6. Gang Garuda Steel

I had just finished talking with Arum when, all of a sudden, the atmosphere in the cafeteria changed. Everyone who had been eating, chatting, or laughing instantly fell silent. At first, I didn’t notice, but then I saw people shifting aside, making a path down the middle of the cafeteria.

Arum nudged my arm. “Yu, look over there… Garuda Steel Gang just showed up.”

I automatically followed Arum’s gaze. At the cafeteria entrance, six guys walked in, moving casually like no one dared stand in their way. One of them, I knew all too well. Bin.

I couldn’t take my eyes off them. They sat at the center table, which was already empty, almost like it had been reserved for them. Everyone nearby quickly moved away, not wanting to get too close. Just moments ago, that spot had been crowded.

“Wow… they really are like kings here,” I muttered under my breath.

Arum just nodded slightly, her eyes still locked on the gang. “There’s all six of them. In front, obviously, is Bin. I can’t believe you’re close to him, Yu.”

I tensed up even more. Close? Not exactly… more like forced into marriage. Still, seeing Bin there with his gang made me feel strangely uneasy.

Bin sat back casually, right in the middle seat, like he was used to being the center of attention. His friends weren’t much different, talking quietly, occasionally glancing around. But nobody dared look back at them. Everyone pretended they hadn’t noticed.

“That’s why, even if you’re close to Bin, don’t ever get involved with GGS,” Arum said while munching on her siomay.

“Huh? GGS? Handsome Werewolves?” I snickered, trying not to laugh.

Arum glared and leaned closer. “Shhh! Don’t let them hear you! GGS stands for Garuda Steel Gang, not some soap opera. You need to memorize each of them. That guy sitting at the end? That’s Rocky. Everyone calls him Iky. Sure, he’s got a cute smile, but his mouth? Super annoying!”

I instinctively glanced at Rocky, studying him more closely. His smile really was sweet, and his school uniform made him look approachable. But judging from what Arum had just said, I figured I’d better stay cautious around this guy. Still, for some reason, that cute smile only made me more curious.

“Heh, I just realized… this guy’s way too cute to be in a biker gang!” I grinned at Arum.

Arum stifled a laugh and shot a quick glance toward Rocky. “Cute, but even a little push could make you regret it for life. Be careful!”

“Okay, but who’s that guy who’s been laughing nonstop? He doesn’t look scary at all, more like a class clown,” I asked, nodding toward one of the GGS members who’d been chuckling the whole time.

“That’s Moch. Junaidi, but just call him MJ. He looks small, but don’t be fooled, he’s the oldest in the group. He repeated a grade here twice!” Arum said quickly, gulping her drink because her siomay was too spicy.

“What? Failed twice? And he’s still that cheerful?” I stared, amazed at how relaxed he seemed.

Arum nudged me lightly. “Don’t let the jokes fool you. When he’s in serious mode, he’s badass. If anyone messes with GGS, he’s the first to strike. A kid from the neighboring school once fought him, almost left with a limp!” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I kept watching MJ, who was still laughing, until suddenly, right while we were talking about him, he turned and looked straight at us. He was still smiling, but now his eyes felt sharper, like he knew we were talking about him. Both Arum and I froze, quickly finishing our food.

“I think he knows we’re talking about him,” I whispered, lowering my head.

“Let’s just go. Pay for the food, quick!” Arum urged, clearly wanting to leave before anything happened.

We were done eating anyway, so it was time to head out. The only problem? To get out, we had to pass right by the GGS table. My nerves started buzzing, after all, that table was full of the most feared gang members in school, plus MJ, who had us both curious.

I walked slowly, not wanting to draw their attention. But just as we were about to pass, one of the most handsome GGS members turned to look at the cafeteria menu behind him. Instinctively, I glanced over, and that’s when I saw him. Chairil Wisnu, better known as Nunu.

My eyes couldn’t leave his face. There was something different about his aura compared to the others. Damn, he’s gorgeous! I thought.

But Arum quickly grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the exit. “Come on, don’t linger here.”

“Don’t let yourself get carried away by Nunu’s face, he’s dangerous. Total playboy,” Arum whispered, afraid he might hear.

“But he’s really handsome, Rum. I’ve hardly ever seen a guy that good-looking! How did I just notice this now?” I still couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Because you never pay attention! Now move, come on!”

But as Arum tugged on me, my foot bumped into the leg of an empty table behind the GGS table. I lost my balance, and—

“Ow!” I winced as my knee hit the floor. It hurt like crazy.

“Yu!” Arum panicked and hurried to help me up. But before she could, a voice came from beside me.

“You okay?” The voice was gentle yet full of concern. I turned, and there he was. Another ridiculously handsome guy who made my stomach flip. I quickly glanced at the name tag on his uniform: Haryojin Wisnu.

He crouched beside me, helping me up gently. Before I could say anything, another voice called from behind him.

“She’s fine, right, Jinu?” The voice was deep and firm, with a protective tone. I turned toward the tallest GGS member.

That’s when I realized, the guy helping me was called Jinu. Arum also helped me up, but my focus stayed on them.

“I’m fine. Thank you so much,” I said, straightening my skirt, which had gotten a little messed up from the fall.

From a distance, I saw Bin just watching me, shaking his head, like he didn’t even know me. Ugh, so annoying! He could at least have asked if I was okay, right? I knew he saw everything.

While I was trying to stand properly, the tall GGS member walked over and pulled a band-aid from his uniform pocket.

“Here, take this,” he said coolly, handing it to me.

I took the band-aid, glancing once more at the name tag on his uniform. Hasan. His face was adorably cute, but he was tall and broad, almost as tall as Bin, maybe taller. At my 160 cm height, I felt like a little kid next to him, and Arum, who was 5 cm shorter than me, looked even smaller.

“Thanks, Hasan…” I said, noticing he also had a band-aid on his forehead. Arum’s earlier words flashed in my head, maybe it was from some recent battle scene.

“Let’s go, Rum!” I said, starting to limp toward the restroom.

Arum supported me but didn’t stop grumbling the whole way.

“Seriously, can’t you watch where you’re going? Of all places to fall, you had to do it right next to them!”