Monday morning, the classroom buzzed with chatter as students swapped weekend stories. Siti sat at her desk, her bag still heavy with the new games she hadn't finished exploring. She couldn't wait to tell someone about her next choice.
Asmawati plopped into the chair beside her, sipping on a packet of iced Milo. "So, how was your weekend, gamer girl?" she teased with a grin.
Siti smiled shyly. "I… played Mortal Kombat 11 for the first time. I really like Mileena. I practiced with her a lot."
"Good choice," Asmawati said, nodding. "She's fierce. But… let me guess—you didn't touch Fatal Frame yet, right?"
Siti laughed nervously. "Not yet. I'll play it… someday. When I'm ready."
Asmawati smirked knowingly. "Scaredy-cat."
Ignoring the jab, Siti leaned closer, her voice filled with quiet excitement. "But I think… I want to play Kena: Bridge of Spirits next."
Her friend raised an eyebrow. "Kena? The cute one with the little black creatures?"
"Yes!" Siti's eyes sparkled. "I like how Kena looks so cute and kind. And the Rot… they're adorable. I feel like it'll be fun, like going on a magical journey instead of something scary."
Asmawati chuckled, shaking her head. "You really went from deadly ninjas and ghosts to… fluffy creatures. But hey, that's the fun of gaming. Every world is different."
Siti hugged her notebook against her chest, smiling. "Exactly. I think Kena's world will make me happy. Like a storybook come to life."
The teacher walked in, and the students scrambled back to their seats, but Siti's mind was already far away—imagining herself walking beside tiny spirit companions, solving puzzles, and exploring forests that glowed with magic.
For the first time, she wasn't just chasing challenges. She was chasing joy.