This chapter is a continue from that of the very first episode
"Syd Barrett... Jody Johansson! Let's make a deal!"
Seraphina walked right up to them, no longer caring about her image as a refined lady.
"...What the hell do you want?"
Syd scowled and shot her a thug-like glare. Then, something came to mind—he reached into his school bag and pulled something out.
It was Seraphina's pink lighter.
He'd forgotten to return it at the train station yesterday.
"Oh... You mean this, right? Here."
He tossed the lighter at her like he was flipping coins at a beggar, then turned to walk away.
But Seraphina stopped them in their tracks.
"W-Wait! It's not about that!"
"What else do you want?! I gave everything back already, you—"
Syd looked like he was about to go off on her again, but Jody stopped him.
"Easy, Syd. Show some respect to women."
"Gender's got nothing to do with it—I can throw hands with anyone."
"Sure, sure."
Jody patted his back and turned to take the lead in the conversation.
"What is it?"
If Syd was like a burning flame, then Jody was ice-cold. But one thing the two of them shared was the very clear message: they didn't want to talk to her.
Cut to the school park.
They had intentionally skipped the first class to hear what Seraphina had to say, choosing a spot near the fountain.
"You'll pay 50 million to get us to delete the video?"
Syd burst out laughing like he'd just gotten revenge. He and Jody were seated across the public table from her.
"O-Or if... if you want more than that... we can arrange something... but please! If that clip gets out, I'm ruined!"
Seraphina pleaded.
"You crazy b*tch?! Why the hell would I take scraps from someone like you? Look who's the cornered dog now! Where's all that smugness, huh?! Gone now, isn't it?! Ha!"
"Syd. You've already stomped her halfway into the ground. That's enough."
"She deserves it. She called me a f*cking 'minion'."
"Minions are adorable."
"Annoying more like. Little yellow beanbags I wanna dropkick."
Jody lightly pinched his shoulder. The guy still wasn't done fuming.
She turned to Seraphina.
To her, Seraphina wasn't a bad person. Jody always knew Seraphina had been itching to challenge her again and again, but when Seraphina fought, she played clean. And that's something Jody respected.
Good thing Seraphina didn't know back during the opening ceremony that Jody had brittle bone disease. Otherwise, she probably would've won.
"We've already talked about this. We're not going to release the video—as long as you don't blab about what we're doing. That makes us even."
"Even, Jody?! Don't be ridiculous! You have the footage! I have nothing but my memory and empty words! What part of that is even?! Can't you see?!"
Seraphina shot up and pointed at Syd.
"This guy—he's something else entirely! He has power. You saw it yourself, right?! That priest was terrified of him! He's got influence, Jody! Father Peterson, with all his underground and political ties, still shook like a leaf in front of him! And what do I have?! Nothing! I'm just a client! And his words? They mean nothing without proof!"
She vented all her frustration at once.
"...Hey."
Just one word from Syd was enough to make Seraphina freeze. He glared at her with such intensity, she thought he might rip her apart right then and there.
His eyes said everything:
Sit down. Shut up. Or you'll be chewing dirt.
"You chose to go buy that illegal statue from that priest. No one forced you. You dragged yourself into it. This is all on you."
Syd didn't know why Seraphina got herself mixed up with shady figures like Peterson, and honestly, he didn't care. But throwing a tantrum now just made her look like a sore loser—and he hated that.
At this point, Jody completely understood Seraphina's position.
She's like a lamb trying to negotiate with wolves. What could she possibly expect? Sure, if Seraphina exposed them, no one might believe her...
But if they released the video? She'd be toast.
Jody glanced at the boy next to her—Syd Barrett. He looked like he was about to flip the table and stomp Seraphina flat, then grab her coffee and throw it in her face just for good measure.
"...Hmm..."
Jody realized maybe they'd pushed her too far.
Looking at Seraphina, all tense and curled up like a shrimp, she saw a reflection of her own past—of the victims she used to toy with.
"...Syd... maybe we went too far."
"Huh?! Are you kidding? Why are we going soft on this Greenday fans? Did you forget what she did to us?"
"It wasn't that bad, was it? Just some verbal jabs. Now, if she broke into your house and stole your stuff, that'd be different."
