After school, I walked fast—almost running.
Not because I wanted to get home quickly, but because I could no longer hold all of this inside.
When Anto walked out of the classroom with his bag slung over his shoulder, I grabbed the collar of his uniform.
"Anto. We need to talk. Now."
He flinched.
"Hey—what now, Rin? Haven't we already passed this week's mandatory moment?"
"I want to CANCEL it. I'm done with that insane agreement."
Anto froze.
"WHAT? No. You can't. We're not allowed."
I gripped his arm, my voice shaking.
"I'm exhausted, To! They've turned me into a joke! Every single day I'm laughed at by the whole class! I can't take it anymore!"
Worry crossed Anto's face.
But he still shook his head.
"Rin… if we cancel, we have to pay the class dinner penalty. It's written in Article 9. That's expensive, you know."
"I don't care! My mental health is falling apart!"
"But I care! I don't have that kind of money!"
I clenched my teeth.
"Just come with me. We're finding Tey. We're ending this. Now."
"Rina, don't—"
"I said COME!"
I dragged him toward the field.
Anto followed, looking like someone walking to an execution.
---
🏀 Basketball Court
Tey, Kane, and a few other guys were playing basketball.
Sweat, laughter, shouting—they all looked free.
Meanwhile, it felt like the world was pressing down on my chest.
"Tey!" I shouted.
They stopped playing. Tey spun the ball on his finger, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, well. The school's favorite couple has arrived."
"Don't start," I snapped. "We're cancelling the agreement. Now."
Kane nearly choked on his drink.
"What? Cancel?!"
Anto lowered his head. "…Rin forced me."
Tey studied me for a moment, then let out a short laugh.
"You're funny, Rin. That contract was approved by the entire class. We can't just cancel it."
"WHY NOT?!" I exploded.
The entire court froze.
I clenched the edge of my blazer tightly.
"That agreement ruined my life. Every day I get stared at, photographed without permission, gossiped about. DO YOU KNOW HOW EXHAUSTING IT IS TO BE ME?!"
Tey lowered the ball.
His voice wasn't playful anymore.
"Rin… we were just going along with the class. Everyone's excited. If you cancel, the whole class will be disappointed. They're already waiting for your daily updates."
"UPDATES?!" I nearly screamed.
"We're not a TV drama! I'm not a celebrity! I just… I just want to live normally!"
Kane stepped closer, his face unsure.
"Rin… it's not just about expectations. If it's cancelled, you'll have to pay for a class dinner. We don't want that to become your burden."
Anto blurted out before I could speak.
"See?! That's what I said—expensive! Please don't, Rin!"
I closed my eyes.
My breathing grew heavy.
My throat burned.
My chest felt tight.
For the first time… I felt defeated.
"So… there's no way out?" I asked quietly.
Tey looked at me—not mocking, not joking—just… pity.
"One more month, Rin. Just one month. After that, it's over. We promise."
I looked at Anto.
He looked incredibly guilty, but still didn't dare to come closer.
I let out a long breath.
Then suddenly, I laughed softly.
A hollow, empty laugh.
"One more month, huh…"
I looked up at the evening sky.
"I'm not sure I can survive that long."
Anto stepped closer, slowly.
"Rin… I—I'll help you. I'll tone things down. I promise I won't embarrass you anymore."
I looked at him calmly—coldly.
"Anto… the problem isn't just you. It's all of this."
I gestured to the court, the class, the school, the chaos of my life.
Everything felt heavy.
So unbearably heavy.
"Rin…" Anto called softly.
But I was already walking away.
I needed distance—from all of it.
From school.
From the noise.
From that stupid agreement.
From feelings I didn't even understand myself.
Because that day…
I truly felt like I was about to fall.