000 I awoke comfortably in the morning.
001 Until yesterday, I had been afraid of admitting my feelings.
002 Today, it somehow seemed brighter than usual outside.
003 I wondered if the rain would be weak today.
004 I stretched out on my bed, and recalled the events of yesterday.
005 Beyond my finally giving in, there was Fal's gentle smile.
006 [Phorni]
007 "Ah, morning. Looks like you were able to wake up by yourself today."
008 [Chris]
009 "Yeah. Morning."
010 [Phorni]
011 "What's more, you look somewhat refreshed."
012 [Chris]
013 "... That might actually be true."
014 [Phorni]
015 "What are you acting all aloof for? This is about yourself, isn't it?"
016 [Chris]
017 "Good point. Yeah, it is true."
018 [Phorni]
019 "Oh, a definitive statement."
020 [Chris]
021 "... Yeah."
022 [Phorni]
023 "I see."
024 [Chris]
025 "What?"
026 [Phorni]
027 "Ah... Never mind, it's nothing."
028 [Chris]
029 "... Phorni?"
030 [Phorni]
031 "Never mind, it's nothing."
032 Phorni repeated herself and smiled.
033 [Phorni]
034 "Good for you. It's better than having gloom across your face all day."
035 [Chris]
036 "Did I ever look that depressed?"
037 [Phorni]
038 "That's what I said, right? My eyes don't deceive me."
039 [Chris]
040 "... I'm sorry."
041 [Phorni]
042 "Hm? About what?"
043 [Chris]
044 "About the things up until now, and the things to come."
045 I never mentioned Arietta's name, but it seemed Phorni comprehended.
046 [Phorni]
047 "Did you forget what she wrote in her letter?"
048 'You should do as you wish.'
049 If this was my answer, she would probably say she was fine with it.
050 [Chris]
051 "... I remember. Thanks for reminding me."
052 [Phorni]
053 "Thanking me isn't going to get you anywhere,"
054 Phorni said cynically, and pointed at the clock.
055 [Phorni]
056 "If you're up this early anyway, why don't you head out early and practice some more?"
057 [Chris]
058 "... Okay, okay. I suppose I'll do just that."
059 [Phorni]
060 "What, you're really going?"
061 [Chris]
062 "What?"
063 [Phorni]
064 "I just felt like complimenting you for a commendable feat."
065 It had been a while since I'd exchanged idle chit-chat with Phorni like this.
066 I had a feeling today was going to be a good day.
067 After quickly finishing my preparations and heading out, I noticed the rain had been reduced to a comfortable drizzle.
068 In line with my premonition this morning, my performance today had been excellent as well.
069 My fingers had ran smoothly across the keyboard, and every single note I'd played had been clear.
070 Time elapsed quickly like that, and before I knew it, it was already past noon.
071 But---
072 [Fal]
073 "Hey, Chris. Are you not feeling well today?"
074 Fal asked me with a puzzled look on her face.
075 [Chris]
076 "Huh? Was something off?"
077 [Fal]
078 "... No, that's not it..."
079 [Chris]
080 "I didn't make any mistakes in particular. I didn't think it was that bad, actually..."
081 [Fal]
082 "... Yeah. I think so too."
083 [Chris]
084 "Huh?"
085 [Fal]
086 "Sorry. It might just have been my imagination."
087 [Chris]
088 "... I hope that's true..."
089 [Fal]
090 "Yeah. Sorry for judging you when I wasn't even sure of it myself."
091 [Chris]
092 "No that's okay. If you feel something sounds weird, don't hold back to tell me."
093 [Fal]
094 "... Got it. Then, mind if we resume practice after I get off from work tonight?"
095 [Chris]
096 "I know I just said you shouldn't hold back, but... that's a bit..."
097 [Fal]
098 "... It's sort of bothering me. Especially because we only have two days left."
099 At first, I thought she was playing with me again, but she seemed to be pretty serious about it.
100 I quickly corrected myself.
101 [Chris]
102 "Ah, if that's what you meant, then sure. Any place is fine."
103 [Fal]
104 "Really?"
105 [Chris]
106 "Of course. In return, will you make me a nice meal?"
107 [Fal]
108 "If you feel that to be enough repayment."
109 [Chris]
110 "It would be all I could ever wish for."
