"It is indeed a criminal offense," he says, stroking his chin with a mock-thoughtful expression, "but definitely not if you have the same route home."

"Well argued, Sherlock. But only if you take the same route home", i whisper to myself.

"Huh?", he says.

"The same way home," I repeat, my voice laced with disbelief. 

"Asta, I completely forgot to tell you. This is Dr. Lewin Meros, our new neighbor," my mother introduces him, her voice tinged with an awkward attempt at warmth.

To my surprise, he doesn't extend his hand. Instead, he gives me a smug look. 

"Haven't we met before?" he mocks, raising his hand to his chin.
So he wants to play. And to my regret, I'm on the losing side. 

"Where was it again?" he continues, feigning forgetfulness. 

"Hospital," I almost scream, my voice sharper than intended as if I've been stung by a bee.

My mother looks at me in horror, while he barely suppresses a laugh. 

"I mean, they could have seen me at the hospital," I continue, forcing myself to sound calmer.

"Exactly, where else," he replies, his words dripping with sarcasm, alluding to our previous encounter at the cemetery. 

The cemetery, where he will end up if he carries on like this.
I force myself to smile at the man, who again gives me a razor-sharp look of thanks. 

His eyes bore into mine, unsettling me further.
"Lewin, you remember Tom?" my brother Ewin interjects, breaking the tension.

"You mean the Tom who helped us with the ride?" Lewin asks, his tone suddenly friendlier.
Ewin nods. 

Lewin, Tom, and Ewin? They know each other? I know more than half of my brothers' colleagues, but Dr. Stalker?
My mother and I exchange confused looks. 

"Ok, we can work this out, Ewin."
"You two know each other?" my mother asks, her voice tinged with surprise.

They nod to each other in sync. 

"Lauren, Lewin, and I went to the same university. Compared to Lauren, he already has his medical degree in the bag and is still in the last year of his internship," Ewin explains.
Is he praising this guy? 

On the other hand, this guy is in the same age as Lauren?

Wait a minute, is it possible that Lauren already knew who Mum was arguing with? 

That's why he didn't want to come down! 

And knowing him, this guy must even be his rival. 

One child prodigy against another. Lauren, I feel for you!

Wait, then he would have started his studies at the age of 13 ½. 

Lauren had his A-levels at 14, but still had to complete the standard six-year course. However, he was allowed to apply for a year's reduction. So the theoretical part was four years and he is now doing his practical year. 

Wait, but this guy is in his last year before his specialist exam? 

Lauren is 22 and Ewin is 21. Ewin left school at 17 and studied economics for three years. 

He has been studying for his Master's degree for a year now. 

"So you're the same age as Lauren?"

My mum is really asking all the questions I should be asking today. 

It's fantastic that she's probably thinking the same things I am. 

He nods.

"Oh," my mother starts. 

"I guess you're the only prodigy next to Lauren," she continues.

I can barely hold back a chuckle. 

He raises his eyebrows a little in annoyance at the "next to Lauren" comment. 

Still, he nods dutifully, smiling at me instead of at her.

Does he really think I care about his age? 

I'm ashamed of myself for worrying about him. 

My phone vibrates, snapping me out of my thoughts.