Chapter 24 || A Convenient Encounter

Chapter 24: 24 || A Convenient Encounter

Just as they turned to continue down the corridor, someone collided with Code from the side.

The impact jolted them both.

The girl stumbled backward, losing her balance as the notebooks and files in her arms scattered across the floor.

Code reacted immediately.

He extended a hand toward her, his movement calm and deliberate.

She looked up.

Her caramel hair fell past her shoulders, framing both sides of her face evenly. Soft bangs rested across her forehead, with a few strands falling between her golden-yellow eyes. Longer locks covered her ears and blended into the silky layers down her back. A small braid was hidden beneath her hair, while a tiny heart-shaped clip rested near her fringe.

She blinked at Code in surprise.

After a brief hesitation, she accepted his hand.

Code pulled her to her feet.

"Sorry," she said, brushing her skirt lightly. Her voice was soft and slightly breathless.

"I ran into you."

"It’s fine," Code replied evenly. "People have been bumping into me lately."

The girl let out a small laugh.

"Well i was in a hurry, so I wasn’t paying attention—"

"Sakura!"

The sudden call cut her off.

Both Code and the girl turned.

A younger girl came hurrying down the corridor, breathing heavily.

"Sakura, where did you suddenly run off to?!"

Sakura smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Mia. I was looking for you. Then I kind of bumped into someone."

Mia’s expression dropped when she noticed the scattered books.

"Sakura."

She pointed toward the floor.

"Look what you did."

Sakura gave an awkward smile. "Sorry. Sorry."

The two crouched down and began gathering the books.

Sakura reached for the last one.

Another hand got to it first.

She looked up.

Code stood there, holding the book.

He handed it to her.

Sakura accepted it with a small smile.

"Thanks."

Before she could say anything else, Mia grabbed her hand and began pulling her toward the elevator.

"Come on. The others are waiting. You can talk later."

Sakura stumbled after her.

She looked back over her shoulder at Code. "Sorry again!"

Code said nothing.

He simply watched her disappear into the elevator.

The doors closed with a soft ding.

Torin looked at Code. "Code, that’s the second girl who’s bumped into you."

Code turned toward him.

Torin narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Are you releasing some kind of pheromones or something?"

Ken gave him a blank look. "The guy’s just lucky."

Torin tapped his chin. "Or it could be his perfume."

He leaned toward Code and sniffed his uniform before looking at Ken.

"Do I feel dizzy? Do I suddenly feel the urge to fall into Code’s arms?"

Ken stared at him. "Seriously?"

Caden nudged Code’s shoulder. "So, Code... what do you think?"

Code looked at him. "What should I think about?"

Caden dragged a hand down his face. "Oh, come on. Are you really that bland?"

Torin shoved him aside.

"Ignore him. What he’s trying to ask is whether you were interested in her."

Ken slipped his hands into his pockets with a faint smirk.

"She’s from Class 1-B."

"I see," Code said quietly. "So she’s on the second floor."

Caden grabbed his shoulder dramatically. "Buddy, you’re in luck! Maybe she’ll fall for you!"

Ken rolled his eyes. "Caden, stop reading all those romance novels. They’re rotting your brain."

Caden pointed at him with a grin.

"Hey, I didn’t say anything wrong. It’s just like what I read!"

Torin sighed. "Come on, Code. Leave him to his delusions."

They resumed walking.

Their laughter gradually faded into the corridor.

Then a sharp voice called from behind them.

"Boys!"

They turned.

Ivy was striding toward them, her expression unusually urgent. Her long hair swayed behind her as she caught up.

"I’ve been looking for you all."

She stopped in front of them, catching her breath.

"Do you know what I just heard? The account we created with ARCS... it’s been deleted."

She paused.

"We lost all our money."

Caden’s face went blank.

Then his eyes widened.

"No way!"

He clutched his chest.

"I had to cut down my expenses just to donate those coins! I’m not letting all that suffering go to waste!"

Before anyone could stop him, he bolted toward the elevator.

Torin and Ken exchanged a quick glance.

"Caden, wait!"

They sprinted after him.

That left only Code and Ivy.

Code barely moved.

His calm gaze settled on her. "What do you want, Ivy?"

Her brows drew together. "What do I want? What do you mean by that?"

"You made sure Caden and the others would leave us alone."

Code’s voice remained quiet. "So what do you actually want?"

For a moment, Ivy simply stared at him.

He had seen through her attempt almost immediately.

Then her expression softened into a small, coy smile.

"I don’t want anything."

