000 We'd spent the two days after that practicing, without anything of note happening.
001 The fact that I could forget about everything while we practiced was my one salvation.
002 And today marked our first practice session of the year at the institute.
003 Since I was a bit worried, I went back to the entrance after dropping off my stuff at a practice room, to wait for Chris.
004 Chris appeared at a slightly earlier time than usual.
005 [Torta]
006 "Ah, morning."
007 [Chris]
008 "Morning."
009 Our practice sessions over the past two days had been somewhat peaceful, with Chris not appearing to be noticeably depressed.
010 I thought he might have been acting, but judging from his actions, it really did seem like some burden had fallen off his shoulders.
011 I predicted he might have left everything up to Ari.
012 I would know tomorrow, when I received the letter from Chris.
013 And I had an idea.
014 But it would take a considerable amount of resolve to put it into effect - something I did not yet have.
015 The deadline would be tomorrow, however I was still hesitant.
016 ---But this wasn't the time for that.
017 Just like Chris, I pretended to feel good as I spent the days with him.
018 [Chris]
019 "... It's pretty packed."
020 [Torta]
021 "No surprises there, but don't worry."
022 [Chris]
023 "Hm?"
024 [Torta]
025 "I left my bag there in advance,"
026 I said, pointing at a room ahead.
027 [Chris]
028 "Your bag? You're well-prepared."
029 [Torta]
030 "I have to compensate for someone who never is, after all."
031 [Chris]
032 "Couldn't have said it better."
033 [Torta]
034 "... Deny it, darn you."
035 [Chris]
036 "I can't."
037 [Torta]
038 "... Agh, whatever."
039 Even if we were only cheerful on the outside, this was something we needed right now.
040 [Chris]
041 "That's kind of careless."
042 Those were his first words as we entered the practice room.
043 [Torta]
044 "But if people see it, they'll usually leave."
045 Most students here were well-bred, so I'd never even heard of theft on campus.
046 While that didn't change the fact it was careless, at this time and place it would do no harm.
047 [Chris]
048 "True. I would."
049 [Torta]
050 "See? Besides, I came here first, didn't I?"
051 The room happened to be available anyway, and we actually came quite early as well, so it wouldn't bother any other students.
052 This was also one of the reasons I always arrived early in the morning.
053 [Chris]
054 "What time did you arrive?"
055 [Torta]
056 "Around nine. I did some vocal exercises already."
057 [Chris]
058 "... Whoa."
059 [Torta]
060 "A voice takes longer to warm up than an instrument. I always arrive about thirty minutes early."
061 [Chris]
062 "Impressive."
063 [Torta]
064 "Are you ready yet?"
065 My preparations were already behind me.
066 I only had to wait for Chris to finish.
067 [Chris]
068 "Almost done."
069 Perhaps partly due to my influence, Chris had already been preparing while we talked, and was now almost ready to start playing.
070 While it satisfied me, I figured it wasn't really anything to compliment him about, so I decided to just start practice right away.
071 [Torta]
072 "Then let's try playing through."
073 ---The moment I said that, there was a knock on the door of the soundproof room.
074 [Chris]
075 "Hm?"
076 When Chris - who sat closest to the door - peeked through the window, he raised an unexpected name.
077 [Chris]
078 "M... Ms. Cordell..."
079 [Chris]
080 "G-Good morning."
081 [Cordell]
082 "Morning. Glad to see you're here this early - I was worried you might not show up. It must be thanks to Tortinita."
083 [Chris]
084 "... It is, in fact."
085 [Torta]
086 "Ah, good morning, Ms. Cordell. What can we do for you?"
087 [Cordell]
088 "Good morning. Just thought I'd check up on how my pupils were doing after the holidays."
089 [Chris]
090 "Check up on us?"
091 [Cordell]
092 "I thought I'd listen to your performance once more. What do you think?"
093 [Torta]
094 "Yes, please do."
