After yesterday's cafeteria drama, today I hoped things would finally be normal.
Of course not.
The moment I walked into class, Anto's gang was already gathered in the back, whispering with suspicious expressions.
Tey was the loudest, as usual.
Tian laughed while tapping the desk.
Kane was writing something.
Juke held his phone like a reporter chasing breaking news.
And Anto?
Anto sat there with his head down…
restless…
like a chicken waiting for slaughter.
I knew something was wrong.
🔥 Rina's Suspicion — Anto Gets Weirder
I sat down.
Anto immediately straightened up, as if he'd just forgotten all his past sins.
"GOOOOD MORNING, RINAAAA~!!!!"
His shrill voice shattered the air.
I glared at him.
"Why are you yelling? We're literally two meters apart."
"I'm just… overly happy… because you're here… no wait—because the sun is shining—no wait—WHATEVER—I'M NERVOUS!!"
I took a deep breath.
Something was definitely off.
🍙 Break Time — His Gang Starts Leaking
I went to the cafeteria with Eli.
Anto and his gang followed from a distance… like secret agents, but the low-budget village version.
We sat down.
Anto sat right next to me—way too close. I could practically count his eyelashes.
"To… move a little."
"Why? Afraid you'll fall for me?"
He grinned.
"I'm afraid my food will fall onto your shirt."
"Oh… yeah, that too."
He scooted over.
Half a centimeter.
I smacked my own forehead.
💣 The Moment Begins
Tey tried to throw a fried snack into Tian's mouth (and failed).
Then he said,
"Rin, do you actually know the real reason why that bet was made—"
Anto panicked instantly.
"TEY!!! DON'T!!"
Tey shrugged.
"Rina deserves to know. This is the right time."
Anto covered Tey's ears.
"NOOOOO!! YOU SHUT UP!!!"
I frowned.
"What is it?"
The entire gang exchanged glances.
Kane opened his notebook.
"This is about… why that bet even existed."
Anto lunged for the notebook.
"NOOOO!!!"
But Kane was faster.
"Anto made that bet because—"
Anto covered Kane's mouth with one hand and Tey's with the other.
"STOP!!
THIS IS STATE-LEVEL CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION!!!
TOP SECRET!!!"
Tian and Juke panicked on their own.
"TOOO let go! We're allowed to talk!"
"Don't silence the democracy of love!!"
I stared at them, exhausted.
"Anto. Why are you panicking?"
Anto smiled stiffly.
"Panicking?? Me?? No—no! This is just… warming up my love muscles—uh—neck muscles—uh—what am I saying—I'M SWEATING."
"You've been sweaty the whole time, To."
"That's… evaporating love."
I wanted to throw my plate of fried snacks.
💥 One Leak Slips Out
While Anto was busy silencing two people at once,
Tian suddenly spoke up casually,
"The point is… the bet was made because Anto was afraid he'd lose to—"
Anto screamed,
"TIAN!!! SHUT UP!!!"
Too late.
I blinked.
"Lose to who?"
Anto's gang froze instantly.
Tey, Tian, Juke, Kane—everyone stopped moving like wax statues.
Anto froze harder than a convenience store freezer.
I glared.
"To…
lose to… WHO?"
Anto opened his mouth.
"I… I… I—"
He swallowed.
"…I need to go to the bathroom."
And then he ran.
RAN.
As fast as a human could while experiencing extreme panic.
Eli and I stared at each other.
Eli raised an eyebrow.
"Lose to someone?
Don't tell me… Adrian."
I slammed my spoon on the table.
"ELI!!!"
📚 After School — Rina Meets Adrian (Normal and Logical)
After school, I ran into Adrian in the hallway in front of the library.
"Rina. Do you have a moment?"
I nodded.
"You said yesterday you wanted to ask about homework?"
I nodded again.
He smiled gently.
"If you need help… or if you want to talk about Anto… you can tell me."
My heart stopped for a split second.
I tried to stay calm.
"Why is everyone talking about Anto today…"
Adrian looked at me quietly.
"Maybe because… he's afraid of losing you."
Thump.
I froze.
Adrian added softly,
"If he ever makes you tired, tell me."
I nodded slowly.
❤️ Rina Gets More Confused (And It's Annoying)
At home, I kept thinking about one thing.
What Tian said.
What Adrian said.
Anto's panic.
That stupid bet.
Losing the competition.
Who else could it be, if not…
I buried my face into a pillow.
"Don't tell me… all of this is because of me…"
Ugh.
My heart was noisy.
My head was loud.
And I was… catching feelings.
Damn it.