Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 3rd Episode 12 (section)

===Part 1===

The hard feeling on her shoulder and her throat gave her just the proper amount of tension.

The scent of turpentine tickling her nose allowed her gaze to focus from her surroundings to her hands.

The vibration of the bowstring she held with her left hand fingers led her to the next scale carved into her body.

The melody played by the bow held by her right hand enchanted the people enough to make them speechless.

"—"

Her father, who, being Japanese, was diligent and good-natured, once told her this.

What she needed the most to receive respect from people was a cultured education.

Her mother, who, being German, was overly serious and a perfectionist, once told her this.

What she needed the most to protect herself was being more excellent than anyone.

"—"

Anneliese Mitake, playing her violin in the center of the spacious hall, was brought up as the lone daughter of these two people.

She inherited her blonde hair and blue eyes from her mother's bloodline. Her red one-piece dress exposed her thin shoulders. She thought that the gloves reaching all the way to her elbows would disturb her playing, but since her parents praised her that it looked good on her she decided to wear it obediently.

Not only Anneliese was in formal wear.

The audience, made of men and women of all ages clad in dresses or tuxedos, lent their ears to Anneliese's performance.

Mozart's Violin Concerto no.3—this was the music that the 13-year old Anneliese was the best at.

Anneliese was offering her music to the old Japanese lady sitting in front of her. The woman wore the distinctive Japanese cloth known as a kimono, and she was from her father's side. She was called Mitake-Ou—or in Japanese, Lady Mitake. It was said that she had entered the high society of Japan and Germany ever since the time she was a diplomat, and that even now she held immense influence.

Wearing a gentle smile, Lady Mitake continued watching Anneliese's performance.

[[File:Mushi_Uta_Bug_3rd_p139.jpg|thumb]]

"—"

Anneliese hated that old woman.

Every time Lady Mitake came for a visit, Anneliese's home would be thrown into a commotion. Her father would be pressed by arranging seats to an opera and organizing a feast, and her mother would put even more effort into her violin lessons.

She simply loathed the cunning gaze that could be seen from within the old woman's wrinkled eyelids. She had never seen that woman get angry, but she had also never seen her eyes truly smiling.

Seeing people influential in the fields of politics and business trying to approach Lady Mitake made Anneliese sick. Behind the brilliant stage known as the world of politics everyone sabotaged each other, so in order to win the battles of political power they all inquired into the old lady's temper.

''—Creak.'' 

Even while playing the violin, Anneliese's sensitive ears picked up a creaking sound coming from the ceiling.

''Creak, creak'', the sound continued like someone's footsteps.

"—"

She could feel her sunken mood being lifted again. A smile rose to her mouth.

The real audience for Anneliese's violin was elusive.

''How is my performance today? You {{furigana|gespensters|specters}}—''

The hall where the feast took place was Anneliese's home. Her friends, the invisible audience, could be found anywhere inside the mansion.

Anneliese finished her performance perfectly, lowering her bow.

She hated Lady Mitake.

She hated the whirlpool of conspiracies in the political world.

However—

"Welcome to Munich. It is an honor to see you again, Frau Mitake."

She spoke nothing but elegant words.

She did nothing dirty.

If she said something wrong, if she did something wrong, Anneliese knew that her daily life would be over. She couldn't use curses or dirty looks on that woman.

{{furigana|Danke schön|Thank you}}, {{furigana|fraulein|young lady}}.  {{furigana|Ich liebe dich|I like you}}."

Lady Mitake's mouth slackened, and she replied in fluent German.

By finishing the welcoming ritual, applause finally broke out from the audience. The audience started praising Anneliese and welcomed Lady Mitake even more.

Even her father exchanging hugs with her appeared relieved. He was probably relieved that Anneliese's performance was completed safely. Her failure would cause a big minus for the Mitake family since they preserved their position in the political sphere due to Lady Mitake's influence.

While high-class food was being set on the hall's table, Lady Mitake was still showing a gentle smile and seemed to be in good humor, her line of sight met with Anneliese's. 

''Father, Mother, I have no intention of doubting your teachings. However—''

Even while she and the old lady smiled at each other, inside she was full of hatred. At such times Lady Mitake's eyes weren't smiling at all.

''I have the feeling that this old lady hides something terrible other than education—''

Anneliese, who was unable to make any friends due to always refining her education and art, could feel the seeds of doubt sown inside her. 

But perhaps these were—the whispers of the the specters whose footsteps were still heard from upstairs.