I thought after yesterday's cafeteria drama, today would be calmer.
Turns out, I was wrong.
Since morning, something felt… off.
Maybe it was the flying tofu incident.
Maybe Anto's strange stare last night.
Or Adrian suddenly asking seriously about "our relationship."
Either way, I came to school with my head full of question marks.
Eli immediately nudged me.
"You're thinking about Adrian, aren't you?"
I went quiet.
Eli raised an eyebrow. "Or… Anto?"
I started coughing instantly.
"Eli. Please. Don't say that so loudly."
She rolled her eyes. "So it is one of them."
I covered my face with my book.
Oh God.
—
🏐 Volleyball, Idiocy, and Unadmitted Jealousy
Today was PE class.
The weather was scorching.
Strong winds.
And my luck… terrible as always.
Because the moment I stepped onto the court—
ANTOOOOO was already there, wearing the most embarrassing outfit imaginable:
– a neon headband
– rainbow-colored wristbands
– a sports shirt with "GO RINA!" written in marker
– a water bottle covered in heart stickers
– and a poorly made DIY pink bracelet
I grabbed my face immediately.
"To… why are you dressed like that?"
He snapped his fingers like a perfume commercial model.
"This… is the style of an athlete in love, Rinaaa~"
"What kind of style is that?!"
"A style… to steal your attention!"
"Anto… I want to focus on the game."
"Then focus on… me~"
I really wanted to throw my shoe at his face.
—
🏐 The Match Begins — Anto Is Ready to Cause Chaos
We were on the same team.
The teacher blew the whistle.
Anto stood way too close behind me.
"To, move."
"Why? I need to be close in case you fall—"
"I'm playing volleyball, not doing acrobatics."
"But you fall a lot…"
"Anto."
"…into my heart."
I stepped on his foot.
—
🏐 The Disaster Smash
The opposing team served hard.
I got into position.
The ball flew straight toward me.
I stepped forward—
and Anto suddenly jumped like a budget superhero.
"To! Don't—!"
BAM.
Anto smashed the ball way too hard.
It bounced straight into Juke's face.
Juke fell.
Tey laughed so hard he started coughing.
Kane wrote down:
"Anto's smash = casualties."
The PE teacher screamed,
"SUBAGJA!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Anto grinned proudly.
"Saving my lo—"
"SILENCE AND BACK TO YOUR POSITION!"
—
🏐 Rina Almost Falls — and Anto Does Something Stupid Again
Next round, I chased a low ball.
My foot slipped.
I almost fell.
Before I even hit the ground—
ANTOOOO jumped and lifted me in a full princess carry.
"RINAA! I CAUGHT YOU!"
"ANTOOOO PUT ME DOWN!"
Instead, he spun slightly like some terrible waltz.
The entire court screamed—half laughing, half horrified.
The PE teacher blew the whistle endlessly.
"SUBAGJAAAA!!! PUT HER DOWN!!"
Anto lowered me carefully.
"I… was scared you'd fall…"
"I almost fell BECAUSE of you!"
Anto nodded slowly.
"…yeah, that's true."
—
🥤 Break Time — The Cafeteria Where Love & Chaos Meet
After PE, we showered and changed clothes.
Break time.
Eli and I sat in the cafeteria.
I was about to eat—
when suddenly our table shook as someone stopped way too hard.
ANTOOOO arrived carrying a tray full of DRINKS.
There were:
– orange juice
– iced tea
– mineral water
– yogurt
– and one random jelly cup
"To… why so many?!"
Anto sat way too close.
"I was worried you'd get dehydrated… after PE… after almost falling… after I saved you… after—"
I covered his mouth with my hand.
"YOUR MOUTH doesn't need exercise too."
Eli laughed.
"Anto is basically a walking dispenser."
—
💥 Adrian Appears (LOGICAL, NATURAL)
completely unaware of the volleyball chaos
Adrian passed by the cafeteria with his friends.
He noticed me.
He came closer.
"Rina? Have you eaten?"
I nodded.
Anto immediately slid closer like a broken automatic door.
"She's had THREE drinks! I made sure! She's healthy! BRIGHT! SOFT!—WAIT NOT—"
I kicked his leg.
Adrian laughed softly.
"You two are funny."
I started coughing again.
Anto froze.
"FU-FU-FUNNY?! US?! TOGETHER?!"
I pressed my palm to my face.
"Anto. Stop."
Adrian smiled gently at me.
"If you ever want to study together, let me know."
I nodded.
Adrian walked away.
Anto collapsed onto his chair like half his soul had left his body.
"I'm… emotionally threatened…"
—
❤️ Rina Gets Confused Again… Because Anto Is Ridiculous
I looked at Anto.
He gulped his drink and muttered,
"Why does that guy talk to you so gently… I need to do push-ups again… to be cooler…"
He started doing push-ups.
On the cafeteria floor.
Between lunch tables.
Tian: "TOOOO STOP! THIS IS A CAFETERIA, NOT A GYM!"
Tey: "Careful, you'll get emotionally exhausted."
Kane wrote: "Anto = acute jealousy level."
I covered my face.
Why is my life like this…
Why am I not truly angry…
Why are my cheeks warm…
Why is my heart—
oh my god.
Eli looked at me while sipping her drink.
"You like Anto."
"I DO NOT."
"Yes, you do."
"I—"
"YOU.
DO."
I rested my head on the table.
And deep down, I knew—
Eli was right.
But I wasn't ready to admit it yet.