The three of them had been searching for Katatsuke's missing earring. As noon approached, they looked for it in every nook and cranny Katatsuke had previously visited. Yet, despite retracing all of Katatsuke's steps, they still couldn't find it, and so they began searching elsewhere.
At every place they went, even venturing into the dense forest undergrowth, their efforts proved fruitless. They still couldn't find it. But they refused to give up; their determination to help only grew stronger, driving them deeper into the forest.
Hours passed as they searched. At school, Mrs. Azizah, who was marking attendance from the record book, was startled as she looked at her students' names.
Mrs. Azizah:"Eh? Shion, Kharim?"
*There was no response from the two of them, while the other students only looked at their two empty desks*
Mrs. Azizah:"Eh? Why are those two not here? Who among you knows what the explanation is for both of them?"
*They all stayed silent. Meanwhile, Martina looked at Mrs. Azizah so cynically. Also, Rafaela was confused and then got annoyed*
Rafaela:"(lightly hitting the table) Those two stupid people! Where did they go?!"
Martina:"Why are you asking us?! What a useless teacher."
*The whole class was shocked to hear Martina's sharp words*
Girl(1):"Martina. Your words are so cruel."
Martina:"Why? Isn't it the truth? How could a teacher not know the whereabouts of her own students."
Girl(2):"But watch your words, Martina."
Boy(1):"What's with her? She thinks she's cool talking like that?"
Boy(2):"Hadehh…mouth never taught by her parents like that."
*Already angry, Martina stood up and kicked her chair. Then walked closer to the front, approaching the two boys*
Martina(angry):"Who do you think you are talking like that?! How dare you talk like that!!"
*The atmosphere became tense, but everyone only watched, including Seung-hon*
Boy(2):"(looking displeased) Stupid, you're the one who's wrong, the person you're blaming."
Martina:"Then you think I'm wrong?!!" (kicks Boy (2)'s chair)
Boy(2):"Tch. Because you're a girl, luckily I still forgive you."
Martina:"You think I want to hit you? That ugly face and your body odor, you think I want to be rough with you?! tchih, not a chance!"
Boy(2):"At least I guard my mouth properly. Not like you," (grinning in front of Martina) "who can't control her words."
Martina:"(getting angrier) Same thing. Mrs. Azizah, you. I don't think my action is wrong, and just so you know, a guy like you don't even hope to be my type. Seeing your ugly face..., no. Seeing people like you, I'm so sure that you are poor people. You have nothing to be proud of except yourselves. Even your parents have no dignity. Your parents would surely bow down before rich people if faced with money. Not being hypocritical, but isn't that a fact? Hahaha…!!!"
Seung-hon:"This girl is so annoying!"
His friend:"Just let her, Seung-hon. If you join in the anger, it means you're easily deceived."
Boy(2):"(holding his anger) Y-yeah, you're right. The rich indeed seem to have no dignity when facing money with the rich."
Martina:"(acting arrogant) Yeah… finally you realize too. Of course, all poor people have no dignity. They have bad, filthy houses, their clothes are worn out, their faces are ugly, and the saddest thing, they pretend to be rich in front of others. It could even be, that includes Mrs. Azizah herself." (looks at Mrs. Azizah arrogantly)
Boy(1):"What a low woman."
Martina:"(immediately looking at Boy(1)) What did you say?!"
Boy(1):"No matter how poor someone is, at least they still have dignity for those who put honor first."
Martina:"Stupid! Honor can also be bought with money!"
Boy(1):"Then after you speak rudely like that, do you think anyone will respect you? Do you think after this anyone will like you? The highest point of someone's dignity is not money, but themselves.
What you said earlier is not wrong, and that's also the reason they lower their own dignity. But no matter how poor someone is, they still have dignity from within themselves, and that's more than just money. Yeah…, seeing you talk like that, it's very clear that you have no dignity at all, even with unlimited money. (Martina looks angrier) Do you think your friends will even be happy to see you like that?"
Martina:"(ready to punch) YOU BASTARD…!!!"
Martina's friends immediately panicked and shouted all together:
"MARTINA! STOP…!!!"
But unexpectedly, a chair was thrown and hit Martina's head. The sound of the impact was so loud, making Martina thrown quite far until she fell near the teacher's desk, together with the chair that was thrown near her. For a moment, the situation turned silent, some panicked, some were just normal, but Mrs. Azizah was also panicked. Everyone looked toward the direction from which it was thrown, and it turned out that Rafaela was standing, throwing her chair at Martina. It was even seen that her head was bleeding, and Martina seemed like she was about to cry, her tears started to fall.
