The musicians get settled first, dressed in sleek red jackets with polished synth wood instruments. Koto, drum, biwa, flute and Bayushi Senshuken with her shamisen. Their melody opens slowly then picks up a teasing pulse.
At the center of the garden a woman sits in a chair. Her wrists are “tied” with decorative restraint cords, more ribbon than rope, in bright, scandalous Bayushi crimson. She can stand up any moment, but she doesn't. She holds herself like a queen indulging in captivity for dramatic effect. Her chin is tilted, her eyes half closed and her mouth curved in a lazy and challenging smile. She announces:
The second singer circles around her. Her own steps are soft as she moves with the kind of elegance that knows exactly how much trouble it is causing. She sings:"Now you finally have me. But you still rely on others for your power! Like always!"
Every time she leans in to deliver a line, her voice brushes the “captive’s” ear like warm breath and every time, the bound singer gives a sharp little smirk that said I refuse to be impressed, but do continue. And her reply is delivered:"You think your little mockery
is gonna make me cry?
That I'm bawling ‘bout the past that could've been?
Look around ya, hun
I've been scheming this whole time
I got a team, I got a dream
And all I’m gonna do is win!
You're in my house with my rules
In my room with my tools
And worse, you're at my mercy
Cursed to watch me take it all!
You've gone ass up
You're deep fried
Your last luck has run dry
At last your check has cashed
I'd laugh at how you look so small!
Don't you forget!
You're on my string!
You can try to squirm and struggle
And it wouldn't do a thing
Don't you forget!"
The circling singer taunts in smooth, melodic threats. Her hip is cocked and her fingertip grazes the back of the chair as she passes. And she sings again:"You're so obsessed with me
I knew you'd need me here to be
Your unwilling audience
When you lose your marbles in act three"
The seated one replies in rich, mocking counterpoint."You're huffing glue
If you think I won't end this tale a ruler
I'm just like you
Except I'm smarter, sharper, brighter, newer!
So, I'll keep your smug ass alive"
Her tone is dripping with You think you’ve won? Darling, you haven’t even seen the board yet."To show me you're not a loser?
Don't you forget!
You ain't won yet!
You still need me like you did before"
The musicians follow their cues, twisting the rhythm tight during each verbal strike and then loosening it with a sly laughter. Every eye could see it. These two were playing enemies for the song’s story, but the tension between them was softer, warmer as the standing performer sings again:
When the dancer leans in close to whisper a final threat, the seated singer lifts her head just enough to meet her halfway. Then the dancer snaps away with an exaggerated bow, smirking triumphantly and the captive answers with a slow roll of her wrists, letting the ribbons slip just enough to show that she’s been holding herself still by choice all along."So cute, you think I care?
Now I'm the master
And you're my bottomest bitch
No more hun, the high and mighty
Now that I flipped the switch
Though the radio's gone dead
You know the show must go on!
By the time I've had my fun
You'll wish that I had stayed gone!"
The musicians chuckle under their breath and push the melody to its triumphant finale. Bayushi Senshuken will wink to Ayame if she's there and looking. Fake mockery and threats never sounded so much like affection before. This is the perfect message. Courtship for Ayame based on the enemy to lovers scenario that had been mentioned and pressure to Umiko to give an answer while playing with her sisterly feelings.
(Hazbin Hotel, Don't you forget reprisal Song link
