That morning, I walked into class and immediately knew something bad was about to happen.
How?
Because the four idiots (Tey, Tian, Juke, and Kane) were sitting in a circle like some sort of cult, complete with notebooks.
Anto was sitting in the middle of them, his face looking half-terrified and half-resigned.
I approached slowly.
"What are you guys doing...?"
Tey stood up dramatically.
"Rina!"
"We... have created something."
Tian held up the notebook. Kane flipped to a specific page. Juke started playing dramatic background music from his phone.
Written on the page was:
TOP SECRET MISSION: OPERATION ROMANTIC 001 — GET RINA CLOSER
I felt an immediate headache coming on.
"To... what is this?"
Anto raised his hand like an elementary school student.
"I—I had nothing to do with the planning! They forced me!"
Tey hugged Anto. "This is all for the sake of your first love, To..."
I glared. "FIRST WHAT?!"
Anto fumbled over his words instantly. "Eh—eh—they heard wrong! Not love! Not first! Not me!"
Kane whispered softly, "Note: Anto is in stage-four denial."
🎯 Mission 1: Offering the Most Nonsensical HelpTey read the mission prologue:
"Step One: Anto must offer help with whatever Rina is doing, even if Rina doesn't need help at all."
I stood up immediately. "DON'T YOU DARE!"
Too late.
Anto stood up straight as a board.
"Rina! Do you want me to carry your bag?!"
Me: "No."
"Your books?!"
"No."
"Your water bottle?!"
"No."
"Your soul??"
"NOOOOO!!"
Tian laughed so hard he fell off his chair.
🎯 Mission 2: The Romantic Chair (Total Fail)When class was about to start, Tey gave a hand signal. Anto immediately started touching my chair.
"To, what are you doing?"
"I'm... making sure your chair is soft."
"It's WOOD, Anto."
"I know..."
He patted my chair, sat in it himself, stood back up, then patted it again as if he were prepping a hotel mattress.
I wanted to vanish into thin air.
🎯 Mission 3: The Romantic Interlude (Pure Cringe)During break, we were at the canteen. I was just about to sit down—
Anto slammed his hand onto the seat of the chair.
"To. WHAT."
"Please, sit here... in the chair... that I have... personally... warmed up for you..."
I nearly died of embarrassment. Eli started coughing while trying to stifle a laugh.
"Rin... if you marry him later... your life will be a constant comedy show."
"I want to die before the wedding."
💥 Rina Almost Leaves — The Gang PanicsWhen it was time to switch classes, I stood up. The "Anto Squad" panicked.
"She's leaving!"
"Anto, quick! Emergency protocol!!"
"Action! Action!!"
Anto literally sprinted toward me like a character in an anime.
"Rina!! Don't go!!"
I glared at him. "To... I'm just going to the toilet."
"Huh? O-oh..." He turned beet red. "Okay then, be careful... don't fall..."
"I'm just going to pee."
"You can do it! I believe in you!"
"ANTOOO!!!"
Everyone in the hallway burst out laughing.
🌸 But... To Be Honest... I'm HappyWhen I got back to class, Anto was sitting upright, staring at the door with a worried expression. The second I appeared, he looked immensely relieved. Like a lost puppy finding its owner.
"To, I only went to the toilet. I wasn't missing in action."
"But... you were gone so long..."
"IT WAS ONLY THREE MINUTES!"
"I was scared you fainted... or... fell in love with someone else..."
I almost choked.
"Anto... I was just peeing."
His face turned crimson. "Still..."
And strangely... there was a warm feeling in my chest. Something like... comfort.
Weird. But comfortable.
Dammit.
📘 After School — A Little Bit of AdrianOn the way out, Adrian walked by and waved.
"Rina! If you have time tomorrow, I wanted to ask about the homework. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
Anto immediately stood tall like a bodyguard.
"I CAN ALSO HELP WITH HOMEWORK!!"
Adrian gave a subtle smile. "I wasn't asking you, To."
Anto recoiled as if he'd been shot. I suppressed a small laugh. Anto looked at me like a child abandoned by his parents.
"Rin... why did you smile at him..."
"I didn't smile!"
"Yes, you DID!"
"I... I was just choking on air."
Anto looked even sadder.
❤️ Rina Goes Home with a Strange FeelingOn the walk home, I thought about today.
Anto is tacky. Anto is extra. Anto is jealous.
But all of it... made me... smile.
"What is wrong with me... how can I feel comfortable with an idiot like him..."
I covered my face.
Dammit.
This is bad.
Or... is it?