Saturday, February 14th. After last night’s incident, half of my classmates began to realize and care about their future. I was no exception, even though thoughts of what happened still lingered in my mind.

  Today is a holiday, and I have plans to meet Siti at the park.

  I woke up when sunlight began to slip through the gaps in my bedroom curtains. My eyes landed on the alarm clock beside my bed. It showed 8:16 a.m. Panic swept over me—I was late to meet Siti.

  Without delay, I got up, prepared a simple breakfast—just toast and hot tea—and changed clothes quickly. After making sure I had my wallet and phone with me, I left the house and started running toward the park.

  When I arrived, I saw Siti standing by a large tree. She looked calm, watching a few children joyfully playing around the park. I let out a sigh of relief—she was still waiting for me. I walked briskly toward her and greeted her from behind.

  “Have you been waiting long?” I asked as I walked toward her.

  Siti turned around, her slightly serious gaze brightening the moment she saw me. “You're finally here,” she replied simply, glancing at me.

  Today, I had promised to accompany Siti to the supermarket. Yesterday, one of her friends had told her that there would be a massive sale at the supermarket not far from the park.

  “Yesterday, my friend said a lot of kitchen supplies are on sale. I think I need to stock up on food for the week,” said Siti, adjusting her hair as the wind blew through it.

  “So that’s why you asked me to come with you? Why not ask someone else?”

  “All my other friends are busy with their own stuff. Some have part-time jobs, others have to help their families, so I had no choice but you. Besides, you’re not doing anything today, right?” Siti replied after finishing fixing her hair.

  I simply nodded, accepting her reasoning without objection. “Alright, let’s go before the supermarket gets too crowded.”

  We began walking together toward the nearest bus stop. Along the way, Siti talked about many things—what had happened at school yesterday, her plans for the future, and a little bit about her family.

  “Adam, have you ever thought about what you want to be in the future?” she asked suddenly.

  I fell silent for a moment, thinking about the question. “I'm not really sure yet. Maybe I want to do something that can help others. What about you?”

  Siti gave a small smile. “I'm not sure either, but I think I want to do something that would make my parents proud. Maybe start a small business one day.”

  We continued chatting warmly throughout the walk, waiting for the bus that finally arrived to take us to our destination.

  We began walking to the supermarket together. As we walked, I asked Siti about a few things, like the increasingly hot weather lately and her plans for the weekend. Siti looked cheerful, answering every question enthusiastically while occasionally pointing at flowers by the roadside. The walk to the supermarket took about ten minutes, but our conversation made the time pass quickly.

  When we arrived at our destination, we were surprised to see a sea of people at the entrance of the supermarket.

  “It looks like the crowd is getting bigger,” said Siti, holding onto my arm so we wouldn’t get separated.

  I nodded while looking toward the crowded entrance. “So, what now?” I asked, waiting for her suggestion.

  “Let’s go in,” replied Siti without hesitation. With burning enthusiasm, she started walking into the supermarket, and I followed her with slightly slower steps.

  “Siti, wait!” I called out, but she had already disappeared into the crowd. I had to quicken my pace to catch up with her.

  After I managed to find her, we began picking out the items to buy. Siti looked very excited, but at the same time, she seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the choices. She frequently asked for my opinion on the items she chose.

  “Adam, which one do you think is cuter? This one or this one?” she asked while holding two keychains, one in her left hand and the other in her right. The keychain in her left hand was pink with a heart-shaped ornament, while the one in her right hand was silver with a minimalist design.

  I looked at both for a moment before pointing at the one in her right hand. “Which one… I don’t know, I think this one,” I said, pointing to the silver keychain.

  However, Siti shook her head and pouted slightly. “I think the other one is cuter,” she said confidently. She ended up taking the pink keychain and placed it in the basket to be paid for later. I just looked at Siti without saying much, then turned my gaze to the price tag on the shelf, which showed a 20% promotion for one keychain. I briefly considered buying one too, but decided to save my money for something more useful.

  Siti continued picking items enthusiastically, and before long her basket was filled with various products. I had to help carry some of them because her basket was nearly overflowing. In the middle of the shopping, Siti suddenly stopped and said, “Adam, you go ahead. I want to check out the cosmetics section.”

  I nodded and continued walking to the shelf with flashlights while carrying the items Siti had already picked out. There, my eyes were drawn to a black flashlight that looked elegant and durable. I picked it up and examined it closely. Its size was moderate—small enough to fit easily in a bag. I thought about how useful the flashlight would be if I bought it, but I was still hesitant because my money was limited.

