After class, I stretch my arms and gather my things. I glance at Mila — she's still silent while fixing her bag.
Bryan walks up to me and whispers:
Bryan: "Hey... does she speak to you now?"
I shake my head and sigh, zipping my bag.
Bryan ruffles my head and smiles.
Bryan: "Geez, you better treat her to her favorite juice, okay?"
Rika: "Yeah. I think so..."
I was just finishing things up when suddenly Clarissa walks to me. I look up and grip my notebook as I see her innocent smile. I frown at her.
Rika: "What now?"
Clarissa: "Hey... ready for lunch now?"
I narrow my eyes and shake my head. I can't believe her audacity to act like this.
Rika: "I eat lunch with my friends. Go on your own."
Bryan steps in and stomps on my foot. I kneel down, holding my knee.
Rika: "The heck! Bryan?"
Bryan crosses his arms and shakes his head.
Bryan: "Don't be rude to a lady."
I roll my eyes and stand up.
Bryan: "Sorry for that, Clarissa. Rika's just maybe tired from the lesson. But she's not really rude at all..."
Clarissa: "No... no, it's okay... and sorry, I was..."
She looks down shyly and bites her lips.
Clarissa: "I just wanna spend more time with Rika, that's all..."
I scoffed at her act. When I was about to reject her persistence, Mila suddenly spoke from her desk.
Mila: "Then why don't we all have lunch together?"
I'm stunned and immediately look back at Mila's chair.
She zips her bag and looks up at us — and smiles.
Mila: "Hmm? What? Did I say something wrong?"
Bryan gulps and laughs awkwardly.
Bryan: "Haha... y-yeah... that's a wonderful idea, Mila. Yay~"
I tilt my head, confused.
Mila smiles at me and walks slowly. She pinches my nose playfully and giggles.
Mila: "Why you looking at me like that, huh? Aren't you two close now? So it's not bad to have lunch together..."
Mila looks at Clarissa and smiles.
Mila: "Isn't it, Clarissa?"
Clarissa grins and nods.
Clarissa: "Yeah... that would be wonderful."
Mila smiles back at her, but her hand gently caresses my ear before letting go.
I hold my ear.
A shiver sensation runs down my skin, and I look at Mila.
Mila: "Let's go? Or your favorite sandwich will be sold out now..."
Mila turns to Clarissa and smiles.
Mila: "Let's go??"
I glance at Clarissa, and I see a little shift before she smiles back at Mila.
Clarissa: "Yeah, let's go??"
The two of them walk first, but I still stand there.
"What was that?"
I rub my temple and take a breath.
Bryan ruffles my head.
Bryan: "Yo~ You okay?"
I roll my eyes at him and shake my head.
Rika: "Do I look okay?"
I sigh and swat his hand away.
Bryan: "Okay, stop whining. Your mom is with your lover — now go!"
He grabs my bag and holds my wrist, dragging me out of the classroom.
We walk in the hallway following Mila and Clarissa.
I stare at Mila, trying to figure out what she's thinking.
I know she hates Clarissa, so what is this act?
Mila looks back at me and smiles.
Mila: "What is it, Rika? You're so quiet. And you too, Bryan — what's up with you two?"
Bryan slightly flinches and scratches his head.
Bryan: "No... nothing... I just wonder what's on the menu now... r-right, Rika?"
I stay calm and look at Mila's eyes.
Mila smiles softly and walks straight.
Clarissa sees Mila smile and glances at me, but I didn't notice it... All I'm thinking is Mila's strange behavior now.
As we arrive at the cafeteria,
Mila and Clarissa sit across from each other and look at me like they're silently watching where I'm gonna sit.
I'm still deep in thought, snoozing.
I instinctively drop my bag to the floor and sit next to Mila.
Bryan stands, shocked by my action. I look up at him, tilting my head.
Rika: "What? Are you not gonna sit?"
Bryan: "Are you serious right now?"
Rika: "Huh?"
Bryan clears his throat and leans to me.
Bryan: "Aren't you supposed to sit next to—"
Nods toward Clarissa.
I frown and look confused.
Rika: "Why would I???"
Bryan's eyes widen at me.
Mila glances to Clarissa, then back to me.
Mila: "Let her be, Bryan."
Mila hums and picks up my bag, dusting it off, and gently places it beside hers.
Clarissa leans back in her chair, crosses her arms while playing with her pendant.
Bryan sighs and sits next to Clarissa.
Bryan: "Mila, you're scary when you're in mom mode..."
I flop my head onto the table and groan.
I feel my head ache slightly as I keep trying to think what's going on.
Mila looks at me and gently strokes my hair.
Mila: "Hmmm? What's wrong? Did the math lesson make you dizzy again?"
She leans closer as she speaks — her voice a gentle whisper.
I nod, my head still resting on the table.
Clarissa narrows her eyes and smiles.
Clarissa: "You two are really close. If I didn't know, I'd think you two are dating."
I raise my head and look at Clarissa.
Rika: "What do you mean by that?"
Bryan clears his throat and laughs.
Bryan: "Hahaha, it's not like that, Clarissa... Mila is more like a mom to Rika."
Clarissa lets go of her pendant and smiles.
Clarissa: "I doubt that..."
Bryan: "Haha... right, Mila?"
I glance at Mila — and to our surprise, she's calm.
She's leaning her cheek on her arm, looking at me.
Mila: "Hmmmm... I don't know... well..."
She stands up and pokes my cheek.
Mila: "Still your usual sandwich and water?"
I look at her and nod.
Bryan holds his breath and shakes his head.
Mila smiles and ruffles my head before looking up at Clarissa.
Mila: "Sorry, but can you help me get the food?"
Clarissa smiles politely and stands up. Mila watches her movements.
Clarissa: "Sure, I'll help you..."
They walk to the counter, and Bryan lets out a big sigh of relief.
Bryan: "Finally, I got air — whoo..."
I lean back in my chair and hang up my head.
"Geez, what's really going on?"