Time passed. From the outside, Dewa and Hilda's relationship seemed fine. No one knew that behind the smiles and laughter, there was a crack that was quietly starting to gape. 
Today was Saturday, a moment that the ninth grade students had been waiting for. The art performance was held as part of the art practice exam. Since several months ago, each class had been busy preparing their performances. Some practiced drama, band, traditional and modern dance, martial arts, and various other art forms. 
Viona, who was asked by Sandi to accompany her class' musical drama, came with a casual look. Thin, natural-looking makeup adorned her face, giving off a sweet and graceful impression. Unexpectedly, the color of her clothes matched the hoodie that Dewa was wearing that day. 
"Girl... why are you so beautiful..." Dewa muttered unconsciously. His voice was almost swallowed by the hustle and bustle of the art performance preparations that morning, when Viona passed in front of him. 
Viona turned her head, catching the words even though they were soft. Her gaze was calm, a brief smile adorned her face. 
“Thank you,” he answered softly with a polite nod, then continued walking towards where his friends were gathered.
Dewa was still staring at Viona’s retreating back, until a playful voice interrupted from the side.
“We can take a photo together, while Hilda hasn’t arrived yet,” Andrew teased as he nudged Dewa’s arm, his signature mischievous expression clearly visible.
“What are you doing, Drew?” Dewa replied, turning around quickly.
Andrew pointed at Dewa then at Viona. “Look at your clothes. The colors are exactly the same. Are you sure you didn’t make a date this morning?”
Reflexively, Dewa glanced at his clothes, then at Viona. The turquoise blouse with white accents was indeed very similar to the color of his hoodie. He chuckled, feeling amused.
Viona, who was still quite close and heard that, turned her head too. She looked at his clothes, then laughed softly.
“Oh, that’s right,” she muttered with a smile. “Even though we didn’t make a date.”
Sari, who was not far from them, also exclaimed, “Maybe you’re on the same frequency!”
“Okay, okay. Pose first! While we’re on the same page, this is a rare moment,” Andrew said, immediately picking up his phone.
Dewa glanced at Viona, a little hesitant. “May I?”
Viona stared at him for a moment, then nodded. “May I.” Her answer made the small crowd cheer—some even clapped.
Viona stared at him for a moment, then nodded. “Yes.” Her answer made the small crowd cheer—some even clapped.
But before the photo could be taken, a voice was heard from the stage calling Viona’s name. Sandi. Viona’s senior and cousin.
“Hey, later. I’ll go there first.” Viona said, hurriedly running away from the crowd that was getting even more excited—especially when she saw Dewa’s expression suddenly turn cold.
After her business with Sandi was finished, Viona returned to her friends’ area. But Dewa and his gang were no longer there.
She then invited Sari, Gita, Riska, and Mia to look for breakfast outside. However, at the entrance, they ran into Hilda.
“Vio, have you seen Bunga?” Hilda asked quickly.
“She was inside earlier, try looking near the changing room,” Viona answered kindly, then continued walking.
“Well… let’s not take a photo with Dewa. Hilda’s already here,” Gita joked.
Viona walked slowly with her friends. Her gaze occasionally glanced back, as if still looking for a figure that was nowhere to be seen. There were only busy faces and the tinkling of musical instruments. She took a breath, lowered her head, then walked again.
“What’s wrong, Vio?” Sari asked, noticing her friend’s suddenly gloomy expression.
“No, it’s just… strange. They suddenly disappeared earlier.”
“Of course,” Gita replied quickly. “You were called by Sandi, Dewa’s face immediately changed. He must have been sulking.”
Riska and Mia giggled. Viona only smiled faintly, but her eyes did not smile.
“I was happy to be able to talk again… even if it was only for a moment,” she muttered, almost inaudibly.
Sari touched her shoulder gently. “I want to ask you one thing. But answer honestly, okay?”
“What?”
“You… still love Dewa, right?”
Viona’s steps stopped for a moment. She walked again, without turning around. Her voice was soft, but honest.
“I don’t know… if this feeling can still be called ‘love’. But what is clear is, he has never really disappeared from my heart.”
**"
Backstage, Dewa stood still. His eyes were blank, staring at the field that was now full of color and sound. His hands were in his hoodie pockets, trying to hide a small tremor that he didn’t understand.
Earlier, when Viona said “okay,” something warm appeared in his chest. Simple, but… it had been a long time since he felt that. A small moment that made his heart beat faster—like before, when everything wasn’t as complicated as it was now.
But that happiness only lasted for a moment. Once Viona’s name was called from the stage, and Dewa saw who called him—everything changed immediately. Sandi.
The senior who had been seen with Viona a lot lately. Who was now the reason why Viona left them. Who made Dewa no longer able to pretend.
Who was he, really?
Dewa replayed everything in his head. Viona’s gaze when Sandi called—hurried, but not panicky. Their familiar way of speaking, almost without any pleasantries. And the most painful thing: Sandi called, and Viona left… without hesitation.
“They’re so close,” Dewa muttered, softly.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. But the tightness in his chest would not go away. It felt like he was chasing a shadow that kept moving away, even before he could really decide to run.