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As we passed the music room, I noticed that Rae had slowed down and looking elsewhere. Following her gaze, it seemed she was looking at the piano.
"Co- er, Rae!" I tugged on her arm. It was lunch and we really ought to be going to our usual spot. The expression on her face was strange. Longing, perhaps? Just as I tried to question it,
"Oh! Sorry Miss Claire!" She snapped out of whatever trance she was in. "What's today's date again?"
"The 8th of the 9th, were you really so entranced you could not remember even the current date!?"
"Hehe, I just wanted you to yell at me, Miss Claire."
I turn around and pull her back along the path to the gazebo, not wanting to address her last statement. I still wanted to know why she was staring at the piano.
"Do you know how to play the piano, Rae?"
"Not that well," She was now walking beside me, but I refused to loosen my grip on her wrist. She probably enjoys it anyway.
"Well, perhaps I could teach you."
"Really?! I can already imagine it! Miss Claire sitting right next to me, our hands touching as we play together-"
"Rae!"
"Sorry Miss Claire~" She grinned widely at me, something I had become accustomed to seeing.
I quite like her smile.
** 1 week later **
Apparently, someone has been stealing blank pages of sheet music from the music room. I can't say I understand why, but I, as a member of the Academy Knights, have been tasked with tracing and apprehending the thief. All classes that would be taught there have been relocated because of this.
The worst part about today? Rae isn't with me. She apologized profusely yesterday. Something about how today was important and she couldn't attend to me. I allowed her to take a break, of course. I would never tell her this, but she works hard enough for me that if she'd asked for a week of I would have let her.
I do still wish she were here, however. My classes have been dreadfully boring without her presence. I wish she would never have to leave my side again. Why can't I go 5 minutes without thinking of her?
Whatever, it doesn't matter. I need to get to the music room so I can stake out the thief. As I get closer though, I hear something. I recognize the sound of the piano immediately, which is odd. There weren't supposed to be any classes in there, right?
I approach the door to the room as carefully and quietly as possible. I don't know the song, but it sounds nice. Almost... hopeful? At the very least, whoever is playing is skilled at the piano. Maybe its Loretta?
I open the door, just a peek. From the door of the room, I can see the back of the person playing the piano. To their side, I see a stack of sheet music. This must be the thief! I open the door, determined to catch them in their crime, only to realize I was opening the door too slowly to be making a grand entrance. I see her hair.
Rae's hair. Rae was playing the piano. More shocking than that, she was good. Really good! As hesitant as I am to admit it, she may be on par or even above me in terms of skill. The song isn't particularly technical, but the ease with which she plays it more than demonstrates her ability.
I realize I can see the name of the song she's playing. Hopes and Dreams. I suppose my earlier remark on how the song sounded was accurate to the intention. She reaches the end of the piece, and reaches to grab another sheet from the pile. It seems there were too many to keep just on the stand of the piano.
As she turns, I see the side of her face. Dripping down her face are tears. I wanted to run up to her. They look wrong on her. The happy girl I love know wouldn't cry, right? Why would she? The song didn't come off to me as sad.
Despite her tears though, she had a look in her eye. It was the same look she had when she was holding me during her altercation with Lene.
"I was determined," she had said then. With a chuckle, as though she were sharing a joke with someone who wasn't there.
She began playing the next song as I stood by the doorway, unmoving, not wishing to draw her attention away from the song. I glance at the title SAVE the World. Is there some significance to the word "save" being fully capitalized?
This song sounds similar to the last one. Though, it feels more like a continuation. Rae's hands tremble slightly as she plays. I can hear just how much force she's slamming each key down with. I can only imagine the tears have gotten worse.
The song quiets down for a moment. I hear her sobs. If I was willing to interrupt, I would have wrapped her in my arms before she started, but I've learned my lesson from the incident with Prince Thane.
I hear mumbling, and I realize it's coming from Rae.
"I'm not ready for this to end. It can't have been a year already. It can't have been 5 years already. It can't have been 11 years already. It can't have been..."
