7. Roullete's Guy

I immediately stood up when I saw someone walking casually past my class.

This foot moved out of the classroom and followed the figure's footsteps.

I stopped when I saw Naya approaching the figure, and had a short chat with a big smile.

Aunt Yuyun looks very familiar with Naya, as well as the other Roulette members who are now around her.

I thought, Aunt Yuyun would not like Roulette because it was a bad influence on Bambang, but in fact, she seemed relaxed around them.

"See, what are you doing?"

I was startled when I heard a voice from behind me.  There was no need to turn to see who was there because I knew the man's voice quite well.

I took a deep breath, then turned to face Paijo.

"I've returned your jacket!"  I called softly.

"I'm not asking for jackets anymore!"  cynically.

Really, whether this applies to just me, or everyone.  Why is this man always being cynical?

I smiled faintly, then walked past him to return to my class.  I don't think I have enough energy to argue with him.  And after all, he's the guy I have to avoid in this school to be safe from the girls going crazy over him.

"I'm not done talking yet!"

Again I stopped.  Come on, what's with this guy?  It's as if there's nothing else he and I can talk about other than the jacket he lent the other day.

I tried my best to smile and turned back to his eagle eyes which were staring at me intently.

"What you see, don't spread it, or you'll be in trouble!"  he threatened.

Mine just broke.  This man is really weird.  What's with him?

"Hey, what did I see? And why did it have to spread?"

"Aunt Yuyun who is familiar with Roulette who is known to be stubborn! If you bring this up to your mother, keep spreading it to her friends who can get Aunt Yuyun in trouble, you're done with me!"

Unlucky!  What kind of man could threaten a woman like that?  Has he never been taught manners?

I moved quickly to him, standing exactly a meter in front of him.

"It's no big deal if Aunt Yuyun is close to you! No one will care, even if it's my mother! And even if she finds out, she won't tell anyone, because that's really not her nature!"  I growled.

Wasn't he indirectly accusing my mother of spreading gossip?  This man is so presumptuous!

"Good if that's the case! But, I'll say it once again, watch your mouth!"  snapped Paijo.

"Damn it, you're the one who has to keep your mouth shut! You're the one who's been babbling and accusing that person ever since!"

Oh my God, I almost said harshly.  Luckily I can control my emotions.

Paijo didn't answer anymore, he just kept looking at me with a sharp gaze.

It can't be like this.  This will only continue to waste time.  I immediately turned around and left Paijo annoyed.

I was so annoyed, I became lazy to go to class even though the bell signaling entry had rung.  I continued walking towards the indoor court and sat on the bench on the sidelines.

Luckily no one was here.

Wait, why am I so annoyed with that one man?  I should have just ignored him and his smug face.

It's so annoying, even though I don't have any bad intentions towards Aunt Yuyun.  She's a good person, Bambang has also helped me a lot, so why would I do something bad behind their back?  I'm not a gossip, dammit Paijo!

"Wow, it's time to go to class!"

I was stunned to hear a voice that echoed softly within this building.  Reflexively I immediately turned here and there to find the direction of the voice.

Oh, what a shame!  Maybe it's not my lucky day.  Why do I always have to meet Roulette members?

I scowled in annoyance when I saw the tall man I knew named Gepeng was walking towards me.  I'm sure that's not his real name, what parent would want to name their child like that?

"Why are you looking at me like that?"  asked Gepeng confused.

I immediately turned my gaze in another direction.

"Didn't you hear the bell rang already? Go to class!"  Gepeng exclaimed while picking up a basketball that was lying not far from where I was sitting.

"That Roulette guy really likes to take care of other people's business, doesn't he?"  I snapped.

Oh no!  I guess I got too carried away.  Gepeng doesn't even do or say anything that offends me, why should I be so curt at him?

Unexpectedly, instead of being annoyed with my words, Gepeng chuckled softly.  The man then dribbled the ball and put it in the ring.

"I don't know, how many Roulette guys happen to mind your business or someone else's! I was just saying hello and making small talk! There's no need to be upset like that!"

That is true.

"Sorry, I'm in a bad mood, so digress."  I looked down embarrassed.

A soft chuckle came from the man's direction.

"Who are you annoyed with? Bambang? Or Paijo? I heard yesterday that you were bullied because of him?!"

Precisely!

"How do you know?"  I immediately looked up at Gepeng.

"Naya told the story. She told the story so that Jo wouldn't do something that could make you bullied again."

Oh, great idea.

"Speaking of Paijo, is he really like that, isn't he? Likes to be very cynical and mean to people? Well, I don't feel like I've done anything wrong to him, but he looks annoyed every time he looks at me!"

Gepeng was silent.  He looked at me intently, but after that, he laughed smugly.

Okay, which part of my sentence sounds funny.

"Paijo is a person who likes to spread charm. He is always nice to all women. If he is not nice to you, then there are two possibilities!"

"What?"

"He doesn't like you, or he likes you!"

Huh, is Gepeng joking right now?  The first possibility is quite plausible although I don't know what I've done to make him hate me.  But, the second possibility?  Normally, a person would be kind to the person they like, so what did Gepeng think to come to that thought?

"The first possibility sounds more plausible!"  I called softly.

Again Gepeng chuckled softly.

"Don't worry too much about it! Paijo, or any other Roulette guy, will never cause you any trouble, or trouble you!"

"Why is it so?"

"Because you are someone that Bambang has to take care of. So, you automatically become someone that Roulette has to take care of!"

I was stunned to hear Gepeng's words.  Sounds pretty cool.  But ...

"You don't have to do that. I don't need your care! I'm fine, so there's no need for drama!"

I know I might sound harsh, but I'm just trying to tell the truth.

I'm fine, everything is going well, and no one wants to hurt me.  I'm not a child anymore, I don't need care.

"Bambang took care of me because of my mother's request, but you are different, you don't have to do that!"  I immediately left the building after saying that.