Ryuichi

Pure energy, pure grace, an embodiment of the music.

He was amazing tonight.

Sing to the crowd, feed them your soul, let the high crash over you in waves. Feel the perfection of yourself, and Tohma, and Noriko melding infinitely in your voice. Sell it.

They were amazing tonight.

Never let it end. Encase them in your weave; drag them into your hell.

Even more so than any other night.

Arch to the music, let them feel it. Put everything that you are, everything that he is, everything that she gives, in.

No one will understand.

Recycle your pain into their high. Let the beat encase your soul. Intoxicate them with everything that you've become- let the bitterness give it its unique flavour. This will be your best performance.

The last note faded, the cheers from the audience almost eclipsing it. Ryuichi took the mike, the serious expression on his face. He held up a hand for silence, and the crowd obeyed.

"Thank you," He said, eyes closing into a bright smile. "For coming to Nittle Grasper's final concert."

Then he turned and walked off the stage. He didn't look at Noriko as he walked off, didn't turn to face him.

He'd disbanded Nittle Grasper.

And be ready to lose whatever you hadn't lost already.

The next day when Tohma banged on Ryuichi's door to demand an explanation, the singer would already be gone.