❝ SUNSET, ONLY TO RESET ❞

"Una sa lahat, ba't mo naman papalagan 'yon?!"

Tanong ni Hakkai kay Emma habang nasa book store sila kasama sina Makoto, Yamagishi, at Mikey. May groupings kasi sila at saktong sila pa ang magkakasama sa isang grupo! Ngayon naman, bago pa magsimula ang klase at twenty four hours naman na naka-bukas ang store na malapit sa school, ay bumili na rin sila.

"At bakit ko naman papatulan 'yon?! Bakit, blonde ba 'yon? Six footer ba 'yon? Matalino ba 'yon? At higit sa lahat... kalbo ba 'yon?!" Sagot naman ni Emma.

"Pabebe pa, e. 'Di mo na idagdag, 'Si Draken ba 'yon?'." Sabat naman ni Yamagishi habang bitbit ang mga listahan ng kanilang bibilhin.

"Ano, ito nalang ba? Putangina naman baka pati hollowblock ipabuhat niyo sa'kin." Sabi naman ni Mikey, ang taga-buhat ng mga bilihin nila.

"Kuya, sa'n po 'yung pang-ahit ng bulbol dito?" Biglang tanong ni Makoto sa empleyado, at napalingon naman ang mga kaibigan nito.

"Huy!" Agad naman na hinila nina Emma ang kanilang kaibigan at pumunta sa ibang aisle.

Well, itong lima pa talaga ang magkakasama sa groupings. Sige, good luck.

"Emma, tumatawag si (Y/N)." Biglang banggit ni Hakkai nang nilabas ang kanyang phone na nagr-ring.

"Huh? Bakit daw?" Tanong naman ni Emma at sinagot ang call mo.

"Hi! Help me! What do I say to the taxi again when I commute to school? Like what's the address and street and stuff. I can't book sa Grab!" Tanong ni (Y/N) sa telepono at halos mangiyak-iyak na ang boses nito.

"Asus, kaya naman pala..." Sabi naman ni Hakkai.

"Okay, okay, kalma! Una sa lahat, iextend mo 'yung kamay mo para magpara ng taxi. Tapos sabihin mo street ____ lang! Tapos ikaw na bahala kung dadaan ka ro'n sa may shortcut. Sa'n ba bahay mo?" Dagdag naman ni Emma.

"I live in Eastwood. I don't know how to go there!"

"Sumakay ka nalang ng bus tapos paggising mo, diretso NLEX ka na!" Sigaw nina Makoto sa background.

"Hey, shut the hell up. You're not even helping." Masungit at iritable mong pagkasabi.

"HAHAHAHA! Rinig niyo 'yon? Payag kayo no'n?!" Asar naman nina Hakkai kina Makoto.

"Mabangis pala si idol, e." Sagot naman ni Yamagishi.

Agad ka naman ding naka-pasok ng school. This is your second week of riding public transportations. Medyo nasasanay ka na rin kahit hassle. In this way, mas map-practice ka pang tumakas, 'de char.

Iniscan mo na ang ID mo sa may entrance at dumiretso sa floor kung saan ang classroom, ngunit nahinto ka nang saglit nang napansin mo ang dalawang lalaking nakasalubong mo sa hagdan.

It's Kakucho and Ran, but as usual, you looked at your long-term crush.

Ngunit naalala mo ang sinabi sa'yo ng mga kaibigan ni Ran dati, kasama na rin si Kakucho.

"Ayaw ka nga raw makita ni Ran. Iwasan mo na siya."

And of course, you also still remember your last encounter with Ran.

Mukhang hangin lang ang dinaanan ng dalawang lalaki at hindi man sila tumingin sa'yo nang kahit isang segundo. Your presence felt denied, and not even your crush's best friend dares to bat an eye at you kahit may interaction kayo kagabi. You can't deny, you felt a little hurt.

Isip mo, siguro nasanay ka lang sa mga tao noon na palakaibigan at puro extroverts. Yeah... you almost forgot that you're in a different school now. Different school, different people.

