The sound of chalk tapping against the board echoed rhythmically through the room. Every student sat still, eyes glued to the front as Code 11's sharp handwriting filled the board in perfect symmetry. Her presence demanded silence—elegant, calm, but intimidating in its precision.
When the bell rang, it sliced through the tension like a blade.
Code 11 turned, closing her file with a soft snap.
"We'll continue from here after the break,"
she said, her voice smooth yet commanding. Then she walked out—heels clicking in a perfect tempo as the door slid shut behind her.
The moment she was gone, the class exhaled as one.
Caden leaned back in his chair with a long sigh. "Finally, some me time."
He stretched his arms lazily, a grin forming on his face. "Torin, Ken—let's hit the mall. I heard there're new gaming pads on sale."
Torin smirked. "Yeah, why not? I could use a break."
Code zipped his bag quietly, slinging it over one shoulder.
Aria stood from her seat, tucking her notebook under her arm. "Meet me at the cafeteria," she said flatly, not even glancing back.
"Wait, what—" Code began, but she was already gone.
Caden, Torin, and Ken approached. "Hey, Code, you coming with us?" Caden asked.
"Sorry," Code replied, adjusting his strap, "I already made plans."
Caden shrugged. "Suit yourself. Catch you later, man."
As they left, Code stepped into the hallway. The chatter of students echoed faintly through the corridor. Then—he noticed her.
Ivy was standing by the corner, waiting. Her posture was perfect, hands clasped behind her back, a smile too sweet to trust curving her lips.
Without a word, Code walked past her. But she fell into step beside him immediately.
"Where are you heading?" she asked, voice lilting, almost musical.
"The cafeteria," he replied curtly.
"Oh?" she smiled brighter. "So you do like coffee. Then I'll come along."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Code said quietly.
"Why?" she tilted her head, eyes gleaming. "Are you meeting someone else?"
"Yes."
"Then introduce me." Her tone was still playful, but there was a sharp glint beneath it. "I'd love to know who the person is."
They reached the elevator. Code pressed the button—but Ivy placed her hand over his, her nails faintly tapping against his knuckles. "Let me," she said sweetly.
As the door slid shut, Code exhaled. I have a bad feeling about this.
---
At the Café
The café doors hissed open automatically. Warm light spilled across polished tables and chatter filled the air. The scent of roasted beans and pastries hung thick.
Code spotted Aria seated near the window, jotting notes in her small book. She looked up, eyes narrowing slightly as he approached.
"Sit," she said.
Code obeyed, sliding into the seat. Ivy, of course, sat beside him as if invited.
Aria lowered her notebook, her gaze hardening the instant she saw Ivy. "What's she doing here?"
Code opened his mouth, but Ivy cut him off with a sugary laugh. "Aria, right? I didn't know you were friends with Code." She reached out her hand, smiling perfectly. "I'm Ivy."
Aria didn't even look at her hand. Her voice was cool and sharp.
"Code, I didn't tell you to bring anyone else along."
"I know, but—"
"Was this supposed to be a date?" Ivy interrupted again, eyes widening in mock innocence. "Is that why you wanted it to be just the two of you? Are you two dating?"
Aria turned to her slowly, eyes like polished glass.
"Please don't jump into conclusions or misunderstand our meeting,"
she said icily.
"People who are quick to judge others repulses me".
Then, to Code: "Since you brought her along, stay and have coffee with her. I'm leaving."
She stood, the chair legs scraping sharply against the floor.
Code sighed softly. I knew this wouldn't work.
But before Aria could walk away, Ivy suddenly spoke again—still smiling.
"No, Aria, you don't have to leave. You wanted to talk to Code, right? I'll go instead. The mere sight of me might repulses you otherwise."
Her tone was light, but her eyes weren't. With that, she turned gracefully and walked out.
Aria watched her leave before sitting back down with a huff.
"You shouldn't have spoken to her like that," Code said quietly. "You could've just told her to excuse us."
