000 Morning had arrived with a pleasant awakening.
001 It was still before eight.
002 I remembered that the concert started at ten.
003 The plan was to arrive at school at eight-thirty, check when it would be our turn, then start practicing.
004 Even if we assumed we were the first to perform, we would still have a full hour to practice.
005 [Chris]
006 "Are you ready?"
007 [Lise]
008 "All set."
009 A strong reply that overflowed with determination.
010 There had been a time when I thought it would benefit Lise greatly if we had a great performance at graduation. However, even without that, she'd already been able to change.
011 I couldn't deny that the conversation I had with Grave yesterday had a part in that.
012 I wouldn't go as far as saying I was thankful to him, but perhaps one day, I'd be able to forgive him.
013 [Chris]
014 "We're off."
015 [Lise]
016 "We're off."
017 Lise turned toward the room she had been living in for the past week and mimicked my words.
018 The implications were a bit different for her, but I was happy all the same.
019 [Chris]
020 "Then, let's go."
021 [Lise]
022 "Okay."
023 Right before I closed the door---
024 I had the feeling I heard a familiar sound.
025 The skies were still overcast, but it seemed brighter than usual to me.
026 The rain was fine and fog-like. As a result, we barely even got wet.
027 Today's rain was so weak it would change direction with every gust of wind.
028 Due to this wind, it was a little cold, but for this town's standards, it was a very pleasant day.
029 We entered the hallway and immediately checked the bulletin board.
030 It had been put up here on the fourth day of the year,
031 but I had barely come to school since the day I'd had that talk with Ms. Cordell.
032 And the few times I did, I'd been frantically searching for Lise, and didn't care enough to check it.
033 [Lise]
034 "Chris is... Ah, we're up first in the afternoon."
035 [Chris]
036 "Looks like it. That means we still have plenty of time to rehearse."
037 The afternoon program began at one-thirty.
038 And it seemed we had to be present backstage at least fifteen minutes before we were up.
039 [Lise]
040 "Then let's hurry to a practice room."
041 [Chris]
042 "Yeah."
043 Lise didn't seem to have very good memories about the practice rooms.
044 But today, there weren't many students around. The ones that were had been mostly seniors.
045 There was no one who knew her.
046 ... But these kind of worries should soon be history.
047 We would get everyone to acknowledge the qualities of her voice.
048 I had faith we would.
049 Today was probably the last time I would visit these practice rooms.
050 I'd never been too diligent about practice, but strangely enough, that fact kinda held profound meaning to me.
051 [Chris]
052 "This is the first time I've come here with you, huh."
053 [Lise]
054 "Yes. I always used to practice in the old building."
055 [Chris]
056 "But you'll be able to come here more often from now on, won't you?"
057 [Lise]
058 "... Yes. I feel I have the confidence to come here by myself now."
059 [Chris]
060 "Good for you."
061 [Lise]
062 "Chris... You've always been thinking about doing things for my sake, haven't you?"
063 [Chris]
064 "... Huh?"
065 [Lise]
066 "Like today, and when you first invited me to be your partner."
067 [Chris]
068 "... I don't know about that..."
069 [Lise]
070 "I can tell. Don't worry."
071 [Chris]
072 "... Anyway, let's start practicing."
073 I prepared my Fortell, and we repeatedly rehearsed the piece.
074 After a satisfactory amount of repetition, we entered the hall ten minutes before our appointed time.
075 This was because Lise wanted to have a good look at the place she would be performing at.
076 [Lise]
077 "I'm going to be singing here, huh."
078 [Chris]
079 "Yeah."
080 [Lise]
081 "I'm kinda... nervous."
082 [Chris]
083 "I thought you would be accustomed to be on a stage like this..."
084 [Lise]
085 "But it's my first time singing in front of people,"
086 Lise said with deep emotion as she gazed over the concert hall.
087 Despite it being lunch break, the hall was filled with people, and quite noisy.
088 The graduation recital attracted a great number of visitors, who were all assigned reserved seats, so there were surprisingly few seats left for actual students.
089 To prevent losing their seats, the students who came to listen to the recitals apparently didn't get up much.
090 There were probably students among them who knew about Lise, but Lise herself didn't seem too concerned about them.
091 [Lise]
092 "Okay then, let's go,"
093 Lise said to me after having one last look at the stage.
094 By the time we arrived backstage, it was exactly fifteen minutes before the start of our performance.
095 We were informed by the students in charge that those up first after the break were to prepare behind the curtain on stage, so I proceeded to set up my Fortell right away.
