Currently, in a fancy and luxurious-looking office room...

"Wh-What is the meaning of this?" A surprised and confused voice is heard and that voice came from Chief Commander Felix Schindler.

"Exactly how it sounds." Replied a man seated at a table. He has short dark green hair combed neatly and is wearing a more decorated uniform worn by Symphonica officers with gold trimmings.

"B-But, Grand Maestro Sagan... I-"

"I shall repeat myself. Do not interfere with them again." The man known as Grand Maestro Sagan said. "It would appear that you've deemed them a threat and plan to detain them."

"Yes." Schindler responded. "Takt Asahina and Akiri Shiranobu are selfishly using their powers as Conductors for their own gain."

On the table in front of them, are photographs of Takt and Akiri taken while they are out and about somewhere.

Schindler then continued. "If we let them run free, they're going to-"

"I would have to disagree with you." Sagan cuts him off, causing the commander to recoil in shock. "They are both very rare individuals. I am certain that we will need their powers in the future."

"We have no need for their powers!" Schindler refuted loudly. "As long as you have me, there will be no prob-"

"You just won't do." Said the Grand Maestro, stopping Schindler from arguing further as he was completely speechless. "Do not involve yourself with this matter any further. You are dismissed."

The commander was utterly shocked and in complete disbelief.

(Timeskip)

"Those little brats turn out to be rare talents?" Commander Schindler smashes his fist onto the door of one of the bathroom stalls in anger, denting it. After being dismissed by the Grand Maestro, Schindler immediately moved to the bathroom to vent his anger.

"And they're more important than me?!" He growled as he punches the door again, crushing it more.

"How could it be possible...!" He punches it one last time, gritting his teeth in pain as he took ragged breaths. "Asahina Takt... Shiranobu Akiri...!" He mutters their names in rage.

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September 26th, 2047

Currently, the group is caught up in a traffic jam in the middle of a highway. Looking ahead, they saw that there is a police blockade that is the cause of it, slowly filtering the vehicles through to the next town.

"You've gotta be kidding me..." Akiri muttered with a frustrated sigh as they were brought to a complete standstill. "Come on, get a move on! We must've been here for hours already!" He complained as he looks up to the sky to see that the sun is setting.

"An hour and six minutes to be exact, Maestro." Fantaisie, who is sitting next to him added, to which he just released another sigh.

"It's looking like they're speeding it up a bit." Anna said to Akiri over the radio. As her car is slightly ahead of Akiri's, she could see what is going ahead a bit better. "We might get past in a few more minutes."

"Right..." He replied.

A moment later, he then noticed a police officer in uniform walking at the side of the road, holding a shotgun.

"Hey, Anna-san. There's an officer coming your way. Try asking him why they've set up that blockade."

Seeing the person he was talking about, Anna then rolled down the window before calling out to the officer passing by. "Excuse me."

She waved the officer over and went over to her. She asks what is going on up ahead, to which he answered that there are D2 sightings in the area.

They exchanged a few words, until the officer then walked away, continuing further down the road.

"What did he say?" Akiri asked over the walkie-talkie.

"He said that there are D2 sightings in the city ahead." Anna told Akiri through the radio. "Someone saw them coming from somewhere up those mountains and all these people are fleeing the city."

"The D2s beginning to wander a long way past the exclusion zone." He muttered. "This is getting worrisome."

"Yeah..." Fantaisie murmured. "At this rate, we might have to reevaluate our current route."

Akiri shook his head. "Too late for that. That'll just complicate things even further."

"Then, should we continue on our original route?" Anna asked.

"For now, yes." The boy replied. "I'm sure Fantaisie and Destiny could handle it if some D2 gets in our way. But, if things get out of hand, then I guess we'll have no choice but to take a detour."

"Hey, we have to do something, right?." Anna said. "All these people are losing their homes... We can't let the D2 take over the city."

Akiri's gaze wandered downwards, contemplating whether or not they should help. They are on a time crunch as it is. Trying to clear the city would delay them even further.

"Maestro." Fantaisie spoke out and the boy then turned his head and looked at the Musicart and she then nodded at him.

The boy let out a sigh. "Fine, I guess we can do a little extermination work. Let's see if there's a hotel or something where we could stay for the day." He answered as he then saw the car up ahead started to move, and so he shifts into first gear and followed ahead.

(Timeskip)

"We'll be in the next room to the right." Anna said to Takt, who is looking like he is extremely exhausted with dark bags under his eyes.

The group is now settling in a small motel on the outskirts of the city. It has already gotten dark outside and Anna, along with Destiny is now in Takt's room, with the former talking to the boy.