Aria crossed her arms. "Speaking nicely isn't in my dictionary."
"Then your dictionary needs an update," Code said dryly. "All dictionaries do. Maybe yours got left out."
Aria gave him a dull, unimpressed stare. "Let's just focus on why I called you here."
"Go on."
"I encountered the leader of Class C—or rather, the master," she said.
Code leaned forward. "Who is it?"
Her lips thinned. "He's my master."
Code examined her. "So, what now? You going to confront him or ask for advice?"
"Why would I?" Aria replied coolly. "I'm thinking of requesting a master exchange."
Code shook his head. "I don't think that's possible. If it were, 11 would've told us."
Aria tilted her head slightly. " 11? So you call Miss 11… just 11?"
"She told us to. I doubt it breaks any rule."
"Well, that's true," she admitted, then sighed. "How's the team gathering? Found anyone else from our generation?"
"No," Aria said. "Which is why I need you to handle the boys while I deal with the girls."
Code's brow twitched. "That's quite the responsibility you're dropping on me. I don't think—"
Her glare froze him mid-sentence.
"Never mind," he muttered. "I'll do my best."
"Good," Aria said simply. "I'll expect your report."
When Code didn't move, she added, "Go back to class. I'll join you later."
"What's wrong with us going together?"
"I don't want our classmates to see us and assume we're dating."
"Right," he said flatly, pushing his chair back and leaving the café.
Aria lingered for a few seconds before sighing and leaving too.
---
Later
The class resumed. Code 11 stood before the board again, speaking about historical cycles and social structures.
Code rested his chin on his hand, eyes half-closed.
I'm feeling sleepy again, he thought.
By the time the lesson ended, most students were already packing up. Code 11 stepped out gracefully, and the room gradually emptied.
Code zipped his bag. As he turned, Torin waved him over.
"Let's walk back together," Caden said.
"Sure," Code nodded, joining them.
They stepped into the sunlight outside. Code looked at the three of them, expression unreadable.
"Guys, can I ask something?"
They stopped, curious.
"I want you to tell me what generation you belong to," Code said quietly. "Your P.R.I.M.A.L generation."
Caden blinked. "That's all? Easy. I'm R-generation."
"P," Torin said with a shrug.
"A," Ken added.
Code nodded slowly. "I see."
Torin raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden question, Code? What's going on?"
"Nothing," Code replied simply. "Just wanted to check how many of our classmates share my generation."
Ken smirked. "And what generation are you, Code?"
Code replied calmly."M-generation".
Caden tapped his chin, eyes narrowing in thought.
"Code," he began, tilting his head with a grin, "I don't think you'll find anyone from your generation among the boys. I don't think there's a single 'M' generation student in our class."
Torin nodded with a lazy shrug. "Yeah, seems like the M-gens are pretty rare this year. The ruling generation's 'P,' after all."
Code gave a small, indifferent nod. "Nice to know."
Just as they turned to continue walking, someone bumped into Code from the side—a sudden collision that jolted them both. The girl stumbled backward and fell. Her notebook slipped from her grasp, papers scattering across the hallway floor.
Without hesitation, Code stretched his hand forward. His movements were calm, deliberate.
The girl's crimson eyes blinked up at him, surprised at the unexpected kindness. She hesitated a second, then took his hand. Code pulled her gently to her feet.
"Sorry," she said, brushing dust off her skirt, her voice soft and slightly breathless. "I ran into you."
Her light pink silky flowing hair shimmered faintly as the light hit it.
"It's fine," Code replied evenly, his tone almost too calm. "People have been bumping into me lately."
The girl chuckled softly. "I was in a hurry, so I wasn't really looking—"
"Sakura!"
Her words cut off sharply as a voice called from behind. Both she and Code turned. A younger girl came running down the corridor, panting slightly.
"Sakura, where did you suddenly run off to? I've been looking for you everywhere!" she scolded between breaths.
