Sunday afternoons always felt quieter.
Raxian walked home beside his mom, tired in that good way that only happened after a weekend with Jake. His head buzzed with leftover laughter and half-finished arguments.
Their apartment building rose above them, glass catching the afternoon light. Inside, everything felt soft and warm — expensive furniture his dad had picked, cozy details his mom had added. Blankets over the couch. Framed photos. Plants by the windows.
It looked like a home.
It just didn't always feel full.
Dad wasn't there.
He rarely was.
Raxian had learned not to ask where he went. His mom never had an answer she wanted to give. His dad sent money, not time. That was just how things were.
Still… a small part of Raxian always wondered what it would take for his dad to really look at him.
To notice him.
To stay.
He kicked off his shoes and walked toward his room, already planning what he'd tell Jake tomorrow.
Then he stopped.
The door to the walk-in closet was open.
It was never open.
He stepped closer.
Inside wasn't shelves anymore.
It was—
A desk.
A chair.
A glowing monitor.
A PC tower humming softly like it had always been there.
Raxian's heart forgot how to beat.
"…Mom?"
She stood behind him, smiling in that careful, hopeful way she did when she wasn't sure how he'd react.
"Your dad… understood how much you wanted to try EGO," she said softly. "So while you were at Jake's… we set this up."
Raxian turned back toward the room.
The keyboard lights shimmered in colors he'd only seen in videos. The chair looked like something professional players used.
This wasn't a toy.
This was real.
Excited wasn't a big enough word.
He threw his arms around his mom, squeezing her as tight as he could.
"Thank you—thank you—thank you—!"
She laughed, hugging him back.
Over her shoulder, Raxian looked at the glowing screen again.
Maybe…
Maybe his dad did care.
And if he got really good at EGO—
If he became someone worth noticing—
Then maybe…
Maybe his dad would finally see him.
Raxian stepped into the room.
The PC lights reflected in his golden eyes.
Like a signal had just been received.