096 The rustle of people on the other side of the curtain gradually grew louder, signaling to us the moment of truth was drawing near.
097 I retrieved the score Lise had copied for me the other day from my bag, and flipped through the pages once for a last review.
098 Some parts were slightly different from the original composed by Grave.
099 I would have been able to correct it if we'd been able to take that score with us...
100 [Lise]
101 "Is something wrong?"
102 [Chris]
103 "Nah, just thinking that, there are probably a few parts a little different from the original, but I forgot to correct them."
104 [Lise]
105 "... But we created this piece together, using my memories as reference. This version is much more suitable for today's performance."
106 [Chris]
107 "... Yeah, you're right."
108 It was just as she said.
109 But if I had been able to change one thing - I would have wanted to change the lyrics of this piece we made together into something suitable for a love song.
110 Even ignoring Grave's original intentions, it was appropriate to sing about love along with this piece.
111 Ms. Cordell and Phorni had been right in thinking this was a love song all along.
112 [Lise]
113 "... I'm getting really nervous."
114 [Chris]
115 "Was it like this when you played the Fortell as well?"
116 [Lise]
117 "... No. When I played the Fortell... I was hardly nervous at all. Not because I had so much confidence in myself..."
118 [Lise]
119 "But... rather because I was only playing for my father."
120 [Chris]
121 "... Then what about right now?"
122 [Lise]
123 "While it's true I'm singing for you now... I also... feel I want to sing for myself. That might be why I'm so nervous right now."
124 Lise hugged her own body as she talked.
125 She seemed to be shivering a little.
126 [Chris]
127 "Lise... Give me your hand."
128 [Lise]
129 "Huh? O... Okay..."
130 I firmly grasped the hand she timidly extended to me.
131 [Lise]
132 "... Ah..."
133 [Chris]
134 "It's true. Your heart is racing."
135 [Lise]
136 "... That's because of you,"
137 Lise said while restlessly looking around a few times, worried that people might be watching.
138 Including the students in charge, there were relatively many students backstage.
139 But everyone was so busy, they didn't have time to concern themselves with us.
140 ---As we stood there holding hands for a few minutes, Lise gradually regained her calm.
141 [Lise]
142 "... Thank you. I've calmed down a bit now."
143 [Chris]
144 "Great."
145 Lise slowly let go of my hand.
146 I didn't want to let her go, but I had no choice.
147 What was more, I sensed someone approaching us from behind.
148 [Cordell]
149 "Good morning. Looks like you managed to bring her along."
150 [Chris]
151 "Yes. We've had plenty of practice as well."
152 [Cordell]
153 "Well well, looks like you've been unusually diligent. Liselsia, nice to see you again."
154 [Lise]
155 "Y... Yes. Good morning."
156 [Cordell]
157 "At any rate, you look pretty confident."
158 [Chris]
159 "... Yeah, I am."
160 [Cordell]
161 "An awfully bold response. Interesting. So, do you think you can get him to acknowledge you?"
162 Ms. Cordell's sharp observation caught me off guard.
163 She did tell me once to get him to acknowledge us.
164 And in reality, we had made a promise like that with Grave.
165 [Chris]
166 "I'm sure I can. I will make him acknowledge us."
167 [Lise]
168 "... Chris..."
169 [Cordell]
170 "Good."
171 Right then, the buzzer sounded.
172 [Cordell]
173 "It's time. ... Good luck, you two."
174 [Chris]
175 "Thanks."
176 [Lise]
177 "Thank you."
178 There was a mechanical sound of the curtain being raised.
179 ---With scores in hand, we proceeded onto the stage.
180 When viewed from the stage, the concert hall was dark, making it impossible to make out the faces of the audience.
181 There had to be at least some acquaintances of Lise among the crowd.
182 Lise looked around the stage nervously, then took a deep breath.
183 I sat down, behind my Fortell, and locked eyes with her.
184 Everything we had gone through up until now flashed through my mind.
185 A lot of things had happened before coming here.
186 Hardships. Things that had hurt Lise.
187 Even so, we had made it onto this stage, and were about to perform the ensemble that would decide our future.
188 Although my goals were grand, I decided to focus on my most basic of objectives: to make this an enjoyable performance for us.
189 Taking care not to move my mouth too much, I whispered to Lise,
190 [Chris]
191 "Lise... have fun singing."
