The Fragments of Harmony

A little girl twirled, her voice weaving a gentle lullaby.

"You’ve grown so much, my dear Eluera~"

She halted mid-spin, rushing into her mother’s arms, joy spilling from her embrace.

"One day, Mama, the world will finally hear my voice!"

Her mother’s smile glimmered softly—a smile destined to guide the path of her daughter.

.

.

.

Ring ring

The morning alarm broke the silence; Eluera stirred from her slumber.
Yet her lips kept moving, whispering the same words.

"Mama..."
As the word left her lips, tears traced down her face, marking the remnants of a reverie long forgotten.

—

As morning unfurled over Aria Luna Academy, the Rhythm Dorms filled with a rising chatter.

At the dining table, Catherine leaned back in her chair; arms folded, a sly grin tugging her lips. Sunlight pooled across the table from the window, catching wisps of steam from Evelyn’s careful cooking.

“There you are, Eluera. What kept you so long?” she teased, tilting her head.
“Breakfast’s ready. Evelyn’s homemade deserves no less than five stars.”

Catherine was the first to greet her as she stepped from her room.

Eluera’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
“Sorry… for being late,” she murmured, settling into the seat across from Catherine.

With quiet grace, Evelyn approached the table, the steam from the teapot rising like morning mist as she filled each cup with hot tea. She caught the faint trace of tears lingering on Eluera’s face, yet chose silence, letting the unspoken rest gently between them.

Catherine, unaware of the faint traces upon Eluera’s face, spoke with her usual brightness.
"You must’ve had a nice dream to wake up this late."

Her eyes drifted to her watch—showing half past seven.
“Lucky for you, it’s weekend. Otherwise, we're screwed,” she added with a playful grin.

The mention of dreams stirred Eluera’s memory, pulling her back to the fragments she had left behind.
Eluera lingered in silence, then spoke softly, almost uncertain.

“Do you think… our voices will ever reach the world?”

Catherine chuckled, her voice laced with teasing confidence.
“Of course it will. And if it doesn’t—then I’ll just scream louder until the whole world has no choice but to listen.”

Evelyn, now seated beside Eluera, lifted her cup with quiet grace, the steam curling like a whisper between them.
“Tell me, Eluera… what stirs in your heart, that you would ask such a question?”

Eluera’s lips parted, but her answer never quite formed.

What... stirs in my heart?...

Instead, silence filled her chest, heavy with memories.
Of a time in the distant past—when Eluera stood uncertain, wavering between collapse and hope.

.

.

.

“Mama, next week… I’ll be the soloist in the theatre performance!”

Back when I was twelve years old, I was chosen as the soloist for primary school graduation night, at the theatre.

“That’s wonderful, Eluera,”
“I’ll be there, watching how much my little angel has grown~”

My mother—Iris Valentine—has always been supportive of anything I pursued.

"But, Mama... what if my voice doesn't reach them?"

“I don’t think so, Eluera~”
“And even if it did… at the very least, your voice will always reach me.”

Even in moments of disdain, she would always be there for me.

However, back then, I was so naive—believing everything would unfold just as I hoped.
I should have known better—that my mother’s illness was steadily worsening.

"Mama… are you sure you’re okay?”

When I asked my mother, she always reassured me that everything was alright— that she only needed a little rest.
However, I should have known there were more to her words.

Oftentimes, I would find my mother sobbing quietly outside my room.
As a child, I was afraid to even ask.

Looking back, I realize how deeply I wished for something so simple—for my mother to be fine.

But nonetheless, I gave everything I had in the theatre night, pouring the best of my abilities to let my voice be heard.
And what it cost me… I could never have imagined.

"What a beautiful voice she has."
"Yeah, though she appears shy, she's known as the Songbird of Valentine's family."

Those were the words the audience uttered during my theatre performance—faint, yet still reaching my ears.
However, those were not my concern. What concerned me was my mother.

I could see her energy fading little by little as my song went on—until, it reached its limit.

When the song is finished, the audience rose in cheers—everyone, except my mother.

She remain seated, lifeless.

Ever since then, witnessing my mother pass away before my eyes etched a traumatic memory within me.
Ever since then, I became more afraid to let out my voice.

Afraid it wouldn’t reach those I hold so dear.
.

.

.

"So, that’s what stirs in your heart, leader."
Evelyn's word shifted the focus back to the present.

“I understand your worries, Eluera. But you still have us,” Catherine said in firm tone.

She leaned forward, her grin softening into smile.
“If your voice can’t reach the hearts of many, it will reach the ones who hold you dear.”

Evelyn gently set her teacup down, her blue eyes steady on Eluera.
“Your voice has already reached us. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”

Catherine chuckled lightly, brushing away the tension with her usual charm.
“Exactly. And if the whole world decides to ignore our voices, I’ll just shout twice as loud until they regret it.”

Eluera’s lips curled into a faint smile, small yet genuine. She hadn’t expected their words to feel so comforting.

As the quiet wholesome breakfast carried on, a soft knock sounded at the dorm door.
Evelyn rose to answer, and there stood their mentor, Theresa D’Arlanne.

“Good morning, Harmony.”

“Pardon the interruption,” Theresa said gently.
“I have come to deliver an important letter.”

From her hand, she showed an envelope in mixture of red-blue velvet.
At the front, in elegant font, written the words: 

Invitation to Sinfonietta.