*Her friends together:"Martina...!!"*
*They said that as the three of them hurriedly approached Martina. Meanwhile, Rafaela still kept her position. She, who was the most angry, showed her furious face to Martina*
Rafaela: "You sharp-mouthed person, have your parents never taught you manners?! (shouting) Where are your manners toward Mrs. Azizah?!!! If you act like that to your own teacher, surely you treat your parents that way too, right?!! Be polite to those older than you!, you shouldn't be like that!! Typical rich kid, only money you have a lot, but mentality can't be bought.
Hadehh... Talking nonsense as if you feel higher. For what are you like that?! Tcih..., enough that Shion and Kharim make me dizzy, don't you also make me even more dizzy!"
After that, the other students only looked at Rafaela who was very angry. Meanwhile Aisha even hugged Martina who kept holding back her tears. After such a tense situation. Mrs. Azizah, who had been watching them all this time, made her feelings become angry as well.
Mrs. Azizah:"(in a heavy tone) Rafaela..., follow me to the Office, now. (looking at Martina) Martina, go to the infirmary, after that come to the counseling room too. Understand?!"
With her anger, Mrs. Azizah then left the room. Rafaela then took a deep breath and said:
"Hhhaahh... Only making trouble."
*Rafaela then left the classroom casually. Meanwhile Martina's friends helped Martina to stand*
Aisha: "Come on Martina. Let's heal your wound first."
In Aisha's arms, Martina was still crying while being taken by her friends. As they were about to leave the class, almost the entire class shouted and jeered at Martina because all of them also started to shun her.
On the other side, they were too busy looking for Katatsuke's earring that they forgot about their school duties. In fact, they had been searching for that earring for more than three hours. Among them, Kharim was the first to realize that they had been looking for it for that long.
Kharim:"(looking at the hot sky) Eh?! (surprised)"
Shion and Katatsuke looked at Kharim who seemed startled, and Shion said:
Shion:"What's wrong?"
Kharim:"(looking at both of them) We've gone too far!"
Shion:"Too far about what?"
Kharim:"(pointing at the sky) Look, idiot! It's already noon! We've been searching for the earring and forgot the time! It's already more than three hours!"
Shion:"So what?"
Kharim:" 'So what' what, idiot?! We're not just late for school anymore, soon it's already lunchtime at school!?"
Shion:"(realizing and panicking) Hhaaahh...?! Then what do we do now? We're also too far from the school."
Kharim:"(returning to his flat tone) Rather than saying far, we're already too far from the main road. (looking at Katatsuke) Katatsuke, are you sure your earring is here?"
Katatsuke:"I'm not really sure, but I have a good feeling that my earring is here."
Kharim:"You... Have you really played around here before?"
Katatsuke:"I have."
Shion:"(still panicking) Katatsuke!! Why did you play around this far?!"
Katatsuke didn't say his reason and continued his search. They kept waiting for Katatsuke's answer, but he didn't want to say anything. Finally, the two of them looked at each other and continued searching again.
Meanwhile, back at school, lunchtime had arrived. Five of Rafaela's friends from the previous canteen incident caused by Shion came to Rafaela's class and were surprised as they spoke with one of the girls from that class.'
Rafaela's Friend(1):"(shocked upon hearing it) What?! Rafaela got sent to the counseling room?!"
Rafaela's Friend(2):"How could that happen?!"
The girl:"Well..., there was a bit of a commotion in class earlier, and that girl did something completely unexpected."
Rafaela's Friend(3):"What did Rafaela do?"
*The girl didn't answer, but pointed at Rafaela's chair, which was still in its place where it had been thrown. And even more shocking, there was blood on it*
Rafaela's Friend(4):"She got into a fight?!"
The girl:"More or less, yeah."
Not long after, Rafaela walked into the classroom without any sign of guilt whatsoever. When her five friends saw her, they were immediately shocked and started talking to her*
Friend (5):"Rafaela..., are you alright?!"
Rafaela:"(surprised to see the five of them) BERTHA(1), NIOLAH(2), ZEI(3), TESETA(4), NEVARIH(5). What are you all doing here?"
Teseta:"Rather than asking that, why were you in the counseling room?"
Rafaela:"Aah, that... there was a little problem."
Nevarih:"What kind of problem? Don't you feel sorry for yourself, getting into trouble like that?"
Rafaela:"Why should I? I actually enjoyed doing it."