192 [Lise]
193 "... I will."
194 After another deep breath, we started our performance.
195 We were met with thunderous applause from the audience.
196 Lise stared at the scene before her in awe.
197 While I was equally awestruck, I had at least expected it to a certain extent, so it didn't compare to what Lise was going through.
198 It was proof that her singing had managed to profoundly move people.
199 Just looking at the amount of people continuing their applause, I had no doubt in my mind about that.
200 [Chris]
201 "... Lise..."
202 I motioned for her to bow.
203 [Lise]
204 "Y... Yes..."
205 We bowed deeply to the audience, then returned backstage.
206 [Cordell]
207 "Good job."
208 Coming from her, those were the ultimate words of praise.
209 I was genuinely happy to hear them, but I had something more important on my mind.
210 [Cordell]
211 "By the way, a message from Mr. Grave. 'Come to the lecture room at once.' He told me to tell you this after you finished,"
212 Ms. Cordell said with a smile. She probably had a good idea what was going on.
213 [Chris]
214 "Then we'll be going right away."
215 [Cordell]
216 "All right. Before you go, one more message."
217 [Chris]
218 "... Hm?"
219 [Cordell]
220 "From Tortinita. She seemed concerned about you, but left right after you finished your performance."
221 [Chris]
222 "... So what's the message?"
223 [Cordell]
224 "'You did a good job.' Just that."
225 [Chris]
226 "... I-I see..."
227 [Cordell]
228 "Now, off you go."
229 [Chris]
230 "U-Understood. Lise?"
231 [Lise]
232 "Yes, let's go."
233 We were both full of confidence.
234 Anyone would have to approve of a performance like that.
235 With the applause still going strong, we left for our destination.
236 When we entered the room, Grave was looking quite displeased.
237 ---Or so I thought, but it vanished in a flash, making me wonder if I had seen it correctly in the first place.
238 Lise, who had entered behind me, didn't notice anything.
239 Perhaps it was just the poor impression of him I had in my mind that had made me think so.
240 [Grave]
241 "Good of you to come."
242 [Chris]
243 "... Yes."
244 [Lise]
245 "Father... did you see our performance?"
246 Avoiding all needless formalities, Lise went right to the point.
247 I was already sure of the outcome, but it still made me nervous.
248 [Grave]
249 "Yes... indeed I did."
250 [Lise]
251 "So... what did you think, Father?"
252 [Grave]
253 "I have no choice but to give my approval,"
254 he said reluctantly... although in Lise's eyes, he was probably projected as saying it affectionately.
255 To her, her once so stubborn father must have looked about to break down in tears.
256 Of course, I would be lying if I said it didn't look like this to me as well.
257 But... I could feel some definite coldness in his tone of voice.
258 [Lise]
259 "Then is it okay?"
260 [Grave]
261 "Yes."
262 [Chris]
263 "Thank you very much!"
264 [Grave]
265 "... Chris Vertin."
266 [Chris]
267 "... Yes?"
268 [Grave]
269 "Take good care of Liselsia."
270 [Chris]
271 "... Huh?"
272 Lise didn't notice a thing.
273 She was in euphoria.
274 [Grave]
275 "You may come to collect the score at home. Let's go, Liselsia."
276 [Lise]
277 "Yes."
278 [Chris]
279 "W... Wait a second."
280 [Lise]
281 "Don't worry. I'll be right back."
282 [Chris]
283 "... No, that's not what I mean..."
284 Grave had already left the lecture room.
285 What the heck was that just now?
286 Lise ran up to me and pecked me on the cheek.
287 [Lise]
288 "See you later. I'll be coming straight to your room, so wait for me, okay?"
289 [Chris]
290 "O... Okay..."
291 I lost count of how many times I had wanted to grab hold of Lise's arm as she ran away from me.
292 I didn't manage to bring myself to do it in the end, and could only watch as she disappeared from my sight.
293 [Chris]
294 "..."
295 An indescribable sense of uneasiness invaded my mind.
296 The sight of Grave's sneer at the end of his talk was burned into my retina.
297 Believing in Lise's words, I had been waiting.
298 I still felt anxious about the whole ordeal.
299 I wondered how long I'd been waiting like this.
300 I was snapped back into reality by a weak knock on the door.
301 [Chris]
302 "---Lise!"
