapter 4
Haku and Neru meet again after school, and decide to run away together. Haku’s mother is always late home from work, and Haku’s dad is nowhere to be found. Haku’s mother is very neglectful and Haku is convinced her mother wouldn’t miss her. Meanwhile, Neru is an orphan and lives with her mean grandmother.
Haku and Neru pack away their important things and run away to the mall where they find a secret room with a magical mirror. They get sucked through, and end up being transported to the magical world of Whimsica, in the town of Speckle Town!
After stepping through the mirror, Haku’s plush cat Snowbell comes to life.
They are sent out through a portal mirror that is in the magical world. This mirror is a one-way portal, meaning they cannot go back through it to get back to Earth.
The mirror is located in a wooded area in Speckle Town.
“Where am I?” They both ask each other.
Snowbell, who is now alive, jumps from Haku’s arms and begins to wander off.
Alarmed, Haku and Neru follow after Snowbell, and notice a very magical feel about the woods. They eventually make their way out of the forest and into Teto’s magical bakery, which is connected to the Cozy House.
Luka is there too.
Chapter 5
(Magical and whimsical food is at the bakery)
(Rhyming parts to introduce characters?)
(Mako and Luna)
(Yowa)
(Sora)
(Emi, Nova, Roy)
(Ian)
(Muffin and Merengue)
(Happy and Banana)
(Slumber the owl)
(Add more details)
(Music themes)
(Haku and Neru learn about Monochrome from chatting with the cafe guests and with Teto and Luka...)
(Introduce Luka’s pet, Tako Luka)
Chapter 6
(Haku and Neru move to an empty housing space in the Cozy Building, which is a large apartment complex that also has things like stores, restaurants, movie theater, auditorium, recreation center with a park, swimming pool and wildlife reserve, and clinic. Some of the others who live there are Ame and her parents and cat, Joy and her parents, Teto and her parents, Luka and Tako Luka, Ruko, Momo, and the Kagamine family. There is additionally a portion of the building that is said to be haunted...)
Chapter 7
November 30.
Haku and Neru attend their first day of the wacky, 300-floor Adventure Academy.
Haku and Neru have two classes out of six where they are together. (Gym and piano.)
Snowbell also gets to go to school with Haku.
In one class where she is without Neru, swimming class, Haku meets friends named Ame and Joy. Snowbell makes friends with a small talking lioness cub named Buttersotch.
Neru hangs out with Luka a lot. She also meets a friend named Emi in snowboarding class in the snow-cone hills.
Teto hangs out with her childhood friend Momo and tells her about the new students while they are in first-period baking class.
At lunch, everyone meets together. The lunch food is cooked in a volcano.
Chapter 8
During lunch, a villain attacks. However, they don’t show their face.
The villain targets Ame. Even though Ame seems cheerful, she has low self-esteem.
The villain creates a gloomy rain monster to possess Ame, who is compatible with the monster because she has sadness in her heart. (Also, Ame’s name can mean both “candy” and also “rain.”)
When Ame is possessed with the monster, she suddenly becomes really sad and cries, and begins to cause blind destruction out of frustration.
“Ame? Why are you doing this?” Neru asks her.
Ame’s puffy pigtails become swollen rain clouds and heavy rain begins to fall from them.
Storm clouds begin to fill the school, flooding it.
Haku and Neru run away scared. They ask Teto what’s going on. Teto looks back to the one time her hair became real tornadoes, because she was possessed by a monster herself!
“Ame is possessed by a monster!?” Neru reacts. “How did that happen!?”
“It must be those Monochrome goons attacking our school again! I’m sure of it!” Teto says.
All of a sudden, a harsh gust of wind blows Teto away. Haku and Neru are alone.
Two magical, colorful anthropomorphic cats named Sparkle and Twinkle show up and tell Haku and Neru more.
“Don’t be scared of Ame.” Sparkle says. “She needs you to save her. A monster has ahold of her body and is making her rampage.”
“That’s right.” Twinkle says. “This isn’t her fault. The villains used their monster to posses her. That’s not the real Ame! In order to defeat the monster, you must separate it from Ame.”
“How can we do that?” Haku asks.
“You have to give the real Ame strength.” Sparkle says. “Talk to her. Make sure she listens.”
Haku and Neru agree.
Ame is hiding in a sad painting. Haku and Neru tru to coax her out, but she keeps firing mini tornadoes at them from inside the painting, while telling about how much she hates herself.
“Ame...” Haku says to her. “I haven’t known you for long but... I know how you feel. Okay? I know sometimes it’s hard to believe in yourself. But... I believe in you. So does Neru. I understand you. I don’t have many friends either but... let me be your friend, okay?”
“And me too!” Neru says. “I know what it’s like to be lonely. I know what it’s like to have doubt. But nobody deserves to feel like that. And if you need someone, I’ll be here. So please...”
“Let me help you.”
Chapter 9
Ame turns around and looks at Haku and Neru. Suddenly she smiles, the painting becomes happier, and the monster is out...
But now Haku and Neru have to fight it!
Suddenly, they both transform into magical girls.
“Just in time! By cheering up Ame, you two fulfilled yourselves!” The cats say. They explain that In Whimsica, magical transformations are unlocked when the user “fulfills” themself, symbolizing that they’ve overcome a difficult hurdle, accomplished a wonderful goal, or opened the door to their true self.
By cheering up Ame, Haku and Neru had also told important words of encouragement to themselves.
Now that they have magical powers, Sparkle and Twinkle guide them.
The monster is strong and they get hurt. Ame doesn’t have strong magic, but she jumps in and risks everything to help her friends.
This is when a transformation happens to Ame. She fulfills herself too, because she summoned bravery and confidence during a crucial moment!
The magic of Ame’s transformation ended up healing Haku and Neru. All three of them join their powers, and they are able to defeat the monster together with a magical song!
After the battle, they look for Sparkle and Twinkle to thank them, but the mysterious cats are gone...
Meanwhile, Sparkle and Twinkle have fled off to tell Queen Rainbow that they have found pure-hearted heroes that could surely help defend Whimsica from  Monchrome. They are discussing Haku, Neru, and possibly Ame being members of the group they are forming...
Chapter 10
Neru and Haku’s final period is music class, where they are with Snowbell, Luka, Teto, Momo, Joy, Ame, Emi, Butterscotch, and a lot of other significant characters.
Class lets out late. They miss the school bus and they have to ride the Tragic School Bus to a land called Eeby Deeby...
(Marko and Hirao)
(A surreal rhyming dream part?)
Chapter 11
After the Tragic School Bus ordeal, Haku and Neru are back in their room and talk about the day and stuff. Suddenly, Luka joins them. And Ame too, and she thanks them.
Chapter 12
December 1...
In one of Neru’s classes, magic class, she notices a person who is quiet and seemingly standoffish. Apparently his name is Wallace.
Wallace is quite tall, doesn’t talk much, nor does he show much expression. He is always working on something secret under his desk, and he’s very good at hiding it. Everyone spreads rumors that Wallace is doing something “bad.”