  While holding the flashlight, I walked slowly, wondering whether I really needed it. In my mind, I tried to recall if there were any other more important items I needed to buy. The busy atmosphere of the supermarket—with the sound of shopping carts, customers chatting, and promotional announcements—slightly distracted me.

  Not long after, I heard Siti calling out to me from afar. I turned and saw her walking toward me with a wide smile, carrying several cosmetic products in her hands. “Adam! Look at this! These makeup items are on huge discount,” she said excitedly.

  I smiled at her enthusiasm and placed the flashlight back on the shelf. “That’s great. Let’s go pay before this place gets even more crowded,” I said. We then headed toward the checkout counter while Siti continued talking about her plans for using the new makeup she had bought. I just nodded and smiled, thinking about how cheerful today had been at the supermarket with Siti.

  We walked through a few more aisles, and at the same time, I spotted a black bag. A lightweight bag—more like a carry bag. It had many pockets and was suitable to bring anywhere. So, I decided to buy the bag.

  While we were at the main lobby, I observed Siti from the side. It seemed like she was heading to a clothing store before leaving the supermarket. Siti stood at the center of the checkout counter, trying to get an even lower price even though today was already a sale day. She tried sweet-talking the sales assistant with a voice that could melt anyone.

  “Today’s already a promotion and you still want another discount?” The sales assistant’s voice sounded incredulous at Siti’s request. Maybe it was because Siti wasn’t the type to feel shy—she openly asked for a lower price right in the middle of a promotional sale, doing so calmly without a trace of embarrassment.

  “A promotion within a promotion. Come on, auntie,” Siti said casually, as if she’d known the woman for ages, even though they had only just met. She raised her eyebrows slightly, trying to appear nonchalant, and I chuckled inwardly. She had her own unique way of bargaining—very different from others.

  The sales assistant was momentarily silent before responding, “Auntie?? I’m still young, okay!!”

  Siti feigned surprise and grinned sheepishly, as if realizing her mistake. “Oh, really? Sorry, sis. Even young people like you are already so experienced in this field.”

  “What do you mean by that?!”

  Siti bowed slightly, making a sign of apology to the sales assistant. From a distance, I knew the tactic Siti was going to use: she would shower the assistant with compliments while slipping in a few lines to nudge the price lower. But from what I observed, her method didn’t seem to be working. The sales assistant still looked firm. She shook her head slightly.

  “The price can’t be changed,” she replied, unmoved by Siti’s attempt.

  Siti put on a disappointed face and lightly tapped the price tag hanging from the side of the clothing. “Aww…,” she sighed softly, just enough for the assistant to notice her disappointment.

  I knew Siti wasn’t the type to give up so easily. But this time, it seemed the sales assistant was holding her ground better. Still, Siti didn’t give up. She pretended to browse through other clothes while speaking louder than necessary, as if unintentionally. “If only the price was a bit lower… I could buy for my younger siblings too. But yeah, if it’s this expensive, I guess I can only afford one…”

  The sales assistant looked at Siti. “Do you have a lot of siblings?”

  “Eh, quite a few,” Siti answered quickly, her eyes lighting up with hope. “A big family. They all love clothes like this, so if there’s a little discount, it would really help.”

  I almost laughed at her serious expression. The sales assistant seemed like she was considering something, but she still stuck to her principles. “Hmm, but this price is already a promotional price, miss. If we give more discount, it won’t be worth it for us.”

  Siti didn’t back down. She sighed deeply, pretending to think. “Alright then, I’ll try asking somewhere else. Who knows, maybe I’ll get a better price.”

  The sales assistant looked hesitant, maybe not wanting to lose a customer just like that. “Hey, don’t be like that. Other places might not even have promotions like this. Besides, today’s the last day of this promotion.”

  Siti made a thoughtful face on purpose, then finally turned to me with a smile I knew was completely put on. “Adam, what do you think? Should I buy it or check out other places first?”

  I shrugged, purposely not giving a clear answer. I wanted to see how far she could go with her words.

  The sales assistant finally gave in a little. “Okay, how about this. I can give you a discount coupon for your next purchase. But for this one, the price stays as is.”

  Siti pretended to be conflicted for a moment, then finally nodded with a sweet smile. “Thank you, sis! That’ll do. I’ll definitely come back again!”

  I really didn’t understand Siti’s ways. When it came to getting a lower price, she was truly skilled and persistent in negotiating. But this time, it looked like a win-win situation. Her tactic had a small opening—at the very least, she got a coupon that could be used next time. So in a way, she still won this round.

  Siti began paying for what she had picked out in the store, and after that, we left the supermarket. I glanced at her and noticed she was smiling contentedly, holding the coupon she had just received.

  “See? Clever, right?” she said with a proud smirk.

