We walked side by side down the hallway, just me and her—Ms. Qori. The soft squeak of our shoes on the floor was the only sound between us. She didn't say much, just walked with that calm, steady pace. The classroom door came into view. I felt that mix of nerves and curiosity settle in my chest.
"Okay, this is your class, Sahabi."
"Ah, really? Thank you."
"Good grief, I didn't expect that you actually forgot where your class was. I thought you were just joking."
"Haha, sorry about that."
"You're forgiven, but don't let this happen again, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am."
A good start for my journey. I didn't expect it would be like this.
"Alright, I guess it's time for me to go."
"..."
Ms. Qori... As far as I remember, she, Cahya, and Dipa were very close. Cahya was the vice president of the Matahari organization in the future and the person who most strongly opposed my plan to rehabilitate the traitors. Not only did he oppose it, he looked like he wanted to kill me for protecting those traitors—even though they'd already come to their senses. I heard he wasn't this harsh before the incident, so if I meet him now, maybe I can at least get a clue—or even some help.
"Um, ma'am, may I ask something?"
"Hm? Sure, and I hope you're not about to ask where you live."
"Haha, of course not. Umm... I wanted to ask if you know where Mr. Cahya is right now?"
"..."
Ms. Qori fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
"Cahya..."
"..."
"Hmm, you're right. I haven't contacted him at all lately. I think I've just been so busy with work that I forgot. So sorry, I don't know where he is now. And I think I'd better get in touch with him soon considering how critical things are right now."
"Critical?"
"Yes, you do know the school is in a state of emergency, right? Don't tell me you forgot that too."
"Ahaha, o-of course I remember," I said nervously.
Hmm, I'm curious what she meant by 'critical', but I think I'll ask someone else—if I keep asking like this, people might get suspicious.
"Phew, I thought you forgot. At least be careful and don't leave school alone—go in groups."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Not spirited enough. Again!"
"Yes, ma'am!!!"
Suddenly, the classroom door opened and someone familiar stepped out.
"Mm, I don't want to ruin this sweet student-teacher moment, but could you not talk so loudly while class is in session?"
"Ah, my apologies, sir. Eh, why are you teaching this class?"
"Hmm... Ah, I forgot his name. He suddenly fell ill so I was asked to fill in," he said while closing the classroom door.
"Sir, you should remember the names of your coworkers."
"Oh, is that so? Sorry, Ms. Qori. By the way, weren't you called by the principal? If you don't go soon, you might get into big trouble."
"Oh, right! Yikes! Okay then, excuse me, sir, I have to go. And Sahabi—don't get lost again."
Ms. Qori rushed off, leaving the two of us alone—me and Mr. Estiawan. Estiawan Dongoran… I just remembered, that before becoming the head of Division 3, Mr. Estiawan was a teacher and scout at Starlight Academy. I didn't expect to meet him so soon. Although he often jokes around, he's a good person—smart, with sharp analysis. Somehow I admire how he can remain calm even after the world descended into chaos.
"Um, alright—how long are you going to just stand there and stare at me like that, Sahabi?"
"Ah, sorry, sir."
"I don't know what part of me you find so fascinating, but you should be more careful about hiding your attraction to someone. Especially if it's a girl—don't think about that in class or you'll be in trouble."
"Yes sir. Um... class? What's going on in the class?"
"If you're curious, why not go in and find out? Youth really is fun. It's my first time entering your class, and I know you all haven't known each other long, but I already see the joys of youth—I'm jealous."
"Sir, what exactly are you doing in my class?"
"Haha, sorry Sahabi. But still, if you wanted to skip class, couldn't you have at least asked for permission? You know I'd let you if you asked."
"If I asked, it wouldn't be skipping, sir. But wait—I wasn't skipping!"
"Oh really? So you actually got lost?"
"Yes. I'm sorry for missing class."
"Hmm..."
"..."
"Alright, I believe you. And just so you know—you actually did ask for permission before leaving class."
"Eh? I did?"
"Yeah, you asked to go to the bathroom."
"Ah, right! Haha."
"Hmm..."
"Well, I'd better go into class now. I'm sure you're also busy, sir."
"Absolutely, Sahabi. I was hoping for a longer break."
"Ahaha, in that case, I'll excuse myself."
I walked to the door, and as my hand touched the knob, I suddenly froze.
"..."
My hand trembled.
"..."
What's happening? Why am I shaking? Am I... afraid? No, I'm actually really happy. I mean, beyond this door are my friends, right? They're alive—yes, still alive. Then... why am I just standing here? What's wrong with me?
"Sahabi, are you okay?"
"Ah! Sir? What's wrong?"
"Hmm..."
"..."
"Sahabi, why aren't you going in?"
"I... I don't know. It feels... hard to go in right now."
I didn't know what to say or do when I met them. After everything that happened—seeing them again, especially those who had died. I let them die. I failed to keep my promise. Should I greet them? Hit them? Hug them? Even if I've lost my memory, I know they were precious friends. I can't act like I never knew them... What should I do?
"Sahabi."
"Yes, sir?"
"I don't know what's going on, but just be yourself. Don't overthink it—let yourself act naturally. If you made mistakes before, I believe you'll be fine—because you have great friends."
Mr. Estiawan's words moved me and helped me calm down. I didn't expect such wise words from him, but he was right.
"Thank you, sir," I replied with a smile.
