000 I decided against waiting for Lise at the old school building, and killed some time at the cafeteria.
001 In the end, I had been able to perform another ensemble with Lise without much of a hassle.
002 Granted, I didn't get a clear answer from her yet, nor did I have the opportunity to talk to her that much in the first place.
003 We simply performed together in silence.
004 But that was all that was needed.
005 Everything I wanted to say was embedded into my notes.
006 It's not that uncommon to convey emotion without words.
007 Although there were many situations demanding of vocal communication, I was convinced Lise would talk to me when the time was right.
008 I already had faith in her to that extent.
009 And I was pretty sure the feeling was mutual.
010 Lise was probably thinking something along the same lines.
011 ---After the umpteenth ring of the bell, I decided to rise.
012 The old school building was quiet, completely devoid of people.
013 At least... it was supposed to be.
014 [Chris]
015 "... Ms. Cordell?"
016 [Cordell]
017 "Oh, hi Chris. What are you up to here?"
018 [Chris]
019 "Yeah... I'd like to pose the same question to you."
020 [Cordell]
021 "Huh. Did you come here to practice?"
022 [Chris]
023 "... Something like that."
024 [Cordell]
025 "I heard you've been missing from the practice rooms recently. I never imagined you'd be practicing in a place like this, though."
026 [Chris]
027 "... So what about you, Ms. Cordell?"
028 [Cordell]
029 "It appears you haven't checked the bulletin board yet."
030 [Chris]
031 "... Guess not."
032 [Cordell]
033 "This building is off limits starting today."
034 [Chris]
035 "... Huh?"
036 [Cordell]
037 "There have been reports stating that this building is deteriorating, so they looked into yesterday. This is the result."
038 [Chris]
039 "B-But... it's completely fine!"
040 [Cordell]
041 "I agree, but it's the higher ups' decision. You'll have to find some other place. Can't you just use a practice room?"
042 [Chris]
043 "... That's not the issue here..."
044 [Cordell]
045 "Anyway, you can no longer go inside. It's locked."
046 [Chris]
047 "You're kidding..."
048 [Cordell]
049 "I will miss this building as well, but times come and go. It may not seem so to the untrained eye, but it's probably hazardous."
050 [Chris]
051 "..."
052 [Cordell]
053 "I've been assigned to guard this place, but I never expected people to actually show up. Anyway, you can't go in. Practice someplace else."
054 [Chris]
055 "... Fine."
056 [Cordell]
057 "... You're not leaving?"
058 [Chris]
059 "I'm just waiting for someone."
060 [Cordell]
061 "Really. Someone you've been practicing here with?"
062 [Chris]
063 "... That's right."
064 [Cordell]
065 "... I see. In that case, you may enter from the back."
066 Ms. Cordell pointed toward a small path that seemed to lead all the way around the building.
067 [Chris]
068 "... What do you mean?"
069 [Cordell]
070 "The back door was left open for students to pick up forgotten articles. There seem to be a lot of those today. A freshman girl just went in before you."
071 [Chris]
072 "But..."
073 [Cordell]
074 "You forgot something, didn't you?"
075 [Chris]
076 "Y... Yes..."
077 [Cordell]
078 "Then please hurry."
079 Ms. Cordell smiled at me as though to say that she understood perfectly what was going on.
080 Right on the opposite side of the building, there was an open entrance, as Ms. Cordell had said.
081 I entered through there and headed toward the music room.
082 [Chris]
083 "... Lise."
084 [Lise]
085 "Ah... Chris-senpai. So you came after all."
086 [Chris]
087 "Yup. I came to pick up a forgotten article."
088 [Lise]
089 "... A forgotten article?"
090 [Chris]
091 "... Never mind. I just felt like saying something cool."
092 [Lise]
093 "Is that... so..."
094 [Chris]
095 "In any case, we can't stay here for long. Though I think we're safe as long as Ms. Cordell remains on guard."
096 [Lise]
097 "... Umm, I'm sorry that it's come to this..."
098 [Chris]
099 "Huh? It's not your fault, so don't be sorry."
100 [Lise]
101 "... So, should we... still continue to practice?"
102 [Chris]
103 "It'd be nice if we had some place to do so."
