02. Complicated Emotions

Rona Merah was born and raised in a republic called Indonesia.

A country with many islands and different types of tribes.

Although not the best country in the world, Indonesia is a pretty good place to live... Well, even if the officials of the state are enough, less - very incompetent - in the supervision of state finances that flows among local leaders.

However, even so, Indonesia is still a good country to live in.

Indonesia is a developing country.

There are still many aspects that need to be improved by the leaders of this country.

However, it was all inconsequential to an ordinary person like Rona Merah.

The only thing that smells of law that may be related to her is only limited to school for now.

Education standards in Indonesia are not too strict compared to education standards in developed countries.

Even so, there are still many rules that must be followed.

One of them is, of course, if you don't go to school on the day of active teaching, then your grades will definitely have an effect.

Rona Merah is a good student.

So, she cancels her intention to skip school and comes to school early in the morning.

Yes, that's right! I wasn't scared because of the dream I saw. I just don't want my grades to drop!

As expected of me, the 1st place student!

This is not an excuse, okay!

Or that was what she was trying to believe.

***

"Ona?"

My close friend, Keisya, widened her eyes as if she was seeing a ghost when I entered the classroom.

That's right, isn't it? After all, 'that' happened yesterday, so it must be surprising if I still come to school as usual, right?

Ugh...

Enduring the pain that invaded my mind, I sat on the chair next to Keisya.

"I... Hiks..."

Then, I cried.

"Kei~!"

I hugged Keisya in order to find warmth in this suffering.

Keisya laughed dryly at the sight of me being like that.

"Ah, I know. You're not okay after all."

Keisya is my best friend.

Even now, she even listened to all my complaints.

"Saint?"

I wiped my wet eyes and started explaining everything to Keisya.

Fortunately, we arrived very early in the morning.

At this time, the class was still empty, so it was fine even if we talked about this kind of thing here.

Keisya smiled strangely when she looked at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Keisya drink the water from the water bottle she always brought with her.

She taking a breath, then said: "Actually, I also saw the same panel as you."

"Huh?"

That's really shocking!

I knew that there were millions of Saint candidates in this world, but how could I not be surprised to find out that even Keisya was also a Saint candidate?

However, at that moment, Keisya said something surprising.

"That's right, I'm also a Saint candidate. But, I didn't see such a horrible scene... Strange, isn't it?"

I thought for a moment before answering.

"That's right, this is strange..."

Actually, even before all these Saint things came up, I had long been constantly feeling disturbed by something.

I always feel restless.

Even now, I feel the same way.

It's just that, in the past, I always ignored it and thought of it as a psychological effect of the nightmare I had when I was 5 years old.

However, now, after the appearance of things about Saint, I wondered if my dream was really just a nightmare or a... Maybe... Like... For example, is a... An overview of what will happen?

"Hey, Kei."

"Hm?"

I asked Keisya.

"Do you think I have the ability to see the future or something?"

"..."

Keisya was silent at my question.

She sighed, then patted my head with a gentle smile on her face.

"As expected. You're not okay. There, hurry home. I'll tell the teacher that you're sick."

"Eh! WHY?"

Even after the appearance of things about Saints and so on, we can still joking around.

At that time, I hadn't really taken everything seriously.

But... How could I really take these Saint things seriously if the Quest issued by it were things like this!

[Assessment quest: I love you!]

[Explanation: Saint is the guiding figure of Humanity and the owner of Pure Love. Saints should have the courage as well as the determination to pour out their love when needed.]

[Assignment: Declare your love for the opposite sex you like.]

[Time limit: 48 hours.]

I turned to Keisya when the panel suddenly appeared while the lesson was in progress.

I saw that her face was flushed, just like me.

Oh my goodness, is this Saint System surious? Isn't this just a system that destroys a girl's public reputation!

At that moment, Keisya and I reached a secret consensus.

We stood together, then asked for permission to go to the toilet.

I felt very embarrassed when my eyes accidentally met Aldrian's!

***

"I won't do this!"

Just as I entered the female student's toilet, I immediately said that.

Still blushing, Keisya didn't say anything.

She lowered her head and seemed to be sinking into a state of contemplation.

I couldn't believe what I saw.

What it is? Who is this shy girl? Is this really the tomboy girl named Keisya that I know?

Don't tell me...

I hesitated, but I still decided to ask.

"Kei... You don't intend to actually declare your love just because of the Quest, do you?"

In response, Keisya only became more and more red.

Impossible! She really looked like she was going to declare her love!

Because of this strange system, my cool Keisya has disappeared! Damn system!

After being silent for a while, Keisya said: "Ona... About Al... Are you still going to pursue him?"

"... Huh?"

Keisya's face was very red.

Either because of embarrassment, or because of much deeper feelings.

What was clear, at that moment, was that I realized it.

Keisya's feelings.

"I..."

I understand.

I see.

"I guess I..."

Keisya is a very valuable friend to me.

Apart from Aldrian who was my childhood friend, Keisya has been my friend since I entered junior high school.

I don't want Keisya to feel sad.

"I don't think I'll pursue him anymore."

Keisya looked in the other direction as she nodded at my words.

***

"So, if you add up the values of A and X in this way, then..."

The teacher was teaching in front, but my mind had long since left the school.

"Ugh..."

My feelings are very complicated and strange.

How exactly should I react when I find out that my best friend also likes the same guy I like?

I've decided to support her, but why does it all feel so wrong?

Really, what should I do?

Damn it, this is all because of that weird system!

Who cares about Saint? I'm just myself!

Alright. I don't care anymore now. I'll just ignore the System problem.

I won't become a Saint!

Yes, this is my decision!