"Xiao Jin, if I couldn't play the piano anymore, would you still be my friend?"
The little girl suddenly asked.
"I... don't quite understand."
Xiao Jin's ethereal, unreal voice rang in the little girl's mind. She fluttered her wings, scattering flecks of light. "I was drawn here by your piano playing."
"If it weren't for your music, I might never have met you."
"And I wouldn't have... become your friend."
"...I'm glad."
"You said we're friends."
Xiao Jin's happy feelings rubbed off on the little girl.
The little girl couldn't help smiling.
She was happy, too.
Happy that she had met Xiao Jin.
"...My piano playing drew Xiao Jin here..."
The little girl murmured.
"You can play the piano, and you play very well."
"Why do you say you can't play anymore?"
Xiao Jin tried hard to express what she meant. "But I've already met you."
"Even if you couldn't play the piano, we'd still be friends."
"It's just that I'd feel a little regretful that I couldn't hear your music anymore."
"Regretful?"
The little girl pressed her lips together.
"Mm."
With a hint of a sigh, Xiao Jin's already ethereal voice grew even more distant.
"Thank you, Xiao Jin."
A wide smile spread across the little girl's face.
"Hm?"
Xiao Jin blinked in confusion.
"I can play the piano."
A brilliant light shone in the little girl's eyes. "I'll keep playing."
"I like playing the piano."
"I'll get better and better."
"I want to make Mom happy."
"And I want to play for you, too, Xiao Jin."
"Thank you."
Xiao Jin smiled. "I really like your music."
"Then I'll play for you again!"
The little girl, who had just made up her mind, was brimming with excitement.
Soon, a light, lively melody filled the music room.