Aiden watched Sara leave the school before getting into the black town car.
He stood there for a moment, hand on the open door, eyes following her as she crossed the sidewalk. Her curly brown hair bounced with each step, and he caught the soft flashes of pink hidden beneath the brown—subtle, but impossible to miss now that he knew to look. Her skin was warm-toned, sun-kissed from walking everywhere, and she was a little shorter than he was, just enough that he had to tilt his gaze downward to meet her eyes.
Then she disappeared around the corner, and he finally slid into the car.
The ride home was silent. Mr. Toba, his driver — or bodyguard, as the truth went — didn't speak unless spoken to. The car moved smoothly through town, past familiar streets that became grander, quieter, and more private the closer they got to Aiden's home.
The mansion appeared over the hill like a fortress of modern design — sleek black windows, perfectly trimmed hedges, and a driveway long enough to feel like its own road. One of the priciest properties in the area, certainly one of the quietest.
Inside, everything was polished and immaculate. Aiden immediately removed his shoes at the entryway, lining them neatly beside the others. The familiar scent of incense lingered faintly in the air.
"Welcome home, Aiden," came a gentle voice.
Mrs. Takahashi stepped out from the kitchen doorway. She was a small woman in her late sixties, her silver-streaked black hair tied into a low bun. Warm brown eyes, soft but perceptive, seemed to take in everything. She wore a simple floral apron over her long skirt, her presence radiating the kind of quiet authority and care that only someone who had raised a child could hold.
He bowed his head respectfully. "I'm back."
"Dinner will be at seven," she said, then paused, tilting her head, a teasing sparkle in her eyes. "By the way… I heard you this morning."
Aiden froze. "Heard… what?"
"You were singing in the shower before school," she said, wagging a finger. "Quite loudly, too. I thought the neighbors might knock and ask which pop star moved in next door."
Aiden's ears burned red. "I—I wasn't singing."
"Mhm," she said knowingly, a soft chuckle escaping her. "And I didn't hear you humming when you were ten and claimed the radio turned itself on. Aiden, dear, I am old, not deaf."
He groaned, rubbing his temples.
"You have a gift," she said gently, patting his cheek. "Even if you pretend not to use it, it still finds its way out."
Aiden didn't argue. He couldn't. She was right.
It did still find its way out.
He wandered through the empty halls of the mansion, past the untouched grand piano in the living room, and up to his room. Outsidehis window he could see the koi pond glimmered softly in the fading light.
His parents weren't home.
They never were.
Probably off spending his money somewhere, like always.
Sara walked home slowly, backpack snug against her shoulders. The day replayed in her mind — small details she had noticed, moments that made her smile, even the quiet exchange with Aiden earlier.
What should I add to my next drawing? she thought, scanning the familiar streets she always took. Maybe more depth in the shadows… and the colors of the sunset. I could try adding highlights to reflect her hair… or maybe the texture of the cobblestones.
When she arrived at her house, the front door was closed, the windows glowing warmly. She opened it quietly, and immediately Willow, her gray cat, padded over, tail high and purring.
"Hey, princess," Sara murmured, bending to scratch behind Willow's ears. "Did you miss me?"
Her mom's voice called from the kitchen, warm and tired but welcoming. "Sara! You're home!"
Her little brother, Jamie, ran past her, waving a toy in the air. "Sara! Look at this!"
"Hi, Mom," Sara said, smiling. "Hi, Jamie," she added, ruffling his hair gently.
Her mom smiled. "How was school?"
"Good," Sara replied. "There's a new student in our class… Aiden. He's from Japan, and he's really quiet and kind."
Her mom raised her eyebrows, curious. "Japan, huh? That's exciting. Make sure you show him the ropes, honey."
Sara nodded. She began thinking about her sketches and how to capture the day's inspiration on paper.
She kicked off her shoes and headed upstairs to her room with williow right behind her. Passing the hallway mirror, she caught her reflection — curly brown hair frizzed slightly, pink strands peeking through, and hazel eyes still bright from the afternoon sun.
She changed into soft, oversized clothes and sat at her small wooden desk. Her pencil hovered over a blank page, but without thinking, she began sketching a figure — tall, dark-haired, careful eyes. Immediately, she snapped the sketchbook shut.
"Nope," she muttered. "Not doing that."
Willow flicked her tail, unimpressed.
After dinner, Aiden sat on the living room couch, restless. He tried reading. Snacking. Checking his phone. Nothing helped. He felt alert, keyed up, thinking about Sara, her smile, her laugh, her pink streaks.
Without realizing it, a soft hum escaped him. Just a small, tentative melody — smooth, warm.
Then he hit the chorus.
Riot Nova's biggest hit.
His song.
The one he had been trying to forget.
Mrs. Takahashi appeared at the doorway, eyebrows raised. "You must miss it more than you admit," she said softly.
Aiden froze. "I… I don't," he lied, throat tight.
She didn't press. She simply nodded, giving his shoulder a soft pat before retreating.
But the melody lingered, echoing in the quiet house.
And in Aiden's mind, so did the thought of a girl with curly brown hair, streaked with pink, walking home in the afternoon sun.