The city was loud, but Riku’s room was quiet.

Outside the window, students laughed, lights blinked across buildings, and the sound of late-night traffic hummed like static. But inside, Riku sat still, hunched over his desk, the glow of his phone the only light. The pages of his assignment lay forgotten under his elbow. His hoodie sleeves were stretched past his hands — a small comfort on nights like this.

Loneliness wasn’t new to him. It visited like clockwork after sunset.

No family nearby. Few friends. Conversations that started with “hey” and ended before they could grow. His world felt like a paused game—stuck between levels, watching others play on.

Scrolling through his reading app was the only thing that calmed the ache. Fantasy novels, mostly. Stories where people mattered. Where even the quietest boy could become the hero.

That’s when he found it.

A novel he hadn’t seen before.

"When the World Opens Its Door: A Cool MC Meets a Transported Stranger."

The cover was odd — a man in a suit standing under pink petals, a boy reading a glowing book. It felt familiar. Too familiar.

Without thinking, he tapped Read.

Story Within the Story: The Novel Rik Reads

A powerful, composed man named Kael rules over an academy-like realm filled with mysteries, discipline, and secrets. One day, a stranger appears — a boy who doesn’t belong, who fell into their world from another.

That boy is unsure, quiet, often overwhelmed.

But he is kind. And slowly, Kael begins to change.

Back in his room, Rik smiled wistfully.

“If only… I could live in a world like that. Where people would just... accept me.”

And just as he finished the line —

the room trembled.

Light burst from the screen.

And Rik was gone.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Chapter 2: Into the Ink

Darkness.

Then cold.

Then a strange feeling of weightlessness, as though Rik had become part of the wind.

His eyes snapped open.

He was no longer in his room.

Instead of walls, there were trees — tall, ancient ones, with trunks as wide as buildings and leaves glowing faintly like fireflies. Moonlight trickled through the branches, lighting the mossy ground beneath his feet.

Where… am I?

He stood slowly, his legs unsteady. His hoodie and jeans were still the same, but everything else had changed.

Just the sound of night creatures, and the faint shimmer of glowing petals drifting from above.

Suddenly, a voice rang out—sharp and commanding.

"Who are you?"

•Who would that person? To know about please read Episode 2.

.........................................................................

Title: Inkbound Hearts

Author: Unknown by Ink

Genre: Bromance, Fantasy, Self-Discovery

Author's Note:

Hey there, dear reader!

First of all — thank you so much for reading Episode 1 of Inkbound Hearts.

This story means a lot to me. I'm just a newbie writer, learning and growing as I go, and honestly… hitting “publish” took a lot of courage.

If you enjoyed even a small part of this chapter, it would mean the world to me if you left a comment, a vote, or even just a few words of encouragement. I read every single message, and it keeps me going more than you can imagine.

Rik's journey is only just beginning — and so is mine.

So let’s walk this story together, one page at a time.

With gratitude,

— Unknown by Ink

Chapter 2: Into the Ink..

Darkness.

Then cold.

Then a strange feeling of weightlessness, as though Rik had become part of the wind.

His eyes snapped open.

He was no longer in his room.

Instead of walls, there were trees — tall, ancient ones, with trunks as wide as buildings and leaves glowing faintly like fireflies. Moonlight trickled through the branches, lighting the mossy ground beneath his feet.

Where… am I?

He stood slowly, his legs unsteady. His hoodie and jeans were still the same, but everything else had changed.

No phone. No bed. No city.

Just the sound of night creatures, and the faint shimmer of glowing petals drifting from above. The air was strangely clean, like morning dew on untouched grass. It smelled like lavender, pine, and something unfamiliar—like magic lingering in the atmosphere.

Rik’s breath fogged slightly in the air. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either. The temperature felt... neutral. Comforting in an eerie way. He rubbed his arms and took a step forward, the moss soft under his sneakers.

This can’t be real.

But the texture of the earth, the rustle of leaves overhead, and the distant cry of some bird-like creature made it feel more vivid than any dream he’d ever had. He pinched his forearm. It hurt.

