Chapter 28: The Rival's Move

Chapter 28: The Rival's Move

Lydia Moore straightened her clothes, placing the violin on her shoulder with a playful lightness in her voice. "Now presenting, Contestant Number One, Lydia Moore, performing a solo act. I hope you all enjoy it!" She bowed deeply, her smile bright as the stars, savoring the satisfaction of performing just for herself.

Her entire focus was on her self-made performance, completely unaware that a pair of warm, clear eyes were observing her from a nearby plane tree.

Julian Reed, who had been sitting quietly on a branch, flipping through sheet music, was drawn by the sound of her voice. His interest piqued, he looked down at her from his vantage point. From his elevated position, he could see everything she was doing. "Lydia Moore?" he murmured her name, a warm smile spreading across his lips.

Although he could only see her back from where he was perched, her lively actions and exuberant energy suggested she was a charming girl. He vaguely recalled hearing her mention the music society—had she signed up too? Julian Reed mused for a moment, but the music that suddenly flowed from below captured his full attention, pulling him into its light, graceful rhythm.

The sky was tinged with warm, golden-red hues. The music that flowed through the air was like the bright, solemn sunlight illuminating the earth, its subtle transitions full of wonder, evoking joy and an unexpected sense of calm. Lydia's music, infused with deep emotion, carried a strong, infectious quality. Julian Reed closed his eyes and listened intently, the initial shock of her playing slowly melting into genuine appreciation. He immersed himself in the purity and lightness of the music, which brought a joy as gentle as a fawn's leap.

As dusk settled, Julian Reed's warm gaze lingered on her back for a long time, until the sheet music slipped from his fingers, snapping him out of his reverie.

The sudden noise behind her made Lydia Moore stop playing instinctively. She turned and saw the boy on the tree, his eyes filled with an apology. To her surprise, that boy, with his gentle demeanor and handsome face, was none other than Julian Reed. She was astonished. When had he arrived? How long had he been sitting there?

Caught! Julian Reed's starry eyes flickered with a hint of embarrassment. He chuckled lightly, pushing off the branch and landing gracefully on the ground. What would have looked like a delinquent move in a movie seemed refined and elegant when he did it, as if a noble prince descended from a dream-like world.

He picked up the fallen sheet music and walked over to Lydia with a smile that revealed his white teeth, his expression as dazzling as diamonds. "Hello!" His mouth curved into a pleasant smile, forming an attractive arc. She was just as he imagined—an adorable girl. Although her appearance was a bit messy, a bit unkempt, there was a fresh, natural vibe about her that made people feel at ease.

After a brief moment of being starstruck, Lydia quickly composed herself and returned his smile with polite warmth. "Hello, Julian Reed." She hadn't expected to run into him here. But did such an elegant person like him always prefer to sit up high and read? Perhaps he found it quieter that way. The evening, the lawn, and the plane tree created a comforting environment, perfect for reading. And earlier, the sight of him perched on that branch had been as harmonious and beautiful as a scene from a dream.

"You know me?" Julian Reed was slightly surprised. He felt as though he had seen her before but couldn't quite place her.

"Yes, we met on the bus the other day," Lydia said with a nod. "But you probably don't remember me, right? Haha, someone with my looks is the kind of person who disappears into a crowd—easy to forget. So it's normal that you wouldn't remember me." Her tone was light and cheerful, showing no sign of disappointment that he had forgotten her. To Lydia, this was a trivial matter, not worth dwelling on.

"Sorry about that!" Julian Reed apologized, but her humorous and lively response made him feel at ease. With a friendly smile, he asked, "By the way, I heard you mention the music society earlier. Did you join?" Joining the music society was a great opportunity to elevate one's performance skills and continue their musical education, something many second- and third-year students eagerly pursued. He figured she must have signed up too.

The recent decision to put the disappointment behind her resurfaced as he brought it up again. Lydia shrugged, a trace of disappointment flickering in her eyes. "No, I didn't." Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she added with a forced lightness, "The music society has such a huge influence at Sakura Academy, and the admiration for you is overwhelming, so I didn't manage to get an application form. It's a shame, but there's always next year. I'll definitely give it my all then!" She beamed brightly, not wanting her situation to dampen his mood.

The sun was now half-hidden below the horizon, and a cool breeze carried the scent of evening as it arrived.

Breathing in the scent of grass and twilight, Lydia Moore stretched with a playful yawn, flashing a mischievous grin at Julian Reed. She walked over to the bench, carefully placing her violin back in its case, then turned to him, her gaze clear and bright. "It's getting dark, so I should be going." When he responded with a nod and a smile, she picked up her violin and started walking in the opposite direction.

As the dusk deepened, the students who had been flying kites had disappeared, their laughter fading into the vast expanse of the lawn. The clear chirping of birds gradually fell silent. Julian Reed stood still, watching her retreating figure, a faint sadness tugging at his heart. But then, a spark of inspiration lit up his warm expression.

"Next Friday, at 1 PM, come to the auditorium for the interview!" Unable to contain his excitement, he called out to her retreating form, his voice trembling slightly with enthusiasm. He was willing to make an exception for her because he didn't want to miss out on someone who truly understood music. The evening wind brushed against his pure white shirt, and the last rays of the setting sun bathed his elegant profile in a heavenly glow.

Lydia Moore froze mid-step, her body stiffening for a moment. When she turned back, she saw his sincere, warm smile against the backdrop of the rosy evening sky, and she couldn't help but return it with a grateful smile of her own.

The sunset-stained clouds enveloped them in a radiant, jewel-like light.

By early afternoon, Sakura Academy's skies had turned a deep blue, freshly washed by autumn rain. White clouds floated lazily over the Ice Lake's glassy surface. Outside the grand hall, a row of tall poplars swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves glittering like tiny angels dancing in the sunlight.

Students carrying various instruments trickled out of the European-style grand hall, their expressions varied. Some were beaming, chatting animatedly—though they were the minority. Most left in silence, or with heavy sighs, muttering about the high standards of the music society's entrance exam, their confidence in their musical abilities shaken.

With the weather cleared, the sun shone even more brightly.

Gray-winged, blue-tailed birds flitted tirelessly across the sky, occasionally letting out sharp, clear calls. And so, two hours passed, the time slipping from 1 PM to 3 PM. As the hours went by, the once-crowded, tense atmosphere inside the hall gradually thinned out until, eventually, only three or four people remained.

Realizing how quiet it had become, Lydia Moore put her sheet music back into her bag and glanced around, noticing for the first time that most of the people had already left. When had that happened? And how had she not noticed? Sighing softly, she turned her gaze back to the window, continuing her quiet wait.