first bloom | voice;

[princelyrose]

People have been telling me that I've been here before, but I can't seem to remember. I don't know how I lost my memories - the scientists, maybe? - and I'm sorry that I forgot, but if you could tell me who you are, I'd like to try and meet you again.

[A little less serious, she tries to smile.]You know, I'd think I'd remember being in a place

Comments

[stopwatchrose]

I think the greenhouse is thriving because Himemiya-san spent so much time taking care of it when she was here last time. But, you know what they say -- if plants can live than so can humans.

[...]

There's a piano? In this city?

[princelyrose]

I think so too. If there can be plants, then people can live here just as well.

Yeah, I was surprised too! It's in good shape, I think. Sunao met me when I was last here. He was hoping someone could play it and tune it so it wouldn't go to waste.

[stopwatchrose]

Do you know if there are roses? I'd really like to see them if there are.

I wouldn't mind tuning it. It's not that hard to do, really. Then Sunao-san doesn't know how to play?

[princelyrose]

Yeah, there are. Himemiya takes care of them, like she did back home.

I'm not sure. Probably not, if he thought it'd go to waste. You should talk to him about it. Oh! And some girl was playing the piano too, I think, a few days ago.

[stopwatchrose]

Then I'm sure the roses are really beautiful.

I will. Thanks, Tenjou-senpai. [...] There are so many pianists here. It's kind of shocking to me.

[princelyrose]

Yeah, they really are.

[She laughs softly.] Yeah, but there's a lot of people here, too. It's not so surprising to think a few of them would be pianists. Have you met any of them yet?

[stopwatchrose]

Just a few... mainly Jake Marshall, who was kind enough to let me live with him. He said I could stay as long as I like, but I'll probably leave once I get a bit more used to this city.

There are around... three hundred people in the city from what I've gathered. Maybe a few dozen more or less. To think that so many people have musical talent... Perhaps that's a huge reason we were brought here.

[princelyrose]

That's nice of him to offer you a place.

[That's a lot of people. But what he says last catches her attention the most.] What do you mean?

[stopwatchrose]

It was. We'd only been speaking for a short amount of time, but... I guess he took pity on me because I'm "young."

Well, surely we all must have something in common. Perhaps we're not all talented musicians, but we all might have an ability to become a musician if we all put our minds to it. Or, maybe it's because we're all very ambitious? With so many of us here, it's difficult to find a characteristic we all have in common.

[princelyrose]

You're not that young. [She's lightly teasing, of course.]

[She hums softly in thought, pausing.] ...Maybe we're all strong, or have strong wills you could say. All the people I've talked to have survived a long winter and have come out okay. These people have endured a lot and came out on top.

[stopwatchrose]

Just one year behind you, Tenjou-senpai.

That sounds about right. The people I've spoken with have all expressed a will that hasn't been broken yet. I wonder, if that's really the reason behind bringing all of us here... do we get sent home when our will breaks? And is it worth breaking our wills just to go back home?

[princelyrose]

I know, I know.

[Oh, Miki...] No one's going to break. We're going to go home still in one piece, and stronger than before. We can't give in. You've heard them; people have gone home. We will too.

[stopwatchrose]

Stronger than before.... Maybe. [...] Perhaps people who have left have also returned. I think it would be best if we asked them what happened before they left. It may be butting into their personal lives, but if it will help the rest of us trapped here....

[princelyrose]

Like me, coming back. Maybe others remember and can tell us. I think it's worth a shot.

[Oh, right.] Hey, Saionji said something about a meeting...?

[stopwatchrose]

Right. Surely someone will remember.

[...]

Oh, yes. I think it would be best if we all met on the rooftop to Horton. It's pretty private so no one will disturb us there.

[princelyrose]

I'll ask the people at Gohl. Someone there might know, or they might be friends with someone we can talk to.

Okay, that's fine with me. When do you want to meet?