61. Finally

Nunu finally came back from the restroom and joined us in keeping an eye on Iky and Jeni.Jeni had already changed into the outfit Iky picked earlier, and from across the store, Nunu, Hasan, and I watched as the two of them walked out together.We followed slowly, keeping our distance. Behind us, the pairs Jinu–Siska and Bro M–Arum also started tailing them from farther away.Iky headed toward the food court, and we quickly found an empty table not too far from theirs, far enough not to be obvious, but close enough to still watch.From where I sat, I could see Iky sitting across from Jeni. They looked like they were talking, but Iky’s expression was still the same old blank one.Jeni giggled softly, pointing at the menu in her hands, like she was trying to convince him to order something. I could already tell, she was insisting they eat together.“Looks like Jeni’s gonna order for both of them,” Nunu whispered, nudging my arm.I nodded, eyes fixed on them. Sure enough, a few minutes l

Last Updated : 2025-11-04

62. Lullaby

Finally, after we’d had enough spying on Rocky aka Iky, and Jeni, we all split up and left the food court. Stomachs full, hearts a little lighter, but my mind was still spinning, replaying the conversation I’d overheard.As usual, Arum immediately clung to Bro M. Who knows where they were heading. Siska had already gone off with Bro Jinu too, being all lovey-dovey like the world only belonged to them. That left just me, Hasan, and Nunu standing in the basement parking lot like lost kids with nowhere to go.“I’ll go home with Hasan,” I suddenly said, folding my arms and shooting Hasan a sharp glare as he rolled out his bike. “I’m gonna lecture him!”Hasan, who was just putting on his helmet, widened his eyes. “Huh? Lecture me about what?”Nunu chuckled as he slipped his key into the ignition. “Alright, I’m out. You two have fun, okay? Don’t let that demon girl bite you, San!” he teased before starting his engine.Hasan laughed, glancing at me. “Demon girl? Not a bad nickname, actually.

Last Updated : 2025-11-05

63. Disappointment

Finally, the moment I’d been waiting for all this time had come. My friends and I got accepted into our dream universities. Even though our majors were different, we still stayed close and hung out together whenever we could.The GGS kids, known for being brave and full of mechanical spirit, mostly took Mechanical Engineering. Some chose Management so they could handle our garage business later. As for me, I picked Literature, just like I’d always planned.Even though our faculty buildings were far apart, every afternoon we’d gather at the same spot in the campus park, the place that had become a witness to our laughter, stories, and shared longing.But there was one thing that still weighed heavy on my heart, Bin.He always said he’d enroll in college soon, kept saying, “Wait for me, Yu, I’ll register later.” But now, six months had passed, and I still hadn’t seen him, at any campus.During those six months, we only talked over the phone. Every time, he asked me to be patient, saying

Last Updated : 2025-11-06

64. Bittersweet

Mbin held my hand tightly, as if he didn’t want me to hesitate or pull away. He led me into the house, the same house I used to think of as my own. The air inside was just as I remembered: warm, but somehow quieter, like time had been standing still.He kept walking toward the master bedroom. Every step felt heavier, because I had no idea what I was about to find inside. Something in me didn’t feel right, but I kept following him anyway.When Mbin opened the door, my eyes immediately caught sight of two familiar figures.I froze.My heart skipped a beat.Sitting in that room was a woman in a wheelchair. She turned her head toward me, wearing the same gentle smile I’d missed so much.“Ma…” I whispered, barely audible.It was Mbin’s mom, the woman I had always called Mama. She looked at me with warmth and affection. But… why was she in a wheelchair? Why hadn’t anyone told me?Next to her sat my mother. She looked up too, her expression mixed with emotion, a little guilt, a little relief

Last Updated : 2025-11-08

65. Fade to Black

“Forgive me, Yu.”His breath brushed softly against the back of my neck, warm, trembling, carrying the weight of everything he’d kept inside for so long.Then slowly, he pulled away from our embrace, his eyes locking on mine. There was so much there, weariness, sorrow, and sincerity that felt almost painful to see.“So… you didn’t enroll in college because you were taking care of Mama, right?” I asked gently.He didn’t answer right away. A faint smile appeared instead, as he guided me to sit beside him on the edge of the bed. His hand never left mine, it was firm, as if he was afraid to let go again.“Yeah, that’s how it was,” he said quietly. “It’s okay, right? I can go to college next year. For now, I’ll take care of the workshop, help Mama. She’s doing better now, she can walk, even go to the bathroom on her own.”His voice trembled. His eyes looked distant, filled with memories of the hard days he must’ve gone through.I gently touched his cheek, turning his face toward me. “It’s

Last Updated : 2025-11-09

66. Go On or Full Send

This morning I woke up with my whole body still sore. I blinked slowly, letting my eyes adjust to the sunlight slipping through the window blinds.Mbin was right next to me, still completely knocked out, breathing steady, and… shirtless!Oh my god. And me too!Instinctively, I pulled the blanket up to cover myself, though it was basically pointless. Last night he’d already seen everything, touched everything, and... felt everything.I scrambled to grab my clothes scattered all over the floor, thrown everywhere by him last night. Damn, what a predator. But to be fair, he was gentle… because he knew it was my first time.He’d looked so worried when I winced in pain. But in the end, even he couldn’t hold back.I got off the bed with legs that felt weak and sore, and hobbled into the bathroom. When I stood in front of the mirror, I froze.Oh crap.The reflection staring back at me showed red marks in several places—the traces he’d left on my skin. The marks of a predator claiming his prey

Last Updated : 2025-11-11