104 [Lise]
105 "... No, that's not what I meant..."
106 [Chris]
107 "Hm?"
108 [Lise]
109 "I mean... is it really okay for us to continue?"
110 [Chris]
111 "Why wouldn't it be? I think it's okay, at least. ... So I guess the decision is up to you."
112 [Lise]
113 "N-No. I mean... I think it's okay too. But..."
114 [Chris]
115 "... Lise?"
116 [Lise]
117 "..."
118 [Chris]
119 "Although we won't be able to use this room anymore... will you continue to perform ensembles with me?"
120 [Lise]
121 "..."
122 Lise didn't answer for a while.
123 Every once in a while she parted her lips to say something, but every time her face contorted into a grimace, and she swallowed her words.
124 I had already confessed my honest feelings, so all I could do was wait for her answer.
125 [Lise]
126 "... Umm, do you really think I'm... good enough?"
127 Relieved, I answered her promptly.
128 [Chris]
129 "Of course. I want to perform together with you, after all."
130 [Lise]
131 "... Senpai..."
132 [Chris]
133 "So now, we've got to find a new place to practice."
134 [Lise]
135 "Y-Yes..."
136 [Chris]
137 "How about the practice rooms at school?"
138 [Lise]
139 "I'd rather not go there..."
140 But no other place came to mind.
141 It'd have to be somewhere where the noise generated by the Fortell and vocals are tolerated.
142 Practicing at the institute was a no go.
143 ... Meaning my apartment was the only option left.
144 Lise's house flashed through my mind for a second as well, but that seemed like a bad idea, for various reasons.
145 [Chris]
146 "What about my apartment? ... Well, I mean... it might be a bit sudden to invite you to my room and all, but..."
147 [Lise]
148 "..."
149 [Chris]
150 "... W-What's wrong?"
151 [Lise]
152 "Nothing... I'm sorry. I don't mind practicing in your room."
153 [Chris]
154 "R-Really? If it's really no problem, then it's settled."
155 [Lise]
156 "... Yes, it's fine."
157 [Chris]
158 "So... when will you come? This is the last day you'll be able to come here this week, isn't it?"
159 [Lise]
160 "R-Right. I have other engagements on Thursdays and Fridays."
161 [Chris]
162 "Then how about Saturday?"
163 [Lise]
164 "R-Right..."
165 I considered inviting her for Natale as well, but cut that thought quickly.
166 Sure, Arietta couldn't visit this Natale, but Lise had the right to spend it with someone other than me.
167 Just meeting up on Saturday should be fine. After all, it wasn't like we were officially partners or anything.
168 ... But, say I were to ask, what if she complied?
169 Or - although I figured it was unlikely judging from Lise's personality - what if she told me she *2Awants*2A to spend Natale with me?
170 I probably wouldn't be able to refuse.
171 In fact, I would not refuse her. In all honesty, I didn't want to refuse her.
172 I could come up with some excuse.
173 Perhaps to cordially invite her to be my graduation partner.
174 And it would all be for Lise's sake.
175 And then, I would be---
176 Wait, what was I thinking? Why would I need an excuse?
177 [Lise]
178 "Umm... Is something wrong?"
179 [Chris]
180 "A-Ah... It's nothing. I was lost in thought."
181 [Lise]
182 "I see..."
183 [Chris]
184 "Anyway, let's call it quits for today. I think Ms. Cordell is still waiting outside."
185 [Lise]
186 "Yes."
187 [Cordell]
188 "Took you long enough. Did you find what you were looking for?"
189 Ms. Cordell was standing by the school gate to ambush us.
190 [Chris]
191 "Yes. As you can see."
192 I stepped aside and showed Lise to her.
193 [Cordell]
194 "That's quite a cute forgotten article. Anyway, you can no longer use this place. The back door will be locked from tomorrow forth."
195 [Chris]
196 "It's not a problem."
197 [Cordell]
198 "Liselsia. Do you understand?"
199 [Lise]
200 "... Yes."
201 Ms. Cordell asked her for confirmation by calling her by name.
202 Did she know her?
203 ... Come to think of it, Grave knew about Asino and I being Ms. Cordell's students.
