Chapter 38: Breaking Point

Chapter 38: Breaking Point

"Oh, I see," Lydia Moore muttered with a resigned pout. His personality was really quite contradictory—he clearly had a good heart but went to great lengths to hide it, refusing to acknowledge it even to himself. But considering that he had just helped her out, she decided to avoid any confrontation for the moment. Glancing at her ankle, which was now wrapped in so many bandages that it resembled a cocoon, Lydia suddenly remarked with a playful tone, "Actually, you're already torturing me."

Seeing the confusion on his face, she struggled to lift her right foot and complained with a mischievous smile, "You're so over the top. It's just a sprained ankle, not a bleeding wound. Even the doctor said it wasn't serious, but you insisted she bandage it up layer after layer. Are you trying to make me look ridiculous on purpose?"

She couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of the doctor's bemused expression as she reluctantly wrapped Lydia's ankle under Aaron's orders. Although she knew he was only concerned for her well-being, his way of showing it was certainly unconventional.

"You really are a weird idiot!" Aaron King fumed, his face darkening with anger as the veins in his forehead bulged. Annoyed that his good intentions were being misunderstood, he clenched his fists and turned his face away, fearing that he might lose control and strangle her. She was clearly mocking him, and her audacity was infuriating. He deeply regretted his moment of weakness in helping her and vowed never to get involved with her again, no matter what happened.

But Lydia's laughter only made him seem even more endearing in her eyes, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Ah… it flew away…" one of the children flying kites sighed wistfully. A seven-colored rainbow kite had broken free of its string and was now floating higher and higher in the blue and white sky, inching closer to the sun.

Lydia looked up, her eyes sparkling like dewdrops on green leaves. A bright, flower-like smile spread across her lips as she clasped her hands together near her mouth, closing her eyes in a silent prayer, her lips moving ever so slightly.

After a long moment, she opened her eyes, warmth radiating from within, and said quietly, "When I was little, my father told me that if you make a sincere wish on a kite that breaks free, it will carry your wish far, far away. It will tell the angels on the other side of the sky. Then, the kind-hearted angels will help your wish come true. It sounds childish, right? Hard to believe, isn't it? But…"

She turned to Aaron King, her eyes full of hope, and continued confidently, "I just made a wish, hoping that you can find love and happiness. I believe that this wish will definitely come true." She firmly believed that every kind-hearted person deserved their own happiness, just as every angel had wings symbolizing miracles and hope.

Love and happiness—could he really have those? Aaron King stared indifferently at the colorful kite as it drifted further away, his heart filled with a bitter mix of emotions. He wanted to argue with Lydia, to tell her that his life was none of her concern. But when he turned around, the sight of her radiant, summer-like smile stopped him in his tracks. In that moment of eye contact, the hidden worries in his eyes gradually faded away.

The potted chrysanthemums placed around the square were in full bloom, filling the air with their fragrance. Birds chirped cheerfully in the air, and the kites swayed gently in the breeze. The children's laughter echoed joyfully as they chased and played, with their loving parents watching them with gentle smiles. The autumn warmth filled the square, creating a scene of harmony and tranquility.

A week after the school-wide music club auditions, the names of the ten newly admitted members were posted on the Sakura Academy bulletin board. Lydia Moore and Elena Rivers had the distinction of being the only violinists selected among them. The announcement caused a stir throughout Sakura, with the previously unknown Lydia Moore suddenly becoming the center of attention. Everyone was curious about this girl who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere—was she really talented enough to join the ranks of the other nine students who were already well-known for their musical achievements?

Though Lydia occasionally encountered skeptical and envious glances from her classmates, and was often the subject of gossip, the joy of being able to collaborate with Elena Rivers overshadowed any negativity. She chose to ignore the unfriendly attitudes around her and continued to treat everyone with genuine kindness.

By November, the weather had turned slightly chilly. The once lush trees had started to shed their leaves, but Sakura Academy, located in the south, still enjoyed clear skies and vibrant greenery, looking like a beautiful garden every day.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the ten newly selected members of the music club gathered in the club's exclusive practice room, each carrying their instruments. Soft sunlight streamed through the clear glass windows, illuminating the music room and casting a gentle glow around the musically gifted students, giving them an almost ethereal appearance.

Some sat at the piano, lightly tapping the black and white keys; others quietly flipped through their sheet music, while still others meticulously tuned their strings. Music had given each of them a different but equally captivating aura.

Piano, saxophone, oboe, guitar… it seemed like every instrument was represented. Lydia Moore looked around curiously, her eyes wide with wonder. However, whether it was due to their outstanding musical talent or something else, they all seemed somewhat unapproachable. After hesitating for a while, Lydia finally decided not to break the silence, opting instead to quietly continue polishing her violin.

As she did so, she noticed that Elena Rivers, who was standing beside her, had been gazing out of the window, lost in thought, for quite some time. Lately, Elena seemed to enjoy standing by the window alone, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions that Lydia couldn't quite decipher. There was a trace of worry, but also a glimmer of hope, as if she was caught between bright expectations and dark uncertainties, leaving Lydia feeling a bit confused.

At that moment, the arrival of Julian Reed and Grace Hinton drew everyone's attention, filling the room with a dreamlike atmosphere. Julian Reed, with his elegant and noble demeanor, and Grace Hinton, known as the "Sakura Princess," made a stunning pair. The glow they radiated held everyone in the room captivated.

"They really look like a prince and princess from a fairy tale," Lydia marveled, her mouth slightly agape in awe. All her attention was focused on the dazzling couple before her, completely missing the flash of sadness in Elena Rivers' eyes and the way her fingers curled tensely in her lap.

Dressed in a crisp white school uniform, Julian Reed walked up to the podium with a gentle smile. His gaze swept across the room before he began speaking in a soft, sincere tone, "Hello, everyone. I'm Julian Reed, the president of this year's music club. However, rather than seeing me as your president, I hope you can think of me as a partner in music. Throughout this academic year, we'll have many opportunities to work together, and I hope that being part of the music club will contribute to your musical growth."

His voice was warm and smooth, without a hint of arrogance.

"The true essence of music lies in the emotional connection between hearts and the resonance it creates. Therefore, I hope that in the future, you'll play every piece with your heart. Today, I've gathered you all here to help you get to know each other better. In a club like ours, musical synergy and cooperation are crucial. Only through more interaction can you find common ground in your music and help each other overcome your individual weaknesses."