095 [Chris]
096 "Erm, if you would be so kind, then please do."
097 [Cordell]
098 "Good attitude. Then meet me at one-thirty at the usual lesson room."
099 [Chris]
100 "Yes, ma'am."
101 [Cordell]
102 "Continue rehearsing until then."
103 As usual, Ms. Cordell curtly stated her demands and left again.
104 I had a lot to thank her for as well.
105 I didn't want to mess up in front of her.
106 [Torta]
107 "We'll have to put some extra effort into it,"
108 I said with renewed enthusiasm, to which Chris responded with a silent nod.
109 [Torta]
110 "We should go soon."
111 [Chris]
112 "Huh? Oh, is it that late already?"
113 It was still a bit early, but being late was out of the question.
114 We stood up, so that we could take our time to walk over there.
115 [Chris]
116 "I'm a little nervous again."
117 He looked pretty tense as well.
118 [Torta]
119 "If this is enough to make you nervous, how are you gonna handle the real deal? You're too delicate for a boy."
120 [Chris]
121 "Just because I'm not as coarse as you doesn't mean I'm too delicate."
122 [Torta]
123 "You dare repeat that?"
124 [Chris]
125 "... See what I mean?"
126 [Torta]
127 "I'd collapse if I were half as delicate as you."
128 [Chris]
129 "How so?"
130 [Torta]
131 "... Many reasons."
132 I did think I had become more brazen compared to before.
133 If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to handle people like Asino and Chris.
134 Even so... I sometimes wondered if I hadn't become weaker as well.
135 Even the slightest things would hurt me lately - I felt I'd become a lot more sentimental.
136 When we arrived, Ms. Cordell said she had some things to do and left for about five minutes, so we passed the time looking at our scores.
137 Ms. Cordell soon returned.
138 [Cordell]
139 "Sorry to keep you waiting. Looks like you're all set, so let's go."
140 [Chris]
141 "Ah... Yes, ma'am."
142 [Cordell]
143 "Begin."
144 [Torta]
145 "Y-Yes, ma'am."
146 It was way too sudden, but thankfully, I was prepared.
147 I rebooted my mind and faced Chris.
148 Once the overtures of the Fortell resounded through the room, I forgot about everything, and became able to sing.
149 [Cordell]
150 "... Pretty good."
151 Ms. Cordell smiled faintly in apparent admiration.
152 I'd heard she rarely gave people compliments, but I had the feeling that for us, she did nothing but.
153 [Chris]
154 "Thank you very much."
155 [Torta]
156 "... Phew. Thank you very much."
157 We thanked her and waited for her to continue.
158 [Cordell]
159 "... However..."
160 [Chris]
161 "Huh? Was there some kind of problem?"
162 [Cordell]
163 "Never mind, it's nothing. No problems in particular."
164 There was an odd pause there for a bit, but I knew she meant what she said.
165 Even so, there seemed to be something on her mind.
166 But judging from her personality, she likely wouldn't answer even if I asked.
167 [Chris]
168 "... Okay then..."
169 [Cordell]
170 "Keep up the good work."
171 [Chris]
172 "Yes, ma'am."
173 [Torta]
174 "Yes, ma'am."
175 As we were quickly packing up to relocate back to the practice room, Ms. Cordell turned to me and said,
176 [Cordell]
177 "By the way, could you remain here before you go? There's something I want to talk to you about."
178 [Chris]
179 "Huh? Oh... Sure,"
180 Chris answered after immediately turning around, making me wonder if I hadn't misunderstood.
181 However, Ms. Cordell kept her gaze fixed on me as she continued,
182 [Cordell]
183 "Not you, Chris. I was talking to Tortinita."
184 [Torta]
185 "Ah... Sure, I will."
186 What could it be about?
187 [Cordell]
188 "It's stuff concerning the vocal department. You can go on ahead, Chris."
189 [Chris]
190 "Okay... I will, then."
