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∽ m i r a c l e ' s p e r s p e c t i v e ∽

"Have you found some informations about Casey's background?" I ask Justine while sitting on railing made of concrete. I am currently here in the Yu's manor.

"I'm sorry, Nat." He sighs, reclining his back hip on the railing. We're here on the balcony of Justine's room. I sneak out this late night to ask him about Casey.

"Don't be, Just." I reply, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Her identity is hard to find, isn't it?"

"Absolutely." he answers, "It's like my hacking abilities are slightly inferior to the someone who hid her identity."

"Ah, I see."

"But keep your trust on me, Nat." Justine says full of firmness. "I will find her secrets."

"Thank you, Justine. Also, please don't push yourself too much." I tell him while smiling.

"It's fine, it's fine!" Chuckling, he then balled his fists. "I'm actually fired up, Nat. Since it's really rare for me to encounter a very high caliber type of hacker."

"Really, huh? Then I leave the hacking whatever to you." I say as I laugh.

"Sure, sure." And he responds, "And anyway, Nat, how's Chance?"

"You're asking me that?" I answer giving him a catatonic expression.

"Aha-ha-ha~" Justine laughs apologetically. "Sorry, Nat. Well, as you knew, I was two days absent in visiting Chance. That's why I have no idea if he's fine or not."

I let out a small sigh, "Thankfully, he's now fine. The doctor said that he can be discharged out of the hospital three days from now."

"That's a good news," he replies, "And up to now, we still do not know who's the felon of that incident."

"Yeah, it's still a mystery. But I have a hunch."

"Whoah. Why don't you spill your intuitive conviction?" Justine urges.

"Very well, I'll tell you." I say, gaining air to my respiratory system. "But don't you dare to tell someone."

"I swear an ought, I will not." He indicates as he smiles convincingly. I know that I can trust Justine.

"Chance's parents were ex-members of Black Society. And It's too obvious now, this incident is made by the other Mafia." I gaze above, arching my head up to look up the night sky.

Justine gasps with the revelation. I can't blame him, though. "H-How did you know, Nat?"

"His father told me so. I met him in the hospital."

"Whoah, I'm sure that he's scary." He mutters while feigning that he's scared. "I've only seen him, but never talked to him."

"Well, whatever." I say with a sigh. "And I have to leave, Just."

"Sure, do you want me to drive you home?"

"No, thanks." I refuse his offer, grinning. "I have my car. It is parked two blocks from your house."

"Eh? Really?" He facepalms, "Then how did you manage to come here if the guard didn't notice you?" With his confused question, I smile cleverly mixed with smug expression. "G-Geh, don't you mean . . . "

"That's right!" I say cheerfully.

"Hah?! You jumped over the walls?" He blurts out. "But the walls here are 5 meters high!"

"Nah, basic." I shrug his complain off.

"Well, you're Natsumi after all." Justine only sighs.

"Right, right. I am Natsumi." I smile again and then I jump off of the railings.

"Hey, Nat!! He anticipatedly shouts in surprise. I reach the ground and feel my weight being concetrated on my feet. It hurts a little. "Don't you just land off like that, stupid!"

I look at Justine. Despite his calmness, he can lose his chill as well. I laugh and give Justine a big cheeky smile. Raising my hand, I say thanks to him. "Bye, Justine!"

His expression softens and smiles at me. "Take care, Nat."

I nod my head and start to run, making my way to the wall where I jumped over. I can't help but to smirk. Jumping over the walls? I scoff. Piece of cake.

~ ♕ ~

Few days later, when Chance got discharged from the hospital, I'm on my way now to the Cain's estate. Actually, it is my first time coming to their property house. And about the location, Justine told me and gave me a map.

While driving my car, I'm thinking all the possible outcome by visiting their house. There's a clear luck that his father is in. It's Friday today, so Airelle and Miss Marielle is currently at school.

Malapit na akong makarating sa bahay nila, at medyo kinakabahan ako. Huminga ako nang malalim. Whatever may happen, happens.

Ilang sandali pa ay nakarating na ako. Nasa harapan ako ng kanilang gate; at sa pader, may nakalagay na intercom. Binuksan ko ang bintana ng sasakyan, kasabay na may nagsalita galing sa intercom.

"Sino sila at ano ang iyong kailangan?" May nagtanong sa akin, galing sa intercom.

"Ako po si Natsumi, gusto ko ho sanang bisitahin si Chance." Magalang na pahayag ko.

"Maaring bigyan mo ako ng konting oras, hija? Kukuha muna ako ng permiso."

"Ayos lang po." Ang tanging naisagot ko.

Naghintay ako ng konting minuto at pinapasok na nila ako. At mga ilang sandali pa ay nakarating na ako sa loob. And as I reach the road in front of the main entrance, here I park the car. I open the door and go outside.

