Leaving the Forest
I poured myself a glass of sparkling wine, sitting on the couch by the small desk. Outside, the sun was going down, the last light falling across the balcony. The buildings around me were starting to glow. I opened the door and stepped out, leaning against the railing. This city has never been quiet — opening any window brings noise in. That usually bothers me. But right then, it felt solid, reassuring, like proof that the world's enormous machinery was still running. That was exactly what I needed. A few minutes earlier, I had just finished the audiobook of *Norwegian Wood*. I never thought I'd get through thirteen hours of audio, especially an English version. But from the first minute, something locked in. Every word landed clearly, as if it had already been translated into my own language before it arrived. The narrator's voice felt like a melody I'd heard