Mira sat at her desk, arms crossed, her laptop open in front of her. The upcoming debate with Adrian had seemed exciting at first—she had been confident, even a little cocky when she challenged him. But now, as the reality set in, doubt crept in like an unwelcome guest. Could she really hold her ground against someone like him?

With a sigh, she grabbed her phone and made a video call. It took a few rings before her father, Harrison Larkspur, picked up. His background was the usual—an office somewhere, papers stacked neatly, diplomatic flags in the corner.

“Mira, to what do I owe the honor?” His voice was warm, but the teasing was there.

Mira exhaled. “I have a debate coming up. I was really confident when I challenged this guy, but now… I don’t know if I can actually win.”

Harrison leaned back slightly, considering her words. “You don’t need me to give you answers. You’ve always been good at thinking for yourself.”

“I know.” Mira rubbed her temple. “I just need a fresh perspective.”

Harrison smiled faintly. “Alright. First, you have to understand what kind of opponent you’re facing. Is he someone who overwhelms with facts? Or does he manipulate the argument’s structure?”

Mira frowned. “Both.”

“Then you need to focus on what he’s not expecting from you. People like that assume they’re always the smartest in the room. The trick isn’t beating them at their own game—it’s shifting the battlefield.”

Mira straightened slightly. “So, instead of getting stuck in his logic, I change the framing?”

“Exactly. Find an angle that forces him to adjust, instead of the other way around.”

She nodded slowly, her mind already racing with ideas. “That… actually helps.”

Harrison’s expression softened. “Of course it does. You’re my daughter, after all.”

Harrison, who had been checking his watch, suddenly spoke up again. “Actually, Mira, I was going to suggest something. Why don’t you take a short trip this weekend? A change of scenery might help you clear your head.”

Mira blinked. “A trip?”

“Yes. I have a friend I’d like you to meet. If you can arrange your schedule, I’ll fly there too.”

Mira considered it. A field trip wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but… maybe stepping away from the academic battlefield for a moment wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

“Alright. I’ll see if I can make it work.”

Harrison nodded, satisfied. “Good. I’ll send you the details.”

Before they could continue, her mother, Clara Larkspur, appeared on the screen, peeking over Harrison’s shoulder.

“Mira! How’s life at the top-ranking university? Are your classmates all terrifyingly brilliant?”

Mira laughed. “More like terrifyingly competitive.”

Clara grinned. “Good. Keeps you sharp. And the new environment? Are you getting used to it?”

Mira hesitated, then shrugged. “It’s… different. A lot to keep up with.”

Clara’s gaze softened. “That’s normal. You’ll adapt. You always do. How about the dorm room? Comfortable?”

“It’s fine,” Mira said. “I’m still arranging my things.”

“And you’re sleeping well?”

“Took me a while to fall asleep. But I managed.”

Clara adjusted her screen slightly. “The weather there must be colder than home. Are you managing alright with that?”

Mira drew in a breath, letting her shoulders drop. “Yeah. Just taking time to adjust.”

After exchanging a few more words—mostly her mother fussing about her sleep schedule—Mira ended the call.

Lying back on her bed, Mira turned her phone face-down beside the pillow to keep the screen from glowing and tried to follow the routine she’d set for herself — sleep early, wake early, keep her body in balance. But lately sleep didn’t come easily. Strange sounds had begun to appear again in the dark, like wind brushing through distant leaves, whispering her name in passing.

She pulled the blanket over her head as if that might calm her, then reached for the earplugs on the nightstand, opening her rain-sound, letting the soft pattern play in the background. But the forest-like rustle was still there, and she did not understand why it had returned after so many years.