I start to walk, making my way to the main door. The servants politely welcome me inside. Taking my lead to the foyer, a woman on her 50's greets me.

"Magandang araw sa iyo." Bati niya at saka yumuko.

Dali ko naman binalik ang paggalang at yumuko. "Salamat po, paumanhin ko sa hindi inaasahang pagbisita."

"Walang problema iyon, hija." Tumayo na ako nang tuwid at sinalubong ang kanyang mga tingin. Isang marahang ngiti ang umukit sa kanyang mga labi. "Sumama ka sa akin, marahil hinihintay ka na ng aking alaga."

Hindi na ako sumagot, sa halip yumuko na lang ako ulit. Nagsimula siyang maglakad at sinundan ko lang siya. Kasalukuyan kaming naglalakad papunta sa hagdan, nang bigla siyang nagsalita.

"Kasinatahan ka ba ng alaga kong si Chance, hija?"

Pumailalaim ang mga tingin ko sa ibaba na may maliit na ngiti sa aking mga labi. "Opo," nahihiyang wika ko.

Napatawa siya nang mahina. "Nakung pinagpala ka, hija." Ani niya habang naglalakad sa gitna ng malaking hagdan. "Ikaw ang kauna-unahang babaeng naibigan ni Ancy."

"Salamat po." Sagot kasabay ng mahinang pagtawa.

"Ako nga pala ang taga-alaga ng bahay, pati na rin sa mga bata."

"Matagal na ho ba kayong nagta-trabaho rito?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oo. Simula pagkabata ng magkakapatid hanggang sa ngayon." Napatawa siya nang marahan na tila inaalala ang mga pangyayari noon.

"Mabuti naman ho. Mukhang maayos naman ang pakikitungo sa inyo ng tatlo." Naiwika ko, tinutukoy ang tatlong magkakapatid.

"Aba'y oo naman, hija." tugon niya na may maaliwalas na ngiti, "Wala akong asawa at mga anak, ngunit sa pananatili ko rito ay parang ako ay nagka-anak at pamilya na rin ako."

"Masaya po ako para sa inyo." Sabi ko sa kanya habang tumatawa nang mahina.

Ilang sandali pay ay narating na namin ang silid ni Ancy, at iniwan na ako ng Nanay. Ah, hindi ko naitanong ang pangalan niya.

Kumatok ako sa pintuan sa kwarto ni Chance, at agad ko itong binuksan. "Ancy?" Sumilip ako sa loob, at nakita siyang naka-upo sa kanyang kama habang nakasandal ang kanyang likod sa headrest.

"Come here," alok niya may ngiti.

Agad ko siyang pinuntahan at saka umupo sa kanyang kama. I sight him reading a book and he places it beside.

"What are you reading?" I question and move closer to him.

Chance grabs the book again and shows it to me. "For The Tainted Sorrow, by-"

"By Chuuya Nakahara." I cut him off.

"Oh, you know the author." he says.

"Yup," I answer him and snug closer to him. Chance immediately swings his arm around me as I lay my head to his shoulder. "He was a Japanese poet, and I love reading all his poetry."

"Mm, it's my first time reading this book of him." he tells me while combing my hair.

"Nevertheless the good and evil of this world are not easily understood by humanity." I speak while I take his hand. "A quote from him."

"That's a good verse." Chance answers back. "I got this book to my Mom's shelf."

"So your Mom loves reading literatures?" I ask in a low voice.

"Now you've mentioned it, I remember Mom reading some books whenever she was free."

"I see," I answer. "Either way, Ancy."

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't bring anything for you."

"Don't mind it," he replies and then kisses my forehead. "Bringing yourself here is absolutely fine for me."

"Okay, you said so."

Chance chuckles, "But, I want something else." He declares and I gaze at him. "Miracle, do me a favor."

"Okay, what it is?"

"Kiss me."

And all of the sudden, my face incises a stupid look. In other words, I facepalm.

"Really?" I say with slight sarcasm.

"I'm serious, though." He answers along his innocent look.

"Stupid," I breathe out and loom closer to his face. "Just this once." I proclaim and give him a soft kiss on his lips.

Chance grins and I bow my head in embarrassment. "Your face is flushed pink."

"Sh-Shut up!" I hiss, feeling my face burning redder.

"But that's the cute side of you." says Chance, "Always blushing."

"Don't look at me!" Squirming, I turn my back as I lie in his bed.

"Tsundere." Chance comments, simply and innocently.

"Where did you learn that?" I inquire in surprise.

"Nathan."

"Gee." I whiz. "Ugly." I say with irritated tone.

"C'mon," he prompts, "you're mad about that?"

"Ewan ko."

