❝ DISGUISED AS YOUR SUNFLOWER?  ❞

"Is it true that you like me?"

His questions ring in your ears as if the two of you are the only ones in the room, which is true, but the tension felt more palpable.

Everything in your mind went blank, at kung hindi man blanko, nagkakagulo-gulong mga salita ang nasa isip mo.

After Kakucho notices that you're not going to answer after almost three minutes of just standing there and staring at each other, he looks away and faces back at the dishes he was washing.

You felt sorry and cursed yourself to move or say anything! At least anything!

Kakucho then nods subtly and walks away from the kitchen after washing the dishes.

"I'm done washing the dishes. Thanks for the dinner." Kakucho said, then grabbed his bag, and walked towards the door.

You're still stunned, standing there until you finally snap back to reality when you heard the door opening, and Kakucho stepping out.

"W-wait!" Sambit mo sa kanya nang pinigilan itong lumabas.

Kakucho raises a brow and looks back at you. "What?"

Para bang may timer ang utak mo na kung kailan ka pwedeng mag-isip. Halos manggigil ka nalang sa sarili mo nang wala kang maisip na sasabihin muli. Nasa dulo na ng dila mo e! Hindi mo alam kung bakit ka natataranta... Well siguro alam mo naman na. Obviously.

Napansin nanaman ni Kakucho ang katahimikan mo, and he lightly sighs. "What?"

"U-uh, nothing. Um, drive home safely." Pilit mong ngiti.

Kakucho nods, but doesn't flash a smile. Hindi mo ma-deny na nasaktan ka nang kaunti ro'n. I mean, ganito naman talaga lagi si Kakucho... Hindi pala-ngiti... Once in a blue moon nga lang 'yun ngumingiti... pero ngayon, parang ngayon ka lang naapektuhan dahil hindi siya ngumiti.

The door closes, and the bitter silence inside the unit towers over you.

You get that feeling... You know? 'Yung tipong after every gala with friends... you feel that lonely feeling when you get home... After concert feels too. Well, this time, it's much worse for you.

You feel no energy to fix the mess on the living room... Luckily, Kakucho offered to wash the dishes dahil kung nandyan pa ang mga kalat, paniguradong maiiwan mo 'to hanggang bukas ng umaga... hapon o gabi pala dahil tatamarin ka rin since may pasok ka.

You immediately did your night routine, and went to your bed, with Aisha sleeping on the side of your bed. It's a large king-sized anyway, so kahit magtumbling tumbling pa siya r'yan hindi mahuhulog. Malikot din kasi matulog si Aisha. Pag gising mo gulat ka paa niya nasa mukha mo na.

Kidding aside, you felt hours passing by, but you can't bring yourself to sleep. You turn sideways and changed sleeping positions yet you still can't really sleep.

You decided to stand up from the bed and walk out of the room. You decided to distract yourself by eating while choosing food from the refrigerator. Bahala na ang diet. Masyado kang malungkot para magdiet. Nagsalin ka nalang ng tubig sa bago sa may counter.

May bumubulabog talaga sa isipan mo, at alam mong ito ang tanong ni Kakucho kanina.

"Is it true that you like me?"

After analyzing the question long enough, it made your eyes widen again. Well, as if it wasn't already.

"Is it true..." You mumbled.

Nakatitig ka lang sa ere, at halos mapuno ng galit ang dibdib mo dahil sa mga puntong napupuntahan ng isip mo. There are many possibilities.

Dalawang tao lang ang sinabihan mo tungkol dito.

And you know damn well who those two are.

But your mind is too clouded and hazy to think about those two bitches. You're too distracted by how Kakucho reacted a while ago when he asked the question.

You noticed the unusual demeanor. Para bang nag-iba ang tono ng hangin sa paligid after that.

Nainis ka dahil dito. Everything was going so well.

Hindi lang 'yon, hindi mo ring maiwasan mag-isip ng kung anu-ano.

What if Kakucho distances himself away from you after knowing that you like him? You know the history between the two of you... and hell, it's not all rainbows and butterflies...

You remember the words he said...

"You're a homewrecker."

