❝ NOTHING'S GONNA STOP US NOW ❞

ch. 12

"AHHH! 'Yung stall ko!"

Sigaw ni Hakkai habang inaayos ang kanyang banner sa stall. Sumama na rin siya magbenta roon sa mga booths tuwing instrams, since hindi rin naman siya kasali sa mga clubs. Kasama niya rito magbenta sina Akane at Yumi.

Today is the day of their Intrams.

The atmosphere is really nostalgic, 'yung tipong pagpasok mo ng school ay puro mga games, decorations, costumes, at iba pa ang makikita mo. Ang mga estudyante naman ay may mga sari-sarili silang pinagkakaabalahan. May mga nagp-practice sa clubs and varsity since may tournaments. May mga nagtayo ng kanilang sari-sariling booths, game and food stall, rentahan ng card games, at iba pa.

May nagiihaw pa nga kanina sa loob ng classroom eh, napagsabihan tuloy.

"Hello, ano po binebenta niyo?" pabirong tanong ni Makoto, at halatang mangaasar nanaman.

"Sama ng loob para sa'yo," pilit na ngiti ni Hakkai.

"Tanginang tindera 'to. Lugi na agad," pagsusungit ni Makoto.

"Sis, chill. Iinit nanaman ang ulo mo riyan. Sayang beauty rest!" sambit ni Akane na may kasama pang eye roll.

Si Yumi naman ay tahimik na kumakain sa bandang likod ng booth nilang tatlo, at nakita ito ni Hakkai.

"Hoy, beh! Ikaw pa yata 'yung unang makakaubos niyan eh," sabi ni Hakkai.

"I'm hungry," Yumi said in a muffled voice because of the giant burger in her mouth.

"O! O! Don't talk when your mouth is full!" Sabi ni Akane.

"Uy! Burger! Pabili nga," sigaw ni Benkei.

"Huwag na, magtae ka pa. Ibara mo nanaman 'yung inidoro sa c.r," sagot ni Shinichiro nang hinila ito paalis.

"Ano ba! Masyado kayong excited! Hindi pa nga nago-open 'yung stalls," sabi ni Hakkai.

Well, I mean it's currently six forty in the morning, and habang hindi pa nagsisimula ang klase, ginamit ng mga estudyante ang oras na 'to upang maghanda sa Intrams.

"Yo! Yo! Help me wear my bandanna," sigaw ni Ran sa may outside campus, at syempre, ang usual tambayan spot ng F5 ay 'yung mga benches. Talagang target locked ito, and the spot is reserved specially for F5.

"Boi! Nakita mo ba natumba si Caleb kanina? Una mukha eh, sapul, HAHAHA!" Lakas na tawa ni Rindou.

"Tss... that guy? Duwag 'yun eh," pagyayabang ni Sanzu.

"On God, bro. One time, that motherfucker dashed up to me with a basketball like a weirdo. Mas malala pa sa dunk ni Jonathan," sagot ni Ran habang sinusuot ang yellow bandanna nito.

"Pasuot nga ako! Kanina pa 'ko nahihirapan dito, deputa," dagdag pa niya.

Syempre, may mga suot din na custom t-shirts ang mga estudyante for the Intrams, at per color sila. Ang iba naman ay depende kung saan club sila. May mga nakajersey dahil basketball, uniform for archery, at iba pa.

Well, sina Ran at Kakucho ay naka basketball jersey na, but of course, this is only for their training since bukas pa ang kanilang game.

"Akin na," sabi ni Sanzu nang hinablot ang bandanna at ni-wrap sa ulo ni Ran. "Wow, lumpia! HAHAHA!"

"Tangina mo," mura ni Ran.

"Yo, by the way. Where's Izana?" Koko asked.

"Bakit?"

"I'll ask him for the total cost that our class will spend for the Intrams," Koko said since he's the treasurer of Section B.

"Ah, andoon siguro. Kalmahan mo lang, ah? Baka sigawan ka non ng 'PUTANGINAAA—!'" sigaw ni Sanzu.

Buti nalang agad natakpan nina Rindou at Ran ang bibig ni Sanzu because they spotted a teacher just wandering around the outside campus.

"Laki ng bibig mo, gago," pagmumura ni Rindou nang umalis na ang teacher.

"Syempre, tol. Perfect para sa gawk gawk," Sanzu cheekily smirked.

"Tangina, dugyot mo!" sinuntok naman siya ni Rindou, at naging aso't pusa tuloy ang dalawa.

"Psst, Kakucho. Anong pangalan ulit ng school na makakalaban natin?" tanong ni Ran.

"UST."

"HA?!" Ran choked on his words, at napaubo tuloy ito dahil sa gulat.

"Kidding. It's just a school nearby Visayas Avenue. I forgot the name as well, but don't worry, we studied their game naman. That's what's important."

"Tangina, kinabahan betlog ko!" Sigaw ni Ran.

"Talking about UST, what university will you guys be in college?" Kakucho asked, at napatingin ang F5 dahil sakanya dahil madalas lang ito magsimula ng ganitong klaseng usapan.

"University agad? Hindi pa naman tapos 'yung school year," sagot ni Rindou.

"Nah, I mean like, you know, what university do you just think?"

"I agree, plus, we're already seniors, college is near. College ain't a joke, man. You'll sweat shit there," Koko said.

"Yeah, so that's why I plan on DLSU," Kakucho said.

"Ako sa ISCP," sagot ni Sanzu.

"Gago talaga 'to kahit kailan, tangina mo, HAHAHA!" Tawa ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Kuya, saang university daw tayo?" tanong ni Rindou nang kinulit ang kuya niya.

Ran just shrugs and sighs. "It's mom's decision, Rindou."

"Uy, si Tita Rochelle? Mabait 'yun ah? Sure ball, papayag 'yun kung saan university," sabi ni Sanzu, at napansin na tumamlay ang ekspresyon ng dalawang magkapatid.

Rindou and Ran glanced a look at each other. "Oo."