Neru doesn’t believe the rumors and senses that Wallace is misunderstood. She wants to confirm that he is a good person, so she sticks around after class. Neru doesn’t mean to be eavesdropping, but when Wallace thinks nobody is around, Neru catches sight of what he creates. He makes small stuffed toys. Neru thinks it’s nice that he has a hobby he’s so passionate about, but she sees something else unexpected. Wallace passes by a drop-off donation box for children who cannot afford holiday gifts and drops the toys he made in it.
Neru comes out to talk to Wallace then. He has a startled and flustered reaction.
“Ah! Please tell me y-you didn’t see anything... I mean... um... I wasn’t doing anything... okay? You saw NOTHING?”
“Huh?” Neru asks. “I don’t get it. You’re doing something so nice, but... you don’t want people to know or see?”
“Ah... well... it’s....” Wallace turns red. “It’s... embarrassing.”
“...Why?” Neru says.
“Well...” Wallace says. “The toys I make... they aren’t very good... I guess... not yet, anyway...”
“But... I don’t think that matters at all.” Neru says. “I’m sure the kid who receives your gift that you put so much heart and care into will be overjoyed when they see it.”
Neru looks in the donation box, even though Wallace tries to stop her.
“Aw, they’re not bad at all.” She says, seeing what he made
“Ah, well... my father... used to make stuffed toys.” Wallace says. “They were much better than mine. He passed away a few years back. Lately I’ve been feeling down, so my uncle told me I could use the skills I learned from him to make people happy... and well...”
“Well... does it feel nice though?” Neru asks. “Knowing you’re making people happy?”
Wallace’s face lights up with an unexpected smile.
“Yeah!” He says.
“That’s great.” Neru says. “Well, I’m Neru. And well, I already know your name. Wallace, right?”
“Yeah, but... um... I’d like to be called Wally, please...” Wallace says. “That’s what I’d want my friends to call me.”
“Oh. All right then, Wally.” Neru says.
However, two ridiculous villains (Maddie and Sadie, the mad and sad clowns) show up and try to destroy Wallace’s things he worked so hard on.
Stelle, Lunette, and Celestine show up. They give Haku and Neru advice and tell them a message from Queen Rainbow, the Queen of Whimsica...
Apparently, Haku and Neru have been recruited into a group that fights for justice all around Whimsica. All they have to do to participate is to continue to be true to themselves and to continue to use their magic, determination, and kindness, to settle problems.
Maddie and Sadie reveal they attacked because they hate people’s happiness. They think “If we can’t be happy, nobody should be.” Haku and Neru tell them that just because their feelings are understandable, doesn’t mean they are correct.
Haku reaches out to them and says she’s unhappy a lot, and sometimes is even jealous of people who are, but she still tries her best to spread joy. Neru joins in, saying that even though Wallace is unhappy because his dad died, he still tries to make kids smile with his toys.
After this fight, Maddie and Sadie end up reforming and becoming good. We find out that they always wanted to spread joy, but gave up because nobody laughed at them, and therefore became cynical mad and sad clowns. Haku and Neru, along with Wallace, inspired them to try again. After reforming, they join Gladys, a glad clown, and form a trio to make people laugh together.
Intermittently in the story, Haku’s backstory about her brother Dell, who she lost before her parents divorce, had been told. We also get to know of Haku’s cousin Miku, who mysteriously disappeared.
Chapter 13
They have to ride the Tragic School Bus Again... And then the Cash Cab shows up! The driver is Kiyoteru. But after that, they group goes straight to the auditorium!
That night after school, Maddie and Sadie have a fun comedy and music show to perform alongside Gladys in the Cozy House auditorium. Luka, Teto, and Momo have parts in the show as well, and Wallace is also in the show playing the saxophone!
Chapter 14
December 2
Haku and Neru get ready for school.
That day, it’s the birthday of Simone, an outgoing, popular person at school. They are a musical idol. They get to have a school-wide party that cuts through class time.
At the party, Haku catches sight of Miku, her cousin and treasured friend from childhood who mysteriously disappeared one day. She also is friends with Simone. They have an emotional reunion. Haku offhandedly comments to Miku about her lost brother Dell, but notices Miku grows a sour expression on her face at the mention of his name.
However, soon enough, things are attacked again... but the villain this time is... Haku’s long-lost brother, Dell?
Chapter 15
Dell has been notorious in the school for being evil and causing trouble for the innocent.
Miku, who also has magical girl powers, transforms and begins to fight Dell. Haku is in disbelief and is saddened watching two precious people from her childhood fight.
“Dell... this can’t be!” She cries. “I know you aren’t like this... you were so sweet to me. You can’t really be on the side of Monochrome. You just can’t!”
Dell has a completely different and mean look in his eyes than the gentle look Haku remembered from childhood.
Dell doesn’t even seem to remember Haku. He appears completely cold, and he seems sinister. Dell is creating monsters to terrorize and destroy peace, while not even seeming to bat an eyelash.
Haku is heartbroken at having to fight Dell, but Neru urges her she has to do it. Eventually after a strong attack is fired at him, Dell retreats...
Haku is left crying, deeply affected at what she just experienced.
Chapter 16
That night, Haku thinks of what she can do if Dell shows up again. Haku is a bad cook, but she stays up all night at the bakery with Teto and Snowbell, making a batch of the cookies Dell used to eat when they were still living together as children. She doesn’t give up until they taste exactly the way they did that time.
Chapter 17
December 3
Haku and friends spend a day at school and eventually help out another character. The character they help out is Lita.
Chapter 18
Dell shows up again to mess things up. Haku begins pleading to him.
Dell begins charging an attack, getting get ready to hit Haku, but Haku just stands there. Everyone watches, thinking Haku is nuts.
As a last resort, Haku starts singing to Dell. She sings to him the song Dell always sang to her when they were little.
Dell suddenly remembers Haku. Precious memories begin flooding his mind. It shows, because he grows a soft expression stops charging the attack... But all of a sudden, he shakes them off and charges at her with a punch. Miku pushes Haku out of the way and continues to fight Dell.
While fighting, Miku notices Dell isn’t fighting with full force. Miku even notices he seems like he‘s fighting back tears. Eventually, Dell retreats.
Haku is crushed once more. She realizes she forgot to give Dell the cookies she baked.
Chapter 19
That night, Haku feels down, so her friends try to cheer her up. They go to karaoke. Haku is shy but her friends coax her to sing and be confident.
Chapter 20
Meanwhile, Dell is walking down the street after a fight with his abusive dad. He hears Haku sing from the karaoke building.
Dell is affiliated with Monochrome, the planet who wants to ban music. He’s should hate music... but it makes him feel so warm and nostalgic... and painful.
Remembering the times he and Haku sung as children, Dell flees to an abandoned building down the street where nobody would enter to sing by himself. Dell sings the song he and Haku sung together as children, before becoming emotional and sobbing loudly for the first time since childhood.
Dell is letting out years upon years of pain caused by his dad. He can’t believe he ever forgot about Haku. She was really the only friend he’s ever had. As kids, they were an inseparable pair of siblings, before their parents divorced. His father brainwashed him to be evil and forget about Haku, but hearing Haku’s song that day cleansed his heart and restored his memories.
Chapter 21
December 4
The next morning at school.
Haku and Neru join a music club after the urging of Miku and Luka, and meet a lot of new friends.
