Raiyokan and the Fibonacci Sequence

Chapter 7: Meeting Mariana's Parents

She described a world in a distant universe, where I emerged as a being beyond the ordinary — silver eyes, hair of the same shade, and extraordinary strength. I was a warrior in conflict, a protagonist immersed in the plot of an imminent defeat before an opponent unmatched in power.

As she unveiled the details of the dream, her words floated in my mind. She described herself as a light, a beacon of comfort amidst the defeat imposed by the adversary. Her presence transcended the world of shadows, offering solace and hope in a scene of conflict.

Amid Mariana's revelation, I sensed the depth behind that "oneiric" encounter. It was not merely a dream state, but a connection between her mind and mine — a solid, inexplicable bond. Yet, for her, this experience had been just a dream, a glimpse wrapped in mysteries.

At the end of her description, silence fell in the air, and wrapped in that connection, I chose to lighten the moment with a touch of humor.

— Actually, that part about showing super strength isn't just a daydream. — Everyone present, including Mariana's parents, shared a gentle laugh at the situation, unaware of the true context behind that "casual" conversation.

However, another surprise left me uneasy. While we were in the relaxed atmosphere of the room, sudden news on the television disrupted the cheerful mood. The report brought information about a bank robbery downtown, accompanied by intense gunfire between police and criminals. My heart raced at the news, but I needed to keep a facade of perplexity, not revealing my connection with that chaos.

Fixing my gaze involuntarily on the TV screen with a certain curiosity, I led everyone to direct their attention to the news. Amid the discomfort, I disguised my reaction, commenting that the news caught my attention for having happened near the university hospital, where I attended some courses.

Everyone in the room was mesmerized by the television, but I observed the news unfold carefully, without revealing my link to the events. What followed, however, went beyond the expected and brought another wave of shock.

The criminal who had accompanied the boy gifted with superpowers in the community had been captured and was shown on the screens. He was handcuffed, loudly proclaiming that there were aliens among us. A shiver ran down my spine, for I knew his words were not the product of delirium.

However, the police officer, who had also witnessed the supernatural phenomenon during my confrontation with the boy, quickly downplayed the situation, stating that the robber was not mentally sound. Nervousness grew inside me, but I managed to maintain the psychological complexity of my dual role, balancing the truth about those events.

My heart sped up, as I realized the situation was unfolding unpredictably. The handcuffed and visibly disturbed criminal began shouting frantically:

— Don't take off that mask! Don't take off that mask! —Each haunting shout threatened my secret identity.

At that moment, the suspense became almost palpable. I felt the weight of the responsibility to keep my disguise; emotions swirled inside me. The tension reached its peak, and I found myself in the center of a dangerous game between knowledge and the need to protect those around me.

Mariana, attentive to my tension, seemed to misinterpret the origin of my discomfort. Assuming my reaction was related to my observation as a medical student, she associated my perplexed expression with the supposed delirium of the criminal. I believe she naturally presumed I was mentally evaluating the robber's condition, as if I could diagnose his alleged disturbance even from a distance.

With her remarkable ability to perceive nuances in the environment, Mariana decided to break the heavy atmosphere caused by the news. Relaxed, she made a comment that would change the course of the conversation and shift us to a lighter mood. With an encouraging smile, she said:

— Dad, Diego also practices martial arts; he dedicates himself to Kung-Fu.

— That's great, Diego! I practice Jiu-Jitsu myself, I'm actually a black belt — Mariana's father replied, showing interest. Then he asked: — How long have you been practicing?

— Only a year, but I'm already preparing to participate in a tournament.

— I was a finalist in three tournaments, though I never got first place. I guess I wasn't ambitious enough in my training back then.

While he said that, I couldn't help but notice the numerous champion medals displayed in the next room. I believed he was being modest to make me feel comfortable. Then he asked one more question:

— I bet you're going to compete in the Invictos tournament, am I right?

I smiled at him and nodded, confirming his guess.

The question brought a breath of optimism, and the mention of the championship served as a reminder that, beyond superhuman challenges, there were common aspects in our lives that could be shared. That shift in focus momentarily dissolved tensions, providing a welcome respite amid the turmoil.

As worries dissolved, the anticipation for the sports event took on a heroic tone, as if that tournament were a battlefield more familiar and controllable amid the uncertainty surrounding me.

The lightness of our conversation brought relief to me. Even facing the intimidating challenge from the boy with immense ability:

— See you at the Kung-Fu championship, Kenzo, or rather, Diego. —

The reception at Mariana's apartment was so intense that, for a moment, that challenge faded into the background.

Throughout the day, the atmosphere filled with a soothing lightness, and I stayed at Mariana's house, immersed in exchanges of knowledge and life experiences, sharing moments of affection that made time almost ethereal. Every laugh, every glance, seemed to contribute to building a connection between us.

Saying goodbye became a hard task, but academicresponsibilities demanded my return. Both Mariana and I understood therequirement to dedicate long hours to studies — a reality present in the livesof passionate academics. Still, the farewell did not extinguish the flame thatsecretly burned between us, fueling the expectation of future meetings andunexpected developments.