Same Day – Evening in Midtown
The streetlights buzzed softly as I stepped into my apartment.
The door clicked shut behind me with a satisfying finality.
Shoes off. Bag down. Jacket over the back of the couch. I kicked back into my usual rhythm—one that didn't include shadow games, cryptic girls, or ancient family expectations.
Just leftover curry, the hum of the fridge, and the faint sound of Tyler yelling something about garlic bread through the apartment wall next door.
Normal.
It felt good.
The Glow of Normalcy
I slumped onto my bed, phone in hand, staring at Luna's sketch again.
It was already tucked inside my binder, but I'd taken a photo of it.
I kept looking at it.
I didn't look like a flirt. Or a class rep. Or someone with girls fighting over him.
I looked... like someone figuring it out.
Maybe Luna really did see more than most people.
9:42 PM – Group Chat: "1-A's Chaos Club"
Tyler: who's bringing snacks for tomorrow
Sofia: why is it always ME
Emma: because you threaten people who say no
Amaya: I can bake cookies…
Sofia: okay fine I'm bringing the drinks
Luna: …I'll draw the cookies
Noah: YOU CAN DO THAT!?
I smiled at the screen. Typed out a quick reply.
Me: I'll bring music. You'll love my playlist. Probably.
Tyler: if there's K-pop I'm walking out
Sofia: you are such a coward
Emma: bring classical
Sofia: you're such a grandma
Amaya: I like Jay's playlists…
I stared at that last message for a second longer than I should have.
Then my screen lit up with a new notification.
But this one wasn't from the class group.
10:11 PM – Message from Unknown Number
Come to the family estate when your midterm exams are completed.
No emoji.
No name.
Just text. Crisp. Cold.
The contact was hidden behind a private line—a familiar trick.
Only one place it could be from.
The Estate.
Jay's Thoughts
I set the phone down slowly.
Didn't respond.
Didn't delete it either.
It was too soon.
Too soon for that world to start calling me again.
I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling.
Why now?
They'd agreed to let me live here. Go to St. Ivy. "Experience normal life."
But they never really let go.
Not completely.
Flashback – A Memory
"I want to enroll in a normal school," I had said, standing in front of a long table filled with cold eyes.
"You are the heir," my uncle had replied.
"I'm also sixteen."
"You are not like other boys."
"And I don't want to be like you."
I'd walked out after that.
I think that was the first time they ever respected me.
Now
I reached for my blanket. Pulled it over my chest.
Let the silence settle around me.
The estate would wait.
My world, for now, was here.
In this school.
With these people.
But someday?
I'd have to walk back through those doors.
Sit at that table again.
Maybe even take that throne.
But not yet.
Not now.
Next Morning – Tuesday, 1-A
"Morning, Jay!" Tyler called, juggling an orange like it was a soccer ball.
"Morning," I grinned. "Already making a mess?"
"I'm setting the mood."
"You're setting yourself up to get banned from fruit."
We walked into class to find Mr. Brooks already present, halfway through his coffee, eyes locked on a stack of forms.
"Settle in, delinquents," he said. "And no one panic… but the Cultural Festival plans go up today."
Emma jolted upright so fast her chair nearly tipped. "Excuse me?"
Brooks didn't even look up. "Yup. Meetings start after homeroom."
Sofia turned toward me.
"Jay," she said with mock solemnity. "If I end up working with Emma again, I will scream."
"You'll scream either way."
"You know me so well."
Emma rolled her eyes. "You're in Drama Club. Screaming is part of your major."
Subtle Spark Begins
The classroom came alive with murmurs, shuffles, and sparks of sudden energy.
Cultural Festival.
The words hit like caffeine to a campus already buzzing with chaos potential.
Clubs would compete. Classes would perform. Boothes. Costumes. Rehearsals. Rivalries. Emotions.
I looked around.
Emma was already pulling out a color-coded planning notebook.
Sofia was stretching like she was prepping for war.
Amaya… looked over at me softly, a hint of quiet excitement in her eyes.
And Yuki?
She sat still.
Silent.
But her eyes… followed everything.
Even now, she was calculating.
Just in case.