Normally she would have heard the humming of numerous computers and the chattering of their keyboards but today was different. Soft, melancholic music from a piano was being played.
The music breathed into her ears, speaking of a tale of loneliness and yearning. Each note was a tear and Saya was drowning in the music. She felt the pianist's pain the longer she listened. Oh the ache! Was it coming from her heart? Her mind? Her soul? New notes were woven into the tapestry of the piece, notes of blame and regret, the symphony of pain. Saya understood this was for her.
How long she stood by the door she could not say but when the piece that expressed a cacophony of emotion ended, she finally knocked. By then, she was unconscious of the tears flowing from her beautiful eyes.
The door creaked open slowly as if unwillingly, revealing her heart's dream, Mana.
"Saya... Oh Saya! Why are you crying? Are you hurt? It'shard to tell whose blood is on your clothes.." Mana swept towards her, trying to hide her own tears with her usual stream of worried monologue. It was clear she had been crying while playing the piano.
"Mana, stop." Saya dropped her sword and embraced the other girl tightly. "I'm here now. You're not alone anymore."
"Yes. You're not alone anymore."