  “Yeah, yeah, you’re really clever…” I teased her.

  She just smiled, pretending to be innocent. I knew that for Siti, what mattered most was getting what she wanted.

  She tucked the coupon into her bag, walking out of the store with flair. I walked beside her, shaking my head repeatedly while smiling to myself. She was really cunning when it came to things like this. If there were a competition for the best negotiator, she’d probably be the champion.

  She looked at me with sparkling eyes, clearly proud of her little “victory” earlier. “Adam, don’t laugh. If you had guts like me, your life would be so much easier.”

  I chuckled, pretending to think for a moment. “Guts? I think you’re not just brave—you’re… brilliant at manipulation.”

  Siti burst out laughing, not offended by my teasing. “Hey, if that counts as manipulation, I call it an art. We use what we have to get what we want. That’s called skill, Adam.”

  I walked beside her, thinking over her theory. “Skill, huh?” I said, half convinced. “Not many people have your kind of talent, Siti. I think if you ever get into big business, a lot of people would be outmatched.”

  She looked at me with eyes shining brightly. “That’s actually part of the plan, Adam. That’s why I’m learning from now. Just wait and see—one day I’ll be a successful businesswoman. Maybe you’ll work under me someday,” she joked.

  I laughed at her statement. “Work under you? Hmm… we’ll see. But honestly, if you keep going like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if you became a CEO one day.”

  She smiled confidently, imagining her own future. But behind that proud smile, I knew Siti was the type who was never satisfied. If she wanted something, she would work for it until she got it.

  We continued walking through the shopping mall, occasionally stopping at other stores whenever Siti saw something interesting. Every time she entered a shop, I would just watch from behind with a smile, observing how she kept trying her luck to get a discount. Sometimes she succeeded, sometimes not. But one thing was certain—she never gave up.

  By the end of that day, I had begun to understand something. For Siti, it wasn’t just about getting the discount. She enjoyed trying, negotiating, finding ways to get what she wanted—it was like there was a competitive spirit in her that couldn’t be contained.

  ***

  After finishing our shopping, we decided to rest for a while at a nearby café. The atmosphere there was calm, decorated with soft, pleasant music. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, bringing a sense of comfort after all the walking.

  I looked at Siti, who was busy examining the items she had bought. Then, I began to question her choices.

  “Don’t you think you bought too much stuff?” I asked, trying to understand her logic.

  She looked up briefly, smiling casually before replying, “I don’t think so. Besides, there are massive discounts today. So, we should take advantage of it. With so many items on sale, why did you only buy one?”

  Siti pointed at the small bag I had purchased, eyeing it with curiosity.

  “Well, I was just interested in this bag… that’s all,” I replied briefly while running my hand over its surface. Honestly, I didn’t need much. Even this bag was bought on impulse.

  But Siti didn’t stop there. Teasingly, she said, “Don’t tell me you’re going to use that bag to steal something.”

  I just smiled faintly without responding. Her words made me pause for a moment, as if she knew something I was trying to hide. But I quickly shifted my attention to the pile of plastic bags filled with her belongings.

  “Hey, who’s going to carry all this stuff to your house later?” I asked, half hoping she already had an answer.

  “You are,” she replied nonchalantly with a wide grin. “I’ve made up my mind. You need to accompany me home and carry all this too.”

  I let out a long sigh but didn’t argue. Knowing Siti, she was good at manipulating situations like this. I knew there was no point in resisting. Besides, deep down, I didn’t really mind spending more time with her.

  Not long after, Siti asked me about yesterday’s visit.

  “Adam… don’t you feel like studying after seeing them like that?”

  I understood what Siti was trying to say. I looked ahead and replied to her question in a soft tone.

  “For me… it’s not really about passing the exam. I’ll just answer as best I can.”

  I leaned back in my chair and continued speaking. “Besides, I don’t have many dreams... I just live for today and let whatever happens, happen.”

  After saying that, I asked Siti a question. “What about you, Siti?”

  She stared off for a moment before answering my question. “Maybe for the upcoming exam, I’ll try to do my best. Besides, my parents would be angry if I got bad marks.”

  “Really,” I replied while licking my ice cream.

  When Hate was first formed, Area used to wear a cat costume when she was with us. She would always say “meow” whenever she started a conversation. But now she rarely does that anymore. Maybe it’s because of growing up.

  Mika, on the other hand, always brought colored spray cans into Hate’s hideout. She made graffiti on the walls of the drainage tunnel. There were anime sketches and depictions of mysterious creatures. She said it was inspired by the source of human strength. But to me, they were just exaggerated drawings. The creatures she drew had claws and spiky hair, looking downright creepy. Because the drawings were too scary, we decided to cover them with a white cloth.