At this point, you also began to ignore Ran and Kakucho, or let's just say... their friend group, F5.

Kakucho and Ran are from a group of friend, na since Elementary ay magkakasama na. We have Rindou and Ran Haitani, who are siblings. Kokonoi Hajime, then Sanzu Haruchiyo, na ngayon ay nasa ibang school na, and lastly, Kakucho Hitto.

Sila ang palaging tambay sa iba't-ibang areas ng school. Magugulat ka nalang, dadaan ka sa staircase, at nakapaligid sila ro'n, mapipilitan ka talagang magback out. Ever since they turned eighteen, puro clubs and bars na ang pasyalan nila. May sari-sarili silang hobby at ganap sa buhay kahit palaging magkakasama ang lima.

"Helian."

You clicked back to reality, at nagulat ka nalang nang tinawagan ka ni Kakucho, kaya't lumingon ka. Pansin mo rin na kasama niya parin si Ran.

"What?"

"Carry this," Kakucho said, orotundly. Your eyes widened with shame. Really?! In front of Ran?! Inuutusan ka niya, in front of your crush?! Oo, alam mong tumupad ka sa usapan na ito ang kapalit sa milyon-milyong bayarin mo sa kotse niya, but in front of someone?!

You took a step back, nearly refusing it. Kakucho simply raised his brow while handing you his belongings. You felt a sense na babawiin niya ito, at ibabalik ang milyon, kaya't kahit nakaramdam ka ng hiya at pang-mamaliit ng sarili, tinanggap mo parin na dalhin ang mga gamit nito.

Isa pa, magulo na rin ang buhok mo at itsura dahil sa hassle sa pagc-commute. You can't even face someone, tapos si Ran pa?!

Narinig mong tumawa nang bahagya si Ran, at dito ka na nakaramdam ng matinding hiya na para bang gusto mo nalang ibato kay Kakucho ang mga gamit niya at tumakbo.

It was so awkward and shameful walking behind them na parang katulong ka nila dahil bitbit mo ang mga gamit ni Kakucho. All this time, puro kahihiyan lang ang binibigay ni Kakucho sa'yo. 

Finally, nakarating na rin kayo sa classroom at humiwalay na si Ran. Binigay mo na kay Kakucho ang mga gamit niya at umupo sa upuan mo.

Wala ka man narinig na 'thank you' o kahit ano galing sa kanya.

"Hi, Kakucho! Good morning!" Bati ng mga kaklase mo, pero ikaw, wala kang narinig kahit isang bati man lang.

Tumingin ka sa paligid mo to find Hakkai and the others dahil sila lang naman ang kausap mo sa classroom na 'to, but it seems like they're busy with their other friends too. Sina Hakkai at Emma ay nasa isang sulok kasama sina Makoto at Yamagishi, and your other classmates, probably discussing the groupings. Si Ashanti naman ay kasama sina Mitsuya at mga kaibigan nito sa harapan ng classroom.

You felt lonely and out of place in this classroom, no, not only inside this classroom but in this school.

Pumunta ka muna ng c.r. para makapag-ayos ng sarili and to clean your state of mind because the ambiance here is abominable!

You brought your pouch na naglalaman ng makeup, skincare, perfume, at hair ties. Iba-iba ang compartments nito, at organisado pa. 

"I want to transfer schools!" Iritable mong sabi habang nagaapply ng mascara. "This is the shittiest school ever!"

Nagulo na rin ang pag-aapply mo ng mascara, ruinning your makeup! Kaya't dumagdag pa rito ang inis mo at napaiyak ka nalang sa harapan ng salamin.

"I wanna go home–!"

"Naknamputa may tumatae rito o!" Biglang sigaw ng babae sa isang stall kaya't umurong muna ang luha mo.

"'Nyare rito?"

Napalingon ka naman sa entrance ng c.r dahil sa narinig mong boses, and it's Lexi and Kaycee.

"Wala ka pang klase?" Tanong naman ni Kaycee sa'yo habang tinitignan ang mga naka-kalat mong gamit sa sink at table ng c.r.

"No," tipid mong sagot.

