a rabid stella ⭐️

aw!!! they sound like they could be cute too! ^w^

i think aoi would maybe try to rizz up satsuki with his Prince Charming act and satsuki is just… completely impervious to it lmao, like he is NOT the target audience for that and aoi ends up kinda unintentionally being rizzed up by satsuki, who has 0 natural charm and 0 points of attraction, aoi just has weird tastes haha.

i swear it's written better than it's explained here. I'm just tired and lowkey still writing it, but it shouldn't take long because it only needs to be 250 words, but the limit is 650.

Music has long since been described as a window to the soul, but in the futuristic world of Paradox Live, that window is a literal burst of a performer’s psychological wounds. Paradox Live is a Japanese multimedia project created by Avex and GCREST consisting of music, voice dramas, stage shows, and even an anime. Its main content is released on CDs and online, including voice dramas and songs that explore the characters' lives both inside and outside the competition. In this near-futuristic hip hop scene, artists harness a phantometal—a substance that reacts with the user’s own DNA to turn raw emotions and feelings into dazzling illusions that fit the user themselves. However, this power comes with great drawbacks. They will experience realistic and often traumatic flashbacks or illusions known as trap reactions, an after-performance rebound that forces artists to physically and mentally relive their greatest traumas. By manifesting these internal struggles into real physical threats, Paradox Live provides a visceral, externalized portrayal of the lived reality and experience of PTSD and trauma, showing that for these artists, fame is linked to the pain they have survived. 

In the current world, PTSD is seen as an ‘invisible’ illness, but in this world, it manifests more beautifully. On stage, these illusions are beautiful, glittering neon and vibrant enough to glow. But off stage, the trap reaction is a ‘brutal, silent collapse’, as stated in the fandom wiki and website. In the real world, someone with PTSD might seem fine while dealing with a massive internal flashback. The trap reactions in paradox live make the mental trauma and internal pain visible to the audience. It shows that trauma isn’t just in your head, but can affect your physical body. Medical research supports this connection between psychological trauma and physical symptoms. The body literally keeps the score—trauma does not only haunt the mind but can manifest through physical suffering, echoing what happens to Paradox Live’s artists after their performances.

In psychology, dissociation or “functional amnesia” happens when trauma is so severe or significant that the brain “splits” or hides memories to survive or protect itself. In the events with COZMEZ, a duo of twin brothers whose trauma was from being abandoned, it is revealed in “LIVE”, when COZMEZ wins the Paradox Live competition, that the Nayuta the characters meet and interact with is actually an illusion created by the phantometal. Nayuta was suffering from metal erosion and fell off a building in front of Kanata, leaving his brother to believe he was dead. Kanata didn't just miss his brother; his trauma was so powerful it physically rewrote his reality. The "Metal Phantom" of Nayuta is a literal representation of dissociative amnesia. It is later said that he is in a facility recovering. 

Unlike a normal memory, this phantom is a constant presence, a metaphor for how trauma keeps a person trapped in the past, unable to move forward because the "ghost" of what they lost is literally standing in the room with them. This is particularly evident in the case of Haruomi, whose Phantometal forces him to continually coexist with the mental phantom of Chisei. The trauma of losing Chisei is so deeply rooted that Haruomi is essentially reliving the moment of loss, unable to move on—a clear example of survivor’s guilt and the “stuck” nature of PTSD, where the past feels inescapable and ever-present. Most artists need a ‘traumatic trigger’ to manifest illusions, making Chisei Kuzuryu’s ability to use a phantometal more unique. He lacks the trauma; most, if not all, users of the phantometals have and are still able to use his illusions to the fullest potential. There are ongoing rumors that Chisei was once affected by metal corrosion—the very thing that killed Saimon’s wife. In the "VIBES" voice drama, it's mentioned that Haruomi supposedly saved him from this corrosion, though the truth of the rumor is unknown, as it’s revealed later on that Chisei we see and hear in the voice dramas is simply a mental phantom created by Haruomi due to him being already dead before the events of the story. This shows that Phantometal doesn't just create "cool effects"—it creates "ghosts." Haruomi’s trauma is so rooted in Chisei's death that his Phantometal forces him to keep living with a dead man. It’s a metaphor for how PTSD keeps you "stuck" in the moment of loss. 