  And then there’s Siti — her older brother is involved with one of the major gangs in the city. Her parents are pushing her hard to excel academically and become a scholar. Siti clearly doesn’t want to get involved with any gangs and just wants to follow the path her family expects.

  As for Kai, I know almost nothing about him. He’s very mysterious and only associates with a few small gangs in the area. I don’t even know where he lives or what his parents are like. What I do know is that he’s a very skilled programmer, highly intelligent and with above-average intellect.

  “Ugh, I really don’t feel like taking exams. But thank goodness there’s a one-month holiday coming up, so it won’t be too much of a headache.” Siti lay her head on the table.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “My useless brother always comes home late. And then my little sister, she’s too lazy to even leave the house,” said Siti, her eyes gazing out the window, seemingly deep in thought.

  “You have a younger sister?”

  “Yeah, why? She’s underage. Should I call the police on you? She’s cute, you know.”

  “I don’t want you to be my sister-in-law.”

  “What did you say?!”

  In a flash, half of her body rose onto the table, both hands pressing down as if ready to pounce on me.

  “Okay-okay, I was just joking. Sorry.” I raised my hands to block her.

  Siti snorted softly, then sat back down in her seat.

  “Haishhh…” She took a deep breath, folding her arms and turning her face away.

  I smiled a little before adding, “I didn’t know you had a little sister. Why are you only telling me now?”

  Siti let out a sigh, her eyes staring blankly at the table.

  “She used to live in the West with our grandfather and aunt. Because of some personal issues, she had to come back and live here. Her English is way better than mine. I’m kinda jealous. Haiss...”

  She played with the straw in her drink, her expression turning slightly melancholic. I could sense there was more to the story behind her sister’s return, but I chose not to pry. Siti seemed to be fighting with her own feelings, and I knew better than to push her.

  After a few moments, she stopped fiddling with the straw and gazed out the café window. Her reflection showed the two of us by the window, surrounded by a crowd. She paused for a moment, then turned her attention back to her drink. Then she asked me a question.

  “Adam, don’t you ever feel bored with life?”

  “Sometimes… What about you, Siti? Why the sudden question?”

  “No reason, really. Sometimes I feel so bored I don’t even know what to do. Lately, I feel tired of being at home. Even when I go out, I don’t know what to do. I’ve met some other street gangs. I hang out with them just to kill time. What about you, Adam? Don’t you hang out with your friends?”

  “I’d rather stay home and play games than go out and get into trouble. I did meet some street gangs too. They approached me first. So we hung out and killed time together. That was about a month ago. Now, I rarely go out with them.”

  Siti seemed to be reflecting on something about her life. Sometimes we do feel that life is boring without any clear purpose. Sometimes we feel alone, like no one understands what we’re going through. I feel that too. Living life just going with the flow, without any real direction. I’m still searching for my purpose—whether it’s to study for exams or to find something more meaningful. I’m still looking for it.

  Suddenly, a soft and emotional song floated into our ears, as if carried by the evening breeze sneaking into this little café. The gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar combined with a raspy voice created a strange atmosphere—calm yet full of feeling.

  Siti and I both fell silent, letting the melody seep in. The song felt familiar, like an old memory that refused to fade.

  “This song…” Siti broke the silence, her voice quiet, “...my little sister used to sing it when she was small, before she moved overseas.”

  I said nothing, giving her space to speak.

  Siti stared blankly at her glass, her fingers playing with the straw again. “She used to sing while playing her ukulele. But now… she’s not like she used to be. I think too much has changed since she came back.”

  Her tone was slightly heavy. I could sense deeper emotions there—a mix of longing and concern that was hard to express.

  “Sometimes,” I said, trying to ease the tension, “songs like this remind us of parts of life we wish we could hold on to forever.”

  Siti gave a faint smile. “Maybe. Or maybe songs like this just make me realise… that I miss who she used to be.”

  You came trying to get to know me, but I didn’t pay attention. I thought it was just a joke. I was rude, leaving your feelings unanswered. It was all my fault. Someone please send these feelings back to him. I want to meet again and answer that question sincerely. I called your name several times in writing. Thank you because of you, I have experienced a happiness that is a painful longing for the first time.

  This stanza was then followed by lyrics sung softly, full of feeling and a message trying to be conveyed, “I will wait until we reach a happy ending. Foolish me, thinking your feelings were just a game.”

  “This song tells the story between a man and a woman, where initially the woman liked the man but he didn’t care. In the end, he fell in love, but it was too late.”

  “Why is the singer a woman?”

  “Because the one who wrote the song is a man,” she answered casually.