"Mag-isa ka nanaman, 'noh?" Sunod na tanong ni Lexi.

"Duh? Can't you see?" You rolled your eyes.

"Well, whatever. Sabagay, halatang wala ka naman palaging kasama rito sa school, sumabay ka nalang kumain sa'min mamaya sa canteen." Banggit naman ni Lexi.

"Are you belittling me?" You raised your brow.

"What do you mean belittling? I'm helping you? Can't you see? I mean, your choice. Ikaw din naman 'yung kakain nang mag-isa mamaya. You'll look like an absolute loner, to be honest." Sagot ni Lexi.

You closed your eyes in annoyance then packed your things from the sink.

"I hope y'all  remember the only reason why I befriended the two of you." You said after fixing your things, then walked past them without looking back, exiting the scene.

"Of course!" Lexi replied. "Kinaibiganin mo lang kami para mapalapit ka kay Ran."

"Ayoko pagkain ng canteen ngayon. 'Nu bayan!"

Reklamo ni Rindou sa pila habang kasama ang mga kaibigan nito. It's break time na at nagsi-punta na ang mga estudyante sa canteen para kumain, at ang iba naman ay lumabas ng school para sa labas nalang bumili.

Pumasok ka ng canteen habang dala dala parin ang maliit mong handbag kasama ang tray ng inorder mo sa canteen. Pansin mo namang pinagtitinginan ka ng mga estudyante, pero hindi mo nalang ito tinuonan ng pansin. I mean, you're used to it.

"Pst!" Rinig mong tawag sa'yo kaya't napalingon ka naman to see those two girls again.

Hindi mo na rin makita ang mga kaklase mo sa canteen, kaya't umupo ka nalang sa table nina Lexi at ang kanyang iba pang mga kaibigan.

"What did you buy?" Tanong ni Lexi nang tinignan ang mga pagkain sa tray mo. Pansin niyang salad ang palaging kinakain mo.

"Uhm, low-calorie food?" You raised a brow. "Why are you asking?"

"Wala lang," Lexi shrugged, at napansin mong binigay niya ang burger galing sa plato niya kay Kaycee.

"Ano 'to? Pero thanks." Tinanggap naman ito ni Kaycee at kinain.

"What's your diet?" Lexi asked you, out of the blue.

"Stop asking random questions. What the fuck." You retorted. "Anyway, I heard what you said a while ago after I left the comfort room."

"Ah," Lexi sighed. "'Yung kinaibiganin mo lang kami para mapalapit ka kay Ran? Well, isn't it true tho'? Don't deny it."

You can't deny it, it's the truth. These two girls, especially Lexi, know you well.

Well, to start off, nakilala mo sina Lexi at Kaycee noong nasa old school mo pa ikaw.

You had mutual friends, kaya't nakilala mo sila. Naalala mo pa na rito nagsimula ang pagkakaroon mo ng matinding crush kay Ran, a boy in an another school pa noon, at nagulat ka rin dahil same school sila nina Lexi at Kaycee... so why not befriend them to have connections?

Flashbacks

"I mean, if you want us to hate Lauren, then go ahead."

Sabi sa'yo nina Lexi at Kaycee. You just met these two girls in a club because of an invitation from a few mutual friends, and to your surprise, they're in the same school as Ran.

"No, don't! Don't bully or talk behind her back, of course." Agad mong sagot. Of course, kilala mo si (Y/N) Lauren, and you know what goes on between her and Ran.

"Ba't ayaw mo pa? There's something going on around Ran and Lauren, yet you're still being soft-hearted toward the girl? Not that I'm saying na masamain mo siya, pero parang gano'n na nga ang ginagawa mo since you're disrespecting their relationship." Banggit ni Lexi.

You felt peer-pressured. Exploited. Lost.

"Well, whatever. I don't know anymore! I just like Ran. That's it. I don't want to do anything with that girl. Just let her be." Iritable mong sagot habang uminom pa ng isang shot.

"I mean, ikaw bahala. Those two are so inseparable. Halos lahat ng classmate nila shiniship sila sa room, 'noh! Include their fans pa. Well some fans, tho'."

