CHAPTER 5 — Morning, Candy, and Awkward Tension

That morning, Dani arrived at the classroom earlier than usual.

The desks were still neatly arranged, sunlight slipping softly through the large windows on the right side of the room. Class 1A was quiet—only one or two students had arrived. The air felt fresh, carrying the faint scent of chalk and freshly cleaned floors.

Dani was already seated.

A book lay open in front of him—though, as usual, he flipped the pages more than he actually read them. Normally, Dani wasn’t the type to arrive early. He preferred slipping into class just before the bell and complaining about how exhausting mornings were.

But ever since Ivon sat beside him, something had changed.

Without admitting it—even to himself—Dani found himself coming earlier every day. Mornings felt easier when Ivon was already there. The feeling was quiet and simple, without drama or explanation.

When the classroom door opened and Ivon stepped inside, Dani instinctively looked up. Realizing it, he quickly pretended to focus on his book.

“Did you study biology yesterday?” Dani asked casually—while copying chemistry homework from Ivon’s notebook.

Ivon shook her head.

“No.”

It was a lie.

She had studied seriously the night before. But for some reason, Ivon chose not to admit it. Maybe she felt embarrassed being diligent in front of Dani, who was famously lazy. Or maybe… she simply didn’t want to stand out.

Dani grinned.

“Good. Then if my score’s bad today, at least I won’t be alone.”

Ivon looked at him, confused.

Good?

She tried to understand Dani’s logic—strange but honest. He treated grades lightly, as if numbers on paper had no real power over his life.

Dani reached into his bag and pulled out a handful of colorful candies.

“I’ve got candy.”

Ivon quickly shook her head.

“No, thanks. I don’t eat candy. I break out if I eat sweet things… and I’m scared of cavities.”

Dani immediately pulled his hand back.

“Oh… okay.”

He slipped the candy back into his bag, suddenly feeling awkward.

In Dani’s mind, something passed briefly—not disappointment, not hurt—just a strange, uncomfortable pause he didn’t quite understand.

Before the moment could settle, the classroom door swung open loudly.

In walked the two loudest creatures in Class 1A—Yogi and Ira.

“Wow, so early,” Yogi announced, dragging his chair noisily.

“You guys come this early every day now?”

“Yeah, like it’s planned,” Ira added, tossing her bag onto the desk.

Yogi sat down and stared at Dani with curiosity.

“Dan, you’re gonna end up liking Ivon.”

Dani blinked.

“I’m not allowed to date. My mom would be mad.”

Ira burst out laughing.

“Mommy’s boy.”

Yogi elbowed Dani.

“So? Did you study?”

“Nope,” Dani replied confidently.

“Nope,” Ira echoed while chewing her bread.

Ivon hesitated, then answered softly,

“Nope…”

Yogi slammed his hand lightly on the desk, excited.

“Good! That’s good! High five!”

He stood up slightly, pretending to be serious.

“Think about it,” Yogi said.

“If you get a nine, you pass.”

He raised one finger.

“If you get a six, you still pass.”

He raised another.

“So it’s the same thing, right?!”

He looked at them dramatically.

“Why bother studying so hard?!”

Dani high-fived him.

Ira followed.

Ivon hesitated—then joined in.

That morning, Class 1A was filled with soft laughter, as if the world had no problems yet.

And Dani, without realizing it, glanced at Ivon more often than usual.

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Lunch Break

As always, the five of them sat together at lunch.

They had their usual table—left corner of the cafeteria, near a fan that sometimes sounded like a broken helicopter. The table wasn’t special, but it always felt like theirs.

While chewing her siomay, Dewi asked,

“So? Have you guys seen Kenneth’s Instagram yet?”

Yogi immediately went dramatic.

“Hey, hey. Ladies, don’t talk about another male in our territory. We handsome guys get jealous too.”

Dewi laughed, covering her mouth.

“Cool.”

Dani ran a hand through his hair.

“Why do guys even post pictures on social media anyway?”

Ira narrowed her eyes.

“Please. You’re just jealous. Admit it.”

“No!” Dani denied quickly.

Yogi scoffed.

“Sure, sure. Innocent boy’s jealous.”

Dani rolled his eyes.

Just then, the Five Knights entered the cafeteria.

As usual, the room softened. Several girls instinctively fixed their hair, adjusted their clothes, checked their lip balm.

Kenneth walked at the front.

But today, something felt different.

In Kenneth’s mind, something felt off.

He didn’t know who he was looking for.

Yet his eyes kept moving, scanning the tables.

Ivon, who had been drinking, immediately looked down. She held her cup longer than necessary.

What if he knows…

What if he realizes…

Embarrassment crept slowly into her chest.

“You look tense,” Dani whispered.

Ivon smiled nervously. Her smile looked stiff.

Dani glanced at her.

“You like him, don’t you?”

Ivon shook her head too quickly.

“No.”

In Dani’s thoughts, a simple realization surfaced:

Why does she always look down when she lies?

At the other end of the table, Yogi, Ira, and Dewi were busy commenting.

“I like the one with slightly curly hair,” Ira said.

“The tall one’s a basketball athlete,” Dewi added proudly.

Yogi shook his head.

“Doesn’t matter. Your hearts will always run to Kenneth.”

Dewi nudged him.

“You too, right?”

Yogi lifted his chin.

“I learn from idols.”

They laughed.

But Ivon’s heart kept racing every time Kenneth glanced toward their table. She pretended to stay busy—fixing her chopsticks, opening her lunch box, checking her water bottle—anything to avoid looking back.

Dani noticed.

In his mind, a strange discomfort appeared.

Not anger.

Not jealousy.

Just something unfamiliar and unsettling.

Kenneth glanced their way once more.

Briefly.

Then returned to his meal.

In Kenneth’s thoughts, a quiet sentence formed:

She’s here.

But I don’t know who she is.

The day felt long.