Teto and Momo, however, say they are too busy with clubs already to be in music club, so they are left out. (Note, they will join in a later part of the story.)
Miku
Luka
Ame
Joy
Emi
Wally
(Rin)
(Len)
(IA)
(Yukari)
(Shun-ichi)
(Octavia)
(Sonata)
(Aria)
(Tempo)
(Lita)
(Aisha)
Chapter 22
Dell shows up again, and this time, a group is with him. Dell has a really sad and forlorn look in his eyes this time...
Haku tries to give Dell the batch of cookies she made, but Dell forces himself to harshly reject them and begins to fight Haku.
Suddenly, all targets are on Haku. Haku defeats most of the group except for Dell and the mysterious leader of his group, and is in bad shape.
The leader of Dell’s group attacks Haku. He is very powerful, and if this goes on any longer, Haku could possibly even get killed.
Dell absolutely cannot let this happen. To Haku’s surprise, Dell desperately jumps in and helps Haku fend off the attack.
“Haku...” Dell speaks to her. “It’s okay now. I’ll fend him off myself. You stay safe. I don’t want you to get hurt!”
“Dell... Dell! No! I can’t... You’ll get hurt too...” Haku begins crying.
“It’s fine.” Dell says, choking up with tears. “I deserve to get hurt. I’ve done nothing but cause people pain... I’ll take the damage for you. So run, before something happens to you!”
To Haku’s surprise, the man says something strange...
“Betrayal, huh? From my own son?”
Chapter 23
“I’m NOT your son!” Dell shouts.
Haku’s face turns white.
“You can’t deny facts.” He says. “You are my son, Dell. Also, Haku... I am your father.”
Haku is too shocked to speak for a couple seconds, but...
“No!” She shrieks. “You are not! You’re a part of Monochrome! You’re evil. You’re the one took Dell away long ago. You made him like this! You raised him and brainwashed him to be just like you! Dell... he was always very sweet to me. He was always protecting me. He’s even protecting me now! He never wanted to be a part of Monochrome! Now I will protect him from you! Begone!”
Haku hits Gin with an ultra-strong attack, and Dell joins in. Gin decides he cannot handle it, so he retreats so he can live another day.
Haku and Dell did not defeat him this time. But at least they chased him away...
Haku pretends to be optimistic after what happened, but her fake cheers quickly turns to sobs. Dell hugs Haku and tells her everything is okay. To Haku’s surprise, Dell is crying too.
Haku had never before seen Dell cry.
Chapter 24
After calming down, Dell begins to talk to Haku and Miku about how evil his and Haku’s dad is. Gin mistreated Dell. Dell always loved music and wanted to be a singer. However, whenever Dell sang, Gin punished him by using evil magic to brainwash him bit by bit to be evil just like him. Eventually, the magic closed the door to Dell’s heart, and his memories, causing him to forget about the happy things in his life, including his love of music, and his memories of Haku.
Chapter 25
December 5
Haku, Miku, Dell, and all the others spend a fun day hanging out.
Dell decides he will join the music club.
————ARC 2————
Chapter 1
(Introduce the lore and conflict as Uta/Defoko and her life/surroundings are introduced.)
Uta Utane (AKA Defoko,) 14 years old, is an artificial humanoid from a dystopian planet (Discord) where music is banned and kept a secret by the government. This planet mass-produces androids. This planet is at war with another dystopian planet (Monochrome) and they both produce androids for the purpose for fighting the war. Due to a manufacturing error, the one of the “Default female-1” (codenamed “Defoko”) androids ended up significantly more sentient. She hated the war and fighting, so she rebelled. Defoko feels very depressed and empty about her life, and hates being a machine.
Chapter 2
One fateful day, Defoko, using her advanced aerospace engineering intellect, completes a high-speed “disappearing” spacecraft she was building so that can flee from the planet unnoticed. She arrives at the magical world of Whimsica where things are better on December 6th. Defoko changes her name to Uta Utane, after some kanji she saw on the sign of a karaoke cafe around her new home.
Uta chose to name herself after kanji from the cafe, because the musical sounds coming from the building made her feel something “warm and poignant.” The night when she visited the cafe, Taya and his friend Ritsu were inside, having a session of singing karaoke. Taya was singing a solo in attempt to get over his shyness. The sound Uta fell in love with was actually Taya’s singing voice.
Uta begins living alone in a small, worn-down apartment in the Cozy House. She acquires a part-time job repairing computers to make ends meet.
Uta would describe herself as being self-aware, but lacking the ability to feel euphoria. (Think of it as a sort of depression.) She wishes she were a “real girl” so she could feel this emotion. Despite this, Uta is a very kind, considerate, wisecracking, and compassionate spirit...
On Whimsica, she is still very lonely for now.
That night, Uta sleeps and she has her first dream, because she experienced something that gave her life a meaning (music.) She hears music in her dream and it makes her happy, but when she wakes up, she cannot explain the sensations she felt.
Chapter 3
Uta enrolls herself in the local magical high school, as she is still a young teen and she wants to meet friends. It is her first time going to a proper school. Her new school is very strange. Along with human students, there is also an array of supernatural humanoids, talking animals, anthromorphs (furries,) other creatures, and even... talking objects!?
Even if that is true, Uta sadly feels she still doesn’t fit in.
On her first day at school, Uta‘s first period class is cooking class. She ends up making the confections explode, and gets a scolding and awful grade from the teacher, Miriam. She doesn’t feel like she fits in. On her way to her second-period class, Uta ends up meeting Taya Soune, her shy 15-year-old classmate.
Taya is very late to his second period class because a mean bully girl named Tei Sukone threw Taya’s monocle (also his power source) in the giant wishing well and ran off, leaving Taya having to change into his wetsuit, dive in the well and find his monocle, and then go back to the dressing room and change back into his suit and tie outfit. Uta meanwhile is wandering the chaotic hallways of the school, completely lost.
Sometimes in Adventure Academy, when class is in session and students are supposed to be in class, there is a small chance of a monster called a grungle spawning in the hallways. If a student needs to visit the bathroom or walk down the hall for any reason during a class session, a hall pass can protect students from these monsters.
A grungle ends up spawning in the hall as Uta and Taya cross paths. It’s nine feet tall and looks like a cross between a penguin, bear, and snake. And it has lots of neon spikes. Neither Taya or Uta have a hall pass on them, so it attacks them!
In Whimsica, grungles are creatures with no souls that typically do nothing but cause destruction. They are mostly made of negative emotions.
Taya may have some magic, but isn’t very good at fighting, so Uta uses her epic android powers to protect them both ad defeat the grungle. Uta has a magical machine gun type of pistol, a force field shield, and teleportation powers, and something like The Force to fling large objects with psychic power.
When grungles are defeated, they sometimes drop various kinds of items. This one drops game tickets to use in the arcade. Uta doesn’t know what they are.
Taya thanks Uta profusely for defeating the beast. He is in awe of the new student’s powers and asks where she is from. Uta is very shy, which Taya doesn’t expect since she is so good in battle. She has a quiet voice that sounds monotone and a bit artificial. Uta finally spits out that she is an android from space. Taya realizes Uta may be sensitive about this, so he vows to try and keep this secret...
