Adi stepped into his house, closing the door behind him. Just as he took a breath, he heard hurried footsteps approaching. His mother rushed out of her room, her expression filled with excitement.
Adi: "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"
Mother (huffing): "How—huff—how was the meeting?"
Adi (raising an eyebrow): "First, calm down. I'm not going anywhere."
Before she could respond, the doorbell rang. Adi turned toward it.
Adi: "Who's there?"
A familiar voice came from the other side. "Open the door!"
As he opened it, a young man stood there, sporting a stylish haircut, long pants, a colorful shirt, and glasses.
Adi: "Oh, it's you, Dakeshi!"
Dakeshi grinned. "Heyyy, Adi! You're home today? Didn't go to the office? Took a day off?"
Adi: "Yeah, I did. Good timing, by the way—I have some big news for my best childhood friend—"
Before he could finish, his mother's phone rang. She quickly answered.
Mother: "Oh! Tsukiyo, it's you…"
Hearing that name, Dakeshi's eyes widened.
Mother (on call): "I'm good, my daughter, don't worry… Yes, everyone is fine. Oh! Let me tell you some good news—your younger brother is getting married!"
Adi glanced at Dakeshi, who was now completely frozen.
Mother (on call): "Yes, I know it's sudden… Oh? You're coming when? In two days? But just for one day? Hmm, you're busy, I understand… In that case, we'll fix the wedding date for when you're here. That way, I can handle everything… Alright, see you soon, bye!"
She hung up, turning back to Adi.
Mother: "Adi, Tsukiyo is coming in two days."
Adi (smiling): "Oh? Sis is coming? It's been so long."
Mother: "Yeah, two months. She's only here for a day, so I decided to fix the wedding then. Do you have any problem with that?"
Adi (shrugging): "No, whenever you want, Mother."
Mother: "Alright, I'll talk to her again later."
Meanwhile, Dakeshi stood frozen, smiling to himself.
Adi and his mother both turned to look at him.
Adi: "Hey, Dakeshi."
Dakeshi (snapping out of it): "Y-yeah? What?"
Adi: "As you heard, I'm getting married."
Dakeshi barely reacted, still in his own world.
Dakeshi: "Oh… okayyy… Now I'm going…"
As he turned to leave, Adi called out, "Hey, wait! Did you even hear what I just said? My marri—"
Without listening, Dakeshi hurried away, singing to himself, "Tsukiyo, Tsukiyo, Tsukiyo is comiiiiiing!"
Adi watched him go, then looked at his mother. They both smiled.
Adi: "He'll never change when it comes to Tsukiyo, huh?"
Rocky sat at the dining table, his head resting in his palm, lost in thought. The room was silent.
Sophia walked in from the kitchen, holding a glass of water. She placed it in front of him and gently rested a hand on his head before sitting across from him.
Sophia: "How long are you going to stay like this, huh?"
Rocky didn't respond.
Sophia: "Rocky, drink some water."
Rocky suddenly lifted his head, his eyes burning with frustration.
Rocky: "Why? Why him, sis? Why Adi?"
Sophia's tone sharpened.
Sophia: "What's wrong with you? Why are you reacting like this? Do you know him? Did something happen between you two? Just tell me the reason."
Rocky exhaled, his hands clenching into fists.
Rocky: "I can't lie to you… so listen. But it was his fault."
Two Days Ago...
Adi had just dropped Anya off at college and was heading to his office when a bike zoomed past him at dangerous speed. He barely managed to control his own bike, avoiding what could have been a fatal accident.
His eyes narrowed as he turned to see the reckless rider. That was close… he thought. Someone like that is an accident waiting to happen.
Without hesitation, Adi sped up, chasing after him. The rider was fast, weaving through traffic, but Adi managed to keep up.
After a short but intense pursuit, the rider finally stopped—in front of Anya's college.
Adi parked his bike and stepped forward.
Adi: "Hey! You!"
The biker turned at the call. He was none other than Rocky.
Rocky's friends, standing nearby, glanced at Adi in curiosity.
Adi: "You were overspeeding. Don't you know the traffic rules?"
Rocky hesitated for a moment. With so many students watching, he felt cornered.
One of Rocky's friends nudged him. "Hey, Rocky, who is this guy? You know him?"
