It was if someone flicked a light switch. One day Patch was lying sick in bed, close to death (like always). The next she was out and about taking life by the throat. Within a week she had already spent hundreds of Yen while going shopping, made about ten new friends, tried several dozen different foods, and learned Piano. She had heard many of the rumors around town. It was only a matter of time before she learned about Marisa's love for Alice, and Marisa knew this. She knew this far too well.

In order to buy herself time, Marisa tried something risky. She stayed around Patch as much as she possible could.

Although the plan was risky, Marisa did enjoy all the time she got with her. She learned more about Patch in those few weeks then she did in all the years she had been seeing her. One of the things she learned about her was her love of music.

A good portion of the time she spent with Patch was at the local university's music department. The two would sit for hours and play duets on the Piano.

"You're a little off time" Patch would tell Marisa almost daily.

"Hey, give me a break. I just learned this song today Patch."

"So did I Ree Ree".

"You're a faster learner then I am Patch, it's different"

"So? Learn faster then."

"Because I can totally do that." Maris would respond with sarcasm in her voice.

"I'm sure you can Marisa. You learned spells which troubled me for weeks in five minutes."

"Music is different"

"How so?"

"Well for starters we're at a piano."

"Besides that."

"Well, um..."

Usually at this point Marisa would stare down at the floor with defeat, unable to think of a good come back.

"Well you know what Patch? Piss off." Marisa would usually respond with a sly hint of a smile.

"Precisely what I was thinking. Now, lets start again at the top and just maybe you

can get it right this time."

Patch's attitude was one of the things that Marisa just adored. She was shy, but could be quiet the wise ass.

This plan wasn't fool proof however. Alice naturally wanted to know where Marisa had been going all day. Alice knew that Marisa wasn't the type of person that would go out ever day and hit the town. It wasn't because Marisa wasn't a social person, in fact it was quiet the opposite. Marisa was just lazy. If she could have her way she would lay in bed all day and sleep her life away. Unfortunately for her, Alice knew this and would bombard her with questions the second she got home.

"So, what urgent business did you have to attend to today Ma-ris-a?" Would usually be one of Alice's first questions.

"I just wanted to go and out and about for once A-lice"

"You know that saying for once implies that you only do it one time." Alice would respond, usually getting agitated at Marisa's vagueness.

"This has been going for weeks now."

"Cant I leave the house? Must I remind you that I am not Flandre? It's not like I go out and destroy the city when I leave."

"I never said you had to stay here Marisa. It's just unusual that one day you dont leave your room, and then go and hit the town the next."

"Maybe I just got fed up of being all cooped up in her..."

"Bull. Shit." Alice would interrupt, her agitation growing exponentially. At this point Marisa usually would say that she was sorry, and then make up some story explaining what she was doing on the spot. The first few times it worked, and Alice would apologize. Then the two would usually kiss and make up and continue on with the rest of their day.

However, Alice's suspicions kept growing. While she didn't know what Marisa was doing, she knew that she was doing something. Not wanting to be nosy, she would usually set her suspicions aside and convince her self that Marisa was just trying to have some fun. Usually she wasn't convincing enough.

Although it felt wrong, and Alice knew it was wrong, she decided one day to sneak out and follow Marisa.