That morning I walked into class feeling… complicated.
After yesterday's "jealous math homework girl" incident, I realized one thing:
I like Anto.
Completely.
Not halfway.
But to say it out loud?
HAHA.
NO.
I still have my pride.
My body, though?
Apparently didn't attend the same meeting as my brain.
❤️🔥 Rina Accidentally Acts Sweet
As soon as I sat down, Anto was about to yell his usual "MORNING RINAAA!!" —
but I spoke first, softly:
"Morning, Anto."
Anto froze.
Literally froze.
Like a wax statue at Madame Tussauds.
He stared at me for five full seconds without blinking.
Then slowly held his chest.
"I… am I hallucinating?
Did you… just say my name… sweetly?"
I rolled my eyes.
"That was just… a normal greeting."
Anto grabbed his chair, trembling.
"Rina… don't do that… my heart is weak…"
I sighed.
"Sit."
He sat.
But dropped onto the chair because he panicked too hard.
His gang immediately went into chaotic happiness.
Tian: "YES, MISSION RINA FALLING IN LOVE: 80%!"
Tey waved at an imaginary camera.
Juke recorded everything.
Kane noted: "Anto half fainted."
Anto whispered,
"I want to cry from happiness…"
I covered my face.
🥤 Break Time — Anto Becomes a Lovestruck Robot
Eli and I went to the cafeteria.
Anto followed…
five steps behind…
like a personal bodyguard.
"To. Why are you following from that far?"
"I… need to keep distance… so I don't explode if you act sweet again…"
"What does that even mean…"
Anto held his chest.
"MY HEART IS WEAK NOW, RINA."
I chuckled softly.
Which made things worse.
"OH MY GOD SHE SMILED!! I… I NEED A DRINK!!!"
He drank too fast, coughed, nearly choked.
Eli muttered,
"Your boy is getting worse."
"He is NOT my boy."
Eli glanced sideways.
"But you like him."
"I—shhh!"
💥 Anto's Gang: Mission 5 Begins
Tey brought a small board.
It read:
Mission 5: Anto Gets Closer Without Being Obvious
So Rina wouldn't feel like Anto's love was attacking her again,
Anto had to approach… gently.
(which was obviously impossible)
Tian gave instructions:
"To. Be gentle.
Close… but not cringe."
Anto nodded.
"Okay. Close but not cringe."
He stepped toward me—
and dropped his food tray on the floor.
BAM!
Everyone stared.
I closed my eyes.
"To. That was cringe."
"I tried to be gentle but my legs… aren't gentle…"
💗 Rina Shows Care (For the First Time)
Anto crouched, picking up his food with a sad expression.
Without thinking, I crouched to help him.
Anto froze again.
"Rina… you're… helping me?"
"I mean… I can't just leave you looking like a lost child."
Anto held a fallen spoon, staring at me like I was an angel descending from heaven.
"Rina…"
"What?"
"You're… really kind today…"
I stood quickly.
"We have class after this."
Anto stared at the hand I had just touched.
"Should I photocopy my hand…?"
"ANTO!!!"
⚡ Adrian Appears — And Almost Starts a Disaster
Adrian walked into the cafeteria, seeing Anto and me crouching together earlier.
He approached.
"Rina, are you okay?
I saw you helping Anto."
I smiled faintly.
"Yeah, he dropped his food."
Adrian sat down for a moment.
"Rina… I want to ask something."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Adrian looked at me quietly, his gaze serious.
"Your relationship with Anto…
is it real?"
Anto instantly stood straight like a fire alarm.
"WE AR—"
I quickly covered his mouth.
"Anto. Quiet."
Adrian watched that.
"That's even stranger," he said softly.
I grew nervous.
My heart pounded.
"Why are you asking that?"
Adrian took a breath.
"I heard a rumor…
about a bet."
JLEB.
My heart dropped to my shoes.
Anto went pale like he might faint.
Eli stopped chewing.
Tey dropped her phone.
Tian: "WHO LEAKED IT???"
Kane: "MISSION FAILED."
Adrian looked at me deeply.
"Rina… if you're being pushed around by someone, you have to tell me."
I swallowed hard.
"I… I—"
Before I could answer, a teacher called Adrian from the door.
"Adrian, OSIS meeting."
Adrian stood up.
"Please think about your answer.
I'm worried."
He left.
Anto collapsed into his seat.
"I… WANT TO DIE…"
🌸 Rina Realizes Anto Is… Important
After school, I walked home alone.
Adrian's words echoed.
A bet.
Being controlled.
I held the plastic flower inside my bag.
Gripping it tightly.
I know Anto made that bet not as a joke.
He panicked.
He was afraid to lose.
He… likes me.
And I…
oh God…
I do too.
I covered my face with my hands.
"What if I'm too late to say it…?"
My heart was a mess.