Bertha:"What exactly did you do?"
Niolah:"Yeah, what did you do to that girl that made you throw your chair like that?"
They kept talking while Rafaela took a chair and carried it back to her desk to sit down. Meanwhile, her five friends followed her. After sitting, Rafaela leaned her head back with both hands behind it. She responded as if nothing was wrong, completely without guilt.
Rafaela:"How should I put it..."
Rafaela then began telling them the whole story. On the other side, in the infirmary room, Aisha and her three friends were still there, waiting for Martina.
Girl(3):"Hey. What do you think, is Martina okay?"
Girl(2):"But about Martina's behavior earlier, I think she actually deserved it."
Girl(1):"Including Rafaela who threw the chair too?"
Girl(2):"That was too much! She had no feelings at all!"
Girl (1):"(looking at the window, realizing it's already lunchtime) It's already lunch break. Should we just go out?"
Aisha:"I–I think we should just wait for Martina to come back."
Girl(1):"Alright then, I'll just stay too."
Not long after, the sound of the infirmary door opening was heard, revealing Martina's expression deeply sad, with tears dripping down her cheeks. A bandage was wrapped around her forehead. All of Martina's friends turned their eyes toward her.
Girl(2): "Martina... Martina..., are you alright?"
*Martina didn't answer at all. Behind her sadness, her hand was tightly clenched. Meanwhile, Aisha seemed to understand Martina's feelings, leaving her slightly stunned*
Aisha: "Martina... Don't tell me..."
*Her three friends also began to understand, just like Aisha. And the atmosphere suddenly turned silent*
*After telling the story, the five of them were completely shocked by what they heard. Zei and Niolah were even seen sitting on someone else's chair*
*All together:"HEEHH...?!!"*
Bertha:"Rafaela. Are you serious about what you did?"
Rafaela:"Yeah. What else could I do?! I was so furious. Not only were Shion and Kharim absent without any notice, but that girl even tried to start a fight with me."
Teseta:"Your behavior was insane too, Rafaela. It wasn't exactly ethical."
Zei:"(looking excited and leaning toward Rafaela) Rafaela, you're amazing…! If I were you, I'd have made it even worse!"
Nevarih:"(hitting Zei's head) Idiot. You think throwing a chair is something cool?"
Zei:"(annoyed at Nevarih) And you think hitting someone's head is cool, huh?!"
Bertha:"So what about you?"
Rafaela:"Me? Of course I got punished too. I was ordered to stand and salute the flag until afternoon after lunch break, and I also had to replace the bandage for that girl's wound."
Niolah:"Hhhaahh... At least it's just a light punishment."
Rafaela:"Hah?! You call that light?! Do you know how tiring it is to salute the flag that long?! Luckily, it's lunch break now, so I can steal a bit of rest time!"
Nevarih:"Then what about the cost? Don't tell me they charged you a high fee?"
Rafaela:"No. At that time, I just said, 'I don't have any extra money. If she asks for some ridiculous amount, I can't pay it. She should be grateful there's still someone who cares about her.' After that, somehow, she just nodded."
Nevarih:"Then what about that girl's punishment?"
Rafaela:"Hahahaha... That girl? Her parents were called in because of her words. You should've seen her face, she looked panicked right away. Well, honestly, my parents were called too, but I told them my parents are abroad. If they really insisted, then I said they should prepare a room, living costs, and travel expenses for them to come back. I also said, if because of this issue my parents' business income dropped, I'd demand double compensation. In the end, they only gave me a warning and wrote my name in the black record book. Honestly, I don't even care. (smiling wider) I could still remember Mr. Alvonso's face going tense right away. Hahahaha...!!!"
Zei:"Hahaha... (patting Rafaela's shoulder) I knew it, you're brilliant, Rafaela!"
Bertha:"Pfft... You really are smart."
They all burst out laughing after hearing Rafaela's story, as if Martina had been completely cornered. And Rafaela came out on top in this matter.
On the other side, where Shion, Katatsuke, and Kharim were still searching for the earring. After several minutes of looking, Katatsuke said:
"Sorry for dragging you into this mess. If you want to go back, just go."
*But Katatsuke was left confused when he saw the two of them behind him, still searching*
Katatsuke:"Shion…"
Shion:"Enough, shut up. You should've said that back when we were still at the edge of the forest, idiot."
Kharim:"(Katatsuke looks at him) There's no way the two of us would go home without solving your problem, especially if it means going back to school."
Shion:"At this point, what else can we do? We have to find your earring too!"
