"Say thank you or something, you don't need to. Misaka-san, I'm not here to comfort you, on the contrary, I'm here to urge you. The girl's soft voice seemed to be playing a tune. I know at least one thing, and that's Misaka-san, you never promise anything. But once you make a promise, no matter how difficult it is, you will fulfill it. ”

She smiled softly, and for the first time said what she thought of Mai Trin.

In fact, just like she is not used to being expected by others, Mikoto is also not used to being praised. She is often embarrassed by the approval of others. However, the words that came out of the mouth of the dome seemed to be taken for granted.

Just as Qiong Nai has her own perception of Mai Tamin, Mai Tamin also has her own understanding of Qiong Nai. She knew that this girl, despite her gentle personality, had always rarely complimented others. Her vision is actually very high, and the evaluations made through her mouth are usually inevitable facts.

"You're right." Mai Trin sighed and patted her cheeks hard with both hands, "I've been delaying too long. ”

She stood up and picked up the violin case beside her.

"Still nervous? Misaka-san. ”

"Of course, how could it not be. But Kaihara-san, you also said it, right? Since it's what I promised, I'll do it anyway. ”

This is not a stubbornness, although Mai Trin is indeed a person who likes to be stubborn, but at least not this time.

Mai Qin, who opened the door, looked at it, and what she didn't expect was that there was no one waiting outside the door.

"I told them that we were going to get acquainted with the tune for the last time, and asked them to wait outside." Dome smiled. Although she really didn't feel nervous, she could see that she cared a little, "Although it's an excuse, it's not a lie." I'd really like to check with Misaka-san about the results of my preparations in the past few days. To tell you the truth, after all, it was a piece I wrote, and I hope to have a good performance. ”

Of course, it's a little bit of concern, after all, writing music or something is also an unprecedented experience for her.

With her habit of giving it her all in whatever she does, she naturally works hard and is quite focused on the process. But after all, arranging music is not even a hobby for her. She couldn't tell what kind of result she would get by putting this idea into practice.

"There's certainly nothing wrong with the tune itself, as long as we don't make mistakes." Mai Trin said as she closed the door, "At least you should trust my eyes." ”

"I'm not doubting......"

If there's anything about Domino that makes Mikoto incomprehensible, it's probably here. She's certainly not a person who lacks self-confidence, but she always seems to have a tendency to habitually think that she will do something wrong, which is incomprehensible to Mai Trin.

_

The so-called stage is actually the main entrance of the Tokiwadai student dormitory. Cover it with a simple white composite panel, and then pull up the curtain, even if the arrangement is complete. Since it was a makeshift stage, it was as simple as possible. And the so-called auditorium is just a neat arrangement of folding stools.

Mai Trin's bedroom is on the second floor near the inside (Room 208), so it is conceivable that there is a distance between them. If it is placed in normal times, this is naturally not a problem. But now......

"It's hard to walk......"

Jean has never felt that this road is so difficult, she has never had the habit of wearing long skirts, let alone this kind of dress. Her upper body was tightly wrapped, and her skirt suddenly changed from the waist down to a wide skirt. This dress forced her to walk only in small steps, and she even felt the illusion that her steps were stumbling over something brought about by the friction of her legs against her skirt. Only the exposed shoulders and arms of the entire body can be considered to be able to move freely.

Dresses are often impractical, and even more so for women. So Mai Trin was dumbfounded, and she was carrying the hem of her skirt, and her steps were as light as if the restrained dress on her body had no effect on her.

You know, under Mai Trito's repeated emphasis, her dress is already the most simplified style. And the one on the dome is much more exquisite and complicated. But her comfortable appearance always makes people wonder if she is quietly using her ability.

However, this light blue dress is worn on her body, which is indeed noble and elegant at the same time, but also gentle and lovely. At the very least, it's definitely much better looking than your own.

Suddenly, the idea arose that choosing the simplest dress might be a mistake.

As Dome said, most of the Tokiwadai students were waiting outside. However, when they walked down the stairs one after the other, they saw Mitsuki Haihara.

"Brother?"

"Don't you think it's a little too slow? Some people have been waiting for a long time, just to see you. ”

"Sorry for worrying you."

Dome bowed apologetically.

"However, this dress is really a bit exaggerated, I thought it would be a simple style, but it turned out to be classical?"

"Because my classmates thought I was more old-fashioned, they insisted that I wear this."

Dome replied, and suddenly bit her lower lip as if she remembered something, and a thin layer of red appeared on her pretty face. Even his gaze wandered for a moment.

Her strange reaction Haihara Mitsuki naturally wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

"What's wrong with you today? It was the same before, are you okay? ”

"No, no, no, of course not." Dome quickly denied it. She lifted the wide skirt of the dress, spun around in front of Mitsuki Haihara, and asked a little mischievously, "Don't you think it's cute?" Elder brother? ”

"It's still weird."

Mitsuki Umihara reached out and tapped her head lightly.

"Uh-huh......"

Qiong Nai covered his head, of course, Mitsuki Kaihara didn't actually exert his strength.

"Okay, don't delay, everyone is waiting."

"Yes!"

After the two of them walked away, Mitsuki Kaihara turned to the corridor.

He wasn't lying, there were indeed people who had been waiting just to catch a glimpse of the dome. However, he never said that it was a classmate from Tokiwadai.

