Scenario:Grea - The Difficult First Step

The Difficult First Step

Grea is playing the piano alone, or so she thinks. Mr. Bertrand pays her a visit, encouraging her to move forward and change the world.

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A beautiful melody fills the music room of Mysteria Academy of Magic as Grea plays the piano.

Grea: Was the music room always this big?

Grea: It's probably because Anne isn't here with me...

Grea: The old me wouldn't have given being alone a second thought...

Grea: Who's there?

Applause from a single pair of hands breaks the silence. Startled, Grea whips her head to find the source.

Mr. Bertrand: Oh, excuse me for making you jump.

Grea: Mr. Bertrand? What brings you here?

Mr. Bertrand: Hoho... I'm just making my usual rounds.

Mr. Bertrand: But I just had to stop and say that the chords you strike are as lovely as always.

Mr. Bertrand: Those notes tell me you're lonely from not being able to see Anne.

Grea: Urk!

Grea's face flushes beet red in an instant.

Grea: ...

Mr. Bertrand: Ah, sorry. I said something I should've kept to myself again.

Mr. Bertrand: But to be able to convey such emotion through music is a wondrous achievement.

Grea: Is that so...

Mr. Bertrand: ...

Mr. Bertrand gazes at the abashed Grea with a soft smile.

Mr. Bertrand: You've changed, Grea.

Grea: I have?

Mr. Bertrand: Compared to the Grea from not so long ago, I mean.

Mr. Bertrand: You wouldn't have concerned yourself with not being able to see a close friend again, yes?

Grea: ...

Mr. Bertrand: In your eyes, meeting Anne was quite the fortuitous encounter.

Grea: Yes. Thanks to her, I've been able to step out of my shell a little.

Grea: Without her, even now I'd still probably be... alone...

Grea: I owe her so much.

Grea: That's how I feel, but it's still too embarrassing to say in person.

Grea's lips curl into a knowing smile as she thinks about Anne.

Mr. Bertrand: Hoho... You've finally found it in you to put on a smile.

Mr. Bertrand: No, that is to say I'm elated to see the new Grea.

Grea: Thank you.

Mr. Bertrand: That's especially why you must greet Anne with a smile when she comes back.

Mr. Bertrand: Anne isn't going to come flying back here from her study abroad simply because you've sunk into melancholy.

Grea: Haha... I don't know about that, Mr. Bertrand. This is Anne we're talking about.

Mr. Bertrand: Hmm, I'm afraid you may be right.

Mr. Bertrand: When talk of study abroad first came up, she was adamant about not wanting to leave you behind.

Mr. Bertrand: If she were to catch wind of your loneliness now...

Grea: Ahaha... She'd be back in a heartbeat.

The image alone is enough to draw a wry smile out of Grea.

Mr. Bertrand: Therefore it would behoove you to enjoy your student life enough to put aside that loneliness.

Mr. Bertrand: That way Anne can also focus on her studies with peace of mind.

Grea: Yeah... You're right.

Mr. Bertrand: Grea. Gather your courage and move forward with confidence. The world will definitely change.

Grea: Hm...

Mr. Bertrand: There's no need for worry. You'll have Anne and Owen by your side.

Mr. Bertrand: So why don't you move forward with your head held up high?

Grea: I'll... think about it.

Mr. Bertrand: Well, I shan't keep you any longer. I still have to finish making my rounds, you see.

Mr. Bertrand: I do hope you enjoy your time at the academy, Grea.

Mr. Bertrand: If there's anything I can do to make your stay better, please don't hesitate to seek my help.

Grea: Thank you very much.

Mr. Bertrand leaves the room, and Grea is once again alone.

Grea: One step at a time... But...

Man: You monster!

Woman: I knew it wasn't like us.

Grea: But it's frightening...

Grea: ...

Grea: Hey, Anne... What do you think I should do?

Grea: How can I be like you?

Grea: How am I supposed to have fun as a student like all the other normal people?

Piano notes start to play once more.

They are different from before—dark notes that seem to express Grea's bitterness.