"So?" You rolled your eyes.

"Anong so? Do you really think you have a chance with Ran?"

End of Flashbacks

"I know I don't have a chance!" You grunted, hating the sudden thoughts of flashback.

"Well, I mean... Nagtransfer naman na si Lauren ng school... so go for it. Haha!" Banggit naman ni Kaycee.

"...No," you shook your head. "I don't want Ran anymore na..."

"What do you mean you don't? Ngayon ka palang hihinto? Hello? You did a lot of things para lang mapalapit sa long-term crush mo! First of all, naging close kayo ng mom niya. Second, naging muse ka ng old school mo para makita siya sa basketball game niya. Third, nagtransfer ka rito sa school just for him!" The girls said.

"...And lastly... You ruined their Baguio date." Lexi chuckled.

Halos manlaki ang mga mata mo nang narinig mo ang sinabi ni Lexi. You felt a sense of sudden anger fuming in your chest. "Stop remind me that! It's not my fault!"

"It is your fault, (Y/N)." Lexi repeatedly said.

Naalala mo rin ang mga binitaw na salita ni Ran sa'yo.

"You ruined a lot, remember that."

At ang mga naririnig mo sa paligid mo noon.

"Balita ko naghiwalay daw sina Lauren at Ran dahil sa'yo, ah?"

"What if nalang nalaman ng mga fans mo na you ruined a relationship?"

"Mr. Sy, the founder of the largest company in the Philippines, and his daughter is a homewrecker?"

"So, ngayon mo sabihin na it's not your fault," Lexi said. "Pasalamat ka hindi nagblow-up 'yon and akala lang ng mga tao na it's just a 'rumor'. Imagine the hate you will receive when it's proven. You'll get attacked by F5's fans, Ran's fans, his UAAP fans, Lauren's friends, and maybe, even your fans too–"

"Shut up!" You shouted as you banged your fist on the table, at napatingin naman ang mga estudyante sa canteen.

Nakuha rin ang atensyon ng F5, especially Kakucho. His brows furrowed. You seem so strange to him. You always appear in such situations, and he's somehow piqued by it.

Sa dami mong eksena sa school na 'to kahit ilang days ka palang nandito, ay nasanay ka na. Tumayo ka nalang sa pwesto mo at nagwalk out. Hindi ka na rin naka-kain.

"What a scandalous girl. Nu'ng isang araw pa 'yang new student na 'yan, ah? Hindi tumitigil." Komento ng mga estudyante.

"Na-announce ko na 'yung groupings ng ibang students, right?"

Tanong ng guro sa isang subject niyo. Early days, early groupings. The students are not surprised anymore. This is the last year of high school, kaya't pwersa na ang pagbibigay ng PETAs.

Kakabalik niyo lang din sa classroom galing recess, at wala ka pa na salitang iniimik mula kanina. Napansin ka naman ni Hakkai, pati ang namumula mong mga mata.

"Pst, Heli, okay ka lang?" Tanong naman niya.

"Oh," napa-tingin ka naman sa gilid mo. "Yeah. Thanks."

Hindi mo rin namamalayan na naka-tingin sa'yo si Kakucho dahil sa likod mo lang siya naka-upo. You can feel his stare by your peripheral vision, but you can't even look at him by the shame.

After all, the man who shamed you in front of the crowd on your first day? The best friend of your long-term crush? The man you crashed your car with?

"So, the first group members are Hakkai, Emma, Yamagishi, Mikey, and Makoto? Tama ba?" Tanong ng teacher niyo, at nawawala ka nanaman sa mga pala-isipan mo kaya't pinilit mo ang sarili mo na magfocus sa teacher.

"Yes," sagot nila.

"Next week na kayo magp-present. I'll announce the second group today." Banggit naman ng teacher mo.

