Chapter 9 || An Unexpected Ally

Chapter 9: 9 || An Unexpected Ally

At the Boys locker Room

Caden grinned brightly. "You look good in your uniform, Code."

Code didn’t react.

He spoke out. "Thanks. You also look good in your uniform. It fits you perfectly."

Caden grinned. "What can I say? I look good in anything I wear."

"Lies," Torin’s voice cut in.

Code turned and noticed Torin, Ken, and Riven enter the locker room, also dressed and ready.

"I never lie," Caden shot back. "I do look good in it."

"That’s because this is what you were born for," Ken smirked.

Caden frowned." Look who’s talking ?"

Riven laughed, raising a hand. "Alright, that’s enough. Let’s go. This is our first time on the job and we can’t afford to be late."

"Yeah, you know what they say," Caden said. "First impressions matter most."

"Code, let’s go," Torin urged, and they all started walking out together.

Code closed the locker door and trailed slightly behind them.

The boys stepped out of the room, the girls passed by in their own uniforms.

For a moment both groups slowed slightly.

Caden immediately smiled brightly."Ivy, you look amazing in that outfit."

"Thank you," Ivy replied sweetly.

Code’s eyes slid toward the back of the group.

Aria walked calmly with the others, her black hair neatly tied with a white ribbon. Her uniform looked perfectly arranged without a single wrinkle.

Ivy, Meira, Sena, and the other girls walked past. As they did, Meira bumped into Code, stumbling and nearly falling.

She lost balance slightly.

Code instinctively caught her arm before she could fall.

In that moment he noticed Meira wasn’t wearing her hair clip.

Meira blinked."...Thanks."

Before anything else could happen—

"Meira," Ivy called gently. "Come on."

Meira quickly pulled away and followed after the group.

Code looked at Ivy .

She was still wearing her hair clip.

He glanced down at his phone.

The sender’s name had been Crimson Petal.

He studied the group carefully, then decided to call the number.

Ring.

The sound came from nearby.

Code followed it with his eyes until he spotted Meira’s phone buzzing in her hand.

She stared at the screen, her eyes narrowing... and then, just like that, the call disconnected.

Meira glanced around quickly, tucked her phone back into her bag, and resumed chatting with Ivy and the others as though nothing had happened.

Code looked down at his phone calmly.

"Alright, everyone," Riven called out. "Let’s go do our part-time jobs."

Yua looked around. "Hey, where are the rest of the boys ? There’s no sign of Huegene nor Ashir."

Meira shrugged." Let’s just go. Those two are probably ahead of us."

Riven gave an akward smile."I think so."

The group moved forward.

Aria’s gaze lingered on Code.

The group had already walked on leaving her behind.

Code slipped his phone back into his pocket and started walking.

"Hey."

Code froze.

He turned to look at Aria, then looked around like there was someone else besides him she was calling.

Aria frowned slightly."What are you doing ?"

Code replied."Nothing. Just making sure I’m the one you’re talking to."

Aria gave him a cold stare."Who else is here besides the both of us. I was obviously talking to you."

"Oh."

"What generation are you, Code?" she asked plainly.

"M generation."

Aria stepped closer. "M generation, huh?"

"Yes."

Code turned back and began walking towards the others ahead.

Aria spoke again."Aren’t you going to ask why I asked?"

Code shrugged. "I figured it’s something personal. I’d rather not get involved in things that don’t concern me."

Aria studied him for a moment, then walked up to him.

The hallway lights passed over them slowly as they walked side by side.

"I asked because I wanted to know my allies," Aria said. "Those of my generation—the ones I can work with.

"So that means you’re M generation too?"

He said without looking at her.

Aria nodded."Yes."

She continued. "There must be a reason for splitting the students into generations. And whatever it is I plan to be ready."

Code glanced at her for a second, then turned ahead." I see."

She spoke quietly. "So far, I’ve only found you."

"Did you ask the others?"

"No. Not yet."

"Then start with the people around you first."

Aria looked ahead silently. "I know that. I’ll figure it out the rest eventually...."

She stopped in her tracks. " But for now, i’ve found you. that’s enough."

Code looked at her briefly.

"Hey guys!"

They both turned to see Caden waving up front.

"Hurry up, or we’ll be late!"

Code moved forward without saying a word.

Aria watched him. "For someone who hardly talks, you sure made friends pretty quickly."

Code stopped." I’m quite surprised myself."

Then after a second—

"But it seems you haven’t made any yet."

Aria spoke coldly. "I don’t need them."

Code glanced at her for a moment, then turned away.

He didn’t argue further.

He just kept walking and Aria joined beside him.