Kharim nodded without saying anything, simply agreeing with Shion's decision. Because of that, Katatsuke was left stunned by the two of them, until his hands clenched tightly. He continued searching, but this time a surge of anger filled his chest. While searching in that anger, he asked them:
Katatsuke:"You two. Are you really siblings?"
Shion:"Not actually."
Katatsuke:"(slightly surprised) I'm shocked to hear that. Besides, your faces don't look alike at all."
Kharim:"That's how it is."
Katatsuke:"Then why do you carry the Sibalih surname, Kharim?"
Kharim:"Shion and his father asked me to. But because of that, I'm also grateful, since I can live better and properly."
Shion:"The good side is, he taught me magic, how to fight, and I wasn't as lonely in my environment. But the bad side is...(glancing at Kharim with a scowl)...this guy is annoying as hell. He never gives in, always forbids me from things, wears my clothes, and even messes up my bed."
Kharim:"You're the same, troublemaker. You scribble on my books, you throw your clothes onto my bed without folding them, and I'm the one who gets scolded by Auntie for being messy."
Shion:"(annoyed face, teasing Kharim while stepping closer) That's because of you!"
Kharim:"I wouldn't forbid you if I didn't get scolded by Auntie!"
Shion:"Why are you bringing up things that already changed?! You think I'm still messy, huh?!"
Kharim:"(pulling on her sleeve) It's because you're still messy that I can't leave you like before. Besides, you still like throwing your clothes around!"
Shion:"(pulling his sleeve too) Now what?! Want to fight?!"
Kharim:"Yeah, come on!!"
*Because they both lost their temper, their foreheads slammed together as they pushed against each other*
While they were still quarreling, Katatsuke remained silent. Hearing their story only irritated him further, and his hand tightened around the leaves he was holding. As Shion and Kharim continued pressing their foreheads together, Kharim suddenly noticed footprints and pointed at them.
Kharim:"Shion, look."
*Shion pulled his head away from Kharim, and both of them grew serious when they saw the footprints. Shion was startled as well*
Shion:"You're right, big bro. (Calling Katatsuke) Katatsuke, come here."
*Still filled with anger, he walked over to them*
Katatsuke:"What?"
Kharim:"Look. We found footprints."
*Katatsuke's anger vanished the moment he saw them*
Katatsuke:"These footprints are bigger than ours."
Kharim:"Judging by the shape, they belong to an adult."
Shion:"(smiling as she stands) I've decided. How about we follow them?"
Kharim: "Hey, these footprints lead deeper into the forest. Are you sure?"
Katatsuke:"H-hey… but what about my earring?"
Kharim:"There might be a clue about your earring. Maybe someone took it and carried it away."
Shion:"Then we follow this trail. (Looking at Katatsuke) If this person really did take your earring, I'll teach them a lesson for wasting my time—especially since their fault made the three of us skip school."
Katatsuke:"Hhhaahh… fine. Let's follow these footprints."
*They followed the footprints, heading deeper into the forest*
*After following the long trail, they suddenly arrived at a high plain with rolling hills and a vast green field, and the footprints vanished right at the open grassy area*
Shion:"Hey, the trail's gone. What do we do…?! (Looks ahead, stunned) Wow…! I didn't know there were hills in the city center. This is beautiful…!"
*Shion ran ahead into the bright, open field. Kharim and Katatsuke followed, catching up to her excitement*
Katatsuke:"Don't tell me you didn't know there are hills in the city center. Did you think the entire central district was nothing but houses and buildings? Are you some kind of stay-at-home kid or what?"
Kharim:"We're still teenagers. We're not old enough for you to expect us to wander all over R.O.E. Remember that."
While the two of them continued walking, Shion had already gone deeper into the area, practically glowing with excitement. The hills ahead were a bit distant due to how wide the place was, their peaks covered by thick clouds.
Shion:"(still smiling happily) This place is awesome! This could be our camp site! (Looks at Kharim) You agree, right, big bro?!"
Kharim:"I don't know. But from the dorm, this is way too far. Idiot."
As Katatsuke and Shion looked around, Kharim felt something off. He pulled out his small knife and said to them:
"Hey, stay alert. For some reason I feel someone's watching us."
Shion:"(stops and looks at Kharim) What are you talking about? There's clearly no one here besides the three of us."
Katatsuke:"Cchheh, ignore him, Shion. He's bluffing."
Shion:"Yep, you're right."
Kharim:"(annoyed) You two are so stubborn!"
