Chapter 108 — "Paying Back"
Ethan and Leonard stepped out of Penny's apartment and walked silently down the hallway.
Just as they reached their door, Leonard suddenly stopped.
"Hey, Ethan."
He adjusted his glasses, clearly organizing his thoughts. "I think… we should help Penny."
Ethan nodded. "Agreed."
A brief silence followed, then both spoke at the same time:
"I think—"
They both stopped.
Ethan gestured. "You go first."
Leonard took a deep breath, as if finally committing to something.
"The most direct way is to go find Kurt and get the $1,800 back. That would take a lot of pressure off her right now."
Ethan shook his head.
"She made it very clear—she doesn't want to chase him for the money."
"Then we can do it for her," Leonard replied immediately.
Ethan glanced at him, voice calm.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"First—we're not good at dealing with guys who assert their existence by bullying others."
He had no intention of using shadow abilities over something like this. That power didn't warn people—it destroyed or enslaved them. Subtle correction wasn't its style.
"Second—this is between Penny and her ex. We don't have the right to interfere. One 'mind your own business' and we're out."
"Third—and most importantly—I don't think he'll pay."
Ethan shrugged.
"In fact, him not paying might actually be better for Penny."
Leonard frowned. "Why?"
"Because then she can completely cut ties with a jerk like that."
Ethan said it plainly.
"Spending $1,800 to clearly see someone doesn't deserve a place in your life? That's a bargain."
Leonard frowned deeper.
"But she really needs the money right now."
Ethan nodded. "Then we can just give it to her."
"I don't have that kind of money," Leonard said immediately.
"Oh, that's fine," Ethan replied casually. "I do."
Leonard shook his head again.
"That won't work. She won't accept it."
"…Then we reframe it."
Ethan thought for a moment.
"We say Kurt refused to pay, so we went through legal channels and forced the money back."
Leonard hesitated. "Is that… appropriate?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Ethan said bluntly. "I provide the money, you give it to her."
"She'll thank you for solving the problem—and she won't even think about getting back with Kurt."
"No."
Leonard refused almost instinctively.
Firm. Unusually firm.
"I can't accept that."
He looked up, determined.
"I'm going to get that money back myself."
With that, he turned and walked into the apartment.
Ethan stood at the door, watching his back, and let out a quiet sigh.
"Everyone…" he muttered to himself, "has their damn pride."
---
Inside, the others had already cleared the food and were playing a board game.
Howard clutched his stomach.
"That cumin pork is hosting a bonfire in my duodenum."
Raj said seriously, "Leviticus 11:3—'You may eat any animal that has a split hoof and chews the cud.'"
Howard shot back instantly, "When you eat Burger King, do I chant Hindu scriptures at you?"
Raj replied calmly, "No. But you do moo like a cow."
"And once you said, 'Don't worry, it's a single patty. Half the religious damage.'"
At that moment, Leonard and Ethan walked in.
"What are you playing?" Leonard asked.
"The Quest for the Crown," Raj said. "Goal is to obtain the ultimate crown."
Leonard paused.
"…Anyone want to try a real adventure?"
Sheldon raised his mug. "At this hour? I just made hot cocoa."
"Come on," Leonard waved, trying to sound casual. "It'll be exciting."
Howard narrowed his eyes. "What kind of exciting?"
"You remember Penny's ex, Kurt?"
All three raised their hands to indicate: very tall.
"Yeah, him," Leonard said. "He owes Penny money. I'm going to get it back. Who's coming?"
The three exchanged glances… then went back to the game.
"Double six!" Howard cheered.
"I got a sword!" Raj added.
Leonard stared at them.
"You're really going to let me go alone? I need backup."
Raj thought for a moment, then handed him the sword card.
"Here. Moral support."
"That's unbelievable!" Leonard snapped. "You simulate adventures every day, and when a real one comes—none of you go?!"
Sheldon looked up.
"I have a suggestion. You can take Ethan."
"Last time, Kurt apologized because of him. We don't know why, but he did. Statistically, he might succeed again."
Ethan was about to speak—
"No!"
Leonard cut him off.
"That was Ethan. This time, we handle it ourselves."
"We face our fears. No relying on others."
Sheldon frowned.
"Leonard, do you remember the last time we visited this man and returned wearing only our underwear?"
"…I do."
"Then your current proposal clearly indicates memory deletion."
Leonard hesitated, then insisted:
"This time we'll use a different strategy. We'll just talk—nothing will—"
Sheldon lifted his cup and interrupted.
"Who wants to abandon this game, confront Penny's steroid-enhanced ex-boyfriend, and attempt to retrieve money in a near-suicidal fashion?"
Howard and Raj shook their heads immediately.
"Send our regards to Kurt," Sheldon said.
Leonard clenched his jaw.
"When Frodo left the Shire, did Sam, Pippin, and Merry go with him?"
"They did," Sheldon replied.
"So?"
"So they suffered greatly."
Raj added, "But no one pantsed them."
