The next day, I came to school with my mind all over the place.
For some reason…
last night, I kept thinking about that crazy scene in the study room.
Not the chemistry lesson.
Not Tey.
Not Juke's tripod that almost hit my head.
But…
Anto.
More specifically, Anto's expression when Adrian sat next to me.
It was funny…
weird…
and just a little—
just a little—
JEALOUS.
But maybe I was imagining things.
Maybe he was just hungry.
Anto often messes up his expressions like that.
I shook my head quickly.
"Rin, don't hallucinate. Focus on school, not drama."
I opened my locker.
And suddenly—
"BOO!"
"AAAAAA—ANTO!!!"
I almost threw my book straight at his face.
Anto jumped back, laughing his head off.
"HAHAHA! Look at that! Rina's cheerful again!!"
I glared at him.
"CHEERFUL BECAUSE OF WHO, HUH?!"
Anto winked.
"BECAUSE OF ME, OF COURSE!"
I wanted to lock myself inside the locker.
🤦♀️ Anto's Weird Signs
Anto followed me to class like an overly talkative shadow.
He:
walked way too close
smiled to himself
kept sneaking glances, then pretended to stare at the ceiling
and talked nonstop the whole way
"Did you have a nice dream again?"
"Why are your cheeks red?"
"Are you… sick? Or happy?"
I stopped walking.
"Anto. You're WEIRD."
Anto froze.
"Weird how?? I'm totally normal!"
"Normal my foot. You look like you're being electrocuted 24 hours a day."
Anto touched his own cheek.
"Huh? Really?"
I was about to say yes, very, but—
Tey suddenly popped up beside us like a small monster.
"Oh my goooosh! Look at this!! They're walking together!"
She immediately started recording.
Juke appeared next, wearing his fake sweet smile.
"Hey, Rina, Anto… you two are getting closer, huh~"
Me: "HUH??"
Anto: "HUH?? WHAT'S HAPPENING??"
Tian, chewing on his bread, casually said,
"See? I told you. Yesterday's jealousy worked."
I choked on my saliva.
Anto instantly went angry-embarrassed.
"HEY! I WAS NOT JEALOUS!"
But his voice cracked way too high.
The gang:
"YAAAAA YOU WERE JEEEALOUS~"
Anto's ears turned bright red.
I looked away.
For some reason…
seeing Anto's red ears…
…was kind of cute.
Just a little.
🌤️ Adrian Appears — Again
As we reached the classroom entrance…
Adrian walked out, holding some books.
"Morning, Rina."
I jolted.
"M-Morning!" I replied—too fast, too enthusiastic.
Anto froze like the Statue of Liberty.
Completely stiff.
Adrian smiled kindly.
"Did you understand the material yesterday? If you want, I can explain the next chapter during break."
I smiled immediately.
"Sure! I mea— I mean… yes— that'd be great!"
Anto inhaled air like he was choking.
His gang started whispering like gossip reporters.
Tey: "Ooooh, that's a tough rival."
Tian: "Anto's about to melt."
Kane: "This is Moment 12: love triangle drama."
Juke: "Let's make a BOOK just for this drama."
Anto finally realized everyone was staring at him.
Suddenly, he stepped forward and patted his chest hard.
"Hi, Adrian."
His smile was painfully forced.
"FYI, I can explain lessons too, you know."
Adrian smiled politely.
"Oh? That's great."
I stared at Anto.
"ANTOOO… YOU CAN'T EVEN STUDY PROPERLY."
Anto immediately pouted like a soaked kitten.
"Hmph! I'm trying, okay…"
His gang burst out laughing.
"Awww, Anto's trying for Rinaaaa!"
I wanted to scream at the sky.
📌 The Gang Gets the Wrong Idea Even More
After Adrian left, Anto's gang surrounded him immediately.
Tey patted his shoulder.
"GOOD JOB, TO! You blocked Adrian's charm with… uh… whatever that was, but it was CUTE!"
Tian nodded seriously.
"I see the seeds of love."
Kane wrote furiously.
"Moment 12: Anto jealous 2.0 and still in denial."
Anto screamed.
"I'M NOT IN DENIAL!!"
Juke shouted back,
"If not denial, then what is it?"
Anto opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"THAT'S JUST… uh… heat! It's hot, okay?!"
Even though the school AC was blasting.
I couldn't help it—I laughed softly.
Anto looked up.
"You… laughed?"
He looked a little mesmerized.
I quickly turned away.
"I DID NOT! YOU'RE SEEING THINGS!"
Anto suddenly smiled wide—pure, clueless, unaware.
His gang smiled proudly too.
Because in their minds…
A little jealousy + a little smile = 15% love progress.
And strangely…
For some reason…
I also felt something small—
Something I couldn't explain.
Just a little.