After his first basketball trial, Eadlyn's body was tired, but his mood was unusually light. The gym's echoes still clung to him—cheers, footsteps, the satisfying rhythm of a ball hitting the net. It felt like a beginning.
As he walked out of the school gates, he spotted Ken leaning casually against a lamppost, scrolling through his phone. When Ken noticed him, his grin widened.
"There you are! So? How'd the tryout go? Did you survive the wrath of the legendary manager?"
Eadlyn smirked. "Barely. But I got accepted."
Ken's jaw dropped. "Hah?! You actually impressed him? Dude… that guy hates even breathing near foreigners."
"Guess he liked my half-court shots," Eadlyn shrugged.
Ken stared at him. "Half-court—shots? Plural?"
"…Maybe."
Ken slapped his forehead. "Of course. Foreign protagonist privileges."
They both burst into laughter, and without missing a beat, Ken slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Let's celebrate. Arcade. Now."
The Arcade Chronicle Begins
Neon lights flashed as they entered the arcade, the place buzzing with energy, laughter, and the clatter of machines. Ken practically sprinted toward the claw machines.
"This," he announced dramatically, "is sacred ground."
Eadlyn chuckled. "You take this way too seriously."
"That's what people who are bad at claw machines say."
Ken proceeded to prove his point by… immediately losing the first round.
Eadlyn laughed loudly. "Sacred ground, huh?"
"Shut up," Ken muttered, inserting another coin.
They tried everything—racing games, rhythm machines, zombie shooters. Ken screamed dramatically at every jump scare, while Eadlyn calmly blasted through waves of enemies.
Then came the basketball mini-game.
Ken narrowed his eyes. "Okay. New rule. You are banned from basketball-related activities in my presence."
"Why?"
"You're built different, bro. I'm not ruining my self-esteem."
Eadlyn snorted. "Fine, fine."
Between games, Ken leaned back, shaking his head with a satisfied sigh. "You know… you're cool, man. Most people would've tried to show off after joining a club. But you're chill."
Eadlyn shrugged. "I never liked acting big. Makes life harder."
Ken paused, then grinned. "Let's make it official."
"What?"
"A bro code."
Eadlyn blinked. "A what now?"
"A bro code! Rules we live by. Just for fun. Something to remember this day by. My last bro moved away last year, so… yeah."
The sincerity behind his casual tone made Eadlyn soften.
"Alright," he said. "Let's write one."
Ken grabbed his notebook—he always carried one—and scribbled dramatically.
Bro Code:
Always back each other up.
Never ditch your bro for a girl without warning.
Arcade nights are mandatory—weekly.
Trash talk allowed only in games.
If one succeeds, the other celebrates. No jealousy crap.
Ken held it up proudly.
"History has been made."
Eadlyn laughed, then took a photo of the page. Ken did the same.
The Late-Night Walk Home
They didn't even realize how late it had gotten until they stepped outside. The sky had darkened into a deep navy, city lights shimmering like stars.
Ken stretched. "Next week, we're going to my place for gaming. I'll show you my real kingdom."
"Deal," Eadlyn said.
They parted at the station, fist-bumping before heading their separate ways.
Back home, Eadlyn shared his day with his grandparents, ate dinner, washed up, and collapsed into bed. His phone buzzed once—Sayaka asking curiously how the tryout went.
He texted back.
Got in. It was fun.
Her reply came quickly.
I'm glad. Work hard, okay?
Eadlyn smiled faintly.
Basketball.
Friends.
Slowly growing bonds.
Japan was starting to feel less like a chapter in his life—
and more like a story he was finally part of.