"…Fine."
Leonard gritted his teeth.
"Stay here. I'll go alone."
He stormed out—
…and came back a few minutes later.
"Please! He's huge!"
In the end, they went—reluctantly—as backup.
Ethan, however, was still excluded.
---
An hour later, Leonard and Sheldon returned.
Howard and Raj had already gone home.
Leonard had something written across his forehead in marker:
"I owe Penny $1800 — Kurt"
Ethan froze.
"What happened?"
Leonard looked defeated. Said nothing.
Sheldon explained:
"As observed—Kurt stated repayment depends on his mood and is unrelated to Leonard."
"Nevertheless, I consider this a great success."
"…Why?"
"Because Leonard did not obtain cash—but he did obtain a legally meaningful written acknowledgment of debt."
Ethan's expression darkened.
"I'm going to see him."
"Whether he pays or not is irrelevant—he doesn't get to humiliate you."
"No! Don't."
Leonard looked up.
"Thanks, Ethan. Really."
"You sure?"
"I tried. Now I can let it go."
He paused.
"I mean letting go of the debt—not Penny."
Ethan said, "What about my earlier idea? I have $1,800 right now."
"No."
Leonard shook his head firmly.
"Right now, I just want to wash my face."
---
The next morning—
After hesitating for a while, Ethan still knocked on Penny's door.
Knock knock knock.
It took a moment before the door opened.
"Hey—" Penny said automatically, voice still sleepy. "Morning."
"Morning," Ethan nodded. "There's something…"
Her expression tightened instantly.
"Bad news?"
"Good news."
Ethan said calmly:
"We got the money back."
Penny blinked.
"…What money?"
"The money Kurt owed you."
"He didn't cooperate at first, but after some effort from Leonard and me…"
Ethan pulled out an envelope.
"Anyway—it's back. Eighteen hundred."
Penny's eyes widened.
"You mean… really? Cash? Not 'I'll pay you next month'?"
Ethan handed her the envelope.
She opened it.
Froze.
Then—
She lunged forward and hugged him tightly.
"Oh my God—!"
"You have no idea how much this means to me!"
Ethan stumbled back half a step, instinctively catching her.
"Whoa—easy…"
Ethan spoke softly,
"Alright… compared to last time, I can definitely feel that one."
Penny burst into laughter.
She let go of him—but didn't step back right away.
She looked up at him, her emotions still lingering—
And before Ethan could react, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Ethan," she said quickly. "Really."
"Uh… you're welcome." Ethan froze for a moment. "That's what friends do."
Penny's smile widened even more.
Then suddenly, as if remembering something, she grabbed his wrist.
"Come on!"
"Where are we going?" Ethan stumbled a step, clearly not caught up yet.
"To pay it back," she said brightly. "Sheldon's money."
She was already dragging him toward the door.
Ethan followed, half-pulled along.
"Right now?" he asked, unable to stop himself. "Maybe keep a little, just in case—"
"Of course we're doing it now!" Penny didn't even look back. "That's basic friend protocol."
They stepped into the guys' apartment.
Leonard was sitting in the living room, wearing a hat pulled low—conveniently covering his forehead.
"Is Sheldon here?" Penny asked.
"Yeah—hold on," Leonard replied, then called out, "Sheldon!"
As Penny walked further in, she glanced at Leonard's hat.
"Nice hat."
Leonard stiffened, forcing a casual tone. "It's… kind of trendy right now."
"Is it?" Penny narrowed her eyes. "Looks like something you'd wear fishing."
"…" Leonard decided not to engage.
At that moment, Sheldon stepped out of his room.
"Penny, you're here."
Penny immediately counted out the cash and handed it to him.
"Sheldon, here's your money. Thank you so much—you really helped me out."
Sheldon stared at the cash for two seconds, then looked up.
"Is this sarcasm?"
Penny blinked. "Of course not!"
"Damn." Sheldon frowned. "I still haven't fully decoded the semantic pattern."
Leonard was about to ask something—
Ethan gave him a quick hand signal.
Leonard immediately shut up.
Penny turned, then suddenly stepped forward and hugged Leonard.
"Thank you, Leonard."
Then she added,
"And you too, Ethan. I honestly don't even know what to say."
Leonard froze completely—his hands hovering awkwardly in the air.
"A-anytime," he stammered. "No problem."
Penny let go, exhaling deeply.
"Alright."
She smiled—light, bright, relieved.
"Today just became perfect."
She turned and headed for the door.
"I'm going shopping! Gonna buy a hat!"
With that, she walked out—clearly in a great mood.
The door closed.
Ethan and Leonard looked at each other.
Neither spoke.
A few seconds later, Leonard muttered quietly:
"…That felt pretty good."
He hesitated, then added:
"So… am I not good enough for her because I don't have money?"
Ethan thought for a moment.
He didn't answer directly.
"I don't know."
He paused, then said,
"But wasn't the point to help her? And right now… this outcome is pretty perfect."
(End of Chapter)