The Eternal War Kasarewang
Race (1)

Barasa's face this morning looks terrible. His eyes were black like pandas, his skin was pale white, and his lips were chapped. As soon as he put his bag on the side of the table, Barasa sat down in his chair limply. Barasa did not say anything, but Harsa had already picked up the negative signals from Barasa, he said,

Harsa's forehead is wrinkled. She patted the back of her friend. “Wei. Last week, we just played now why lemes so much?”

Even Barasa's look was lethargic. “Excusably yes me again bete?”

“Hm? Ja. You are usually quiet, but today it is so bad there is no power.” I'm Harsa nodding. “What's wrong?”

“Next week already started uts ya?” tanya Barasa was sad.

“I, yes? Yeah, you're worried about?” ask Harsa sympathize. “Nothing, could. Last year was also possible, right?”

Barasa. “The problem is that exam week I want to join the tournament.”

“Tournament?”

“Smartial tournaments.”

“What? Don't tell me you were forced into a race like Elis!”  Harsa shook her head. I can't figure out why everyone around him is in the race.

“Ngak. Not forced, though. It's my own will.” Barasa. “Yesterday my grandfather's last martial arts student came out. We haven't had any new students since half a year ago. Maybe if I win a martial arts tournament, I can promote our club. Actually I was worried because for fear of colliding with uts.”

“If you don't enter the race, what will happen?” ask Harsa.

Barasa. “If I don't do anything, my grandfather's martial club will be closed.” Harsa said with a straight gaze, a wrinkled forehead, and lips that curled downwards.

“Oh, but I think you're okay if you don't inherit your grandfather's club?” ask Harsa in a neutral tone

“Ya...., but sad to see such a grandfather know. I mean anyway, if this is not not sharsisi, but nothing inherited from the beginning. I have disappointed my grandfather a lot because yesterday I did not want to join the national martial team.”

Harsa's eyes widened. “Wah, if you were invited to enter the national team why not be pursued? Isn't that a great achievement?” Harsa had already acknowledged Barasa's strength, especially after seeing him fight against the formskitter twice. He did not imagine that Barasa's talent until it was recognized until it was invited to compete internationally.

Barasa. “Yes, honestly I'm confused, Sa. Sounds cool, right. If you enter the national team and to race at major events such as Asean Games or SEA games. The prize is also big, and it could be famous, but I'm afraid. I don't want to be like my parents.”

Harsa threw a questioning look. “Your parents why?”

“Papaku, mainly. They used to be martial athletes, then injured until they could not work anymore. He's not a champion, nor is he working. I always thought, until now my family is living a hard life because my father chose the wrong career. In the end he just stayed home and fussed with mom about money. Martial is fun, but it's stressful to remember my dad. Even if I'm stupid in school, but as long as I graduate and can get a stable job, don't I have that attitude?”

Hasra could not answer Barasa. In his heart he was grateful that his family had never had financial problems. Sometimes, he often forgets to be grateful about it. “Yes, hopefully like that. But no one can guarantee you will also get a stable job. No one can guarantee you will be injured when competing.”

Barasa let out a long breath. “I know. Therefore, I am confused.”

“Yes geez. You must be very frustrated at home. I'm honestly confused about how to handle it. If there's anything I can help say. I'll try to help.”

“Still, Sa.” Barasa was silent for a moment. “Yaah.. Actually if you can join our martial club, it will be very helpful. My grandfather must be happy.”

“Um, sorry, but I'm not interested in learning martial arts.” Pinta Harsa scratched her head. Fighting against formskitter is enough.

Barasa nodded understandingly. “Yes, I get it, really. You are strong enough.”

“You mean magic?”

Barasa raised his hand, “Yes. Don't involve me again with magic, plis. Fighting those skulls alone is already terrible enough.”

“Ya, just relax.” He had already heard from Aster how shocked Barasa was after they fought Adit.

“I no longer want to be involved with things like that.” Breakup Barasa. “Sorry, yes Sa. I helped Ater by becoming a member of the shadow magic club.”

“Iya, I understand, kok.” Harsa. He could imagine how scared people would be after facing the formskitters. He himself, including paranoid enough to continue to imagine when will be attacked by formskitters.

“What if you create an Instagram account or other social media to advertise your grandfather's club? Later I will help like and spread.” Harsa's Proposal.

“Bby tuh.”

Their conversation was cut short by the loud ringing school bell. Harsa and Barasa are again drawn to focus on the lessons, on the tests and the reality they have to face. Entering the break, Elis also immediately heard this news. Unlike Harsa, he is very happy and supports Barasa to return to the tournament.

“Good, you finally want to join the race again. About your grades, don't worry. Every day you also focus on listening to teachers in class’kan? Surely can.”

Barasa forced his smile. “Still, Lis.”

“Then, great idea, Sa. Let's create that account now go home from school.” Breakup Elis. “You two have no other activities, right?”

“No, if today.” Answer Harsa.

“Good, you've never been to Barasa's house, have you?” Take Elis to his own house.

Be they go to Barasa's house during the day. Barasa House is on the edge of a small alley and looks like normal from the outside. It turned out that when they got into the garage, there was a large field underneath which was made of wood. The walls are covered in one body glass. The room is clean. In one corner, there was a small cupboard that contained some dusty trophies.

In the middle of the field, sat an old grandfather in pencak silat clothes. His white hair was tied one back and his beard fell down to his already thin chest. When Harsa entered the room, she rebuked and looked at Harsa in surprise. “Who are you?” ask her in a soft voice.

“Oh, hello, cake. I'm Barasa's friend. Hehe, want to play at home.” Answer Harsa awkwardly.

“Not, that's not what I meant. Before you enter this room, you feel different. I've met people like you before, when I went guerrilla in the woods. People come and go like fog. Those guys helped me fight a shape-shifting ghost. So, Son. Again, who are you?”

Elis sees Harsa and Barasa confused.

Harsa took a long breath. “My name is Harsa, Kek.” Harsa said while pulling out all her aura and closing Kaiya tightly. He hoped that by doing so, this grandfather would stop fussing over his aura. “I'm an ordinary person, kok.” Harsa is not lying. He feels like an ordinary person.

The grandfather smiled and Harsa tried to reply as much as possible. They continued their plan to create a martial arts club account by photographing the club building and the facilities they had. Harsa also wears their club uniform for the camera. As they were focusing on looking for good photos, a little girl in a martial uniform ran towards them and hugged Barasa.

“Sister is finally practicing again!” Excited pleased.

“Haha, yes. For your sake, same grandfather. Eat it learn correctly.” Turning to Harsa, he introduced. “This, Aya, my sister who is still SD.”

“Halo, Aya.” Harsa and Elis said.

Aya looked at Harsa curiously from behind Barasa's back. “Say grandpa brother special!”

Harsa's face flushed. “No, ordinary only.” He said without thinking.

“Kak Bara's! Is Brother Harsa strong?” asked Aya with a plain face.

“Ya, very strong kok.” Barasa said honestly.

Aya threw a gaze, what are my words to Harsa, before finally helping them take photos.

“Ready! Here, Barasa. You just upload it later.” Elis said choosing good photos to upload.

“Yup, thank you.”

“Kak, Barasa! The tournament has to win! Bring the cup so that yah heppi again.” Pinta Aya flinched.

“I, yes.”

“Must arrive internationally.”

Barasa did not answer. Harsa was clearly able to pick up the signal of turmoil in Barasa's eyes. Unfortunately, this time Harsa did not have the right answer to give consolidation to Barasa's feelings. Coming home from Barasa's house, he himself felt troubled.