She woke up earlier than usual.

  The light outside her window was pale, barely settled into morning—maybe six, maybe seven. For the first time in a while, her body felt… functional. Not heavy. Not hollow. Just awake.

  Her routine had changed without her noticing.

  She didn’t need someone hovering over her anymore. Didn’t need reminders to eat, to drink, to sleep. The thought settled strangely in her chest, not pride exactly, but something close, maybe fulfilling?

  She wanted to see what the academy’s food tasted like.

  The night before, while scrolling through her phone trying to understand all of its settings, she’d noticed a map of the campus. She followed it now, step by step, letting it guide her through halls that finally seemed less hostile.

  The cafeteria was warm. Loud. Normal.

  She was just about to step inside when a hand stopped her.

  “Students who don’t attend classes regularly aren’t permitted to eat here.”

  The voice was flat. Uninterested.

  Aki blinked, then nodded once.

  “I’m not that desperate anyway,” she said quietly. “I’ll cook something myself.”

  She turned away without waiting for a response.

  Strangely, she realized she was hungry. Not the dull ache she’d grown used to, but a real craving. Not for the sake of survival. But to feel human. She didn’t want to ignore what her body wanted. She wanted to keep it. To prove it was hers.

  On the way back, she noticed someone carrying several boxes, walking away from the direction of her room.

  That’s odd.

  She hadn’t seen anyone come that way.

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  The thought didn’t settle properly before she reached her door.

  Inside, she went straight to the kitchen.

  The lettuce was gone.

  “…Okay.”

  She opened another cabinet. Then another.

  Nothing.

  No potatoes, onions, tomatoes, not even salt or sugar.

  She stood still, staring, her mind lagging a second behind reality.

  Yesterday, they’d delivered plenty. Enough to last weeks.

  She swallowed.

  “Water, then.”

  She turned on the sink.

  Nothing.

  Even the shower, dry.

  Not even a drip.

  A short, breathless laugh slipped out of her. “So now I’m supposed to starve and stay filthy?”

  Her fingers curled at her side.

  “So that’s it,” she murmured. “At least being able to feel my emotions is humane enough for now.”

  A soft sound landed behind her.

  She froze.

  The cat.

  It sat near the window, calm as ever. This time, something was tied loosely around its neck.

  A note.

  Her hands shook slightly as she read it.

  This could be your life if you attend classes regularly.

  Since you haven’t, your privileges have been revoked.

  Her jaw tightened.

  “Privileges?” she whispered.

  They take my water. My food.

  And call it a privilege.

  She crumpled the paper in her fist.

  I’ve been wearing the same patient gown, for days now. What hypocrisy, she snorted.

  “I don’t need this,” she told the empty room. “I don’t need any of it.”

  Her breath came faster now, sharper.

  “I’m leaving anyway. I need to find my parents. That’s all that matters.”

  I will find that hospital. Records of why I am here. I will find out everything.

  If she went back into the world, acted normal long enough.... maybe she could still find them.

  She paced, forcing herself to think.

  She’d memorized the campus map already. The exits. The routes.

  But money—

  Should I ask him?

  Her hand rose to her throat as her breathing hitched.

  No. Stop.

  Think.

  He didn’t seem like the kind of person who liked being in debt. He might be feeling guilty—for what happened before. She hated herself a little for noticing.

  She found him sooner than she expected.

  “Oh—hey,” he said, surprised. “You got back to your room safely last time, right?”

  “When?” she asked.

  “The day I escorted you. Near the Chancellor’s office.”

  “…It was you? Lucas?”

  He laughed. “Who else did you think it was? I asked around for your classes, you know. Thought you’d show up eventually.”

  She hesitated, then forced the words out. “Can I ask you for a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “I need some cash.”

  He blinked. “For what? A mission?”

  She paused, then nodded vaguely. “Something like that.”

  “With who?”

  “…Solo.”

  “Solo?” His expression shifted instantly. “That’s not allowed. Are you just observing?”

  “Yeah.”

  He sighed and opened his wallet anyway. “Don’t get involved. And don’t stay alone with anyone, okay? I didn’t know the academy was this careless with new students.”

  She smiled awkwardly. “Thanks.”

  “It’s class time,” he said as he handed her the money. “You coming?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t have my timetable.”

  “Did you check your email?”

  She glanced at her phone. “…It’s not there.”

  “Huh.” He frowned but shrugged. “That’s weird.”

  When he left, she returned to her room, switched her phone off, and placed it carefully on the bed.

  Then she walked.

  Toward the front gate.

  Last time, it had been easy.

  Too easy.

  She watched from a distance for over an hour.

  No guards. No alarms. Students walking in and out like it meant nothing.

  The gate stood open.

  Waiting.

  Her steps slowed.

  Maybe…

  Maybe she hadn’t been craving freedom at all.

  Maybe she’d been craving something else.

  Something smaller. Quieter.

  To be a child again—just for a while.

  To sit somewhere safe, even if the door was locked, as long as someone remembered she was inside.