His Charm

For many times Karin had to cross paths with Mr. Ali. Every day, she was filled with unease that only deepened whenever that teacher appeared around her. His warm greetings and friendly demeanor sparked speculation among others that Mr. Ali might have feelings for Karin, turning her final year into one riddled with endless gossip and rumors.

Isn't anyone in this school who finds it strange that Mr. Ali is too kind to his students? No one thought he was a pedophile? Karin was stressed out and surprised herself thinking about this.

Not only that, even some of Mr. Ali's fans have started to show their dislike for Karin. They felt that Karin was too special to Mr. Ali. It was annoying, but Karin tried her best not to get involved with them and wanted to live peacefully as a third-year student who would soon graduate. She wouldn't be that afraid to face them anyway. If they started a fight, Karin would not hesitate to retaliate. Fortunately, no one had gotten to that stage yet.

"Oy, Rin." Someone tapped Karin on the shoulder and startled her.

Seeing who had startled her, Karin could only snort in annoyance. "What are you doing here?"

Heri sat down across from Karin and took the only fried food left on Karin's plate. "Where's my Selin?"

Karin couldn't help but smile at Heri who kept getting closer to Selin. "Toilet." Before the fried food entered Heri's mouth, Karin quickly took it back. "Don't let Selin hear you calling her like that, she might go berserk."

"What's this mentioning my name?" Just as she was talking, Selin appeared from behind Heri with a curious expression.

Turning to look at Selin, Heri immediately smiled broadly. "Take it easy, Bro," Karin said to Heri.

Selin took a seat next to Karin. In her hand, there was a plate full of fried foods of various kinds. "Let's eat, guys."

Without hesitation, Karin and Heri immediately took what they wanted on the plate. Enjoying the break with a plate of fried food was a pleasure. Until they came to a topic that disturbed Karin's mind.

"Heri." Selin opened the conversation.

"Hmm?"

"They say you're on Mr. Ali's blacklist again, huh?" Selin looked worried but tried her best not to show it clearly.

"How do you know?" frowning, Heri was confused as to how Selin could know this.

"That's not important. Are you really on the blacklist again?" asked Selin with a curious look.

Heri nodded in confirmation. "Because I was caught with a cigarette."

"Oh, you're making things up."

Karin listened carefully to their conversation. She was also quite curious about this, but fortunately, Karin had asked first. Now the question that remained in her mind was what punishment would students receive when they were three on the blacklist?

Honestly, Karin was worried about what happened to Heri. Her feelings of discomfort around Mr. Ali made her afraid that the punishment given by Mr. Ali was something dangerous. However, Karin tried to calm herself down.

After all, the punishment must still be within reasonable limits. Isn't it?

***

Why, why, and why is that teacher always getting close to Karin? Arzan, who was watching from his classroom window, was honestly disturbed. Class XII Social Studies, which was conducting a PE lesson on the field, suddenly had Mr. Ali joining them to play basketball. Doesn't that teacher have other things to do than spread his charm all over the school?

Arzan saw Karin from a distance, she seemed to be staying away from the crowd by sitting alone on a bench in the social studies hallway. Arzan had not yet had the chance to talk to Karin one-on-one about the murder case and the new teacher. Arzan felt that he was not the only one who felt something suspicious and connected between Mr. Ali and the case.

However, on second thought, would Karin want to talk about this? Given that she always put on an uncomfortable face around the teacher, and always avoided people's questions about the case. The thought kept raging in Arzan's brain. He didn't dare approach Karin even if he just passed her.

"Zan, what are you doing?" someone tapped Arzan on the shoulder and took a seat next to him. The girl seemed curious about what Arzan was seeing. "You've been looking at that girl all day, haven't you?"

"That girl?" Arzan glanced curiously at the girl beside him.

"Yes, the girl who became famous because of that case." Chika rested her head in her hands. "Why, do you like her?" Her eyes lit up expecting an answer that would satisfy her heart.

Arzan showed a confused expression. "Why do you think that?"

"Well, you've been paying attention to her since last week." Now Chika turned to look at Karin as well. The eyes that had been sparkling earlier now turned into a look of dislike for the girl.

Choosing not to take too long with this conversation. Arzan stood up to leave Chika. "I have nothing against her, and please excuse me because I'm going out."

Chika let Arzan leave her, she then sat back down and watched out the window. Karin, the girl Arzan had been paying attention to lately. What was so special about her?

Biting her nails in annoyance, Chika grew to dislike the girl. Karin could easily get Arzan to notice her, while Chika had to put in more effort. When a new person interferes with her efforts, she doesn't like it.

Elsewhere, Karin, who felt noticed, glanced toward the third floor of the science building. Someone was staring at her with dislike. Although far away, somehow Karin could feel the person's aura of dislike for her.

Karin even had to look to her left and right to make sure she was the only one there, and it seemed that the businesslike gaze was indeed directed at her.

She was completely dizzy with everything around her. Now what kind of trouble did Karin unknowingly make to have someone staring at her like that?

"Oh, Allah. What is this problem again?" Karin grimaced lamenting her fate today.

In the end, Karin chose to leave the place and went to her class to rest. However, just walking a few steps, Karin heard someone calling her.

"Karin. Where are you going?" Mr. Ali came over to her. Of course, with a smile that added to his charisma and perfume that smelled good.

There are many harsh words Karin said in her heart because Mr. Ali kept talking to her. Didn't Mr. Ali see that some of his fans were staring here? If this continues, the rumor that Mr. Ali likes Karin will only get worse.

Smiling politely, Karin said, "I'm going to class, sir. I'm not feeling well."

"It's not hot." Mr. Ali came forward to touch Karin's forehead guiltlessly.

Taking a step back, Karin was uncomfortable with this person. "My stomach hurts, sir."

With a smile that could make dozens of fans in a few days, Mr. Ali then said. "Then take a break. Shall I bring you some food?"

"No, sir. No need."

"It's okay. Think of it as a form of teacher's love for his students." Mr. Ali made Karin feel more uncomfortable. "I'll leave it with your friend." After saying that, Mr. Ali left leaving Karin who was still trying to digest this incident.

It had been a tiring day for Karin.