Sakura smiled sweetly. "Sorry, Mia. I was just looking for you—and then I kind of bumped into someone."
Mia frowned and grabbed Sakura's hand, tugging her along. "Come on, the others are waiting. You can apologize later."
Sakura stumbled slightly as she was pulled away, glancing back at Code over her shoulder. "Sorry again!"
Code didn't respond. His expression didn't change, not even a twitch.
Caden nudged his shoulder playfully. "So, Code… what do you think?"
Code blinked once. "Think? What should I think about?"
Caden groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Oh, come on—are you that bland?"
Torin stepped in, laughing as he shoved Caden aside. "Ignore him, Code. What he's trying to ask is whether you had eyes on her."
Ken smirked, sliding his hands into his pockets. "You know, she's in Class 1-B."
"I see," Code said quietly, "so she's on the second floor then."
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, grinning. "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 started walking again, laughter fading down the corridor when suddenly a sharp voice rang out behind them.
"Boys!"
They turned. Ivy was striding toward them, her tone urgent. Her long hair swung behind her as she caught up.
"I was just looking for you all," she said, breathless with agitation. "Do you know what I just heard? The account we made with ARCS—it's been deleted. We lost all our stars!"
Caden froze, eyes wide. "No way! I had to lower my expenses just to donate those stars! I'm not letting that go to waste!"
And before anyone could stop him, he bolted down the hallway, fury in his steps. Torin and Ken exchanged a quick look, then sprinted after him.
That left only Code and Ivy.
Code barely moved, his calm eyes landing on her. "What do you want, Ivy?"
Her brows furrowed. "What do I want? What do you mean by that?"
"You made sure Caden and the others would leave us alone," Code said simply, his voice low but sharp. "So. What do you actually want?"
For a second, Ivy just stared at him, caught off guard by how easily he'd seen through her. Then, she smiled—a small, coy curve of her lips.
"I don't want anything," she said sweetly. "Let's just walk together. You were going to walk with them, but now they're gone. So I'll keep you company."
She stepped beside him as they walked. The corridor felt quieter now, only the soft echo of their steps breaking the silence.
"Code," Ivy said after a pause, "what's going on? Why is Aria asking about our classmates' generations?"
"Who knows?" Code replied casually. "Why didn't you ask her?"
Ivy huffed. "You know how she is. She wouldn't tell me."
"Then why do you think I would know?" Code asked, eyes still fixed forward.
Ivy frowned faintly. "I don't know… maybe because you two seem to be getting along lately. And besides, I know she sought your help. That's probably why she called you to the cafeteria today."
Code's tone didn't change. "If you already figured it out, then why ask me?"
Ivy laughed softly, a touch of teasing in her voice. "But won't you ask me what generation I am?"
"I don't see the point," Code said. "Aria must have asked you already."
Ivy tapped her chin with a playful grin. "She did, but I didn't tell her."
"Then there's no point asking," Code replied. "If you didn't tell her, you won't tell me either."
"Come on now," she teased, "you never know—you might get lucky."
"I'll pass," Code said flatly. His tone chilled as he added, "I'm surprised you're still smiling after what Aria said to you today at the café."
For a brief moment, Ivy's smile froze. Her eyes darkened slightly, but then she forced a lighter tone. "I'd prefer we not talk about her when it's just the two of us. Please."
She let out a breath, her smile turning strained. "I hate her. So let's leave it at that."
"I see," Code murmured.
They walked on, the silence stretching between them. Ivy glanced at him again. "So what are your plans for today?"
"I have none," he said simply. "I'm sleepy."
"You're sleepy?" she said softly. "Should I make coffee for you?"
"No," he replied calmly.
Ivy hesitated but tried again. "Do you need help with anything?"
"No," Code said again.
And they kept walking.
Only the faint sound of their footsteps echoed down the hall—punctuated by Code's quiet, emotionless refusals that hung in the air like glass slowly cracking.