Out of nowhere, a chain with a sharp spike at the end shot toward Shion without her noticing. Kharim, already on guard, rushed forward and blocked it with his Small Knife. Shion seeing Kharim was shocked. She hadn't realized a chain had nearly struck her. Katatsuke was stunned as well.
Shion:"Haahh… You scared me!"
Kharim:"(looking at her irritably) I told you to stay alert, you hardheaded idiot!"
Shion:"(looking as the chain came again) Big bro, behind you!"
The same chain shot back toward them. This time Kharim turned and parried it, but he wasn't strong enough to fully withstand the sudden force. Both he and Shion were thrown back a considerable distance. Katatsuke, once again shocked, shouted:
"You two…!!"
The next attack targeted Katatsuke. He managed to dodge it by leaping back, and the chain was pulled back into the bushes deep within the forest. When Katatsuke looked more closely, he saw a shadowy figure.
Katatsuke:"Damn you! Don't hide while you fight…!!"
A chilling laugh echoed from the shadows as more chains shot upward, startling the three of them. Being the closest, Katatsuke sprinted away just before the sharp chains stabbed into the ground, tearing into the grassy field. Fortunately, he made it back toward the other two unharmed.
Shion:"(shocked) Eeehh…! That's terrifying!"
When the chains were pulled back again, a man's voice rang out loudly, the same one Katatsuke had glimpsed earlier:
"That's right, kid. Fear my power…!!"
*Three chains then shot toward the trio. They managed to dodge, though Shion was shaken and panicked. As the chains were pulled back, the man darted forward with incredible speed, going unnoticed*
When his shadow flashed past Katatsuke's view, the man aimed for Shion. She quickly reacted, drawing her small knife, and narrowly avoided his sudden strike before he disappeared into another patch of bushes.
Katatsuke:"Shion! Are you alright?!"
Shion:"(stands ready) Chhahh… Hhhaahh… Of course I'm not alright."
Kharim:"Stay alert, Shion. This guy's fighting from the shadows."
Shion:"I know."
*While they watched the last spot where the man had moved, Katatsuke reacted first—he saw the man's silhouette sprinting through the darker part of the forest*
Katatsuke:"(pointing at the silhouette) There! He's the one who tried to hurt Shion earlier!"
Kharim saw it too, and without hesitation, threw his small knife. Unexpectedly, the man vanished like the wind as soon as the knife grazed him. And then without warning, the man who had attacked Shion appeared right behind the three of them. By the time they realized, they had no chance to turn around. He kicked Shion so hard she was sent flying. The three of them panicked as the man appeared out of nowhere.
Kharim:"Shion!"
But in an instant, two of the man's chains wrapped tightly around Kharim's and Katatsuke's necks, and he pulled them short, leaving the two of them hanging. The man wore a black hat and an open jacket revealing a six-packed torso covered in slash marks. His hair was somewhat long, slightly wavy, and he constantly wore a wicked grin that showed his teeth.
*Kharim and Katatsuke struggled desperately to free themselves from the chains strangling them*
Kharim:"(in his mind: "So fast! I didn't even notice him behind us! But how did he get there?!")
Eeeeggh… Let go!!"
Katatsuke:"Damn…!! (pounding the chains repeatedly) Who are you?!"
*The man paused for a moment, still grinning, then spoke*
The man:"Who…? Go ahead and guess. If you really want to know, I can give you a hint. I'm someone you know. Someone familiar to you.."
Katatsuke:"What are you talking about?! I don't understand! (in his mind: "Damn it… Why did we have to run into him when my earring is missing?")"
*While Katatsuke and Kharim were trapped, Shion slowly pushed herself up, gripping both her kunai tightly*
Shion:"Hey big guy!"
*The man turned toward Shion, who pointed her kunai forward*
Shion:"Put my friends down right now! Or you're in serious trouble!"
Kharim:"(eyes widening as he looks at her) Shion…"
The man couldn't contain it, he suddenly burst into loud laughter laughing for quite a while. After that, he said:
"You're just a kid alone. You think I'm scared? But wait… aren't you the child of King Orion? Interesting. I could take you all hostage, but money isn't something that interests me."
Shion:"Then what does interest you?"
The man:"(goes quiet briefly, still smiling) Who knows…? Try figuring it out yourself."
Shion:"(in her mind) His body is huge… can I even fight him? No, don't think about that. As long as I can stand against him, that's enough."
*Shion glared even more sharply at the man. She had no choice now but to fight him the large, unknown man standing before them*