What was she talking about? Did something happen to her 11 years ago? What's ending?
"Everything, everyone I loved can't keep getting further away. We can't go any further than this."
I wish I could tell her it would be alright. I don't know what she's afraid of, but I know that I won't be leaving her any time soon.
"So please. I don't want to keep growing up. Not without you."
As soon as she finished out the song, I ran up to her. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, but something stopped me.
"Rae, are you alright?" She isn't, of course. The tears streaming down her face answered my question before I ever thought to ask it. But it's the only thing I can think to say.
Rae tackles me, and nearly pushes me onto the ground. Her arms wrap around my waist and she buries her face into my stomach.
"Miss Claireee... sniffle," Not too long ago, if someone had told me she couldn't cry, I would've believed them.
"Sorry, Miss Claire. For not working today. And for stealing the sheet music. I promise I can make it up to you! I'll-"
"Rae, it's alright. You don't need to make up for it. I'm sure I can convince them to turn a blind eye to the missing paper."
"But- I skipped out on work. I'm not supposed to do that." She looked almost confused. Why was she so insistent on working? If she had said she didn't want to leave my side, that would make sense for her, but this?
"You've served me well these past months. You deserve a break every once in a while." I could swear that sentence alone nearly made her start bawling again. Why would it though? As far as I'm aware, this is her first job.
"What are all of these songs, anyway?" I cast a glance at the stack of sheets to the side.
"Oh, uh, they're from a story I like." Seemingly in reminiscence, a fond smile grows on her face.
"A theatrical performance, I assume?"
"Yeah, sure. I guess a play is the most accurate description."
"What was that? You were muffled in my shirt."
"Nothing!" She separates from me, standing up properly now. She could've continued hugging me if she had liked, but I don't know how to tell her that, so I don't.
"I pla- er, saw the play when I was a kid. I really liked it. It was, and still is, important to me. Important enough that I learned the entire soundtrack on piano. Today is its 11th anniversary."
"Did they not do even one more showing for the anniversary?" Surely a play with this much music must have had a large budget, right? It must have garnered at least enough of a following to do one showing per year!
"They can't." Her face turns somber. She looks at the pages, as if trying to etch them into her memory.
"I can never see it again. No matter how much I want to." Her hands ball into fists.
"So, I need to remember as much as I can, and then write it down. If I forget it, then it's gone for good, so every song, every image, every line of dialogue, needs to be written down." She's getting more frantic as she speaks. I can't let her keep going with this train of thought. I do something I had wanted to do for a while.
"M-Miss Claire??" Her face is as red as her eyes. It's rather cute. If I had known she would react like this to a hug from me, I would do so much more often.
"You wouldn't want to be sad on such an important day, right?" The 15th of the 9th. I'll have to remember this date in the future. Not that I plan for her to be there, just in case she is. By sheer coincidence, of course.
Warmth fills my chest as she returns the hug. She starts sobbing again. After a while, she stops.
"Rae, we still need to talk to administration about the sheet music. I will personally make sure you face no repercussions, but you still must come with me to the meeting."
"..."
"Rae, I expect a response from you." Giving me the silent treatment? After all I've done for her today?
"zzz"
Ah.
Never mind, she's just asleep. How she can manage to sleep standing up, I don't know. It's rather impressive.
I reach to brush my hands through her hair. It always looks so nice, I want to know how it feels.
"Oh! I forgot one!" She jolts awake, and I hastily move my hand. She leave my embrace. I'm only slightly ticked off.
She grabs one more sheet of paper from the bottom of the stack and sets it on the stand.
"Any concert would be unfinished if I didn't play this one!" She seems more excited about this one.
The song she starts playing is much more fast-paced, and less emotional. My heartbeat feels like its increasing. A wicked grin is plastered on Rae's face. I smile as well. She looks happy again.
I look at the name of the song. Megalovania. Certainly an odd name, I don't think that's a word in the dictionary. Whatever it is, it makes my Rae happy.
That's all I need.