Thursday Morning – Midtown Apartment
The city was alive as usual.
Kids shouting in the alleyway. A scooter buzzing down the street. Someone's radio playing an old pop song in another apartment.
I sat at the small kitchen table, sipping lukewarm tea, a half-open textbook in front of me.
I wasn't really reading.
My thoughts had wandered again.
Not to exam results.
Not to Sofia's latest text spam.
Not even to the garden with Amaya or the way Emma looked at me in the aquarium tunnel.
No.
Just one message.
From them.
"Come to the estate after your midterms."
It wasn't a summons. Not exactly.
More like… a reminder.
That the real world was still waiting.
The Day Before Departure
I didn't tell anyone.
Because it wasn't a big deal.
I'd be gone for a few weeks. Maybe a month or two. Nothing long.
Nothing that should feel so heavy.
But still—part of me kept memorizing things.
Like the way the school gates creaked just slightly when they opened.
The exact pitch of Noah's exaggerated groan in the hallway.
The scent of Amaya's bento, always slightly sweet with a hint of cinnamon.
I wasn't saying goodbye.
I just didn't want to forget.
Midday – Waffles with Tyler
"I'm telling you," Tyler said, stuffing his face, "they rigged that math paper. No one studies matrices except weirdos."
I smirked. "You mean people who pass?"
"I passed emotionally."
We sat at our usual booth near the arcade, plastic syrup bottles lined up like trophies.
"Hey," he said suddenly, more serious, "you good?"
"Yeah. Just thinking."
He nodded. Didn't push.
"Let's train after your break," he added. "I want to beat Miles in front of his fan club."
"Deal."
Afternoon – A Quiet Exchange
Amaya caught up with me outside the cafe
She didn't say much—just walked beside me, both of us heading toward home.
"I've got a new charm," she said, holding up a small woven bracelet. "For focus."
"Works on other people too?"
She smiled. "Maybe."
At the corner near our apartments, we paused.
"I'll be heading home for a bit after midterms," I said casually.
She blinked. "Like your real home?"
"Yeah. Just for a while."
She looked at me.
"…You'll come back?"
"Of course."
She smiled, but there was a flicker behind her eyes.
Then: "Good."
And that was that.
Late Night – Final Message
I stood in the dark of my room, only the glow of my phone screen lighting my face.
I scrolled to the pinned message.
"Arrival confirmation required. Send date/time."
I typed.
Jay Markov: Arriving Sunday evening. Just for a few days.
Sent.
Then I set the phone down.
Took one last look out the window.
Not a goodbye.
Just a pause.
End of Volume 1 – An Empty Throne
The throne still waits.
But so does the life Jay chose for himself.