"Of course I am," you thought in defeat. Even if Lauren forgave you already, you still can't forgive yourself.

As if Kakucho will like a girl that ruined his best friend's relationship.

As if Kakucho will like a girl that doesn't excel in academics unlike those two other (Y/N)'s.

As if Kakucho will like a girl that caused a car accident with him.

As if Kakucho will like a girl that liked his best friend.

As if Kakucho will like a "homewrecker".

As if Kakucho will like me.

All those thoughts wrecked in your head. Hindi mo na rin napansin na tumulo na pala ang tubig sa sahig na sinasalin mo sa baso nang nasobrahan ito.

At the last moment, you realized that you could no longer hold back the huge clouds of tears that were welling up in your eyes. You break down in the kitchen, the same place where Kakucho was standing a while ago.

You sobbed softly by yourself in the dim kitchen as you felt your knees weaken.

The huge boulders in your shoulders and chest remain, but you are relieved that you have released them all after bottling them inside for so long.

"Ate...?"

Your eyes widened as you hear Aisha's voice, your little sister.

You immediately wipe your tears away, not wanting her to see you in your vulnerable state.

"Why are you still awake?" You ask her.

"Were you crying, ate?" She suddenly asks, causing your breath to hitch.

"M-me?" You say, acting clueless. "No? No. Go back to bed."

"I heard you crying, ate. It's okay... W-well. Do you want to borrow my iPad? We can play Roblox together if you want..." Aisha asks.

Alam mong madamot si Aisha pagdating sa kanyang iPad at mga games o toys, but she's willingly to borrow you and even let you play in her device.

"N-no, thanks. I don't know how to play those." You mutter.

"Okay, I'll just hug you, ate. I know you're disgusted by hugs, but whatever." Aisha awkwardly laughs as she leans at your crouching figure and hugs you from behind. "Don't cry na, ate..."

Your eyes widened as your heart softens. You felt another set of tears brimming in your eyes.

"Did Kuya Kakucho hurt you? DID HE? I will refund all the robux he gave me and I'll bankrupt his bank account—! RAAAH!👹"

"Wait—! Don't do that!" Agad mong pagpipigil. Grabe naman 'to. Bankrupt agad sa banko. Puta utak IT ng gobyerno yata 'tong batang 'to e.

"And no, it's not about that." You added. Another lie. Just a lie to not worry Aisha... And to not make her feel guilty about that robux or something that Kakucho just bought her.

"Okay... What is it about?" She asks.

"It's nothing, really. Aisha, it's okay... Go back to sleep now. I'm fine. Thank you, Aisha." You say, reassuring her.

"Okay... Just tell me who hurt you, ate. I will ask them to buy me robux and then refund it and then I'll make their Gcash or bank account bankru–"

"Aisha— Okay that's enough. You need sleep now." You let out a nervous laugh. What the hell is in this kid's mind?!

After tucking Aisha on the bed, bumalik ka naman din at sinubukang matulog ulit. Screw it, whatever. You'll deal with this tomorrow.

Nag-aalala ka nalang sa magiging interaction niyo ni Kakucho bukas.

"Shet baka Jordan Poole 'yan!"

Sigaw nina Makoto sa labas ng classroom sa may hallway habang nagbabasketball. Papasok ka na sana ngunit natamaan ka nila ng bola sa paa at maputik pa ito.

"Ew! What the hell!" Reklamo mo naman.

"Sa lahat pa ng tao na pwede nating matamaan, eto pa talaga. Bobo mo, Makoto!" Pagbabatok naman ni Baji.

"Putik lang 'yan, eto tissue—"

"NO! I need ten bottles of alcohol!" Sambit mo naman.

"Ano nanaman ba ginawa niyo? Tsaka ba't kasi naglalaro kayo rito sa hallway? Bobo ba kayo o tanga?"

"Oo nga naman, Makoto. Bawal talaga pagsabayin ang bobo at tanga, isama mo pa ang gago." Komento naman ni Baji.

"Naneto ah! Bigla bigla kang kumakampi jan. Switch side 'yan?" Sagot naman ni Makoto.

