Chapter 10: Through the cross-section of the prism

Sensing Êyavia's thoughts, the image on the mirror began to move faster and faster, until a new day began, at which point Êyavia stopped.

The prism reflected the scene of both Êyavia and Stalas sleeping in their rooms. Towards evening, Êyavia went downstairs to prepare some food, and half an hour later, Stalas woke up and came down to help. The two of them worked together preparing dinner, chatting and laughing happily, just like always, nothing particularly special. Stalas still smiled brightly and radiantly, his every action and gesture quick and agile, showing no sign of fatigue. Their parents, Mr. Miskai Sanat and Mrs. Sizlan Shanim, arrived home together around 7:30 PM. The four of them took turns showering and then began dinner around 9 PM, also much like usual. After eating and cleaning up, everyone went to their rooms, Stalas scrolling through his phone until 2 AM before finally going to sleep.

"With such a routine, how is it that the boy always manages to wake up before me?"

The night scene was even less remarkable, so Êyavia had to fast-forward until the sun peeked out, revealing its first rays of light. She paused briefly to think. If one prism could illuminate the next day and the day after that, then what was the point of having so many prisms?

She reached out to another star, which, as if sensing Êyavia's thoughts, gently lowered itself into her hand. As the prism completely settled in her palm, Alisa's image suddenly appeared. She tried using her thoughts to synchronize the image on the second prism with the first. The second prism rippled a few times before finally revealing the sleeping figure of Stalas. But no matter how hard she tried, it remained at a different angle, refusing to project the same light as the first. At this point, she gradually understood how they worked. Then, the second prism was immediately tossed aside by Êyavia, floating aimlessly in mid-air. Êyavia felt a premonition that it would be useful in the future, but she did not need it much right now; she could just leave it there and find it again later.

She returned to the first prism, and not wanting to miss any details, she decided to rewatch June 14th a few more times. During this process, she repeatedly watched the time at 9:12 AM; after all, the previous rewind seemed to be hinting at something. Previously, if she did not have a specific intention, she would appear at 7 AM, the time she would automatically wake up according to her daily schedule. This time, she was taken to the time of 9:12 AM; perhaps there was something special about this time.

Stalas went straight to bed after breakfast, probably because he had stayed up too late. The boy slept like a log until late afternoon. Êyavia shifted her attention back to herself, recalling the time she had accidentally fallen asleep while watching the rain. Scratching her chin, she turned to Alisa, who was busy with paperwork at the company. Then she looked at her parents, who were also at the office, recording measurements from some kind of machine. Êyavia pondered for a long time, unsure who to turn to next, when suddenly the sound of the wind chimes, which always echoed throughout the area, caught her attention. Mrs. Ingfa was one of the oldest neighbors in the Pallin neighborhood, and also one of Êyavia's closest friends. For as long as Êyavia, Alisa, Stalas, and a few other children had made it a habit to visit and chat with her. She had no children, grandchildren, or relatives; she lived alone in her house. Every afternoon, she would sit silently on the wooden chair in front of her house, listening to the gentle sounds of the wind chimes. But since the incident four years ago, she had become increasingly withdrawn, interacting less with the neighborhood children. It had been so long since she herself seemed to have forgotten her own existence.

Through the lens, at 9:12 a.m., Mrs. Ingfa, with her wrinkled face and frail back, habitually sat in front of her house. But soon, the face of this lonely woman, enjoying the cool breeze in the rain, showed signs of discomfort. She saw an old man and several adults carrying umbrellas approaching. She immediately stood up, ignoring the aching and tired legs, turned around, and slammed the door shut.

Êyavia pondered whether Ingfa's story had anything to do with her and why she was suddenly receiving this sign related to this time. After much thought, she decided to jot down this detail in her notebook, intending to investigate it later if she had the chance. She returned to herself and Stalas. Although she knew what would happen, she was still uneasy and watched the recording several more times. One detail caught her attention after the fourth viewing: even when alone, doing nothing, or sleeping, Stalas maintained a cheerful expression, a smile on his lips. That smile was very natural, not forced at all. Normally, Êyavia probably would not have noticed, but the fact that he smiled so frequently, even while sleeping, made her realize a new detail that might reveal a secret she did not know. She immediately wrote down and marked this important detail.