111 [Fal]
112 "*2Agiggle*2A That sounded kind of corny."
113 [Chris]
114 "Was it that weird?"
115 [Fal]
116 "Yeah, sorta."
117 [Chris]
118 "That's mean."
119 [Fal]
120 "Didn't you just say yourself I shouldn't hold back if something sounded weird to me?"
121 [Chris]
122 "... There's a difference in meaning."
123 [Fal]
124 "I guess so."
125 Fal burst out laughing, which soon affected me as well.
126 I never thought we would ever be able to have natural conversations like this.
127 ... But it was nice.
128 I was satisfied with the current situation.
129 I had left some people in sadness, but there was simply no way to make everybody happy.
130 There was no such thing as an ideal route - there were only several good ones.
131 I weighed those out, and chose the one I felt would provide the best possible outcome.
132 Or, I tried to.
133 [Chris]
134 "Then let's meet in front of the trattoria when you get off work. I'd be mistaken for a customer if I entered."
135 [Fal]
136 "Good point. But if it rains particularly hard, feel free to come in. I'll let everyone know."
137 [Chris]
138 "Okay. Then, see you tonight."
139 [Fal]
140 "*2Agiggle*2A See you."
141 We made plans and exchanged our goodbyes at the crossroads between my house and the trattoria.
142 After watching her disappear into the distance, I went home.
143 [Phorni]
144 "Ah, welcome back. You're early today."
145 [Chris]
146 "It's Wednesday, after all."
147 I wiped the raindrops from my hair with the towel and went inside.
148 [Phorni]
149 "But aren't you a little early despite that?"
150 [Chris]
151 "We're going to practice again later today."
152 [Phorni]
153 "After Fal's shift is over?"
154 [Chris]
155 "Yep."
156 [Phorni]
157 "Huh. You're with her all day."
158 [Chris]
159 "We don't have much time left, after all."
160 [Phorni]
161 "And after that?"
162 [Chris]
163 "... After that?"
164 [Phorni]
165 "Will your lifestyle change?"
166 [Chris]
167 "Well, of course it will change."
168 [Phorni]
169 "... No. That's not how I meant it."
170 [Chris]
171 "Then what did you mean?"
172 [Phorni]
173 "Will your time spent with Fal change?"
174 [Chris]
175 "We can't avoid change... I suppose. I'm not sure how to put it. There won't be any need for practice after the recital."
176 [Phorni]
177 "So will that be the end of your relationship?"
178 [Chris]
179 "... I don't know. I don't think so, at least."
180 [Phorni]
181 "Okay. I just wanted to know."
182 [Chris]
183 "... Why's that?"
184 [Phorni]
185 "Just because. There's no need for you to understand."
186 [Chris]
187 "If you put it like that, I'm only getting more curious."
188 [Phorni]
189 "More importantly, shouldn't you be resting for a while?"
190 [Chris]
191 "Rest?"
192 [Phorni]
193 "Just take a nap or something. Though I don't doubt you'd take a nap even without me telling you to."
194 [Chris]
195 "... How rude. But, well, I've practiced a lot already, so some rest is definitely welcome."
196 [Phorni]
197 "Even though Fal is working her behind off..."
198 [Chris]
199 "... Ugh..."
200 [Phorni]
201 "Just kidding. Everyone is different. Just do things at your own pace."
202 [Chris]
203 "... Well, thanks. I guess I'll go to bed, then."
204 [Phorni]
205 "'Kay, sleep well."
206 [Chris]
207 "It's pretty unusual for you to tell me to go to sleep."
208 [Phorni]
209 "I guess. But it's nice sometimes, right?"
210 By Phorni's recommendation, I stripped off my clothes and laid down on my bed.
211 Due to my continuous rehearsals lately, I felt considerably tired.
212 I buried my face into my pillow, and began feeling drowsy before long.
213 I asked Phorni to wake me up thirty minutes before the appointed time, then quickly lost consciousness.
214 [Phorni]
215 "You sure can sleep long."
216 [Phorni]
217 "And you sure look happy."
218 I had the feeling I heard a voice in the distance.
219 [Phorni]
220 "But that's great. You finally found someone who will be by your side."
221 [Phorni]
222 "Now I won't have to worry when I---"
223 ...
224 [Chris]
225 "... Phorni?"
226 [Phorni]
227 "Ah, you're awake?"