  Below, more witnesses appeared. Searching for meaning from your story. They come and go with dreams that have faded. When the stars call my dream’s name, it begins to be silent. Hopefully, our message reaches each other despite the distance. Before I could say goodbye, everything has become a past memory. Not all of us get the chance to say farewell words, and I want to say it again, but with a smile from all of us. Reaching a Happy Ending…

  Someone we know, someone who becomes our first love does not necessarily become the last person to accompany us in life. Humans always change, as do hearts. However, there are those who remain faithful, waiting for the same person to return. Even though it is hard to achieve.

  “Isn’t the melody of this song sweet?” asked Siti, singing softly along to the tune still gently playing in the background.

  “Yes. But it seems you know more than just the melody.”

  Siti smiled, her eyes shining as if reminiscing something. “This song is about a boy who received a love letter from a clever girl in class. Because the boy thought the letter was a joke, he only replied in English. He thought no one liked him.”

  I was intrigued by the story. “So, what happened next?”

  Siti continued, her tone a bit melancholic. “Until one day, when his friend told him the love letter was real, he tried to get closer to the girl. But sadly...”

  “Why?”

  “The girl who liked him transferred schools due to family problems. He tried to find her afterward, but he couldn’t track her down.”

  I was silent for a moment, imagining the situation. “So the boy regretted not replying to the love letter earlier?”

  Siti nodded slowly. “It seems so. He realized too late what he had.”

  I fell into a brief silence before Siti shifted my attention with a surprising question.

  “Adam, what would you do if you got a love letter? People say a lover can change us. Don’t you want to find a partner, Adam?”

  “Not me. Besides, most people prefer cheating over being faithful. A small misunderstanding can turn into a fight. I’d rather wait for the right time and for someone truly worthy of me.”

  Siti looked at me with a half-playful smile. “Hee... You're interesting, Adam. But it’s a pity you don’t have a partner.”

  I gave a faint smile. “Yeah, Siti…”

  Siti’s expression began to change. I noticed how her eyes looked at me more deeply, as if searching for something she had never seen before. But I chose not to say anything, letting the moment carry us into a comfortable silence, accompanied by the melody of the song still echoing in our ears.

  ***

  “Help! Snatch thief!”

  The scream of an old woman caught our attention just as we stepped out of the café. In an instant, I saw a man running past us, carrying a small, worn-out bag.

  I assumed that the man was a snatch thief, and the voice of the woman crying for help—yes, no doubt, she was his victim. Without hesitation, I turned to Siti.

  “Siti, hold this for a moment,” I said, handing her my bag without waiting for a reply. Without delay, I began chasing the thief.

  “Hey! You better stop, you bastard!” I shouted while running.

  The thief glanced back, panicking as he saw me gaining on him. Without thinking, he swerved into a narrow alley to the right. I followed, but lost sight of him for a moment. My breath was heavy, hot air puffing from my body.

  My eyes scanned the alley, trying to estimate the distance and guess which way he might have gone. A second later, Siti came up behind me. “Adam? Where did he go?” she asked, also out of breath.

  “I don’t know, I think he went into this alley. Siti, you go left, I’ll search the right. He might be heading for an exit,” I instructed, and we split up.

  The thief kept running without stopping, not even glancing back, trying desperately to find an escape route. Midway, he thought he had successfully shaken us off. But at the end of the alley where he was headed, I had already taken position, guarding the exit tightly. As he reached for the exit, I was already there, waiting for the right moment. With a stern face, one leg was ready to block his path.

  “Enough, you better stop right now!!” I shouted as I blocked his way.

  The thief froze, tried to stop, but it was too late. He tripped and fell face-first onto the ground, and the bag he had stolen slipped from his hands.

  I walked up to him with an angry expression; his eyes seemed to reflect a red glare coming from my stare.

  “Don’t… don’t, it wasn’t me… I didn’t steal this bag. Someone forced me to do it,” he tried to speak, but his words were broken.

  “Don’t lie,” I cut him off coldly. I bent down, picked up the bag, and glared sharply at the thief.

  “Give this bag back. That old lady needs the money far more than you,” I said again, my tone firm and gripping.

  “Yes… alright,” the thief replied fearfully.

  Just then, Siti arrived, emerging from the dark alley behind me.

  To cut the story short, the two of us took the bag from the thief and began making our way out of the narrow alley. We quickly turned back and searched for the auntie who had lost her purse. She was standing by the roadside, her face filled with worry.

  Siti and I walked toward her. When we handed the bag back to her, she fell silent for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened. Then, with teary eyes, she thanked us repeatedly. Her voice trembled, reflecting deep gratitude.

