Today, something felt different in Class 1A of Harapan Muda High School.

The morning air was still fresh, carrying the faint scent of rain from the night before. Sunlight slipped through the wide classroom windows, illuminating rows of desks that were slowly filling with noise and movement. Some students laughed loudly, others rushed to finish homework, and a few rested their heads on their arms, already exhausted before the day truly began.

Then, the classroom door opened.

Ms. Maya stepped inside—followed by a girl no one had seen before.

“Everyone,” Ms. Maya said, clapping her hands lightly to gather attention, “today we have a new student joining our class. Please welcome Ivon Azaria Saputra.”

Every head turned toward the front.

Ivon stood beside the teacher, her fingers tightly gripping the straps of her backpack. She was small and delicate, with a clean, gentle face and straight hair cut simply to frame her cheeks. Her uniform looked slightly too new, as if it hadn’t yet learned the shape of her body. She lowered her head, nodding softly, too shy to meet everyone’s eyes for more than a second.

Her heart beat fast.

So many people, she thought.

What if they don’t like me?

“Ivon,” Ms. Maya continued kindly, “there’s an empty seat next to Dani. You can sit there.”

She pointed toward the middle row.

A few desks away, Dani and Yogi—who had been whispering since morning—paused their conversation.

“Dan,” Yogi muttered, leaning closer, “new student.”

Dani glanced up.

“She’s pretty,” Yogi added, his eyes scanning Ivon like she was some rare museum piece.

“You interested?” Dani asked casually, though his gaze lingered on the girl walking slowly toward them.

“No,” Yogi replied too quickly. “I’m just… appreciating fine things.”

Despite his confident tone, the tips of his ears had already turned red.

As Ivon approached the empty seat, Dani stood up slightly and offered his hand first.

“Dani,” he said quietly, making sure his voice sounded friendly—not overwhelming.

Ivon hesitated for half a second before placing her hand in his.

“Ivon,” she replied softly.

“Yogi,” Yogi added from behind, trying—and failing—to sound gentle. His voice was still loud and unmistakably Yogi.

The students around them joined in, introducing themselves one by one. Some smiled confidently, some waved awkwardly, and others cracked jokes that weren’t very funny. Ivon answered politely, repeating her name, her voice so soft it almost disappeared into the noise.

Still, no one laughed at her.

And somehow, that made her breathe a little easier.

By the end of the lesson, the atmosphere in the classroom had subtly shifted.

Like a breeze had slipped in unnoticed, changing the air without asking permission.

---

First Break

When the lunch bell rang, chairs scraped against the floor and the classroom buzzed back to life.

The five of them—Dani, Yogi, Ira, Dewi, and now Ivon—walked together toward the cafeteria.

Ivon stayed slightly behind, unsure of where she belonged in a group that clearly knew each other well. Dewi noticed immediately and slowed her steps, gently tapping Ivon’s shoulder.

“Come on, Von. Eat with us,” Dewi said with an easy smile.

Ivon nodded, grateful.

Ira pointed at the menu board hanging above the food counter. “You can subscribe to the school catering—three days or five days. Saves time.”

Ivon listened carefully, memorizing everything. New places always felt easier when she understood the rules.

Suddenly, Yogi interrupted with his mouth already full.

“Eat first! Or everything’s gonna be gone!”

Dewi tried not to laugh. “Yog, talk slower.”

“Hunger,” Yogi said solemnly, “is suffering.”

Dani noticed Ivon standing still, staring at the food options like they were a test she hadn’t studied for. Without saying much, he picked up one siomay from his plate and placed it gently onto hers.

“The siomay and fried tofu here are good,” he said softly. “You can try one.”

Ivon looked down at the food. For a moment, she didn’t move.

Then she smiled—small, sincere.

“Thank you.”

Something about that smile made Dani look away.

Across the table, Yogi grinned mischievously.

“Wow… Dan. You’re being real nice today.”

Dani ignored him, pretending to be very interested in his drink.

Suddenly, the cafeteria grew quieter.

The chatter softened. Laughter faded. A few girls straightened their posture without realizing it.

Five senior students walked in together, their movements relaxed, their presence unmistakable.

One of them glanced in Ivon’s direction.

He was tall and athletic, with fair skin and a face that didn’t belong in an ordinary high school. Sharp brows framed calm eyes, and his neatly styled hair made him look like someone straight out of a drama series.

Ivon’s breath caught for a second.