"Akiri and Fantaisie's room will be the one right next to us. Let us know if anything comes up." Anna continued, and Takt only took a quick glance around his room and he then quietly took a seat at a small table and started tapping it with his fingers.

The noises of his fingers hitting the surface of the table then caused Anna to shake in frustration. "Geez, enough already! Stop it with that annoying sound!" She screamed as she shuts her ears with the palm of her hands. "Tap, tap, tap, tap! It's driving me insane!"

"Well, you've seen better days." A new voice was heard and they saw that it is Akiri, looking at Takt from outside the door. "What's wrong with him?" He saw that Takt is looking like he hasn't slept for days.

"I don't know! All this time, he's been doing nothing but making tapping noises!" Anna said loudly.

Destiny, seeing that Takt is ignoring them, silently took a step towards him, and to everyone's shock, she then grabs his head and twisted it to the side, causing him to fall over from the chair.

"Takt! Are you okay?" Anna asked worryingly.

"I hope he's not dead..." Akiri was still in shock at what Destiny had done.

Destiny then looks down at her Maestro. "We all know that you're helplessly obsessed with music, but there is clearly something wrong with you right now, Maestro." She said, in her usual tone. "Please tell us what happened."

"Tell you...?" Takt sounded like he really didn't appreciate Destiny twisting his head earlier.

"Yes. I would like to know what's on your mind."

The Musicart and Maestro silently stared at each other for a while, until Takt finally gives in.

"Fine..." He then places a stack of empty sheet music paper on the table. "This is the reason."

Anna looked confused. "Is there something about these music sheets?"

"I'm composing a song..." He whispered, however, the others didn't seem to hear what he said.

"Huh? What was that?" Anna leans in closer to him.

"Please speak more clearly, we cannot hear you if you whisper like that." Destiny said, and Takt then finally turns his body towards them.

The boy looked at them with his tired eyes with a determined look on his face. "I'm composing a song!"

Both Destiny and Anna looked shocked to hear that.

"Composing a song? You?" Anna exclaimed.

"Yeah..."

"That's great! You're actually composing a song! What brought this on?"

"Well, it's not unusual for someone who dabbles in music to compose." Akiri said.

"That's right." Takt nodded. "And do you really think this is my first time?"

"Oh... So you've been doing that for a long time, huh...?" Anna said. "So, how many songs have you composed?"

"None. This is my first one."

The three of them only looked at him with an unimpressed look.

Takt then took a sit back on the chair. "First, I need to think of a theme. No, I shouldn't worry too much about methodology..." He got back to staring at the empty sheet music.

"It's been a while since I've seen him like this..." Anna said as she looked at the boy with a smile. "It's like we're back at his old place."

"Well, I'll be heading to my room." Akiri said as he turns around. "Call me if you need anything. Good luck, Takt." With that, Akiri walks outside and went a few steps over and entered another room.

The interior looks about the same as in Takt's room. However, this one is equipped with two single beds, separated from the other.

In the corner of the room, he spots Fantaisie tidying up the bedsheets of the bed that is the furthest from the door.

He then looks at the Musicart. "Looks like we'll be sharing the same room again. Hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all." Fantaisie said as she lays down the sheet onto the bed. "I've already prepared your bed, Maestro."

"Right. Thanks." He replied. "I'll be going to the bathroom real quick." He then turns around and was about to walk out the door, however...

"Maestro..." She suddenly called him and he turns to look at her.

"Hm? What is it?"

He saw that her cheeks had a deep red tint as her gaze then lowers and she fidgets with her hair.

"M-Maestro, what... What do you think of me?"

"Huh? What's this all of the sudden?" The boy was visibly confused by the sudden question.

"J-Just answer my question... What am I to you...?"

He kept silent for a moment, as if he was thinking thoroughly about the question. Thinking about it some more, he noticed that Fantaisie is acting a bit odd recently.

He would sometimes catch her in a trance, not paying attention to the moment, as if something is bothering and troubling her in her mind.

"Then, Maestro?"

The boy then looked at her. "I..."

Before he could answer, the two then heard the sound of gunshots echoing from the distance and they then quickly went outside as the gunshots could be heard more clearly, as well as the sounds of panicked screaming.

Some footsteps were then heard and they then saw that it was Takt, along with Destiny and Anna.

"What is it?" Takt asked.

"Sounds like an attack." Akiri said as he looks at Fantaisie.

"Yes. I'm detecting D2s over in that direction." The Musicart confirmed.

"Right." The boy said as he then looks over at Takt, Destiny and Anna. "You guys are staying here."

Takt looks back at him with his tired eyes. "Huh? Why?"

