ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ'ꜱ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴠɪᴇᴡ
𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘻𝘦

"Nice confession—este speech, Cross," biglang bulong ni Aidrielle kay Cross nang lumakad sila paalis sa Dining Hall. Binigyan siya ng malamig na tingin ni Cross pero imbis na tumahimik ay lalo pang nag-ingay.

Cross simply accepted it when Aidrielle talked a lot as he has grown accustomed to his friend's tendency to be very vocal. Among the DK, Aidrielle is certainly the most boisterous while ZM is known for being calm and soft-spoken. Raizen is always flirting and Wayne is characterized as kind but firm in his opinions.

'Confession my ass,' his thoughts ran through his mind as he strolled.

Cross has never been fond of Misaki. However his feelings towards her are not based on the fact that she is the only woman who is not afraid of him or the only one who has ever retaliated against him. To him, her presence in Clandestine resembles dark clouds gathering before a storm.

He initially believed it would be a simple task to end her life, a mission devoid of challenge. However upon their first meeting, he understood that there was much more complexity to her character than he had anticipated. It erased the simplicity of his previous assumption.

Everything has changed. The plans were broken. And the long-lost one caught fire.

Upon thiniking about the woman whom he disliked but found compelling, a touch of danger glimmered in his cold stare. An unusual scene had unfolded, heralding the start of a risky game that rivaled even the darkness of hell in its intensity and malice.

Once he was out of the hall, it was like all the tension just disappeared, making it seem like everything that happened was suddenly forgotten. When the Dark Knights walked past, everyone looked away but Cross just grinned. It seemed like news of what went down in the Dining Hall had already made the rounds.

'Mga duwag. Walang kwenta,' pangungutya ni Cross sa isip niya.

He know the plan might have shifted, but he's not changing a thing. Even if Misaki escaped her deadline that day, he won't back down no matter what chaos comes his way. She's still a problem he need to deal with and that's not going to change.

"Seryoso ka ba sa sinabi mo kanina?" biglang nagsalita si Raizen.

And he just couldn't handle Misaki after all. Cross gave him one job but Raizen was aiming for more. He's determined not to let things veer off course towards his inevitable fate. Cross may be willing to face hell but he won't let his friends go down with him.

He raised his eyebrows when he saw how curious Raizen was.

Raizen Castillo is quite popular with the women on campus, as many are drawn to his charming smile. However, he has stated that he has never loved anyone or been intimate with them in a romantic way.

Their teacher taught each of them different deceiving skills. And now he is questioning if Raizen really didn't do it.

Cross wouldn't want to hear about it anyway.

Raizen always kept things lighthearted, never getting serious unless there was some conflict or drama going on which was rare.

"Kanina?" takang tanong ni Wayne nang manatiling tikom ang bibig ni Cross.

Once Aidrielle noticed that Cross wasn't going to answer Raizen's question either, he spoke up, "When Cross pretty much told everyone that she's got his back. Not just his Mark, but his ever-elusive Insignia."

Raizen just really wanted Cross to answer. So he casually reached out and stopped his friend by grabbing his right shoulder—which is not something Raizen usually does to Cross—but he did it this time without even thinking about it.

He really dropped Cross' real name with such a serious tone that it made everyone stop suddenly.

They never bring up his name, especially in public because their teacher strictly told them not to. It's a big deal within the DK because Cross is really important and they got to protect him for their Godfather.

'Sinabi mo sa'kin na ikaw ang bahala. Sinabi mong magtiwala ako sa'yo. E ano ka ngayon, Raizen?' hinanaing ni Cross sa kanyang isipan.

He was giving Raizen a really intense stare while their friends were totally surprised. Aidrielle was patting Wayne on the shoulder and whispering something to him. And ZM just stayed quiet, staring at Raizen like he were pondering something deep.

"Ano ba'ng pakialam mo? Alisin mo nga 'yang kamay mo sa balikat ko," inis na sabi ni Cross kay Raizen at inalis ang nakapatong nitong kamay sa balikat niya. Sinadya niyang ihagis ang kamay ni Raizen para malaman ng kaibigan na seryoso siya.

"Chill lang, Cross," pagbibirong sabi ni Aidrielle bago bumaling kay Raizen na mukhang 'di nagustuhan ang inakto ng kaibigan.

