ONE SUMMER NIGHT'S

It hurts, but I like it

"Have you ever heard of falling in love at first sight?"

"Well?!"

"Love at first sight is an expression to describe a sudden romantic attraction to a stranger or someone we meet for the first time."

"I don't believe that. I think love at first sight is impossible."

"But, Sea. Love at first sight can happen even in a matter of seconds from the gaze."

"Is that really there? Wouldn't true love take a long time to grow? It took me a long time to figure out if it was really love or just physical attraction." 

"Ah, I forgot that you've never been in love, even though you're 25. You may not know if your body will react if you are in love. Do you know if you're gonna feel a lot of butterflies flying in your belly."

"Butterfly?"

"Hm."

The sea seemed to circulate while holding its own stomach. He had not felt it before when he was with a stranger that night, he only felt his heart pounding fast enough, especially when he hugged him, tight enough to cause him pain. But strangely, he liked it. 

What is love at first sight? But why is it so painful?

"I also want to feel that kind of thing, it's just that I'm too scared."

"Fearful? What are you afraid of?"

"Excessive feelings of happiness can make my heart beat twice as much as usual, and ...."

"And?"

"That hurts."

Anna grabbed Sea's body to hug him. Why did he forget that, it really made him sad and hurt for what Sea felt.

"I've forgotten that. Ah, I'm sorry."

"No problem, Anna. I like you who look excited" Sea replied with a wide smile that was immediately greeted with laughter by Anna.

"Then, what about that guy you meant? Don't you just keep remembering that, you're gonna get more and more tormented by pain?" asked Anna, cupping Sea's face. Clearly looks worried.

"No problem, just remember it and don't see it. I think I'll be okay."

"Ah, what a pity. Emm, if you can tell what kind of man he is?"

"Him?" Sea looked back to thinking for a moment. "Let's know, I .. just love the sound and rhythm of her heartbeat."

"That's all?"

"his eye."

"M-spy? Are you guys looking at each other?"

"Hm."

"Ah, that's very thrilling. Would be nervous if you were in your position."

"I feel that too. And .. pretty painful."

Anna re-hugged Sea's body tightly and rubbed her back gently.

"I wish you'd always be happy, Sea. I pray for your happiness, wanting you to meet a man who can really make you fall in love without hurting you."

"I hope so too, Anna. Thank you," nodding Sea gently before grabbing a cup of warm tea that Dana treats for them to enjoy, not forgetting the sweet snacks and fruit.

"Is that man not standing there anymore?"

Anna turned her gaze out of the studio, observing the roadside that looked quite lonely there.

"Man?"

"Hm. Only a teenage boy has been seen standing there lately. Seemed to be waiting for someone, I don't know. Forget it," Anna sipped her warm tea back before resuming their chatter.

***

A week passed, in the middle of summer.

"You're gonna come with me to music class, right?" asked Jeane tidying up some of her books before putting them in her bag, observing Ruel who immediately moved from his seat preparing to leave.

"Ruel and I have a muay thai class today" Gray continued.

"Is that all? Can't you come with me to music class?"

"I'm not interested." continued Ruel stepped away. Leave the classroom to the training room.

"Ah, of course. You're only interested in things that stink of violence, are you a psycopath?"

Jeane sped up his pace, in order to counter Ruel and Gray's steps.

"You go first" said Ruel.

"Hey, where are you going ...."

"Let him, I think he needs a toilet," Gray cut him into Jeane's arm for his arm.

"You sure? What if he ran away."

"We'll be waiting for you at Caffeteria, you better hurry up so you don't miss lunch time!" shout Jeane.

"You're really paying attention to him."

"He's my sister-in-law, you forgot?"

"Ah, I'm sick of it."

"Hey!"

"All right, let's eat. I'm pretty hungry" Gray said, wrapping his arms around Jeane's neck before stepping into Caffeteria.

While in the bathroom room, precisely in front of a sink, teriaht Ruel who was standing while washing his face. Falling asleep in the classroom was enough to make her face look shabby, even her two eyes were slightly swollen.

"Have you been busy lately?" ask someone who even stood beside Ruel and washed his face.

"You seem to care about me."

The man smiled in front of the mirror, and displayed a row of white teeth.

"Why have I never seen you again in an ordinary place?"

Ruel tidied up his slightly messy hair, reluctantly answering the question of the man beside him who looked still waiting. Tender the body at the edge of the sink while observing Ruel with frowning brows.

"You have a new job now?" continued.

"No."

"Then?"

"I just don't want to do it."

"Ah, quite surprising. You've always been the first to do it. Why don't you suddenly want to do it again?"

"Did that really make you curious, Oskan?" ruel asked looking at the man in the same uniform beside him.

"Yes. Little."

"Why? Are you getting interested in me?"

"You know that I've been interested in you for a long time. But you keep ignoring me."

"Tsk."

"What's this time, you're gonna think about it?"

"No."

"You don't have to answer that fast, Ruel. I'll give you time to think."

"Guild!"

"alright. You don't have to glare at me."

Ruel took a deep breath and let go slowly, before stepping closer to Oskan, standing close enough that their faces were only a few centimetres apart. However, it was not enough to make Oskan shriek with Ruel's cold and sharp gaze that could even make the blood freeze.

"Fuck it, I say it again, no. This is for the last time. I'm not going with you."

"At least say one reason."

"I don't want to get involved in your dirty work. I think that's obvious enough."

"Is it because your brother's a cop?"

"Don't go under the name of Sis Eden. Because this has nothing to do with him. I suggest you find someone else who can help you run your dirty business."

Smile on Oskan's lips, before being seen tidying up Ruel's uniform collar.

"Unfortunately I'm only interested in you, Ruel."

"Why should I?"

"You don't realize you have extraordinary abilities? You have an intelligent brain, and know how to protect yourself, predict things exactly, even you have the same instincts as a wild animal, you're cruel, and you're scary."

"Then?"

"Do I need to repeat it?"

"Well," replied Ruel, shaking off Oskan's hand before leaving the place, leaving behind only a smiling Oskan.

I'll make sure, someday you'll need this dirty work, Ruel.

Oskan looked back at his face in the mirror, tidying up his uncluttered hair before coming out. While Ruel is still walking, pass the school corridor with a dreamy continue. Although he had never been interested in Oskan's offer to cooperate with him to smuggle illegal drugs and liquor, but it was quite disturbing his mind. 

Not wanting to get involved with Oskan and his cartel, students who look normal and ordinary in the school environment. However, who would have thought if Oskan was a son of a fairly famous mafia member. He did not want to fall into a black valley that would keep him alive and locked up in a world of evil and darkness. 

Until the piano sound Ludwig Van Beethoven - Fur Elise feel that is heard from the music room that still looks lonely buy Ruel from daydreams. He never even knew, if the sound of the piano could make him interested in listening, even quite curious about someone who plays such a beautiful melody.

"That girl?"

***