The girl gave a small nod, eyes downcast, avoiding Yuni's gaze. Without a word, she took a slow step forward… then suddenly picked up her pace, walking quickly past him.
Yuni stood silently, watching her go.
He didn't call out. He didn't chase.
He just let her leave.
"Figures… no one wants to remember the moment they were weak," he thought to himself, slipping his hands into his pockets as he turned back toward the school.
Soon, Yuni stood at the school gate. He took a deep breath, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Just as I remember," he muttered.
He stepped onto the campus, casually making his way through the familiar path. His eyes wandered lazily around the school grounds, taking it all in without much thought.
"Hmm," he mused, tilting his head slightly.
Before long, he stood in front of his classroom door. With one hand, he slid it open and stepped inside.
"Yo, Yuni!" a familiar voice called out.
It was Rafael, waving enthusiastically from one of the desks. Yuni raised his hand and waved back.
"Yo."
"Come on... sit next to me!" Rafael grinned. "I didn't know we'd end up in the same class!"
"But I did," Yuni said with a small smirk as he walked towards him.
Yuni pulled back the chair and sat down, placing his bag casually on the desk.
Rafael grinned. "Man, I'm so glad you're here. I thought I'd be stuck alone in this class."
Yuni smirked. "Did you forget? I told you—I'm not leaving your side until you find me a girlfriend."
They both chuckled, the usual banter bringing a sense of ease between them.
Just then, the school bell rang sharply, followed by a voice over the loudspeaker.
"All first-year students, please proceed to the auditorium for the entrance ceremony."
Rafael stretched. "Guess it's showtime."
"Yeah," Yuni said, standing up and streching his shoulder. "Let's get this over with."
AUDITORIUM]
A woman stood confidently at the podium, her voice echoing through the large hall.
"Good morning, students. I'm Ms. Dina, your Science teacher. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope we'll have a wonderful year together."
As her speech continued in the background, Yuni felt a nudge from his side.
"Yo, Yuni," whispered Rafael, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "What do you think?"
"Think what?" Yuni replied, keeping his eyes forward.
Rafael motioned toward the stage. "The science teacher, man. She's seriously hot. Totally my type."
Yuni raised an eyebrow. "She's married."
Rafael blinked. "Wait, how do you know that?"
Yuni shrugged. "I just do."
Rafael smirked. "Married or not, I'm telling you—by the end of the year, she'll fall for me so hard, she'll leave her husband."
Yuni turned to him, wide-eyed. "What?! Are you insane?"
Rafael just winked and leaned back, clearly too confident for his own good.
The science teacher, Ms. Dina, wrapped up her warm and enthusiastic welcome, smiling as she stepped back and handed the microphone to the next speaker.
A tall girl with sharp eyes and a sleepy expression took the stage. Her voice was low and gloomy, yet somehow carried through the auditorium.
"Morning, everyone. I'm Ruri… head of the student council. If you ever need anything, just come find me. That's all. Thanks," she said in a tone that sounded more like she'd rather be napping.
A few students exchanged amused glances.
After that, several students came up to the stage one by one—some gave short welcome speeches, others performed small acts or skits to liven up the mood. The energy in the room shifted from formal to light-hearted.
Finally, the principal stepped up for the closing speech, delivering a warm and motivating message to mark the start of a new chapter for everyone.
With a polite bow, he concluded the ceremony, and the auditorium buzzed to life as students began filing out.
Soon, everyone was back in their classrooms, ready to begin the day.