Rocky cleared his throat, then straightened his sleeves, trying to look unfazed.
Rocky: "Huh? What did you say?"
Adi: "Didn't hear me? I said you were speeding like an idiot."
Rocky scoffed. "So? What's your problem? Are you a traffic cop?" He laughed, and his friends chuckled along with him.
Adi sighed, rubbing his temple. "Kids these days… nothing but pesky little brats."
Rocky's smile faded. "Huh? What did you just say?"
Adi crossed his arms. "Oh? You really can't hear properly? No wonder you were speeding—you probably didn't even hear the traffic around you." He tilted his head, pretending to be concerned. "Wait… don't tell me you have vision problems too? Poor kid."
A few students snickered. Rocky gritted his teeth, his embarrassment growing.
Before he could retaliate, an authoritative voice cut through the crowd.
Professor: "What's going on here?"
An older man approached the scene, looking between Adi and Rocky.
Adi turned to him. "And who are you?"
Professor: "I'm a professor at this college. Now, tell me what's happening here."
Rocky quickly jumped in. "Professor, this guy is an outsider! He's falsely accusing me!"
Adi smirked. "So, you're a liar too, huh?"
The professor looked at the gathered students. "Can anyone tell me the truth?"
A student stepped forward. "Professor, this guy isn't lying. Rocky was overspeeding. I saw it myself."
More students joined in. "Yeah, it's true."
The professor raised a hand, quieting the murmurs. "Enough. Everyone, get to class."
As the crowd dispersed, only Adi, Rocky, and the professor remained.
The professor sighed, looking at Rocky. "This many students can't be lying, Rocky."
Rocky: "Professor, I—"
Professor: "No excuses." His voice was firm.
Turning to Adi, he nodded. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
Adi waved a hand dismissively. "No need to thank me. Just make sure this brat learns his lesson." He turned toward his bike.
Professor: "Rocky, come with me to the principal's office."
As Adi started his bike, he glanced back. Rocky looked over his shoulder, their eyes locking for a brief moment.
Back in the present…
Rocky clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.
Rocky: He humiliated me in front of everyone.
Sophia exhaled, watching her brother carefully.
Sophia: So… that's why you hate him.
She stood up and walked to his chair, standing beside him.
Sophia: Stand up, Rocky.
Rocky looked at her, confused, but obeyed.
Rocky: What happened—
Before he could finish, Sophia suddenly slapped him across the face.
Rocky, shocked, stood frozen. He touched his cheek, staring at her in disbelief.
Sophia's eyes glistened with emotion.
Sophia (shouting): Why? Why were you overspeeding, huh?
Her voice trembled as she continued.
Sophia: Don't you care about your life? If you don't, at least think about me—I worry about you every single day!
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Rocky felt a lump in his throat.
Rocky: Sis… I-I'm sorry.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he lowered his head.
Sophia sighed, her expression softening.
Sophia: Don't do it again. No more overspeeding.
She pulled him into a hug.
Rocky: Never… I'll never do it again.
Just then, Sophia's phone rang. She picked up.
Sophia: Yes, it's me… Oh? In two days? But the preparations… You'll handle everything? But… Alright, I understand. Bye.
Rocky, his curiosity piqued, stepped forward.
Rocky: Who was that?
Sophia hesitated.
Sophia: R-Rocky… It was Adi's mother.
Rocky frowned.
Rocky: What? Why?
Sophia hesitated again before answering
Sophia: They decided to hold the wedding in two days. She wanted to check if I had any objections.
Rocky's frustration built up.
Rocky: And? You said no?
Sophia: Yes, I said—
Before she could finish, Rocky cut her off.
Rocky: Why? Why are you suddenly going through with this marriage?
Sophia placed her hands on his shoulders, looking him in the eyes.
Sophia: I have my reasons, Rocky. Reasons I can't ignore. Please… just accept it.
Rocky clenched his fists, thoughts swirling in his mind.
"No, sis. You're not marrying that man."
But he forced a smile.
Rocky: As you wish, sis. I can't go against you, can I?
Sophia smiled, relieved.
Sophia: Thank you for understanding, Rocky.
Rocky's smile didn't reach his eyes.
(But is he really going to accept it? Or does he have other plans…?)