Adrielle just couldn't get why Raizen was acting like that. They chose him for this because they knew he was perfect for the job. He would definitely be able to befriend Misaki better than anyone else.

It was apparently Cross who was supposed to do the job. But because they knew he was aloof, they realized he wasn't the right person for it.

He put his arm around Cross' shoulder and looked over at Raizen.

"Bakit ba interesado ka kung totoo o hindi 'yung sinabi n'ya? Tinamaan ka na ba?" nanunuksong tanong ni Aidrielle kay Raizen.

Raizen shot Aidrielle a look and playfully punched him on the shoulder. He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that his friend actually believed that. Out of all the logical explanations, Aidrielle had to pick the most far-fetched one.

"Sira ka ba? Why would I fall for Cross? Hindi ako bakla. I don't swing that way," naiinis na depensa ni Raizen. Tumawa naman sina Aidrielle at Wayne habang tinapik-tapik pa ang balikat ng isa't isa.

'Parang mga sira,' naisip ni Cross.

Cross wasn't sure if Raizen was dodging the question or if he simply didn't get what Aidrielle was asking.

"Neo baboya? Aidrielle wants to know if you've already caught feelings for that woman. What an idiot," ZM was being all serious and stuff. If he didn't speak up, they would have totally forgotten he was even there. (Are you stupid?)

ZM doesn't talk much and always seems serious. Sometimes, Cross wonders why his friends are so weird. But then he gets that it's just how they were raised. Like they're monsters meant to be savage. They're not hiding it or ashamed of it.

"You're the one being dumb! Alam n'yong sira na 'tong puso ko at hindi na maaayos pa. Gusto ko lang makilala si Misaki, masama ba 'yon? Mga timang naman kayo e, kung anu-ano iniisip," pagsagot ni Raizen sabay tingin kay Cross, "Ikaw, Cross, ano'ng trip mo? You can't stand her but now you're all gung-ho about keeping her safe? What's up with that sudden change of heart?"

He sometimes felt a little intimidated by Cross' icy stare, especially when the conversation took a turn he didn't like. Despite being friends, there were moments when Raizen sensed he didn't quite grasp Cross completely. The enigma of why he wore that cold expression and why he presented himself that way left Raizen curious.

"So totoo nga? Seryoso ka ba sa sinabi mo?" tanong naman ni Wayne na interesado ring malaman ang katotohanan.

Cross didn't even look at the others as they waited for his reply. After thinking about what they asked, he just took a step forward and kept walking, signaling for the others to join him.

"Seryoso ako sa kanya. But ya'll got it wrong. I ain't like you, Raizen. Hindi ako susugal kung 'di ako kumpyansa. I really need her for the mission and I'll do whatever it takes to get her. Hindi ako naive para ma-distract," he said with little enthusiasm after he stopped, taking a moment to glance at each of his friends before continuing on. Aidrielle nonchalantly shrugged as he and Wayne exchanged looks.

Cross is currently in his fourth year working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology. He ranked fourth in academic performance during his first year. And then went on to secure the highest position in his second year, maintaining this achievement throughout his academic journey up to this point. With one more year left until graduation, Cross is continuing to perform exceptionally well in his studies.

By graciously bestowing his Insignia upon another student, it is ensured that the recipient will face no hindrances on their path to graduation, even if they encounter difficulties in their academic pursuits, as long as Cross remains diligent in his own studies. Such is the honor granted to the holder of an immunity Insignia.

There are two classifications of immunities called Mark and Insignia. Mark is a prevalent type of immunity extended to Sun Division from the Moon Division, granting them certain privileges. On the other hand, Insignia is a rare and prestigious form of immunity that confers upon a student all of its benefits.

Cross decided to give a handful of students immunity marks. But he made it clear that his insignia is really important to him. He mentioned that he only plans to give out one insignia while he's in Clandestine. And he was very careful in selecting who should have it.

Everyone's talking about who might get his insignia, with most people thinking it's going to his special lady. It's pretty much agreed upon that the only person who truly deserves Cross' insignia is the one they call the 'untouchable queen'.

His insignia was so precious, nobody had earned it. They were all aware of this fact.

So everyone, including his friends, was astonished when Cross announced that Ayuzawa Misaki had received his insignia. Cross went to great lengths to protect the woman that many were unaware of and didn't care about.