191 Or so Ms. Cordell said, but I still had no clue as to what she could have wanted.
192 Today was the deadline for the partner registration, but I'd wrapped that up this morning.
193 Either way, I would know soon enough. I decided to let Chris go ahead.
194 [Torta]
195 "You go back first. The same practice room, if it's available. If not... Umm, will this take long?"
196 [Cordell]
197 "Four or five minutes."
198 [Torta]
199 "Understood. Could you wait at a practice room, Chris? Wouldn't want it to get fully occupied."
200 [Chris]
201 "Got it. Then, if you'll excuse me."
202 [Cordell]
203 "See you. I'm usually here all day, so if you have anything to ask, don't hesitate to come. I'll do whatever I can to help."
204 [Chris]
205 "Thank you very much."
206 [Torta]
207 "Sorry, see you later."
208 [Chris]
209 "Yeah."
210 With that, Chris left, leaving Ms. Cordell and me behind.
211 [Torta]
212 "So... This has something to do with the vocal department?"
213 I had the feeling I was being lied to.
214 I wondered if it had just been an excuse to lure Chris away from us.
215 [Cordell]
216 "That was a lie."
217 [Torta]
218 "... Thought so."
219 [Cordell]
220 "Yeah, I figured you'd see through it. You're sharp, after all."
221 [Torta]
222 "Oh, no, that's not true. But why?"
223 [Cordell]
224 "There's something I want to ask you. Did something happen to Chris?"
225 [Torta]
226 "... To Chris? Nothing in particular..."
227 [Cordell]
228 "Looks like you know what I'm talking about."
229 [Torta]
230 "... You're sharp."
231 [Cordell]
232 "It comes with age. No matter how much you steel yourself, you're only a child. As is Chris. Besides, I could tell just from his tones."
233 [Cordell]
234 "So you must be involved in some way, seeing as you attempted to hide it."
235 [Torta]
236 "... Yes, I suppose..."
237 [Cordell]
238 "So you don't feel like answering. But talking about it might make you feel better, you know? Won't you tell me about it?"
239 [Torta]
240 "... This is not something I can discuss with outsiders."
241 [Cordell]
242 "I see. Then that is your right. Anyway, shall we continue?"
243 [Torta]
244 "Continue? ... With what?"
245 [Cordell]
246 "What we just finished were private matters. What I want to continue with are public matters."
247 [Torta]
248 "... Huh...?"
249 [Cordell]
250 "What do you think about the tones of Chris' Fortell lately?"
251 [Torta]
252 "What... do I think? Lately?"
253 [Cordell]
254 "They've always been subject to heavy fluctuations, but that has become particularly striking lately. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
255 [Torta]
256 "... Yes."
257 [Cordell]
258 "Good. While this is a slight digression, where do you think the charm of his tones lay?"
259 [Torta]
260 "The charm? It's a... sort of talent particular to each Fortellist. Each player produces different tones, and Chris' tones happens to be---"
261 [Cordell]
262 "Exactly. And how do you think this difference comes to be?"
263 [Torta]
264 "... I don't know. I'm a vocalist."
265 [Cordell]
266 "In my student days, I had a Fortellist classmate who had an interesting theory about it - namely, that magic equals emotion."
267 [Cordell]
268 "He's now a lecturer here on Fortell Theory. Haven't you heard of it? I think even vocalists learn about this in their first two years."
269 [Torta]
270 "... Yes, it does ring a bell."
271 [Cordell]
272 "I see. He always was quite the chatterbox. I knew he had to be talking about it with his students."
273 [Cordell]
274 "I actually think he's right, to an extent - that violent emotions bring out the beauty of a Fortell."
275 [Torta]
276 "..."
277 What was she trying to tell me?
278 I wasn't sure yet.
279 But she wasn't the kind of person who would stray from the point. Maybe she wasn't just worried about Chris, but about me as well?
280 Calling her 'unusually serious' might have been a bit rude, but it certainly wasn't her usual, seemingly emotionless manner of speech.
