000 The day of the recital.
001 I put on my uniform, and, with a renewed vigor, shouldered my Fortell case.
002 [Chris]
003 "Let's go."
004 [Phorni]
005 "Yeah."
006 Determination was laced in our voices.
007 What we were about to do today would probably be frowned upon by the institute.
008 A student of the Fortell department, standing solitary on stage.
009 It probably... No, it definitely hadn't happened before.
010 I likely wouldn't even be graded.
011 But I didn't mind.
012 There was meaning in simply standing on that stage with this sprite of music.
013 I no longer cared whether her voice could be heard or not.
014 What mattered most was being able to spend our last moments there, on stage.
015 We had spent almost every waking hour of our time since then rehearsing, honing our performance to perfection.
016 I didn't even need a score anymore.
017 But the score that now lay snugly in my bag was the first thing Phorni and I had created together.
018 Just having it in front of me soothed my mind - a good-luck charm, if you will.
019 [Phorni]
020 "What time are we up again?"
021 [Chris]
022 "We're the first performance of the afternoon program. Around thirty minutes from now."
023 I'd confirmed this at the bulletin board that day I talked with Torta.
024 While most practice rooms should have been available, we'd done our rehearsal this morning at home.
025 All that remained was the main event.
026 I had perfected my technique, and was full of energy.
027 I would have to say goodbye soon to this tree-lined road I'd grown so familiar with.
028 Even the institute, which I'd always felt I hadn't been able to acclimatize to, now filled me with nostalgia.
029 Then again, it was obvious that the feeling was spawned by the mindset that this might be the last time I see it.
030 ---After the performance, the reactions of those around us would settle everything.
031 Well, it wouldn't settle everything for me,
032 but just my evaluation as a student of the institute.
033 Whichever way things went, I probably would never be able to become a professional musician.
034 My future was already set in stone.
035 Even though it was lunch break, the hall was filled with noise.
036 The graduation recital attracted many visitors, so in order to accommodate them, only a handful of seats were designated for student use.
037 Apparently, students who really wanted to see the recital rarely got up from their seats, to prevent others from taking them.
038 Ms. Cordell had told me this fact after I'd found out the hard way at the recital last year.
039 We arrived backstage ten minutes before our deadline.
040 We were right on time, according to what was written on the bulletin board.
041 I was told by a student in charge that those up right after the break were to prepare on stage before the curtain was raised, so that was exactly what I did.
042 The babble of voices behind the curtain gradually grew louder, testifying that the moment of truth was imminent.
043 Phorni was still sitting on my shoulder, showing absolutely no sign of tension.
044 [Cordell]
045 "Chris."
046 [Chris]
047 "Ah... Ms. Cordell. Good morning."
048 [Cordell]
049 "... It's already noon, you know. So, where's your partner?"
050 I hadn't been to school once since that day I met Torta.
051 And I'd had my final private lesson from Ms. Cordell last year.
052 It was for students to decide whether to rehearse at school or at home.
053 I hadn't seen Asino and Torta since then either.
054 But that may have been for the better.
055 I was certain everyone would have been opposed to my plans.
056 [Chris]
057 "My partner..."
058 I shifted my gaze to my shoulder and met eyes with my precious partner.
059 [Cordell]
060 "... Hey, Chris?"
061 The buzzer announcing the start of the recital resounded through the hall, and I saw the lights dimming through a gap in the curtain.
062 [Cordell]
063 "This is bad. She's not here yet? We might be able to schedule you for a later time."
064 [Chris]
065 "No, that's okay."
066 [Cordell]
067 "Huh?"
068 [Chris]
069 "This time is fine."
070 [Phorni]
071 "I'm sorry, Ms. Cordell."
072 Phorni apologized, despite knowing she could not be heard.
073 [Chris]
074 "I'm sorry, but I'll be going now."
075 The grinding sound of revolving chains was emitted from the curtain-raising device.
076 [Cordell]
077 "... Chris!"
078 Ms. Cordell shouted my name in a restrained, yet reprimanding voice.
079 At about the same time, an announcement was made over the speakers.
080 And my name was called.
081 [Chris]
082 "Let's go."
083 [Phorni]
084 "Okay!"
085 I bowed deeply to Ms. Cordell, and walked onto the stage.
086 The bright illumination forced me to narrow my eyes for a moment.
087 I soon grew accustomed to that, and sat down behind my Fortell.
088 Phorni jumped down from my shoulder and alighted atop it.
089 I opened up the score I was holding, and placed it on the stand.
090 With that, my preparations were finished.
091 [Phorni]
092 "Shall we begin?"
093 Phorni said merrily.
094 I responded with a quiet nod.
095 ---The hall was slightly astir.