"Kakucho Hitto, (Y/N) Sy, Keisuke Baji, Seishu Inui, and Keizo Arashi (Benkei). Kayo ang second group, at ang magp-present next next week after the first group. Pumili na kayo ng leader, and the leader, please approach me to get your topic and guide sheet. That's all—no discussion for today. Group two, use this free time to discuss your plan, and for the other students, answer the pages written on the board. Are my instructions clear?" The teacher stated.

"Yes, Ma'am," sagot naman nila. Naging busy din ang classroom at nagsi-puntahan naman ang group two sa isang sulok ng classroom.

"Hello," si Baji naman ang unang nagsalita sainyo.

"Tangina ang awkward, ah," bulong ni Benkei dahil halos walang magsalita sainyo maliban sakanilang dalawa nina Baji.

You feel weird in here. Hindi mo alam kung dahil ba sa grouping mismo, o dahil nandito lang si Kakucho. You looked at him without turning your head, only side-eyeing, and you noticed his bored expression habang nakasandal lang sa pader with his arms crossed. Parang wala siyang tulog.

"So, sino na leader? Para makuha na natin 'yung topic." Tanong naman ni Baji.

Then, nagulat ka nalang nang lahat ng kagrupo mo ay tumuro kay Kakucho.

"Si Kakucho."

"Si Inui nalang," Kakucho sighed, refusing.

"Huh? I don't want," sagot naman ni Inui. "Edi si Baji."

"Luh! Ba't ako? Ayoko. Si Benkei nalang!" Sunod naman na sinabi ni Baji nang tinulak si Benkei sainyo.

"Gago, gusto mong sabay-sabay tayong babagsak dito?" Depensa naman ni Benkei.

"Eto, o. Si Ms. New Student. Siya nalang." Turo naman sa'yo ni Benkei.

Tumingin naman silang lahat sa'yo kaya't agad kang kinabahan. Nanahimik ka lang naman sa gilid.

"Eh, just pick Kakucho–" Alinlangang sabi mo.

"C.r. muna ako," sabi ni Kakucho sa mga kagrupo mo at para bang binalewala ang sinabi mo.

"Galit ba si Kaku?" Bulong ni Benkei.

"O, 'yung grupo niyo? Sino leader? Siya dapat ang magrereceive at magpapasa ng sheets sa'kin." Sabi ng teacher niyo nang naglakad papunta sainyo. Mukhang may galit din ang tono nito at no choice na rin kayo sa leader dahil umalis pa si Kakucho. Bad timing.

"A-ah, si Helian po 'yung leader." Sabi ni Benkei at tinuro ka rin ng iba mong groupmates.

"What?!" You thought.

"Okay, here's the guide sheet. You'll be the one to approach me kapag may kailangan. Ayokong maka-kita ng non-leader approaching me regarding this." Sabi ng teacher bago ibigay sa'yo ang isang folder. Ang dami namang strict teachers dito! Siguro, kaya lang nagpa-groupings 'tong teacher na 'to ay dahil para may leader at walang masyado students ang nagtatanong sa kanya. I mean, you can't blame her. Ang kukulit din kasi ng mga kaklase mo!

"Okay, uhh..." You opened the folder at mayroong mga papel dito na naglalaman ng mga topic niyo, instructions, and basically just a guide sheet.

"Anong gagawin?" Tanong nina Baji.

"Uh, w-well..." You cleared your throat. "We're going to do a survey... It says here, e."

"Survey about?" Tanong naman ni Inui.

"I curse the bitches who pointed me as a leader." You thought as you secretly rolled your eyes.

"O, ayan na pala si Kakucho. Uy, bad timing pagka-alis mo gagi! Binigay na ng teacher 'yung sheets." Sabi naman ni Baji.

Binigay mo nalang kay Kakucho ang mga papel at nagulat naman siya sa biglang bungad sa kanya sapagkat kakarating lang din nito sa c.r.

"That's the sheet. Si Helian leader." Sabi naman ni Inui.

"I see," Kakucho muttered as he reads the papers.

"Oh? It says here, the leader will initiate the topic." Sabi ni Kakucho at binigay ulit sa'yo ang mga papel. "Explain it to us."

