The next morning came with a soft drizzle tapping against John's window.
It was the kind of weather that made the city feel smaller, quieter — perfect for thinking.
He needed that.
Because today, he was starting his second song, and the system's countdown ticked like a quiet clock in the back of his mind.
[Time Remaining: 68 hours]
John sat at his desk, pulled out his notebook, and began rewinding the memories of his past universe — searching for the perfect track.
He wanted something that would hit emotionally.
Something that would spread through this world like a storm.
A song that once made millions cry.
He closed his eyes, letting the melody return to him.
Yes.
That was the one.
School Feels Different… Again
School was louder today.
Much louder.
Conversations swirled around him the moment he stepped in.
"EchoBlue is insane."
"Bro, his voice is unreal."
"No face reveal? That's crazy."
"He's gonna blow up worldwide if he keeps this up."
John kept his hood up and walked straight through the crowd.
He wasn't EchoBlue.
Not publicly.
Not in any way people could trace.
But in his chest, the reality buzzed like a hidden engine:
They're all talking about me.
He kept walking.
Stay quiet.
Stay invisible.
System Update — Rising Fame
At his locker, the system dinged softly.
[Song: Azul Sin Fin]
Streams: 81,341
Shares: 13,008
Playlist Adds: 2,010
[Online Trend: Expanding from NYC → Boston, Philadelphia, Miami]
John blinked.
He was growing across cities now.
The fire was spreading faster than he expected.
Another message popped up:
[Mini-Fandom Detected]
["EchoKids" — Fan community formed]
He groaned inside.
A fanbase.
Already?
This world really had no idea what was coming.
Math Class — Reflex Scare
During math class, John's new reflex bonus almost got him in trouble again.
The teacher dropped a stack of papers while passing by.
John reacted without thinking.
His hand snapped out — catching three papers mid-air before they touched the ground.
The teacher blinked.
"…You have quick hands, Mr. Santiago."
John forced an awkward smile.
"Lucky reflex, I guess."
A few students stared.
One whispered,
"Did you see that? Dude moved like a ninja."
John sank deeper into his seat.
Too flashy.
Need to chill.
Lunch — Sabrina's New Curiosity
At lunch, Sabrina Carpenter slid into the seat across from him — as usual — but today she looked… curious.
Suspicious even.
She leaned forward.
"So. Mystery boy."
"Stop calling me that," John mumbled.
She smirked.
"I'll stop when you stop acting mysterious."
"I'm not—"
She cut him off.
"You ever wonder what it would be like to be famous?"
John's fork froze halfway to his mouth.
"…Why do you ask?"
She shrugged, poking her salad.
"Just thinking. Someone in this school could secretly be crazy talented, and no one would know."
John swallowed.
"Well… talent can be hidden."
"Yeah. But it shouldn't be."
There was a softness in her tone he hadn't heard before.
A vulnerability.
But before he could ask anything, Sabrina changed the subject.
"You hear the new EchoBlue leaks? People say he's working on another song."
John cleared his throat.
"People say a lot of stuff."
"Mhm," she said, eyes narrowing playfully.
"True. Maybe you know something."
He choked on his drink.
Sabrina laughed.
"I'm kidding! Relax."
But her eyes lingered on him for a little too long.
She wasn't fully joking.
Afternoon — Time to Start the Song
After school, John headed home through wet sidewalks and passing umbrellas.
His room felt warmer than usual — his little quiet studio.
He sat at his desk, closed the door, and summoned the system.
[Begin Song Recreation?]
John whispered, "Yes."
Lines of memory, lyrics, instrumentals began lighting up his mind.
He unpacked it all slowly:
The soft opening chords
The gentle heartbreak in the chorus
The buildup
The emotional hit
This song wasn't for hype.
It was for the heart.
If he released this one…
It wouldn't just make him popular.
It would make him a legend.
Evening — Sabrina's Hidden Talent
Later that evening, he got a text.
Sabrina:
"Can you come to the music room? I wanna show you something."
John frowned.
Show him what?
Still, he put on a jacket and walked to school — the building still open for after-school programs.
He found her in the music room, sitting at the piano.
Alone.
She looked nervous.
Very nervous.
"Sabrina? You okay?"
She took a breath.
"I… need help with something."
He sat beside her.
"What's up?"
She bit her lip, fingers hovering shyly over the piano keys.
"I… I like singing. But I'm scared to sing in front of people."
John blinked.
Sabrina Carpenter.
Shy about singing.
If only this universe knew who she was supposed to become.
She looked at him, eyes trembling.
"You're the only person I trust. Could you… help me not be scared?"
John swallowed.
"…Yeah," he said softly. "I can help."
She nodded nervously.
"Okay… just… don't laugh."
"I won't."
She took a deep breath and sang the first line.
It was quiet.
Fragile.
Soft as a whisper.
But beautiful.
She stopped immediately, face red.
"See? I suck."
John shook his head.
"No. That was good."
"It sounded weak."
"Because you're scared," he said gently. "Not because you're bad."
She looked at him — hopeful.
"How do I fix that?"
John smiled — genuinely.
"By singing again. With me here. One more time."
She hesitated, then nodded.
So she sang again.
Stronger.
Clearer.
Still shy — but less scared.
He tapped his hand on the piano in rhythm, guiding her.
"You see?" he said softly. "That's confidence. Just practice."
Sabrina breathed out, her fear melting into a shaky smile.
"Thanks, John. Really… thank you."
He smiled back.
"Anytime."
Tomorrow, he'd finish his second song.
Tonight, he helped someone else find her voice.
And in doing so…
He felt something warm spark between them — quiet, fragile, but undeniable.
A second wave was coming.
For both of them.