281 [Cordell]
282 "So I ask you, Tortinita: what is the most powerful emotion that drives Chris? Where lays the charm of his tones?"
283 [Torta]
284 "... Do I have to answer that?"
285 [Cordell]
286 "I have pressing concerns about his future. And so do you, I would think."
287 [Torta]
288 "... Sorrow."
289 [Cordell]
290 "Hm?"
291 [Torta]
292 "It's sorrow."
293 [Cordell]
294 "Indeed. This becomes painfully obvious after hearing his tones enough. It is profound sorrow."
295 [Torta]
296 "... But what about it?"
297 [Cordell]
298 "Did you notice a change in Chris' tones in the period after he started playing with you?"
299 [Torta]
300 "... Yes."
301 I definitely did think so once.
302 But she was jumping from one thing to another, and I had trouble keeping up.
303 [Cordell]
304 "Right before Natale, you showed me your performance, remember? - At that time, his tones were as 'bright' as I had ever heard them."
305 [Cordell]
306 "But today, those tones were back to what they used to be again."
307 [Torta]
308 "... And what would that be?"
309 [Cordell]
310 "You should know. Gloomy, sorrowful tones."
311 [Torta]
312 "... That's because his mind is troubled."
313 [Cordell]
314 "I would figure so."
315 [Torta]
316 "Huh? But... wait a second. Supposing that 'sorrow' is the charm of Chris' tones..."
317 [Cordell]
318 "The happier he gets, the more he loses his charm. I actually noticed this two weeks ago, before Natale. Didn't you?"
319 [Torta]
320 "... No."
321 [Cordell]
322 "I see. Well, you must have had a lot on your mind as well. In any case, the more 'happiness' he felt, the more his tones lost their charm."
323 [Cordell]
324 "Today, they had returned back to what they were. Being his tutor, I had to ask you about this."
325 ... I hadn't noticed?
326 Certainly, it might have been so.
327 I'd been... ecstatic.
328 I'd been stupidly ecstatic over having partnered with him.
329 It was no surprise I hadn't noticed.
330 But---
331 [Torta]
332 "... What are you trying to say? That I should prevent Chris from being happy? That we should maintain the current status quo?"
333 [Torta]
334 "Is Chris' future something for you to decide? Are you saying that this will be in his best interest?"
335 [Cordell]
336 "Don't jump to conclusions. Certainly, it is this 'sorrow' that makes Chris' Fortell playing as good as it is."
337 [Cordell]
338 "Granted, there are many musicians that don't like this kind of sound, so not everyone would be so enthusiastic about it."
339 [Cordell]
340 "However, I am thinking it might not be so bad if he becomes happy, Tortinita."
341 [Torta]
342 "Even if he would no longer be able to survive in the musical world as a result?"
343 ... It was so contradictory.
344 The reason Chris had made it this far in the institute was due to the charm of the tones of his Fortell.
345 But to think it would disappear if he were to feel happiness...
346 [Cordell]
347 "Naive of you to immediately come to such a conclusion. I'd thought you were level-headed for your age. Now I understand what Asino told me once."
348 [Torta]
349 "... What did Asino say?"
350 [Cordell]
351 "That whenever it came to Chris, you'd become so desperate it was cute. But don't worry - you don't seem to be his type in your normal state."
352 [Torta]
353 "... That damn idiot."
354 [Cordell]
355 "Don't say that. It shows that he's worried about you. He's good-natured at heart. He doesn't look it, though."
356 [Torta]
357 "He's faint-hearted. More so than he realizes."
358 [Cordell]
359 "Interesting evaluation. Of course, I don't think that's all there's to him. Anyway... this wasn't about Asino. As I said, don't come to such a conclusion."
360 [Torta]
361 "Do you mean about Chris' happiness?"
362 [Cordell]
363 "Yeah. Wanna hear an old story?"
