EIGHT TARGETS
12. That Beautiful Time

Wrong heart.  And it seems Kaiser is aware of that.  He said, “Victory is not the goal.  But happiness is the goal.  We try to win to gain happiness instead of sacrificing happiness to win.”  That was what he said to me before he and Dios officially withdrew from the team.

After the exit of the two of them from the team, I still managed to survive for a while.  However, the senior-senior circle at that time became increasingly so.  One by one the members of the 1st grade children resigned.  I am sad to see this reality.  Frankly at home, I was often scolded by my father because I was always not up to his expectations.  I always went against his words and did not follow his advice because at that time I did not like to be organized.  Be basketball my escape where by playing basketball and winning, I can release my stress.

But my only escape was taken.

Basketball is no longer fun.  It felt overcrowded having to deal with such depraved seniors under the leadership of Dirga.  It was at that moment that I remembered Kaiser's words,

“Victory is not the goal.  But happiness is the goal.  We try to win to gain happiness instead of sacrificing happiness to win.”

I finally understood the meaning behind his words.  Finally, I made up my mind to quit the basketball team because basketball didn't give me any more happiness.

I don't remember exactly when it was, but it was clear that around a few weeks I was out of the basketball team and approaching the UAS period.  I saw Kaiser being escorted to school in a fancy car.  I was astonished because I thought he was a poor man because he used to hang out with orphans like Dios.

After I found out, I just found out that Kaiser is the same as me, the potential heir to a family company whose scale is even much larger than mine.  At first I was upset because even though he was also a potential heir to the company, he could live freely without being restrained by his family.  He often goes out and plays with his friends.  It really makes me jealous.

One day I asked him to play together.  He gladly accepted me to join his group of 3 people Kaiser, Dios, and another senior named Zion.  Well, even though surely I still won't be able to play with them because it's not allowed by Dad.  I then called my father for permission, and when I mentioned the name Kaiser Dewantara when Dad asked who I was playing with, without a second thought, Dad immediately agreed.  I was excited to finally be able to play outside, but also annoyed to see how I could do so easily through the influence of someone named Kaiser Dewantara.

From then on, we used to play with the four of us in a traditional shopping area near Senior Zion's house.  I found my new pleasure.  From there perhaps at first, I began to be influenced bit by bit by Kaiser's mindset.

Rather than whining to the world about the affection we cannot get for a busy working parent, why not give thanks for what it produces in the form of wealth and prestige in society.

Rather than whining to the world about the excessive demands of the family about maintaining our attitude as a respectable people, why don't we just do it, it is also very useful for ourselves when plunging into the world of society later.

And instead of complaining about not being given freedom because of a pile of family duties, why not just go through both, the tasks that become the demands of the family as well as our hobbies where everything can definitely be discussed well by the family.

One by one, I changed my mindset.

I began to try to understand that the father and mother who came home late by no longer whining, but instead gave a welcome greeting when I happened to have not slept when they came.  I started to keep my attitude outside by no longer dressing like a thug and staying away from cigarettes.

I began to carry out my duties as a prospective family heir including school duties well so that my father was satisfied with it.

After the even semester UAS, we still often meet for a walk.  And without feeling the day where we went up to 2nd grade Junior High arrived.  We continue to enjoy our youth together.  I think this happiness will continue.  However, just at the beginning of the even semester, the tragic event occurred.

Dirga and his friends persecuted Dios so that he is still in a coma until now.  Kaiser eventually manages to ensnare the perpetrator to the trial and is convicted.  However, the law given was not in accordance with their actions.  The House of Devantara was strong, but not yet strong enough to fight against the unions of other influential families.  As a result, they were only sentenced to 2 years of house arrest and deprived of the right to attend public schools.  Well, but the social punishment of community exclusion must have more effect on them.

After the incident, Kaiser decides to change schools.  For 2 years, I lost contact with him.

How grateful I was, when I heard the news that Kaiser took the entrance exam registration at this High School.  I thoughtlessly applied to this school immediately.  And more grateful, not like before, now we are one class.

***

“Andika, why are you grimacing the moment you see Kaiser.  I'm so disgusted to see you.”  Said Beni disperse Andika's daydream.

“No.  Just remembered the story of the past.”  Said Andika who responded to Beni's ridicule precisely with a cheerful laugh.

“True also yes, we used to frequent Senior Zion's place to play.”  Kaiser said as he revealed his charming smile but could not cover the immortality of his heart that emanated in the expression of his eyes.

“Place memories of you two yes, I so want to go there.  How about we go there after school.”  Said Beni trying to plead with them out of curiosity.

“It.  We can't be rash with so many reporters waiting for Kaiser in front of the gate.  It's safer if Kaiser comes home soon after school.”  Andika replied trying to reject Beni's invitation.

Actually, that's not the only reason Andika refused Beni's invitation.  What Andika fears the most is the judgmental views Kaiser might gain from those affected by the media provocations.  There's nothing scarier than that.

Kaiser might be able to calmly interact at school since not a single person judged him at school.  For the class 1 class of general majors, Kaiser is like an idol who unites them.  They are a solid force so that even the provocation of the media will not break the sense of solidarity between them.  Moreover, Kaiser, is a force mascot who is admired by everyone in the force.  It was of course thanks to Kaiser's unrelenting efforts to spread a sense of camaraderie with his warm smile and sincere heart.  It made the walls of any thick ego melt in the presence of Kaiser's hand.

It is different outside of school.  They don't know Kaiser personally.  It was easy for people who had never interacted with Kaiser to come to judge him for media provocations.  Take for example those art class students who never knew Kaiser well.  They were immediately provoked by the fake news.

Suddenly, a familiar news was heard on the big television in the cafeteria.  Reporter who is no stranger to familiar TV logos.  He is Vet Tcin from NTV News who is famous for his nickname The Rumor Sinker.