We, From The First
#22. But I'm Serious

Nico and Rio were seen accompanying Natta who was currently visibly riled up. A lot of things are troubling Natta's mind now. Not only about the scandal of his Papa that has been revealed today, but about Rakha who has been involved and is involved in problems for defending himself. He should have stopped Rakha earlier. Not to mention now, the School Party called Papa Rakha. Natta knew how Rakha was related to her Papa all this time, and how Rakha felt depressed because of her Papa. That's what makes him feel guilty. And the problem with Sheryl, also adds to her barrage of anxiety.

"Hay, guys!" Sapa Rakha who suddenly appeared in the Cafeteria, and immediately joined his friends.

Unlike earlier, this time Rakha has returned to cheerful mode. His face was not as dark as before even in a battered state.

He put his mask back on.

"Kha, are you okay? You're all right, aren't you?" Lecar Natta when Rakha just dropped his body on the chair.

"Slow, Bro! The cave is okay. Sorry for causing a commotion." Rakha said casually, as if he was not involved in any problems.

"Please next time, don't do that kind of thing again. I've tried to push myself as hard as I can, even the elo that exploded." Omel Natta was long, which was going to make Rakha rub his ears with disturbed mimic.

"Snat! Don't grumble anymore. Lo kayak just knew Rakha aja. Then Rakha again battered it, do not add lo omelin." Rio.

Hearing Rio defending her, Rakha instantly clucked while blinking one eye to Rio. In any case, he then took Nico's favorite avocado juice and downed it without a sense of sin.

While Nico, he has absolutely no intention of protesting. The hug scene between Rakha and Aira that he witnessed firsthand a moment ago, still disturbed his peace of heart, to the impact of making his mood damaged.

"Oh yeah, Sheryl how? Are you clear?" Ask Rakha suddenly.

The question that Rakha had just thrown, managed to make the attention of Nico and Rio was now fixed on Natta. They are also curious as to how it goes between Natta and Sheryl.

Before giving an answer, Natta sounded out a sigh.

"Of course he's angry. He said he didn't want to be disturbed first. And I'll watch him time. For five months now, he's been having enough trouble because of me."

Not long after, Yumi comes along with Aira and Bia. Yumi stepped in haste and directly walked over to Rakha. Since then, he had been worried about Rakha.

"Kha! It's all right, isn't it? Look here at your face. Where's that sick?" Yumi said that her eyes were covered with anxiety, holding Rakha's face with both hands.

"Yum! Yum! I'm okay." Rakha replied as she gently struck Yumi's hand, which was holding her face, asking to be released.

Yumi releases Rakha, and immediately takes a seat right in front of Rakha. Aira and Bia stood up.

"Yumi was worried about you, Kha. Fortunately, after the incident, Yumi was not in class. Try if again in class, Si Aldo can finish getting hit by Yumi." Said Bia without any sense of sin. That thing, immediately gave rise to Yumi's sharp grin.

'What?' bia said without volume as soon as she saw the sharp gaze of Yumi who seemed ready to pounce on her.

"Yumi, I'm telling you! Elo... I like Rakha, right?"

Rio's sudden question, immediately made Yumi and Rakha both die of fleas. But both Rakha and Yumi, are still in control. While the other friends, directly staring at Rakha and Yumi at the same time. At a time when everything seems curious including Nico, Aira just looks relaxed.

"It is impossible. Crazy lo, Yo! We're just a friend." Denying Rakha. But earlier, he had a glance towards Aira. As if she was afraid, Aira would misunderstand her relationship with Yumi.

And Yumi watched it. How not? Yumi is the first to realize that Rakha likes Aira from the beginning.

"It's from your side! I don't know what side Yumi is on. Anyway, guys with girls can't be pure. One of them must be emmph—"

Rio's speech was cut off just like that as Yumi suddenly stuffed a jumbo-sized grilled sausage into Rio's mouth. "Lot of lo! I guess you don't like each other. So-sokan said cementan, but in the heart both ngarepin each other."

They all laughed together. Including Natta. At least for a moment, Natta can forget the problems he is facing now. And that was because his friends were always able to entertain him in such a ridiculous manner. But, as soon as he realizes Sheryl's absence among them, Natta stops his laughter.

Sheryl's been everywhere Natta was. Sheryl always follows him around by pretending it's a coincidence. That was why now, seeing Sheryl's absence, made Natta feel like there was such a huge hole in him. He feels incomplete.

