Chapter 39 || The Fool

Chapter 39: 39 || The Fool

After finishing his part-time job, Code stopped in front of his room.

He held his key card against the reader.

Beep.

The lock clicked open. He slipped the card back into his tote bag and stepped inside.

The room was dark.

He reached for the switch, and the lights flickered on, illuminating the familiar space. After closing the door behind him, he pulled off his shoes and dropped his bag beside the table.

His gaze settled on the bed.

Ivy lay there peacefully, dressed in an oversized shirt and pink pants.

Code loosened his tie and placed it on the table.

...

He emerged from the bathroom a while later, dressed in his nightclothes. His hair was still damp, with a few strands falling over his forehead.

The bed was empty.

He glanced around before heading towards the table.

"Welcome back home."

Code turned.

Ivy stood in front of him, wearing a warm smile. She held out a pack of soda.

He looked at it.

"I already have mine."

"Yours is finished." She pushed the pack against his chest. "I drank it all while waiting for you, so I decided to buy you another one."

Code stared at her for a moment before accepting it.

Without saying anything else, he placed the pack on the table, pulled out his chair, and sat down.

Ivy returned to the bed.

Code reached into his bag and brought out his phone and the book Aria had lent him. He placed both on the table, then opened the pack of soda.

Ivy got up again, tore the packaging open, and took out a can. After opening it, she handed it to him.

Code accepted the drink and took a gulp.

Then he opened the book to the first Chapter.

Ivy picked out another can for herself and took a sip. Her attention eventually shifted to the book in Code’s hands.

"The Fool..." she read aloud.

She looked at him.

"Did you borrow it from the library?"

Code lowered his can slightly but kept his eyes on the page.

"No. Aria lent it to me."

Ivy fell quiet for a moment.

Then she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Aria, huh? Are you two close?"

"No."

Code took another sip and turned the page.

Ivy watched him for a few seconds before placing her can on the table.

She spread her arms in exasperation.

"You aren’t fun. There’s nothing to do. I’ll be going to sleep now."

She lay down and pulled the bedsheet over herself.

"Goodnight, Code."

Code glanced at her.

"Yeah. Goodnight."

He returned his attention to the book.

For a while, the only sound in the room was the occasional rustle of a page turning.

Then—

Beep!

His phone sounded a notification.

Code lowered the book onto the table and picked up his phone. A message had appeared in the Bro’s for Life group chat.

He opened it.

Caden had sent the picture they’d taken at the basketball court, followed by a laughing emoji.

[I’m saving this. Ken’s expression sold it] — Torin

[Don’t you dare] — Ken

[??????] — Caden

Code stared at the screen without replying.

Another notification appeared.

[The group’s icon has been changed]

He tapped the group information and looked at the new profile picture.

It was the same photograph they’d taken at the court, with Ken’s face twisted into that ridiculous expression.

[Take it off. There are lots of other pictures to use] — Ken

[I don’t have any. So I chose this one] — Caden

[It’s perfect] — Torin

[I’ll have it printed tomorrow to make it official. I think I’ll also borrow Alex’s senpai camera] — Caden

[That’s good. But I also think we should buy our own camera. I don’t particularly like the idea of borrowing things] — Torin

[Don’t change the topic. You still need to change the picture] — Ken

[Code, are you there?] — Caden

Code typed a short reply.

[Yes]

[Great] — Caden

[Don’t ignore my message, damn it!] — Ken

[It’s just a picture, Ken. Don’t worry. When we get a new camera, we’ll take another one] — Torin

Before Code could type anything else, a new notification appeared at the top of his screen.

[Your account has been credited with 500 Bronze coins]

He stared at it.

After a moment, he returned to the group chat.

[I hope everyone received their share of the money?] — Caden

[Yeah, we did] — Torin

[Thanks] — Code

[Thank you, Caden. I wasn’t really expecting you to share your bet money with me] — Ken

[It’s fine ??] — Caden

Code looked at the messages for a little longer before setting his phone down.

He picked up his book again.

...

The following morning, the classroom was filled with conversation. Some students chatted with their classmates, while others were occupied with their phones.

Code, however, wasn’t sleeping this time.

Instead, he was reading his book.

He rested one cheek against his palm, his elbow propped on the desk, while the open book lay in front of him. His eyes moved steadily across the pages, seemingly undisturbed by the noise around him.

A desk away, Aria was doing the same.

Her attention remained fixed on her own book, her expression quiet and focused.

