That morning, the school cafeteria was insanely crowded.
Every table was full, voices blended into a noisy mess, and I only wanted one thing:
To eat peacefully with one person.
Eli.
My only sane friend in this whole chaos.
"What's wrong with you lately?" Eli asked while poking her omelet. "You look like someone who hasn't slept for two weeks."
"Because I haven't slept for two weeks," I muttered.
We ate with our heads down—trying to avoid people's stares, as if every step Anto and I took was being judged in real time.
Suddenly, someone stopped beside our table.
"Rina… may I sit here?"
Eli and I looked up at the same time.
Adrian.
With his gentle smile.
And his friend, Raga, waved awkwardly beside him.
"Every other table's full," Adrian said politely. "Is it okay?"
I could feel my soul leave my body.
I sparkled.
Glowed.
Floated like a helium balloon.
"Su—sure… of course… go ahead…"
My voice jumped straight into chipmunk frequency.
Eli glanced at me with a teasing grin.
"What a coincidence, Rin…"
Adrian sat right across from me.
And in my head, everything turned slow-motion—
camera spinning, soft wind blowing, cherry blossoms falling—
Until suddenly…
BRUUK!
A loud commotion burst from the cafeteria entrance.
My spine went cold.
No. No. Please don't.
And of course.
Anto + Tey's crew stormed in like a failed boyband on tour.
> "WOOOOOIIII!!!
OUR LOVEBIRDS ARE RIGHT HERE!!!"
The entire cafeteria turned toward us.
I tried to bury my face in my fried rice.
Anto strutted over with his fake-cool walk—hands in pockets, slightly tilted, a smile that was 30% sweet and 70% stupid.
Tey followed behind, phone already recording.
Kane carried a tripod.
Tian and Juke held extra food for reasons unknown.
Eli struggled not to laugh.
Adrian looked at me… confused.
With a stiff smile.
My heart melted into mush.
"Rinaaa~ come here," Anto said, lightly pulling my chair. "It's our weekly eating-together photo session."
"I DON'T WANT TO."
I pulled my hand away.
"You have to, babe," he said LOUDLY.
I died on the spot.
The whole cafeteria cheered.
Adrian smiled.
But it wasn't warm.
It was the kind of smile that said,
"Oh… so you really are dating him."
There was something in his eyes—hurt? Or mockery?
I didn't know.
All I knew was my heart dropped straight to my feet.
Anto dragged me to another table they had PREPARED like a product photoshoot set.
Two new plates.
Matching drinks.
And a small sign:
#LoveBirdsOfTheWeek
I ABSOLUTELY WANTED TO EXPLODE.
"Okaaay—feeding pose first!" Tey shouted.
"TEYYY!!!" I yelled.
The cafeteria went wild.
Clapping.
Whistling.
Recording.
Anto just smiled and picked up a spoon.
"Rin… just a second," he whispered. "So we can get this over with."
I glared at him.
"Anto, I swear—"
"Rin, if you refuse, we get a penalty moment," he whispered quickly.
I wanted to scream.
In the end… with my breath shaking, I opened my mouth.
Just a little.
VERY LITTLE.
Anto fed me slowly…
And Tey took photos nonstop.
> Click click click click click!
I wanted to die.
I wanted to disappear.
I wanted to rewind time and choke myself for signing that stupid contract.
When the photoshoot ended, I stood up immediately.
My face burned with anger as I stared at Anto.
"YOU'RE INSANE."
Anto stepped back half a step.
"Rin, I was just—"
"I HATE you."
It slipped out.
And I walked away.
I knew everyone was staring.
I knew Adrian saw everything.
And it felt…
Painful.
Humiliating.
Shattered.
That day, for the first time since the agreement began…
I truly felt like I wanted to quit school.