Chapter 11: Myosotis

'Bye, bye my doleful aria...'

-M2U / Arranger: M2U & NICODE / Vocal: Guriri & Lucy, 'Myosotiis'

It was the eighth anniversary of Hans' death.

Alice stood in front of her brother's grave for the eighth time, and she was sure more were to come.

"It's been a while, brother," she said, kneeling in front of the grave and cleaning it before placing a bouquet of forget-me-nots.

"I know I should visit more than just during the anniversary of your death, but I'm busy, as I'm sure you know, and can barely make time to even visit you when it is. I'm sorry.

"I suppose I should tell you how I'm doing. I'll be flying abroad next month for a recital in Germany. Cool right? I wish you could be there though... Anyway, I'm doing pretty well in school - or I'm getting passing marks in all my subjects and not failing" - a laugh - "that would be bad, wouldn't it?

"I've also gotten a boyfriend - oh god, that's embarrassing to say aloud. It's my piano instructor. He's twenty-three, five years my senior, but that doesn't affect our relationship at all. Love knows no boundaries after all, or so they say. It's just like how our ten year age gap didn't affect our sibling relationship. I mean, we always got along great despite how much older you were than me. Look at me, I'm rambling now."

Silence.

Alice stared at the marble gravestone affront her and traced the words carved onto the stone.

Hans -

XXXX-XXXX

A loving brother and son

You will forever be missed

"...I miss you."

Although Alice had come to terms with her brother's death years ago, thinking about it still caused her heart to ache.

"I still wish you were here - you should be here, watching me grow up. You should be there every single step of the way, praising me for my accomplishments, comforting me when failures happen, spoiling me rotten, interrogating my boyfriend until he gets your approval for daring to date your younger sister - you've always had a sister complex, just like how I have a brother complex."

Alice stared at the gravestone.

"I was hoping that you could've been by my side when I finally got married."

She lowered her eyes.

"I guess that dream can no longer be achieved."

She looked back up.

"I got you forget-me-nots for a reason," Alice said. "God knows why I still have that book on floriology back from when I was still on the hospital, but the book said that forget-me-nots symbolise true love, faithful love, memories and 'remember me forever'."

Touching the bouquet, Alice said, "I hope the sentiments I hold for you are returned. I love you, but I'm sure you know that already. And I'll always remember you, always. I hope you never forget me too, wherever you are."

"Alice! It's time to go, you have a recital in an hour!"

"That'd be my boyfriend. He means well; he's always been reluctant to take me away when I'm visiting you."

Alice stood up.

"I guess this will be it for a while, until next time. Farewell, my dearest brother, Hans."

And as she left, Alice swore she could hear her brother's voice whispering in the wind.

("Goodbye, my beloved sister, Alice...")