A few days later, Aisha was assigned back to the pesantren—this time at the Main House. She was supposed to work with just one senior, either Kiki or Yaya. But for some reason, neither wanted to go alone. In the end, the three of them set off together.
On the motorcycle, Aisha sat in the middle. Tight. Hot. Every turn felt like a balance test she hadn't signed up for. This feels awful… she thought.
In her head, the system laughed.
[Tsk. Host, you look miserable.]
Aisha's expression stayed flat. "Shut up."
[Host, a new mission is available. Mission: live with patience. Reward: something useful for a 21st-century girl like you, Aisha.]
"Heh…" Aisha furrowed her brow, trying to process what it meant.
Yaya rode casually, while Kiki at the back laughed at something on her phone. Aisha just held on, sandwiched between two worlds and one scorching motorcycle.
The next morning, the Independence Day celebrations were in full swing. Cheers filled the field, red-and-white flags fluttered in the air, and the energy of the competitions was everywhere.
At school, the field was packed with 11th and 12th graders. Aisha stood in the middle of the chaos, hands gripping the rough, dusty rope that smelled of sweat and past defeats.
Beside her:
Bela, face red, eyes locked on the rope as if preparing for battle.
Nisa, hijab pulled tight, brows drawn, ready to strike.
Aila, focused like an Olympic athlete.
Fina, laughing quietly, mysterious.
"Pull straight! No twisting! And don't overthink it!" Bela called out sharply.
Aisha nodded. "Ready. Focused."
The whistle blew. The rope shook, dirt shifted underfoot, shoes slipped.
"ONE—TWO—PULL!"
Their team wobbled immediately.
"ALLAH, GIVE US STRENGTH!" Nisa shouted with all her might.
Fina? Still laughing quietly. Aisha glared at her, wishing—very much wishing—she'd shut up.
Bela braced herself, gripping the rope. Aila held her breath.
Then… Aisha let go.
"Ruqayyah?!" Bela yelled.
Before anyone could react, Aisha ran toward the opposing team.
"I'm helping you!" she called cheerfully.
Her team froze. Even Fina fell silent. The opposing team? Shocked.
"Ruqayyah! THIS'S OUR TEAM! NOT THAT!" Fina shouted.
"Huh?" Aisha pulled the rope. "Oh… right. Wait… what am I doing?"
THUD!
Her old team fell sprawling to the ground. Dust flew. The opponents cheered.
The referee blew the whistle frantically. "STOP! STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Aisha looked at her sprawled teammates.
Bela glared, shoulders trembling. "Why? Why would you betray your own team?!"
Aisha shrugged.
Silence.
Fina slapped her forehead. "Heh..."
The referee exhaled. "Disqualified. Both teams!"
The opposing team groaned. Aisha's team just accepted it.
Aisha scratched her cheek. "Sorry…"
Bela stood, staring sharply. "You… have a good heart."
Aisha grinned. "…But this is tug-of-war, not a charity event," Bela muttered as she walked away.
From that moment, everyone knew her as: "She is The Least Competitive Student in the World."
[Host! You're really stupid.]
The system's words made Aisha snort.
The field began to clear. Raiz stood at the edge, eyes on Aisha. Zidan smiled. "Interesting."
Raiz only gave a thin smile, continuing to watch her.
Behind the mosque wall, Rina froze. Her fist clenched, eyes fixed on Aisha. "They… are being noticed Raqayyah? I can't allow this," she muttered, taking a deep breath and stepping forward heavily.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've initiated a finish with Zidan. Reward: new clothes, selectable from your system storage.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Your affinity with Raiz has reached Like-30. Reward: Mall system unlocked. You can buy anything in the mall as long as you have currency.]
"Heh, why so many notifications? I didn't even talk to them. Weird…"
--
Meanwhile, Yaya and Kiki had gone back to the Main House to fetch food. The place was empty. They walked in without greeting anyone, still laughing as they video-called their families.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the back kitchen. They looked like Yaya and Kiki—but their faces were blank, their eyes sharp, almost angry.
They stared at the phone screen. Everyone on the video call could see them.
Yaya and Kiki froze. The phone vibrated. Panic spilled across the other end. Without a second thought, they bolted from the house, nearly tripping, gasping, and exchanging pale looks.
Aisha was still confused when Yaya approached, ready to take her back to the Main House.
While ironing, Yaya and Kiki recounted everything, voices shaking. Aisha looked at them for a long moment before saying quietly:
"See? That's why, when you enter a house… greet first."
In her mind: I'm new here too. If something wants to appear, shouldn't I be able to see it as well?
A few hours later, exactly at ten, Aisha walked around the house, peeking into each room. She approached the slightly open mausoleum door. "Astaghfirullah… really rude to approach like this," she muttered.
The night wind brushed gently. Crickets chirped sharply. Aisha left the mausoleum and stood on the back veranda.
"Assalamu'alaikum, unseen spirits… if you like appearing to people, try showing up to me too," she said softly, politely, but with a hint of challenge.
Silence. Leaves rustled. Aisha exhaled and giggled lightly. Strange… why can others see ghosts, but not me?
As she turned to go inside, a head peeked from behind the door. Yaya and Kiki froze, whispering:
"Ruqayyah… you're really outside?"
"Yes, don't call them that! What if they really appear?"
Aisha looked at them calmly. "You said you wanted to see them."
"We want… from a distance!" Yaya replied quickly.
Aisha giggled. "Relax. Nothing's going to happen." She walked past them, adding: I'm ready if they want to appear… just not in the bathroom.
Kiki and Yaya exchanged horrified glances.
"If they appear in the bathroom, I'm booking a ticket home immediately," Yaya muttered. "I wouldn't even have time. Run first, faint later," Kiki added.
Aisha frowned. "Relax. They're also behind you… long hair, no eyes, always smiling."
"WHAT?!" The two girls screamed, jumping back.
"RUQAYYAAH!!!"
Aisha laughed, holding her stomach. "Just a little joke. You reacted like it was real."
She looked up at the sky, thinking: I'm also a spirit… just from the 9th century. Old, but still mischievous.
She winked at herself. "Technically, I'm older than them… but in my time, I'm only sixteen."
[Ding! Host, congratulations. You're beginning to develop an affinity with several unseen spirits. Reward: lip serum sunscreen, collagen drink, vitamin C drink—good for your skin.]
Aisha nearly jumped. She swallowed hard, a chill running through her.