The bell echoed across the schoolyard as the teenager shoved Kris to the ground. "Tch, this nerd doesn't even react. Let's get out of here."
Kris, now ten years old, simply stood back up without showing any reaction, brushing the dust off his clothes.
What's even the point of this? Kris thought, mildly bored.
"How long are you going to let these idiots mess with you?" asked a brown-haired girl, a grumpy look on her face.
"That's easy to say when you don't have girls twice your size breathing down your neck, Rose," Kris replied with an exasperated look.
The girl, her green eyes screaming disbelief, snapped back irritably, "I think you're just running away with your tail between your legs, you big coward!"
Kris, not caring much, simply answered, "Whatever. Eventually they'll get bored."
"Stop being a pussy!" the girl shouted. "The way to end bullying is by sending them to the hospital!"
"Wanna go to the arcade?" the boy suddenly asked.
"Oh! Let's go!" the girl replied enthusiastically—before her expression hardened. "Wait! Don't change the subject!"
Kris and Rose had known each other for three years, a friendship born from their shared love of logic games. Despite having personalities that couldn't be more different, they were a duo rarely seen apart.
"Seriously, if you keep acting like this, people are just going to take advantage of you," the girl said, slightly downcast.
Well, it's not like it's that easy, he thought, a thin smile forming on his face.
"Don't worry, I can handle myself," the boy replied, trying to reassure his friend. "Anyway, feel like going to the arcade? I'm pretty sure I've finally got the formula to beat level 21 in Donkey Kong."
"Ha! Impossible! No one's ever beaten that stage!"
"Then follow me, foolish girl," he replied, extending his hand toward Rose. "Today, I'll show you that nothing is impossible."
"Wow, you're actually serious about this," she shot back, dumbfounded—before her eyes lit up with mischief. "I bet fifteen bucks you're going to lose."
"You're on."
Some time later.
Kris and Rose chained their bicycles outside the arcade before heading inside. Dozens of machines filled the room, and to the right stood the prize counter.
After a few minutes walking through the arcade, they found the machine they were looking for: Donkey Kong.
Swallowing hard, Kris stepped closer and inserted a coin. His mastery was immediately apparent, clearing the early stages with ease. Rose stood beside him, watching with intense focus. Cheering for Kris? Of course not.
Come on, hand over those fifteen bucks, she thought, her eyes glued to the screen.
After some time, Level 20 appeared on the display, and Kris began to sweat lightly.
I've made it this far. I just need to stay calm, he thought, wiping his sweaty hands with a handkerchief.
Rose, who had grown bored back at level 10, wandered off and returned after losing at another game—muttering something about "damn ghosts"—before spotting the screen.
"Holy crap! You're already on 20?!"
Hearing no response, she pulled over a nearby stool and sat beside him in silence, her eyes fixed on the game.
Kris, in extreme focus, cleared the stage in just a few minutes. He paused briefly to catch his breath as Rose handed him some water—now just as transfixed by the letters flashing on the screen:
Level 21.
As the stage began, Kris put his formula into action, breaking barrels and dodging with meticulous calculations. With every move, Rose let out a quiet gasp, briefly forgetting about the prize money.
Second phase, Kris thought as he reached the princess and Donkey Kong climbed the ladders with her in his arms, reshaping the structure of the level.
Once again, with the same mastery as before, Kris dodged the many obstacles and reached the princess quickly. Donkey seized her and climbed the ladders, reverting the stage to its previous structure—this time pushing the boy to his limits under the pressure of countless barrels and fire creatures.
As they reached the final stage, Kris and Rose briefly exchanged glances before returning their attention to the screen. This stage was easier than the previous ones; Kris swiftly took down every ape in his path using the hammer until, at last, he defeated Donkey by knocking him off the platform.
Rose jumped up enthusiastically, laughing."Hahaha! 'Impossible level,' my ass! In the end, you really made history, Kris!"
The boy let out a long sigh of relief, as if something heavy had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Huh? What's that?"His relief vanished.
Kris stared at the screen, his eyes widening.
Level 22.
"What do you mean?! There are still levels after 21?!" Rose exclaimed.
Kris straightened up. If he had beaten level 21, he could beat level 22 too… right?
Then the stage began.
"WHAT?! FIVE SECONDS?! THERE'S NO WAY TO BEAT THIS!!" Rose shouted.
Kris, who had spent weeks preparing his "formula," could only stare at the timer with hollow eyes.
The effort of a lifetime… thrown in the trash.
His character died.
"Oh well…" Rose said casually. "You owe me fifteen bucks."
"What?! I didn't even lose level 21!!" Kris protested.
"The bet was that you'd lose. I never specified the level," she replied with a mischievous smile.
Damn it.