"Basta, sama sama parin tayo sa college, ah? Subukan niyong humiwalay, putangina niyo, kakatayin ko kayo," sabi ni Sanzu.

"Is that an empty threat?" Kakucho bantered.

"'Di mo sure."

Naguusap-usap nalang ang mga magkakaibigan, at masyadong naging busy, lalo na si Ran na pinagkakaabalahan parin ang bandanna sa ulo, kaya't naman hindi niya napansin na pumasok ka na sa campus.

You entered the campus habang suot suot ang yellow na t-shirt since Intrams, and a jogging pants as you scanned your I.D before entering.

Nakita mo agad sina Hakkai, Akane, at Yumi sa kanilang booth.

"Uyy! (Y/N)!" kaway nila sa'yo. "Punta ka rito! Tikman mo 'yung luto namin!"

You walked to them while carrying your heavy bag filled with thick books for the Quiz Bee.

Bukas na ang Quiz Bee niyo.

At bukas din ang basketball game ni Ran.

"Food stall?" your mouth formed an O shape as your eyes wandered around their booth. Hindi lang food ang meron, kundi—

"Hindi lang food, syempre, nagbebenta rin kami ng mga makeups, hair accessories, and other kikay stuff!" Hakkai gleefully said.

"O eto, tikman mo," sabi nina Akane at Hakkai nang sinaksak ang isang hotdog sa bibig mo. "Ano lasa?"

"MM! Eurghk!" Na-ubo ka naman. Hindi ka nainform na ganito pala ang mga tindera, namimilit ng customers. "O-okay naman, hindi naman pangit 'yung lasa..."

"Ay, oo nga pala. Muse ka, diba?! Pa'no na 'yan, may quiz bee competition ka rin bukas?!" Akane gasped.

"Ano ba kayo! Multi-tasking queen 'yan, noh! Slay, mhiema!" Sigaw ni Hakkai na may kasamang padila at nagtwerk pa sa may table booth nila.

"Kaya ko naman, I think, haha... don't worry..." you scratched your head.

"Oo nga! Our school's representative, (Y/N) (L/N)!" the three of them clapped and cheered.

"Huh? School?" you asked, eyebrows furrowing.

"Oo, our school. Buong school. You're the muse, right?" Yumi said.

"Huh? Diba 'yung team lang ni Ran 'yung irerepresent ko...?" your eyes slowly widened.

"Hindi ka ba updated sa news ng F5 page?!" Hakkai gasped.

"Huh? Kasali ka sa F5 fanclub page?" Akane raised a brow.

"Duh?" Hakkai flipped his hair, kung meron man.

"A-ano meron?" you impatiently asked.

"So anyway, may nagbago raw sa mga teams. Isa nalang daw 'yung ipapasok sa tournament na basketball team since isa lang dapat ang representative team ng school, so one team means... one muse! At ikaw 'yun, (Y/N)!"

"Huh?! What?! Wait? So, I'll be the muse, and ako 'yung magr-represent sa school?!" you gasped loudly, muntik ka pa tuloy mabulunan sa hotdog.

"Oo! Oh my gosh! I can imagine it na! Ang ganda mo na agad!" Hakkai and the girls squealed.

"Alam ko naman na ako 'yung muse... pero akala ko sa team lang ni Ran, at may mga iba pa na muse sa school natin, pero buong school ang irerepresenta ko? I can't... Ngayon palang kinakabahan na ako," you said with doubtful and worried voice.

"Pa'no kung... pa'no kung pagtripan nanaman nila ako sa group pages? Their standards for muses in annual games are very high... Hindi ako pasok do'n," (Y/N) continued to plead.

"Ano ka ba? Si Ran na nga ang mismong nagsabi na you're all in one! Beauty and brains! Odiba, 'yung captain pa mismo 'yung pumili and nagsabi. You fit in his standards and their standards, sobra pa nga eh! Multi-tasking queen pa, odiba?" Hakkai determinedly said.

"Yes! We agree! Don't ever back out!" Akane and Yumi gave you a wide smile and thumbs up.

"Eh..." you grumbled. "I'll think about it. Mamaya ko muna 'to pagkakaabalahin, I'll go straight to the library muna for the quiz bee study group. Good luck sa booth niyo." You gave them a soft smile and headed off.

"Ngayon palang rumampa ka na! Kahit igiling mo pa 'yung bewang mo papunta sa library to the point na lilipad na 'yung pwet mo, go!" Rinig mong sigaw nina Hakkai, at tumawa ka naman dahil sa kanilang komento.

Yet it soon faded, you felt something wrap in your heart, and seizing it. You feel like it's your lowest point today, and you were so full of doubts.

You felt bad for your friends dahil kahit nakailang sambit na sila sa'yo na magpapalakas ng loob mo, pero ang sarili mo parin ang humihila sa'yo pababa.

You don't feel pretty today, but pity, just like the other days. Thoughts entered your mind, and 'yun ang mga magiging comments ng mga tao sa internet sa pagiging muse mo.

Napabugtong hininga ka nalang at dumaan sa outside campus para lumipat sa kabilang building, dahil nando'n ang library ng juniors.

As you're walking along the Bermuda grass outside, hindi mo napansin na nakatambay pala ang F5 sa bench sa may tabi ng puno.

"Uy! Uy!" Pangaasar ng mga barkada ni Ran nang nakita ka nila, at pinagtutulak pa siya.

"Pst, (Y/N)! Kinikilig utong ni Ran!" Sigaw nina Jonathan, Kevin, Rindou, at Sanzu.

"GAGO!" Agad naman pinaguntog ni Ran ang kanilang ulo.

"Looking in her eyes~ I seeee a paradise~ This world that I've found, is too good to be true~" kanta pa ng mga kaibigan niya.

Hindi mo na rin napansin ang kanilang mga boses dahil may suot kang earphones. Hindi talaga matanggal sa isip mo ang endless possibilities ng magiging comments at reactions ng mga estudyante sa pagiging muse mo. 