She stepped beside him.

"Let’s just walk together. You were going to walk with them, but they’re gone now. So I’ll keep you company."

They began walking.

With the others gone, the hall suddenly seemed much quieter. Their footsteps echoed softly against the floor.

After a short silence, Ivy spoke.

"Code, what’s going on? Why is Aria asking the girls about their generations?"

"Who knows?"

Code kept his eyes ahead. "Why didn’t you ask her?"

Ivy puffed out her cheeks slightly. "You know how she is. She wouldn’t tell me."

"Then why do you think I would know?"

Ivy’s expression softened into a thoughtful smile.

"I don’t know. Maybe because you two seem to be getting along lately."

She glanced at him.

"And I know she asked for your help. That’s probably why she called you to the cafeteria today."

"If you’ve already figured it out, there’s no point in asking me."

Ivy laughed softly. "But won’t you ask me what generation I am?"

They stepped outside.

"I don’t see the point. Aria must have asked you already."

"She did."

Ivy tapped a finger against her chin. "But I didn’t tell her."

"Then there’s no point asking."

Code didn’t even look at her. "If you didn’t tell her, you won’t tell me either."

"Come on."

Her smile became playful. "You never know. You might get lucky."

"I’ll pass."

Code’s tone remained flat.

Then he glanced at her.

"I’m surprised you’re still smiling after what Aria said to you today."

For the briefest moment, Ivy’s smile froze.

Something darker flickered through her eyes.

It vanished almost immediately.

"I’d prefer we don’t talk about her when it’s just the two of us, Code."

Her smile returned, though it looked slightly strained.

"Please."

She exhaled softly. "I hate her. So let’s leave it at that."

"Okay."

Code looked ahead again. "I’ll keep that in mind."

They continued walking.

After another stretch of silence, Ivy glanced at him.

"So, what are your plans for today?"

"I have none."

Her voice softened. "Should I make coffee for you?"

"No."

"Do you need help with anything?"

"No."

Ivy’s smile twitched. "Okay..."

They continued down the corridor.

...

The mall was crowded with chatter, music, and the glow of brightly lit storefronts.

Code walked between the aisles, his black coat brushing lightly against shelves stocked with snacks and stationery.

He stopped at one of the racks and picked up a pack of tissues.

Ivy stood beside him, her hands clasped behind her back.

Code glanced at her. "Remind me again... why are you here?"

Ivy smiled. "I decided to follow you so I could learn your preferences."

She tilted her head. "That way, next time, I’ll be the one doing your shopping."

Code stared at her. "Don’t you think you’re going overboard with—"

Her sweet smile remained unchanged.

Code looked back at the shelf. "...Never mind."

"Ivy!"

Both of them turned.

A group of girls nearby waved enthusiastically.

Ivy immediately waved back.

"I’m coming!"

She hurried over to them, her bright energy contrasting sharply with Code’s usual indifference.

Code watched her for a moment before returning to the shelves.

He moved to another aisle and reached for a bottle of water.

Another hand reached for the same bottle.

Code glanced sideways.

Aria.

Her sharp eyes met his. "It’s you."

"Yes. It’s me."

Aria picked up the bottle.

She turned to leave.

"About the assignment you gave me—"

"If you want to talk, we’ll speak at the café tomorrow."

She cut him off without turning around.

"Not here."

Then she glanced back.

"And don’t bring Ivy this time."

Code remained still. "I won’t be going to the café tomorrow."

Aria stopped.

She turned toward him. "Why?"

"It’s a waste of my money."

Aria stared at him.

"What do you need the money for? You’re not exactly interested in moving to the third floor."

Code picked up another bottle of water and placed it in his basket.

He said nothing.

Aria watched him for a moment before sighing.

She walked over and stopped beside him.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

They simply stood facing the shelves.

Finally, Aria broke the silence.

"Well?"

Code didn’t turn toward her. "I didn’t find anyone else from the M generation."

He paused.

"Torin and the others said it’s rare. The ruling generation is P."

"I see."

Aria’s expression remained composed.

"I questioned the girls as well. All I got in return were nosy questions. It was pointless."

She paused.

"Ivy refused to reveal her generation. I suspect she’s hiding it, but the chances of her being M are slim."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I’ll write her off for now."

"So what now?"

"This means we’re the only M-generation students in Class 1-D. It’s better this way."

Aria turned and walked away.

She didn’t say another word.

Code watched her leave.

Then he looked down at the basket in his hand.

Another trip to the café had been avoided.

That was enough for him.