"At the state you're in, it's clear that you're not fit to fight right now." Akiri replied. "Fantaisie and I will handle this. Anna, make sure that they stay back."

Anna hesitantly nodded. "S-Sure."

Akiri then looks back at his Musicart. "Fantaisie, lead the way."

Fantaisie then shifts into her armoured mode as her Maestro's left arm disappears. She then materializes her scythe and gave it a twirl. "Right."

With that, the pair went off towards where the fight is happening, leaving Takt, Destiny and Anna behind.

(Timeskip)

"Is that all of them?" Akiri asked and Fantaisie then closes her eyes for a moment.

"Yes. I'm not detecting anymore D2s in the area." The Musicart replied as she opens her eyes and reverted to her normal form as Akiri's arm reappeared back.

"Good. I guess that's it for now."

Currently, Akiri and Fantaisie had just done killing off a horde of the D2 that was attacking the streets of the city. The two handled the situation with relative ease, driving away the attacking D2s while evacuating some of the civilians and local police force to safety.

The two are now looking around the roughed-up area where the fight took place one more time, in case if there are any D2s left that they might have missed. As it is dark outside, and some of the streetlights are not working, they are being extra careful.

After taking one last glance down the street, Akiri then nodded his head. "Let's head back." He said as he started to walk back towards the motel they are staying at. However, he then notices that Fantaisie wasn't moving, standing completely still in the middle of the road. "Fantaisie?"

To his shock, Fantaisie then collapses to the ground as if she had lost all energy to keep herself up, and he worriedly ran back to her. "Fantaisie!"

He saw that she is already trying to slowly lift herself back up and he then went to kneel beside her, holding her. "Fantaisie, are you okay?"

The Musicart took a few breaths. "I... I'm fine..." She then slowly tries to get back up, with Akiri supporting her and she soon managed to get back on her feet. "I think... I just need some rest..."

"Are you sure?" The boy asked, still looking concerned.

"Yeah... Let's head back, Maestro..." With that, she then started to walk away and Akiri had no choice but to quietly follow behind her.

(Timeskip)

"What happened?" Anna asked.

"I don't know." Akiri replied. "This never happened before, and it's not like I'm overworking her."

Currently, Akiri is back in his motel room, with Fantaisie currently sound asleep on her bed. Anna, seeing the exhausted-looking Fantaisie, had dropped by their shared room, concerned for the Musicart.

"Well, maybe she's just feeling under the weather right now." Anna said. "I'm sure she'll get better if we let her rest." The girl reassured him as she places a hand on his shoulder.

"I hope so..." He said with a sigh.

"I'll be going back to my room. If you need anything, feel free to ask."

"Thanks."

Anna excused herself and she walked out of the room, leaving the two alone and Akiri then promptly went to lie on his bed and it didn't take long for him to drift into sleep.

A few moments later, Fantaisie then opened her eyes and turned to see that her Maestro is now sound asleep.

"Seriously... What am I doing...?" She murmured as she turns on her bed, facing away from Akiri and she grips the blanket that is covering her body.

"I'm a Musicart... I should be protecting the people and my Maestro, and I've already gotten closer with him compared to when we first met." She closed her eyes, causing tears to escape and roll down her cheeks. "But why...?"

She then brought a hand over and clutches her chest tightly, as if it is in pain. "Why does my heart desire more...?"

She took some deep breaths to try to calm herself down. "It's because I wasn't focusing that I suddenly collapsed earlier... I'm losing control of myself..." She then covers her entire body with her blanket. "It can't go on like this... I need to get my thoughts straight..."

(Timeskip)

September 27th, 2047

It is the next day, and currently, Akiri is seen in his room at the motel, seemingly to have just recently woken up and gotten dressed, now having breakfast at the table. He's having a simple sandwich along with a cup of hot coffee.

He was enjoying his quiet morning, until the door then burst open, causing him to flinch a little and he saw Fantaisie entering the room.

"Maestro!" The Musicart shouted as she walks up to him. "I'm detecting D2s approaching this area. We should go."

"Wait." Akiri said. "You sure you can fight? Maybe you should get some more rest and let Destiny handle i-"

"I can fight!" She shouted out with a determined look in her eyes, and he then nodded.

"...Alright, then." He got up from the chair. "Let's go."

He then went to the door and follows Fantaisie out of the room.

"I have to prove to Maestro... That he could count on me..."

The Musicart thought to herself as the two of them sets off.

(Timeskip)

Akiri and Fantaisie are now in a battle against another horde of D2s at an open field a few distances in front of the motel. The two are fighting four-legged, deer-like D2s, which seem to have the ability to generate and manipulate electricity.

