The roads were clear that morning, with no significant traffic. About two hours later, they arrived at the Mount Gede Pangrango National Park (GPNP) Information Center.
The wooden Information Center building stood among tall trees that crowded both sides. The air here was cooler and more humid, carrying the scent of moss and wet soil. A dark brown sign bearing the words "Mount Gede Pangrango National Park" welcomed them.
Inside, the room was warm and tidy. Posters of flora and fauna, hiking trail maps, and replicas of forest structures were neatly displayed. There was a small model, with a Javan tiger statue beside it.
"Welcome," a staff member at the Information Center greeted them warmly. They briefly introduced themselves before starting the interview. "Today, we'll be discussing the conservation of Gunung Gede Pangrango, okay?"
Besides the Information Center staff, there was also a local guide present. He was wearing a green jacket and a field hat.
Dina immediately took out her notebook. She listened carefully to the speaker's explanation. Every now and then, they took turns asking the questions they had prepared beforehand. Dina's hand moved quickly. She wrote down a lot. Her eyes were focused, filled with interest.
Ando, standing slightly behind her, watched her quietly. His expression softened.
"She's really diligent…" Ando murmured, but he quickly looked away when Dina turned around.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just keep going."
Meanwhile, Bram was captivated by the model. "Damn… the model is really cool."
"This could totally be part of the booth concept," Arvin commented as he took pictures.
"Not just part of it. This is going to be the core of the idea. Take pictures, Vin. Hurry."
Arvin immediately took several shots from different angles.
After that, they interviewed a hiking trail guard, a middle-aged man wearing a green uniform and carrying a brown sling bag.
"This forest is heavily protected because it's prone to landslides. Students like you are really important for education," he said warmly.
"Yes, Sir. This is really useful for our project." Dina nodded as she wrote down the important points.
By midday, they had finished conducting the interviews and collecting the data they needed from the Information Center. After taking a break for lunch, they began hiking for their field survey.
The trail sloped upward. The rocks were wet. Large leaves glistened with dew. The sound of running water could be heard in the distance, along with the occasional chirping of forest birds.
Aldi shouted from the front, "Careful, it's slippery!"
"I've got three percent of my breath left," Bram complained, holding his knee.
Dina carefully stepped up the earthen steps. Her shoe slipped slightly.
"Din!" Ando immediately caught her arm. His grip was firm and steady.
Dina fell silent for a few seconds.
"Th—thanks…"
She was also breathing heavily like Bram. Climbing up the mountain was clearly not her thing.
Ando let out a sigh. "…Don't give me a heart attack."
Dina quickly lowered her head. Her face grew hot. Ando also suddenly became busy looking at the trees, as if he had suddenly decided to become a botanist.
"Let's take a short break. Vin, take some pictures of the scenery here," he shouted. His friends were already out of breath. They needed a rest.
Dina opened her water bottle and took a small sip, then—as if by reflex—offered it to Ando. Ando accepted it and drank directly from the mouth of her bottle.
Dina froze.
Indirect kiss.
Again.
They continued their hike until they reached a small waterfall. The water was crystal clear, and the rocks were wide. Arvin took plenty of pictures, including pictures of the five of them.
Without even realizing it, Ando always ended up standing beside Dina.
After resting and playing in the water, the weather began to turn colder. Dina pulled her thin cardigan tighter around herself. The wind had grown sharper now.
Without saying a word, Ando took off his jacket and draped it over Dina's shoulders.
"You don't have to. You're cold too."
"I'm fine. Just wear it."
Dina lowered her head and slowly slipped into his jacket.
It smelled like Ando—clean, with the familiar scent of his favorite cologne.
Dina kept her eyes on the ground so no one could see her expression.
On the way down, the trail became even more slippery.
"Here. Hold my hand," Ando said, extending his hand.
Dina hesitated, but eventually took it.
Their palms met, steady and warm.
Dina suddenly felt like her entire body had heated up.
"Hey, smile! Let's get a picture for the memories!" Arvin shouted as he snapped a photo.
All the way down, Dina held Ando's hand. His grip was polite, never excessive. Her friends didn't tease her anymore either. They understood that the slippery trail really did require them to be careful.
The evening sky looked soft, its orange hue gradually deepening before eventually fading into dark blue. Ando's car drove through the trees as they slowly disappeared beneath the shadows of night.
Dina sat more comfortably now. Her hands rested in her lap, and her expression was much calmer. In the back, her friends were already fast asleep. They looked exhausted.
"After this, we can start organizing the data," Ando said as he drove casually.
"Yeah. I have a lot of notes to rewrite so everything's neat."
"Tired?"
"Tired… but happy."
Ando glanced at her briefly. A small smile appeared before he could stop it.
"Same."
"Hm?"
"I'm happy too. The research was fun."
Dina smiled softly. Ando smiled too.
The car continued down the road. There was more silence between them now, but it wasn't awkward or tense. It was simply warm.
Ando drove his friends home one by one. He knew they were too exhausted to take public transportation or wait for someone to pick them up. Even though he was tired himself, there was no harm in taking care of his friends.
Dina was the last one he dropped off.
When they finally arrived in front of Dina's house, she hesitated, wondering whether she should return Ando's jacket right away or wash it first.
"Umm… I'll wash your jacket first, okay?" Dina said hesitantly.
Ando laughed when he saw the expression on her face.
"You don't have to. Here, just give it back."
"But it's dirty. It smells like my sweat," Dina said shyly.
Ando held out his hand.
"It's fine. I can wash it at home."
Dina looked at him, making sure one last time before finally taking off the jacket and handing it back to its owner.
"Okay, then. Thanks, Do."
She got out of the car and told him to drive safely before opening the gate and going inside the house.
Inside the car, Ando put his jacket back on. Not because he was cold. He just wanted to.
The jacket still felt warm. And Dina had been right—the scent lingered. Not the smell of sweat she had been worried about, but the scent of that girl's cologne.
It smelled like a mixture of lavender and citrus. Soft and fresh.
Without realizing it, Ando smiled.