Taya tells Uta his name and begins to get to know her. He is quite friendly and guides Uta on her way to her second period class, magic class, which they have together. After school, Taya says he will go to the mall with Uta and show her the arcade, and use the game tickets they acquired from the grungle.
Chapter 4
Uta’s third period is math class, which Taya isn’t in. She feels lonely again and thinks about Taya. But then, she ends up meeting two new friends named Teto and Momo, who welcome her to the school. Taya’s third period class is music class. He has this class with with Ritsu, along with Ritsu’s other good friend, Ruko. Taya tells Ritsu about the kind and cool new student named Uta, but not the fact that Uta is an android from space. Ritsu notices that Taya seems to be fond of Uta, which is great, because he notices Taya seems lonesome a lot and wants him to come out of his shell more. Ritsu then offers to help Taya become more social, by offering him friendship and introducing him to Ruko as well. Taya is overjoyed to have a closer bond with Ritsu and another friend in Ruko.
After third period class, is lunch break, and everyone meets up together. Uta introduces Taya, Ritsu, and Ruko to herself, Teto, and Momo. Neru and Haku also get introduced through Teto and Momo, along with other characters from Arc 1.
For fourth period, Uta has computer coding with Ritsu. Taya has music class with Teto and Momo, and Ruko is alone in language arts.
In fifth period, everyone (including Haku and Neru) has gym class together.
Finally, in sixth period, Uta and Taya have Whimsica Geography class together. Everyone else is together in dance class.
Uta starts opening up to Taya when she feels she can trust him. By the end of the school day, they are friends.
“I want to be a real girl.” Uta somberly tells him then. “I want to have a soul. As an android, I cannot truly feel joy.”
However, Taya believes that Uta is already a real girl, and that she has a beautiful soul. He is determined on his quest to help Uta feel true happiness.
Chapter 5
After school, everyone else is busy, and only Uta and Taya have free time. Taya takes Uta to the arcade. Uta hears all kinds of music at the arcade. Taya has never seen Uta so entranced before. Uta asks Taya why these sounds make her feel so alive. Taya tells Uta that they are more than just sounds, they have feelings and soul, and are called “music.” Uta falls in love with music. When she hears it, she becomes indescribably enthralled.
At the arcade, Taya plays a dance game and gets a pretty high score. Apparently, it’s Taya’s favorite game at the arcade and he has had a lot of practice every chance he could get. Uta is mesmerized as she watches Taya dance to the music. Uta is a bit shy to dance herself, but a spacecraft piloting game catches her attention. Uta plays the game and gets an incredibly high score, and ends up attracting a crowd of people in awe of her skills. Uta ends up getting a huge output of coins to exchange for prizes. When Uta and Taya put their coins together, they have enough to buy a brand-new karaoke machine that even comes with three karaoke albums to sing to!
Music had awoken something deep in Uta’s soul. It’s a feeling of excitement, thrill, and comfort, but also immense yearning. Uta feels she wouldn’t be truly happy unless she would be able to compose music and sing. Taya sees Uta staring longingly at the karaoke machine.
“Oh, would you like the karaoke machine?” Taya asks Uta. “If so, it can be all yours. I already have something like it. I think it would be great for you. You want to sing, don’t you? You’ll get to experience music even more!”
“Thank you.” Uta says. “But... I’m afraid I can’t.”
Uta looks incredibly forlorn.
“Why?” Taya asks softly. “What do you mean?”
Uta explains that she feels she wouldn’t be able to sing or compose music, since one needs a heart to be able to make music. Uta is convinced she doesn’t have one. Also, can a being with an artificial voice really sing?
Taya can tell how much Uta longs to create music. He hugs her gently and tells her a story. Taya thought he couldn’t sing either at first, because he was too shy. But thanks to an old friend he had, he found the courage to keep trying back then. Taya promises he will help Uta however he can as well.
Taya ends getting a bit emotional... Uta ends up getting emotional too. They end up holding up the line. Galaco, a snobby girl from school, is next in line. She rolls her eyes and says “Oh PLEASE.”
Taya ends up developing feelings for Uta. Her story and dream pulls at his heartstrings. He feels very sincerely for her.
Chapter 6
They end up buying the karaoke machine and go back to Uta’s apartment. Taya calls his parents and tell them he is at a friend’s house. Taya supports Uta with her dream and teaches her the first steps to singing. They have their first singing lesson.
Taya is a bit shy with singing in front of Uta, but he is determined to be a good vocal coach. He looks back to the exercises he did with Ritsu in attempt to get over his shyness. As Taya sings, Uta recognizes his voice as “the sound that awakened her soul” back when she first came to Whimsica, but she keeps quiet about it due to being bashful.
It takes a while, but Uta finally figures out how to match pitch. She is able to vocalize simple tunes, but still has a long ways to go...
Chapter 7
The next day before first period, Teto sees one of the non-humanoid students in the school getting bullied in the hallway. The bullies are Galaco, Mayu, and Mizki, the snobby girl clique. They are surrounding and throwing paper at poor Inuhebi, a cute, sluggish limbless creature with a snake’s body and a dog’s head.
Teto is a little apprehensive to face up to them, but knows she has to do something.
“Like, wow. Being fabulous is like, so last year.” Teto says.
“As if. Last time I checked, you weren’t exactly a notable figure.” Mizki says.
“Who needs to be? I’m so sorry you guys can’t just have fun without worrying about who’s on top.” Teto rolls her eyes.
“Shut it, clownface.” Galaco says.
“Yup, that’s me! I’m clownface!” Teto laughs. And laughs, and pulls out a horn and honks it and does a cheesy little dance.
“Ugh. Like, let’s get outta here.” Mayu says.
Teto successfully chased away the mean girls.
Teto goes up to little Inuhebi and asks if he’s okay. Inuhebi isn’t hurt, but he’s sad because he can’t move very fast, and is bullied a lot and is usually late for class.
“Hmm... how about you be my buddy? I’ll carry you on my shoulder. We’ll always be together!” Teto said. “Then you’ll never be late again, and I’ll always be there for you!”
Inuhebi is so happy that he cries tears of joy. Teto lifts him up and lets him ride on her shoulder.
It turns out that Uta, Taya, Teto, Momo, Ritsu, and Ruko all have first period together, but they just didn’t notice before. Inuhebi also has first period with everybody. Teto introduces Inuhebi to the rest of the group, and they are now a group of seven.
“Oh yeah... you were the girl who made the kitchen explode!” Ruko says to Uta, remembering the previous day. Uta is a bit embarrassed.
Momo is the best cook in the class, so she offers to teach Uta a bit how to cook on the side. Taya is very great with cooking and baking as well.
Taya, trusting the others, tells them about Uta’s dream, but is vague about the fact that she is an android from space. Everyone in the group finds that they have an interest in singing in common.
“Hey, since we all like to sing, how about we start up a music group?” Inuhebi suggests.
“Sure!” Momo replies. “That would be fun!”
“That would be great!” Ritsu says. “But what will we name it?”
Everyone begins thinkng long and hard about it...
Chapter 8
Later that day, the group of seven go to the music store together.
Afterwards, everyone goes to Uta’s house and have a karaoke party session.
