:: When the Pavane Dies :: First Love//Erste Liebe

Toyed with by the triggered fate,

She too dances amongst the dead.

Rest in peace for that is your end,

My Maria…

The soundless silence shattered into pieces as a tune broke through its barrier. Fragments of sound wove themselves into an endless melody—a song that carried hidden warmth to its listeners. If the girl had words to describe it, a single word would have been enough. It was beautiful, a song pure enough to be untainted. Precious notes were soothing as though they had descended from heaven. It was a memory she treasured and vowed to find.

"You wish to do what?!" The voice of her father broke her thoughts in a mere second.

The child lowered her head in shame. Perhaps she had known all along. For a long time, Otou-sama wished for her marriage to occur. It would only anger him more to bother him with such request. After all, most women were already married around her age.

"Attending a music academy in Tokyo…ridiculous. You are already eighteen. Your violin lessons have already delayed it for several months. I won't allow any more delay in your marriage!" The man left the room, slamming the door abruptly.

It was only the truth that she angered him. For that matter, regret lingered. Even so, she had truly wanted to attend the academy. These months, the violin has brought her a blissful feeling. Thus to pursue it was a fantasy out her grasp. And also to meet him, the one whom she admired since the start.

"Nanao-san…" Her mother glanced down at the girl with dismay. It pained her to see her daughter upset. Still, she did not dare go against her husband's wishes.

"Okaa-sama…" She glanced up at her mother, blinking back the burning tears that dripped from her eyes. "I really wanted to go to Tokyo…" The girl confessed. "And also to meet him." She added in a partial whisper.

The fact that she loved music was no lie. She always did whether it be singing or simply listening to it.

"Alright, take an entrance exam. After all you are our precious daughter."

Thank you, Okaa-sama

Kaga Nanao stood before the western-style building. It was no illusion or dream, it was reality. She had finally reached this point; the Marianne Music Academy was only steps away. No longer was it an unreachable dream.

An echo of sound drifted to her . She recognized the sound anywhere. It was what she came searching for, a tune sweet and yet as delicate as porcelain. No doubt, it was his melody.

As the music vanished, her delusions too have faded. He was gone. Perhaps it was true; everything that has been given to her couldn't have been reality. Still, as long as she remained here, hope persisted.

The girl's sunset-colored eyes caught sight of an object. In spite of it being tiny, a wreath of golden leaves stood out amongst the grass. She picked up the brooch; it was beautiful and reminded her of the music she overheard a moment ago. Perhaps it was something dropped by him?

The white-haired boy glanced at winged sword in his hand. One moment ago it had been the bow he used to play that piece. A memory drifted through his head as a reminder of his task.

Seven years ago the trial of a near death experience has already been given to him. That illness back then, it was deadly without cure. The contract saved him and offered the two blessings in exchange for his task. For years, it was delayed as he was a child of eleven. Now it was different, he would complete the contract by obtaining the Tears of Maria once he found his Maria.

The same music she yearned for was played during that afternoon. Since the opening ceremony, Kaga Nanao scarcely paid attention. Her attention was fixed on the brooch.

Standing outside the doorway of the piano room, she caught sight of a boy. It was him, the person she had wanted to meet all this time. His playing was beautiful each time, captivating her heart with every note. The hint of pain within the bittersweet melody brought the girl to tears.

The tune began to fade into an end. Her hand reached up, wiping the tears that fell from her eyes.

"Huh? Is someone there?"

"Ah..." She glanced upwards to face him. Her face flushed with blood in accordance to her pounding heart. She was nervous, unable to speak.

"Did you happen to listen? I'm embarrassed."

"No…" She was finally meeting him and yet she couldn't say anything. "It was…amazing…" There was much she wanted to tell him. By far all that came from her mouth were those few stammering words.

"Do you happen to be a new student?" The boy mused. "I'm Sagami Takenomaru"

"I am…Kaga…Nanao…" Her pulse continued to increase speed. Even her own name was spoken with a stammer.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." His hand reached out to shake hers.

The brooch finally crossed her mind. If it belonged to him, she must return it to him. "That's right…I just remembered…the brooch…"

She reached out, presenting him the brooch she found earlier that day. The stone within the centre of the leaves was no longer transparent. Instead, it was replaced with a soft walnut color.

That brooch…It suits you

Without as much as a second thought, she accepted a gift from the one whom she admired. Remembering that moment filled her with overwhelming joy. Still, the girl felt uneasy—it might have been her fault for staining the brooch. Perhaps it was for that reason he no longer wished to keep it. Even so, he spoke words of kindness to her.

Okaa-sama…thank you for everything. She was happy even if this was an unrequited love—even if was only for the time being. Until then, she must continue to work hard. Perhaps then her father would forgive her.

The brooch has been dyed; finally the time has come. The contract could now be fulfilled. She, his first victim's Tears of Maria would be obtained. For he was the Messenger of the Angels.

Disclaimer: I do not own and is in no way related to the creation or publication of the manga series Naki Shoujo no Tame no Pavane.

Note: As some readers may have noticed, the summary mentions that Kanda Misaki's arc will lead to Pita ten. While she will be in this story, please note that her arc will not be written until the near end.

The first chapter of the rewritten version has come. Once again Nanao's arc is difficult to write without borrowing much from the actual series. Parts are not exact though very similar to the original. Many parts at first will be quite similar to the actual series itself though as later arcs are presented the story will begin to stray from the original. As I'm aware, there are several grammar errors in this piece(Though nothing overly major) and skipped parts.

Please note that italics have two uses. One is to indicate a character's thoughts. The second is to reveal the sinister areas of the story. Minor violence, suicide, and minor swearing are to occur in following chapters though the level is lower than that of mature.