Intrigue may arise among numerous students about Misaki's identity. There is heightened interest in how the 'untouchable queen' will react when she learns that someone else, rather than herself, has obtained Cross' insignia.

'It's fine if she wants to be wild as long as she does it where I can keep an eye on her. Ayoko lang na ikapahamak n'ya ang kahambugan n'yang 'yan,' reklamo ni Crosa sa kanyang isipan.

Two men held differing perspectives on the same woman. Cross was intent on removing Misaki from his life, whereas Raizen was considering ways to be a part of her life.

Upon noticing Aqiula and Leightann leaving the infirmary, Raizen instinctively made his way towards the front door where the two gentlemen had emerged from.

"Hoi, Raizen!" sigaw ni Wayne matapos mapansing 'di na siya sumusunod sa kanila. Napahinto rin si Cross upang tignan at sundan kung saan ito papunta.

"Ano'ng gagawin natin dito?" tanong ni Wayne nang huminto sila sa tapat ng pintuan ng infirmary. Nanatiling nakatuon ang paningin ni Raizen sa repleksyon nila sa tinted na salamin ng pintuan.

Raizen found himself without the answer. He just realized his feet were leading him towards her. He sensed her presence and felt drawn to see her.

Cross was just silently watching Raizen. He tried to figure out what his eyes were hiding but he couldn't quite get it. It seemed like Raizen wasn't even sure himself.

Raizen, being who he is, should be well aware of this as love has left lasting scars on him. Cross doubts that it's simple to move on from someone you loved just by shifting your attention to someone else.

"What makes her so fascinating?" Cross muttered under his breath.

Maybe he didn't like her because she was basically like a mirror image of who he is.

Misaki and Cross both have this thing where they can totally stare right into someone's soul. And when Misaki meets Cross' icy gaze with her own blank stare, it's like fireworks going off. They feel this intense desire that's hard to understand but they can't help feeling it even though they know they probably shouldn't.

Both of them consistently share similar thoughts—finding amusement in taunting their enemies and believing themselves to be superior to those they perceive as feeble. They show arrogance and exude abundant self-assurance. And it appears that they have a knack for encountering trouble.

From the moment their eyes met, there was no need for secrets.

As much as they can't stand each other, all it takes is a little temptation from the devil to shake things up.

"Raizen, let's go," Cross told Raizen to head to their next class.

They're really dragging their feet. They couldn't even get through the first two subjects because of those issues in the Dining Hall, and now they're late for their third class.

Chaos may be prevalent in Clandestine, but there is a strong emphasis on academic discipline. Students are required to approach their studies with seriousness as the institution has the authority to incarcerate those who fail to meet academic expectations. This means that students—especially those under the Moon Division—can indeed be sent to jail for academic reasons.

Cross wasn't scared, he just didn't want any annoying issues later on.

Raizen exhaled deeply before confronting his friends, who appeared impatiently awaiting his next move.

"Mauna na kayo. May kakausapin lang ako," paalam ni Raizen sa mga kaibigan at agad na pumasok sa loob. Hindi na niya binigyan ng oras ang mga ito para makapagtanong dahil siguradong hindi rin naman alam ni Raizen ang isasagot sa tanong nila.

"Ano'ng problema no'n?" takang tanong ni Wayne nang makapasok si Raizen sa loob ng infirmary.

ZM simply shrugged as he found himself at a loss for a response. In the ensuing silence, it was evident in Cross' gaze that he disapproved of his friend's actions.

"Bibisitahin yata ang asawa niya," may halong panunuksong sagot ni Aidrielle na hindi alintana ang malalamig na tinging ipinukol sa kanya ni Cross.

"I think I heard him call her some name or something. Wait... His 'nae anae'? 'Yung nakasama natin sa Dining Hall kan..." patanong namang sambit ni Wayne pero agad na napatikom ang bibig nang mabaling sa kanya ang malalamig na titig ni Cross.

"Hinding hindi siya magiging asawa ng hambog na 'yon," pagkaklaro ni Cross at sumandal sa gilid ng pintuan bago humalukipkip.

"We were pretty confident you wouldn't let our mission get messed up. So what's the deal with the Insignia? Why not just go with the Mark? What sets her apart?" Wayne asked Cross, looking confused.

Aidrielle's smile broadened as he was also intrigued to learn his thoughts on Misaki.