303 I immediately knew that knock belonged to Lise.
304 As I rushed to open the door, the girl, who had been slumped against it... slowly collapsed onto the floor.
305 [Chris]
306 "... Lise...?"
307 I quickly took the girl in my arms and checked her condition.
308 ---This is...
309 [Lise]
310 "*2Acough*2A... *2Acough*2A"
311 A dry, hoarse sound spilled forth from Lise's throat.
312 An additional bruise had been etched into her neck.
313 [Chris]
314 "... Why... Why...!"
315 [Grave]
316 "Because I felt like it. What else is there to say?"
317 [Chris]
318 "Grave!"
319 It was the first time I called him by his name, and I put as much venom into my voice as I could muster.
320 [Grave]
321 "Don't make such a fuss. It will bother the neighbors."
322 [Chris]
323 "... What did you do to her?"
324 I could barely manage a weak murmur now.
325 The rage that had flared up within me had cooled as quickly as it came the moment I felt Lise shivering in my lap.
326 [Grave]
327 "You have tried to take away what was most precious to me. It is only logical for me to take away what is most precious to Liselsia in return."
328 [Chris]
329 "... Cut the bullshit..."
330 [Grave]
331 "You are as rude a fellow as ever. But I will let it slide for today. At any rate, be sure to take good care of Liselsia."
332 [Chris]
333 "... Shut the hell up! Everything you've told us was a lie, wasn't it?"
334 [Grave]
335 "It was the truth. Well, half of it, anyway."
336 Grave snickered bemusedly.
337 [Grave]
338 "Esk... Liselsia's mother abandoned us. She got another man."
339 Grave continued.
340 [Grave]
341 "She left me for some lousy singer."
342 [Grave]
343 "Since I did not want a child of that woman, I sent her to an orphanage."
344 [Grave]
345 "However, several years later, it had come to my attention that she had developed the ability to play the Fortell."
346 [Grave]
347 "Since half of it was still my blood, I decided to raise her to be a Fortellist, but she was still a child of that woman. She let herself be swayed by a worthless man, and took up singing."
348 [Chris]
349 "... Shut up..."
350 [Grave]
351 "You know, I loved Liselsia from the bottom of my heart. I truly did. But Liselsia betrayed me. Despite knowing I was her real father."
352 [Chris]
353 "... She was genuinely happy about it... and yet you..."
354 [Grave]
355 "You are free to do with her what you want. I will disown her shortly. The child of that woman has no longer anything to do with me."
356 [Chris]
357 "... Shut up, just get the hell out of here!"
358 [Grave]
359 "You should give up the way of music. It is an unattainable dream for you. You had talent, but you are just too stupid."
360 [Chris]
361 "... I said shut the hell up!"
362 I wanted to get up and punch him in the face, but I couldn't let go of Lise.
363 I had to take her to a hospital as soon as Grave was gone.
364 [Grave]
365 "Well then, take good care of my daughter. She won't be able to sing ever again, though."
366 [Chris]
367 "... Lise... Hey, Lise?"
368 I tore my eyes off her unnaturally indented throat, and spoke to her.
369 I could hear a car speed off in the distance.
370 [Lise]
371 "...Ngh... *2Acough*2A"
372 She showed no signs of regaining consciousness.
373 I took the girl in my arms and walked outside.
374 [Chris]
375 "... I'm coming in, Lise,"
376 I called out before entering, but I knew Lise could not answer.
377 She had initially been admitted to the hospital in Piova, but then her condition destabilized, and she was transferred to the hospital in my hometown.
378 I opened a window to let fresh air inside.
379 A fresh breeze made its way into the room, driving out the stale air.
380 It was a corner room on the second floor, so it was always basked in the sun.
381 [Chris]
382 "... Lise. How are you today?"
383 [Lise]
384 "... Uh... Ah..."
385 [Chris]
386 "The weather's great today. The sunlight feels so nice."
387 Lise made a few soft groans, never looking me in the eye.
388 While she would react if I spoke to her, she did not comprehend who I was.
389 Even so, it was important to keep talking to her, or so the doctor had said.
390 I came to visit her every day, and always played the Fortell for her.
391 Every single day, I would be by the girl's side, until visiting hours were over.
392 Lise had no place to call home anymore.
393 The only place she had left was here, by my side.
394 And the only place I wanted to be was by Lise's side.
395 [Chris]
396 "Lise..."
397 [Lise]
398 "... Ah..."