The physical cost of trauma and connect biology to mental health, and how it connects to Paradox Live. Chronic stress and PTSD actually wear down the physical body, such as a lowered immune system and exhaustion. In Paradox Live, the manifestation is through metal erosion, a side effect of using the phantometals too much. The discoloration and weakness are the physical manifestations of "over-using" your trauma. It suggests that "performing" your pain for others, fame, is literally toxic, as well as burnout and repressed trauma. Naoakira Saimon, a member of The Cat’s Whiskers, used to be in another unit with his wife, Tsubaki, who is a great example. His trauma extends from his wife, who died from acute metal erosion from her phantometal. If you don't heal, the trauma, the metal, will eventually consume you. If you don’t try to heal yourself, the erosion and trauma could be deadly. 

There is also the example of Yeon Hajun from the trio unit BAE. He was adopted into the Yeon family, being an heir, at least until a biological son was born when he was 14. His trauma extends from being abandoned in Japan not long after and being named an “unwanted” child. During the "VIBES" voice drama, the final battle of Paradox Live with BAE went smoothly, at least until the metal erosion that had been quickly accelerating caused him to fall unconscious on stage. His body could no longer handle the strain of his Phantometal, his trauma. Allen and Anne figured out a way to enter his mind using phantometals to help him. It serves as a metaphor for therapy and support systems. It suggests that while trauma is a solo "Trap Reaction," healing happens through "Found Family." They literally stepped into his trauma to pull him out of the erosion.

Paradox Live isn’t just about music; it is an artistic commentary on how we treat our scars and trauma.  It suggests that while pain can be turned into art, the real "victory" isn't winning a stage battle—it’s surviving the "phantoms" in our own heads. Current research emphasizes the importance of social support and access to mental health resources in trauma recovery. Therapeutic interventions for PTSD include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and medication, all of which aim to help survivors process their trauma and regain control over their lives. The narrative in Paradox Live, where healing is shown as a collaborative effort, resonates with these clinical approaches.

Yes, this is for a college application. Honestly, I don't think it's very good.

i swear it's written better than it's explained here. I'm just tired and lowkey still writing it, but it shouldn't take long because it only needs to be 250 words, but the limit is 650.

Music has long since been described as a window to the soul, but in the futuristic world of Paradox Live, that window is a literal burst of a performer’s psychological wounds. Paradox Live is a Japanese multimedia project created by Avex and GCREST consisting of music, voice dramas, stage shows, and even an anime. Its main content is released on CDs and online, including voice dramas and songs that explore the characters' lives both inside and outside the competition. In this near-futuristic hip hop scene, artists harness a phantometal—a substance that reacts with the user’s own DNA to turn raw emotions and feelings into dazzling illusions that fit the user themselves. However, this power comes with great drawbacks. They will experience realistic and often traumatic flashbacks or illusions known as trap reactions, an after-performance rebound that forces artists to physically and mentally relive their greatest traumas. By manifesting these internal struggles into real physical threats, Paradox Live provides a visceral, externalized portrayal of the lived reality and experience of PTSD and trauma, showing that for these artists, fame is linked to the pain they have survived. 

In the current world, PTSD is seen as an ‘invisible’ illness, but in this world, it manifests more beautifully. On stage, these illusions are beautiful, glittering neon and vibrant enough to glow. But off stage, the trap reaction is a ‘brutal, silent collapse’, as stated in the fandom wiki and website. In the real world, someone with PTSD might seem fine while dealing with a massive internal flashback. The trap reactions in paradox live make the mental trauma and internal pain visible to the audience. It shows that trauma isn’t just in your head, but can affect your physical body. Medical research supports this connection between psychological trauma and physical symptoms. The body literally keeps the score—trauma does not only haunt the mind but can manifest through physical suffering, echoing what happens to Paradox Live’s artists after their performances.