Neither of them looked towards the other.

They didn’t speak, either.

They simply continued reading, each absorbed in their own little world.

...

When class ended, Code 11 walked out of the classroom.

The moment she was gone, the students began gathering their books and stuffing them into their bags.

Code zipped his bag, stood up, and slung it over his shoulder before leaving.

Torin and Ken were already near the doorway. Caden spotted Code and waved at him with a small smile.

Code walked over, and the two of them joined the others in the hallway.

As they made their way along the corridor, Caden brought up something that had apparently been on his mind.

"I tried to buy the camera at the mall during recess."

Torin turned towards him.

"How did it go?"

Caden tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, let’s see... There were quite a lot of options."

He raised a finger.

"First, there was the basic digital camera. That one costs 3,500 BC."

Torin and Ken stopped in their tracks.

"Three thousand five hundred?" Torin repeated, his expression stiffening. "That’s almost half our total salary!"

Caden shrugged.

"I know."

He resumed walking, leaving the other two to follow.

"After that, there’s the good compact digital camera..."

They reached the elevator. Ken pressed the button, and the doors soon slid open.

The four stepped inside.

Once the doors closed, Caden continued his explanation.

"...It costs 7,000 BC."

Ken suddenly choked on his own saliva.

"Cough! Cough!"

He covered his mouth, trying to recover while Torin looked at him.

Caden didn’t seem particularly bothered.

"Then there’s the entry-level DSLR camera, which costs 20,000 BC. And finally, the professional digital camera, which costs 50,000 BC."

Code listened quietly before speaking.

"But, Caden, we can’t afford any of them."

Caden lowered his hands.

"Exactly. That’s why I didn’t buy any."

Torin stared at him blankly.

"Then what was the point of listing all the camera types and their prices? You could’ve just said they were too expensive, so you couldn’t get one."

Ken finally composed himself and straightened his clothes.

"Buying a camera is unrealistic with what we’re being paid."

"Don’t give up, guys!" Caden insisted. "We can still get one. We just need to save up."

Torin let out a long sigh.

"Yeah, right. We’re already saving for our ascension, and now we have to save for a camera too? Just tell me straight that you want to see me broke."

Caden shrugged as if the complaint didn’t concern him.

"In any case, since I didn’t get the camera, I bought something else."

He unzipped his bag and pulled out two manga volumes.

His grin widened as he held them up.

Torin gave him a flat stare.

"Way to save up for the camera, Caden."

The elevator doors opened.

The group stepped out, and Caden tucked the manga back into his bag as they continued down the hallway.

Ken glanced at him.

"But if we’re going to save up, the first one is the obvious choice."

Caden nodded.

"Of course."

Then he smiled.

"Now, let’s go watch your game."

Torin glanced at Ken.

"Don’t worry. This time, there won’t be any celebrations, teddy bears, or dancing. We promised we’d behave."

Caden raised his palm solemnly.

"Yes. We’ll behave. I... promise."

Ken studied the two of them for a moment before turning his attention to the hallway ahead.

"Fine. Let’s go."

Code slowed to a stop.

"You guys go on without me. I’ll be heading to my room."

The others stopped and turned towards him.

Torin frowned slightly.

"Are you sick?"

Code continued walking.

"No. Just tired."

He passed them without offering anything more.

The three watched him go in silence.

Then Torin stepped between Caden and Ken, draping an arm around each of their necks and pulling them along. Ken had to bend slightly to accommodate him.

Torin smiled.

"Let’s go, or we’ll be late for the game. Or practice. Whatever it is you choose to call it."

They resumed walking together.

"I’m thinking it’s a big game rather than practice," Caden remarked.

"It’s basketball practice," Ken corrected.

Caden looked unconvinced.

"Are you sure? Because the players we met yesterday seemed to think otherwise."

"It’s practice."

...

At the basketball court, the players were preparing for the session.

Some were pulling red vests over their sports uniforms, while others sat on the benches, tightening their shoelaces.

Ken stood among them, already wearing his red vest. He bounced lightly on his feet, loosening his muscles as he stretched.

Kyle was there as well, sitting on the opposing team’s bench while fixing his shoelaces.

The audience seats were less crowded than they had been the previous day.

Caden and Torin sat among the spectators, accompanied by five other students. They were scattered across the seats, chatting amongst themselves as they waited for the practice to begin.

Two rows behind them, Nolan sat with a pack of popcorn in his hands.

The game was about to begin.