399 I was absorbed in playing the Fortell, when I heard someone knock on the door behind me.
400 Who could it be?
401 The doctor didn't normally come at a time like this, and I had taken up all nursing responsibilities myself.
402 [???]
403 "... I'm coming in."
404 I had stopped playing, but didn't open the door.
405 I'd figured it was some misunderstanding, but...
406 [Torta]
407 "... I heard something terrible had happened, so I came to visit..."
408 [Chris]
409 "... Torta."
410 [Torta]
411 "How is she?"
412 [Chris]
413 "... Sit down. It's a long story."
414 [Torta]
415 "... Okay."
416 Torta took a folding chair from the corner of the room, and sat down right next to me.
417 I felt slightly uneasy, as there hadn't ever been any visitors besides me.
418 [Chris]
419 "Where should I start? The day of the graduation recital? Or... when I met Lise?"
420 [Torta]
421 "... Your performance was great."
422 [Chris]
423 "Really? Thanks."
424 We didn't seem to be on the same wavelength, but I continued anyway.
425 [Chris]
426 "If I begin from the start, it's going to be a pretty long story..."
427 [Torta]
428 "... If you're willing to tell me, please do."
429 [Chris]
430 "... Right. It was when I began searching for a partner. Having grown tired of searching, I suddenly heard a beautiful voice in the old school building."
431 Still seated behind the Fortell, I cast my gaze out the window.
432 I told Torta the entire story.
433 The things going through my mind at the time, the way I'd felt about things.
434 ---The story went on, and before I realized, I had been talking for over an hour.
435 In the process, I had become worried that Lise might start feeling uncomfortable if she didn't hear the sound of my Fortell for all that time.
436 But I wanted to share this story with someone, so I kept on talking.
437 When I finally finished, I had come to realize the tears flowing down my face.
438 [Chris]
439 "... Huh?"
440 [Torta]
441 "... Chris... It must have been rough for you."
442 [Chris]
443 "Y... Yeah..."
444 All the painful and sad memories suddenly came back to me at once.
445 [Chris]
446 "... I'm sorry, I... can't talk right now..."
447 [Torta]
448 "... It's okay. Wanna get some fresh air?"
449 [Chris]
450 "No... I'm... fine. ... Don't... worry about it..."
451 Still crying, I looked over at Lise.
452 The girl reacted to my voice by slightly tilting her head in my direction.
453 [Lise]
454 "... Ah... Ch... Chris..."
455 And---
456 That was the first time since then that she had called out my name.
457 My Fortell was set up close to the bed in order for Lise to hear it more clearly, so she was always at an arms length away from me.
458 Lise's thin hand slipped out from under the sheets, and she slowly extended it toward me.
459 [Chris]
460 "... Lise!"
461 Our hands locked, and I felt that everything had finally paid off.
462 It didn't matter if she couldn't sing.
463 I was just happy to have her by my side.
464 [Lise]
465 "... Uh... Ah...?"
466 I couldn't stop my eyes from flooding with tears.
467 Lise looked at me with curious eyes, and had a slightly solemn expression on her face.
468 [Lise]
469 "... Uh...?"
470 [Chris]
471 "It's okay... It's okay."
472 The warm sensation of her palm gave me strength.
473 Everything would work out.
474 For Lise, and for me.
475 From now on, I would no longer cry.
476 I would come here and play the Fortell for her - for the rest of my life if need be.
477 [Torta]
478 "... I suppose I should go."
479 [Chris]
480 "Ah... Sure. Sorry for acting like this in front of you."
481 [Torta]
482 "No, it's okay."
483 [Chris]
484 "I can't see you off, so... see you later."
485 [Torta]
486 "... Yeah. But can I ask you one last thing?"
487 [Chris]
488 "Hm? What is it?"
489 [Torta]
490 "Is this your idea of atonement?"
491 [Chris]
492 "... What?"
493 [Torta]
494 "... Nothing. Please forget about it."
495 [Chris]
496 "Torta?"
497 [Torta]
498 "See ya."
499 With that, Torta left.
500 The two of us silently watched her leave.
501 [Chris]
502 "... Oh well. Hey, Lise."
503 [Lise]
504 "... Uh?"
505 [Chris]
506 "Don't worry. I will play the Fortell for you again."
507 And so, the tones of my Fortell filled up the room once more.
508 [Chris]
509 "The weather's beautiful again today."
510 As usual, I opened up the window to let fresh air into the room.
511 Even while I worked, I still came to visit her every day.
512 I could only be with her all day on days off like these, but it was by no means an inconvenience for me to at least show my face every day.
