Mutsumi

Saki...

Sakiko

Mutsumi?

Mutsumi

The time.

Sakiko

Ah... It's already this dark...

Sakiko

I'm sorry. I can't play the piano freely at school, so I get carried away...

Sakiko

I'm so grateful I can practice freely here. Thank you as always.

Mutsumi

Mhm.

Sakiko

Well then, I should be taking my leave now.

Mutsumi

That piece... I've heard it before.

Sakiko

It's a famous piece. It's often played in the streets and used in TV programs.

Sakiko

I've also played it a lot since I was younger...

Mutsumi

I know.

Mutsumi

I've heard you playing it before.

Sakiko

!

Sakiko

(Could it be... She remembers those days...?)

Sakiko

That was back when mother was still healthy...

Sakiko

Phew...

Sakiko

What do you think, Mutsumi? It's a piece I've just learned.

Mutsumi

...Mhm. You did well.

Sakiko

! That's a relief. It was worth all the hard work I put into practicing.

Mutsumi

...

Sakiko

Mutsumi smiled gently.

Sakiko

As I remember, after that...

Mutsumi

It was like the sea.

Sakiko

Huh...?

Mutsumi

A gentle piece, like the sea in a peaceful night. That's how it sounded.

Sakiko

......

Sakiko

(The same words...)

Sakiko

(The same words as that time, after Mutsumi heard my piano...)

Mutsumi

Saki?

Sakiko

(No... That's nothing more than my own wishful thinking.)

Sakiko

(Besides, I've decided to accept Mutsumi as she is now.)

Sakiko

(Because Mutsumi is just Mutsumi, no matter in the past or present.)

Sakiko

No, it's nothing.

Mutsumi

?

Sakiko

(But...)

Sakiko

(Maybe not everything has changed, after all.)

Sakiko

Mutsumi.

Mutsumi

?

Sakiko

If you don't mind... May I play the piano one more time?

Sakiko

I want to play that piece from the beginning. I want you to hear it.

Mutsumi

Yeah.

Sakiko

Thank you. Well then...