  “Thank you, children. You’re both so kind-hearted. I don’t know what would’ve happened if this bag had been lost. There are many important documents inside,” she said, hugging the bag tightly.

  The auntie then pulled out some money from her purse and tried to give it to us as a token of appreciation. “Please take this, as a thank-you.”

  But I gently shook my head and smiled. “That’s not necessary, auntie. We just wanted to help. It’s better if you keep the money for your own needs.”

  Siti chimed in, “That’s right, auntie. We just wanted to make sure you’re safe.”

  The auntie was touched, and I could see a faint smile form on her face. She then prayed for our safety and protection.

  As we walked away, I felt a quiet sense of pride. Not because of what we had done, but because I knew that in a world full of hardships, even a small act of kindness could carry great meaning.

  When we arrived at the residential area in the northern district, Siti said something to me as we walked.

  “There have been a lot of snatch thefts lately, haven’t there?” she asked, referring to the incident that had just happened. Indeed, recent snatch theft cases had been on the rise due to several important factors, including the increase in the cost of goods.

  “Yeah, I saw on TV last night that the prices of some items are starting to go up. Maybe that’s why so many people are getting desperate—plus, they seem like they don’t have jobs,” I added, agreeing with Siti’s opinion.

  The neighborhood here wasn’t as densely populated as in the big cities. It was fairly quiet, and people rarely passed by. Siti’s house and mine weren’t too far apart. We lived in the same neighborhood, and the distance between our homes was closer compared to the other members of Hate.

  Lately, I’d also noticed that the stray dog population around our area had been increasing. It was likely due to uncontrolled breeding. On top of that, some animal control workers had been trying to capture stray dogs in the area. Children were also reminded to be cautious of these packs. In fact, it was said that the dogs around here could be more dangerous than the local thugs.

  “The stray dog population in our area has really gone up, not like in previous years. I think we should call animal control to catch them all,” Siti remarked as we walked.

  Siti clutched the items she’d bought tightly, while I had only packed a few things into a tote bag I had brought. As we walked, Siti asked me, “Adam, don’t you want to hang out at my place today?”

  “Why?” I replied quickly.

  “My house is empty today. Well, my parents have been going out a lot lately, so they usually come home late. And my brother? He practically doesn’t know how to come home anymore—he’s always hanging out with his friends.”

  “What about your little sister?” I asked.

  “Hmm, she’s inside playing video games. Why? Are you thinking of coming in to spend some time?”

  “Eh, it’s okay, Siti. I’m actually kind of busy today. Later this evening I’m meeting up with Kai—there’s something I need to take care of. So I’ll have to pass.”

  “Hmm, alright then, Adam,” she said before placing the items in front of her door.

  Siti’s house could be considered quite luxurious, with a well-maintained landscape and a gate that was usually locked, indicating no one was home. From what I could see, her house looked like a three-storey bungalow, a sign that Siti came from a well-off family.

  We placed the groceries in front of her house, and Siti began looking for her keys in her pants pocket. But before I could leave, she called out to me to give me something.

  “Oh right, Adam—I forgot something. Today’s Valentine’s Day.”

  Siti opened one of the shopping bags and handed me a chocolate cake.

  “Don’t forget to eat it, okay!” she said as she gave me the cake.

  I was reminded that today is February 14th, which means it’s Valentine’s Day. So, Siti must have given me the cake as a way to celebrate it. It looked like I had no choice but to accept it. Even though we didn’t usually celebrate Valentine’s Day, the cake she gave me looked delicious. So, I decided to take it without saying much.

  After helping Siti, I continued walking and waved to her as a gesture of farewell for the day. On my way home, I was startled by a black cat that suddenly crossed in front of me. Its eyes stared directly at me before it disappeared into an alley.

  I was momentarily puzzled by the cat’s presence. However, without giving it much thought, I continued walking and made my way home.

  ***

  I was walking when I accidentally came across Area in the park, sitting alone on a wooden bench. Her face was the same as usual—calm, but there was something hidden behind her eyes. Somehow, I never truly knew what she was thinking.

  I paused for a moment before deciding to head into the park and approach Area. Maybe I could understand her with a clear intention. She hadn't come to the base the past few days. Perhaps Area was dealing with some personal issues she was trying to hide. As her friend, maybe I could at least help her with part of the problem she was facing.

  “Area, why did you disappear for a few days?” I asked as I walked toward her. I tried to control my voice, but I knew it still sounded worried.

  She looked at me with a faint smile. “Oh, it’s you, Adam. Why are you so worried about me?” Area turned to look at me from the bench.

  Why? That question struck my heart. “Because you’ve been dealing with some major gangsters in this city. I’m worried something might have happened to you.”

