After paying the bill, I stepped out of the cozy restaurant. The gentle chime of the doorbell faded behind me as I squinted against the golden hue of the afternoon sun.
Now what?
Should I head back to the apartment… or explore the city a bit more?
I chose the latter.
After all, tomorrow marks the end of the weekend, and classes at the academy resume. I still had to pack my belongings and catch the train this evening so I wouldn't miss the first session of the week.
Not that I was particularly excited about it.
It's not like Edward has many friends there. Back in his middle school days, Edward was well-liked — a popular kid with a bright smile and laughter that caught on like fire. He had friends who always surrounded him, classmates who admired him, and teachers who praised his diligence and charm.
But that was before his mother died.
Something changed after her passing. The light dimmed in his eyes. He began to withdraw, slowly building walls around himself, shutting others out.
The more Edward felt unappreciated, the more he distanced himself. He didn't want to be anything to anyone who didn't crave his presence. He avoided spaces where he wasn't missed, detaching himself quietly and completely.
That, more than anything, made people leave him.
But not everyone did.
One person refused to let go.
No matter how cold Edward became, how much he ignored him, that boy stuck around — stubborn and annoying like a clingy koala. He'd always say, "Dude, if I leave you alone like the others, you'll become just another lone loser of our class."
I suppose we'll meet him again soon.
But for now, I let my feet carry me through the streets of Thornebrook City.
The city, bathed in the soft glow of late afternoon, was a blend of towering buildings and old-world charm. Neon signs flickered to life above modern shops, and the scent of roasted coffee beans and grilled skewers mingled in the air. Vehicles moved swiftly on clean, paved roads, and crowds moved with purpose — families, students, travelers — all blending into the living rhythm of the city.
I ducked into a nature-themed café tucked between a florist and a bookstore. The interior smelled of brewed herbs and earthy wood. I ordered a black coffee with a slice of citrus sponge cake. Bitter and sweet — a contrast most wouldn't enjoy, but I have a unique taste.
As the warm drink touched my lips and the cake's tang danced on my tongue, a strange comfort settled in my chest.
Even if this world wasn't mine, even if this body wasn't truly mine… the moment still belonged to me.
Evening came, and I packed the necessary things. With my student ID tucked in my pocket, I made my way to the train station. Apogee Academy — the prestigious institute I now attended — was located on an island separated from the mainland. It had its own dedicated train line and private station for students and staff.
One of the many perks of being enrolled at such a place.
The platform buzzed with quiet activity. A few scattered students waited nearby. Most had likely returned to the academy earlier in the morning or the day before. The rest of the city bustled around us, unaware of the lives we carried within.
The train finally arrived, humming gently as its doors opened. I boarded and found a seat near the window. The interior was nearly empty — just the soft hum of the engine and the occasional murmur of other passengers.
Peaceful.
Or at least, it was — until I overheard two boys sitting a few rows down.
They looked about my age, dressed in casual clothes, chatting in hushed voices. One of them glanced my way briefly and stiffened.
It seemed like they knew me — or rather, they recognized Edward.
I, however, didn't recognize them.
Curiosity piqued, I stood and approached.
"Excuse me," I said, "Sorry to interrupt, but I overheard something about an incident?"
The boys flinched slightly, exchanging nervous glances. One of them rubbed the back of his neck, while the other fidgeted with his sleeve.
"Uh, yeah," the first one finally said. "It's about what happened with the first years…"
I raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
He swallowed. "As you know, the academy divides each year into five classes — A through E — with about eighty students in each. It's part of Apogee's structure to keep things competitive."
I nodded. That much, I remembered. The academy didn't just teach magic, martial arts, and strategy — it made students fight for their place.
"The school holds regular inter-class competitions," he continued. "Rewards go to the top class — this time, it was Class A. They were taken on a weekend trip as a reward."
"And then?" I asked, sensing the shift in his tone.
"There was a dungeon break."
That made me pause.
Dungeon breaks were catastrophic — when monsters overwhelmed the natural barriers that confined them. Dangerous, deadly… and too often unpredictable.
"The area they visited was a small recreational town. Locals were caught in the chaos. Many died. Three students were confirmed dead… others injured."
My heart tightened.
"That's horrible."
The other boy chimed in, softer. "Yeah… we just found out today. The names of the deceased were listed on the academy site."
"…Can I see it?"
He hesitated, then handed over a tablet.
I scrolled through the short list of names.
Villagers. Guards. Three students.
My fingers froze.
There it was.
The third name.
William Black.
My breath caught.
That name… I knew it too well.
He was the one who had stayed.
The only one.
Edward had pushed everyone away, and William still remained. Still smiled. Still joked. Still visited. Still cared.
And now… he was gone.
I slowly returned the tablet and muttered a thank you.
I walked back to my seat as the train rolled forward.
The window blurred with motion, but all I could see was his face. His stupid grin. His stupid laugh.
The silence returned. But this time, it wasn't peaceful.
It was heavy.
Grieving.
I sat quietly, the rest of the ride a hollow haze.
I didn't know if this grief was Edward's… or mine.
But it clung to me all the same.
Someone once said, "Someone born with misery carries it with them even after death—and that burden touches the lives of those who cared."
And maybe that's true.
Because right now, I felt like I was drowning in it.