Uta feels awful and dejected however when it’s her time to sing, however. Everyone else sang so amazingly, and Uta can barely carry a simple tune at this point.
“It doesn’t matter how well you sing, Uta...” Taya reassures her. “It’s about being happy and doing your best. We all want to hear you.”
Everyone cheers Uta on. She takes a deep breath and begins singing “When You Wish Upon A Star” but messes up a bit and stops the music.
“I can’t do it.” She says, her entire body shaking.
“Uta, don’t give up!” Taya says. “I’ll sing with you this time. Will that help?”
Uta nods and tries to calm down.
They take turns singing lines from the song. Uta finally is able to sing the last few on her own. Taya comes in and harmonizes with, her and Uta is amazed at how they were able to sound together.
Everyone claps for both of them. It’s a wonderful feeling Uta wants to treasure forever.
“This moment resonates with me...” Uta says.
Uta ends up practicing her singing all night that night. However, she eventually grows discouraged when she just can’t seem to control her voice as well as she did when Taya was there with her.
Chapter 9
Tei Sukone, the bully, shares first-period class with Uta and everyone else. She is usually skipping class, but this time, Tei actually shows up to first period and causes a lot of trouble.
Tei picks on Taya and Inuhebi because she considers them timid. She picks on Ritsu, because Ritsu is Taya’s friend, and has a tendency to come to people’s rescue.
In the days before, Tei noticed that Inuhebi had become friends with Taya and Ritsu.
Tei’s nasty cronies, Jern and Kild, show up to class too. They both have ugly names.
Inuhebi doesn’t know Jern and Kild, so before class, she bakes a biscuit filled with wasabi, which Inuhebi can’t stand. During class, Jern and Kild give it to Inuhebi as a “present.”
Inuhebi is trusting and bites into the biscuit, only to cough it up seconds later because of the wasabi. Tei can’t conceal her laughter, and Uta notices the scene and figures out what happened.
Uta begins to glare at Tei, who notices Uta for the first time.
“Oh wow. You’re like, so plain-looking.” Tei says to Uta. “I didn’t even notice we had a new student because of how totally plain you are, wow.”
Uta, who underestimates her own strength, takes out her laser cannon...
“Oh, what does that thing shoot? Flowers?” Tei scoffs.
Uta fires a laser at Tei’s hair and burns off part of it.
“AAAHHHH!” Tei shrieks. “THAT... That’s not a normal thing you see on Whimsica! This girl... she must be an alien robot!”
Everyone in the class begins to uproar.
Jern and Kild begin laughing maniacally (and rudely.)
“SHE’S A ROBOT!! SHE’S NOT EVEN REAL!” They screech.
“SHUT UP!” Ritsu belts above all the chaos like the madman soprano he is. “Uta is a precious friend of mine, and she was trying to defend Inuhebi! Robot or not, it doesn’t matter!”
“That’s right!” Taya yells. “Uta cares about us! She’s more real than any of you who put her down!”
Suddenly, Uta is running out of the classroom, unable to handle the stress.
“Ah, Uta! Wait!” Taya runs after her
Ritsu, Momo, Ruko and Teto follow. Teto had gotten Inuhebi as well, and put him on her shoulder.
Uta is running off, But Taya calls her back and stops her. Taya gives her a hug.
“Taya, do I belong here?” Uta asks him.
“Of course you do.” Taya says. “You belong. Everyone belongs here.“
“Tei and her nasty cronies are the ones who don’t belong.” Ritsu says.
After a while, the teacher comes out and tells the group to get back to class. The group does. Tei and her friends are now out of the classroom, because the teacher punished them and sent them to detention. However, because of the “distraction” Uta had created, the crappy teacher also orders Uta to also go to detention.
The rest of the group think this is outrageous, to they volunteer to spend time in detention with Uta.
Chapter 10
In detention with Tei, there is no teacher keeping watch. Therefore, all sorts of madness and fighting could break out.
“So. You do realize you volunteered to have detention to defend something that can’t even dream.” Tei says. Jern and Kild laugh.
“As if!” Ritsu shouts. “Uta is not a thing, and you’re the ones who can’t dream. You three DESTROY dreams. And Uta DOES have a dream! She wants to be a singer and inspire people.”
“She’s very passionate about it too!” Ruko says. Everyone else nods.
Tei bursts into laughter along with her two friends.
“A singer!? Oh, come on! Don’t make me laugh!” Kild says.
“Right? Like, how could Uta possibly sing with such an artificial, robotic voice! She doesn’t even have a soul!” Jern says.
“She’s trying her best.” Taya said. “I know Uta can do it. She’s improved so much since she’s first started.“
“Well, I think she should just give up though. I’m saying this for her own good.” Tei says. “She’s just a robot after all. Robots don’t have souls. They really don’t have what it takes to sing.”
Suddenly, a crushed feeling falls over Uta. She feels discouraged. But she tries her best to hide it.
“That’s... that’s just too far!” Teto says. “Why are you three so joyless and mean!?”
Ritsu goes up to Tei and slaps her, and Tei shoots a beam at Ritsu. Defending her, Teto grows her chimera wings and tries to cast magic on Jern and Kild.
Jern and Kild swiftly dodge the move and use wind powers to blow the desks at the other group. A full-fledged fight had broken out.
In the midst of all the madness, Uta had left the room in tears. Nobody noticed.
A teacher eventually comes in to stop the fight, and sends everyone home with a note to their parent or legal guardian that they were fighting in school.
Since Taya’s parents are strict, he gets grounded.
Chapter 11
After school, Ritsu calls Taya and tells him to sneak out while his family is supposed to be asleep, even though he is grounded. Taya is a good boy and has never done something so... rebellious before.
It takes a bit of coaxing, but Taya eventually agrees. Ritsu, Taya, and Uta make their way to the auditorium, which is empty this time of night. They turn on one spotlight, and shine it on Uta.
“There you go!” Ritsu says. “Don’t you feel like a star now, Uta? The whole stage is yours! Now sing your heart out!”
Uta takes a deep breath, about to sing... until she remembers Tei’s words. They painfully cut through her again, like a knife through butter.
“I can’t.” Uta says.
“Uta...?” Ritsu says. “Why are you saying that? You were getting so good!”
Ritsu notices Uta looking down, with a sorrowful expression.
“Is... is this because of what Tei and her stupid cronies said?”
Uta nods.
“Ritsu... Thank you... But maybe I was not meant to sing.” Uta says sadly, her voice shaking and glitching.
Ritsu grows outraged, mostly at Tei for breaking apart Uta’s self esteem... but also at Uta for letting those words get to her.
“Uta!” Ritsu begins raising his voice. “Are you really going to give up just like that!? Don’t be so weak-willed! If you are gonna give up, your dream will NEVER be reality.”
Uta begins crying and wiping her tears on her sleeve.
“Ritsu, that’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Taya says.
“It’s only the truth!” Ritsu says back. “You never know what you can do until you keep trying!”
“Ritsu, can’t you see how hurt she feels already?” Taya wraps his arms around Uta and comforts her. “I’d say give her some time to heal.”
Ritsu looks at Taya for a couple more seconds, sighs, and walks off.
