4: Bes

sed me, and I stirred, rising to

me short: my mother, her face etched with worry,

e guidance office because some students bullied you. Did they hurt you? Are

"I'm fine, Mama. I'm strong, rem

ou're not comfortable at your current school, just tell me. I'll tran

on I hoped she could hear. "I'll face this. And besides, I've made

again, her r

diately, okay? Tell me everything," she urged. I nodded, m

, Ma

I took a shower, my mind

ct an inner strength, wantin

rned money going to waste if I transferred gnawed at me. Moreover, a

udies and not let thei

eparing breakfast. The familiar sight of

ed to their animosity, their petty actions barely registe

remained silent, refraining fro

n tense quietude before le

ays, completely ignored my exi

mile touched Adrian's

o go?" h

chool together, a silent und

folded with a sur

less chatter and amusing anecdotes a welcome distraction. S

e effortlessly integrating wi

y friends. Yet, he would often excuse himself from their com

ded to join the basketball club. He was cur

bling down statistical formulas in my notebo

o solidify my understanding, as math had

oice broke my

's like this," Devan said gen

ect steps and patiently explained the so

impressed by his

s with such clarity that

d how adept he w

and I began to understand th

nd called him, and he e

g the material, when a sudden, forceful

is face contorted with anger. "Who do you think you are? Why d

eeting and Adrian at basketball practice. I had been quietly

ying to keep my voice even, though a knot o

ain, but before he could make contact,

he glared at the bully, gra

lone? Do you even like her? Is this just some pathetic attempt

ain, defending her like this!" the bully retorted. In

p, and suddenly, Devan was facing a small group of his cronies. W

, was this considered cutting class? No, wait, our last subject

evan quipped, a wry smile on his face. "Everywhere you go, there's alw

f blood on his cheek

h outside the school

y betadine, alcohol, and a few

what you did, but please don't get hurt because of

kano," he suddenly sai

around even when you're

f an exaggeration. Makes me sound

hurt again because

n't let them push you around. They'll have to go throu

andy, haha. That's all I can afford right n

t ice candies. The cold treat would h

nd he seemed to thoroughly enjoy his, hi

savoring our treats, when he suddenly

er been in love?"

ompletely caught off

s? Have you ever been in love?" he r

confessed, a wave of co

you not know? You're in co

ow," I repeated, feel

eem to be thinking deeply, and sometimes you just zo

tell?" I asked, m

ing," he rep

ve you ever been in

eting expression crossing his

rse," h

is answer. I hesitated to ask further, worried tha

now in real life, but you dream about them every night, and you feel something... differ

them in real life, hehe. Of course, I'd be happy, especially if I ge

van

mm

ta, Yor, Boa, and Mitsuri?" I blurted ou

nd after a moment, he looked a

they're m

u develop a crush on

te them? Or are you perhaps... jealous?" h

urself! No, I was jus

e beautiful," h

superficial," I said, a hi

it's not just that. It's also

even know you anymore!" I exclaimed

to me, his laughter

y the lightness and happiness I felt in hi

ch Plastic Memories, Orange, Violet Evergarden, an

on from those yet! Are you just

lly do look like Miku Nakano, especi

van

O

hallucinating me?" I asked him suddenly, t

polar or something?" he asked, giv

sulking because we went out without

nd Adrian were at their clubs. We did

" I asked, the question poppi

did you suddenly ask that? A

dering,"

he said, avoiding my gaze and a

curiosity piqued.

st so

it?" I

Mikasa, Hinata, Kanao, Nezuko, and Mitsuri!

you so long to say?" I aske

feeling shy! Don't min

upted by a small Pomeranian

a leisurely walk

creetly took out his phone and

legal!" I excla

only took a picture of the

cture too!" I su

, his cheeks flushing

ll slightl

take a picture," he relented, turning h

around 599 self

oshoot, we wandered over

with children

, thoroughly enjoying the seesaw and swings.

they were all exhausted. I found myself enjoying

ly happy. It was a bright smile, rad

st be tired from playing," I sa

ke I went back to my childhood earlier. Wha

st watching you

s, are you my mom now?" he t

ime character, who wou

rom Quintessential Quintuplets. He's so lucky, ha

playboy the

ly! Can't I just appreciate the beaut

re Futaro, who would y

ik

y M

nch her cheeks, especially when she's annoyed or sulking. Y

made me feel shy. I could

be an anime character, who wou

etective

ive Conan?"

use. I fee

nswers. I am very impress

ndor, and Devan, looking lik

ne too. His was pin

e gone back to my childhood today," he said

child, a childi

irst. I'll post it on my IG story, hehe," he said, sna

is it?" I

he replie

? Oh no, it's late! L

alk you home,

s late, your family might be looking

of bad people out there. Someone might hurt you on the way, so I'm wal

ogic, and he indeed walked

s still awake an

ho is this young man? Is he your boyfriend?" my mother a

st a classmate. I'm sorr

of time. I'm Devan, Rain's classmate," Devan s

he same playful D

nner yet? Come in, Devan, have dinne

is family might be looking

to have dinner with you," Dev

immediately made himsel

here, shooting De

ster? Why are you both home so

sn't a date, I promise. Just bonding. Right, Rai

was like a kid, enjoying playing at the playground and eat

he looked at Devan. The atmo

ll feeling a bit strange. My step-siblin

completely at ease, h

the sauce. Hurry

handed Soph

yfriend?" Kuya Richard asked Dev

eel really comfortable around Rain. She's kind and genuinely

ecause she was bullied the other day. Were you one of the friends

f us defended Rain. Right, Adi?" Devan

plied curtly, his

We would be happy now if she wasn't here. She just pretends to be nice, but she's the one who ruined our fam

walk Devan out," Mama said fi

side, towards where

ed in s

at to say when h

d. I know you're not like that," Devan sai

d go, your family might be looking for yo

I can feel their anger towards you, and I'm worried the

we have school tomorrow," I re

ryone was already asleep. I washe

ing wave of exhaustion and sleepiness washed ove

nlit garden. It was so fa

, and I searched for

tree, deep in thought,

proached, but his usual gentle ga

have yo