Chapter 473: Laughter

Stan leaned back and released a long breath. "We actually played properly that time."

Camilla removed her headset and allowed her shoulders to relax. Even she looked tired now.

The attendant checked the time and shook his head.

"You people realize you’ve been here for almost four hours?"

Zoey blinked.

"Four?"

Zack looked toward the clock.

His expression changed.

"Oh."

Stan stood and stretched, only to wince when several joints cracked loudly.

"That explains why my legs are numb."

Zoey stood as well and flexed her fingers.

"I can’t feel my hands."

Camilla slowly opened and closed her fingers, testing them.

"Mine are tired."

Zack stared at her in disbelief.

"Even Camilla is tired."

Zoey looked at him. "Why is that surprising?"

"Because I thought nothing could defeat her anymore."

Camilla looked at him with a completely straight expression.

"Fatigue appears effective."

The attendant laughed.

"There’s your final boss."

That finally convinced them that it was time to stop.

They returned the controllers to the attendant, and Zack reluctantly handed his over as though he were surrendering a treasured possession.

"I’ll be back."

The attendant nodded. "I know."

"Tomorrow."

"Probably."

"Maybe tonight."

"Definitely not."

Zack sighed heavily before finally stepping away from the station.

They started toward the entrance, but just before they reached the doors, Zoey suddenly stopped.

"Wait."

Everyone turned toward her.

She pointed toward a refrigerated display positioned beside the counter.

"I’m hungry."

The others followed her gaze.

The display was filled with bottled drinks, chocolate bars, bags of chips, biscuits, pastries, and various other snacks. After spending nearly four hours gaming, the sight of food immediately reminded all of them that they had barely eaten anything during their session.

Stan glanced at the others.

"Snacks?"

Camilla nodded immediately.

"Yes."

Zack’s face brightened.

"Now that’s a game I can win."

Zoey looked at him.

"You’re paying."

Zack’s smile disappeared almost instantly.

"Why?"

"Because you dragged us in here."

"You enjoyed it."

"That isn’t the point."

The attendant leaned over the counter.

"She’s right."

Zack stared at him in disbelief.

"You’re supposed to be neutral."

"I work here," the attendant replied. "I’m allowed to support whoever buys snacks."

The four of them laughed.

They eventually gathered around the display and began choosing what they wanted. Zoey picked out a bottled drink and a few snacks, while Stan grabbed some biscuits and a pastry. Camilla selected a drink and a small chocolate bar, studying the available options with the same seriousness she had used when choosing weapons earlier.

Zack, meanwhile, quietly added two extra bags of chips to the growing pile.

Zoey noticed.

She immediately took them from his hands and returned them to the shelf.

"Those aren’t yours."

"They are now."

She gave him a flat look.

Zack looked genuinely wounded. "You’re cruel."

"You’ve eaten enough virtual food today."

"That doesn’t count."

"Your character ate."

"My character is not me."

"Then why did you celebrate whenever he won?"

Zack opened his mouth.

For once, he couldn’t think of a response.

He slowly closed it again.

"Fine."

They paid for the snacks and finally stepped outside.

The evening air immediately felt different after spending so long inside the gaming center. The cooler air brushed against their faces, and the sounds of traffic and people moving through the area replaced the constant noise of gunfire, engines, music, and game announcements.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

They simply stood outside, stretching their arms and shoulders after hours of sitting.

Then Zack opened a packet of chips.

"Tomorrow."

Zoey looked at him.

"No."

"Tomorrow."

"No."

"We haven’t settled the racing rematch."

"You lost four times."

"Exactly. It’s unsettled."

Stan laughed as they began walking back toward campus.

The snacks gradually passed from one person to another as they walked. Someone would open a packet, another person would reach over without asking, and within minutes there would be barely anything left.

The gaming center’s lights slowly disappeared behind them, replaced by the softer glow of streetlamps and the familiar lights of the campus buildings.

After walking for a while, Zack stretched dramatically.

"I’m exhausted."

Zoey looked at him incredulously.

"You spent four hours sitting down."

"Exactly."

He placed a hand against his lower back with exaggerated suffering. "My legs are exhausted from the emotional strain."

Zoey picked up a chip and threw it at him.

Zack caught it effortlessly.

"Thank you."

"That wasn’t for you."

"I accept your offering."

"You’re impossible."

Camilla watched the exchange from beside Stan. The faintest smile appeared on her lips.

Stan noticed it.

He didn’t comment.

He simply continued walking beside her.

After a while, Camilla glanced toward him.

"You came back."

Stan looked at her.

"I said I would."

She nodded.

There was no coldness in her expression this time. No guardedness or hesitation. She simply looked at him for a moment before quietly replying.

"Good."

Before Stan could say anything else, Zack’s voice came from several meters ahead.

"Are you two coming, or are you planning to walk home at that speed?"

Zoey looked back at them and smiled.

"Let them walk."

Zack shrugged.

"Fine. But I’m not carrying anyone if their legs stop working."

Stan shook his head.

"You’re the one who spent four hours sitting down."

"Exactly," Zack replied. "That’s why I’m tired."

Zoey laughed again.

The four of them continued down the road together, their conversation drifting between arguments about the games, complaints about sore hands, plans for another rematch, and accusations about who had contributed the least.

For all the chaos, the evening had ended simply.

They were tired, their hands were sore, and Zack was already planning his revenge in the next gaming session.

Camilla walked quietly beside Stan, occasionally taking another sip from her drink while listening to the others argue ahead of them.

The gaming center was already far behind them, but the laughter from the evening seemed to linger.

Whatever else tomorrow brought, one thing was already certain.

Zack would demand another rematch.

And, judging by the expressions on everyone’s faces, nobody was going to say no.