Napakamot ka nalang sa ulo. Ano ba 'to, ang daming alam. Well, whatever, binasa mo nalang ang instructions at sinumulan na ang pagpapaliwanag sa mga kagrupo mo. "So like, we will do a survey, and like ano, each of us have tasks to do, so I will just assign it."

Naiilang ka naman dahil alam mong naka-tingin sa'yo sina Kakucho. Sinubukan mo paring ipaliwanag nang maliwanag ang instructions nang hindi nauutal.

"Edi ano 'tong statistics?" Tanong naman ni Baji nang binasa rin ang mga papel.

"Wait, anong survey ba 'yan?" Tanong sa'yo ni Benkei. "May iinterview-hin tayo?"

"What's the topic? I think it's better if we scrutinize and discuss our plan now." Sunod naman na sabi ni Inui.

Halos maguluhan ka na sa mga tanong nila! You're not sure what to answer, and who to answer first. Dito pa nga lang sa pagbabasa ng guide sheet ay nalilito ka na. Guide sheet ba talaga 'to?

"Wait lang..." Sagot mo habang nahihirapang basahin ang mga papel.

You heard Kakucho slightly, sarcastically laugh. Your brows furrow, thinking he's probably making fun of how you're being the leader.

"It's not my fault that this guide sheet is more like a confusion sheet." Isip mo. Hindi mo talaga gets ang instructions, tapos ikaw pa ang ginawang leader.

"It says here, we will base the results on the people we will interview. So someone here in the group can take that part. We can start to interview tomorrow around the campus." Pagpapaliwanag ni Kakucho.

"Kami ni Benkei! Kami nalang mag-iinterview!" Pagv-volunteer naman nina Baji. Naku, siguradong may halong katarantaduhan ang pag-iinterview ng dalawa. Baka naman pati principal ng school interview-hin.

"Okay, then," ngiti mo naman "Uhm, for collecting the information and statistics... Kakucho and Inui. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good with it," sagot naman ni Inui.

Tumango nalang din si Kakucho, pero hindi nakaharap ang pansin sa'yo at mukhang busy sa pagbabasa ng mga papel. You rolled your eyes by his actions.

"Okay, we're done with this. Just approach me tomorrow, dismissal time outside the classroom if we'll start interviewing. Baji, Benkei, I'll come with the two of you." Sabi mo bago bumalik ng upuan mo.

Dismissal na rin at agad kang lumabas ng classroom habang humihikab dahil sa antok at pagod. You're also feeling thirsty at gusto mo nalang magpahinga sa bahay, ngunit magc-commute ka pa. During lunch break, hindi ka rin naka-kain nang maayos dahil inasikaso mo ang grouping project para diretso interview nalang bukas, at pag-uwi mo, gagawa ka pa ng questions at ng charts.

Dumaan ka na sa corridor papuntang main campus, at saktong nakita mo si Kakucho. Naalala mo na ibibigay mo na rin pala ang unang bayad mo sa kanya dahil do'n sa aksidente.

"Kakucho," tawag mo nang naglakad papunta sa kanya, at napalingon din ang lalaki.

"Here," you said, handing him an envelope, at may laman itong pera. It's around ten thousand, ngunit alam mong marami-rami pa ang mga babayaran mo.

"I know it's not enough. This is my salary from Youtube and my left savings. It's not that much since half of my income resources are connected to my dad's bank accounts." You said, a small energy emitting along your voice, at napansin naman ito ni Kakucho nang tinaggap niya ang envelope na naglalaman ng malaking halaga na pera. Totoo nga ang sinabi mo, huhulug-hulugan mo ang bayad. Naglakad ka naman paalis pagka-tapos mo itong binigay, not bothering to have a further conversation with him.

Kakucho locked his gaze on you for a minute as you exited his field of view. Napa-titig din ito sa pera sa loob ng envelope. This money felt insignificant.

When did he start to not care about money and values?

Habang naglalakad sa isang kalsada para mag-abang ng pasada, you took your phone out to check the weather. Ever since you start commuting, nalalaman mo na rin ang mga kalsada kung saan kadalasang nagsasakay ang mga jeepney, taxi, at trycicle.