"Do you want me to apologize?" Chance asks a permission.

"Nah, huwag na, Ancy." I reply, "Just a simple thing."

"All right, I won't tease you any longer." He states and I sense him hugging me from behind.

"Ancy," I call.

"Hmm?"

"I've met your father many times."

"Really?" he chuckles, "Did he scare you?"

"Duh?" I scoff, chuckling. "Why would I be scared of him? I have faced a lot of people who are scarier than your father."

"Probably you're right." He laughs. "But believe me, princess, Dad is a different person whenever he's with Airelle."

"That's natural, y'know. She's the youngest, consider the fact that she's a cheerful little girl."

I sense him pursing his lips. "Right." he only mutters.

Now I'm thinking, why Mister Cain is not telling his children that he was a mafioso?

"I aim Chance not to involve in this rotten world of Mafia."

I recall the words of him. Basically, he wishes his offsprings not to get involved in this gang of dangerous people.

I can't still tell Chance about this. I will let his father tell them. I'm sorry, Ancy, I'll keep this for a while.

I close my eyes, and pretend sleeping. Chance has a radar, and he senses my worries instantly. So to keep him from noticing my uneasiness, I have to sleep.

~ ♕ ~

As a week came, Chance is able to attend class. Of course, the news spreaded to the whole university. Some people blamed me, because of my sudden announcement about our relationship. They say that I brought misfortunes and Chance got accident. But other people defended me, though.

It is now our Physical Education subject at this moment. I have received the rumor that we have a substitute instructor because Mrs. Arce-our instructor-is out due to her maternity.

"Our game for today is physical combat." Our sub instructor declares.

I stare deeply to this man. (Yes, he's a man.) He have a lax aura and smiling face. Seems a good person, yet peculiar. I think, he has the same age of my Dad.

I don't know why I wasted my minute describing him. When I'm about to remove my stare at him, he then looks to my eyes. It surprises me. With a rougish smile, he averts his eyes to the other students.

What the hell is his problem? It appears that he's nasty.

"Yay~! Sakto, nag-aral ako ng self-defense." I hear Elli say cheerfully.

"Sabay pa nga tayo, 'di ba?" Ash adds.

"Aha, oo nga pala!" Iyon ang pag-uusap ng dalawa. Yeah, I'm with these two. We gain no complaints, because all the students here studied self-defense. (In case another attack will happen.) And I'm sure that they afford to study martial arts, they are all on the elite levels, though.

Later that day, our new instructor explains the rules and mechanics of the game. It's a dual game-player versus player. The mechanic is simple: just let your opponent falls on the mats.

"Let's start." The man announces.

We're now all assigned with our rivals. And I feel very, very, very disappointed. I'm actually looking for someone on my level. Skhy is the one, but she's not here.

Sigh. I regretted attending this subject. Aside for being a boring subject, all the girls here are weak. It's boys-boys and girls-girls, by the way.

It is now my time to play, at kalaban ko si . . . Elli lang naman.

I'm just standing here, boringly.

Una siyang umatake, and I dodge it. And then, she keeps on attacking. I'm just dodging and blocking her attacks. Modesty aside, her strives are still weak. She needs more training.

"Nat, naman!" Reklamo niya. "Show me your offense, not just your defense."

I sigh, "As you wish." I declare and attack her fastly. I quickly grab her hand and throw her using my hip and back. She fell on the mats that instant.

It's called ogoshi, a technique in judo.

Everyone gasps in amazement. Even Elli, though. I offer my hand to her. "Nat, marunong ka pala ng gan'on?" She questions while accepting my hand.

I grin, "Self-defense." and wink at her.

Finally, the match is over. It's only a one game. We're managing the time. I sit on the bleachers, picking my face towel. Although it's just a one match, it's still hot inside the gym.

"Here."

As I wipe my sweats, a bottled water appears in front me. I look the person, it is Ancy. I grin, taking the water. "Thanks, bby. Lol."

Chance laughs with surprise. "Not so you, Miracle."

"Yah, I know." I answer back, chuckling. "I'm just kidding, though. It won't happen again."

Opening the cap of the bottled water, I drink some from it. The game is still on going. And it's Casey's match.

"Pleasure to play with you." Casey's opponent says. It's Kim Ishida, a varsity in taekwondo.

"Stop with the chatter and let's finish this already." Casey remarks in bored and roughed manner. Well, expect that attitute to Casey.

Kim is the first one who assaults. Still, Casey's only standing with a serious and glare-type expression. As Kim quickly reaching Casey's post, the two-faced voodoo doll only grabs Kim's wrist. And in a sudden cue, Kim goes flying, whirling on mid-air, then lands on mats with a loud thud.

There was a moment of silence, before the people here realizes that Casey won the match.