364 [Torta]
365 "... Again? Why are you being so roundabout with this?"
366 [Cordell]
367 "Because it doesn't seem like you will talk to me otherwise. Yet you are seeking help, even though you might not say it out loud."
368 [Cordell]
369 "I was thinking I'd help you out. That's why I'm talking to you about this. ... Because you won't be honest with your feelings."
370 [Torta]
371 "Would you get mad if I said 'no thanks'?"
372 [Cordell]
373 "Of course not. But don't you want to hear? - The story of my unrequited love?"
374 [Torta]
375 "... Excuse me?"
376 [Cordell]
377 "Chris would be more than delighted to hear it."
378 [Torta]
379 "... What on earth are you talking about?"
380 [Cordell]
381 "Aren't you curious? I've never told this to anyone else before. And I don't even mind in the slightest if you tell others about it."
382 [Torta]
383 "..."
384 [Cordell]
385 "Good, I'll take that as a sign of consent. The story dates back to when I was young."
386 [Torta]
387 "... So you're really starting this."
388 ... It just didn't make sense.
389 Why the heck was I here, listening to something like this?
390 [Cordell]
391 "At the time, I was even worse at Fortell playing than I am now."
392 [Torta]
393 "What? ... Aren't you an instructor?"
394 [Cordell]
395 "Not in that way. I'm good technically, but that's it. It's why I couldn't become a musician - there is no charm to my tones."
396 [Torta]
397 "..."
398 [Cordell]
399 "That's why I became an instructor. I don't regret it. I have the technique, after all, so I'm cut out for teaching - and I like it. Well then, can I continue?"
400 [Torta]
401 "Y... Yes..."
402 [Cordell]
403 "In short, I didn't have talent. And I was madly in love with a man. His name... is not important right now."
404 [Cordell]
405 "I loved him, but he didn't love me back. I confessed to him, but he shot me down. That same night... I played my Fortell while crying my heart out."
406 [Cordell]
407 "And when I did... everyone who heard it hailed it as something magnificent."
408 [Cordell]
409 "The Fortell - fueled by the sorrows of my heartbreak - was turned into something magnificent."
410 [Torta]
411 "... So that means..."
412 [Cordell]
413 "But the next day, my tones and mood were back to normal. Sorrow doesn't last long. Only when you're in the middle of it do you presume it to last forever."
414 [Cordell]
415 "The person in question loses such reason. However, such events will remain as little more than funny anecdotes later in one's comparably long life."
416 [Torta]
417 "... But I am living right here in the present."
418 [Cordell]
419 "Up next is the real funny anecdote."
420 Ignoring my words, she unconcernedly continued,
421 [Cordell]
422 "It was the next day. My love now claimed that he liked me as well. 'Sorry for not being honest with you before,' he said. Needless to say, I was in seventh heaven."
423 [Torta]
424 "And your tones lost their charm? Is that your idea of a 'funny anecdote'?"
425 [Cordell]
426 "In my ecstatic state, people found my tones to be magnificent again. They told me they were 'oozing with happiness.'"
427 [Cordell]
428 "Granted, not even a sliver of that is left now. I have always been a person of faint emotional undulation. My tones won't easily see much change."
429 [Cordell]
430 "What I'm getting at is, even if he's lost his charm right now, there are bound to be magnificent tones at the happiness end of the scale as well."
431 [Cordell]
432 "And I can't help but believe that you are capable of pushing him to that spot, Tortinita."
433 [Torta]
434 "... That's impossible for me."
435 [Cordell]
436 "How so?"
437 [Torta]
438 "... I can't say."
439 [Cordell]
440 "You don't have to. But you should ponder well as to the reason for that. What is impossible? Why would you think that?"
441 [Torta]
442 "... It's just impossible for me."
443 [Cordell]
444 "I see. Well, it is up to you in the end. I shall stop meddling now. But allow me to tell you one last thing."
445 [Cordell]
446 "I think you might be able to bring about a change in Chris - to push him into a better direction."