"Wala, p're. Malakas kalaban, e. Tignan mo ba naman 'yung kilay. Parang pina-microblade pero pentelpen'yung gamit—" Bulong ni Baji.

"Ansabe mo?" Sabi naman ni Hakkai.

"'De wala. Sabi ko miss ka na ni Makoto." Sabi ni Baji at tinulak si Makoto kay Hakkai.

"Ey ibalik ang tamis—" Pagsisingit naman ni Yamagishi.

"So no one's going to clean the dirt off my feet?!" Sigaw mo naman, at nakuha naman ang atensyon nila.

"Ay oo nga pala." Bulong naman nila.

"Ay 'de ganito nalang— KAKUCHOOO! Halika nga rito!" Sigaw nina Makoto.

"WHA—?!" Your eyes widened.

From inside the classroom, napatingin naman si Kakucho sa ganap sa hallway, just outside the classroom as he heard his name being called.

"What?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you!" You retorted as you hit Makoto with your bag.

"EH— Wala akong tissue e! Si Kakucho siguro meron—"

"No that's clearly not your intention!" Sagot mo pa at pinalo ulit sa ulo gamit ang bag mo.

You saw Kakucho step out of the classroom, at halos gusto mo nalang magpakain sa lupa. You can't face him right now, especially when that line from him last night keeps on repeating in your head.

Kakucho just offered you a tissue roll and a bottle of alcohol with a stoic expression.

"Wow parang nang ooffer ng ano parang, 'eto pang-hugas ng pwet pagtapos mo tumae'. HAHAHAHA!" Malakas na tawa nina Makoto.

Hinablot mo naman ang tissue kay Kakucho at sinaksak sa bibig ni Makoto ang roll ng tissue.

"Okay there," at syempre nag alcohol ka naman agad dahil madumi raw ang bibig ni Makoto.

Bumalik na rin ng classroom sina Hakkai, at kayo nalang ni Kakucho ang natira sa may hallway. Seconds after you realized it, your eyes widened.

Kakucho just held his usual expression, and you immediately excused yourself. Pumasok ka naman agad sa classroom, leaving him there.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto at pumasok naman na ang teacher. Saglit lang ang klase dahil walang lesson sapagkat isang week nalang before exams.

"Class, I'll hand out the pointers later. I'll give you more vacant time to review. I'll just remind you as well that your field trip will be the next next week, right after your exam week." Your adviser said.

"Tamang excited lang sa field trip pero inaalala ko talaga research defense natin wahaha." Bulong nina Emma.

"Chill ka lang. Sa last sem pa 'yan." Sabi naman ni Hakkai.

"Mama mo chill palagi kang chill tamo subukan mong mag ambag lang ng pancit canton sa research." Resbak naman ni Emma.

"Kwento mo sa crush mong kalbo—"

"Ugok."

"Anyway, hindi pa ba kayo? Shuta beh mukhang nung elementary ka pa yata naghahabol ah." Sabi naman ni Hakkai. 

"Tangek hindi... Grade ten lang hehe. 'Di ba, Ashanti?" Tanong naman ni Emma dahil since elementary, sila na ang magkaklase,

"Mama mo grade ten, three years din 'yun 'noh. Ano 'yun, pinaghabol ka ng three years? Hays mga kalbo talaga, ENGK ENGK RED FLAG!" Sambit ni Hakkai.

"Nadamay nanaman ako. Ba't ko narinig pangalan ko?" Sabi ni Ashanti.

"Wala, ang sabi namin enjoy your bebe time with Mitsuya." Sagot ni Emma.

"Hoy!" Pagbabatok naman ni Ashanti sa kanya. "'Di na nga kami nakakapag bebe time 'noh! Tanginang school kasi 'yan. Sabagal talaga— Ay este."

"Landi mo gago." Sabi ni Emma.

"Hays, can't relate talaga." Komento ni Hakkai. "Mga lalaki na 'yan jusko sakit lang sa ulo!"

Napansin ka naman nila na hindi kumikibo at nakatulala lang sa may upuan mo.

"O 'yan mukhang may problema." Bulong ni Emma.

"Hi beh. Musta kayo ni Kaku?" Tanong naman ni Hakkai sa'yo.