"Simply because she's Misaki, that's all," Cross provided sparse answer without looking at his friends.

"E pa'no si Zen?" batong tanong ni Wayne bago humakbang patungo sa kanya. Matalim ang kanyang tingin na parang mga punyal na naglalayon sa hindi maikakailang katotohanang makikita sa mga mata ni Cross.

"Zen is different," he defended the woman in question, revealing a hint of warmth in his demeanor as he carefully expressed his thoughts.

Wayne didn't ask again and Aidrielle's smile faded. ZM was quiet, but if you pay attention, you could see his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

They're not really into Zendaiah but she means a lot to him. They don't quite get why though.

Cross' friends were all wrapped up in thinking about how important Zendaiah was to him, but Raizen had his mind on a different woman. He glanced around the infirmary, taking in the roominess and the way the purple walls stood out against the dark violet floor tiles.

The cabinets located on the right side were stocked with medicine bottles and medical books, while the left side displayed dark violet curtains and hospital beds, with the curtain drawn closed around the fourth bed.

He was all hesitant and stuck near the door because he couldn't figure out what to do. Although he usually jokes around with Misaki, he held back this time from getting closer and showing he wanted to be friends with her. Raizen thought it was pretty funny how he couldn't charm Misaki.

He usually just flashes a smile and says a couple of smooth words to win any woman over, but with Misaki, it was a total fail. She was just different from the rest.

Still, that doesn't stop him from trying. Raizen actually started to enjoy their conversations without even realizing it.

"Nandito ka pala, Raizen. Binibisita mo ba ako?" tanong ng isang matangkad at balingkinitang doktora nang mapansin niya si Raizen.

Let's forget about that because a flirt will always be a flirt.

Looks like he's in full playboy mode now. This smooth-talking doctor is just one of the ladies he's seeing. While he may not have gone too far, it's obvious he's flirting with these women. Raizen especially likes his time with this doctor, who acts younger than her age and gets all 'lolita' with him.

Raizen had a flirty smile on his face as he walked up to the doctor and gave her a warm hug.

"Oppa..." her moans were filled with seduction as Raizen sensually moved his hand to her buttocks, playfully teasing it, igniting tremendous excitement in both of them.

Raizen is so good at this stuff. He knew all the right spots to touch on a woman. The doctor couldn't help but giggle when he nibbled on her right earlobe. Raizen was really getting into it... until he spotted someone's bed.

He came to a halt, and his sense of joy dissipated. The female doctor continued to flirt with him, but he no longer reciprocated or acknowledged her advances.

"Wae geurae?" her soft words delicately whispered into his ears, though they no longer held any impact on him. Raizen gently pulled away from their hug and flashed her a smile before stepping back. (What's wrong?)

She called him while pouting, "Raizen."

The doctor's voice made it clear she wasn't happy. But Raizen just brushed it off without even turning around.

She was totally shocked when Raizen pulled back the drape of the fourth bed. It was odd for him to stop their foreplay without making sure they both had a good time. His actions were just weird and made her feel disappointed.

Raizen was just looking at the woman sleeping peacefully on the bed as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Her long dark hair with ash-white highlights was spread out on the pillow. And her beautiful face was angled towards Raizen, giving him a good look at her features.

Misaki had it all—those long eyelashes going so well with her narrow eyes, not to mention those rosy lips and sharp nose. And don't even dare forget her elegant fair complexion that Raizen couldn't stop thinking about.

Her beauty really got to him. It brought back a feeling of excitement like never before. But he quickly looked away and took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm especially when around Misaki.

Why? She is just a mission.

Raizen should only view Misaki as a mission, nothing more. So why didn't he reveal his true self to her?

He is definitely a beast, just like the rest of the Dark Knights. Beasts show no mercy. His heart got crushed and shattered, and he's never been right since.

He emitted a sigh as he pondered the idea and leaned in closer to her ear.

"Sleep well, Misaki Ayuzawa. I'll be here," Raizen unexpectedly uttered affectionate words before involuntarily extending his hand to gently touch Misaki's cheek.

'What the hell are you doing, Raizen?!' he was able to keep it together mentally despite being caught off guard.

Raizen totally lost it and closed his eyes tightly when he realized the silly thing he said. He quickly moved his hand away from Misaki's cheek and dashed out of the infirmary without saying a word. The look on his face was a mix of surprise and confusion, like a mouse about to fall into a cheese trap.

