I finally realized something:
It wasn't Anto who changed…
It was me.
That morning, I walked into class with one simple goal:
peaceful living.
But of course, peaceful living does not apply to my classroom.
The moment I opened the door, I saw Anto standing on top of a chair, holding a ruler like a microphone, shouting:
"GOOOOOD MORNING, WOOORLD—!"
Tey immediately yanked his pants down. "To! Get down! You're not the class president!"
Anto dramatically pointed at his own chest. "I'm the president of Rina's heart!"
The entire class threw paper at him. "BOOOOO!!!"
I wanted to pass out.
"ANTOOO!! GET DOWN!!" I yelled.
He jumped down like a chicken falling from a tree, but still had time to grin at me. "Uh… morning, Rin~"
I slammed my desk. "WHY are you already embarrassing this early?!"
Anto placed a hand on his chest proudly. "Rinaaa, this isn't embarrassing. This is… an expression of love."
"LOVE FROM WHERE??"
"From the oxygen you breathe," he said poetically.
I wanted to throw a chair at his head.
🔥 The Anto Gang Appears With Completely Useless Analysis
Tey held a piece of paper like a news anchor. "Today's observation: Anto's stupidity has increased by 87%!"
Tian nodded seriously. "That's a clear symptom of severe falling in love."
Anto panicked. "I'm not! I'm just—just—uh, okay maybe a little…"
I wanted to scream.
Kane wrote something in his notebook. "Stupidity spikes when Rina is present."
I glared. "Kane. Close that book."
🍽️ At the Cafeteria — Lunch Disaster
I sat down with Eli.
Three seconds later, Anto appeared carrying a gigantic tray containing: – a mountain of rice
– two pieces of chicken
– soup
– an egg
– iced tea
– mineral water
– two fried snacks
– one pudding
I stared at him in horror. "To… who is that for?"
Anto smiled proudly. "FOR YOU, RINAAA~
You need to eat well… so you'll be strong enough to love me!"
Eli made a flapping sound like a duck. "Strong enough for WHAT??"
I looked at the tray. "That rice is HUGE… are you trying to make me fat?!"
Anto instantly panicked. "EH?! No! I mean so you'll be HAPPY! No—so you'll be FULL! No—what am I saying—anyway DON'T BE SA—DON'T BE SAD!"
Kane passed by, glanced at the tray. "To… this isn't lunch. This is a village-wide breaking-fast package."
Tian stared in awe. "That's a king's portion."
I held my head. "Anto, I get full after just a little."
Anto froze.
Then said softly, "…then I'll eat it all."
"ANTOOO!! I'M the one afraid of getting fat! Don't die with me!"
Anto nodded slowly. "Okay… I'll eat it slowly."
Then he looked at me like a sad puppy. "But… you want the pudding, right?"
I wanted to throw my glass at his face.
🔍 Adrian Appears and Gets Even More Suspicious
Just as I was about to escape the chaos, Adrian showed up.
"Rina," he called gently, like a drama soundtrack. "Are you busy? I wanted to ask about the math homework."
Before I could answer, Anto jumped up, stiff like a broken alarm. "HELLO ADRIAN. I AM ANTO. HER BOYFRI—"
I kicked his leg. "OW! Why?!"
"Be quiet."
Adrian looked at us back and forth and then— he smiled slightly.
"You two… seem very close."
Anto puffed out his chest. "Of course! We're—"
I smacked his head. "WE ARE CLASSMATES."
Anto held his forehead. "That hurt, you know."
Adrian kept looking at me. There was something in his eyes: curiosity.
"Rina," he said softly, "what exactly… is your relationship?"
I froze.
Anto froze too.
The Anto Gang collapsed in the distance from eavesdropping too hard.
I opened my mouth—
—but Anto answered first. "Our relationship is… I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT!"
He clutched his chest. "My heart is complicated!"
I covered my face. "Please stop talking."
Adrian watched us for a long time. A very long time.
"If you ever need to talk," he said to me, "just tell me."
Then he left.
😵 Rina Is Confused (Because of Anto, Not Dramatic Romance)
Eli looked at me while eating ice cream. "You look like you're thinking about an idiot guy."
"I am NOT."
"Yes, you are."
"I AM NO—"
"His name is Anto."
I sighed like a depressed adult.
I stood under the tree in front of the school for a long time, staring at the ground.
"What is it… that I'm actually feeling?"
When Anto is embarrassing, I'm angry.
When Anto is distant, I'm restless.
When Anto is close, I'm annoyed.
When Anto doesn't greet me… I miss him.
Ugh.
This isn't love. This is a disease.
I covered my face. "Why am I catching feelings for the loudest human in this school…"
There was no answer.
Only one thing was clear:
I miss Anto.
And that's annoying.