"Verbal jabs?"
"You do that to me all the time—calling me a pale monkey, cripple legs, all that."
"..."
"Jody. Shut up."
He turned away, slightly flustered.
"Come on, Syd. I get it. But give her a chance."
"..."
"Hmph..."
"...."
Seraphina looked up.
"Whose 50 million was that?"
He asked.
"...It's mine..."
"No. That 50 million—who earned that money?"
"...My family..."
"So your parents, right?"
"..."
She gave a reluctant nod.
"You could buy a damn Jesus Christ statue for 250 mil, but this 50 mil is just pocket change to your family. Who do you think you are, some princess? Just mooching off your parents and acting like money grows on trees..."
"...Aren't you rich too?"
Jody asked.
"So what? Money's money."
"I'm just surprised... A rich guy being this stingy..."
"Don't underestimate the value of anything over 20 dollars you heard?"
"..."
"Syd. What if—"
Jody had an idea. She leaned in to whisper.
"What if we brought Seraphina into the team?"
Syd raised an eyebrow.
"What made you say that?"
"Think about it. Her power is to create and duplicate. She can copy objects 100% perfectly. What you're doing right now is basically investigative work... If we use her to replicate evidence, or during the disk heist..."
"..."
Syd's red eyes lit up.
Right.
Why hadn't he thought of that?
"We could steal the disk... without actually taking it..."
He muttered.
"In other words, we lower the risk of your mission. We take the replica and leave the real one. Also... don't forget—after me, she's the most competent in this school."
Jody added.
(Scene cuts to evening.)
"...That's why I brought someone new onto the team."
{...}
No reply on the line.
"..."
{ You're right... Her power and Jody's would be super useful for us... but are you planning on adding even more people? One more? Two more? }
"No. Don't push it. She's the last. Any more and it'll be too hard to manage."
{ Oh right... about Seraphina's clip you sent me... What should I do with it after the mission's over? }
"...Hmm..."
{...}
"I'll think about it."
{ Got it. }
"For now, just keep monitoring her comms. If she does anything shady, tell me. I'll handle it."
{ You got it, boss. }
{ But... what made you decide to bring Seraphina in? }
"Jody suggested it. Made sense. So I went with it."
{...Jody? You're saying that idea came from Jody?! }
"Yep."
{...}
He heard a disapproving click of the tongue.
"What?"
{ I don't know... I just don't like it. Even if her logic makes perfect sense, it feels like she's starting to control you... }
"...You think she's overstepping?"
{ Yeah... maybe she really means well. Her idea wasn't shady... But I'll keep a close watch anyway. }
"Thanks. I don't think they'll defy us. Seraphina has her clip... Jody knows my martial art... but still."
{ Be careful, big bro. Girls are dangerous. Trust me—you need to keep your head straight. }
"...Of course. You're the only one I trust, Roxy..."
{ Then why do I feel like you've gone soft? Letting her move in with you? Letting her boss you around? Don't tell me... You're crushing on her? }
"Quit the bullsh*t and go back to digging on Mr. Lake."
Click.
"..."
Syd leaned back in his chair with a short sigh.
Maybe I really am letting too many outsiders in...
He thought to himself.
No more from now on...
Just then, he heard footsteps from upstairs—Jody knocking at his door.
"Syd? You done with your call?"
(Creak)
Syd opened the door to find Jody in a blue tank top and shorts, smelling like some fancy shampoo he couldn't name.
"...Damn. Are you trying to fuse yourself with a soap bar?"
"Most girls wear stronger scents than this. I think mine's pretty mild. So, are you done?"
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Can I borrow the kitchen?"
"You gonna cook for yourself?"
Jody nodded.
Syd checked the clock. 8 PM.
"...It's 8 already... Alright, go sit. I'll make us something.", He said.
"Huh? You can cook?"
"Uh, yeah? How else do you think I live alone?"
"I figured you were the eat-out-every-meal type."
"Wow. That's low. I oughta kick your legs out from under you—go sit down. Gimme 15 minutes."
He started heading to the kitchen, but Jody stopped him.
"...Wait. Let me cook first."
"...What?"
"Let's take turns. I'll go first this time. I'll make you something."