228 [Chris]
229 "... Did you say something just now?"
230 [Phorni]
231 "Nope. Anyway, it's almost time."
232 [Chris]
233 "... That late already?"
234 I got up energetically to try and shake off the sleepiness, and nearly knocked Phorni - who had been standing beside my pillow - off her feet in the process.
235 [Phorni]
236 "Wah!"
237 [Chris]
238 "Ah, sorry!"
239 I quickly propped her back up with my hand.
240 [Phorni]
241 "Geez! Don't get up so unexpectedly!"
242 [Chris]
243 "Sorry. But what were you doing there?"
244 [Phorni]
245 "Waking you up, obviously!"
246 [Chris]
247 "Don't you normally call out to me from afar?"
248 [Phorni]
249 "Yeah, and sometimes I don't!"
250 [Chris]
251 "... Well, whatever. Oops, the time."
252 [Phorni]
253 "You'll still make it."
254 [Chris]
255 "... Weren't you supposed to wake me up? Did you do anything to me, after all?"
256 [Phorni]
257 "Huh? I was just looking at your sleeping face for a bit."
258 [Chris]
259 "W-Why would you do something like that?"
260 [Phorni]
261 "Because I wanted to. No biggie, right?"
262 [Chris]
263 "Now where did you learn a phrase like that..."
264 [Phorni]
265 "C'mon, get up and get yourself ready!"
266 [Chris]
267 "... Yeah, guess I shouldn't make her wait."
268 I got ready as I was told, but when I was done, it was still a little too early to go out.
269 I wanted to minimize my exposure to the rain, so I thought about how to kill some time.
270 I looked out the window to check the status outside.
271 The rain was still really weak.
272 I figured the rain wouldn't be much of a hindrance even if I arrived a little early.
273 [Phorni]
274 "There's still some time left. Are you leaving already?"
275 [Chris]
276 "Yeah, I am."
277 [Phorni]
278 "... Then can you do me a little favor?"
279 [Chris]
280 "... A favor? As long as it's within reasonable bounds. Want me to bring you along?"
281 [Phorni]
282 "It's nothing like that. Can you put me on your shoulder for a second?"
283 [Chris]
284 "... You sure you're not asking me to take you along?"
285 [Phorni]
286 "Yes, I'm sure. Just do it."
287 [Chris]
288 "Oh well."
289 As told, I placed Phorni on my shoulder.
290 She supported herself by holding on to my ear, and chuckled in a low voice.
291 [Chris]
292 "H-Hey, that tickles!"
293 [Phorni]
294 "Endure it!"
295 [Chris]
296 "Why should I? This is pointless."
297 [Phorni]
298 "There is a point."
299 I suddenly felt something touch my cheek.
300 It was only for an instant, like a strand of hair that grazed my cheek in the wind.
301 When I turned to look, Phorni had already flown down to the nearby desk, and looked up at me.
302 [Phorni]
303 "Okay, be careful now."
304 [Chris]
305 "... What did you just do?"
306 [Phorni]
307 "Secret."
308 [Chris]
309 "Secret? ... Oh, come on."
310 [Phorni]
311 "Just go already!"
312 [Chris]
313 "Okay... I'll ask again when I come back."
314 [Phorni]
315 "Sure. See you."
316 [Chris]
317 "... Oddball."
318 I left behind the peculiar fairy and headed for the trattoria.
319 It was still a bit early when I arrived in front of Copert.
320 The rain was still weak, so it posed no problems to wait outside.
321 After a while, the door opened and Fal came out.
322 [Fal]
323 "Sorry for the wait. You should have come inside."
324 [Chris]
325 "It's no big deal waiting out here."
326 I glanced up at the sky, confirming once more the frailty of the rain.
327 [Fal]
328 "I see. But there's no point standing around here getting even more wet. Let's go."
329 [Chris]
330 "No need to shop?"
331 [Fal]
332 "I did that before work. I can start immediately when we get back. Are you hungry?"
333 [Chris]
334 "Somewhat. I haven't had anything since noon."
335 [Fal]
336 "Good. I'm hungry too, so I'll get started right away."
337 [Chris]
338 "I'm looking forward to it."
339 Being able to eat truly delicious food, with the person I wanted to eat it with most, might have been what made me truly happy right now.