I can't help but to smirk. Doing that technique needs a lot of strength just flipping your opponent like that. Casey . . . is really a dangerous person.

"I never knew that she's good." This injured man beside me states.

"Yeah," I mumble.

"But of course, you're that best, bby." Chance tells me as he holds his laugh.

"Guh." I laugh along with him. "That endearment shit is actually ugly. Let's not call each other like that."

"As you say." answers Chance and encircles a hand on my shoulders as he kisses my temple.

"Ancy, don't. Like don't touch me." I protest while removing his arm around me.

"Like why would I?" He questions, tilting his head.

"Because," I emphasize, slightly flicking the tip of his nose. "I'm sweaty."

"So what?"

"Gee. So persistent, Ancy loves." Shit. The hell I'm calling Chance.

"Dang. You and your creepy endearments."

"What? I'm just teasing you, my honey loves." Guh. I reply and act like vomiting.

"Weirdo." Chance mutters and ruins my hair.

I gaze at him with a silly smile. "Nah, I just love you, Ancy." I tell him and put my head on his shoulder.

"I know." He says in small tone that only me can hear, "I love you, too." and reaches my forehead with a light kiss.

Our P.E subject continues, and we're only watching them. Expect the Cold Warriors will win. Well except to Kieffer. In his match, Sean is his vier.

Of course, Kieffer lose. "Sean! You know that I'm no good in physical combat! And I told you that go easy on me." He whines.

"Sorry, sorry, Kief. Can't help myself." Sean says sorry and helps Kieffer to stand.

And after one hour and fifteen minutes, our P.E time is over. To make time fast, we head to the girl's locker room to change our clothes into regular uniform.

As soon as I'm done, I go out of the room. I'm the first one who leaves the locker room, because my other classmates-even Ash and Elli-are still having their retouch thingy. I sigh with facepalm. I'm not into make-ups so, I'll pass.

I don't also have a choice, I got to wait for the two girls. Since I'm waiting outside, a sudden aura appears.

I got alarmed and open my senses immediately. The sensation is sort of calm, but its killer intent is foreboding.

I take a deep breath and follow the person who owns this malice. I keep on following the ambience until I found it. The place where the aura is coming from is kind of abandoned. It is the place where mostly the students ignore.

And it leaves me stunned when I saw the person. He's even smoking. How did he . . . Ugh, whatever.

"You. Why are you here?" I ask our sub teach in P.E subject. Yes, the owner of the aura is this teacher.

"Oh, hi!" This teacher addresses and throws his cigarette on the ground then stomps it. He blows the final smoke he inhales. "You are really sharp, aren't you?"

"I sense your bloodlust, that's why." I say in uninterested glare.

"Chill. I just want to call you." he answers and undo his spitefulness, "You don't have to be that serious, Natsu-chan."

Natsu-chan?

There's only one person who's calling me that. How odd, how could I forget him?

I let out an annoyed air. "I told you, right? Natsu is not my name, Tito Yan."

"Aha! Correct, correct." And he chuckles while getting a chewing gum on his pocket. He have just smoked, and smoking is a no inside the school.

Ian Heijima. He was my father's friend. My godfather on my birth. I've known him since I was a kid. "I didn't recognize you. You seem have aged too much."

"Too harsh, little flower." he says.

"Gee. If you're coming back here, you should inform everyone. You just came here and then magically became my teacher."

"Take it easy like winnie, my sweet niece. I introduced myself in front of the class a while ago, but you were not listening."

"Nah. I have no interest in such boring class of yours, old man."

"You never change, Natsu-chan." and then he cries. "Still talking like trash to me."

"Sorry, can't help." I say while smirking. "Same goes for you, Tito Yan. Still acting like a kid, eh?"

"You're right."

"Geh. At least, try to deny it." I give him a deadpan look.

"So, what?" I prompt, "Why did you come back here in PH?"

"To be your teacher."

"Meh. Nonsense." I make face with a slight grimace. "I won't attend your class anymore."

"No you can't, Natsu-chan!" He objects. "You won't graduate, I tell you. Besides, your father won't like it when you have a failing grades."

I huff, "Fine. I'll survive this ugly subject." and turn around.

"Don'cha worry, my sweetest niece. I assure you that your P.E class won't be ordinary." Then I feel his creepy smile.

"Ah, really? Then I'll look forward to that, Tito Yan." I raise my hand and start walking. "See you around, Uncle."

"Sure, sure! Let's talk more often a'ight, my Natsu-chan?" I hear him says. "We still have a lot of things to talk about."

"Trust me, we'll talk sometimes!" I remark and leave him smiling full of malevolence.

I only sigh. Despite how he acts so dumbly and childishly, he's a type of person who you don't want get furiously mad.

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