6

In the mansion, while enjoying a cup of tea in the great library, Isabel saw that this was

her chance to question Sora. She set the steaming cup of tea on the side of the table.

- Didn't you like the tea? asked Sora, seeing the expression of doubt on Isabel's face.

- Yes, it's just that ... there are many things I want to know, and I will not leave until

that you answer me.

- And, What do you want to know?

-The woman who had appeared out of nowhere ... she said that she should return to

my world before convergence, what does that mean?

Sora took a sip of her tea and set the cup aside from her.

- Then you realized. It means that in that period you must return to your world.

- And what does that mean? And why do you say my world, as if this place and the

town were two different worlds?

- It's because that's the way things are- Isabel she looked at him without understanding-. You see, even if you think that this place and the town are the same, the truth is that

it is not. At the moment they are, but originally it is not like that, it is ... like two equal paintings, only one is painted by a famous painter, while the other is a

plagiarism of an amateur, in the end even if they are the same work the difference

can be seen with the naked eye. You could see for yourself yesterday, right?

remember that when you arrived the sun was shining and when you arrived in town

it was already getting dark. You can be here, you can come and go, but it will never be part of the world you come from even if they are the same.

- You mean another dimension?

- Arguably yes, in fact it's the best way to describe it.

Isabel stared at her already cold cup of tea, still trying to understand everything Sora told her. Despite having seen all the wonderful and strange things in that place, knowing that secret about the forest, everything escaped her understanding, she did not know what to say.

-And when will he be the ...?

- Do you know how to play? Sora interrupted her, before she could finish the question, pointing

a chess board on an elegant ivory table.

- Yes.

- Perfect, let's play a game- Sora got up and walked to the table.

- White or black?

- White- she answered, Isabel sitting next to the white pieces.

They began their game, on the fifth movement, Isabel realized that Sora was a very good player. As the game progressed the intensity increased, it was the first time that Isabel had been cornered, all her movements were anticipated, and every time she

tried to corner him, she was the one who ended up that way. At the end of the game

Isabel ended up defeated, it was the first time she had lost, and she wasn't happy

about it.

-You made it difficult for me, you're very good- Sora exclaimed, giving her a smile, and praising her effort.

Instead, she was not.

- Let's play another.

- Very good. White or black?

- I'll do white again.

They arranged the pieces and again faced each other.

What started as a game ended in five losses and a draw for Isabel.

- I think that's enough for today- said Sora

- Let's go one more, there's still time

- The truth is that no longer- Sora got up while Isabel imitated him in a bad way.

On the way back, Isabel observed that the sun had set, giving way to night and

bringing the stars with it. Still, she found it difficult to believe that the place she had

found was not a simple forest, but something much more complex than she imagined.

- !Hey!- Isabel said before Sora disappeared through the tunnel- I'll come again tomorrow, our game is not over yet and I still have many questions to ask you.

Sora watched her for a moment, and then he smiled before disappearing. Isabel,

I take that as an "okay"

Another day passed, Isabel returned to the forest looking for Sora, without finding a

trace of him, in the surroundings of the lake. She headed straight for the mansion, but

she couldn't find him either. Going to the back of the mansion, she came across a magnificent garden. The variety of flowers and the decoration of the place was very beautiful, she had never seen a garden like that before, considering her grandmother's garden, this was something that was on another level. "Surely it must take a long time to take care of all this place alone ”said Isabel, smelling the white camellias.

The faint sound of a melody hung in the air, and although it was barely heard, Isabel recognized it immediately. As she got closer, the sound intensified and reached a dome. Sora's silhouette could be seen from the outside. Isabel crept closer and entered. Sitting on a huge stone, he played that beautiful melody that Isabel had come to find. Her music continued to play, purple-winged butterflies fluttering around her, dancing along with the notes. A variety of cherry blossom trees, their petals pink, flooding the interior of the dome with a pink shower. That spectacle, worthy of admiration mixed with beauty and elegance.

The last note faded into thin air, Isabel watched as a tear slid down

down Sora's cheek. After opening his eyes, Sora noticed her presence from her.

- How long have you been there? asked Sora.

- Not much, enough to see you play.

Sora gave her a smile, wiping that single tear from her.

- What did you think of my performance?

- It was a very beautiful melody ... since that night I heard you play, it was the reason

why I came here in the first place.

- I'm glad to hear that. Sora put the instrument away in her case and lowered it from the stone.

- Now, I just need to know what causes the noise.

- Do you want to know the origin of that noise?

- Yes

- Come with me.