340 It was probably a trivial thing to most.
341 A kind of happiness some people would ridicule me for.
342 ---But there must have been some people who felt the same way.
343 All the while wishing the girl in front of me was one of those people, I spent time with her that I would surely treasure forever.
344 [Fal]
345 "Okay, now that we're both full, let's start practicing."
346 After a brief after-dinner rest, we returned to our main objective.
347 While I was still wondering about what Fal was so worried about, all I could do for now was to try and put up the best performance I could.
348 I set up the Fortell I brought along, and was all set to go.
349 [Chris]
350 "Ready when you are."
351 [Fal]
352 "Let's do the same thing we did this morning. It might all be my imagination, after all."
353 [Chris]
354 "I hope it is."
355 [Fal]
356 "Yeah. Then let's begin."
357 With that, we began our performance.
358 ---My fingers moved.
359 My form wasn't bad.
360 In fact, it was pretty good.
361                                         And yet...
362 Even I felt there was something missing now.
363 Something on an emotional level, too abstract to put into words.
364 With that dominating my mind, I could no longer focus properly. Fal stopped singing and glanced at me with worry in her eyes.
365 [Fal]
366 "... Chris?"
367 [Chris]
368 "Ah... I'm sorry."
369 [Fal]
370 "Not feeling well after all?"
371 [Chris]
372 "... Perhaps."
373 [Fal]
374 "Are you okay?"
375 [Chris]
376 "..."
377 I didn't doubt she was genuinely concerned about me, but her true anxieties must have been aimed at the recital the day after tomorrow.
378 [Chris]
379 "I think so."
380 [Fal]
381 "... I hope you're right."
382 [Chris]
383 "I'm sorry for disappointing you at such a crucial time."
384 [Fal]
385 "Oh, no, it's no big deal, don't worry. Only the actual graduation recital is important."
386 I could say nothing in return, so I just nodded.
387 We continued rehearsing, and by the time I decided to go home, it was almost midnight.
388 After making some plans to practice again tomorrow, we went to the front door.
389 [Fal]
390 "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
391 [Chris]
392 "Okay. Things might change after a good night's sleep."
393 [Fal]
394 "... Yeah."
395 [Chris]
396 "See ya."
397 [Fal]
398 "Ah, wait!"
399 [Chris]
400 "What is it?"
401 [Fal]
402 "... Did something happen?"
403 [Chris]
404 "Nothing in particular..."
405 [Fal]
406 "Really?"
407 She gave me a questioning glance, her face closing in on mine in the process.
408 I could feel her breath on my nose as she continued.
409 [Fal]
410 "If something happened, you can tell me. We told each other these things before, didn't we?"
411 [Chris]
412 "Y... Yeah, I know."
413 [Fal]
414 "I'm serious, you know?"
415 I noticed my cheeks growing hot.
416 That was because I suddenly recalled what had happened in the practice room.
417 I was sure she wouldn't push me away if I wrapped my arms around her now.
418 [Fal]
419 "... Ah..."
420 Having noticed the change in me, her face reddened and she took a few steps backward.
421 [Chris]
422 "Ah... I'm sorry."
423 [Fal]
424 "T-That's all right."
425 She made a face as though she'd suddenly realized something - perhaps she'd just figured out the answer to the question herself.
426 The mood became a little awkward after that. Neither of us felt like pursuing the subject further.
427 [Chris]
428 "... Anyway, it's gotten pretty late, so I should leave."
429 [Fal]
430 "Okay. Oh, but can I ask you one last question?"
431 [Chris]
432 "Go ahead."
433 [Fal]
434 "Chris... are you happy right now?"
435 [Chris]
436 "... Probably."
437 I was taken aback by that sudden question, so I answered only vaguely at first, but corrected myself afterward.
438 [Chris]
439 "Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm happy right now."
440 [Fal]
441 "... I see."
442 Fal averted her eyes and hung her head upon hearing my still slightly reserved answer.
443 Only seconds later she raised her head again with only her usual smile projected on her face.
444 In effect, I had no idea what kind of face she'd been making at that moment.
445 My current level of fatigue could no longer be considered comfortable.
446 I thoughtlessly dried my hair again with the towel by the door, and dropped onto my bed.
447 Phorni must have had vanished already - there had been no words of welcome or good night from her.
448 df15