The same Monday, it's just that the class is quiet because most of the students have gone home. However, if you pay attention through the window outside the classroom, many students are still enthusiastic about participating in their extracurricular activities. Seen from afar, the basketball club's kids looked excited about bouncing the ball onto the court floor while shaking their opponents, until finally they jumped high onto the basket and score an amazing two points. The scorer's sweat bounces off and reflected the warm evening sun.

Nice Layup. Two points.

That's amazing, right? They seem to be really glowing with passion because they really love what they are doing now.

Thinking like that, somehow I feel sorry for myself. Because you see, I'm contemplating how impressive other people look, in contrast to me who's just reading a book of fantasy fiction novels without doing anything else useful. Am I jealous? Of course not, because this kind of life is what I really want. It's just that something feels lacking.

Well, instead of thinking about things that I can't possibly solve just by thinking.

"Let's go home, then".

The sound of a basketball bouncing sounded louder when I'm at the 1st floor of building A, right next to the basketball court. During the walk, I turned my attention to the members of the basketball extracurricular. It's dangerous if you don't look ahead while walking. However, I continue to be impressed by their performance. Our school's basketball club is indeed one of the powerhouse in our city. Their extracurricular schedule is every Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:30 PM to 6 PM, and currently, it's still 5.30 PM. That's some amazing stamina resistance.

Even though it distracting, my feet know where to go. Before even realizing it, I had arrived at the bicycle parking area and my bicycle looked very apparent because it is literally a different era model. And because my bike is the only one left at the parking lot.

I opened the bicycle lock that was wrapped around the rear wheel of the bicycle, got on it, and immediately pedaled.

The route I use will be slightly different from usual. Why? Because in the late afternoon, the house complex route for some reason feels… spooky. Not that I'm afraid or anything, but the feeling of someone always watching you while driving at high speed always haunts my mind to this day, even though it's been a long time since that. Therefore, the route I'll be using this time is the downtown route filled with everything a 'City' has. Such as the flickering light of buildings which on average don't reach more than 6 floors, the noise of vehicle engine passing by, and some muddy places due to insufficient water absorption.

Ilutu City, even though this is the epicenter, still lacks signs of traffic signs and safety procedures. Traffic lights and crosswalks are still rare. And worst of all, there are no special lanes for cyclists on city streets so I have to ride on pedestrian sidewalks. Thankfully, the sidewalk is quiet at this time, since if I'm not careful, I could run into someone.

Well, our city's economy is still growing.

Also, if using this route, I will be passing through the government hall. The city of Ilutu, although on the skirt, this city is quite large. The area is divided into 5 other small areas. Incidentally where I live is in the downtown area. Apart from the government hall, there is also a large Supermarket, no, maybe it would be more correct to put it in the 'Mall' category because apart from being a center for buying and selling daily needs, the place also has an Arcade which I often visited in the past and another thing which a Mall would normally have. A Shopping Center, probably.

"Well, that place has changed drastically since the last time I stopped by" I said while looking at the two-story building which is quite large.

Because really, the last time I visited this place, there wasn't a second floor at that time. Two years ago maybe? The only thing that interested me in coming here, the Arcade, end up getting too boring for me. Looking at the building from afar for some reason keeps me nostalgic, even though I often pass by here when going out, sometimes.

After being satisfied looking at a second-floor building from afar, I immediately pedaled my bicycle and moved forward. Until my eyes catch a silhouette of a girl coming out of the Mall parking lot that I was looking at earlier.

While continuing to approach her, I noticed that the girl looked a little troubled to carry a plastic bag that might contain her groceries. Her school uniform is the same as mine, no, that's for sure. All schools in our country have one national uniform that must be worn on Mondays. And I can't see the school ID on the left sleeve.

Accelerating the speed of my bicycle so that I can catch up soon and see clearly who the girl is. Wait, why do I even wonder who that girl really is? It could be anyone but someone I know, anyway. There are only a few girls I know, and still, my brain feels like recognizing whoever it is.

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

My bicycle was finally next to the girl's body. However, I choose to look away and still face forward, because if only it wasn't someone I knew. While next to each other, a little sigh from the girl can be heard while she's carrying a white plastic bag with the logo of the local supermarket. Familiar soft voice. Not far ahead, I finally stopped the bike and turned around.

And sure enough, who I see right now is Hana. She is carrying a plastic bag that is probably filled with groceries. Of course, as a good friend, I should come and help her, right? That was my selfish reason to be able to meet her.

…

"Need help?" I say with a cool tone.

Hana, who finally realized I was right in front of her, flinched slightly because of my offer without any greetings.

“A-A-Arkan?! You startled me" She said like a person who had just been startled by a ghost.