So that’s him…

Dewi inhaled sharply.

“Oh my god…”

Ira stared openly.

“He’s even more handsome today.”

Yogi scoffed while chewing.

“Girls always lose their minds over Kenneth.”

“Jealous?” Dewi teased, nudging him.

“No,” Yogi replied instantly. “Just saying—leave some admiration for the handsome men of Class 1A.”

Dani nearly choked on his drink.

Ivon glanced briefly at Kenneth, then quickly looked away when she felt his gaze might be shifting toward her.

Her heart beat a little faster, and she didn’t understand why.

“See?” Yogi pointed at Ivon with his chopsticks. “She’s shy too.”

Ira rolled her eyes.

“That’s shy, not embarrassing.”

---

After the Break

The classroom settled again after lunch. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet, and the noise level dropped into quiet chatter.

Dani was closing his notebook when Yogi suddenly leaned closer to Ivon, wearing an unusually serious expression.

“So listen,” Yogi whispered. “I sit next to Ira. That means Ira and I are husband and wife.”

BAM!

Ira slammed a book onto Yogi’s head.

“Ow! Don’t do that, honey,” Yogi joked, shielding himself.

Dani laughed quietly.

Then Yogi pointed at Ivon, then at Dani.

“And you, Von… you’re Dani’s wife.”

Ivon froze.

Her eyes widened in pure confusion, cheeks flushing red instantly.

Dani smiled to himself.

Cute.

“Nonsense,” he said, laughing.

The bell rang shortly after, ending the conversation—but not the warmth.

And as Ivon sat there, listening to their laughter, she realized something.

Maybe… starting over here wouldn’t be so scary after all.

Days began to flow smoothly for the five of them.

Since Ivon joined Class 1A, their small circle felt complete in a way none of them had expected. There was no formal agreement, no dramatic bonding moment—just a quiet, natural rhythm that formed on its own. Dani, Yogi, Ira, Dewi, and Ivon were almost always seen together now. They went to the cafeteria as a group, walked home in the same direction, and laughed at small, meaningless things that only made sense to them.

For Ivon, the ease of it all was still surprising.

She wasn’t someone who blended in quickly. Usually, she stayed on the edges, listening more than speaking. But with them, she didn’t feel the need to pretend or perform. She could simply exist—and somehow, that was enough.

She grew especially close to Dewi. They waited for public transportation at the same stop every afternoon. Their majors were different, but their routes home overlapped. Dewi was always the talker—sharing class gossip, complaining about teachers, or recounting dramatic stories from other grades—while Ivon listened with a shy smile, responding with soft laughter or small nods.

On slower days, they bought ice cream from a street vendor and sat together on a long bench, watching the road while waiting for their rides.

That morning, as usual, Dani arrived early.

He sat at his desk with a book open in front of him, though he had clearly been turning the same page over and over without reading a single word. When Ivon walked into the classroom, Dani looked up immediately.

“Hey, Ivon. I knew you’d come early,” he said casually.

Ivon nodded as she sat down. “I usually do.”

“Oh, right,” Dani tilted his head slightly. “Did you finish yesterday’s chemistry homework?”

“Yes.”

“Let me borrow it,” Dani said, his voice slipping into the familiar, shamelessly pleading tone he always used when homework was involved.

Without hesitation, Ivon took out her notebook and handed it to him. Dani accepted it with a wide grin, like a child who had just been given candy.

Ivon opened her biology book afterward. There was a short quiz scheduled that day, and she quickly focused on reviewing her notes. The classroom was calm in the early morning—chairs scraping softly, pages turning, voices low and scattered.

Then Yogi arrived.

He dragged his chair loudly across the floor, announcing his presence before he even spoke.

“Well, well,” he said dramatically. “The Couple of 2025 arrived early together. So in sync!”

Ivon startled for a moment before laughing. “It’s not being in sync. Someone here is just lazy.”

Dani frowned but continued copying at lightning speed.

“Lazy? That’s slander.”

Yogi patted Dani’s shoulder. “Dan, you’re the national definition of lazy.”

Dani snorted, and Ivon returned to her book, a faint smile still lingering.

When the bell rang, the school day officially began—somehow feeling a little brighter than before, simply because Ivon was sitting there.

---

Lunch Break

As soon as the lunch bell rang, the five of them stood up and headed for the cafeteria, as if bound by an unspoken agreement.

