Evan woke up early, sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment, he lay still, his mind foggy with the memory of last night — a night that had changed everything between him and his mother, Amelia.
He sat up slowly, trying to piece together his thoughts. There was no warmth beside him now; Amelia had already left the room. But traces of emotion still lingered — guilt, confusion, and a strange sense of determination.
What happened can't be changed, he thought. But I can decide who I become from now on.
He clenched his fists. He wasn't the same shy, insecure boy anymore. Something inside him had shifted. He'd spent so much of his life doubting himself, unable to speak confidently around others, especially women. Now, he wanted to move forward — to grow up, to live without fear.
Images of Lyra flashed in his mind. She's strong, proud… maybe I can face her properly this time.
Evan got dressed and went downstairs. Amelia was waiting at the table, her expression calm but distant. She greeted him with a soft smile.
"Morning, Evan," she said gently.
"Morning, Mom," he replied, his tone awkward but warm.
They ate breakfast quietly. The air between them was heavy, but not cold — more like the weight of unspoken thoughts. Amelia looked at her son and saw something different in his eyes: confidence, a spark she hadn't seen before.
"You seem… different today," she said with a small smile.
Evan nodded. "I just realized I've been holding myself back. I want to change that."
Amelia's lips curved upward, though her gaze lowered for a moment. "That's good. I'm glad to hear it."
They finished breakfast and got ready to leave. As they drove toward the university, neither spoke much, but both felt an unspoken understanding — that whatever had happened before, they would try to move on.
When they arrived, Amelia stopped the car near the gates. "Take care, Evan," she said softly.
He smiled, opening the door. "I will. Thanks, Mom."
Amelia watched as he walked toward the campus. His steps were steadier than before, his shoulders relaxed. For the first time, she saw the boy she'd raised beginning to look like a man.
She whispered to herself, "You've really grown, Evan."
And for Evan, the new day felt like the first page of a life he was finally ready to live with confidence.
------
Evan, wearing his usual confident smile, walked toward his class. He was about to take his seat when he spotted his friend—the only other guy in the class—Ozi, a self-proclaimed otaku.
"Long time no see, bro," Ozi greeted with a grin.
Evan smiled back. "Long time no see, Ozi. Where the hell were you these days?"
"Just got a fever, so I had to rest," Ozi replied, though his awkward smile gave him away.
Evan crossed his arms. "Ozi, are you lying to your best friend? You were holed up watching anime again, weren't you?"
Ozi burst into laughter. "Bro, you really know me too well!"
Their desks were next to each other—assigned seats. As Evan turned around, his tone became serious. "Bro, we have to start working on the project soon."
Ozi's grin faded. "I was about to say that. I ran into Lyra earlier—she scolded me for skipping classes and warned she'd fail me if I didn't do the project."
They were still talking when Lyra entered the room. Evan immediately stood up. This time, though nervous, he didn't have fear in his eyes. He'd changed. He had confidence now.
---
During the break, the two discussed their project plans.
"Ozi, you're not going to disappear again when it's time to submit, right?" Evan asked.
Ozi chuckled. "Don't worry, bro. I'm all yours for this one."
Evan smirked. "You should try talking to real women instead of those 2D girls."
Ozi laughed loudly. "Ha! Look who's talking, mister confident!"
He didn't realize that Evan wasn't bluffing anymore. The awkward boy from before was gone.
"Anyway," Ozi added, "you'll have to submit our names. I'm not facing that witch."
Evan raised an eyebrow. "You're really sending your bro into the dragon's den?"
"Please, man," Ozi pleaded, putting on his best puppy eyes. "I'm terrified of her. Do me this favor."
Evan sighed. Before, he might've dragged Ozi along. But now, he wanted to face Lyra himself—not just face her, but prove something to her.
---
After class ended, Evan went to find Lyra to submit the project names. Ozi, as usual, was busy talking about anime. By the time Evan left, the campus had emptied out. Most teachers had gone home.
On his way to the faculty offices, he spotted Lyra in the hallway. He was about to call out to her when she turned a corner—and stopped. The principal was there.
Something in the scene ahead made Evan freeze and hide behind the wall.
The principal, a middle-aged man, wore a sly smile. "Lyra, you've been asking for a promotion and a raise. But why do you keep rejecting my… offers?"
Lyra stiffened. "Sir, please, I only want to be recognized for my work."
His expression darkened. "Be careful how you speak to me. I could easily have you dismissed."
Evan watched, his chest tightening. He could tell from Lyra's trembling voice that she was scared.
"Principal, please… I just want to do my job," she said softly.
The principal leaned in, whispering something Evan couldn't hear. Lyra's shoulders dropped. She looked cornered.
Evan's fists clenched. He couldn't believe what he was seeing—the arrogant professor who'd always lectured him now looked powerless and humiliated before someone abusing authority.
As the principal walked away, Lyra stood frozen in the hallway, wiping her eyes quickly before heading toward her office.
Evan's thoughts raced. So this is what's really happening behind the scenes…