The last class ended, and I planned to escape home as fast as possible—
no drama, no mission, no mandatory moment.
But as usual…
my life was no longer mine.
In front of the classroom, Anto's gang was already standing there, holding notes.
Tey sighed like a celebrity manager.
"Alright. Today's target: Moment 12 — Walking Home Together."
I shook my head immediately.
"No."
Kane opened his notebook.
"Relax. Just walking together. Natural."
Tian added, "Even cats can walk together."
I stared at him.
"Cats don't have a gang forcing them."
Tian froze.
"…Fair point."
Anto then stepped out of the classroom, hair a total mess.
"Huh? Walking together? Now? Why didn't I get a briefing first?!"
Tey patted his shoulder.
"To, this is supposed to be natural. Since when does 'natural' come with a briefing?"
Anto groaned.
"I need to prepare myself mentally first…"
I covered my face.
🚪 At the School Gate
I was just about to leave when someone called softly.
"Rina."
I turned around.
Adrian.
Of course.
"If you want… I can walk you to the main road," he said calmly, like it was the most normal offer in the world.
I gave a small nod.
"Okay."
And just as I was about to walk with Adrian—
the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind.
Anto.
I turned.
He stood stiff, eyes flicking between me and Adrian.
The situation was painfully awkward.
I was about to say something, but Anto moved first.
He walked quickly toward me—
and with an expression far too confident for someone whose heart was clearly breaking,
he suddenly stepped beside me…
…and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
I froze.
"Anto…?"
Anto flashed a smile—about 300% fake.
"YEAH, RINAAAA~
You're walking home with MEEE, right?"
His voice was weirdly soft… like a dangdut singer who skipped vocal practice.
I wanted to scream.
Adrian stared at us.
Completely confused.
But still polite.
Anto continued his performance.
"Oh—sorry, Adrian… Rina usually walks home with me. We're, like… super close, right Rin?"
I glared at him.
"Anto. Your hand. Put it down."
"Huh? Oh—yeah—yeah—SORRY—"
He quickly lifted his hands like he'd just been caught by the police.
From afar, his gang exploded in silent chaos.
Tey whispered to Kane,
"Even if it wasn't elegant… the effort was impressive."
Kane nodded while writing.
"We'll call this: Fake Affection Moment. Done."
Tian covered his mouth to keep from laughing.
Anto looked at me, his face a total mess of emotions.
"I just… uh… wanted to make sure you're safe. Walking home together… you know…"
I sighed.
"Anto… you don't need to pretend like that.
Honestly, it just makes things more embarrassing."
Anto scratched his head frantically.
"OH COME ON—SO I MESSED UP AGAIN, DIDN'T I?!"
Adrian finally spoke.
"Rina… who do you want to walk home with?
Me is fine. Anto is fine too.
I'll follow whatever you choose."
His voice was gentle.
Not pushy.
Not loud.
I looked at Adrian.
Then at Anto.
Both of them were waiting.
Anto's gang, hiding behind some bushes, froze like statues.
And somehow…
I felt confused.
Not about who to walk home with.
But because Anto… was really trying.
In his stupid way.
But still… trying.
In the end, I said,
"I'll go home alone.
Neither of you needs to come."
Anto and Adrian fell silent.
Anto spoke first.
"O-oh… okay… be careful."
Adrian gave a small nod.
"Alright. Let me know if you need anything."
I walked away.
But my heart felt strange.
As I got farther, I could still hear—
Tey: "To… you looked like a soap opera actor who only memorized half the script."
Tian: "But it was kinda cute. Like a baby chick trying to follow its mother but getting lost."
Anto let out a long sigh.
"I… don't even understand why I did that."
And I…
for some reason,
felt a faint trembling I couldn't quite understand.