Yogi ordered his usual fried tofu. Ira went for crispy chicken. Dewi chose siomay. Ivon followed Dani, picking the same menu without much thought. Somewhere along the way, following Dani had started to feel… safe.

They sat at their regular table in the corner of the cafeteria. The table wasn’t special—its paint was chipped and uneven—but it always felt like the most comfortable place for them.

“I’m telling you,” Yogi muttered while chewing enthusiastically, “the woman who sells siomay here is definitely a future angel.”

Ira shook her head. “Yogi, were you born this dramatic?”

“No,” Yogi replied confidently. “This is a hidden talent.”

They all laughed. Ivon laughed too, realizing how natural it felt now—how she no longer had to hesitate before joining in.

Then, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.

The cafeteria didn’t fall silent, but the noise dulled noticeably. Several girls instinctively fixed their hair. Others straightened their posture or stopped eating altogether.

Dewi glanced up. “Oh…”

Ira followed her gaze. “The Five Knights are here.”

Five senior students walked in together. They weren’t just handsome—they were athletic, confident, and carried an effortless coolness that pulled attention toward them the moment they entered. They moved casually, as if fully aware that the room would make space for them.

Ivon looked too—only briefly.

But among the five, there was one figure who made her chest feel strangely tight.

Kenneth.

He walked as if nothing around him mattered, yet Ivon felt as though time slowed slightly wherever he passed. Tall, fair-skinned, strikingly handsome, with sharp brows that framed calm, unreadable eyes. He looked perfect—without ever trying to look perfect.

Dani noticed Ivon’s gaze and playfully blocked her view with his book.

“Hey!” Ivon protested, pushing it aside with a shy laugh.

“These girls are making me jealous,” Yogi grumbled while continuing to eat.

“Jealous?” Dewi teased. “Seriously?”

“No!” Yogi denied quickly. “I’m just saying—save some admiration for the handsome men of Class 1A.”

Dani nearly choked on his drink trying not to laugh.

Kenneth briefly turned his head in their direction. It lasted only a few seconds, but Ivon felt his gaze land directly on her before he turned back to his friends and joined the food line.

She looked down immediately, her cheeks warm.

Dewi whispered, “You know… they don’t have girlfriends.”

Ira elbowed her. “Then go offer yourself.”

“Nonsense!” Dewi protested.

“Yes, nonsense,” Yogi added solemnly. “That could reduce the population of Class 1A.”

Laughter returned to their table.

After a moment, Dewi asked casually, “Does anyone know their Instagram?”

Dani looked at her and laughed. “Wow. You’re really curious.”

“I’m not interested! Just curious,” Dewi defended herself.

Yogi suddenly pulled out his notebook. “I only know one. Kenneth. Kenneth Cahyadi. He does karate with me.”

Ira narrowed her eyes. “How do you remember that so clearly?”

“Because he’s every girl’s idol,” Yogi replied proudly. “I need to study him so I can become your idol too.”

Ira and Dewi immediately started writing, treating it like a serious lecture.

Ivon hesitated, then opened her own notebook and wrote something as well—though she wasn’t entirely sure what she was writing. Her hand moved automatically, while her thoughts lingered on the boy who had just passed by.

Dani glanced at Ivon, then smiled softly—without knowing why.

That day ended with laughter, with familiar routines, with warmth that felt effortless.

None of them realized it yet—but Kenneth, one of the Five Knights, had begun to add a new color to the world of the Five Companions.

And Ivon, without knowing it, had taken one step closer to something that would quietly change her life.

That afternoon, after returning home from school and resting for a while, Ivon sat at her study desk with her phone in her hands.

She bit her lower lip, hesitating.

Curiosity tugged at her stronger than fear.

Since lunchtime—since Yogi casually mentioned Kenneth’s Instagram username—her thoughts had refused to settle. No matter what she did, her mind kept circling back to one thing.

Should I make an account too…?

Ivon had never owned an Instagram account before. She didn’t even know what people were supposed to post there. Her life had never felt interesting enough to be displayed on a screen. But earlier that day, watching Dewi and Ira eagerly discuss senior students’ photos, she felt a small pull—an unfamiliar desire to step into a space she had always observed from afar.

After sitting in silence for a long time, Ivon finally unlocked her phone and opened the Play Store.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she downloaded the app.

Creating a new account felt strangely nerve-wracking, as if she were stepping into a room where she didn’t quite belong yet. When the app asked for a username, she stared at the empty space for a while.