While you're feeling insecure, a man is looking at you as if you're an epitome of beauty.

Parang natulala nalang ba si Ran nang nakita niya si (Y/N). His eyes felt like resting just by staring at her. No flaws at all. No flaws in his eyes. Just pure beauty. He's head over heels for her, and he knows it himself.

In his eyes, she's the most beautiful. No one can ever compare.

"Good morning, class!"

Bati ni Ms. Vina nang agad nagsulat sa board. "Get one whole sheet of paper!"

"One whole shit, wala ako, hehe. Koko, pahinge," pasimpleng sabi ni Sanzu.

"Ano meron? May quiz ba?" tanong ni Makoto.

"Surprise quiz," Ms. Vina answered.

Halos nanlaki ang mga mata ng mga estudyante sa narinig nila. "Intrams na intrams tapos may pa surprise quiz..."

"Why, is there a problem?" Ms. Vina raised a brow.

"Hehe, wala naman po."

The students started taking their papers out as they answered each question. 'Yung iba naman ay nagmamadali dahil masyadong excited sa Intrams.

"Pakopya, hehe," bulong ni Rindou sa kuya niya.

"Mama mo pakopya, ulol. Umasa ka," sagot ni Ran.

Timeskip. Nakalipas ang ilang oras at break time na rin nila. Agad naman nagsilabasan ang mga estudyante para pumunta sa campus, outside court, at iba pa, kung saan ginaganap ang event.

"Bili na kayo! Tangina, bumili na kayo!" Sigaw ni Hakkai sa booth stand nila nina Akane at Yumi.

"Pstt! Love, bili tayo ro'n sa food stands!" Sigaw ni (Y/N) from Section A nang hinihila-hila si Mitsuya, kaunti nalang makakaladkad na siya eh.

"Putangina niyo! Bili na kayo, Graham balls!" Sigaw din ni Senju. Uy, nandito rin ang tindera ng Section A.

"Sa'n ba nanaman tayo dadalhin nito?" iritableng tanong ni Baji nang hinihila silang dalawa ni Chifuyu, at si Hanma nanaman ang may pakana nito.

"Sinali ko pangalan nating tatlo sa ML competition. Boi! Wasak na sila agad sa'kin, tsk," pagyayabang ni Hanma.

"Gago ka ba?" sabi ni Baji. "Ayoko, bahala kayo diyan. Kayo nalang."

"Luh! O edi tayo nalang, Chifuyu," sabi ni Hanma nang hinila ito, kaunti nalang makakaladkad na rin tulad ni Mitsuya.

"Hoy! Tangina niyong lahat! Sino'ng naglagay ng pangalan ko ro'n?!" Sigaw ni Makoto habang may mga SSC officers na dinadala siya sa isang booth... alam niyo na siguro kung anong booth ito.

"Kung sino man nagpajail booth sa'kin, putangina mo!" Sigaw pa nito.

"Pabili nga po, 'yung ribbon sa buhok," sabi naman ng isang estudyante nang bumili sa booth stand nina Hakkai.

"Hello, pili ka nalang kung anong kulay gusto mo—" sagot ni Hakkai, ngunit hindi ito natuloy ng mga may SSC officers na lumapit sakanya.

"Uy ang popogi— ay hello po, hehe," nagpacute muna si Hakkai.

"Ano po 'yon?" sagot ni Akane at Yumi.

One of the officers lifted a handcuff with their hand, and nanlaki ang mga mata ng tatlo. Oh shit, they're from the jail booth!

"Sino sa amin?!" they gasped.

"Hakkai Shiba from Section B."

"What?! Excuse me?! Hoy, hindi na pala kayo pogi, I take it back, and what?! Anong ginawa ko?! Sino'ng naglagay ng pangalan ko?! AHHH!" Tili ni Hakkai nang dinala ito sa jail booth.

"Mga pakshet! Kinukulong niyo ako, nagbebenta lang naman ako! Ngudngod ko 'yung lipstick sa bunganga niyo eh!" Sigaw pa nito nang pumasok sa jail booth.

Hakkai grunted and rolled his eyes dahil no choice na rin ito. Lumingon nalang siya, at nagulat sa kasama niya sa loob ng cell.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?!" Makoto and Hakkai shouted in unison.

"Hindi ba halata, may nagpajail booth sa'kin. Siguro ikaw 'yon, noh?!" Makoto retorted.

"Excuse me?!" Hakkai gasped. "Ako pa talaga sinisisi mo?! Eh nakulong din nga ako eh, bobo!"

Makoto just ignored him and scoffed.

"Kailan ba 'to matatapos?" Hakkai asked, at nagsusungit din ito.

"Aba ewan."

"Ew, nakakasakal naman dito. Ang init init pa! Natutunaw makeup ko o," reklamo ni Hakkai.

"Ingay mo, edi mas lalong iinit!" Sigaw ni Makoto.

"Body heat yarn?! HAHAHA!" Nagulat nalang sila nang narinig nila ang mga tawa nina Akane at Yamagishi sa labas ng bars.

"Ginagawa niyo rito?! Palabasin niyo kami! Sino nagpajail booth, kayo noh?!"

"Secret, hehe," Yamagishi and Akane cheekily giggled.

"Anaknamputa, lagot ka talaga sa'kin pagkalabas ko rito," pagbabanta ni Makoto na may kasama p'ang turo kay Yamagishi.

"Hoy, babae! Ikaw din, tangina ka! Sasabunutan kita hanggang sa gate!" dagdag ni Hakkai.

You walked past the jail booth, at syempre, kaguluhan ang nasilayan mo. Naghahanap ka nalang ng area kung saan pwede kang mapag-isa para mag-aral sa quiz bee. Wala ka rin masyadong kasama ngayon dahil halos lahat sila busy. Si Yuzuha ay nasa archery training. Si Ran ay nasa court for basketball training. Si Yumi ay busy kumain sa booth stand nila. Sina Akane at Hakkai naman ay... ewan, basta nagkakapatayan na.