“Haha, sorry, sorry. You look troubled, can I help you? My bike has a basket in front of it” I offered while showing the front side of the bike.

"It's fine?".

"Yes, if only to the nearest station. I don't mind" I said.

"Station? But I don't have any more money” She said in a relaxed tone, contradicting her own words.

"… Hah? You ran out of money???” I asked in a serious tone. This girl, wandering around a city that was new to her without a penny left? No matter how you look at it, this is too reckless.

"Only my pocket money, my savings are still at home, really. There was an interesting promo earlier at the supermarket, I have to get it” She answered casually for the second time.

“That's not the problem…” I said in a tone like I had given up and Hana was just confused hearing my sigh.

...

We walk on the pedestrian walkway with me leading my bicycle but not pedaling, with a white plastic bag filled with Hana's groceries placed in my bicycle basket. Hana stepping beside me while facing her face to the front. She's always this casual even at times like this. It's the second time I've met her under these unreasonable conditions, back in the forest and this time.

We obey the stop signs for pedestrians. But if we looked right and left, no vehicles are about to pass and we started walking again. The time is approaching 6 PM, and the sky begins to lose its twilight orange color and is replaced with street lights that illuminate all the way.

"Are you seriously planning on walking that heavy plastic bag all the way to your house?" I asked worried.

"Not really. Earlier, I asked my Uncle to pick me up but he didn't read any of my SMS message, it was already 15 minutes ago" She explained.

Then she intends to walk to her house because the SMS message has not been read. Very reckless, indeed.

"And? Why do you buy so many groceries? Are you refilling the fridge?” I asked.

“Yes, to refill- OH, YES!” Hana suddenly shouted at the end like realized something.

“W-What?” I asked.

“I bought all these groceries because later someone will come to the house. A friend. And I want them to taste the cooking of mine. However, if we walk from here to my house, will we get there before half past six?" She said.

“P-Probably not” My answer was not supportive at all.

Hana also looks like she is thinking hard and seems to be looking for existing ways to find a solution to this problem. She even posed like someone who had a headache.

And finally, like having a brilliant idea, Hana pointed at the back of my old model bicycle. "Bicycle piggyback, all the way!".

...

We end up both riding the same bicycle. With me as the driver, Hana is the passenger behind me, and the white plastic is in front of me. Because of the additional weight which is quite heavy, I have to spend extra energy for every pedal stroke of the bicycle. But, can't possibly say that in front of Hana, can I?

After leaving the downtown area and start entering the residential area, we got peace from all the noise of city vehicles. Somehow it feels even too quiet, just the two of us at the time. I begin to slow down my pedaling and my body start to relax after working too hard before. If I'm not mistaken, Hana's house can go through this route.

Hana is behind holding on to the bottom of her seat. The cold night wind greeted us gently. It feels so quiet. There is only the sound of the chain rotating in the rotating gear of my bicycle that could be heard clearly. Although suddenly, there's a girl's soft singing voice behind me.

...

♪ … Oh, little sparks in the sky, how could you fly freely into the night? ♪

♪ The way your light shines upon us, brighter than the moon ♪

♪ Your warm, colorful illumination that thaws the freezing heart ♪

♪ But your light, soon will fade ♪

♪ A goodbye to the vivid sparkles ♪

…

…

“… Mother” Hana said weakly and suddenly she hugged me from behind gently. Feeling the touch of a girl on my body made my reflexes flinch and almost lost my balance. It was close… me and Hana would have fallen.

Hana wasn't bothered by the stabilizing movement I made and kept her head tucked under my waist. This girl apparently still feels grief over her mother, huh? Well, if one of the most important figures in your life goes away, forever, it's certain that the feeling of grief will still be felt even though the times have changed. For months or years, the feeling of longing will definitely still be felt very much. But, that song, Do I think it was the same song? Was that the whole lyrics? How did she know? So many questions, but right now, my main goal is to get Hana home safely.

Finally, we arrived in front of Hana's house. The host herself is still contemplating while leaning her head behind my back.

"Hana, come on down. We've arrived" I said.

Without saying anything, Hana get down and slightly lowered her head. When she is inside the yard, Hana closed the fence and said, "Thank you. I always trouble you. Someday, I will repay all your good deeds" She said with a smile at the end.

What is this? Suddenly she became very kind, even though earlier she was gloomy. Well, maybe this was her way of showing her gratitude to me.

Hearing Hana's sentence, I reply, “Yes. I look forward to it” briefly.

But instead of turning towards her house, Hana is staring at me seriously. She starts thinking again, but this time I couldn't tell what is going on in her head.

"How about this, Arkan" She said like she's negotiating something.

"Hmmm?".

"You can come inside my house, interested?" She said casually.

…

"Hah?".