"What?" Maiksi mong sagot.

"Hehe charot lang. Napaghahalataan kasi namin na may something eme eme kayo ni Kaku." Sabi ni Hakkai, at nang napansin ka naman nilang hindi kumikibo, ro'n na nila namalayan na meron nga.

"Ba't kasi kayo nagkakagusto sa mga lalaki from F5? Puta ang rered flag ng mga 'yon. 'De hayaan mo. Tignan mo nga sina Lauren at Ran ngayon pak! Ay 'de... Hiwalay parin pala sila." Sabi ni hakkai.

"Hays mga F5 talaga. F5 moments. 'Yung F talaga stands for red flag 5 'yan." Dagdag pa nito.

"Asus parang 'di ka nabaliw kay Ran ah. Pati nga si Kakucho onti nalang patulan mo." Sabi ni Emma.

"At least 'di ako naghahabol nang ilang years."

"Namo talaga."

"Well I don't know–! HUHU!" You groaned as you lay your head on the table.

"Kagulat naman 'to." Komento ni Hakkai. "Ano nga kasi meron?"

You're honestly scared to tell your friends about what you're feeling toward Kakucho. Your mind is in shambles. They don't even know about the incident that happened in Baguio, and you're not so sure if your friends will look at you the same if they knew.

Sina Kaycee at Lexi lang ang may alam ng Baguio incident and your feelings towards Kakucho. Alam nila ang lahat, but can you really trust them out of these people?

"Ih I don't know." You whined, clearly on the verge of sobbing.

"Anong ihh you don't know?" Paggagaya naman nina Hakkai.

You can't tell them, kaya you just made up a reason. You're too scared to tell them, and it might lead to them changing their image of you and you certainly don't want to lose them as a friend.

"Nothing. Too stressed lang... I don't know huhu..." You added once more.

"Hmm, well, musta naman 'yung kotse niyo ni Kaku? Okay na ba 'yon? Ilang months na nakalipas ah." They mentioned.

"Oh, uh it's okay na." You said, but it seems like you're clearly out of your senses, parang automated robot lang kung makapagsalita.

Nagtinginan nalang sina Hakkai. Although nasasanay na sila sa mga ganito mo, they're still worried, and will always be. Para bang may palagi ka nalang tinatago sa kanila na pati sila ay hindi mapakali.

"Kaku! Busy ka ba?"

Ang boses ng nanay ni Kakucho ang bumungad sa kanya sa may pintuan habang nag-aaral ito sa kanyang kwarto for exams.

Kahit busy si Kakucho sa pag-aaral– "Hindi po."

"Ah ma-istorbo lang kita saglit ah... Eh 'yung tatay mo kasi... plano raw akong bilhan ng kotse!"

Kakucho's brows furrowed as his attention was caught. He turned his head to her. "Ano, Ma?"

"O? Ba't parang nadismaya ka?" Biro ng nanay nito nang tumawa at naglakad papunta kay Kakucho na nag-aaral sa kanyang lamesa.

Kakucho stopped what he was doing for a moment. "Ma, kotse? Galing kay Dad? Para saan?"

"Wala lang naman. Gusto niya lang daw akong bilhan ng kotse... mala-regalo ba gano'n... Matanong lang sana kita kung pwede mo ba akong turuan magmaheno kapag dumating na 'yung kotse..."

Napabugtong hininga nalang si Kakucho at umiling, halatang hindi gusto ang kanyang narinig.

"Ma, anong sinabi ko? Don't just rely on Dad always for money." Sabi ni Kakucho, a little bit of strictness in his tone.

"H-huh? Bakit naman... Hindi naman ako ang nagpabili... Kusa niyang ginusto 'yun." Sagot naman ng nanay nito.

"I'll speak with Dad about this." Kakucho muttered.

"'Nak, gusto ko rin naman 'yung kotse..."