Chapter 12
Taya spent a couple more hours that night trying to cheer up Uta. By the time he got back to his apartment, it was almost morning, and his parents had discovered that he had snuck out and was not in his bed. As a result, Taya becomes grounded for an extra week.
The next day Uta doesn’t give up on singing. Wanting to be alone, she runs off somewhere far away and secluded to practice singing alone.
Uta ends up in the outer reaches of Tragic Woods, a very dangerous forest that also happens to be a Dissonance. A Dissonance is like a cursed land, labyrinth, or dungeon. Monsters tend to spawn inside Dissonances, and they are very hazardous and erratic.
In Tragic Woods, there is a deathly array of dangerous plants, and even though the forest seems devoid of wildlife at first glance, there are monsters such as giant mutant bears and wolves at times. While Uta is singing, a plant temporarily paralyzes her body from the neck down, meaning she can really only move her mouth and use her voice...
It is almost nighttime. After dusk, monsters start to come out in Tragic Woods. Uta can only do one thing—Just keep singing. She sings louder and louder, hoping her voice can reach someone and that they can hear her and rescue her. The effects of plant that paralyzed Uta are temporary, and can be reversed with an injection provided at the emergency room.
Once it is noted that Uta is missing, Ritsu instantly becomes the most worried, considering he hurt her feelings the night before.
Taya is grounded, so he has to stay in his house.
Ritsu, along with a bunch of other characters, form a search party and search around town for Uta. Everyone is extremely worried.
Suddenly, Ritsu hears something as he leaves the town and is standing in the windy field. It’s Uta, singing a powerful and really sorrowful song. (-ERROR.)
It’s coming from the direction of the woods. Tragic Woods.
“Idiot... what’s she doing in Tragic Woods!?” Ritsu says under his breath. But he is extremely, painfully worried.
By the time Ritsu gets there, Uta is in bad shape, as her voice is almost wearing  out, she is freezing cold, and the sun almost is below the horizon.
Uta is rushed to the emergency room where she is administered a dose of the injection for her paralysis.
Ritsu gets a chance to apologize to Uta. He says he just wanted to see her fulfill her dream and would’ve been as crushed as Uta if she were to have given up. He didn’t mean to be so harsh.
Ritsu and the rest of Uta’s friends reassure her. Taya gets to come to the hospital as well, and upon seeing Uta, begins crying and apologizing he had to have been grounded.
Uta’s friends help her the best they can, and Uta begins practicing singing nearly every chance she gets.
Taya can tell that Uta really loves music and is truly determined. Eventually he’s impressed and blown away by how far she gets.
Even though Uta was never programmed to be able to sing, she eventually begins to develop a unique singing voice through hours upon hours of practicing painstakingly.
—Eventual chapters idk—
The story goes back to the slice of life, monster of the week, helping people formula. There are also adventures involving the Tragic School Bus and magical mishaps in the school. The old heroines Haku and Neru, along with more characters from Arc 1, begin appearing more during these chapters.
Uta soon discovers her singing voice has magical power and that it can defeat monsters and evil!
Uta and the rest of the group also join the music club established back in Arc 1.
Eventually there is a part where Taya, along with the rest of the group of Uta’s good friends (Teto, Momo, Ritsu, and Ruko) are captured because they were accused of stealing “Defoko” away from the planet that produced her. (Or as Discord calls it, “Deforcing a Defoko.”) Uta is taken back there as well.
Uta is taken back to the android containment center, in a prison-like ward for severely malfunctioning androids. She uses the combat powers she kept hidden for a long time to bust out.
Uta then travels all over the center, fighting aliens and setting up her plan... she is putting speakers all over the premises and connecting them to her microphone.
Suddenly, she finds herself surrounded by the aliens who built her, and they plan to destroy her for “malicious behavior.”
“You’re just one malfunctioning android.” They say. “You’re not that important. We’ll do away with you, and we’ll have plenty more.”
Uta is not having it. She takes out her microphone...
“What are you going to do with that? Announce your defeat?” A couple more aliens surround her and say.
But Uta gives a smug smile and starts warming up her voice. Since there were speakers everywhere, her voice reverberates around the entire place. Since music is banned on Discord, the aliens can’t stand the power of it and cover their ears... The strength of music is downright foreign to them...
Uta can fight the aliens with music, with her singing, the skill she learned in Whimsica.
Once she’s finishing warming up, Uta fights her own creators with a power that is unknown (and deadly) to them.... The power of song! The power of love, and passion, and heart, and... joy! The evil aliens do not stand a chance against the power of Uta’s magical song and voice.
“Default-female model-1 DF01fx-0057! When the heck did you learn to produce a singing voice? This isn’t what you were programmed to do! Stop this madness, right this instant!” They tell her
Uta does not give them mercy and starts belting out GHOST RULE. They took her precious friends. They continue to manufacture androids that cannot feel joy. This needs to stop right now!
Uta ends up destroying the entire sinister operation, and also starts the dystopian planet Discord down its path to peace. The aliens who run the operation get blasted into space. The rest of the aliens are innocent and never wanted to be part of the operation in the first place. They also have finally heard music for the first time, as Uta’s song was broadcasted around the entire planet live on the news. It fills the depressed aliens’ hearts with love and joy.
Discord is finally a peaceful place.
However, Monochrome, the ultimate enemy in the story, still won’t budge, and continues to be an evil force...
After this feat, and rescuing her dear friends, Uta fulfills herself and unlocks her magical girl transformation. In Whimsica, magical transformations are unlocked when the user “fulfills” themself, symbolizing that they’ve overcome a difficult hurdle, accomplished a wonderful goal, or opened the door to their true self.
Uta is the first among her friend group to become fulfilled. In Whimsica, the average age of fulfillment is 16 years old. (Uta, Teto, and Momo are 14. Taya, Ruko, and Ritsu are 15. Inuhebi is 12.)
Now that Uta is fulfilled, she unlocked the power herself to be able to experience euphoria. All the other androids that were produced by her shady manufacturer also gained full sentience and the ability to feel joy as well.
Uta had slain the chains in her heart and will live on happily with Taya and the rest of her friends.
“This moment resonates with me.” Uta says.
“Wait, that’s it...” Taya says. “Resonate... that’s a perfect name for our music group! We should call ourselves Resonate!”
However, after this is over, and it’s time to go back to Whimsica, everyone finds themselves started on the planet.
“Mind if we give you a ride back, Uta Utane?” A default male-2 android created by Discord pulls up in a high-speed spacecraft, along with a default male-1 and a default female-2 android. “I hope you don’t mind. You’re our hero. You’ve done so much for us.”
Uta feels a bit embarrassed and blushes.
The rest of the group steps inside the spacecraft and are given a ride back to Whimsica.
While in the spacious vessel, a conversation is had.
“Thanks to you, we can finally feel the thrill of a good movie, the comfort of a hug, or the satisfaction of hard work... Thank you, Uta.” The default female-2 android says. “And... I have a request for you. Can... can we be sisters?”
“Um...” Uta suddenly feels embarrassed and put on the spot.
“We... were designed to be sisters after all.” The android continues. “Your codename is Defoko... short for “default-ko,” and mine is Defo-Imouto... basically, “default little sister.” Like all of us, I was never given a real name. We were never treated with any love or care. We were all just cold machinery, until you came along...”