447 [Torta]
448 "... Thank you very much."
449 Those words boosted my self-confidence a bit.
450 But Ms. Cordell knew nothing about my sister, nor about Chris' hallucinations.
451 Under such conditions, there was only little weight to her words.
452 [Cordell]
453 "I know nothing. Not about Chris, nor about your problems. But that is exactly what enables me to see certain things in an objective light,"
454 Ms. Cordell said, as though seeing right through my heart.
455 [Torta]
456 "... Why..."
457 [Cordell]
458 "As you grow older, you start seeing a lot of things."
459 [Torta]
460 "... I see. Thank you."
461 I felt my mood had brightened up a bit.
462 Ms. Cordell said she believed I could do it---
463 That I could change Chris.
464 I could probably listen to the rest of her story with a slightly more positive attitude now.
465 [Cordell]
466 "That's all for my story."
467 [Torta]
468 "... Huh? But what became of your boyfriend?"
469 [Cordell]
470 "He had probably acted on a whim. Soon after, he broke up with me again, and that was the end of it. A shame, as he had even agreed to marry me at one point."
471 [Torta]
472 "... You're kidding..."
473 [Cordell]
474 "That was more than twenty years ago. Nothing you should concern yourself about."
475 [Torta]
476 "... Twenty years!?"
477 What? How old was she, anyway?
478 [Torta]
479 "Umm, how old are you, if you don't mind my asking?"
480 [Cordell]
481 "It is rude to ask a lady her age, Tortinita."
482 [Torta]
483 "I... see..."
484 [Cordell]
485 "I'm still in my twenties. ... I think I was five back then. I was in love with my childhood friend - and, apparently, crazy about marriage."
486 [Torta]
487 "... Ahaha!"
488 [Cordell]
489 "You finally laughed. It suits you much better."
490 [Torta]
491 "Thank you."
492 [Cordell]
493 "Before I forget, could you keep this a secret from Chris? And from Asino as well, if you will."
494 [Torta]
495 "You're a lot more interesting than I thought, Ms. Cordell...  ---Oh, I'm sorry, that was rude of me."
496 [Cordell]
497 "Don't be. I know I'm not that fun a person. That said, I personally don't think I'm especially dull, either."
498 [Torta]
499 "You're right. ... But why did you tell me all of this?"
500 [Cordell]
501 "Because I like Chris. And you, of course. And Asino."
502 [Torta]
503 "I'm not a person who deserves that kind of sentiment."
504 [Cordell]
505 "Coming to like a person is not bounded by rules or qualifications. If I feel I like you, then I like you."
506 [Torta]
507 "..."
508 [Cordell]
509 "Anyway, come see me anytime you want."
510 [Torta]
511 "... Yes, thank you very much."
512 [Cordell]
513 "Now that's a much better face. You should go back quickly. Chris must be getting worried."
514 [Torta]
515 "Understood. Thank you very much. I mean it."
516 I bowed deeply and left the room.
517 [Torta]
518 "Sorry for the wait."
519 Glancing at the clock on the wall of the room, I noted almost thirty minutes had passed.
520 [Chris]
521 "... Ah, welcome back."
522 [Torta]
523 "We have no time to waste. Let's start practicing,"
524 I exclaimed vigorously, as I couldn't tell Chris about what I'd just heard.
525 [Chris]
526 "... You sure took your sweet time."
527 [Torta]
528 "Kinda. It was a complicated story."
529 [Chris]
530 "You look like you were having fun with it, though."
531 [Torta]
532 "... I guess. Anyway, practice, practice!"
533 I felt I'd really cheered up a little - I was no longer just pretending.
534 That unexpected side of Ms. Cordell, and especially what she'd told me, was likely something I wouldn't be able to forget for a while.
535 'I think you might be able to bring about a change in Chris - to push him into a better direction.'
536 I wanted nothing more than to believe in those words right now.
537 t22