...****...

Last night, Aira and Nico got word that Nico's parents will be home in the afternoon. After hearing the news, Aira immediately invited Nico to go shopping and buy food ingredients. Aira had planned to cook to welcome the arrival of Nico's parents later.

At this time, Nico and Aira had already arrived at Self-Service. They were seen walking around in the vegetable section while pushing a trolley. Aira seemed to focus on finding some vegetables while reading the note given by Bu Ningsih earlier. While Nico, he just follows wherever Aira steps while looking around.

After going to the vegetable section, they switched to a place for fresh meat and fish. Only then did they head to the seasoning grounds.

And when Nico was secretly enjoying the moment of his friendship with Aira, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate. He checks his phone, and it turns out he's getting an incoming call from Nana. For a while, Nico seemed to be thinking about looking at his phone. When Aira suddenly called out to him, Nico just glanced at Aira then waved his hand. That's when, he took the option to reject Nana's call.

Nico put his phone in his pants pocket after turning it into silent mode, then approached Aira who was waiting for him.

"What do you want to eat today?" Ask Aira to Nico.

"Anything." Answer Nico briefly.

While on his way home, Nico occasionally glanced at Aira who was busy with his phone. Aware of Nico's movements, Aira immediately put her phone in the bag, and now she sees Nico.

"Why, Nic? Anybody want you to talk about it?"

"Can I do something with you?" Ask Nico while staying focused on driving.

"What?"

For days Nico thought, is it necessary to ask this to Aira? Wouldn't Aira be bothered if Nico asked? And there are many more that disturb Nico's mind, to make him go back and forth with his wishes. Nico suddenly shook his head.

"Not be."

"Just ask, Nic." Aira started to look serious.

After weighing back a few moments, Nico finally asked, "Ra, do you... like Rakha?"

Aira was silent. From all sorts of guesses in his head, he did not expect at all, that Nico would ask him that. During this time, Nico looks cute with the closeness between Aira and Rakha, which is why Aira thinks that Nico is not at all disturbed by it. But Aira can't lie to her, there's as much pleasure in her little heart as Nico asks about her feelings for Rakha.

"Ra?" Call Nico quietly, having not heard any reply from Aira.

"Eh yes, Nic?"

"Don't answer if you don't want to." Said Nico resigned.

"I like Rakha. He's a good friend, but that's it."

Hearing the answer that Aira gave, somehow Nico was confused how to respond. But just like Aira, he couldn't lie to himself, that there was as much pleasure and relief after getting an answer from Aira.

"Ra?"

"Hmm?"

"After graduation, do you want a vacation to Banu Island with me? Both?"

Aira could no longer hide her surprise upon hearing Nico's last question. Without his control, his heart again pounded in an irregular rhythm because of this man. Aira could feel her face warming. And he already knew, that surely both his cheeks were as red as tomatoes now.

"Why is your face red? What are you thinking now?" Tempted Nico while trying to hold back his laughter.

Aira who started to realize what was going on, immediately sighed. Apparently, Nico was just teasing him.

"Hey, Calvien Nicolas! What do you think Nana's response would be to find out you're taking another girl on vacation together?"

"Well, are you jealous?"

"Don't be silly! You were obviously jealous of Rakha." Reply Aira who does not want to lose.

"Yes! I'm jealous."

For the second time, Aira was again surprised. But this time Nico's face looked quite serious. Aira just stared at him silently, until suddenly...

"Are you expecting that answer from me?"

Fucking nico! I don't know how many times, he always managed to beat Aira. Aira who felt embarrassed mixed with annoyance, just landed a punch in the shoulder of Nico who was laughing satisfied. Since childhood, Nico has always been good at upsetting him.

"Ra! Ra! Sorry!" Pinta Nico grimacing in pain.

But Aira doesn't care. He hit Nico on the shoulder. He is really angry now, and of course he has to hit Nico, as Nico asks.

"Ra, I'm driving this. Later crash!"

At that moment, Aira immediately stopped beating Nico. He then returned to pick up his phone and earphones in the bag. He turned on the music at full volume, rested his back on the back of the seat, threw away his face, then closed his eyes.

Nico stopped his laughter. Before Aira was really angry at him, he had to stop judging her. He rubbed the top of Aira's head fondly, then refocused on driving.

When the situation was completely silent, Nico suddenly muttered softly, 'but I'm serious, Na'

^^^To be Continued...^^^