Napansin mo na wala nang tinta ang ballpen mo bago ka pa makapagsulat. Bumili ka na rin sa mga booth stands before you proceed.

"Yes, one ballpen—" you said, pero nagulat ka as you felt a presence behind you, making you turn your head.

"Yo," Ran said as he slung an arm around your shoulders.

You looked at him judgingly. "What?"

"Ano bili mo?" he asked.

"Ballpen, obviously," sagot mo.

"Luh, nagtatanong lang eh," Ran pouted.

"Okay."

"By the way, how's your quiz bee practice?" he asked.

"Okay lang naman. How about your training?"

"Uyyy, nagtatanong na," pangaasar pa niya.

"Nevermind, I take it back," agad mong bawi.

"Ang init naman," Ran groaned.

"Yuck, pawis din likod mo," you said.

"Syempre, galing sa training eh."

"How's training ba nga?"

"Wala lang. Sakit nga ng likod ko eh. Batak si coach ngayon sa training. Isang maling galaw lang, seventy push-ups agad, tapos thirty laps around the court."

"Wow," you muttered. "Good luck nalang sa game niyo bukas."

"Yun o! Panalo agad!" Laking ngiti ni Ran.

You squinted your eyes at him. You just rolled your eyes to hide the smile daring to form in your lips.

"Ngiti ka nga, bilis," sabi ni Ran.

"No," you scoffed.

"Sige na, ito naman. Simpleng request lang,"

"Bakit ba?"

"Malay mo maging MVP ako bukas sa game, diba," palusot pa ni Ran.

"Corny mo talaga kahit kailan," you said.

"Kung para sa'yo, okay lang," he replied with that annoying cheeky smirk.

"K."

Ran just forced a smile out of you as he pinched your cheeks and stretch your lips to a wide smile.

"Do'n ka nga! Ang baho mo, magpunas ka muna ng pawis," you retorted as you pushed him by his chest.

"Papunas, hehe," reply niya.

"Ano ka, bata?"

"Papunas lang eh," he said as he handed you his towel.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Saglit lang."

"No."

"Sige na!"

"Whatever," at sa huli, pumayag ka rin naman.

Tumalikod si Ran at hinarap ang likod niya sa'yo na para bang bata na nagpapapunas sa likod sa nanay. Hindi mo rin napansin na masyadong aggressive ang pagpunas mo, nakalmot mo tuloy 'yung likod niya.

"Aray! Ba't naman nangangalmot?!" sigaw ni Ran sa sakit.

"Ay, hindi ko napansin," sagot mo.

"Una aso, kabayo, tapos ngayon pusa? Pinaglihi ka ba sa mga hayop? HAHAHA!" lakas na tawa ni Ran.

"Ah, ganon? Talaga ba? Punasan mo mukha mo, bahala ka diyan," pagsusungit mo nang binato ang towel sa mukha niya.

"Luh, joke lang, eto naman!" he whined.

"Pst! Kuting!" Tawag pa niya sa'yo.

"Ano?!" You groaned, glaring at him na para bang papatayin mo siya.

"Ang sabi ko— aray!" Pero hindi na natuloy ang sinasabi ni Ran nang pinaghahampas mo 'to ng towel.

"AHH!" sigaw ni Ran nang tumakbo paalis habang hinahabol at pinapalo mo ng towel.

"A-ate... 'y-yung ballpen niyo po... ate?" the tindera said awkwardly dahil bigla kang nawala sa booth stand. "Nagbebenta lang naman ako rito..."

Finally, hindi ka na rin kinukulit ng Ran na 'yon at makakapag-aral ka na rin nang mapayapa, kaya't dumeretso ka na rin sa library.

"Hello, ate!" Bati ng mga juniors na ka-team mo sa quiz bee.

You greeted them back with a wave and smile as you sat beside them at the same table. Kita mo na busy rin sila sa pag-aaral.

Akala mo talaga na rito na tatahimik buhay mo dahil wala si Ran para asarin ka, pero kahit hanggang dito, naririnig mo parin ang pangalan niya dahil pinaguusapan siya ng mga babae sa kabilang table.

"Sis, kita mo 'yung bagong post ni Ran sa Insta? Oh my gosh!" Akalang bulong pa nila, pero sobrang lakas ng boses.

"Shh!" Ayan tuloy, nasita ng librarian.

"Nakita niyo 'yung bagong post ni Kuya Ran?" tanong din ng mga ka-team mo.

"Pati ba naman kayo..." you thought.

Na temp ka tuloy na tignan 'yung bagong post niya dahil kaliwa't kanang tainga mong naririnig ang pangalan niya.

You opened your Instagram to check his posts that people are fussing about, and meron nga siyang bagong post. Nakita mo na 5 minutes ago ang post niya pero marami agad itong likes at comments.

ran.haitan1 posted on Instagram.

It's a photo of him wearing his basketball jersey. He was sitting on the benches in a man spread while playing with a ball. His head is tilted while looking away from the camera, and wearing that playful smirk of his again. You can perfectly see his side view from this angle.

Comments:

itz.rin_d0u: bantot mo hindi nagbibigay ng credits sa nag picture, halos mahulog ako sa kanal para makakuha ng maayos na angle tas hindi mo ako cinredit boang ka ba

itz.rin_d0u: oo nga pala muntik na rin akong patayin ni kuya kanina sa kotse

Takeomi11: minor moments

KayRanHaitaniLangSasamba replied: inamo kuba lang likod mo tanda eh

Jonathanos23: laki mo na junjun anak

kevin_burant: pogs pogs bili kayo pogs jan pangjakstone bente pesos lang

https://website.ni.kevin/bold.com       CLICK the LINK now for free pogs!