Uta suddenly hugs Defo-Imouto, along with the other two.
“We’re all family.” Uta says. “We were all created by the same company. If you want, we can stay together.”
“On Whimsica, with you?” Default male-1 android says.
Uta nods.
“Whimsica is my home now.” Uta says.
“Well, we have nowhere else to go. Why not?” Says default male-2. “By the way, I’m called Defosuke.”
“I’m Defota.” Says default male-1.
“How about I show you a special place?” Uta says. “It’s the place where I got my name. Maybe you’ll find new names there too.”
When everyone gets back, other kanji on the Japanese karaoke cafe read, “Koe” meaning voice, “Hibiki” meaning reverberation, and “Kanade” meaning playing instruments.
Default female-2’s new name is Koe. After all, it was Uta’s voice that saved her.
Default male-2’s new name is Hibiki. Uta’s song echoed around the world and saved everyone.
Default male-1’s new name is Kanade. He recently felt very passionate about learning to play the piano.
“Why did you choose to name yourself after this building, Uta?” Kanade asks.
“Because...” Uta says. “This place was where I first heard the music that awoken my soul.”
Afterwards, there is a chapter about Uta spending time in her apartment with her new siblings.
———————————————
Arc 3
Resonate, the group of Uta, Taya, Teto, Momo, Ritsu, Ruko, and Inuhebi, merge with the unnamed musical group formed by the music club, that includes Haku, Neru and Ame.
They retain the name Resonate, and become a huge group! Queen Rainbow, witnessing Uta’s feat, and sensing that everyone in the group has pure hearts, recruits them all as official members of the Monochrome-fighting musical magic group!
But this is not the end of the story for everyone.
Now it’s time for Taya’s story.
Taya hasn’t seen his friend Saya for years... He is beginning to lose hope that she’s still alive...
Taya Soune and Saya Toune were childhood best friends who grew up someplace else. However, one day when they were both 12, Saya became depressed, and it was hard for Taya to watch his friend suffer. Some time afterwards, an earthquake hit the area and everyone had to take only their most important items and evacuate rapidly before a tsunami were to hit. Taya had to move to his current location, and had to leave Saya without saying goodbye. He never saw Saya again.
After this incident, Taya never got a phone call from Saya, or a letter or any hint she might’ve still been alive and out there. It wouldn’t have been unlikely that Saya and her family had died tragically in the earthquake or aftermath tsunami.
Taya is now left with a heavy, broken heart, and an intense fear of earthquakes. He is most torn apart that the fact that Saya had depression and the last few months before her departure to be so sad.
One day in the present, Uta, Taya, and the rest of the friend group are out at the mall. A song comes on that reminds Taya of his memories with Saya. He begins fighting back tears, but eventually starts sobbing and splits from the group, telling everyone he needs a moment alone. Everyone is concerned. Uta approaches Taya gently after he calms down. Taya then tells Uta about Saya, their story, and how much he misses his friend.
Uta is the first person Taya tells about Saya since he had moved. None of his other friends knew about the sadness he hid in his heart.
It had been years since Saya’s disappearance. Taya has pretty much lost all hope at this point.
Uta reassures Taya that he still shouldn’t give up hope. Uta’s words uplift Taya with a new hope that he had never before felt.
So Taya decides to use that glimmer of hope to look for Saya, who may still be out there.
(He releases the song From Y To Y and writes a play in order to get his name big)
Leeds, a girl with an illness, becomes a big fan of Taya’s musical play.
Sometime in this arc, everyone gets to meet The Queen...
Meanwhile, Uta bonds with her siblings.
One day when Taya is feeling useless, Uta consoles him and tells him something she was too shy to say before.
“Taya, your voice was the sound that awoken my soul. When I first came to Whimsica, I walked past the karaoke cafe, and I heard you sing. It was the first time I had ever heard music. You sang so wonderfully, and I felt so warm. I felt then, that music was a truly amazing thing. It was you who changed my life Taya... So please, don’t feel sad.”
Eventually, there is drama with a girl named Qingxian who takes advantage of Taya’s kindness and asks him to do lots of favors for her. As a result, Taya ends up getting sick right before a big day.
Eventually, it turns out that Saya is actually still alive. One fateful day, Taya and Saya reunite at an airport.
At the busy airport, Saya at first doesn’t recognize Taya because he’s trans-masculine now. They are both transgender, with Saya identifying as trans-feminine since childhood. Taya, however, discovered his true identity a bit later.
Taya eventually finds Saya in the crowd and runs after her. Saya sees Taya and passes him by.
Taya loses Saya in the crowd and becomes heartbroken...
Saya had to find Taya within a certain time period before her mom urges her to go back on a flight home.
Taya is completely heartbroken and starts crying because he doesn’t know why Saya just passed him by.
Taya calls out again and speaks how much he misses his friend from his heart. Saya recognizes his mannerisms and how he says he misses her.
Saya eventually recognizes Taya’s voice, even though it’s changed.
“Taya..? Taya...! Is that you?” She says, emotionally running forth.
“Saya? You didn’t recognize me?” Taya says, tearfully and relieved.
“I’m so sorry...” Saya sobs. “I missed you so much!”
“Me too... It’s so great to see you again...”
They hug.
Meanwhile, Ritsu is watching at the scene, crying happy tears for them. Ruko comments on how much Ritsu must care about Taya, despite how different he and Taya are.
Saya becomes a part of Uta and Taya’s group of friends.
Arc 4
At the beginning of this arc, we learn about Saya’s side of the friendship story.
Then, Uta has a new goal. She wants to become a musical artist, but feels discouraged wondering if she can make people happy with her music.
Taya, wanting to motivate Uta, has an idea of a gift to buy her. He buys her a dharma/daruma doll, a Japanese decoration.
Uta and Taya now live next to each other in the cozy building. Taya presents his gift to Uta.
“I bought you a gift! It’s called a daruma.” Taya says. “As you can see, the eyes are blank. You draw in one eye when you set a goal for yourself. When your goal is complete, you fill in the other eye. Here, I’ll give you a permanent marker.”
Taya doesn’t notice it yet, but Uta is shaking and getting a very painful flashback looking at the familiar shape of the toy.
Taya puts a permanent marker down on the counter.
“Uta, look.” Taya says. He pushes the daruma doll down with his finger, but it balances and comes back up. The way it comes back after being knocked over triggers traumatic feelings for Uta.
“See? Daruma dolls always get back up after being knocked down! So remember that whenever you’re feeling discouraged, okay?”
Taya notices Uta is silent.
“...Uta?” Taya says again. He looks at Uta and notices she is trembling with tears streaming down her cheeks. She wipes her face with her sleeve, and suddenly she’s hyperventilating as if she’s panicking.
“Uta? Are you okay?” Taya asks. Taya puts his hand on Uta’s shoulder, but Uta brushes him off. He notices an expression of fear is on her face as she backs away.
“Uta, what’s the matter? What’s wrong? You can tell me... please...” Taya offers comfort again in a calm voice. Uta shakes her head.
“No...” Uta manages to choke out. She begins to flee.
“Uta!” Taya promptly follows her in an attempt to calm her down, but sensing that his being there is only distressing Uta more, Taya lets her go.
