"Aria," my dad called.
I realized all eyes were on us and quickly pulled my hands away. My heart was still fluttering from the balloon moment with Haoran. He was looking at me with that calm, unreadable expression. For a second, everything around me blurred, and all I could focus on was him.
Suddenly, he leaned the balloon toward me and said softly, "Happy birthday… once again."
I took it, my fingers brushing his for the briefest moment, and hurried to Yana.
Yana tilted her head, eyes curious. "Why did he say happy birthday once again? Have you two met already? Do you know Lee Haoran?"
I was silent, unable to reply. My mind was still trapped in that fleeting moment, replaying it over and over.
Just then, my mom called me. "Aria, come cut the cake!"
Yana grabbed my hand and led me to the table. A wave of happiness washed over me—I was surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones. But beneath it all, a flutter of shyness tickled me. Why now? I wasn't sure.
As everyone sang and wished me, my confidence grew little by little. Finally, I closed my eyes to make a wish.
"Hey God, today is my birthday. I have my parents, friends, and loved ones all around me… we are happy. I don't need anything else. But if anything goes wrong, I hope I can handle it. And… I hope I can finally understand the truth behind this magic that allows me to hear animals."
I opened my eyes and smiled, feeling a quiet calm.
After the cake cutting, my dad called me over. There was Haoran, standing nearby. Our eyes met, and my heart skipped.
"This is Aria," my dad said. "Aria, this is Haoran."
I greeted him politely. "Hello, nice to meet you."
Haoran was silent for a moment, studying me carefully. Then he finally spoke, his voice calm and soft. "Hello… nice to meet you too. I'm Haoran."
Before I could introduce myself, he added, "Aria, right?"
I nodded, surprised that he already knew my name.
"Aria, Haoran, you can go enjoy," my dad said with a warm smile.
Haoran started walking, but I hesitated. He paused and turned his head back toward me. "Are you not coming?"
"Ah… yes, sure," I replied, hurrying to catch up.
After a few steps, Haoran glanced at me again. "Why are you so silent? Are you… ignoring me?"
I stayed quiet.
"At the park, you were talking normally. What changed?" he asked, eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"In the park… I didn't know your identity," I stammered. "I didn't want to cause any trouble… you're my father's biggest client, and I didn't want to ruin anything."
He listened carefully, then said softly, "You don't have to be careful. Just be yourself."
Just then, Yana came forward, smiling brightly. "Hi, Haoran! I'm Yana, Aria's best friend."
Haoran glanced at me, then bowed slightly to her, his expression still calm and unreadable.
Yana leaned her hands forward for a handshake, but Haoran didn't move. After a moment, he finally extended his hand, and they shook.
Yana whispered to me, "I think Haoran isn't interested in girls at all… he doesn't like much interaction."
I smiled awkwardly, thinking about his conversations with me.
Later, Mr. Lee called Haoran. "Haoran."
"Yes?" he replied.
His father said it was time to leave. Haoran nodded. I watched them as they headed toward the car.
Before getting in, Haoran said slowly to me, "You can contact me anytime… and we have to solve the mystery, too."
I nodded silently as he got into the car, and I stood there watching them leave.
The Next Morning
While eating breakfast, a housefly landed on the dining table, trying to say something. Before I could respond, my mom swatted it away.
"Noo!" I exclaimed, and everyone stared.
Mom asked, "What happened?"
I stammered, realizing my mistake. "Ah… I mean, I'm running late for school."
Mom raised an eyebrow. "School? It's vacation."
Dad chuckled. "Our daughter misses her classroom and friends—she's such a scholar."
We all laughed, but my thoughts lingered on the housefly.
After breakfast, I searched for it around the house but couldn't find it. Deciding to look outside, I hurriedly left.
"Where are you going?" my parents asked.
"In the park," I replied, and rushed off.
Outside, while searching, I saw a butterfly. "Have you seen any housefly around my house?" I asked.
"Yes, I noticed it going toward the park side," the butterfly replied.
"Thank you," I said, and started walking toward the park.
At the Park
While searching for the housefly, someone called my name. "Aria."
I turned and saw Haoran approaching. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
Before I could answer, he added, "To find the housefly, right?"
I was shocked. "Wait… how do you know? Did you also come to find the housefly?"
Haoran nodded silently.
I frowned, my thoughts spinning. Haoran also came here to find the housefly? It can't be a coincidence.
I asked, "But why did you come to the park?"
"Because a butterfly told me," he replied calmly.
Then I said, "Haoran, listen. It can't be a coincidence that we saw a housefly and then a butterfly that led us here. I think it's preplanned."
Haoran looked shocked. "What do you mean?"
I said in a serious tone, "There's something behind the truth—our ability to hear animals. These houseflies, butterflies… my instincts are right. Everything that happened this morning led us here for a reason."
Haoran asked, "But why?"
"I don't know… but we have to find out," I replied.
As we stood there, trying to make sense of it all, a sudden flutter caught my attention. From the corner of my eye, I saw a dark figure slip behind the trees. My heart skipped a beat.
"Did you see that?" I whispered to Haoran.
He frowned, scanning the area. "See what?"
I turned again—but there was nothing. Only the park, still and silent, holding its secrets.
A chill ran down my spine. Something—or someone—was watching us.