Tinaa_12: umuwi kana mahal miss kana ng mga anak natin

sansanzu_u: Enjoy unlimited text to all networks with Smart SAKTO20 promo plus unli FB, calls and more for only 20 pesos. One of the super tipid combo promo that includes texts, call and chat is the Smart SAKTO20. You can enjoy unlimited texts to all networks, 40 minutes trinet calls (Smart/TNT/Sun)

HakkaiIsSexy: RORRRR THANKS SA LUNCH BABY ABUNJING SWEET BUNCH SUGARPLUM TOYO ASIN SUKA KO RAWRAWRAWR */kinain screen

Shesheena: hi love ko

Ran'sWifey<3: kumain ka na, my husband?

F5's_toes: lalanghapin ko ang iyong malaking budhi.

ran.haitani1 replied: bro wtf 💀

F5's_toes replied: BGSWGFJCHAHHSH HALA OMG NANOTICE */linanghap MMMM BANGO

99+ comments...

kaku.hitto liked ran.haitani1's post

ko_kohaj liked ran.haitani1's post

Halos hindi mo na rin mapigilan ang tawa mo sa kakabasa ng mga comments. "What the hell."

You scrolled through Ran's Instagram to check his posts, and to your surprise, marami siyang mga recent posts.

Sa kakascroll mo, you accidentally did a double click on the screen, making you accidentally like one of his posts.

"Shit."

Nagulat ka naman nang may biglang nag pop na notification sa screen mo, and of course, it's Ran.

Ran Haitani

Annapple Head :

UY

hello

hehe

Pakipot pa eh, ayaw pa sabihin na kinilig dun sa like ni (Y/N).

: Longganisa Seller

Ano

Annapple Head :

wala lang

where are u?

: Longganisa Seller

Library

Annapple Head :

oh alr

studying for the quiz bee?

: Longganisa Seller

Yes

Annapple Head :

sige, good luck :)

: Longganisa Seller

Thanks

Annapple Head :

btw, see you later

remember what I told you yesterday

You were about to send a thumbs up or give a response, but it seems like he's talking about something else.

: Longganisa Seller

Where?

Wdym?

Ran?

He didn't reply after that, at tuluyan ka nalang nagtaka kung ano 'yung tinutukoy niya.

"What scheme is he planning to play again?"

But your eyes slowly widened as you now remember what he was talking about.

"Kung ako ay mukhang mais, ang hininga mo naman ay amoy buris!"

Sigaw ni Sanzu nang nakikipagbardagulan sa loob ng classroom. After their recess break, bumalik na rin ang mga estudyante sakanilang mga classrooms para makapagklase ulit. Luckily, they still have time for the booths later dahil sa lunch break nila.

"Ah, ganon?! Kung ang hininga ko ay amoy buris, ang singit mo amoy panis!" Sigaw ni Makoto na kaunti nalang makikipagsuntukan na kay Makoto.

Pa'no nga ba sila nagkaaway in the first place? Hindi ko rin alam eh.

"Bakit, inamoy mo na ba singit ko?!" Sagot ni Sanzu.

"Hindi, pero mukha kang singit!" Balik naman ni Makoto.

"Ah talaga? Na jail booth ka lang eh!"

"O tama na 'yan, pasabugin niyo pa 'yung classroom eh," sumingit naman si Yamagishi.

"Hoy! Parang hindi ka kasali ro'n sa nagpa jail booth sa'min ah?!" Sabi ni Makoto.

Nagsuot ka nalang ng headphones para hindi marindi sa ingay ng mga kaklase mo. Hanggang ngayon ay nagaaral ka parin for the quiz bee tomorrow dahil nakakaramdam ka ng matinding kaba.

"Sipag naman," pero kahit naka headphones ka parin, rinig mo parin ang sinabi ni Ran sa tabi mo nang sumilip siya sa notes mo.

You looked at him with furrowed brows, at nakasimangot ka nanaman. "Ano?"

"Why naman nakasimangot? Ayan nanaman si Ms. Sungit o. Ngiti ka, mas lalo kang gumaganda," sabi ni Ran.

"Ayoko."

"Ngingiti na 'yan..."

"What the heck... Bahala ka nga diyan," you sucked in your inside cheeks as you turned your head away.

Si Ran naman na mapangasar ay inikot ang upuan mo, napaharap ka tuloy sakanya. His eyes just widened when he saw the forming smile on your lips. Nagulat ka dahil dito at umiwas ng tingin.

"Yun o! That's my kind of view," he said, smiling.

"Nako, umagang umaga, ganito bungad ko," reklamo ni Hakkai. "Lalo na 'yung putanginang jail booth na 'yan, isusumpa ko talaga 'yan, lalo na 'yung NAGLAGAY ng pangalan ko ro'n," pagpaparinig ni Hakkai.

"Hehe," Akane at Yamagishi gave each other a suspicious look.

"Uy, Izana, sinaniban ka ba ni satanas?" tanong ni Benkei.

"Ano nanaman?"

"Init kasi palagi ng ulo mo eh. Tamo kanina, muntik mo nang hampasin 'yung game console sa pader dahil natalo ka ro'n sa gaming booth!"

"Ay ganon? Okay, at least hindi nasira," Izana said, just shrugging.

"Sino ba 'yung mga kalaban mo kanina?" tanong pa niya kay Izana.

"I don't know, basta taga Section A. Nakakaputangina nga sila eh, inasar ako nung natalo!" Sigaw ni Izana.

And after that, nag ingay nanaman ang Section B. Sa gilid naman, ay biglang tumahimik si Ran dahil mukhang malalim nanaman ang iniisip nito.

"Pst! Uy, Rindou," tawag ni Ran.

"Ano?"

"Samahan mo ako mamaya sa lunch break, may pupuntahan tayo," sabi ni Ran.

"Saan?"

"Basta."

"Saan ba kasi tayo pupunta?"

Tanong ni Rindou nang nakasakay sa kotse ni Ran. Mukhang may pupuntahan yata sila, ngunit kailangan lang nilang bilisan dahil umalis sila habang lunch break sa school.