Suddenly, a voice rang out — sharp and commanding.

"Who are you?"

Rik spun around. A tall man stepped into view — dark suit, even darker eyes. His presence was cold and heavy, like a blade unsheathed. He stood with a straight back, one hand on the hilt of a sword slung behind him, and eyes that looked like they saw through people.

He looked exactly like the MC from the novel Rik was just reading.

It was him.

Kael.

Rik’s heart raced. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a whisper.

"I... I think I fell into your world."

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

"Then explain yourself quickly. Strangers don’t last long here."

There was no welcome in his voice. No confusion either. Just suspicion. Kael’s tone was the same as it had been described in the novel — cool, commanding, cautious.

The moonlight caught his sharp features. Rik suddenly remembered the line from the story.

"The cool MC meets a transported boy."

And now... He was that boy.

His hands trembled slightly at his sides. He opened his mouth, but hesitated. How was he supposed to explain something he didn’t understand himself?

He looked at Kael again — the sword, the tense shoulders, the unreadable expression.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading Chapter 2!

Things are finally shifting, and Rik’s journey has officially begun.

If you’re enjoying the pace and mood so far, I’d love to hear your thoughts — even a simple comment makes a huge difference for me as a new writer trying to grow.

More tension, strange new faces, and emotional moments are coming soon… so stay close.

— Unknown by Ink

Chapter 3: Stranger Among Shadows

"Then explain yourself. Strangers don’t last long here."

Kael’s voice sliced through the quiet like cold steel.

Rik’s throat tightened. He stumbled over his words.

"I… I don’t know exactly. I just… woke up here. One second I was reading, and then—"

Kael’s eyes flashed.

"Reading?" he repeated, sharply. "You think this is a place you wake up in by accident?"

He took a step forward, towering over Rik. His suit, somehow crisp even in the forest, rustled like thunder.

"Are you with them?" he asked. "Did they send you?"

"Them…?" Rik blinked. “No! I don’t even know who they are!”

Kael’s jaw tensed. He looked Rik up and down—hoodie, sneakers, trembling hands. A lost, tired boy.

Still, suspicion lingered in his gaze.

"You’re either lying," he said coldly, "or too foolish to understand what you’ve stepped into."

Rik’s voice cracked.

"I told you, I’m not lying. I just… I was in my room. Reading a story. I don’t even know how I got here, okay?"

Kael turned his back with a sharp breath, clearly unconvinced.

Rik muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

"Of course he doesn’t believe me… who would?"

The wind stirred.

Kael didn’t respond, but something in his posture shifted.

After a moment, he spoke—quiet, but firm.

"You have one day to prove you’re not a threat. Come."

He didn’t look back as he walked into the trees.

Rik stood frozen for a second. Then his legs moved on their own, following.

◇Author’s Note – (sorry for this note,But read it pecently maybe you can enjoy after reading it)

Well, well, well… our boy Rik just got hit with the ultimate fantasy version of “you have 24 hours to prove your worth or perish.”

No pressure, right?

Let’s take a moment to appreciate:

Rik: still confused, probably 75% anxiety, 25% hoodie.

Kael: serving main character energy with side-eyes sharper than swords.

Trust issues: sponsored by Chapter 3.

Honestly, if I fell into a novel and the MC glared at me like that, I’d just curl up under a magical bush and cry.

But not Rik. Nope. He’s out here trying to explain a completely unbelievable situation to a man who looks like he doesn’t believe in birthdays, let alone alternate dimensions.

So here's a challenge for YOU:

What would YOU say to convince Kael you’re not a threat?

Do you think Kael secretly believes Rik but just won’t admit it because... reasons?

Anyone else worried that Rik’s “one day” will turn into “one disaster after another?”

Comment below and help a poor newbie writer grow with your thoughts, support, and emoji-fueled chaos!

(And yes, the academy probably has a special form just for “mysterious new arrivals in questionable clothing.”)

See you in Episode 4—where hopefully Rik doesn’t accidentally insult Kael again.