"Both of you," she continued, glancing between young Aria and Lewis, "have something rare. But raw talent is not enough."
Young Aria listened carefully.
"This competition isn't just about singing," Miss Sofia added. "It's about presence. Control. Discipline."
Lewis shifted slightly beside her.
"You'll both start staying back after school," she said. "Extra sessions. No distractions."
Young Aria didn't hesitate.
"Okay."
Miss Sofia nodded.
"Good."
Then she looked at Lewis.
On the surface, he seemed calm, composed—unchanged.
But the longer I watched…
The more I noticed.
His foot tapped—slow, uneven—while his fingers moved slightly, like he was keeping count of something only he could see.
"Okay," he said, almost too quietly.
Yet somehow—
Everyone heard it.
"Good," Miss Sofia said at last, satisfied.
The room settled.
"Take five."
Students scattered—some whispering, some watching.
—
The music hall had mostly emptied.
"…that song though," someone whispered nearby. "It's not easy at all."
Young Aria heard it.
"I didn't expect him to pick that," another voice added. "He doesn't even look like the type who listens to songs like that."
Her steps slowed.
That song.
Something about the way they said it… lingered.
It pulled at her.
She turned.
Lewis was by the window, adjusting his bag like he was about to leave.
Of course.
Always leaving.
"Lewis."
He stopped.
Young Aria walked over—steady, certain.
"That song," she said. "Why did you pick it?"
He glanced at her.
"What about it?"
"You didn't let me speak," young Aria said. "You just said it. Like you already knew."
A small pause.
"I like it. And you seemed a little lost, so I helped."
"Help?"
Young Aria folded her arms.
"It's not an easy song," she said. "It's not something you pick randomly."
Silence.
Then—
"I've heard you sing it before," he said.
That caught young Aria off guard.
"When?"
No answer.
Young Aria studied him.
"You don't talk much," she said slowly. "But you notice things."
A pause.
"So why that one?"
Lewis looked at her, then away.
"It fits."
"Fits what?"
He didn't answer.
Young Aria exhaled.
"Everything with you is always half-said," she muttered. "You start something and then stop."
"That means we aren't so different," he replied quietly. "I don't finish what I start… and you don't show up when expected."
She stilled.
"That was my mistake," young Aria said. "I shouldn't have sent someone else. And I won't do that again."
"That wasn't the point."
"Then what is?"
Silence.
Then—
"The paper…"
Young Aria frowned. "What paper?"
"Lumeris—"
He stopped.
Too fast.
Like the word slipped out.
Young Aria stepped closer.
"Lewis. What is the Lumeris Codex?"
For a moment, he just looked at her—quiet, distant—like he was fighting something inside himself.
Then—
"It's a book."
Young Aria didn't stop.
"What's so special about it?"
That made him pause.
Longer this time.
"You're not ready for it yet," he said. "When you are, it'll make sense."
Young Aria frowned.
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
A beat.
"You're already closer than you think."
Her expression shifted.
"Closer to what? You speak like you know more than you're saying."
He didn't answer.
Instead—
He grabbed his head.
Just like he did back at her house.
Young Aria's eyes widened.
"Lewis—?" she called, rushing to his side. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said. "Just a slight migraine."
Then—
He checked his watch.
"I can't stay."
Young Aria stepped back, shaking her head.
"You always do that," she said. "Like you're running out of time or something."
He looked at her, almost surprised by the edge in her voice.
"I'm not trying to argue," young Aria added, softer now. "I just… want you to say things properly for once."
Lewis looked away before replying.
"I will," he said quietly, "when you show up on time."
And then he began approaching the door.
When Miss Sofia's voice cut in before he could leave.
"Lewis."
He stopped.
"You're not done yet. Extra session. Both of you."
A pause.
Lewis didn't argue.
"…Okay."