"Hoy, bilisan mo ah. Forty minutes lang 'yung lunchbreak natin, baka hindi tayo agad makabalik sa school," dagdag pa ni Rindou.

"Oo na, mabilis lang 'to. Pupunta lang naman tayo sa bahay ni (Y/N), may ipapaalam lang ako," sabi ni Ran.

"Huh? Diba nasa school si (Y/N)?" tanong ni Rindou.

"Sa parents kasi niya ako magpapaalam."

"O? Edi bakit sinama mo pa ako?"

"Naninigurado lang, baka patayin ako ng tatay ni (Y/N) eh," sagot ni Ran.

"Luh! Bakit? Sundalo ba 'yon?" Rindou gasped.

"Tanga, hindi."

"Eh," Rindou just nodded. "Tangina mo kapag ako nadamay diyan ah, tsaka bilisan mo, baka malate pa tayo pagkabalik natin."

"Oo na."

"Oo nga pala, bakit 'yung manual mo na kotse 'yung dala mo ngayon?" tanong ni Rindou.

"Alam mo kung bakit?"

"Bakit—?" ngunit hindi na natuloy ang sinabi ni Rindou nang biglang bumilis ang pagd-drive ni Ran, at bigla tuloy nagzoom sa daan. "GAGO!"

"Hoy, kuya! Putangina mo!" sigaw ni Rindou habang nakakapit sa seatbelt dahil halos mahulog na ang kaluluwa nito sa sobrang bilis magpatakbo ng kotse si Ran.

"My type of shit," Ran muttered under his breath as he plugged the aux kung saan nakaconnect ang speaker sa loob ng kotse at full volume pa ito. Pinatugtog niya rin ang "Tokyo Drift" na kanta habang sinuot ang shades at inadjust ang rearview mirror, and he's doing all of this while driving at such speed.

"AHHH!" sigaw pa ni Rindou, at kaunti nalang magdadasal na eh. It's like his life flashed before his eyes.

Oh diba, iba talaga kapag si (Y/N) ang nakasakay.

Nakalipas ang ilang minuto at nakarating na rin sila sa destinasyon. Lumabas muna si Rindou ng kotse para magsuka.

"Rin, maghintay ka nalang diyan sa kotse," sabi ni Ran as he went out of the car at pinress ang doorbell sa may tabi ng gate niyo.

Ang tatay naman ni (Y/N) na si Alejandro ang bumungad nang lumabas ng gate, at nagulat ito nang si Ran ang bumisita.

"O, Ran, diba may pasok kayo ngayon? Kasama mo ba si (Y/N)?" tanong ni Alejandro.

"Nasa school po si (Y/N), pumunta lang po ako rito para magpaalam," sabi ni Ran.

"Paalam saan? Ayun ba ang sadya mo? Pasok ka muna," sagot niya nang pinapasok si Ran sa bahay.

Pagkapasok ng dalawa sa bahay, agad naman na pinaupo ng mga magulang mo si Ran, at maghahanda na sana ng miryenda ang nanay mo ngunit tumanggi si Ran.

"Kahit 'wag na po, babalik rin po kasi ako agad sa school," pagtatanggi ni Ran.

"Ah sige," sagot ng nanay mo na si Mary. "Ano ba raw 'yung ipagpapaalam mo? Bakit, may date na agad kayo ni (Y/N)?" pangaasar pa ng nanay mo.

"Actually... may dalawa po akong ipagpapaalam sainyo, kung pwede po," sabi ni Ran.

"Dalawa? Ano 'yon?" tanong ng tatay mo.

"Pagpapaalam ko lang po sana si (Y/N) sa dalawang 'yon. 'Yung una po ay kung pwede po ba siya sa marriage booth?"

Bigla naman naubo ang tatay mo habang umiinom ng kape, nabulunan tuloy. Agad naman inabutan ni Ran ng tubig ang tatay mo.

"HA?! M-marriage booth?! Ikakasal na agad kayo?!" Gulat na tanong ng dalawa.

"Hindi naman po sa ganon. Marriage booth po sa Intrams. Hindi po siyang totoong kasal, pero kahit simpleng booth lang po siya, gusto ko parin po na magpaalam sainyo," sabi ni Ran.

"Ano ba 'yang marriage booth marriage booth na 'yan, wala namang ganyan sa'min noon ah," sabi ng tatay mo.

"Baka naman masyado na tayong tumatanda," bulong ni Mary.

"Sa marriage booth ba na 'yan may 'kiss the bride' ba diyan? Baka meron ah?" your dad asked, suspiciously raising a brow.

"Uhh, wala naman po siguro."

"Kapag meron 'yan? Naku, huwag muna! Bawal bawal! Walang kiss sa lips na mangyayari!" striktong pagbabawal ng tatay mo.

"Opo," masunuring sagot ni Ran.

"Teka, ano rin pala 'yung isa mo pang ipagpapaalam?"

Ran thought for a moment. I mean, wala naman problema na ipagpaalam 'to, diba? It's a special place that he planned to bring you to, and of course, he needs to get your parents' consent and trust, dahil kukunin niya rin ang tiwala ng anak nila.

"Magpapaalam po sana ako kung pwede ko po na dalhin si (Y/N) sa Baguio."

"Uy, saan kayo galing? Buti nakaabot pa kayo."

Tanong ni Sanzu at ang mga kaibigan nila nang nakabalik na ang dalawang magkapatid sa school.

Si Rindou naman ay namumutla parin hanggang ngayon.

"O, nyare naman dito?" sunod na tanong nito.

"Ewan, nakasakay yata ng rollercoaster," Ran casually said while playing with his car keys around his fingers.

"Sa dinami-daming beses na 'kong sumakay sa kotse mo, ito 'yung pinaka mabilis na takbo mo amputa!" sunod pa na reklamo ni Rindou.

"Yo, Ran. Coach was finding you a while ago," Kakucho said as he approached him.

"Sunod nalang ako sa training, ilang subjects nalang naman tapos dismissal time na," sabi ni Ran.