"Ma, may sakit ka. Sa tingin mo makakapag maheno ka sa ganyan? At hindi ka pa marunong mag maneho, ma... Dito sa Manila, kadalasan walang modo ang mga driver, kung gusto nila sumingit, sisingit sila. Delikado, ma, lalo na para sa'yo. Dagdag lang po sa gastos ang kotse... at 'yung pang-araw araw na gas pa. Pwede naman ako ang maghatid sundo sa'yo kung may gusto kang puntahan." Sabi naman ni Kakucho, at halata ang pagaalala sa kanyang boses.

"'Nak... Ayun nga rin... Ayoko na ring maistorbo ka palagi sa pagmamaneho. Ayoko na rin kasing maghire pa ng driving tutor... Sa'yo lang ako may tiwala, 'nak. Hindi rin ako maturuan ng tatay mo dahil palaging abala sa opisina." Sagot naman ng kanyang nanay.

"At kaya ko magmaneho kahit dito sa Manila, 'nak. Gusto ko ring matuto ng bagong bagay." Dagdag pa nito.

Halos mapakamot nalang ng ulo si Kakucho. "Ma naman... 'Wag na pong makulit."

"...Gano'n ba talaga ang tingin mo sa'min ng tatay mo, 'nak? Ako taga hakot ng pera porket nasa bahay lang ako at walang trabaho, samantalang siya, minamanipula ako gamit pera dahil mataas ang posisyon niya sa kompanya at mayaman? G-Gano'n ba, 'nak?" Sabi naman ng nanay nito. Walang galit ang kanyang boses, ngunit lungkot at pananakit dahil sa akala niya sa mga sinasabi ng kanyang anak.

"Nag-aalala lang ako para sa'yo, ma. Don't misunderstand, please."

Mrs. Hitto just nodded as she cleared her throat. Her expression turned gloomy and sad. She just walked out of Kakucho's room.

Kakucho sighs to himself after that. This is why he's very keen when it comes to money. Bata pa lang ito, marunong na itong humawak ng pera. He's strict when it comes to money. Marunong itong mag-ipon, at marunong din ito kung paano ito iimpok hanggang sa gagastusin.

Klaro naman na ang intensyon ni Kakucho ay sa kinabubuti ng nanay nito, ngunit sensitibo rin si Mrs. Hitto at mahina ang puso. Isa rin 'to sa salik na inaalala ni Kakucho kaya't against ito sa idea na magmamaneho ang kanyang nanay. Marunong ba itong kumalma kapag natataranta sa daan, lalo't nang mahina ang puso nito?

He tries to go back to studying, distracting himself from the conversation he had with his mother.

Hours pass by, yet he still didn't stop studying. Nasa gilid lang ang phone nito. He doesn't know why, but he's constantly checking his notifications.

Kakucho leaned back in his chair while checking a certain notification. He clicked his tongue and tossed his phone on the desk.

"She's not messaging me." Kakucho thought, clenching his jaw in annoyance. He's distracted. He can't focus on reviewing.

He remembers what he asked you on that day when he stayed at your condo.

"Is it true that you like me?"

Kakucho rubbed his temples in distress.

"I should've never asked that shit." He thought, clicking his tongue.

Kakucho's POV

Honestly, it constantly bugs me. Her reaction when I abruptly said that, and the way her expression and the atmosphere changed when I asked that stupid question.

"Is it true that you like me?"

Never in my entire life have I felt so dumb like I have a brain inside of a porcupine.

Nonetheless, I tried forgetting about it, but fucking hell it's bothering me like how it bothered me when I couldn't stop watching her Youtube videos.

I only hear the clock ticking on my wall, the raindrops on my window, and the thunder outside. My room is dimly lit under the moonlight, and it's just the perfect time for raining. Any light that pesters me bothers me. I don't like sunshine.

Well, one can make an exception, though.

I breathed heavily and sighed as I slammed my book on the desk in annoyance. I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to calm myself down. I don't know what's making me like this. The stress or her?

One thing I'm sure about is that I can't get her off my mind, and it's frustrating me. She's like that annoying sunflower that follows the sun around. I couldn't very much describe her other than a sunflower, yet I can't deny that she lightens up my dark times without her even knowing.

She's fucking dangerous because she's constantly in my mind now, and it's bothering me. I want to forget her. I know that liking her is wrong.