513 Lately, Lise had been starting to look quite delighted whenever I visited.
514 All the more when I would play my Fortell.
515 It has been about a year since then.
516 Spring came, summer passed, autumn ended - and it was winter again.
517 Lise's condition hadn't changed, but there was one thing that had.
518 The nameplate outside the room had changed from just 'Liselsia,' to 'Liselsia Vertin.'
519 Since she still had no volition of her own, it was not yet official.
520 So this was just me being selfish. I needed some emotional closure.
521 But then, I couldn't imagine Lise would be opposed to it.
522 We would have to have a ceremony some day after she got discharged.
523 But that was still far away.
524 ---With such happy prospects in mind, I went to sit down behind my Fortell.
525 [Chris]
526 "..."
527 I continued playing the lyric-less piece.
528 Words of love were embedded into my notes.
529 This piece was a love song, after all.
530 [Chris]
531 "... Lise."
532 Grave once told me to give up on music.
533 But here I was, living together with it.
534 Music wasn't just about making grand performances in front of huge crowds.
535 Just being able to perform for your loved ones - for those dear to you - was a beautiful thing.
536 Suddenly---
537 [Lise]
538 "..."
539 [Chris]
540 "... Huh?"
541 [Lise]
542 "No matter what today brings..."
543 [Chris]
544 "..."
545 [Lise]
546 "New days will soon arrive..."
547                 ---And tomorrow was full of hope.
548 SCR0183::Func_GrandEnd
549 ---We finished our performance, and were met with applause.
550 Sure enough, it wasn't a bad performance.
551 But...
552 [Lise]
553 "... Chris..."
554 I couldn't help but succumb to a feeling of worthlessness.
555 The next students in line were on standby backstage, and some of the students in charge motioned us to come off.
556 After a bow to the audience, we left the stage.
557 [Cordell]
558 "... Welcome back. Not bad. You can probably graduate without problems,"
559 Ms. Cordell said, disappointment coloring her voice.
560 I knew I had raised her expectations, and felt terrible for not having been able to meet them.
561 [Chris]
562 "... I'm sorry."
563 [Cordell]
564 "I said it wasn't bad, didn't I?"
565 Under normal circumstances, that would have been a compliment.
566 However, right now, it didn't make me feel better in the slightest.
567 [Lise]
568 "..."
569 [Cordell]
570 "Also, a message. Mr. Grave wanted you to come to his lecture room immediately after your performance was over."
571 [Chris]
572 "... Understood."
573 [Lise]
574 "... Chris..."
575 [Chris]
576 "... Let's go, Lise."
577 [Lise]
578 "... Okay..."
579 I considered measures like running away right now.
580 But I couldn't get myself to in the end.
581 Standing in front of the lecture room, I apologized to Lise first.
582 [Chris]
583 "... I'm sorry."
584 [Lise]
585 "... D-Don't be..."
586 [Chris]
587 "Even if I failed today..."
588 [Lise]
589 "Huh?"
590 [Chris]
591 "Even if I failed today, I will start practicing enough to get acknowledged by him, and come back for you again."
592 [Lise]
593 "... Chris..."
594 [Chris]
595 "So... please wait for me, okay?"
596 When I opened the door, Grave was sitting in a chair.
597 Despite him being a judge, it seemed as though he was there only for our performance.
598 [Grave]
599 "Good of you to come."
600 [Chris]
601 "... Yes."
602 [Grave]
603 "You understand, don't you?"
604 [Chris]
605 "... Yes."
606 [Lise]
607 "... Father..."
608 [Grave]
609 "I will accept no excuses. You should know that, Chris Vertin."
610 [Chris]
611 "... Yes, I know."
612 [Lise]
613 "..."
614 [Chris]
615 "... Lise..."
616 Calling out her name once, I bowed to Grave.
617 [Grave]
618 "Then leave."
619 Lise looked me in the eyes.
620 I stared back into hers, showing her my determination to keep my earlier promise.
621 After that---
622 I left the room.
623 I looked up at the sky, and pledged.
624 I was determined to come back for Lise one day.
625 I would not let today's failure go to waste.
626 One day---
627 I was unable to right now, but one day---
628 I would meet Lise again. Convinced that I would, I began to walk.
629 Walk down the road to becoming a professional musician.
630 SCR0183::Func_GrandEnd