However, even after reviewing it several more times, she still could not find any more clues. She decided to move on to the next day. June 15th was also a rainy day, pouring rain from morning until almost evening, and everything unfolded almost exactly like the 14th. If it were not for the calendar in the dining room marking the 15th, Êyavia would have thought she was still replaying the memories of the 14th. Like before, she tried to find clues by rewinding and replaying the footage multiple times. But except for Stalas always smiling, she could not find any other clues. She sighed and moved on to the 16th. It was no different from the previous two days; why did every day feel like a copied version, filling in the gaps left by someone too lazy to think of anything interesting? She then moved on to the 17th.

June 17th was a beautiful day, with bright golden sunshine, the sunlight streaming down everywhere, almost competing with the shadows from the trees and houses. Fast forward to breakfast; Stalas, having just finished eating, quickly ran outside for a walk. Êyavia, meanwhile, was quietly scrolling through her phone in the living room, constantly watching Stalas's every move. As soon as he left the house, Stalas went straight to Pallin Park. Finally, something happened. Along the way, Stalas met everyone he knew, exchanging pleasantries and chatting, never stopping. At the park, he gazed around at everything from the trees to the sky, perhaps seeking inspiration for a painting. Or, the 20-year-old would run to play on the swings and merry-go-rounds. He looked both innocent and cheerful, especially the children who were very excited to see Stalas. It must be said that this kid not only knew everyone, but everyone liked him wherever he went. Even though the park was starting to empty and most people were preparing to leave, Stalas remained, sitting on the swing, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange.

After everyone had left, a young guy approached Stalas. This young lad looked about Stalas's age, with harmonious features and neatly cut short, jet-black hair. Êyavia recognized him; it was undoubtedly Filias, Stalas's best friend from kindergarten. Unlike Stalas, Filias chose the path of education to pursue his own career aspirations. Therefore, Filias spent more time studying and appeared less often. It had been such a long time since Êyavia had seen this kid, and she tried to remember if Filias had been at the funeral, but her memory was very vague. Except for her parents and herself, she could not remember anyone else who had attended the funeral that day. And although Filias was always around Stalas, Êyavia's understanding stopped there; she had never been close to or even spoken to any of Stalas's friends.

"Well, I'm here now. Say whatever you want to say, I swear I won't eat your tongue!" Stalas maintained his smile, swinging his legs and lifting them off the ground, his hands gripping the chains on either side, his eyes fixed on Filias's blue pupils.

Filias took a deep breath and smiled at Stalas: “Perhaps you already know.” Filias paused briefly before continuing, “I’ve never been good at expressing my emotions, and my speech is terrible. I’ve always wanted to thank you for always smiling at me. Maybe it’s nothing to you, but to me it means a lot!”

“Haha, what are you saying? I should be the one saying that,” Stalas laughed, “If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have even graduated from high school. If it weren’t for you always being there and helping me, I don’t know where I would have ended up, haha.”

Filias did not respond to those words: “I can’t read other people’s minds, nor can I control my own emotions. But I still want to try, I still want to tell you. I have a feeling that if I don’t say it now, there won’t be another chance later.”

“So what is it?” Stalas asked calmly. Meanwhile, Êyavia, listening intently, had been rewinding her lens since their first meeting to listen to this conversation.

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know. But Stalas, there’s one thing I understand very well, something I’ve always understood,” Filias hesitated, “and that is, I like you, I really like you, not just as a friend.” Filias spoke neither quickly nor slowly, but each word was clear, as if releasing all the pent-up emotions.

Stalas did not reply, his smile remaining, but his gaze shifted towards the fiery sunset behind Filias. Êyavia, inside the Pillar, on the other hand, was shocked.

Filias slowly walked towards the second swing and sat down: “I know you won’t be able to answer right away. Honestly, although I really want to, I don’t expect to get your acceptance, but I can’t wait any longer. Whether the answer is yes or no, I will accept it, even if our friendship is no longer the same.”

Stalas silently watched the sun gradually set before him. After a long silence, Stalas finally spoke: “If you’re not in a hurry, please give me some time.”

After he finished speaking, both fell silent but maintained that smile throughout the entire conversation. They did not swing on the swings but quietly watched the night descend behind them. Êyavia was still in shock; she even replayed their conversation several times just to hear them talk. Such an important matter, and Stalas had not uttered a single word to her!

Time fast-forwarded until it was dark, and both Stalas and Filias had left. During dinner, Stalas acted as if nothing had happened until he returned to his room and sat silently on his beloved bed. He did not touch his phone, nor did he look at the twinkling stars outside the window. He simply stared into space, his face completely expressionless, devoid of the smile that always graced his lips. Only a face completely devoid of emotion remained.