000 The weather outside was disgustingly clear.
001 With fresh air flowing into the window, it was supposed to be a pleasant day today...
002 However, I had not found my answer yet.
003 I needed much more time to think, but I even lacked that elementary liberty.
004 I tied up my hair, wearing my regular clothes.
005 With that, I was perfectly prepared to meet him as Torta.
006 On the other hand, I couldn't meet him as Ari like this.
007 [Torta]
008 "..."
009 I didn't want to look in the mirror this morning.
010 I didn't want to see the reflection of my wretched self.
011 Arietta's clothes were dangling from a hanger to prevent them from wrinkling, silently asserting their presence.
012 While Chris usually wouldn't arrive until the last moment, he would probably be about thirty minutes early today.
013 Maybe even earlier.
014 ... But even so, I still had a bit of time left.
015 More than enough to throw down my hair and change outfits.
016 My mind was clouded with the dilemma about how to present myself, and panic that Chris might arrive any time now.
017 ---I had no time to change.
018 I prepared that excuse in my mind,
019 and decided I should change after all---
020 But at that moment, I could see Chris approaching outside my window.
021 And so... I would no longer make it.
022 The instant I realized this, I rejoiced.
023 I was forced to open the door in my current guise.
024 This was set in stone now.
025 But it was the result of Chris wanting more time with Ari.
026 If he didn't care as much as he did, he would've arrived much later.
027 I was about to present myself to Chris, yet I still was unable to look in the mirror.
028 The moment I rushed down the stairs, I could hear him knocking on the door.
029 Granny should already have been awake and in the living room, but I had to prevent her from talking with Chris.
030 [Torta]
031 "Granny! I'll take it!"
032 [Ninna]
033 "Hm? Oh, Torta. Good morning."
034 [Torta]
035 "It's probably Chris. Coming! Just a sec!"
036 With that, I hurriedly opened the door.
037 I didn't forget to put on a woeful expression before I did.
038 Not that that took much effort.
039 The expression on Chris' face came as no surprise.
040 Did he not get enough sleep last night?
041 Feigning the darkest tone I could muster, I began,
042 [Torta]
043 "... Good morning, Chris."
044 [Chris]
045 "G-Good morning. Umm... Where's Ari?"
046 I'd thought up an appropriate lie last night.
047 It was as though I already knew it was going to turn out like this.
048 [Torta]
049 "... Ari already left."
050 [Chris]
051 "What? ... Why?"
052 [Torta]
053 "The train departed at nine."
054 [Chris]
055 "..."
056 [Torta]
057 "'If we talk face-to-face I will end up crying again, so let us calm down and talk this over through our letters,' was the message she parted with."
058 I had already decided what I would write in the next letter.
059 I wanted to test Chris.
060 [Chris]
061 "... The letter... I see,"
062 Chris began to understand, and regret spread across his face.
063 Was he planning on writing something in his letter?
064 [Torta]
065 "... Chris..."
066 [Chris]
067 "... Did you hear from Ari?"
068 [Torta]
069 "... A bit."
070 [Chris]
071 "... I see."
072 [Torta]
073 "Let's... take a break from practice today."
074 [Chris]
075 "I would appreciate that."
076 [Torta]
077 "Hey... Ari wasn't really mad, or anything."
078 [Chris]
079 "... Why not?"
080 [Torta]
081 "She... said she wanted time. In any case, she wasn't mad. That I guarantee you."
082 [Chris]
083 "... I see."
084 [Torta]
085 "... You can always ask me for advice, if you want."
086 I was stunned at myself for having the gall to say that.
087 Even so, those words reflected my true feelings.
088 I truly wanted to help Chris out if he was desperately struggling with something.
089 So in the spur of the moment, I'd added yet another lie - that Ari supposedly wasn't mad at him.
090 [Chris]
091 "Thanks. But..."
092 Chris still looked depressed.
093 I forcibly nailed down a schedule in an attempt to psyche myself up.
094 [Torta]
095 "... Geez! No practice today! No practice tomorrow! We'll restart on the fourth, when school starts. Sort out your feelings until then! Understood?"
096 [Chris]
097 "... There's no need for breaks from practice. It's not like I can do much about this either way."
098 [Torta]
099 "Don't be stubborn. Look at you. Practice is meaningless in your current state."
100 [Chris]
101 "I doubt rest is going to change that."
102 ... Truth be told, I'd been the one who wanted the rest, but it was hard to refuse him at this point.
103 [Torta]
104 "... Okay... Then shall we resume practice tomorrow?" 
105 [Chris]
106 "That's fine with me."
107 [Torta]
108 "... Chris."
109 [Chris]
110 "... What?"
111 [Torta]
112 "See you tomorrow. I'll come to your room."
113 [Chris]
114 "Okay, sure. See you then."
115 And with that, Chris left.
116 I couldn't bring myself to watch him walk away.
117 t21