Sa sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo, hindi mo na napapansin ang mga nasa paligid mo.

The occurence a while ago in the canteen can't leave your mind. Totoo nga ba ang sinabi ni Lexi, na kasalanan mo ang mga nangyari noon?

Nakita ka naman ni Kakucho na nag-aabang ng pasada sa may kalsada dahil magc-commute din siya. He can't use his other car because his car is still under repair due to the accident, at coding naman ang isa niyang kotse.

Kakucho was about to walk off, not caring about your presence, hanggang sa napansin niyang may mga nakatingin na mga tambay sa'yo sa may tindahan sa likod mo.

You're just standing there clueless, still lost in your thoughts, until you felt a presence near you kaya't napalingon ka to see Kakucho standing behind you.

"What are you doing?" You asked.

You just glanced at him, at hindi ka na rin nagsalita, just like him, and just patiently waited for public transport.

"Where's your destination?" Kakucho asked, feeling a slight sympathy.

Maybe he'll help you commute? Pfft! "Why would I even think that?! That's ridiculous!" You thought, secretly rolling your eyes.

"Eastwood," sagot mo.

"I'll book you a Grab," Kakucho said, at halos manlaki ang mga mata mo sa gulat. 

"It's hard to book a Grab. It's almost not available." You said.

Narinig naman ito ni Kakucho, and he just nodded as kept his phone inside his pocket.

You side-eyed him after a long silence. Is no one really going to continue the conversation?!

"Why are you commuting? I thought you have another car?" Tanong mo.

"How did you know?" Kakucho raised a brow at halos mahinto ka naman sa tanong niya. Gusto mo sanang i-sagot-- "Bakit? Bawal bang mag-stalk ng naka-banggaan mo sa skyway?"

"Ah well, I just saw it in the parking lot. I don't know." Rason mo.

"Can't use my other car today." Sagot ni Kakucho. "Coding hours."

"Oh, okay," you muttered, and there's another silence again. You just prayed na may dumating nang jeep o kahit ano man para maka-alis ka na!

"Pst! Ganda, Pogi! Baka gusto niyong bumili?" Tawag ng isang tindera sa likuran niyo. Napa-lingon naman kayong dalawa at pansin niyong may nagbebenta ng mga street foods.

Kakucho refused dahil kakakain lang nito at ikaw naman ay hindi pa kumakain kaya't gutom ka na. Naglakad ka naman papunta sa stall and looked at the unfamiliar, variety of food.

"Ate, what's this?" Tanong mo sa tindera.

"Ah, ano po, fishball, kwek-kwek, isaw, gano'n." Sagot naman nito.

"Oh, cute! They look like roasted and raw meatballs." Komento mo.

"Ha?" Nagtaka naman ang tindera rito at napakamot nalang sa ulo. Si Kakucho naman ay halos matawa dahil naririnig niya rin ang usapan niyo.

"Okay, I will buy the... kwek kwek one? And then the barbecue zigzag version." Sabi mo.

"A-ah sige, Hija.." Sabi naman ng tindera. "'Yung jowa niyo po, Ma'am? Baka gusto po ni sir."

"What? Jowa? I don't have a boyfriend?"

"Ina naman neto napapasabak pa ako sa english-an." Isip ng tindera. "Si ano po, 'yung naka-suot na uniform tulad niyo."

"Oh," you blinked then looked at Kakucho. "He's my classmate po! Not my boyfriend or anything... Haha."

Napalingon naman si Kakucho rito nang narinig ang pangalan niya. Nakita naman din niya na inaaya siya ng tindera na bumili. Parang no choice na rin at nakakahiyang tumanggi kaya't naglakad din siya papunta sa stall.

"I'll just buy the same order as her." Banggit naman ni Kakucho.

Lumingon si Kakucho sa'yo, but not finding you anywhere, until he saw you sitting on the side of the road, at nilalamon mo na 'yung pagkain na binili mo!

"What?" You mouthed with a masungit look dahil pansin mong naka-tingin siya sa'yo.

