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The rest of the camp passed in a blur of more challenges.

Roguefort and Almond were almost always together, sharing secrets and working together. The others in the Blackberry team saw how close they were and didn't object.

It was the last day of camp. Everyone had gotten closer over the past few days, most obviously Roguefort and Almond, basically brothers after all the stuff that happened.

The Blackberry team had just woken up, ready for their final challenge before finally heading home. While Pilot and Buttercream Choco were ecstatic to return home, Roguefort and Almond definitely weren't ready to return to the harsh reality of the outside world.

"Hey, why don't we exchange our phone numbers so we can keep in touch, maybe hang out someday?" Prophet suggested.

The group all agreed and Salt created a message group titled "Blackberry Team", adding all the other Cookie's telephone numbers. Roguefort and Almond were careful about setting their contacts for each other, as they didn't want their families to find out about the bond between them.

"Oh, Buttercream Choco, can Roguefort and I come to your house one day to take a look at that ancient book you mentioned before? The one that our parents dropped?" Almond asked.

"Sure, why not this Sunday? I'm free and my mother can show you the book. You two can come over, just at different times, but one can come first, stay, and the other a bit later to avoid suspicion."

"That's genius. I'll just tell my parents I'm heading out with friends."

"Okay, everyone's in the group, right? Now, try sending a message." Salt instructed.

"Guys..? It's 7:50, we have to get to the cafeteria at 8!"

"Let's go then!"

All the Cookies rushed out of their room, carrying all that they needed. Roguefort ended up last, switching off the lights and closing the door.

"I guess time doesn't wait for souls like us." he murmured to himself before dashing off to join the others at the cafeteria.

~♤~

"Cookies! You all have grown from the first day we've met to your last day here at the Cookie Camp. You've learnt how to build a tent, how to hunt for food, and most importantly, you've built bonds with your teammates that I'm sure wouldn't have formed if you didn't come here."

After a tasty meal prepared by the two instructors, the Cookies were sitting in the hall in neat rows, similar to when they first came here. They were, obviously, different than when they first came; everyone had learnt skills, grown in various ways, and had experiences they would never forget.

I mean, how often would you be able to farm vegetables when you live in the city? Unless you were a vegetable Cookie like Spinach, Carrot or Beet, you would have almost no chance to try farming.

"So today, we have a special challenge for you all."

All the Cookies were paying close attention to what the instructor would say.

"The challenge is simple - we want you to treasure your last day here. Starting from 9 am, which is when you will be released, all of the campus's facilities will be available to use. You can venture into the forest once again, go for a swim in the ocean, or just play basketball in the playground. The only places you aren't allowed to go are the others' dorms and our rooms."

A bunch of "ooh"s fills the room.

"I wonder what other places we haven't discovered in these few days, this place is huge," Roguefort whispered to Almond.

"Let's go explore!" Almond replied.

"At 12:30, you can come back to the cafeteria for lunch or go cook your own if you wish, and then you will have more free time until 4 o'clock when you will have to return to your dorms to pack up and share some time with your roommates. At 5, we will depart from the campsite via tour bus."

"Your objective is just to have fun," the female instructor continued with a smile, "you don't have much time left, so you can do anything! Just don't go out too far, your wristbands will remind you."

"The hall will be transformed into a crafts centre after lunch, where you can take pictures with your friends and decorate them, or make something to value your friendship. Not just your average cards, but you can make special badges and match with your friends. Oh, and the wristband that you use in camp with your team name is yours as well! The tech will be disabled except for the time feature once you leave camp, so it will basically be like a personalized watch."

Loud chatters immediately fill the room.

"The tech will be disabled? That's kind of sad.."

"I can't believe it, this is such a memorable gift!"

"They never said that in the brochure!"

"Now, don't make me use the 'Silence' command on you all," the female instructor told the chattering Cookies by raising her voice.

Everyone shut their mouths once the instructor's words were in the air - they knew that cutting in would bring too many consequences.

"Yes, I get you're all excited, but one last thing before we set you free. Next to the hall is a storage room, there you can find all sorts of sports equipment, including basketballs, badminton rackets and basically all will need to have a good match."

"So, any more questions?"

The air in the hall is tense like it was on the day they all came. But the air is different than before; it is filled with excitement and hope from all the Cookies that are present, eager to create more memories with all the friends they made during this journey, having spent time together running, finding, swimming, and even sleeping.

And, like the day they first came, Almond raises his hand in the air, this time no longer afraid, but confident, knowing that he needed to ask this question.

"Yes, Almond?"

"Is there a limit to how many people can use the playground at once?"

"The playground is large enough to fit all of you, so no."

The hall was filled to the brim with excitement.

"No more questions? Alright, you are dismissed."

Once the instructor tells the Cookies that they are free, they do not hesitate.

They rush out of the hall like water flowing out from a jug; not pushing, but all eager to leave the hall, to spend time with all their friends. Some run back to their dorms to share secrets and bond with their newly made friends; others run to the storage room, scavenging through all the different sports equipment before deciding on a game to play.

Almond and Roguefort, having gotten stuck at the end of the line, ran over to the playground to join their fellow Blackberry Team members. They had decided to play a basketball game, which Almond and Roguefort both agreed. Salt, Prophet and Roguefort were on a team, while Buttercream Choco, Pilot, and Almond were on the other.

Without warning, the male instructor had appeared before their game started, volunteering to be the referee. All of them joyously agreed.

"Alright then."

The two tallest players on the teams, Almond and Salt, are standing in the middle of the court, facing each other. Behind each of them are their opponent team's players; standing, ready to catch the ball if it goes to their side.

The male instructor, holding the ball high above the two Cookies, blows the whistle, the sharp, shrill  sound running across the court. He throws the basketball high in the air...

And the game begins.

~♤~

[Originally published Apr 22, 2020]

Author's note:

I certainly did not expect the Cookies to have a basketball game, but here we are.

Hope you enjoyed this (mostly filler) but still plot-related chapter. I had a huge motivation boost after reading some books.

Drop a vote if you want, and see you in the next chapter!


Next chapter:

4 Cookies stood in the front row of spectators.

A Cookie in a blue robe with glasses, a Cookie with a lab coat, a Cookie whose hair was a fluffy light blue, and a Cookie with fried jellies in hand, stuffing them into her mouth.

~♤~

And everything goes in slow motion - Roguefort turns his head towards the hoop, Almond has a shocked expression plastered on his face, and Prophet finally reaches Pilot, panting for breath.

~♤~

"Buttercream Choco, I don't think you'll want to hear this."

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