I took a cigarette from my pants pocket saying, "Can I smoke here?"
"Ah, that's fine." Tiara stood up. "I'll get you an ashtray." Tiara walked past me, and I just saw it.
If you pay attention again, Tiara is so beautiful, even her hair is so shiny when she passed me earlier. But sadly, I'm sure, Tiara is very lonely in a room this big. I know that his father died long ago, but what about the rest of the family? Does Tiara live with only her father? Hmm... Tiara is very independent, I have to exemplify it.
"This!" Tiara handed me a bowl, and I could only stare at her face with an expressionless gaze.
"I knew it." I took it and put it on the table, and Tiara returned to sit beside me.
"Sorry, I don't have an ashtray. My dad and I don't smoke, so there's no ashtray in this house. I'll buy it later."
"No need..." As I spoke, Tiara suddenly puffed out her cheeks.
"Hmm…"
"Okay, you buy it."
"Hooray. Then, tomorrow accompany me shopping."
"Eh?"
"Hmm..." Tiara puffed up her cheeks again.
"Okay, I'll accompany you." I burn cigarettes. "By the way, no problem?"
"It's okay, go ahead."
"Sorry, I'm an active smoker."
"Okay."
One thing I was sure of until recently, namely: Don't make a woman cry.
I looked at the television that was still showing advertisements, then turned to Tiara.
"Since earlier advertising has continued, when did it start?"
"It will start soon too, I'm sure. This tournament is not only the Indonesian people who watch it, but almost the whole world watches it. So, the company owner wants to make a profit in that. My company also works closely with that company in the advertising sector, so we are mutually profitable."
"Oh, I see. No wonder, the ads are constant."
"This is a marketing strategy. The new company owner wants to make a profit in the EOA game, very different from the previous owner."
Somehow, when Tiara said, I even remembered what the old grandpa said. The old grandpa once said, "This game is to be enjoyed together, no matter what area you are from, enjoy and play the game that I have made, find out who you are in playing this game. You laugh, I will laugh too. You're sad, I'm sad too. It doesn't matter how good you are, otherwise, you can enjoy this game that I have made. Chase, keep on chasing, forget your world life temporarily, and enjoy an adventure with your friends!" to me. The old grandpa spoke like he was making a speech, even though at that time, I was the only one there.
All the old grandpa wanted was to enjoy the game, which he had worked so hard to make. Adventure, adventure, and adventure were what the old grandpa thought of in the EOA game world.
"Is he calm in the world now, huh? He's a very noble figure, even willing to give his best for this game."
"Who are you talking about?" asked Tiara.
"No, I'm just talking to myself."
***
The ad is taking a long time, I'm getting bored. But when conditions like this, strangely, Tiara looks so happy, even moving her body from side to side. Tiara kept smiling at the television, and it scared me. Is she out of his mind?
"T-Tiara..."
"Hm?" Tiara turned towards me quickly.
"Looks like, you're very happy huh."
"Of course, I'm happy right now."
"Umm… b-because of what? If I may know."
"Because tomorrow we will shop together."
"O-Oh, that. Ha ha ha ha…"
Yeah, I've never experienced shopping with anyone other than my own family, this might be my first time. I actually don't really care about my clothes or other things, because for me, as long as they can be used, why not? Even the red long-sleeved shirt and black long formal pants that I'm currently wearing, I can still wear it even though it's been five years. So, I prefer to save.
"I can't wait to give you clothes."
"Eh?" I am surprised. "No need, I still have nice clothes."
"Hmm." Once again, Tiara puffed out her cheeks as she turned her face to the side.
I can't help it when a woman is like this. This makes me like a male lion giving his food to a lioness. Or maybe, like Mr. Krabs who spent the money to make Mrs. Puff was delighted. Yeah, something like that.
But if you pay attention again, Tiara seems to be good about fashion. It was proven by the clothes she was wearing today, Pantsuit. Maybe if this was in my house, I wouldn't wear clothes like that, I would just wear a t-shirt and shorts.
"Alright. You can buy me clothes."
"Hooray." Tiara looked happy with a proud face.
"You're so happy, Tiara." I'm glad to see him like that.
"Of course, yes. I am happy."
I will not spoil a moment like this, even though I know, behind Tiara's face there is a very deep sadness.
I could have asked, but it would spoil this moment. If I ask him, then I have to take the risk, namely the tears that fall down his face. I don't want that to happen again, I'm sick of seeing her sad again. Therefore, I chose to just enjoy moments like this.
Geez, why am I so cool huh? Turns out, I'm handsome too. Okay, that's enough. It makes me a little nauseous.
After waiting, finally, the ad was finished too.
"Hello, all. Are you ready to wait for the fight between Bengawan vs Meralco?"
"I can't wait to see it, Coki."
"Me too, Miranda."
After Coki said that, the camera angle changed to the left and right of the stage curtain. And at that moment, the curtain slowly opened.
"Oh wait a minute! We're going to advertise again-"
"There are no more advertisements, Coki! Do you really want to complain about that?! We have received a lot of complaint reports yesterday. So, cut it out!"
"I forgot, Miranda. Sorry."
"It's okay, Coki. Then… we'll see, whether the two teams have prepared for each other and have devised a strategy or not."
When the curtains opened, I saw five people in each room, left and right, already wearing Elvion's helmets and lying on the bed.
"Looks like both teams are ready, Miranda."
"Okay, ladies and gentlemen. Who will win the match? What is the Bengawan Club? Or maybe, even the Meralco Club?"
"We're connected to that place, Miranda."
"Then... the match between Bengawan vs Meralco... begins!"
***
Meanwhile, in front of a boarding house door, a man was seen knocking on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Where is this person? Ah, shit! I wanted to watch at his boarding house, but he wasn't even there. But because of him, I couldn't buy a new television. How insolent!" Rifai turned and walked while looking at his smartphone. "My internet Kouta is up too, because of calling earlier. How about this? I want to watch it too. Ah, damn it!"