"...Seriously?"
"What's with that look? I'm not freeloading off you. Go sit. I'll handle it."
Jody pushed him to the table.
And 15 minutes later...
Syd sat at the table scrolling through his phone. Suddenly, Jody walked up behind him.
"Put that phone down, sweetheart. No gadgets at the table, okay?"
"...Funny. Real funny, you pale freak."
Syd put his phone away. Jody placed a bowl in front of him. He looked down and saw...
A plate of salad.
Green as far as the eye could see.
He glanced at her plate—same deal. Except she'd added a glass of milk and some fruit next to his. Clearly arranged just for him.
"...Hey."
"What?"
Jody sat beside him.
"You gotta be joking. You serious with this?"
"Why not?"
"You think you're my fitness coach or something? What the hell is this? Greens?! It's all greens! I'm not vegan, y'know!"
"It's good for your health."
Jody munched on some broccoli like it was nothing.
"Where's the meat?! Huh?!"
"In the fridge."
She popped another carrot in her mouth. Calm and collected.
"Then why didn't you serve it?!"
"You've had way too much protein and carbs today already. If you want to stay strong and healthy, you need to balance your meals. And since you went overboard on everything else, dinner's gonna have to even things out."
"Jody. No. Stop. That's enough. You seriously made this just to guilt me? You ain't my Ma gang! "
"Nope."
She looked him straight in the eye.
"I've been eating like this for four years. I work out 5 days a week—ever since I messed up my leg."
"...Ain't no way I'm eating this sh*t. You have it."
He pushed the salad bowl away and stood, ready to make his own food. But then—
"Syd. You know only six-year-olds act like this, right?"
"...Your mother's a six-year-old, you freakin' psycho... dumbass... Lizard woman looking ahh..."
Jody couldn't understand his nonsense mumbling—he was ranting in Thai under his breath from the moment he stabbed the first salad leaf.
But she was happy.
At least he ate it all.
"Good boy."
Ding-dong.
They both turned to the door. Someone rang the bell.
"...She's here."
"You go get it. I'll clear the table."
Jody got up and walked to the door. She opened it.
Seraphina had arrived. And she was clearly on edge.
"Come in."
When Seraphina stepped into the house, Jody peeked out to make sure the coast was clear before closing the door.
The dinner table had now been replaced with Syd's black laptop.
"Nice place. Got Jody doing your cleaning, huh?"
"You're not the first to say that."
"...And who was the first?"
Syd didn't answer. Just pointed at Jody with his eyes.
"...Oh."
As Syd booted up his laptop, Seraphina took a breath—time to say the apology she'd prepared at home.
"Hey... I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day. It was my fault... I'm sorry to you too, Jody. I shouldn't have snapped at either of you... I really am sorry..."
"...Hey, Jody. This chick actually knows how to apologize."
"There's no shame in apologizing. I was wrong, so I said it. We're not kids anymore, are we?"
Zzt.
That line hit Syd right in the gut.
"You little—"
"What?"
"Nothing."
He kept his eyes on the screen.
"Seraphina... Can I ask why you were buying that illegal statue from Father Peterson?"
Jody walked over with a cup of tea and handed it to her. Seraphina nodded in thanks and took it.
"I just really love art..."
"I thought you were into fashion?"
"Fashion is art..."
"So you're into all kinds of art?"
"I mainly collect fashion stuff... but I love paintings, sculptures, instruments too..."
"And that statue... why were you willing to take such a risk for it?"
"It was beautiful... I couldn't resist... and beSydes, I know Peterson... so..."
"Trying to play rich girl with dangerous toys. Classic."
Syd couldn't help taking another jab.
This guy never misses an opening.
"When you've got money, you use it."
"Yeah yeah... Hey, Syd. You come from money too, right? Do you collect art or anything?"
"I don't keep useless junk around. Honestly, even a toilet plunger has more value than half that crap."
"You little—"
Seraphina looked ready to blow, but Jody stopped her.
"But you know... you remind me of a friend of mine. He's into that stuff too."
"Him? Your guy friend?"
"Yeah. He draws and plays music. But he's weird as hell—his art gives people the creeps... Anyway, forget it. Let's look at this instead—"