204 There might have been some connection there. Then again, she might have happened to ask for her name when Lise approached the old building earlier today.
205 In any case, I couldn't confirm anything with Ms. Cordell with Lise present.
206 [Chris]
207 "Well then, if you'll excuse us."
208 [Cordell]
209 "You're excused. I'll do another round, then change positions with another teacher. I have a lecture to give soon."
210 Lise and I left Ms. Cordell behind us and returned to the campus.
211 [Chris]
212 "Err... Shall we part for now? Or or would you rather come to my apartment right away?"
213 [Chris]
214 "There's no problem with meeting on Saturday, but I thought you might want to give the place a check-up first."
215 [Lise]
216 "Ah... In that case... if it's okay with you, I'd like to see your apartment."
217 [Chris]
218 "Of course it's okay!"
219 [Lise]
220 "T-Then please, show me."
221 As we walked from the campus toward the front gate, I heard my name being called behind me.
222 [Torta]
223 "Chris... and... Liselsia, was it?"
224 [Chris]
225 "Ah... Torta."
226 I turned around to see Torta standing there with a sullen look on her face.
227 Did she finish today's practice session already?
228 [Torta]
229 "Are you two going to practice together?"
230 [Chris]
231 "... No, we were about to go home."
232 [Torta]
233 "Are you sure about that? Graduation's just around the corner, you know?"
234 [Chris]
235 "... True..."
236 I haven't even settled on what song to play.
237 Although I asked Lise to be my partner, I have yet to receive a proper answer.
238 We just smiled and performed more ensembles together.
239 ... My only option was to give Torta a roundabout response.
240 [Torta]
241 "... I see. Then can I ask you one thing?"
242 [Chris]
243 "Sure, what is it?"
244 [Torta]
245 "I'd like to speak with Liselsia in private for a bit. Do you have a minute?"
246 [Chris]
247 "Well..."
248 [Torta]
249 "I have some things to say to her - as her senior of the vocal department."
250 [Chris]
251 "Well yeah, about that..."
252 Torta didn't know Lise was actually a Fortellist.
253 As I was busy coming up with a suitable explanation, Lise cut in.
254 [Lise]
255 "Umm... I don't mind."
256 She even walked up right next to Torta.
257 [Chris]
258 "Lise..."
259 [Lise]
260 "I have some things to discuss with her as well,"
261 Lise stated plainly.
262 This was uncharacteristic of her. But... I felt it was a good sign.
263 [Chris]
264 "... All right. But we might catch a cold out here in the rain, so let's hurry inside first."
265 [Torta]
266 "... Good idea. Is that okay with you, Liselsia?"
267 [Lise]
268 "Y... Yes."
269 And so, the three of us embarked toward the secondary school building.
270 I stood gazing outside a window overlooking the campus.
271 Torta and Lise had gone a little further inside, and were now engaged in conversation. I was unable to discern their soft voices.
272 Taking care not to observe them excessively, I shifted my gaze back out the window.
273 It was rather unusual for Lise to speak up to someone.
274 Since Torta didn't know anything about Lise, her conduct was to be expected.
275 That may have been the precise reason Lise decided to engage the conversation herself.
276 What would Torta think if Lise told her she was actually a Fortellist?
277 Would she get angry, taking it as proof that I haven't been serious about things?
278 To be honest, that didn't seem likely to me.
279 She would probably just shrug, smile, and tell me to do my best.
280 And I could only give her one answer:
281 'I will.'
282 I had the feeling I had been lost in thought for quite a while.
283 Glancing in the pair's direction once more, they appeared to still be discussing something.
284 I was wondering if maybe it hadn't been that long after all. I checked my watch, and saw that it's lasted for more than ten minutes.
285 What could they be talking about for so long?
286 Was she trying to convince her that a non-vocalist couldn't become my partner?
287 Nah... If so, she would probably tell me first. Besides, judging from Torta and Lise's expressions, which I could vaguely make out from here, it certainly didn't seem that way.
288 No one seemed upset, sad, or anything like that.
289 They just seemed to be intently engaged in conversation.
290 In the best case scenario, they already finished talking about what I was worried about, and Torta was just giving her advice as a vocalist.