The doctor let him go because she was upset that he had hung up on her earlier.

'Buti na lang at tulog siya kaya hindi niya narinig ang sinabi ko. Hindi pwedeng maging totoo ang sinasabi nila. Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan si Tathi. I'm gonna make it up to her for the rest of my life,' ang mga naiisip ni Raizen habang palayo siya kay Misaki.

"Tapos ka na?" nanunuksong tanong ni Aidrielle nang makalabas si Raizen sa pintuan.

He just gave a nod and started walking. Aidrielle spotted his red cheeks that he was trying to hide. Maybe he was feeling embarrassed or guilty?

Aidrielle just grinned and figured he'd better not bother with more questions. He's pretty good at sensing when to push for more information and when to just leave it be.

"Bakit?" pabulong na tanong sa kanya ni Wayne nang makita ang lawak ng ngiti ni Aidrielle.

Without making a big deal out of it, he nonchalantly shrugged and joined his friend to their next class.

Raizen was looking on edge when watching Misaki earlier. They were almost done with the mission and just had a few more steps to go before getting the green light from their Godfather. But then Misaki went and messed things up with her unexpected actions.

'Para sa misyon. Itatak mo 'yan sa kokote mo, Raizen. Hindi ka na bata para maglaro,' sermon n'ya sa kanyang sarili.

Night fell, and the DK found themselves at the villa they shared outside of Clandestine, which coincidentally was also situated six blocks away from Misaki's villa.

Cross had just walked five steps into his room when someone abruptly enveloped him with her arms.

"Cross, miss na kita," isang malambing na tinig ang nagpatigil sa kanyang paglalakad. Hindi na niya kailangan tignan pa kung sino iyon dahil kilala ni Cross ang malambing nitong boses.

"Vinna, let him go," another woman was bossing her around after she had just come out of the bathroom from taking a shower. She was clad in a mint green towel and her hair was still damp.

The woman, who still had her arm wrapped around Cross and whom Zendaiah referred to as Vinna, scoffed, "Shut up, Zendaiah."

Both Vinna and Zendaiah possess Cross' mark.

Vinna initially requested from Cross to undergo a reformation as a condition for his immunity mark, which would enable her to transition from Sun Division to a student in the Moon Division.

Cross won't let anyone with immunity use the reformation privilege. Vinna got the protection privilege though, so she's safe during each Catharsis Hunt. She was also protected from any possible attacks during her time staying at the Clandestine.

Cross is a different kind of protector for Zendaiah compared to being a shield for Vinna.

She is truly unique as she has been granted the special privilege of minimal power which elevates her above others and demands respect from all. This privilege also gives her the right to cause harm without consequences. Zendaiah holds a distinct place under Cross' protection, unlike Vinna who receives far less attention and care from him.

Cross casually moved Vinna's arm away from him, as he no longer appreciated her obsession. In truth, he never held any fondness for her to begin with.

Vinna was the former girlfriend of a student whom Cross had a conflict with. Despite the man's repeated attempts to harm him, Cross did not pay much attention. But when the man targeted Zendaiah, Cross became furious.

After the fight, things escalated and the guy ended up in the hospital in a coma. Cross wasn't happy with that and wanted the guy's closest person at the time, Vinna, to do what he said.

He didn't force anyone to do anything, not even Vinna. He just kissed her in front of her man. Cross just really wanted to embarrass the guy because he knew he had a huge ego.

In the beginning, Vinna didn't really like Cross because of his notorious reputation as the devil incarnate. But then when they kissed for the first time, it was so amazing that she started crushing on him. Later on, she decided to make a move on Cross. And after some back and forth, he kind of agreed, although not entirely because he was into it. But more because he was tired of her always chasing after him.

Raizen may be a bit of a flirt, but Cross is definitely the seducer of the two. If Cross decided to turn on the charm like Raizen does, he would probably steal the title of ladies' man in Clandestine from Raizen. Luckily, Cross prefers not to use women in that way so he lets Raizen take the lead with his charm.

Kissing doesn't faze him at all. So while Vinna and Zendaiah might have considered it special, he would just casually kiss any girl who wanted to.

Cross didn't want to touch anything more than their lips because he thought that women should be kissed but not played with thoughtlessly.