In psychology, dissociation or “functional amnesia” happens when trauma is so severe or significant that the brain “splits” or hides memories to survive or protect itself. In the events with COZMEZ, a duo of twin brothers whose trauma was from being abandoned, it is revealed in “LIVE”, when COZMEZ wins the Paradox Live competition, that the Nayuta the characters meet and interact with is actually an illusion created by the phantometal. Nayuta was suffering from metal erosion and fell off a building in front of Kanata, leaving his brother to believe he was dead. Kanata didn't just miss his brother; his trauma was so powerful it physically rewrote his reality. The "Metal Phantom" of Nayuta is a literal representation of dissociative amnesia. It is later said that he is in a facility recovering. 

Unlike a normal memory, this phantom is a constant presence, a metaphor for how trauma keeps a person trapped in the past, unable to move forward because the "ghost" of what they lost is literally standing in the room with them. This is particularly evident in the case of Haruomi, whose Phantometal forces him to continually coexist with the mental phantom of Chisei. The trauma of losing Chisei is so deeply rooted that Haruomi is essentially reliving the moment of loss, unable to move on—a clear example of survivor’s guilt and the “stuck” nature of PTSD, where the past feels inescapable and ever-present. Most artists need a ‘traumatic trigger’ to manifest illusions, making Chisei Kuzuryu’s ability to use a phantometal more unique. He lacks the trauma; most, if not all, users of the phantometals have and are still able to use his illusions to the fullest potential. There are ongoing rumors that Chisei was once affected by metal corrosion—the very thing that killed Saimon’s wife. In the "VIBES" voice drama, it's mentioned that Haruomi supposedly saved him from this corrosion, though the truth of the rumor is unknown, as it’s revealed later on that Chisei we see and hear in the voice dramas is simply a mental phantom created by Haruomi due to him being already dead before the events of the story. This shows that Phantometal doesn't just create "cool effects"—it creates "ghosts." Haruomi’s trauma is so rooted in Chisei's death that his Phantometal forces him to keep living with a dead man. It’s a metaphor for how PTSD keeps you "stuck" in the moment of loss. 

The physical cost of trauma and connect biology to mental health, and how it connects to Paradox Live. Chronic stress and PTSD actually wear down the physical body, such as a lowered immune system and exhaustion. In Paradox Live, the manifestation is through metal erosion, a side effect of using the phantometals too much. The discoloration and weakness are the physical manifestations of "over-using" your trauma. It suggests that "performing" your pain for others, fame, is literally toxic, as well as burnout and repressed trauma. Naoakira Saimon, a member of The Cat’s Whiskers, used to be in another unit with his wife, Tsubaki, who is a great example. His trauma extends from his wife, who died from acute metal erosion from her phantometal. If you don't heal, the trauma, the metal, will eventually consume you. If you don’t try to heal yourself, the erosion and trauma could be deadly. 

There is also the example of Yeon Hajun from the trio unit BAE. He was adopted into the Yeon family, being an heir, at least until a biological son was born when he was 14. His trauma extends from being abandoned in Japan not long after and being named an “unwanted” child. During the "VIBES" voice drama, the final battle of Paradox Live with BAE went smoothly, at least until the metal erosion that had been quickly accelerating caused him to fall unconscious on stage. His body could no longer handle the strain of his Phantometal, his trauma. Allen and Anne figured out a way to enter his mind using phantometals to help him. It serves as a metaphor for therapy and support systems. It suggests that while trauma is a solo "Trap Reaction," healing happens through "Found Family." They literally stepped into his trauma to pull him out of the erosion.

Paradox Live isn’t just about music; it is an artistic commentary on how we treat our scars and trauma.  It suggests that while pain can be turned into art, the real "victory" isn't winning a stage battle—it’s surviving the "phantoms" in our own heads. Current research emphasizes the importance of social support and access to mental health resources in trauma recovery. Therapeutic interventions for PTSD include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and medication, all of which aim to help survivors process their trauma and regain control over their lives. The narrative in Paradox Live, where healing is shown as a collaborative effort, resonates with these clinical approaches.

Yes, this is for a college application. Honestly, I don't think it's very good.