Fantaisie dodges a bolt of lightning from one of the monsters before running over and decapitating it with her scythe. A moment later, she avoids another attack by leaping up into the air, and she then stabs the attacking D2 as she went back down.

"Just a few more, Fantaisie. Let's keep this momentum up!" Nearby, Akiri is guiding his Musicart as usual, waving his conductor's baton around in a tempo.

Fantaisie kept on the fight, dodging attacks, going for the kill in quick succession.

However, mid-fighting, Fantaisie then felt a shock run through her entire body, causing her legs to lose strength and she fell to her knees.

"Fantaisie? What's happening?!" Her conductor looked with worry as she then tries to get back up, using her scythe to support her.

One of the D2s spots this opportunity and started to charge up electricity and Akiri sees this.

"Fantaisie! Get up!" He could only warn her of the incoming attack. Fantaisie, seeing the charging monster, tries to move, but finds herself unable to no matter how hard she tried to move her body.

The D2 brought its head downwards and casts a powerful bolt of lightning straight towards the helpless Fantaisie.

"Fantaisie!!!" The boy screamed at the top of his lungs.

At that moment, a red blur flashes past Fantaisie as the lightning strikes the ground, kicking up dusts which covers the area. As the dusts settles, Akiri saw that Fantaisie had disappeared from where she was and was confused until, someone appeared next to him.

"Destiny?" The boy was surprised at the Musicart's sudden appearance, carrying Fantaisie in her arms as she gently sets her down.

Fantaisie, now catching her breath, then turns back into her normal form as Akiri's arm reappeared and the boy lets out a sigh of relief, seeing that his Musicart is safe from harm. "Thank you."

Destiny nodded her head slightly. "I'll take over from here."

"Where's Takt?"

"Maestro is still not in good shape right now. If I brought him with me, he'll be more of a hindrance." Destiny said as she looks back at Akiri. "I'll be counting on you instead, Maestro Akiri."

The boy gave a firm nod. "Alright. I'll do my best."

Destiny throws over her golden baton and Akiri caught it as Destiny didn't waste any time, summoning her weapon in sword form and going straight into battle.

Akiri tries his best to match Destiny's fighting style, adjusting to the faster movement speed as she slices through the horde of D2s with ease before they could retaliate. Any lightning bolts thrown her way are dodged thanks to the help of the young Conductor, who is slowly getting the hang of guiding Destiny.

Meanwhile, Fantaisie is still sitting on the ground, staring at the fight as her Maestro directed Destiny with the golden baton. For some reason, the black-haired Musicart then felt a slight ache in her heart.

She then lowers her gaze and closed her eyes shut as she silently reaches a hand over to hold her beating chest tightly.

A few moments later, Destiny stabs through the core of the last D2 as it bursts into ashes, and the battle is over.

"I'm not sensing any more D2s. That was the last one." Destiny said as she walks back to where Akiri and Fantaisie is.

"Right. Thanks again, Destiny." Akiri said as he handed her back her baton.

Destiny nodded. "Then I'll be taking my leave." She said as she then walks away towards the direction of the motel.

"I'm sorry, Maestro..." Fantaisie said, her voice barely audible.

"Hey, it's okay." Replied Akiri as he walked up to her and offered her a hand. "I think you just need some rest and-"

His sentence was cut off in surprise as Fantaisie moves his hand aside and got up on her own, refusing his help.

"Fantaisie?" The boy was confused at her behaviour and he then saw her turning around and without a word, she started to walk away from him with her head lowered. "Hey, where are you going?"

The Musicart stopped and looked at her Maestro. "Sorry, Maestro. But I need to be alone right now..." With slumped shoulders, Fantaisie walks away from the scene, as Akiri could only look at her with a face of worry.

"Fantaisie..." He muttered her name as he watches her walk ever so further away, leaving him wondering all the while about his partner's recent behaviour and what might've caused her to act this way.

(Timeskip)

"I did it again..." Fantaisie mumbled to herself as she is walking. She herself didn't know where she was walking towards, all she knew, is that she needed to get away from her Maestro. "I'll be useless to Maestro at this rate..."

Her steps slowed down and she came to a stop as she then recalls the sight of Akiri guiding Destiny while she was powerless to do anything, and she subconsciously clenches her fists.

"Why...?" She took in a deep breath to calm herself down as she looks up to the sky above as a breeze blows past her, causing her long black hair to flow with the wind. "Why did it hurt so much seeing him fighting with someone else...?"

Her hands reached over and she places her palms against her chest, feeling her own steady heartbeat. "What is this I'm feeling...? And why am I feeling it...?"

A few moments later, she had calmed down enough that she continued walking, still contemplating her own thoughts and emotions.