  Area turned her gaze to the river, its surface shimmering under the evening sunlight. She smiled again, but this time more faintly. “You don’t need to worry about me, Adam. I always take care of myself as best as I can.”

  The evening breeze blew gently, the leaves in the park rustling softly. The fading sunlight reflected a golden-orange hue on the river’s surface. I stayed silent for a moment, letting the wind carry the silence between us. “Area, there’s something I want to ask. That paper you had the other day—what was it actually?”

  “That paper? It was a list of names. On that paper were the names of people working under ChainSilver. So anyone living in the northern territory has to pay certain things to them. It’s part of a contract between the local gang and the group’s leader.”

  “Is that so?”

  Area looked toward the river before speaking again. “Adam, last night I had a dream... about someone who misses their old life.”

  I walked and then stood in front of the river, looking at it, waiting for her to explain further. But she stayed silent, letting the wind blow between us.

  “Why are humans always tormented? And why do humans only get to live once?” she asked suddenly. Her voice was low, as if speaking to herself.

  I paused for a moment before replying. “Because… humans are strong. They are loved, and that’s why they’re tested.”

  The gentle breeze touched my face, making me choose not to say much more. I hoped Area understood what I was trying to say, in a kind way.

  “Adam,” she called my name again, this time in a lighter tone. “Why were we able to meet? In my life before this, you weren’t there. All those years, I’d never seen you or known you. But now, why are we able to talk?”

  Her question left me speechless. I didn’t know how to answer. “I don’t know, Area. Maybe it’s fate,” I finally said, giving a slight explanation to what Area might have been looking for.

  She let out a small laugh, almost mocking, but I knew it was just her way of hiding something. The river flowed slowly before us, its surface glowing faintly with the dimming orange light. Area was still sitting on the bench watching the flow, while I stood beside her, looking at the reflection in the water.

  “In two weeks, you have exams, right? After that, you’ll be on break. Want to… steal something with me?”

  “Steal?” I asked, turning to look at her.

  “Yeah, there’s a cute doll I saw outside our territory. But unfortunately, that doll is with another street gang. Do you want to go and take that doll from them?”

  I shook my head slightly, not believing her request. But seeing the sparkle in her eyes, I gave in. “If you really want that doll, Area… maybe we can try to get it.”

  She smiled with satisfaction, but I knew it wasn’t about the doll. Area always had a way of hiding her true intentions behind her words. Maybe she was keeping something. Perhaps I shouldn’t try to find out—or maybe I should let time decide what she chooses.

  “Hmm… Adam, do you have a purpose in life?” Her question this time was heavy, piercing straight into my heart.

  “A purpose?” I repeated softly, thinking of an answer. “I think that was the first thing I threw away after my parents died. I used to have a purpose I chased… now it's just a dream.”

  I looked down at the ground, feeling the weight of those memories haunting me again. “I don’t have anything left. Just my sister.”

  “What about other relatives?” Area asked again, her tone still calm, but I knew she was trying to dig deeper.

  “None. Just my grandfather and grandmother left.” I looked up slightly, forcing a smile. “That’s enough. I don’t want to talk more about it.”

  She didn’t answer, but her gaze remained fixed on me. There was something in the way she looked at me that made me want to open up, even though I knew I wasn’t able to.

  “Before that… can I know what your first purpose was? You said you had a goal before your parents passed away. So… can I know what it was?” she asked again.

  I turned toward the river, watching its slow current. “Just one—to make them happy. But that faded when I realized they weren’t coming back.”

  The evening breeze blew again, carrying a calming silence. I chose not to say more. I hoped Area understood what I meant, as always, in her own gentle way.

  At the same time, something crossed my mind about the incident at the abandoned house.

  “Area, can I ask something? When we went to the Mafi neighborhood, you mentioned that you had a connection with them. What actually happened between you and Mafi?”

  Area paused for a moment before answering, “Actually, the second person who came to see us… he’s the leader of Mafi, an important figure in that neighborhood. He’s actually my father’s cousin. If you want to know, I owe him a debt. That’s why I have ties with Mafi.”

  “Mafi mentioned something about you following in your father’s footsteps. What does that mean, Area?”

  “What does it mean? Do you really want to know about my father, Adam?”

  “Yes… if you don’t mind.”

  “Actually, my father is currently missing. Some say he has died, but there’s no solid proof. When I was a child, I used to play with him a lot. But one day, when I was waiting for him to come home while wearing a new costume, he never returned. My mother was very worried. After that, people said he was gone. But I don’t really know what happened. Maybe he’s still alive… maybe he’s somewhere out there.”