"Alright."

Ilang oras ang nakalipas, at halos tapos na rin lahat ng classes nila. Ang iba naman ay agad na dumeretso sa main campus kung saan nagaganap ang Intrams. May mga palaruan dito, various activities, at hindi lang puro booth stands.

Ikaw naman ay palabas na ng classroom habang bitbit ang mga gamit mo, and as usual, didiretso ka na papuntang library.

Bukas na ang quiz bee, and this is your last opportunity to study with your teammates. Kahit nakailang review ka na, gusto mo parin na i-guarantee.

You walked through the corridor at walang masyadong tao rito, siguro lahat ng mga estudyante nasa main campus at nageenjoy sa event o kaya nakatambay sa mga booth stands.

Sounds of footsteps were heard behind you, making you look behind.

The corridor is empty.

You continued walking, shrugging it off until you felt a hand cover your mouth to suppress your screams, and an arm carrying you somewhere. It's as if you're being kidnapped!

"MMM!" Muffled screams only came out from your mouth as you kick your feet while you're being taken away.

Hindi mo nalang namalayan na nasa classroom ka na pala, and you can barely see anything dahil naka off ang mga ilaw. Nakababa rin ang blinds sa mga bintana.

Then, the lights opened, and you quickly looked around to see who the culprit is.

"Hello, girly! Surprise!" Bati sa'yo nina Hakkai, Akane, at Yumi.

"The hell?! Ano 'to?!" Agad mong tanong.

"Ano ka ba! Dapat ang bride, hindi naiistress!" Sabi ni Akane.

"Huh?!" you confusingly asked. "Wait— Ano ba nangyayari?!"

Napansin mo na naglalabas sila ng mga makeup, accessories, at iba pa. Halos magpanic ka na dahil sa sobrang clueless mo sa mga pangyayari.

Nagulat ka nalang nang bigla ka nilang pinag-aayusan ng buhok at pinaglalagyan ng makeup sa mukha.

Your attention was drawn to the clothing that Yumi is holding. It's a wedding gown, no, it's more like a wedding dress with silver diamonds on the torso, an off-shoulder top, and silk fabric ruffles at the bottom of the garment.

Now you know what these people are planning.

"Suotin mo 'to, please!" they whined nang nagtatalon-talon pa sila. Naku, nahawa na talaga si Yumi sa dalawa.

"Sige naaaa! May vail pa o!"

You sighed, looking at the dress. Sayang naman kung hindi mo susuotin, plus, you really love the dress, it looks pretty.

"Susuotin mo... (Y/N)...?"

In the end, napilitan ka rin na suotin ang wedding dress.

Kaya't nandito ka ngayon, papuntang main campus kung saan ang mga booths, at may mga nakaalalay din sa gilid mo dahil may suot kang blindfold.

"Ano ba 'yan, madudulas ako," bulong mo habang dahan dahan kang naglalakad, at nakakapit ka kina Hakkai at Akane.

"Malapit na ba?" sunod na tanong mo.

"Ayan na! AHHHH!" Nagulat ka naman dahil ang lalakas at dami ng mga nagtilian.

In just a blink, tinanggal na ang blindfold sa ulo mo, and your sight adjusted for a while.

You look around, seeing that you're standing on a red carpet, in front of the marriage booth.

You also saw Ran standing there, and he's wearing a wedding suit.

"Uy, tangina!" Lutong na mura ni Ran nang tumalikod at tinago ang mukha. Hindi na niya kinaya.

Paano pa kaya kung makita niya si (Y/N) bukas as his muse, wearing his team's jersey?

"Namumula si Retsam Ran, (Y/N)! HAHAHAHA!" Lakas na tawa ng mga barkada ni Ran nang nagtalunan pa sila.

"Kailan honeymoon niyo, Ran?!" Dagdag pa ng mga tropa nito, at halatang nangaasar.

"Simulan na ang kasal!"

Sumunod ka na rin sa trip ng mga kaklase mo at naglakad ka sa red carpet habang dala dala ang bouquet of flowers.

Si Ran naman ay hindi mapakali sa pwesto dahil kanina pa nangingisay. Ubos na ubos na talaga ang angas.

Nang nakarating ka na sa may table, o kaya ang kunwaring altar, nagsigawan nanaman ang mga kaklase niyo. May mga iba rin na estudyanteng nakikinood dito from other sections and grade levels.

"Wait- Sino 'yung pari?" tanong nila.

Lumingon nalang ang lahat nang dumaan ang pari, at nagulat nalang sila nang nakita kung sino ito.

Si Taiju?!

May kumot pa ito na nakapatong sa kanyang dalawang balikat, tulad daw ng damit ng mga pari para mas mukhang totoo. Tapos 'yung head wear sa ulo ay graduation cap. #Improvise

"Ay, wow. Taray ha? G-graduate na 'yung pari," sabi ni Hakkai.

"Basbasan ang mga masasamang espiritu," paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Taiju habang naglalakad sa red carpet at binabasbasan ang mga estudyante ng holy water...

Pero bakit water gun ang gamit?!

"Pew pew pew," bulong ni Father Taiju habang nageenjoy sa water gun.

Lalo na si Hakkai, sa mukha mismo winater gun ni Taiju. "Lalo ka na, maitim ang espiritu sa iyong kabudhian."

"AHH! Eurghk!" Halos malunod naman si Hakkai dito dahil may nakapasok na tubig sa ilong nito.

"Ay, hala! Ang pogi ni father, hehe. Peace be with you, but please be with me!" One of the students shouted.

"Tangina, tagal naman—" bulong ni Ran.

"Hoy, ba't ka nagmumura sa harap ng pari?" pagbabanta ni Taiju.

"Ay, sorry po. Amen, amen," sabi ni Ran nang dinasalan si Taiju na para bang Sto. Niño.

Pumwesto na si Taiju sa harap ng table at binasbasan kayong dalawa ni Ran, pero ba't parang pinapaliguan kayo, halos isang gallon yata 'to ng holy water eh.