"You're welcome," he said as he walked away, leaving me alone at the door.
I reached for the door again. My hand still trembled slightly, but now I felt lighter. My friends trusted me with this task, so I had to make sure everything went smoothly. I had to avoid arousing suspicion.
"Phew... Here we go."
Slowly, I opened the door and stepped inside. Once inside, I stood still.
"Hey, are you sure this will work?" asked a student with medium-length, tousled greenish hair and side-swept bangs, wearing a light purple hoodie.
"Yeah, I think it should, but sorry in advance if it glitches or stops suddenly," replied another student wearing a vintage-style pilot's cap with goggles and slim black trousers.
"Relax, Harjasa. And Najam, are you doubting the work of the best physicist of the century?! I'm sure it's ready to use right away," said a student with dark brown hair styled up in a high, voluminous pompadour, speaking sharply.
"Quality check is still necessary, brother! Even if it's made by a pro, we still have to ensure it's safe and ready for use!" added another student with neatly trimmed dark brown hair and slight bangs, dressed in a crisp, formal white outfit.
…Najam Firmansyah… Harjasa Iswahyudi… Laswi Saputra… Bahuwirya Uwais…
"Could you not shout while I'm enjoying my tea with my guest? And didn't I say I want three teaspoons of sugar, Darmaji?!" said a schoolgirl sharply, dressed in a structured pink military-style jacket and a matching pink beret.
"Eek! Sorry! I'll fix it right away," panicked the male student, who had medium-length brown hair with tidy bangs and soft curls, as he scrambled to respond.
"Khukhukhu, just so you know, if you serve bad tea to my sister, you won't see tomorrow's sunrise," chimed in another schoolgirl with long, flowing red hair, wearing a dark peach-orange hooded coat, as she pointed at the girl beside her.
"...." A schoolgirl with tousled, short dark gray hair that curled outward sat quietly, watching the others as they spoke.
"Cornelia, don't scare him. And I'm sure Natalia won't actually do anything. Darmaji, you can give it to me," said a calm schoolgirl with long, dark blue hair swept to one side, and a large blue scarf wrapped around her shoulders.
…Diana Oktaviani… Darmaji Manullang… Cornelia Nasyidah… Natalia Rahayu… Betania Halimah…
"Tch, that musician pretending to be a good guy," muttered an annoyed schoolgirl with ash-brown, straight chin-length hair and long bangs covering her right eye.
"Shut up, Zalindra, you're bothering my reading," shouted a male student with short, smooth white hair parted to the side.
"Phew, Rangga, you didn't need to scold her like that. Oh, by the way, I found a new bakery with a raffle for a cute bunny doll. Want to go after school?" asked a schoolgirl with short, light brown hair in a soft bob cut, wearing a forest green sweater with vertical detailing and slightly puffed sleeves.
"Sorry, Almira, I've got practice today," replied another schoolgirl apologetically, with short black hair, straight with an angular fringe, and white bandages wrapped around both forearms.
"Hmm, cute doll? I'm free—count me in," said a serious-looking schoolgirl with long, straight hair that faded from dark maroon to soft pink at the tips, dressed in a bright pink coat.
"A raffle, huh? Want to know your luck? But of course, it's not free hehe," added a male student with long, slightly wild black hair, wearing a flowing yellow haori-style coat.
…Zalindra Wulan… Rangga Firgantoro… Almira Genta… Gilda Suryatmi… Fitria Maryati… Kambali Wibowo…
I remained still, not moving. They're really here. All of them… even Cornelia, Natalia… everyone's here.
"Ng, Sahabi!!! You're finally back—you have to explain yourself. You asked to go to the toilet and then… huh?!" shouted Bahuwirya approaching me.
…
"Waaah Wirya, what are you doing? Don't you realize you're in danger now?" said Najam with a worried face.
"Brother, you fucked up," said Laswi facepalmed.
"Sahabi, are you okay?" asked Harjasa.
Eh…
"Ara, I told you not to yell. Now you're in trouble," said Diana, concerned.
"Uwah, Sahabi-bro! Wirya, you better take responsibility!" said Darmaji angryly.
"Wow, Wirya, I hope you wrote a will," said Cornelia, praying.
"Sahabi..." said Natalia, looking shocked.
What's going on? Did something go wrong?
"Serve you right, Wirya. Now go to hell," Zalindra muttered happily.
"Shut up, Zalindra," said Rangga, glancing, sighing, then returning to his book.
"Oh no, Wirya's future looks bleak," said Kambali, surprised.
"Sahabi, what happened? Are you okay?" asked Almira curiously, approaching me.
"Almira, I think it's better to let him calm down first," said Gilda, stopping and pulling Almira back.
Calm down? Do I look unsettled? No, I'm fine. Actually, I'm really happy. I got to meet you all again and have a chance to fix everything. And I think I entered normally, so why…
"Sahabi, I hope you can explain what happened—if you still want to see your friend alive," said Fitria seriously.
Eh… I don't understand, but I guess I should speak.
"Everyone... Yes, everything's fine..."
"You're wrong!!"
Eh…
"You're wrong, Sahabi!"
I looked in the direction of the voice I knew so well.
"Betania?"
I went silent for a moment.
"But I'm serious. I'm okay."
"Really?"
"Yes," I answered confidently.
"Then why... are you crying?"
What?!