Compared to Tokiwadai's students, that means an earlier, much longer past. That is the past that only two people who have experienced it can recall along the trajectory of memory.

"That's it, right?"

There, there was a girl quietly hiding on the side of the hallway. She was smiling with relief, but there was a hint of loneliness in her smile.

"For me, that's enough. Thank you very much, Brother Guanggui. ”

_

Behind the dark purple curtain, there was already a piano, which was Dome Nai's partner in this performance.

It wasn't a brand new piano. On the contrary, the years have left some traces on its walnut body. Although it is well maintained, it is even more shiny at this time, but it cannot resist the erosion of time after all. In this way, time is a terrible thing.

Open the lid and gently press the ivory keys. The tranquil tone, while crisp, is not as loud as a common piano, which is characteristic of ancient pianos.

Because it is already a valuable antique, Tokiwadai rarely displays it. Today is the first time it has appeared in the Midsummer Festival, and it has appeared in front of everyone's eyes.

This piano was built in the early years of the modern piano piano. Although it already has the structure of a modern piano, it still inevitably has some characteristics of the ancient piano. In order to adapt to these subtle differences, it took a lot of effort for the Dome to do so.

She didn't know where it came from, and in fact, even Tokiwadai himself couldn't tell. This piano was a gift from three years ago, and its gift is still a mystery to this day.

"That...... Sorry to bother you. ”

Dome was fiddling with the piano when he heard a familiar voice. She turned to look, and beside Mai Trin, it was indeed someone she had met not long ago.

"Kamijo-san, huh?"

"Oh, you're ......"

Domino in a dress stunned Kamijo, who was a little slow to react.

"Excuse me, did something happen?"

Dome stood up.

"Ah...... Actually, I got separated from my friends who came with me. It's the same girl you've seen before, wearing a white monastic robe......"

Coming back to his senses, Kamijo scratched his head.

"I've been preparing for the show ever since, not paying attention to other people. Sorry can't help. ”

Dome bowed politely.

"No, no, I'm the one who gave you trouble."

The two saluted each other in return, and suddenly a shout came from beside them.

"Why are you here?"

Obviously, that can only come from the third person here, Mikoto Misaka.

"Hug ...... I'm sorry! But ......"

"Misaka-san, be calm, be calm."

Dome tried to counsel Mikoto, who was almost going mad, but it was clearly the opposite.

"Did you come to see my jokes? Or are you here to laugh at my clothes? ”

"No, how could it be, I think it's beautiful."

"What......"

Mai Tamin suddenly turned red, but then she added a rather deadly sentence.

"You two are, very beautiful......"

"Stupid! Get out! ”

Mai Koto picked up the chair, and when she saw that the situation was not good, she immediately ran away.

"Really, why do you have to say superfluous things......"

Qiong Nai pressed her fingers to her forehead, she didn't expect that there were people who really couldn't speak to such an extent. Generally speaking, it should be common sense not to praise two girls at the same time in person.

"What is that guy doing, but when people are most anxious......"

Mai Tamin pressed her chest, looking indignant.

"It's almost time, Misaka-san."

The curtain is being opened, and Mikoto and Dono, who are in good shape, walk to the center of the stage together and simply greet the audience.

"That's amazing! It's beautiful! ”

She could even hear the whispers from the audience.

(Really, not at all considerate.) ）

Complaining Mikoto and Dono exchanged glances with each other.

Dome walked over to the piano and sat down, and she took a deep breath. Mai Trin took a stand and waited for her to play the prelude.

Finally, the white, white fingers lightly tapped the first note on the keys.

_

Picking flowers sat under the stage, silently staring at the girl playing the music with intent, as if trying to see something. Although Satera's music could not be heard, she could roughly guess the level of this piece only from the reactions of the people around her.

The sound of the ancient piano is simple and rich, crystal clear and transparent. It is not sonorous and powerful, but it is like gently plucking on the surface of a calm lake, leaving ripples in the heart of the listener. The melodious and bright sound of the piano was even transmitted outside the Tokiwadai dormitory through the amplification equipment, attracting the attention of passers-by.

It's a unique, wonderful rhythm.

－－

Outside the schoolhouse, a young girl looked in the direction from which the music came with some blankness. Judging from the synthesizer in front of her and the whole set of equipment, she should also be a musician.

She was a little confused, a little confused. She didn't know what was wrong with her, but in a daze, she ran to the vicinity of Tokiwadai's dormitory. If you think about it, maybe because today is the Tokiwadai Midsummer Festival, the number of students coming and going is quite large? Maybe you also unconsciously want more people to be able to enjoy your music?

Confused, she heard applause, it was an old man dressed as a traveler, who looked to be quite old. Those who like to listen to her songs are generally young people. An old man like this gentleman is really rare.

Could it be that before you know it, you have completed an excellent performance?

The old man stopped clapping and smiled kindly at her. But the girl's whole body trembled uncontrollably.

There was not the slightest malice in the old man's gaze, but it seemed that it easily penetrated her body, and he saw something rooted in the deepest part of her consciousness in her body.

Without saying a word, the old traveler pressed down the brim of his hat and dragged away with a suitcase that looked a little too large no matter how he looked at it, which made the girl breathe a sigh of relief. But when she lowered her head, she was startled again.

I don't know when, the ground around her was painted with strange marks.

The marks look like unexplained patterns in a wheat field.