"Nahiya ka pa, sana nagdala ka na rin ng sabon at shampoo," bulong ni Ran.

"Ansabe mo?!" Tanong ni Taiju.

"Wala, sabi ko amen."

"Ehem, ehem--" Taiju cleared his throat.

"You may now kiss the bride—"

"Uy uy uy! Speed masyado! Calm down, my father g!" Sigaw ni Makoto.

"Teka, pahingi ako ng script, ano ba dapat sasabihin ko?" litong sambit ni Taiju.

"Sigurado ba kayong pari 'to? Baka inarkila lang 'to sa kanto ah," comment ng isa.

"With the power of Christ! I compel you!" Sigaw ni Taiju.

"Excuse me po, father. Kasal po 'yung inattend niyo, hindi exorcism. Wala pong sinaniban." Giit ni Yamagishi.

"Ah, ganon. Awts gege. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit." Nagsimula nang magdasal si Taiju, at ang kanyang mga sasabihin.

After some prayers, vows, a few gospels, and readings...

"Ran Haitani, do you take (Y/N) (L/N) to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health...?"

"I do," he answered.

"(Y/N) (L/N), do you take Ran Haitani to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health...?"

"I do," she answered.

"Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church."

"Hoy! Holding hands daw! AAAAHH!" Todo sigaw ng mga kaklase niyo.

Kahit may nararamdaman na halong kaba si Ran, he still held your hand, at kahit umiiwas ito ng tingin. Ayan tuloy, may nalalaman pa siyang marriage booth, kaya't sa huli siya pa 'yung mas kinakabahan sa inyong dalawa.

Ran Haitani's POV

The pretend priest, Taiju, signaled me to say my line in the script.

"I, Ran Haitani, take you, (Y/N) (L/N), to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life," I said.

"I, (Y/N) (L/N), take you, Ran Haitani, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life," she said.

As the two of us finished this what they call: an exchange of consent, the priest also recited his prayers to the two of us who were standing in front of him.

"Bless, O Lord, these rings which we bless in your name. so that those who wear them may remain entirely faithful to each other..." Taiju spoke.

"Mukhang seryoso na 'to, ah..." bulong nina Sanzu. "Ako ninong sa magiging anak niyo ah—! ay sorry po, amen."

"Baka maging kuripot ka pa sa bata. 'Yung tipong ninong na magtatago tuwing pasko," sagot ni Rindou.

"'Yung water gun, 'yung water gun! Nasaan ang water gun?!" Tanong ni Taiju.

"Ito o," sabi nang nag abot. "Tignan mo nalang kung may bala pa na pang pew pew. Holy shot tawag do'n."

The wedding rings... no, more like those cute crafted paper rings, with a small origami diamond heart on top are sprinkled with the holy water.

"(Y/N), receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit," I said as I placed the paper ring on her finger.

"Ran, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit," she said, also doing the same.

"In the sight of God and these witnesses...

I pronounce you as husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!"

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Sa lips!" Sigaw at cheer ng mga kaklase namin.

I almost cupped her cheeks, but I know that I shouldn't because I can't break her father's trust. I worked hard to earn her parents' trust. I won't and will never break that promise to them. I treasure their daughter.

One thing that I'll learn is to wait.

This is why I just kissed her forehead, but even so, I heard our classmates' contented squeals and cheers.

I noticed that the cute origami diamond heart folded on the paper ring was what caught (Y/N)'s attention.

If I can easily make an airplane from a scratch of paper, what more if it's a ring?

They say it's the small things with big efforts that count.

What she doesn't know, is that I've been hiding the real diamond ring inside my pockets all along.

I'll just wait for the right time. Where we're both ready, especially her.

"Is this enough to prove that I've been serious to you all along?" I asked her. "I told you, basta kapag sinabi ko, matutuloy. Ito talaga hindi naniniwala sa'kin."

"Oo na," she rolled her eyes, laughing.

"So, no more doubts, okay?" I asked once more.

She nodded and turned her face away from me, but before she did, I immediately caught the bright smile on her face.

But then I heard the song "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship playing in the background. I know that one of our classmates probably played it, and I know how much they enjoy teasing us with their cheesy surprises.

Lookin' in your eyes
I see a paradise
This world that I've found is too good to be true

It's true, whenever I look into her eyes, it's like I see another realm. I see a paradise. I see another world where I'll always feel safe. This is why I describe her as a paragon, a paraluman, because I see a paradise in her eyes.

Standin' here beside you
Want so much to give you
This love in my heart that I'm feeling for you

Standing in front of a marriage booth made of cheap boxes and cartons by students felt too real for me. This so-called marriage booth feels like a real marriage. As long as it's with her, and I'm standing here beside her, everything will feel real, this feels real, and my feelings for her are real.

Let 'em say we're crazy
I don't care about that
Put your hand in my hand
Baby, don't ever look back

With her, everything is tranquil, which is why I'm willing to win her parents' approval and trust so that I can persuade her to give her hand to me as a symbol of trust.

Let the world around us
Just fall apart
Baby, we can make it
If we're heart to heart

The time when I saw the tears almost spilling from her eyes when she told me that she's been getting hate online, more than broke me. It felt like something inside me seized up, and I couldn't stand seeing her in that situation.

And we can build this dream together
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now

Yet, nothing's gonna stop us now, just like the dreams and plans I have for her. Just imagining what the future awaits for us, I already want to build a dream with her.

And if this world runs out of lovers
We'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us
Nothing's gonna stop us now

It's true. Nothing's really gonna stop us now, because as long as she's here, I can conquer our ups and downs.

A/N: hi! thank you so much for 50k reads! more chapters to come, and I'll always enjoy reading all your comments and messages that you guys have been sending, as well as those amazing fan arts, videos, and edits. these never fail to bring a smile to my face, and I always enjoy them. thank you so much, and I love you, everyone <3