“Uta...” Taya mutters. Once she’s out the door, Taya is left with worry and heaviness in his heart.
The shocking scene replays in his head a few times. Taya had never seen Uta in such a state before... He could sense every bit of her pain. But what could it have been? What could have triggered it?
Taya calls Ritsu on his cell phone. Ritsu hears the heaviness in Taya’s voice and figures out he’s about to cry. Ritsu tells Taya he’ll be there for him. Taya only gets a few words out before he starts crying over the phone.
After a few minutes, he calms down and tells Ritsu what happened.
“So... I got Uta a daruma doll and I showed it to her, if that part matters. I was in the middle of showing her that no matter what pushed them down, they get back up. I thought that would inspire her to always get back up no matter that pushed her down. But when I looked at her face, she was crying and hyperventilating... I tried to calm her down, but she began to panic and reject being comforted... It was if I was suddenly a stranger to her... It felt so scary. But I couldn’t imagine what it must’ve felt for Uta herself. I wonder what could’ve triggered such a response in her?”
“Hmm...” Ritsu starts thinking. “It sounds to me like Uta was having a panic attack. Was she acting as if the entire world was caving in on her?”
“Yeah...” Taya responds. “She kept trying to get away, so I just let her. Me being there only seemed to be stressing her out.”
“I see...” Ritsu says. “Perhaps Uta is just the type of person who prefers to be alone during times of distress. Or perhaps she just didn’t want you to see her in such a state. Either way, please don’t take it personally. Uta wouldn’t try to reject you on purpose.”
“Okay...” Taya says. “But... what could’ve caused her to panic? I hope I didn’t do anything to hurt her...”
Tears begin to pool in Taya’s as he recalls how painful Uta seems to feel.
“The last thing I want to do is hurt my dear friends.” He says sadly.
“Taya, based on what you said, I have a theory that maybe daruma dolls could be Uta’s trigger.”
“A trigger?” Taya asks. “Ah, you mean... like how I have a phobia of earthquakes?”
“Yeah, sort of like that.” Ritsu says. “A trigger is anything that brings negative feelings or flashbacks to someone. Even though daruma dolls are innocuous to you and me, a trigger could potentially be anything. I’m wondering if perhaps Uta had a traumatic experience in her past that had to do with daruma dolls.”
“Ah... that would make sense!” Taya says. “Poor Uta... Now I feel awful for hurting her.”
“Well, you didn’t do it on purpose.” Ritsu says.
“Well... what should I do now?” Taya asks.
“I say, give her some space.” Ritsu says. “Wait until Uta is willing to open up with her trigger and willing to tell you her feelings and confirm it. Don’t forget to apologize, and try to make her feel accepted.”
“Okay. Thanks, Ritsu.”
“Anytime.” Ritsu says.
“Um... Ritsu?” Taya asks. “You’re... a really good friend, you know? You may seem wild, but... you’re wise when it comes to this stuff, and really caring! So thanks!”
“Oh... it’s nothing really.” Ritsu says. “I just know how to deal with this stuff because... I know what it’s like. To deal with these emotions and stuff. But... I’m fine, really!”
“Oh... well, at least you’re ok now.” Taya says with a bittersweet smile. “Bye for now!”
“See ya!” Ritsu says.
They hang up.
It turns out Uta’s trigger of daruma dolls indeed has to do with a traumatic memory from her past.
Back when Uta still was a combat android on Discord, before she fled, she and a team of other combat androids were in a traumatic battle with a tremendous monster shaped like a daruma doll. The monster was ultra-powerful and seemed to never tire out.
Just like a real daruma doll, it would always get back up, no matter what pushed it down.
Many of the other androids succumbed to their battle wounds, or used up all their power and were wiped out, and could never be brought back.
The monster was eventually defeated, but not without a substantial amount of androids never returning to life. Uta was one of the lucky ones involved in the battle who survived.
Needless to say, Uta was incredibly traumatized. However, her feelings were never validated since she was treated as a machine. Also, even though the other androids didn’t have quite the same emotional capabilities, she could tell they were very traumatized too, and felt awful for them as well.
This arc will eventually be focused on Ritsu however, and reveal his depression and insecurities. Uta’s PTSD will also be a theme along with Ritsu’s depression. They will help each other grow and overcome their negative feelings.
Other themes brought up will be Haku and Neru’s autism and depression, Ame’s low self-esteem, and Taya’s insecurities. Saya was also diagnosed with depression right before she got split apart from Taya, and it comes into her life on and off.
In this arc, Taya also cheers up and befriends a boy in the hospital named Jay, who has leukemia. At the end of the arc, Jay becomes dispatched. Jay gets to become a member of Resonate after being their fan, looking up to Taya especially.
However, this arc won’t be all depressing! It will feature a lot of bonding, friends having fun, and of course, wholesome humor and cheer.
Resonate grows and develops as a group as well. Monsters are fought, and some songs are released!
Koe and Nana become friends.
Teto’s cousin Ted comes into the story!
Arc 5
The backstory of Haku’s (and Miku’s) grandmother is revealed... slowly.
Swim class
Celestine and Nika’s friendship backstory is told, leading up to how the curse set where royals and commoners can’t befriend was broken.
Kanade and Momotaro become a couple... Momotaro is Momo’s older brother!
Ame goes on fun, eventful adventures with friends.
Hibiki meets Demo one sleepy day.
Arc 6
Fun times for everyone.
A mysterious guy appears at school... But it’s actually just Ruko’s silly cousin, Rook.
Haku follows in the footsteps of her grandmother in this arc. It’s revealed she was once a powerful magical girl in Whimsica.
Ame is feeling down on her birthday... but it turns into an awesome adventure and surprise party!
Taya finds an ice-blue egg (size of a chicken egg) outside in the cold when the Tragic School Bus takes him and friends to the Northern Seaside Peaks one day. The nest was destroyed and abandoned. Aside from the single egg with a small crack in it, only eggshells of its siblings were left behind. The egg is cold, so Taya keeps it warm all the way home. He brings the egg to a shelter, and begs the rescuers to put it in an incubator, even though he was told it has a low chance of survival. The egg unexpectedly survives and hatches into a tiny species of harp seal called pocket seal three days later. Pocket seals are commonly kept as pets. Taya is attached to the seal, so he decides to keep him as a pet and names him Mochi, after how fuzzy and round he is. Mochi is a bit weak at first, but grows stronger with love and care. Mochi lives in a terrarium installed in Taya’s house, and eats kibble made for pocket seals, and fish. Taya sometimes even prepares Mochi gourmet fish dishes.
Tei also reforms in this arc after accidentally sending Inuhebi to the hospital...
At the end of this arc, Haku falls asleep and gets to see her grandmother again in a dream during a beautiful moment.
Arc 7
This arc is when the previous slower pace starts to get broken.
The plot begins to thicken!
Uta experiences android prejudice.
A jerk named Carl Carlson forcibly dates Uta, then dumps her once he finds out she’s an android.
Haku and Neru get an important job!
New, stronger villains show up.
Teto uncovers the secret of her chimera side?
Momo feels insecure... then gets brainwashed by a sneaky villain...?
The Princess Trio needs help with something...
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