This Japanese restaurant is truly the most comfortable place to hangout with friends. The light brown wooden walls are adorned with small lanterns hanging near the door. The distinctive aroma of shoyu and fish stock mingles with the fragrance of freshly brewed green tea. In the background, a soft J-pop song—Utada Hikaru's First Love—plays softly from a speaker in the corner.
Dina gazes around, enjoying the fresh and calming atmosphere. The air from the air conditioner touches her chubby cheeks slightly, dispelling any remaining heat carried in from outside. Her skin is bright white, glistening slightly in the lamplight. She is about 158 centimeters tall and slender, when she smiles, a dimple appears on her left cheek. Dina looks adorable in a white shirt with a cat print and light blue jeans. Her long black hair is tied in a half-trouser, giving her an innocent yet fresh look.
She stares at the menu in her hands, trying to avoid the awkwardness of sitting alone at the center table. But before she can choose, her shoulder is nudged from behind.
"Ah, sorry."
Dina's body jerked forward slightly. She reflexively turned around—damn, it was Ando.
The guy looked like he'd stepped straight out of a TV commercial. He was about 170 centimeters tall, with fair skin. His jawline was sharp, and his black hair was styled in a spiky style, making him look like an anime character. He was wearing a black, short-sleeved collared shirt with white accents on the sleeves and collar, paired with dark blue jeans.
"Hey, Din! What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"Uh... No-none of your business," Dina stuttered. The surprise made her voice less harsh than she intended. "What are you doing here?"
"I asked you nicely and that's your reaction," Ando replied with a frown, but then a faint smile appeared. "I just accompanied my girlfriend shopping."
Ando gestured his chin toward a girl sitting at a table a little further away. The girl looked sweet—with porcelain skin, straight, shoulder-length hair with neat bangs adorned with a pretty headband, and a light pink blouse and white skirt—the type of girly girl who knew how to stand out in public. Dina just nodded slowly, trying to look casual even though her chest felt strange.
"Want to join me?" Ando offered. He's unusually friendly, Dina thought. He used to be mischievous. "It's better than you being here alone. You look like a hopeless solo."
Right, this was his true nature.
Dina punched him lightly on the arm. "No need! I'm waiting for Icha and Nia, you know," she said irritably. "I don't want to bother by seeing you on a date. Go away. You're disturbing my peace."
"Hey, why did you kick me away?" Ando said with a grin. "Okay, I'll go over there. Watch out for those flirty old men." He walked away, gently nuzzling Dina's head, leaving a faint scent of masculine cologne lingering in his wake. Dina couldn't help but stare at his retreating back.
That was Ando, her classmate and rival. Only today, he seemed a bit friendly. Usually… wow, that's a really sadistic mouth. Dina had even cried because of him. Dina hated him.
"Hey, have you been waiting long?" Icha's cheerful voice broke her reverie. Dina turned around.
Icha stood in front of the table, her face bright. Her wavy hair was tied up high, accentuating her characteristic cheerful expression. She wore a denim jacket and a khaki miniskirt, exuding a positive energy that always managed to liven up the atmosphere.
Next to her, Nia stood in stark contrast. She had pale skin, long black hair with side bangs, and a soft, serene face like the lead actress in a Japanese drama. She was more feminine and calm than Icha, but her smile made anyone feel at ease.
"Not too long," Dina replied, taking a sip of water.
"What are you looking at?" Nia asked, following Dina's gaze, which had briefly landed on Ando's table. "Oh, Ando. What's he doing here?"
"Don't know," Dina replied carelessly, pretending to be busy flipping through the menu.
"Then why are you looking at them?" Icha asked mischievously. "Come on... are you jealous?"
"What the hell? That's bullshit. Hurry up and order your food," Dina said quickly, her cheeks heating up.
Icha and Nia looked at each other, then chuckled.
Yes, Dina admitted—in her heart—that she actually liked Ando. So much so that she hated him. She had liked him since the first day of school. That guy captivated with his good looks and courage; he bravely stood up to his seniors during orientation and defended his bullied classmates. In the following days, he constantly asked critical questions of the teacher and often argued with his classmates when he felt he was right (including with Dina, of course).
Yes, she liked Ando, but she also hated him because he had made her cry.
"Can you all stop!" he snapped, trying to stop his classmates from making noise.
Dina still remembers it clearly. It was Bahasa Indonesia presentation and her friends were all teasing her and Ando. They said that they were like a married couple who often bickered but were affectionate. Dina was happy, even though she was muttering, "Bullshit. So cheesy."
But Ando wasn't. His face was flushed. He was truly angry.
"Shut up, you all! Don't try to set me up with her. I don't want to," he said in a high-pitched voice.
His words only made his friends tease them even more. But the impact on Dina...? Don't ask. She was definitely hurt.
Am I that ugly that he's so angry? Dina thought. She held back the sadness with all her might. And when she was alone, she let it out in tears.
That was the first time Dina cried because of Ando. The second time—the time she cried because of Ando—came the next day, when she found out Ando already had a girlfriend.
"Ugh, daydreaming again!" Icha scolded, waving her hands in front of her face. "What do you want to eat, Din?"
"Eh... That... batagor will do."
Icha and Nia were stunned.
Do you think this is school cafeteria? They thought.