096 It appeared no one was able to see Phorni.
097 Then again, if they *2Awere*2A able to see her, there would likely have been far more of a commotion.
098 I found Torta sitting in one of the front seats, right by the stage.
099 For an instant - our eyes locked.
100 Torta looked perplexed at first, then restlessly shifted her gaze around.
101 In fact, most of the audience had their eyes averted from us, fully expecting someone's belated entrance from backstage.
102 Going against their expectations, I brought my hands to the keyboard and began playing the first notes.
103 After we finished, I gingerly stood up.
104 I wasn't expecting any applause.
105 All I had on mind was how regretful it was that no one had been able to hear her magnificent voice.
106 ---The next moment, we were engulfed by a thunderous applause.
107 [Chris]
108 "... Wh..."
109 [Phorni]
110 "What?"
111 I realized the applause was directed at us, but could only gape my mouth in astonishment.
112 [Chris]
113 "... Did they hear you?"
114 [Phorni]
115 "... It appears so."
116 Forgetting to bow, I merely stood there in front of the cheering crowd.
117 The applause showed no sign of ceasing.
118 Flustered and wondering what to do, I noticed Ms. Cordell waving at me from backstage.
119 After barely managing a bow, I quickly scurried toward her.
120 [Cordell]
121 "... Chris. What on earth was that just now?"
122 she inquired, her voice full of excitement.
123 To be honest, I was wondering that myself as well.
124 [Chris]
125 "... I'm not sure myself."
126 [Cordell]
127 "Who was singing just now?"
128 [Chris]
129 "... My partner."
130 Phorni waved to Ms. Cordell from my shoulder.
131 While she obviously couldn't see her, she somehow smiled in agreement, then patted my head.
132 [Cordell]
133 "I'm not sure what happened, but great job. It was absolutely the best performance I've heard yet."
134 [Chris]
135 "... I-I see..."
136 This was the first time I'd ever received such direct words of praise from her.
137 Even though I was glad, I could only manage a vague response, as I still couldn't quite believe it.
138 [Cordell]
139 "It's so odd. Everyone's confused about hearing a voice they couldn't have ever been able to hear."
140 Ms. Cordell herself was quite confused as well, proven by the fact that she was unwittingly blocking the next students up as she stood staring into the audience.
141 [Chris]
142 "... What now?"
143 [Phorni]
144 "Wanna run away?"
145 [Chris]
146 "That might be nice."
147 [Phorni]
148 "Then take me along."
149 [Chris]
150 "Okay."
151 [Cordell]
152 "H-Hey. ... Chris?"
153 [Chris]
154 "If you'll excuse me. Should I end up being allowed to graduate, I will show up at the graduation ceremony."
155 With that, I flew outside.
156 The hall was still awash in the echoes of the crowd whispering amongst themselves.
157 It had been like that during the entire performance.
158 That was of no concern to me.
159 Phorni and I locked eyes again, and bowed.
160 Finally, I exchanged a look with Torta sitting all the way up front.
161 While our performance wasn't quite satisfactory, we had done all we could.
162 And so, we left the stage behind us.
163 [Cordell]
164 "... What's the meaning of this?"
165 [Chris]
166 "My partner wasn't here. That's all."
167 [Cordell]
168 "Then why didn't you tell me... I might have been able to arrange something."
169 [Chris]
170 "No, it's fine like this."
171 [Cordell]
172 "You might not be able to graduate, you know?"
173 [Chris]
174 "Yes, I don't mind."
175 [Cordell]
176 "Are you planning to repeat the year? Well, I suppose you won't have to worry about tuition fees in the Fortell department, but..."
177 [Chris]
178 "I don't plan to remain here."
179 [Cordell]
180 "Then what will you do?"
181 [Chris]
182 "I'll return to my hometown, and start anew."
183 [Cordell]
184 "... That's quite the determined look you have on your face."
185 [Chris]
186 "Because I am determined."
187 I looked Phorni in the eyes.
188 [Phorni]
189 "Really, it's a good face to be making."
190 Unable to answer, I turned to Ms. Cordell again.
191 [Cordell]
192 "Your tones were nice - completely devoid of sorrow. I should compliment you on that, at least."
193 [Chris]
194 "Thank you very much."
195 I bowed deeply to her, then left the hall.
196 [Chris]
197 "What shall we do now?"
198 I felt refreshed now that everything was over - regardless of what the result may be.
199 Phorni jumped down to the table and spread her wings.
200 [Phorni]
201 "We have to go back to that town,"
202 Phorni said happily, to which I dropped to my knees before her.
203 [Chris]
204 "Let's go."
205 [Phorni]
206 "... Okay."
207 I held out a hand to her, which incited her to place her small hand on mine.
208 It was just as I had once pictured it in the past.
209 da07_2
210 da07_1