I left the arena before the main flow.
The noise faded little by little, replaced by emptier streets and a silence that wasn't common at that time of day. The city was still alive, but the center concentrated almost everything.
I walked along the side, circling the path that led to the preparation area.
Scarlett wouldn't take long to come out.
Or she would stay inside, surrounded by people who wanted to congratulate her, question her, or just get a closer look.
I stopped near the secondary passage.
No hurry.
No doubt.
A few minutes later, the movement began.
Participants came out in small groups. Low conversations, some neutral expressions, others clearly frustrated.
Rai'kanna passed by me first.
She stopped for a second.
"You came to talk to her?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"Makes sense."
There was no irritation.
But there wasn't complete lightness either.
She moved on without adding anything else.
Elara came right after.
"Coherent result."
"It was."
"But not simple."
"It never is."
She agreed with a slight nod and continued.
Vespera left in silence.
She just gave me a quick look.
Observing.
Registering.
As always.
Liriel was the last.
She stopped.
Longer than the others.
"Do you already know what you're going to ask?"
"Yes."
"Then don't complicate it."
"I won't."
She held my gaze for a second longer.
"She's not at an advantage."
"I know."
Liriel nodded and walked on.
Lyannis passed last, crossing her arms.
"She's still in there."
"I'll wait."
"You'll need a few minutes."
"That's fine."
Lyannis smiled lightly.
"That I know."
She left.
And the silence returned.
I waited.
Without moving.
Without thinking about anything else.
Until…
Scarlett appeared.
She didn't come with a group.
Nor accompanied.
She came out alone.
The winner's symbol was still with her, attached simply, without excessive display.
Her gaze was more stable than before.
But it still carried something.
When she saw me, she slowed down.
Stopped a few steps away.
"You left early."
"Yes."
"I figured."
Short silence.
She looked away for a moment.
Then back.
"Did you come because of this?"
"I came for you."
She didn't respond immediately.
Just took a deep breath.
"Congratulations."
"…Thank you."
The answer was low.
Without energy.
Without satisfaction.
"It doesn't seem like it."
She let out a slow breath.
"It's not simple."
"I know."
Another silence.
Shorter.
More direct.
"Why did you participate?"
The question was clear.
No deflection.
No pressure.
She didn't answer right away.
Her gaze drifted, searching for some empty point in the street.
"I wasn't going to participate."
Short pause.
"I changed my mind at the last moment."
"Why?"
She hesitated.
But didn't look away.
"Because I needed to."
"To what?"
"To prove."
Her gaze returned to me.
More firm.
"That I could."
"To who?"
Silence.
Longer this time.
"To myself."
The answer came direct.
No detour.
But it wasn't complete.
I waited.
She noticed.
"…And also to you."
Now it came.
No deflection.
No attempt to soften it.
The street remained silent.
The wind passed lightly between the structures.
Nothing interfered.
"You didn't need that."
"I know."
"Then why?"
She slightly tightened her fingers at her side.
"Because it's different to know… and to feel."
I didn't respond.
She continued.
"On the road… that time…"
She stopped for a second.
Organizing the words.
"I wasn't in control."
Her gaze didn't move away.
"Today I was."
The answer made sense.
Not because of the event.
But because of what was behind it.
"You wanted to change that."
"I did."
"Did you?"
She thought.
Not much.
But enough.
"Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
Without doubt.
But there was still something.
I watched.
"That's not all."
She let out a small smile.
Without humor.
"You always notice."
"Say it."
She took a deep breath.
One last time before speaking.
"I also wanted to know if you would look at me the same way."
Silence.
Now heavier.
Clearer.
"After everything."
The sentence hung in the air.
No need for more.
I took a step forward.
Reducing the distance.
Without invading.
But not keeping the previous space.
"I looked."
She held my gaze.
"I know."
"So?"
She took a second.
"It didn't change."
"No."
Another silence.
But different.
Lighter.
More stable.
Scarlett looked away for a moment, then back.
"That's already enough."
"No."
She frowned slightly.
"Isn't it?"
"It doesn't have to be little."
Her expression changed.
Subtle.
But clear.
"Then what is it?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Just watched.
No hurry.
No deflection.
"It depends on what you want."
She stayed silent.
Thinking.
But not avoiding.
"I…"
She stopped.
Started again.
"I still don't know how to say it the right way."
"Then don't."
She blinked, slightly confused.
"I don't need it right now."
The wind passed again.
Lightly moving her hair.
"But I know why I did this."
"That's enough."
She let out a breath.
As if part of the tension finally left.
"You're not upset?"
"No."
"Not even surprised?"
"A little."
She almost smiled.
Almost.
"Is that good or bad?"
"It depends."
"On what?"
"On what you do next."
Now the silence came with meaning.
Not as a pause.
But as space.
Scarlett looked at the symbol she was still holding.
Then back at me.
"Then I'll decide properly."
"Do that."
She nodded.
More firmly this time.
Without hesitation.
"I will."
The answer wasn't impulsive.
It was a choice.
And that…
changed everything.
We stayed in silence for a few seconds.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was stable.
As if something had aligned.
Without needing more words.
And, in that moment…
it became clear.
The victory wasn't the main point.
It was just the path.
What really mattered…
was just beginning now.