Upon hearing those words, Adeline stepped out onto the stage.
The theater was filled with the thunderous applause of hundreds of spectators, their cheers echoing throughout the vast black auditorium.
"So this is what it takes to master this art," she whispered. "To let yourself become like a flowing stream. I understand now."
This time, Adeline abandoned the need for encouragement and embraced confidence instead, igniting a fire deep within herself.
"This time, Grandma... I'm going to win."
Flaming swan wings burst forth from her back.
"My beloved Adeline," her grandmother's voice called out, "give them the finest performance you can. Focus only on yourself and worry about nothing else. Forget everything that has ever happened. Let yourself drift as freely as the wind."
The fiery wings spread before the audience.
Camera flashes sparkled among the seats, while the stage lights above poured down upon her alone.
Adeline lifted her chin and spread her arms wide.
The flames wrapped around her body, transforming into a magnificent dancer's costume.
The faces of the audience gradually came into focus, each one becoming clear and distinct.
Then, from the second balcony of the theater, she saw the people she knew best.
"Dad... Mom... Uncle Silver... Annie."
Adeline closed her eyes and held back her smile.
The music began.
Piano notes intertwined with the gentle rise of string instruments.
She opened her eyes once more.
Within them burned a fierce spark of determination.
A tear slid down her cheek and fell from her chin.
Yet she smiled as she cried out:
"Thank you, everyone! Thank you all so much!!"
"Your wings have finally opened," came her grandmother's final words. "Now flap them, my dear granddaughter. It is time to leave the past behind and fly toward the future."
"Spread your wings, child," another voice echoed. "Show us one last time."
As the words faded away, the phoenix wings unfurled.
A brilliant spotlight struck her eyes.
Everything dissolved into pure white.
Thump.
The book closed.
It was returned to its place among the shelves once again.
"Until we meet again, Lady Callahan."
The old man's voice drifted through the darkness.
"Letting go does not always mean forgetting. Those memories remain hidden within our subconscious and never truly disappear. That's one reason people fall into depression. It's why some lose sight of the future and end their own lives. The past keeps pulling us backward."
He adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly.
"If smiling through it is what brings you happiness, then smile. No matter how much wealth a person possesses, happiness is something money can never buy back, isn't it?"
He gently tapped the cover of the book.
"My favorite verse from River Swan has always been near the end."
Let not love obscure your sight like heavy mist;
Devote yourself to study, art, and graceful dance;
Step forth as a lady of refinement and virtue.
"I believe that covers every part of it."
The old man reached for another book and placed it beneath the lone lamp illuminating the center of the dim library.
Its cover bore the image of a blue stingray and a dark-blue shark. Across it, white letters formed the title: Moonlight in the Box
"A symbol of conflict within the human heart. Hatred creates a burning passion hidden deep inside. I must admit, I find this one rather amusing."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"The relationships of young people these days are truly fascinating. Heh-heh."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Adeline's old bedroom, as the sun began to set, the young woman lay across her bed, idly playing with a holographic computer sphere while listening to a classical opera piece.
She counted the ballet steps she loved along with the rhythm of the music.
"One, two, one... battu... one, two, three—hup!"
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Leluya—
Her watch suddenly rang.
Adeline accepted the call.
"Hello?"
"Y-Yeah, okay, okay. Uh... hello, Miss Adel. Are you free this Wednesday?"
A man's voice came through the speaker. It sounded as though he was talking to someone else at the same time.
Adeline swung her legs back and forth while lying on the bed and chatting on the phone.
"Sure. Why?" She answered with a smile.
"Well, my friend and I are planning to go see a stage play. We bought three tickets. The third one was supposed to be for my friend's girlfriend, but she's busy, so we're looking for someone to take her place. Are you free señorita?!"
"Shhh!, Danny." Brian's sentence was abruptly interrupted by the voice of an overly enthusiastic Mexican friend.
"What, Brian? every prince needs a princes--"
"Give me the phone now!"
"A stage play, huh?" Adeline murmured. "Hmmmmm... well~"
She rolled onto her side and thought about it for a moment.
Then she let out a breath mixed with a soft laugh.
Drawing in a deep breath, she finally replied,
"Let me think about it first..."
As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward the golden sunlight shining through the bedroom window.