Then she typed:

TikusKecilManis

She smiled faintly—not because she thought she was sweet, but because she genuinely didn’t know what else to use. It felt harmless. Small. Easy to hide behind.

She didn’t dare use her real photo. After scrolling through images online, she chose a picture of a tiny mouse holding a piece of cheese, smiling innocently. It was cute. Too cute, perhaps. But that made it feel safer.

Once everything was set up, Ivon opened Kenneth’s account—the same one Yogi had shown them earlier.

The screen filled with images that immediately caught her attention.

Kenneth looked handsome in nearly every photo. There were pictures of him during karate practice, his movements sharp and controlled. Others showed him sitting casually, expression calm. There were group photos too—him standing among the other members of the so-called “Five Knights.”

The number of likes was overwhelming. Far more than the number of students in their school.

The comment section was even louder.

So handsome, Kak!

You really look like an idol!

That smile could give me sweet dreams for a week.

Ivon read the comments quietly, her lips pressing together.

She didn’t feel jealous.

It was more like admiration mixed with a quiet realization—someone like him probably received messages like these every day. Hundreds of them. Thousands, maybe.

There was no reason for him to notice one small message from an anonymous account.

Still, without fully understanding why, Ivon tapped the five-star rating on one of his story highlights.

Then she opened Direct Message.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long time.

Finally, she typed a single word.

Handsome.

That was it.

Simple. Too simple.

Her heart started pounding the moment she pressed send.

She waited.

Ten minutes passed.

Then thirty.

An hour.

No notification appeared.

Two hours.

Still nothing.

By the third hour, curiosity slowly gave way to exhaustion. Ivon placed her phone on the desk, turned off the light, and fell asleep—telling herself it didn’t matter.

---

The Next Day

At lunchtime, the five of them ate together as usual.

Yogi joked nonstop. Dewi enthusiastically shared gossip from another class. Ira scolded Yogi for things he clearly wasn’t listening to. Everything felt normal.

Ivon, however, was quieter than usual.

No one seemed to notice.

The Five Knights entered the cafeteria again, just like the day before. The noise softened instantly, as if the room itself had learned to pause for them. Kenneth walked at the front, his presence pulling attention without effort.

Ivon lowered her head quickly, pretending to focus on her food.

After lunch, they returned to class. The hours passed until finally, the dismissal bell rang. As usual, the class monitor handed back the phones that had been collected during lessons.

Students immediately checked their screens, laughter and groans filling the room.

Ivon unlocked her phone with cautious hope.

Maybe—just maybe—there would be a reply.

But there was nothing.

Dani, sitting right beside her, leaned closer and caught a glimpse of her screen.

“Hey, let me see,” he said, tilting his head like a child asking for candy.

Ivon startled and instantly closed the app, pressing her phone against her chest.

“Don’t look!”

Dani laughed softly. “What? Do you like Kenneth?” His voice was low, teasing.

Ivon’s cheeks flushed. She didn’t answer. Instead, she hurriedly packed her books into her bag.

Dewi called her from the doorway, and Ivon quickly stood up and walked over, keeping her head down. She didn’t dare look back.

From his seat, Dani watched Ivon leave.

His gaze wasn’t angry.

Just confused—and strangely unsettled for reasons he couldn’t explain.

---

Night

After showering and having dinner, Ivon returned to her desk. A small lamp cast a warm glow over the room, and the quiet hum of the fan filled the silence.

She opened Instagram again.

Her heart beat a little faster, even though she already knew what she would see.

Nothing had changed.

No reply. No new stories. No posts.

Her message still sat there—marked sent, unanswered.

Ivon took a deep breath.

Two hours passed.

Then three.

She shifted positions repeatedly, opening her DMs only to close them again moments later. She scrolled through the explore page, stopping on pictures of other cute mice, trying to distract herself.

But her thoughts always returned to the same questions.

Did I send the wrong message?

Was I too direct?

Did he even see it?

Eventually, curiosity gave way to fatigue.

Ivon placed her phone back on the desk and lay down. She turned off the lamp slowly and stared at the ceiling, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

Her feelings were tangled—embarrassment, anticipation, a hint of disappointment. And beneath it all, a small, stubborn hope that refused to disappear.

She didn’t know whether Kenneth would ever reply.

But that night, Ivon fell asleep hugging her pillow, quietly wishing that tomorrow might bring a surprise she wasn’t expecting.