Ephraim got home quicker than usual, whether from the lightness in his steps or the rush of excitement still buzzing through him.
Inside, he couldn't help but smile at himself. For the past five years, he'd lived alone, adapting to the quiet that filled his apartment.
Moving to the bustling city for work had taken him far from the rural hometown where he'd grown up. His days followed a predictable routine: work, a visit to the bookstore, then back home.
Socializing had never been his strong suit. Apart from his colleagues—most of whom were men—he didn't talk to many people and rarely went out unless it was necessary.
Thinking about it, it wasn't surprising he felt such a thrill from talking to Mikha, especially with someone as striking as her.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. If only I had the power to read people's thoughts or emotions, he mused. Life would be so much easier.
The idea made him chuckle. "As if something like that exists outside of fantasy."
Most of his free time was spent immersed in books or gaming on his computer—whether it was strategy games, first-person shooters (FPS), MOBAs, or RPGs, depending on his mood.
Then there was anime, with its mix of genres that kept his imagination alive. To him, these hobbies were more than just ways to pass the time; they were his escape from the monotony of everyday work life.
Looking at it this way, it wasn't surprising he'd ended up this way—living alone for five years, like being stuck in a single-player game with no change of scenery. Just him, his home, and his routines.
Shaking off the thought, he locked the door and checked his phone, still replaying the encounter with Mikha.
He opened the chat, fingers hovering uncertainly over the keyboard. After a moment's pause, he closed it without typing.
'I'll message her before I start the book', he decided, feeling both excited and anxious.
His gaze settled on the most intriguing item in his bag—the mysterious book he'd bought. "I'll get to you soon… after I recharge a bit," he muttered, deciding to save it for later.
Slipping into his usual routine, he had dinner, took a shower, and let the day's tension wash away. He always liked saving the best part of his evening for last.
As he ate, his mind wandered. Thoughts shifted from his family, to the work awaiting him tomorrow, and, inevitably, back to the girl he'd talked to earlier.
Before he could second-guess himself, he grabbed his phone and typed a message to her. "Hey."
Her reply came almost instantly. "Yeah?"
Ephraim froze for a moment, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through him. He hadn't really thought through what he wanted to say next.
After a few moments without a follow-up message from him, Mikha sent another. "You're curious about the book, right?"
"Yeah... Did you make it home yet?" he typed, hoping to keep the conversation going.
"Just finished closing up the store, heading home now," she replied. "I'll let you know when I start reading it."
"Sure, take care... and don't forget to eat later," he added, feeling a touch bolder.
"Oh? Getting braver over text, are we?" she replied, accompanied by a laughing emoji. "Didn't see that side of you in person."
Ephraim grinned at his screen. "Oh yeah? And you're still the same—still cheeky, huh."
"I can't help it if I'm consistent," she responded, followed by a winking emoji.
Their exchange felt light, easy, and Ephraim couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. After a few more messages back and forth, they wrapped up their chat.
Smiling, he set his phone aside, only then realizing he'd finished his meal without noticing.
His eyes settled on the mysterious black book on the table, its textured cover catching the dim light.
Now that the day's excitement was fading, a familiar curiosity tugged at him. He reached out, brushing his fingers along the swirling patterns, feeling an odd pull, almost magnetic, drawing him in.
As his fingers traced the intricate patterns on the cover, shadowy figures seemed to flicker just beyond his windows, shifting as if watching him.
A few lights began to waver, their gentle hum turning uneven, but Ephraim was too caught up in his anticipation to notice. His thoughts were fixed solely on the book, eager to uncover its mystery.
"Alright," he murmured. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding."
With a steady breath, he opened the cover, oblivious to the shifting shadows around him.