  “So, to survive, you started working with Mafi?”

  “Yes. I often carry out assignments Mafi gives me. My mother also depends on him. But lately, our financial situation has gotten worse, and I’ve been going there more often to do tasks when needed. He and I aren’t actually that close. I’m sorry, Adam. I keep troubling you.”

  “It’s nothing, Area. We’re all desperate in our own ways.”

  Area gave a small smile at my words. But deep inside, I could feel she was missing her father. She thought for a while before explaining something again, this time in a soft, sorrowful tone.

  “Sometimes I wonder… if my father were still here, would everything be different? Maybe we wouldn’t have to rely on Mafi, maybe I wouldn’t have to be in this situation.”

  Area paused, then looked down. Watching her wilt like a flower losing its light, I spoke up to offer some comfort.

  “You’re not wrong, Area. What you’re doing now is to keep living. We all have our own ways to survive.”

  “But, Adam… sometimes I feel guilty. Are all the things I’ve done right? Working with street gangs. Will my life get better, or am I just bringing more problems to those around me?”

  “Don’t think like that, Area. You have to be strong. If it weren’t for you, maybe we would have never met, and I don’t even know what would have happened to us all if we hadn’t met. We just need to keep going and hope that one day things will change.”

  “Thank you, Adam. I appreciate you. Even though life is hard, you always make me feel there’s hope.”

  “You’re welcome, Area. We have each other. That’s what matters most.”

  The dusk was nearly gone. The sky that was once orange began to turn gray. Dry leaves continued drifting in the air before silently falling onto the ground.

  “Life really is tough, isn’t it?” Area spoke again, almost like a whisper. “Without purpose or anything. I’m starting to get bored of this life.”

  Her words reflected the harsh reality of living in a developed but challenging area. The high cost of living and fierce competition for jobs made employment hard to come by. Even those who worked were trapped in a system that made them overly dependent on money and constantly worried about living costs, forgetting to enjoy life. I understood their struggle.

  I wanted to say something, but I set aside my intention for the moment. She stood up from the bench, brushing dust off her clothes. From the riverside railing, I turned to look at Area, seeing her figure silhouetted by the night.

  “You don’t need to worry about me, Adam.” She glanced at me with a small smile that was almost painful. “See you later.”

  She turned and walked away, leaving me behind. I could only watch her steps grow farther ahead. I stood there, looking at the river flowing slowly, feeling like time didn’t care about us. Area’s words echoed in my mind. I knew this conversation was not over.

  The city lights cast a yellowish glow, illuminating the quiet streets. Their shimmering rays reflected on the wet road surface like a mirror, creating faint shadows of passing people. My footsteps moved slowly, in rhythm with my heavy heartbeat, sinking into thoughts that kept spinning endlessly.

  Old memories stubbornly refused to fade from my mind, like gray clouds hanging persistently in the sky before rain falls. Those events always appeared, filling the spaces in my thoughts, forcing me to relive emotions I wished to forget. I felt as if those memories had a strong grip, giving me no chance to escape or let go.

  I slowly lifted my head, my eyes gazing at the dim night sky, adorned with only a few stars barely visible through the city lights. The sky looked like a faded painting, losing color and life, perfectly reflecting the mood I carried tonight. I kept walking beneath it, aimlessly wandering, hoping the cold night would bring me some peace.

  Area seemed to try to ask about my family, but it was better she didn’t know much. There are things we need to keep secret from others, things precious to us. The dark history of my family lingered in my thoughts, making me want to forget it. Yet it remained in my memory. I tried various ways, but it refused to leave me, and I still remember it to this day.

  Seven years ago, a tragic accident took two important souls from my life, shattering all hope and leaving me in deep despair. For five years, I struggled with unstable finances, trying to find a comfortable place to live. However, my hopes were crushed by false information and widespread lies. These inaccurate news seeped into society, causing confusion and distrust among people.

  In the midst of this chaos, those living in hardship began to form small groups as a way to survive, which eventually grew into an organization. Drug sales and trade of goods started, and these organizations began to control the five main regions in the state, known as Leader-Groups.

  Criminal factions began to gather and were given contracts as agreements to carry out. However, not everyone agreed to accept these offers; some saw them as one-sided and harmful agreements. Then, these factions were categorized into five tiers known as Street Gangs, District Gangs, Neighbor-Thugs, Territory Gangsters, and their highest leaders, the Leader-Groups.

  If these five tiers were united, they would form a large global-status group where illegal businesses were conducted. This group became a gathering place for criminals—muggers, robbers, thieves, and addicts—to carry out assigned tasks. All of us, including myself, are members of this group called the Massive-Groups.