291 ---Since thinking about it wasn't accomplishing anything, I cast my gaze toward the sky once again.
292 I decided to cease thought this time.
293 I just waited for the conversation to pass.
294 About five minutes later, I suddenly heard a voice approach beside me.
295 [Torta]
296 "Sorry for the wait."
297 Without me noticing, they were now both standing right next to me.
298 [Lise]
299 "Umm... I'm sorry."
300 [Torta]
301 "It was really important, so please understand."
302 [Chris]
303 "I-It's no problem..."
304 Without revisiting the matter, Torta began walking toward the exit.
305 The moment I looked Lise in the eye, she awkwardly turned toward Torta and followed in her tracks.
306 There wasn't much else I could do but follow suit.
307 [Torta]
308 "I'm going back to the practice room. Hurry home so you won't catch a cold."
309 [Chris]
310 "... I know."
311 Upon my answer, Torta glanced up at the sky, trying to capture raindrops in the palm of her hand.
312 [Chris]
313 "What's wrong? Have you never seen rain before?"
314 [Torta]
315 "Of course I have. There's nothing but rain around here."
316 With that, she swirled around and turned her back toward me, leaving me bewildered about her intentions.
317 Torta turned to Lise for her closing statement.
318 [Torta]
319 "Good luck."
320 [Lise]
321 "... T-Thanks."
322 She then walked back to the secondary school building, without looking back.
323 While Torta's actions left me a bit confused, there was no point in standing around here.
324 I thought I'd talk a bit with Lise while we were walking.
325 I was searching for the right words to say.
326 I wanted to know what she and Torta had discussed, but I had no idea how to go about asking for such information.
327 I was actually waiting for Lise to speak up, but she had her eyes cast to the ground as though in deep thought.
328 I absently wondered if I used to make Ari and Torta feel like this sometimes.
329 As I was about to tell Lise we had arrived at my apartment, she finally spoke up.
330 [Lise]
331 "Umm... Is it okay if we leave it at this for today?"
332 [Chris]
333 "... Huh?"
334 [Lise]
335 "I will come here on Saturday."
336 [Chris]
337 "I don't mind, of course, but..."
338 [Lise]
339 "I'm sorry. I want to think for a bit right now."
340 [Chris]
341 "... That's okay. Don't worry about it."
342 [Lise]
343 "Around what time should I arrive?"
344 [Chris]
345 "You're welcome anytime. I should be home all day."
346 [Lise]
347 "... Understood. See you Saturday, then."
348 [Chris]
349 "... See you."
350 In the end, Lise never told me about what happened with Torta.
351 And I couldn't bring myself to ask. All I could do was to wave her goodbye.
352 But something about Torta's attitude conveyed her approval of Lise.
353 I went inside, thinking how it would be nice if it was just some song or something that they'd been talking about.
354 I dried my hair with a towel and gave my room a quick look-over.
355 As per the promise I'd made with Lise, this would now be the place for us to perform our ensembles.
356 Up until now, only people I was very close with had ever come over, like Ari and Torta.
357 Since they knew how I was, and I felt comfortable around them, I was fine with having them over, but...
358 I couldn't help feel a bit embarrassed about the dreariness of my room.
359 And I felt a bit bad for Lise, as she hated the gloomy practice rooms at the institute as well.
360 [Phorni]
361 "Looking for something?"
362 Did she have a problem with me surveying my room?
363 [Chris]
364 "Nah. I was just thinking about how my room looks a bit plain."
365 [Phorni]
366 "A little late to notice, aren't we?"
367 In the three years I've lived here, I've never felt very attached to this room, so naturally I never made an effort to decorate it.
368 But then, Phorni's existence livened things up a bit.
369 [Chris]
370 "You're a merry little fairy though."
371 [Phorni]
372 "What's that supposed to mean? You're complimenting me, right?"
373 [Chris]
374 "I wonder about that..."
375 [Phorni]
376 "..."
377 Phorni gave me a disgruntled scowl.
378 While now might not have been the best time, I probably had to tell her soon.
379 Tell her that before long, a girl with a beautiful voice was coming here to sing.
380 bl08