Thinking something like that about the devil incarnate can be rough. But those two women knew it well and were dead set on breaking his self-control.

Vinna saw Cross turning down the offer and couldn't help but notice how much smaller she was in comparison to Cross and Zendaiah.

Her eyes were large and adorned with lengthy eyelashes. Whenever she smiled, two dimples formed on each of her cheeks, accentuating her red lips. Despite having a brown complexion, her beauty was truly radiant. Vinna is the youngest of the three but she's not a minor anymore.

"Cross," malamyos na tawag ni Vinna kay Cross.

Her attempt to embrace him was met with resistance as Cross used his palm to block Vinna's advance. He could feel the heavy layer of foundation on her face sticking to his hand.

"Lubayan mo na ako. Hindi mo na ako kailangan. You have to move on," malamig nitong sabi kay Vinna bago alisin ang kanyang kamay sa mukha nito.

Cross first said no to Vinna because he didn't want to treat women as objects. But Vinna told him she saw their physical connection as a way to heal and move forward from her heartache.

She wanted to use him, and Cross was totally fine with it as long as they were both clear that they were just using each other.

'She just doesn't get it. It's so clear that she's already forgotten about that fucker and is totally obsessed with me,' Cross was just thinking things over.

Upon hearing Cross' remarks, Zendaiah conveyed a sardonic grin and then advanced towards Cross. She encircled his neck with her left arm while leaning her chest against his right arm.

"T-Teka lang! Seryoso ka ba sa sinabi mo? Huwag mo 'kong binibiro ng ganito. Alam mong mahal kita!" pagmamakaawa ni Vinna.

Cross made the decision to focus on Zendaiah instead of acknowledging Vinna. She welcomed him with a smile, and Cross responded with a genuine but slightly small smile. Vinna sensed a hint of warmth in Cross' smile.

"Get out, Vinna. We have business to do here," Zendaiah stopped talking and gently lifted Cross' chin in a seductive manner. After this, she smiled in a way that might have been annoying to Vinna and spoke in a cunning tone, "Privately."

Cross simply gazed stoically at Vinna as she dashed outside in tears.

'You're not really in love with me. You just like the fun we have when I kissed you. It's time to realize that. I'm not just some toy for you to play with,' Cross pondered while gazing at her.

Zendaiah called Cross by his real name in a seductive manner. Her hand caressed his shoulder and traveled downwards to his bicep before finally interlocking with his hand.

Flames flickered in his gaze as Cross let out a genuine laugh in response to Zendaiah.

His feelings of warmth and vitality are heightened in her presence. The alluring sight of her long wavy burgundy hair—and currently damp— captivated him. Her almond-shaped eyes, matched with chestnut brown irises, hold a spellbinding power, drawing them closer to share their warmth.

Zendaiah has a ponderous chest and an hourglass-shaped body, and she is roughly the same height as Cross.

Once inside the room, she guided him to his bed. But before she could even lay him down, Cross had already passionately kissed her thick, firm and reddish lips.

"Zen," he called her following their prolonged and voracious kissing.

Zendaiah couldn't help but smile when she heard her nickname. Only Cross uses it, and it always makes her feel important.

They were feeling euphoric, and she was on cloud nine. She thought they were a perfect match, both physically and mentally.

By the time they were both lying and snuggling on the bed, he sensed her growing excitement. Cross always found his encounters with Zendaiah to be consistently captivating, as their interactions were always vibrant and colorful whenever they kissed.

Cross wouldn't go beyond kissing her, no matter how much he cared for her.

"Hmmm... This... This is..." Zendaiah began noticing the sound of her labored breathing between their kisses. She could nearly visualize the warmth of their exhalations with each breath.

Cross gently touched her warm skin and placed his hands on her shoulder to help her come to a stop.

"Zen, wait..." he instructed her to pause between his breaths, and despite Zendaiah's initial resistance, the coldness in his tone compelled her to comply.

Glancing upward, she looked at him and noticed that both were perspiring and breathing heavily, their cheeks flushed with a pinkish hue due to the heat. But a distinct contrast was evident in their expressions—his eyes had turned cold while hers remained ablaze with passion.

"Pero..."

"Enough already, Zen. Alam mong importante ka sa'kin but I will never make out with you," Cross moved away and sat up next to her instead.

