I'm Not a High School Boy
CHAPTER 38: Evidence and Defense

"Thank you, Mr. Bagas. Thank you for coming today" Gisel told Bagas after the meeting ended.

"Either. I should be the one to thank you for helping to solve Kanaya's problem. Only today do I know how much his life has been in school all along." The regret that was seen from his face showed Bagas sincerity towards Kanaya. He loved his best friend's son so much.

"When don't you say anything?" asked Gisel in surprise.

"When I told you a story. But I consider it an accident. I don't think a teenager of that age would think that way" Bagas said.

Gisel didn't blame him. Vienna is beyond the limits of normalcy. Any adult would think so.

"I also didn't expect Vienna to do that. Fortunately you also thought of the reason for the engagement quickly."

When Adit showed the video, Vienna still avoided all his actions. The video, which clearly shows Vienna acting in front of the camera and in front of a male student who plays Rey, is still denied by Vienna for various reasons.

In the end, Vienna's last attack was to bring up Kanaya's engagement to Rey. And Bagas immediately gave his defense.

Bagas says that the real engagement was the engagement between Kanaya and Adit. As they plan to continue their schooling abroad, their relationship is endorsed by both parents.

"I've heard Tika's story about Kanaya and Adit's plan. So I think that could be a good reason" Bagas explained why he used the method to obscure the facts of Kanaya and Rey's engagement.

And because of that too, Gisel was finally able to understand Adit's attitude at that time. The relationship between Kanaya and Adit is becoming clearer.

But more important is the reason Vienna does that. As soon as Bagas delivered his defense, Vienna reacted very strongly. He almost hurt Gisel if Rey doesn't protect him. Vienna will strangle Gisel because of his anger.

His great love for Adit caused him to do all that to Kanaya. Vienna, who had known Adit since they were still in SD, felt unacceptable with Bagas' statement about Adit and Kanaya. And Gisel's question of what love made Vienna do was now answered.

"I have accepted the proposal you sent at that time. Again, I can only thank you for helping Kanaya so far" Bagas said.

"I see Kanaya as talented. When I found that file on his laptop, I didn't expect Kanaya to be able to create such a design. I just helped commercialize. The money can be used by Kanaya for school fees later. So I asked for help to find a reason to face Clara," explained Gisel at length.

What they were talking about was the jewelry designs Kanaya had made. Some time ago, Gisel found a file folder containing pictures of jewelry designs inside Kanaya's laptop. Some others are still rough drafts on the sketchbook on the bookshelf. Maybe Kanaya hasn't had time to put it in her laptop.

But as soon as he saw it, Gisel already liked it a lot. He saw Kanaya's talent that could be developed. When she sent some of those designs to one of the jewelry companies she was very familiar with, they liked it and wanted to apply for a contract. Therefore, Gisel passed it on to Bagas.

"Kanaya used to be near Emma. He always told her anything. But since Emma died, Kanaya has not done it to Farhan, not even Tika. Tika once said, Kanaya was afraid she would get used to it, then when she was left behind she could not overcome her habit" Bagas recalled.

"Where did you tell Tika?" asked Gisel.

"Yes. Therefore, it was Tika who always forced herself close to Kanaya. No matter Kanaya liked it or not, Tika just wanted Kanaya not to feel alone. But it turns out that all that is still not enough to resuscitate Kanaya."

"I don't know how Kanaya was in the past. But, I learned to know him little by little through every incident I experienced. I hope, Kanaya right now can also see, there are many people who love her."

If Kanaya is in Gisel's body, Kanaya should be able to see it, right?, Gisel thought.

For a long time they chatted outside while waiting for Rey to finish with the Vienna issue. And when Bagas was coming home, he last told Gisel, "Call me if you need any help."

As Gisel turned around, he saw Adit sitting on a bench in front of the detention room. Mind empty. He still seemed to be shocked by the incident made by Vienna. And perhaps most surprising was Bagas' remark about the engagement. Of course, Adit does not know about Bagas' plan.

Gisel slowly approached Adit and sat down next to him. Adit was still staring at his clasped finger.

"Sorry, Aya."

Just a word from Adit, and Gisel recalls Kanaya's words while in the dream. "Both are fools what? Why do you like to say sorry for things that are not clear?" he thought.

"Because of me .. you have to experience everything alone," Adit said again.

Gisel sighed. "Why do you feel guilty?"

Adit now raised his face. He looked at Gisel who was sitting staring at the void that was in front of him.

Gisel did not answer him immediately. He took his breath deep. Then reveal what he is thinking.

"You didn't tell Vienna to do that, did you? You also don't know how Vienna feels about you. Even if you know it's also Vienna's business to solve it. You never gave him hope, did you?"

The last sentence that Gisel spoke made him turn his head towards Adit. With a strong Gisel gaze piercing towards him, it suddenly made Adit tense up at once.

"No-no. I-I've never been, '"he seems.

"If so, it's not your fault."

Gisel's short answer is well understood by Adit. Because after that, he smiled.

"Looking at you like this, in time maybe I will be able to let you go with Mr. Reynard" said Adit who sounded quite resigned.

"I see, that's what Om Bagas said to protect you from the pressure that comes in school."

Again, Gisel did not know how to respond to that. She recalled Rey's words that her relationship with Kanaya was not like that. But, how to explain it to Kanaya's real boyfriend? Gisel doesn't even know, what kind of relationship does Rey actually mean?

"I'll go back to class first."

Adit's heavy breathing finally took Adit away leaving the confused Gisel alone to face Adit. Adit, Kanaya, and Rey's love story is too complicated to understand.

Right at that moment, everyone came out of the detention room. Gisel can hide well behind open doors, because of the position of the bench next to him. Thus, Gisel could see what happened after their long debate.

Viennese father came out with a sense of anger that may have exploded, followed by Vienna who continued to bow. His lawyer is different again, he still looks relaxed which is actually covering his embarrassment. The three walked down the school hallway to the exit. Lastly, after a while they disappeared at the end of the turn of the passage, Gisel could hear the cry of the Viennese father echoing to his seat.

The Headmaster's mother finally apologized to Rey. Although actually, Gisel understood, he was also in a difficult position. That's why he asked for an examination like this.

Rey seemed to understand that as well. Because after that, he thanked her for giving him the opportunity to prove his innocence.

After the Headmaster's mother left, when Rey was about to close the door of the room, she saw Gisel sitting there.

"Aren't you back in class?" asked Rey.

"Let's go, sir. I rest here first," pinta Gisel said.

Rey laughed a little. Then both of them sat down and sat on the bench.

"Wina will be expelled from school" Rey said suddenly.

Gisel was no longer surprised. Vienna's actions have been outrageous.

Gisel's gaze returned straight ahead. He looked at the empty sports field and surrounded by various plants. The greenness of the scattered plants makes Gisel's mind drift away considering the days of his school.

"Vienna may have threatened Kanaya to stay away from Adit. Kanaya tries to get as fair as possible while at school, but Adit doesn't stop approaching her. Therefore, whenever Kanaya was bullied like that, she did not say anything. He accepted everything by harboring it."

Hearing all of that from Gisel, Rey looks anxious. "How do you know?"

Gisel paused for a moment before answering. With one breath, Gisel answered, "Because I had also experienced Kanaya."

Rey doesn't seem to believe what Gisel says. Maybe Rey thought, how can you? by when? dan ..., "Who? Who did it?"

Gisel showed Rey his smile. He wanted to show his best friend that he was okay, just like he was going to say.

"It's been a long time, Rey. And I don't think about that anymore. This incident made me remember again. But, it feels normal" said Gisel who still maintained his smile.

And this time, Rey showed a look of regret.