"He was so happy when he sent us his message. I heard that Lucius was planning on going around the country to learn its music before going back abroad. And Justin will accompany him until then," Shawn continued.
Justin would learn under him directly for the time he stayed in the country, then he would only meet him from time to time once Lucius left, while Justin would continue his training under other musicians that Lucius suggested.
Since he knew of Justin's desire to learn more about his home country and how his family was already well known in Europe, Lucius felt that it was better for him to keep studying here unless Lucius saw that Justin needed to learn more overseas.
Gabriel nodded, "He is taking his next steps."
"Kenneth was also amazing. To think he'd be able to enter an acting school in City S," Shawn added.
"I guess he was serious about his decision," Gabriel replied.
"It was unexpected, but to see him taking it seriously—I guess not everyone knows what they truly want before they start," Shawn chuckled.
"Beatrice and Kathrine are also doing great."
Kathrine, as she had planned, was able to enter the law school she desired, and Beatrice had safely arrived in New York. She left two days after their graduation.
The group, except for Harmony, sent her off. Though the guys wondered why no one from her family came to see her off, they didn't dwell on it.
"It's only been a month since graduation, Shawn," Gabriel pointed out.
Shawn grimaced, "I'm just looking for something to talk about. Why do I have to be stuck with you only?"
Gabriel didn't say anything and simply walked faster.
"I'm joking!" Shawn ran after him.
…
Harmony was also stunned that he was at the same university as her, but it wasn't like she could control where he chose to study.
Thinking about his family, this university was the best for medical courses.
It was the most logical choice. After all, she had also heard that he would pursue medicine. Even Gabriel was here—she noticed him when she looked back, at a time when Shawn's attention was on Gabriel.
Three days later…
Contrary to her expectations of being disrupted by Shawn, he kept his distance quite well.
He greeted her when they met outside in the morning or happened to see each other when they got home.
Something she inwardly sighed in relief about.
Today, just like usual, she went to university.
As always, the university campus was alive with movement—students chatting in groups, others hurrying to class, and a few lost in their own world. Harmony walked past them without a second glance.
And as always, she showed no interest in unnecessary interactions. Just like when she started high school, she was doing the same now.
She checked her schedule.
"Principles of Financial Management – Room 304."
Without hesitation, she made her way up the stairs. The halls were crowded, voices overlapping, but she moved through them unnoticed, keeping her gaze ahead.
Inside the lecture hall, she took an empty seat by the window. Sunlight streamed in, making one feel sleepy from its warmth, but she paid no attention to it. Instead, she placed her notebook on the desk, preparing everything she needed while waiting for the professor to enter.
Other students filled the room in groups, talking among themselves. Some exchanged greetings, others introduced themselves.
She remained silent like she always did. She had no reason to speak.
A man in his late forties entered, setting a book down at the front of the room. The conversations died instantly.
"Welcome to Principles of Financial Management," he began, his sharp eyes sweeping over the students. "I'm Professor Ellis. This course is not easy. If you think you can simply coast through, you're mistaken. Financial management is the backbone of any business. Without it, failure is certain."
Some students shifted uncomfortably. Harmony remained expressionless, indifferent to what she was hearing.
She was taking precise notes. Investment strategies, financial analysis, risk assessment—the words flowed into her mind as if they had always been there.
This was something drilled into her since she was young. In order to support her brother, she needed to learn more than what others her age were learning.
In the beginning, it wasn't like that, but then it ended up that way.
She became a tool to help her brother raise the stocks of the family business.
For her parents, even the chance to study outside like this was a luxury she did not deserve.
She no longer had the luxury of chasing dreams in front of them. She wasn't like the others who could afford to explore different fields, switching courses until they found what they liked.
Even if she was no longer given that luxury in that household, she did not give up. She was still dreaming, and all she needed to do was follow what they wanted until she could finally fly.
Halfway through the lecture, a soft tap on her arm made her pause.
She turned slightly, meeting the gaze of a girl with wavy brown hair, slightly frowning at the interruption and the fact that someone had actually approached her.
"What did he just say?" the girl whispered.
Harmony looked at her, then at her own notes. Without a word, she slid the notebook slightly in the girl's direction before returning her attention to the lecture.
The girl squinted at the tiny handwriting, "Wow, do you write like this on purpose?"
Harmony didn't answer.
The girl stared at her for a moment before chuckling to herself, "Alright, cold shoulder. I get it."
Harmony said nothing.
When the lecture ended, she gathered her things and left the room before the crowd could slow her down.
But as she exited, the girl from earlier called after her.
"Hey, you're Harmony, right?"