She positioned herself upright and rested next to him. Cross could feel her chest against his bicep, although it failed to ignite any spark between them.

"Ang tagal na no'n. Alam naman nating pareho na hindi tayo magkapatid. We might be adopted, but what we share is way deeper than that. I mean, it's more than just a label, don't you think? Mahal natin ang isa't isa, so why don't you have s—"

"Sorry, Zen. Babawi ako sa 'yo next time. But for now, get out," Cross amicably declined her but ensured she continued to follow him.

Zendaiah candidly shared her confusion about the situation and the unidentified issue. She then sighed heavily and walked away without trying to hide her uncovered body.

She turned out like that because of him. Cross could never make things right with what happened to Zendaiah. The only way he could help her from getting worse is by meeting her needs. And all Zendaiah wants is him. Cross could pretend along with her obsession for him.

It just cemented his image as the devil incarnate. Let Cross take the heat and be everyone's villain.

"Fucking shit," Cross uttered multiple curses, then swiftly discarded the brown blanket enveloping his lower body as he went into the bathroom to compose himself.

DK showed up bright and early at Clandestine at sunrise. They knew all about what had gone down with Vinna since they saw her leaving the villa in tears the night before.

"Akala niya siguro seryoso ka na sa kanya. Apat buwan din kayong nagtagal, 'di ba? Siya na yata ang pinakamatagal mong pinagbigyan," umpisa ni Aidrielle.

Cross had a thing with a few girls he also granted immunity to before. But those didn't really go anywhere, and he hardly ever kissed them. Except for Vinna.

Aidrielle didn't even think about Zendaiah. We all know she's special, just like Cross said.

"You know me. I'm the type to mess around in bed, but not with my heart," Cross responded in a distant manner as he turned his gaze towards Aidrielle.

Cross was aware that love was considered forbidden on the Darkside but he paid no heed to it. In his view, anyone could embrace love as long as they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for it. He was prepared to lay down his life for love despite the fact that love had not yet crossed his path. He held a firm belief that love would never enter his life because of the dark and gloomy path he is on.

"Nagmamahal, oo, pero hindi ako nagseseryoso," dagdag naman ni Raizen na ikinatawa ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

"Cross," Zendaiah graciously greeted him when she met Cross at the entrance of the Class Building.

He waited until Zendaiah made the first move and approached to nuzzle his neck for a kiss which Cross then returned.

Raizen briefly expressed displeasure at her immodest behavior. Zendaiah was the sole woman in Clandestine with whom Raizen did not want to flirt once her relationship with Cross ended. He found her unattractive overall. Despite this, out of respect for Cross, Raizen attempted to spend time with Zendaiah.

Even their other friends feel the same. Zendaiah has something about her that they just couldn't put their finger on.

"Cross," once ZM showed up, the flirting came to a halt.

Zendaiah maintained her hold on Cross. She kept her arms around his neck while he simply directed his gaze towards ZM.

"It's her. She's in trouble..."

≺•≼۵≽ ≁ ≼۵≽ ⊷≔ ≾ ❣ ≳ ≕⊶ ≼۵≽ ≁ ≼۵≽•≻

Updates will be on every second and fourth Sunday of the month.

ＮＯＶＥＬ ＪＡＲＧＯＮＳ

•MARK • Ang isa sa dalawang immunity na ibinibigay ng mga Moon Division sa mga estudyante sa Sun Division. Pinahihintulutan lamang silang samantalahin ang kalahati ng mga pribilehiyong nakapaloob sa immunity system.

Ang kuwentong ito ay hindi pulido at maaaring makakita ng wrong spelling of words, wrong grammar in a sentence at typographical errors. Maaari akong itama sa bawat pagkakamaling makikita ninyo, salamat sa pag-unawa.

Para sa mas detalyadong impormasyon at para mas maintindihan ang kuwento, maaari lamang pumunta sa Pandora I chapter. Malawak ang konsepto ng kuwento at upang hindi malunod sa impormasyon ang mambabasa ay minabuti ng manunulat na ilagay sa iisang kabanata ang buong ideya nito.

彡Exrineance

╽ＴＥＭＰＴΛＴＩＯＮ ＯＦ ＦΛＩＴＨ ╿
ᴴᵒʷ ᶜᵃⁿ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᵇᵉ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ʰᵉᵃᵛᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉˡˡ?