The atmosphere in the front side of the class that I feel is very different from my seat which is at the back. A closer view of the whiteboard reveals details of dull black smudges. The tick-tock sound of the wall clock can be heard from this distance. The location of this seat is at the edge of the classroom near the outside window, therefore, the scorching hot sun pours down on me. Our group is gathered at Farya's seat with a few other students' seats combined. Farya's seat is at the first line from the left and also in the first row.

We sit in groups of four. With two people facing forward, namely me and Rifa, and two others facing backward, Saena and Farya. We all stare at each other with the background of students and our English teacher who are pacing back and forth in the classroom.

…

… Ah, the silence as usual. Neither of us spoke. Farya in front of me is drumming her fingers on the table showing she didn't know what to talk about. Apart from Farya, Rifa next to me is just playing with her cell phone and Saena just sits while staring into the void.

Not knowing what to do, I finally opened my voice, "... Ah, I'll get the items needed".

Hearing what I said, the three people in my group let out a slight gasp, “V-Very well, would you like some help?” Said Rifa.

"No need, after all, only one person is ordered" I replied, getting up from the chair and walking my way out of the classroom.

I actually don't know how much stuff I have to carry, but I at least want to be useful in the beginning rather than later when I become a hindrance.

I walk towards the canteen building because that's where the cooperative school store is located.

Upon arriving, I see a queue that is quite busy. They didn't line up neatly like a straight line but instead became a group of students in front of the store's counter. Apparently, the queue is my classmates. I was late enough to get ahead of the others, huh?

It took me about 10 minutes to get my group share. And I didn't expect that there are quite a lot of items, I had a little trouble because there was a very long paperboard covering my view. The items include 1 meter of paperboard, scissors, glue, a pack of 30 sheets of origami paper, and various coloring markers.

All these items are stored in a tote bag made of plain brown paper. I have to use both hands to carry the bag mid-body to maintain balance even though it blocked some of my forward vision. Actually, it's not that heavy, but my body keeps losing its balance if I only use one hand.

The challenge just starts now. The stairs going up to the second floor where my class is located is an obstacles that I must overcome. I stay in front of the stairs like I'm getting ready to fight my nemesis, only then...

A hand suddenly take my tote bag from my grip while I was gawking. That surprised me a bit. But not with the fact that it was Arkan who took my bag.

"Huh?" I got mixed feelings in my heart.

However, he didn't take those feelings to heart. Arkan continued to walk upward the stairs without once turning towards me.

Not giving up, I try to call him once again, "Hey, the hell did you do? Act of theft?".

With two tote bags in both hands, Arkan who is going up the stairs, finally turns towards me. "You look troubled" Arkan answered briefly.

I am indeed having a little trouble, but was it really that obvious? I don't really need any help anyway.

Arkan, who keep going up the stairs one by one, said, “What are you doing? Come up".

I, who is standing still like a statue quickly increased my walking speed. Honestly, it's really hard to run up the stairs while balancing yourself so as not to fall.

We walk together, side by side. "How is your group?" Arkan asked while looking at the road in front of him.

“A-Ah, nothing special. It's just that it was a bit awkward, so I decided to retrieve the items myself” I answered.

“…”.

"H-How about you?" I asked back with a slightly stiff tone.

“Well, you know. Chika is there so it sucks. At least there is Tomi” Arkan replied.

The other one is not considered, huh?

"Tomi, huh? Isn't he an old friend of yours?" I threw a question one more time so as not to be silent on the way back. And also… I just wanted to chat with him.

"As far as I can remember, I never told you. From where?" He asked.

"Not from anywhere. I only saw you two from afar. From the attitude of you two, I just concluded that " I explained.

“…”. After that, Arkan goes silent. He keeps looking forward without even looking at me. He finally speaks when we are only two rooms away from our class, “Next time, don't observe from afar. Get together with all of us. I'm sure they'll be happy”.

I'm stunned after hearing those words. Walking but myself is deep in my heart while lowering my gaze with a smile. Those soothing words made me very happy. I can name anyone in the word "they". Even though it's not a big number, it's still proof that I'm starting to change. I have left my old life behind and have made progress in the present moment.

I take back my group's tote bag from Arkan's left hand and walk ahead of him.

While turning around and this girl says, “Yes! But don't leave me, okay?".

Our eyes meet. Arkan's facial expression, which is a little surprised, is stored in my memory well. And after that, I walk on forward, leaving Arkan. What a hypocrite, I said that but I also left him behind.

“Hana!” Arkan shouted from behind calling my name. I was surprised to hear my name shouted then turned back.

Arkan continues, "Go for it" in a tone that is not as loud as before. More leaning towards gentle, those words.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I reply in the same gentle tone while smiling, "Yes". Then turn around, walk towards the class, then leaving Arkan behind.

When I got to class, I see my group looking at me. Had they been watching the entrance to the classroom, waiting for me? I, who did not think it was anything strange, continue to approach them. Without noticing anything weird, I sit down in my temporary seat, beside Rifa. Then, put the bag containing the items for the poster task assignment. "Here are the items. There's a paperboard, scissors, glue, origami papers, and colorful markers. I'll do the decoration” I explained while proposing. This time, I will take the initiative. I don't want to always depend on others.

"Okay" Said Rifa.

"By the way, any idea on how the concept of the poster going to be?" I asked.

“Erm, that…”.

"We're still thinking about it!" Farya interjected in a high tone. I just realized that Farya, who is always cheerful when she is with Chika, hasn't spoken at all, all this time. Change of personality depending on the person encountered?

"In that case, I won't be able to make the decorations because I don't have any initial ideas" I said.

Saena who also hasn't spoken at all finally opened her mouth, “Th-Then, can you make a two-finger shaking symbol? And also sunflowers? Apart from that, it's up to you".

Still, thinking about the poster concept but already have some ideas for decorations? Maybe they've got a rough idea, but it's still too vague.

…

"Okay" I agreed. The reason why I said yes is because even though I haven't been told the main idea because I just want to help with anything. I left everything regarding the poster to the other members.

After that, we focus on our respective jobs. Farya made a line on the cardboard and then the line is cut with scissors by Saena. Maybe to reduce the size because indeed, the paperboard was too big in size.

Meanwhile, my main focus is on making the stuff that is asked of me. First of all, the two-finger symbol. If you think about it, the two-finger symbol represents unity. I give a line that forms a finger on yellow origami paper. Since the scissors is still being used, I waited while making the second one. Then the third. Then- Ah, no, stop. If I make too many, it'll be wasteful because each color only has 6 sheets. Second, there are sunflowers. A bit of a pain to make, but I should still be able to remember how. Take a sheet of yellow paper and divide it in half, fold it over here and there, then bend it so that it has a wavy pattern. Next, stick the brown paper in the middle, and for the stem, use a stick covered with green paper. And it's done.

I created 3 two finger shaking symbols and 2 small sunflowers. Saena said I can make other decorations too. I thought, what kind of gimmicks can go along with the decorations that I have made? First, I have to think about the concept. I could ask, but they seem to be so focused right now. The symbol represents unity so can I conclude about love? Affection? Valentine's Day is indeed close, but there is still a gap of 3 days before that. But, there are sunflowers, the bright yellow flowers themselves symbolize friendship.

Thinking too hard I didn't even jump to a conclusion and instead made a handshake symbol and various sized bright red hearts, which I bent to look like a butterfly.

It's been almost an hour. The sixth schedule bell had already rung 15 minutes ago. I'm still busy with origami paper and scissors, while Farya, Rifa, and Saena are focusing on the main part of the poster. I spot them busy using colored markers and cutting origami papers with Saena's scissors.

Finally, my part is done. There are a total of 3 two-finger symbols, 3 handshake symbols, 2 sunflowers, and 4 hearts, each of which is a different size. Now, I'm just waiting for them to finish with the posters, and then will I stick the decorations on the poster. You say it's good, thank god, but if it's bad, it doesn't matter either. Well, I'm not too concerned. I didn't pay attention to their work at all because I was so focused on my own work. Even though maybe if I just looked at it a little, I could get the basis of inspiration for what kind of decoration to make. But, well, it's too late.

After about 10 minutes, there's finally some movement from the three of them. Especially Farya who raised her hands high as if doing hand stretching while making a slightly satisfied voice.

I asked to confirm, "How is it? Finished?".

The three of them immediately turn to look at me, "Yes, it's finished".

"Have you seen it, Hana?" Asked Rifa whose seat has a little distance from me.

"Not yet. Too focused on my work. I hope it doesn't contradict the original poster” I answered.

“Haha, yes. I forgot to tell you the basic idea. If so…” Saena said with a long tone at the end.

The three of them gather themselves lined up on the opposite side of me holding the posters rolled. “This is our work” Saena said proudly.

Farya, who is in the middle of the three and the one who holds the poster, lets go of her grip on the top of the paper and then lets the paper's bottom side free fall while revealing the contents of the paper itself.

… Me, who got a glimpse of the poster's contents is left speechless. The poster is very simple, there is only a big sentence colored in rainbow colors, and the background shows two hands clenching each other colored with markers, so the colors produced are very solid.

"The finishing touch is from you, Hana" said Rifa.

“E-Eh…”.

My decoration as the finishing touch? Of course, I'm happy. I love their work. I am proud of myself for choosing the right decorations.

My eyes are a little teary.

Wait a minute, there's still something missing.

With a poster design like this, I still have something to add.

"Wait a moment! I want to add something more!” I said in a high tone. The three of them were quite surprised and looked at each other when I shouted at them like that.

I took the rest of the origami paper that lay on the table. Any color doesn't matter, size too. I take a yellow paper and it's a new one. Even though it hasn't been used, the size of this origami paper really can't be considered large. Therefore, I could only get about 2-3 pieces.

I fold the origami three times, cut it with scissors, and formed a human body holding hands, not too big. As expected, it can only go up to 3 parts. No problem. I fought the remaining time which is 5 minutes until the change of the sixth to the seventh schedule.

After I finished my impromptu work, I show it to my group members. They all look surprisingly happy with the hastily made frivolous decoration. The posters that previously lacked an artistic impression and feel plain, are now bustling and colorful. I also stick the last decoration. The decoration that upholds friendship, namely the logo of the friendship itself, is juxtaposed with the inscription on the poster that reads.

Let's Be Friends

We all looked at each other and laughed.

…

After collecting our handiwork, I who was about to return to my actual seat is shocked by a sudden call.

“H-Hana!” The call took me by surprise. The girl who screamed my name was Rifa. With a face that suddenly became sad, no, I can't explain the look on her face. Sad? Pity? Regret? I don't know which one.

I who was summoned also need to answer, “Y-Yes? What is it?".

In a flash, they all simultaneously united both of their hands together in front of their heads that were bowed down. United hands can be summed up in two ways, such as thanking and apologizing. This time it looks like an apology.

"We are sorry!" They said in a slightly louder tone.

Huh, why?

“E-Eh? Why?" I asked confused. Even though the work of making the poster went smoothly.

Rifa, one of them, rise her head, “Actually, we are…” she said while trying to explain something.

As it turns out, they had intended their motives from the start. However, because they themselves didn't know what to say to me, they ended up remaining silent until I returned. It was when I went to grab the items for the practical task that Saena had the plan to make a 'Friendship' themed poster to surprise me, I think.

“We were told by Chika about your situation. I'm sorry for not trying to be friends with you from the start” said Farya.

"I'm sorry too" Rifa said with a little teary eyes.

"Me too" Said Saena.

“It's okay, really” I replied in a slightly stiff tone, holding back my happiness.

I never thought that from this assignment I would actually get an amazing gift as this is. Arkan is right, if I want to talk to other people, I'm the one who should start first. I really thank those who always help me. With this, I…

"Thank You! Would you all like to be my friends?”.

Giving each other a look, the three of them say, "Yes! We would like to”.

We all laughed at each other after that.