Manami was quick to get to the library and reserved her own room, similar to the ones where she once would join Ed and Al in researching the Philosopher's Stone or Alkahestry... except this time, it was to research a celebrity.

It was almost funny.

Manami was happy to find more music records in the library, and even a book or two that discussed famous musicians. She put the books on the table and went to the record player to first put in the disc that the old man had given her.

As a soft melody began to play, Manami went to sit at the table and begin reading through one of the books.

"Renee Wolfe, born June 1, 1880."

Yeah… that was definitely her mom.

"A famous pianist who performed all around Amestris, but mostly in Central City. Her number one hit was 'Farewell,' which Wolfe said in an interview was written in memory of her parents' passing, both within the same year of 1898. This may have been a factor why she retired the next year, but Wolfe also announced the end of her career at her final concert in Central Grand Hall, saying that she would be eloping. She was not able to be reached for any further comment after that night."

Manami went to the records to look on the back of the covers for a song list, and she saw it…

"Farewell."

She got up to adjust the needle on the record player and sat back down, lisening intently. As soon as she heard the first note, she knew immediately:

There was no mistaking it… this was the song that her mom taught her to play. The one she played at Shiori's funeral.

Manami stared at the record player, mouth hanging open as the song continued to play. It made perfect sense now, why her mother taught her this song to play at Shiori's funeral...

It was exactly as it was titled: a "farewell" to her loved ones. It now meant all the more to her that it was passed down to Manami.

She chuckled softly to herself and wiped a tear from her eye before going back to the books.

Manami lost track of time and ended up spending the whole day reading every book and listening to every record. Every performance date, every venue, every song… she wanted to know everything she could about her mother's past.

It made her feel closer to her.

But suddenly, the doors to the study opened and Ed stepped in.

"There you are! What…" He trailed off when he noticed the record player, playing a beautiful tune. He then looked over and saw Manami with her nose buried in a book.

"..?" She took a moment to notice that he was even there before she lifted her head to look up at him.

"Oh… hi Ed…" She greeted him, seeming to be a little dazed, but smiling nonetheless. "Are visiting hours already over at the hospital..?"

"Yeah, but…" Ed gestured around the room, then to the record player. "What are you doing?"

"..." Manami grinned as she rummaged through the records and newspaper clippings.

"Sorry if I freaked you out… I just had to be sure…"

"Of what?" Ed blinked as Manami held up one of the newspaper clippings.

"Ed… my mom was a celebrity."

"What?" Ed could barely believe his eyes. He took the clipping in both hands and looked at it as Manami continued.

He definitely recognized Manami's mother. After looking at this, then at Manami again, he couldn't help but think of how she was starting to look like her mother as she was getting older.

"Before she married my dad, she was a famous pianist, right here in Central..!" Manami said.

"Holy…" Ed looked up from the paper. "How did you find this out?"

"One of the patients at the hospital told me… and gave me those newspaper clippings." She told him.

"Talk about lucky!" Ed walked to the table to inspect the other clippings. "I'll admit, you gave me a bit of a scare Manami... any other time we were here, we were looking for leads for the Philosopher's Stone, or Alkahestry."

"I thought the same thing," Manami chuckled, leaning back in her chair and raking a hand through her hair. "It's pretty neat that I get to use my military resources to research something fun, like family history."

It was invigorating, finding out that there was something so important about her mother's past… and what luck, that some elderly couple came out of nowhere and helped her find this out.

"..." But suddenly, her smile faded a little. She found herself thinking, wishing that he could be here... so that she could share this with him, too.

"... I wish I could tell Al…" She didn't mean to say it aloud, but the words fell out of her mouth.

"..." Ed looked over to her, his smile fading as well. "I'm sorry…"

Manami's eyes fell on the record player, listening to the music for the moment… before she perked up. She had had an idea.

"Actually…" She got up and walked over to the record player, where she turned it off and pulled off the record so that she could put it back in its case.

"Whose to say I can't tell him?" She then approached Ed and held up the record case. "Mind bringing this to him tomorrow? With a letter?"

"..." Ed smiled back at her. "Of course."

Late that night, after everyone had gone to bed, Manami was still awake and writing her letter to Al. She was surrounded by crumpled balls of paper, having had trouble with the wording of her letters… but she finally wrote one out that was to her liking.

"Al,

I hope you're feeling better since the last time we wrote. I know it's been a while, that's my fault. I'm not the best at letters, sorry.

Anyway, Ed told me yesterday that you started physical therapy, so I know a little bit about how you got upset on your first day. I thought I wanted to send you a gentle reminder that you shouldn't push yourself too hard. After all, slow and steady wins the race! I think we would all rather you be patient with yourself so that you can properly recover, instead of hurting yourself and possibly extending the time you have to stay.

Also, Ed may or may not have told you that I found a piano in the lobby at your wing of the hospital. I'm sure you'd be happy to hear that I've been playing it and getting some practice in. I say all of this because I met some people there who led me to a pretty neat discovery— my mom was a celebrity! Apparently she was a famous pianist here in Central, before marrying my dad and starting a family in Resembool. I had Ed bring one of her records so that I could share it with you... I thought that you might like to hear it, too.

Keep it as long as you need to, especially if it makes you feel better! Look out for the eighth song, you'll recognize it.

Cheering you on from the other side,

Manami"

Manami nodded to herself after reading through her handwriting for the fifth time. She decided that it was good enough, at least…

She folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope, then set it on top of the record case so that she wouldn't forget to bring them the next day.

If that was even possible.

Manami didn't have a lot of room to be upset the next day, when she was once again denied access to Al. She was content with Ed bringing her letter to him, and Julia saw to it that a record player was brought to Al so that he could listen to her record.

The thought of him listening to it… maybe even smiling… brought a smile to her own face as she returned to the piano in the corner and played throughout the day.

Though, at one point… she took a moment to notice that the elderly couple did not come out today.

Maybe they had other plans?

At the end of visiting hours, Edward came out with a bright smile on his face.

"Manami, you did it."

"Huh?" Manami blinked in surprise.

"That record and your letter were just what he needed." Ed told her. "He's focused again."

Manami couldn't help but smile, a small blush rising to her cheeks. She was happy to hear that Al was doing better, but to know that it was because of something she did…

"Here," Ed handed her an envelope. "Al made sure to write back today. Might be been his longest one yet."

Manami took the envelope and smiled back at him. "Thanks, I'll read it tonight!"

And she did just that, barely able to wait until after dinner at the Hughes Estate.

After everyone went to bed, she sat on her bed and opened Al's letter with shaky hands... and begin to read.

"Manami,

Thank you for the record, the music is beautiful. Now we all know where your talent comes from! I can't believe that song has been around for longer than we've been alive. I'm sure that it makes it all the more meaningful for you. I'm glad you found out the truth.

Also, thank you for your reminder. I really needed to hear it. It's sometimes hard to keep focus, I want to get out and see you and everyone else as soon as possible, but you're right… there's no sense in overdoing it and making all of this last longer. I promise, I won't push myself too hard again, so please don't worry.

Hope to see you soon,

Alphonse

P.S.: If you don't mind, I'd like to keep the record for a while— the music makes me feel like you're here."

Manami felt butterflies rise in her stomach when she finished reading the last part of the letter, and she hugged the letter close to her chest.

Knowing that Al was thinking of her… maybe as much as she was thinking of him…

That was enough for now.