I expressed to her my disdain and how much I loathe her before, so isn't it embarrassing if one day... I just suddenly like her? That's just plain dumb. I'm not myself at this moment.

After all these thoughts, I'm still mad at myself for asking that question to her... and for believing those two girls, Kaycee and Lexi.

I remember vividly, they said this specific sentence to me the other day before I go out of the campus... A sentence that I couldn't get off my mind, a sentence that made (Y/N)'s presence more significant on a daily basis to me. Weird, isn't it?

"Kakucho, the truth is... Gusto ka ni Helian! Hindi mo ba napapansin?" Lexi said.

I contemplated before believing it, but I can't deny that I felt my heart jump when I heard it.

I tried to forget what they said but at the same time... I want to confirm it.'

"Actually dapat nga hindi namin sasabihin. You know she's really really embarrassed when she told it to us. Kakucho, parang obsessed nga siya sa'yo, e." Kaycee said.

I remember that I raised my brow when one of them said that. I kept quiet when they said it, I didn't even reply to them, not even a single word.

"Oops— Before you react— Oo, alam namin 'yung nangyari nu'ng Baguio. Surprising, right? We know a lot about Helian, and I believe kinewento niya 'yun sa'yo, unless Ran told it." Lexi said, laughing .

"So... What do you think Ran would think if he knew that Helian likes you...? OR— if you like Helian back? Didn't you think of her as a homewrecker that ruined your best friend's relationship?" She added.

"I mean, ikaw bahala, Kaku. You know that Helian's reputation will be very ruined when the people will know about her dark little secrets, especially since she's a public figure now."

"Well... Gusto mo bang madamay sa babae na 'yon, Kakucho?"

"Aren't the two of you her friends?" I asked after my long silence, asserting a stern tone.

There's no fucking way (Y/N)'s "friends" are talking like this behind her back.

"Friends? Tangina, nagrerebel nga siya sa'min, e. She's always against us." Lexi rolled her eyes.

I remember that I was supposed to reply to them once more with a more frustrated and uncompromising voice, but then I stopped when we were called by a teacher, causing us to get interrupted.

I somehow thanked the teacher because I couldn't imagine what words I would say to these two fuckers talking behind my girl's back.

As much as I show (Y/N) how I despise her, I fucking like her so much. She's like this poison ivy disguised as a sunflower. Loving her is wrong, and I feel guilty for liking her but I know I can't hold myself back now after almost a month of hiding it... no, months.

As if on impulse, I grabbed my phone and went straight to my contacts.

Dialing (Y/N) Sy...

Third Person POV

"Who the fuck is calling at this hour?"

You grunted as you woke up... Checking the time, it's three in the morning. Maaga kang natulog ngayon at hindi nagpuyat dahil malapit na ang exams, at nagsimula ka na ring mag review.

You grabbed your ringing phone on your side table, and your eyes almost widened at the name that popped on your screen.

Kakucho Hitto is calling...

[ACCEPT] [ DECLINE]

"Oh my gosh!" You gasped. Hindi mo alam kung nananaganip ka kaya sinampal mo muna ang mukha mo.

"I'm not dreaming!"

Medyo lutang ka pa dahil kakagising mo lang, but that doesn't change the fact that you're wondering why he's suddenly calling.

Halos hindi na kayo nagchachat because of what he asked during that day in your condo, and there's always this tension between the two of you.

Nonetheless, you answered the call.

"H-hello?" You muttered, breath hitching.

Your heart pounded in your chest. His voice sounds infuriated like he's in a hurry, yet you can hear the genuineness laced in his voice.

Kakucho isn't fond of having those long conversations, but if it's important to him, he's willing to talk to that person, even till dawn.

"Come early to school tomorrow. I want to talk to you."

A/N: hellaur guys natapos na rin ang halos 3 weeks of hell week sa school ueueue kapagod T^T so busy these months, daming ganap everyday everynight everyday I miss you shet 🫰🫰 😜 🔥🤞de jk anyway how are you guys? doing good? sorry for the long wait HUHU but I'm excited for the future chapters hehe hindi ko alam kung anong scenes uunahin ko tuloy hays🤔🤔