This morning, I woke up with one resolution:
"I… will be more honest with Anto today."
But of course, life said:
"HAHA NO. PLEASE SUFFER AGAIN."
❤️🔥 Rina Greets Anto in a Way That Shocks the Entire Class
I walked into class.
Anto was already there, tying his shoelaces, his hair slightly messy, looking…
adorable.
I took a breath.
Then called him.
"To…"
He turned instantly.
"Yeah??!"
I smiled softly.
"Your hair's messy. Come here."
I fixed his hair.
With my hand.
THE WHOLE CLASS FROZE.
Anto's gang fell off their chairs.
Eli shouted, "SHE TOUCHED HIS HAIRRR!!"
Anto didn't move.
At all.
"Rin…"
his voice was barely a whisper.
"Don't do this… I might… lose consciousness…"
I chuckled.
"It's just hair."
"For me… it's not just hair…"
I gently pushed his head away.
"You idiot."
📚 Library Scene — A Romantic Moment That Was Almost Perfect
I needed to borrow a book, so I went to the library.
Anto followed… pretending he wasn't following me.
He walked two steps behind me.
Like a bodyguard, but awkward.
"To, if you want to come… just come normally."
"I'm… not following…"
"You're peeking from behind bookshelves."
Anto quickly stood straight.
"I just happen to… like this shelf…"
"This shelf is basic biology."
"Yeah! I like… the basics… of life…"
I covered my face.
📘 Another Almost Hand-Holding Moment
I stood by a tall shelf.
The book I wanted was on the very top.
I tiptoed.
Still couldn't reach.
Anto quickly stepped forward.
"Let me—"
He grabbed the book easily.
Height is useful after all.
The book slipped toward me.
I almost lost my balance.
Anto instinctively caught my shoulder.
For a few seconds…
his hand
rested on my shoulder.
Close.
Warm.
I froze.
Anto froze too.
"Y-your hand—"
"Oh—sorry!!"
He pulled away immediately like he'd touched fire.
We both stepped back.
Both blushing.
"Th-thanks…" I whispered.
"You're welcome…"
his voice cracked.
Anto's gang appeared from behind the shelves, taking notes.
Tey: "CHEMISTRY! CHEMISTRY!!!"
Tian made fireworks sounds.
Kane almost screamed.
Juke recorded.
I threw a book at them.
⚠️ Adrian Appears — Bringing a New Clue
In the hallway, I walked out of the library holding my book.
Adrian approached from the opposite direction.
"Rina."
He smiled.
"Hi, Adrian."
"I wanted to ask… is this yours?"
He showed…
A PIECE OF PAPER.
That paper.
The "Mandatory Dating Moments" checklist from Anto's gang.
My blood ran cold.
"Who… dropped this?"
"It fell from someone in your class. I didn't see who."
I PANICKED.
But forced a smile.
"It's… nothing really."
Adrian looked at me sharply.
"Rina… I think there's something you're hiding."
My heart almost stopped.
Suddenly Anto appeared and snatched the paper from Adrian.
"THAT PAPER IS…
FOR…
A CLASS GAME!!"
"What game?" Adrian asked.
Anto froze.
"…a game…
about fake… dating…
I mean—no—"
I grabbed Anto and pulled him away.
"To!! Don't talk!!"
Adrian watched us.
His eyes growing more suspicious.
💥 After School — Rina Almost Confesses
After school, I walked slowly.
Anto appeared beside me.
"Rina… sorry… I keep embarrassing you…"
I looked at him.
He walked with his bag slung over one shoulder, hair slightly messy, his expression so warm.
And suddenly…
I wanted to say something.
"To…"
He turned instantly.
"Yeah?! WHAT?!"
"If I tell you something…
don't run away, okay?"
Anto swallowed.
"I-I promise…"
I took a breath.
"To… I think… I—"
"WOOYYY ANTOOOO!!!"
His gang appeared from behind, carrying martabak.
"Free martabak! For tonight's meeting!"
I froze.
Anto screamed,
"WHY NOWWWWW?!"
The gang stood there awkwardly.
Tey said,
"Are we interrupting something?"
I ran straight into my house.
My face burning.
🌸 Rina Finally Admits It — But Only to Herself
In my room, I sat on my bed.
Covering my face.
So close.
I almost said it.
"I like you, Anto…"
I rolled around on the mattress.
"ARGHHH WHY DID MARTABAK HAVE TO ENTER THE FRAME!!!"
But I smiled.
Because even though I failed…
somehow…
I felt like
I was one step closer.