I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 51: Reflections in Shadows

Chapter 51: Reflections in Shadows

Chapter 51: Reflections in Shadows

The scene shifts to Adam, seated in his high school classroom. He sits back, observing the usual monotony of the lesson.

Just as the bell rings, signaling the beginning of lunch break, Adam notices a few of his classmates glancing his way, whispering quietly to each other.

He ignores them and instead shifts his gaze to the front of the classroom, where Robin, another student, seems particularly fixated on him.

A slight smile plays on Adam’s lips, yet beneath it, his mind stirs with a hint of caution. "I’ll have to do something about this soon," he thinks to himself.

Turning away from Robin, Adam’s attention falls on Sona, who is still peacefully sleeping at her desk, her golden wings folded around her protectively.

He chuckles softly, walking over to her, and places a gentle finger on her shoulder. His touch is light, but his voice carries a soft urgency as he leans closer. "Sona, wake up. It’s already lunchtime. If you’re hungry, come join me," he whispers.

With a sleepy murmur, Sona stirs, unfolding her wings delicately, stretching like a contented cat.

She blinks up at him, her vibrant eyes half-lidded with drowsiness. "Lord Adam, it’s already morning?" she mumbles, rubbing her eyes as she gracefully flutters up, her wings shimmering slightly in the light before she lands on Adam’s shoulder.

She snuggles against him, her gaze still hazy from sleep.

Adam can’t help but smile at her endearing, sleepy state. He takes a quick look around, aware that others might notice Sona’s endearing yet unique presence.

Collecting his lunch, he heads toward his secluded spot—a place he’s long ago chosen for its solitude.

The hidden nook at the edge of the school grounds offers a quiet reprieve from the curious glances and bustling noises of the other students.

As they approach their quiet spot, Sona’s voice breaks into Adam’s thoughts. "Lord Adam, I sense someone nearby. It feels... sad, like they’re crying," she whispers, her voice laced with a trace of concern.

Adam pauses, his gaze shifting to the chemistry lab across the hall. The thought strikes him as odd. "In the chemistry lab? At this time? It’s usually empty."

Sona’s face becomes solemn as she closes her eyes, reaching out with her senses. "Yes, Lord Adam. Whoever it is... they’re crying. I can feel their loneliness." Her voice, though soft, resonates with empathy.

Intrigued, Adam finds himself moving toward the lab, curiosity flickering in his mind.

He places his hand on the door handle, only to find it locked. A quiet sigh escapes him, and he mulls over leaving it be.

But just as he’s about to turn away, Sona perks up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It’s unlocked now, Lord Adam. I may have taken the liberty of... assisting you," she says with a smirk.

Adam chuckles, raising an eyebrow at her. "You’re more eager to investigate than I am," he remarks teasingly.

He can’t resist the curiosity, though, and gently pushes the door open, stepping inside with a caution that keeps his footsteps silent.

The dim lighting and the quiet hum of lab equipment add an air of secrecy to the room.

A faint sniffle reaches his ears, drawing him further into the shadows of the lab.

The sound grows stronger as he approaches a table stacked with chemistry equipment, and behind it, he notices a flash of red hair.

The sight brings a brief flicker of recognition to his mind.

Red hair? Where have I seen that before? Adam thinks, his mind piecing together the clues.

Sona’s voice interrupts his thoughts. "It’s her, Lord Adam. I can hear her thoughts. She feels alone... and trapped by expectations," she murmurs, her words laced with sadness.

Before Adam can respond, a wave of emotion washes over him, almost as if he can feel the girl’s despair himself.

With gentle steps, he makes his way around the table, finally catching sight of her face—a face he instantly recognizes.

There, sitting on the floor with her knees drawn to her chest, is none other than Sakura, the Student Council President.

Tears spill from her eyes as she hugs herself, a vulnerability on her face that Adam has never seen before.

She appears so small, so broken, like a lost child. Her red hair cascades down her shoulders, partially covering her face as she quietly weeps.

Adam’s eyes widen in surprise. Sakura? The ideal girl of the school... reduced to this? he wonders.

He knows the image she maintains for the school—the perfect student, the responsible leader. But here, in this hidden corner, her facade has crumbled.

Sakura suddenly looks up, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. A flicker of shock passes through her face, but she doesn’t look away.

They both stand still, locked in an unspoken understanding. Adam’s mind races as he searches for a way to break the tension. Think, think... say something, he urges himself, forcing a smile as he lets out a small, nervous laugh.

"I... I thought I heard someone crying," he says awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, trying to downplay his intrusion.

Sakura quickly wipes her tears, standing up and regaining her composure with a forced smile. "It’s... not polite to spy on someone when they’re... like this," she says, trying to mask the vulnerability she’d just shown.

Adam watches as she slips back into her usual persona, the calm, composed Sakura who never lets anyone see her cracks.

But her act doesn’t fool him. Sona’s earlier words echo in his mind, reminding him of the depth of Sakura’s hidden struggles.

A faint smile appears on Adam’s lips, and he speaks up, his voice softened with understanding.

"You don’t always have to be perfect, you know," he says gently. "Sometimes, pretending can make it harder."

A moment passes in silence as Sakura absorbs his words.

The smile she wears falters, and for a second, the vulnerability returns to her eyes.

She lets out a bitter laugh, her voice wavering. "You don’t understand, Adam. Being the ’ideal girl’ isn’t something I chose... it’s expected. Every single day, it’s the same—perfect grades, perfect behavior. But I don’t want this. I want to be free. I want to laugh, to skip class, to do stupid things without everyone judging me..."

Her voice breaks, and in that moment, the floodgates of her emotions burst open.

Before she realizes it, she’s clinging to Adam, her face pressed against his shoulder as she sobs.

The weight of her bottled-up frustrations, fears, and desires pour out as she clings to him, each sob filled with years of suppressed emotions.

Adam stands still, processing the raw vulnerability in his arms.

From his pocket, Sona’s voice speaks up in a quiet murmur, urging him to offer Sakura the support she needs. "Lord Adam... she needs to release this. She’s been carrying it for far too long," Sona whispers, her tone filled with empathy.

Gently, Adam wraps his arms around Sakura, offering her the silent reassurance she’s needed. "I’m here," he whispers. "Whatever you need to say, whatever you need to feel... I’ll listen. You don’t have to pretend with me."

Her sobs grow louder as she lets herself go, releasing everything she’s kept hidden from the world. "I don’t want to do this anymore," she cries. "I don’t want to be the ’ideal girl.’ I just... I want to be free."

Adam’s heart aches for her. He holds her closer, letting her pain wash over him. "Then be free, Sakura. You don’t owe anyone a perfect image. You deserve to be happy, just like everyone else."

For a long while, she clings to him, her tears soaking his shoulder as she unburdens herself.

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