Kakucho just shook his head and waited for his order. Ilang segundo naman ay bumalik ka sa stall para mag-order pa. Ngayon ka lang naka-tikim ng street foods, and those people who told you that street foods taste like shit, are totally lying, one example is your dad.

"Ate, can I try this one next? This one? The shrimp-looking one?" You asked, looking at the other food.

Hindi nang napigilan na tumawa ni Kakucho, but he quickly switched to his nonchalant look nang tumingin ka sa kanya, giving him a suspicious look.

"What's funny?" You raised a brow. "Kanina ka pa, ah."

"You know what? Pinapahirapan mo lang 'yung tindera." Kakucho said, then ordered the food for you. "Ate, kikiam at tempura raw po gusto niya." Banggit ni Kakucho sa tindera.

"Ah... Ayun lang pala. Nagtataka kasi ako, hijo, kung anong shrimp 'yung sinasabi niya. Haha... Ayun lang pala... Salamat." Sagot naman ng tindera.

"See?" Kakucho muttered to you.

"Okay, fine," you rolled your eyes. "My bad."

Kaunti lang ang mga ulap ngayon kaya't maaraw kahit late afternoon na. Pagkatapos niyo namang kumain sa may tindahan ng street food, naka-sakay na rin kayo ni Kakucho ng jeep at sabay na rin kayong sumakay dahil parehas lang ang bababaan niyo.

Magkatabi rin kayo sa jeep dahil medyo marami ang naka-sakay.

Hindi mo parin nakakalimutan ang mga kahihiyan na pinaranas niya sa'yo sa school, 'noh! Kaya't umusog ka nang kaunti papalayo kay Kakucho.

Ilang minuto pa ang naka-lipas at dinatnan ka na rin ng antok. Si Kakucho naman ay busy sa kanyang cellphone, kaya't nagulat naman ito nang may naramdaman ito sa kanyang balikat.

He looks at his side to see your head laying on his shoulder, and notices that you're in deep sleep. Mukhang hindi mo na rin namalayan na naka-tulog ka na rin.

"Hey," Kakucho calls you, but it seems like you're not even waking up.

Si Kakucho na ang nagbayad para sa'yo dahil mukhang hindi ka pa nagigising.

He just sighed and waited for the destination. Pansin niya rin na naka-labas pa sa bag mo ang folder for the project, kaya't mukhang kanina mo pa 'to ginagawa.

Saktong bumaba na rin kayo sa next stop dahil dito na ang babaan. Wala ka pa sa isip mo dahil kakagising mo palang at halos tawanan ka ni Kakucho dahil sa clueless mong expression.

"Wait! I didn't get to pay! I fell asleep." Ang una mong sinabi nang pagka-baba mo sa jeep.

"Yeah, hahanapin ka ng driver ng jeep since you didn't pay. Lagot ka. Humanda ka nalang." Kakucho answered, then walked away.

"What?! What do you mean? Another investigation?!" You panicked as you followed and pulled him by the back of his uniform.

"What the fuck," napalingon naman si Kakucho dahil sa pagka-hila mo. "Calm down. I'm just kidding. I already paid for it."

"Oh," you blinked. Kumunot parin ang noo mo and a dark expression loomed on your face as you visibly rolled your eyes. "K? Thanks, I guess." 

Napansin naman din ni Kakucho ang mabilis mong pagka-galit at pagka-maldita. Kahit hindi niya sinasabi, kanina mo pa siya sinusungitan, at nahahalata niya ito.

"What got you all worked up?" Kakucho asked.

"What the hell do you mean?" You asked, crossing your arms. 

"Dahil ba ro'n sa inutusan kita sa harap ni Ran?" Biglaang tanong ni Kakucho, causing your eyes to widen.

Hindi ka na rin maka-sagot dahil sa galing niyang pag-oobserba. Tumalikod na rin si Kakucho para umalis, just right after dropping a puzzling answer to you.

"How did you know?" 

"Seriously? It's obvious that you like my best friend." Kakucho chuckled, looking back at you in disgrace and humiliation. "But know your limits. I know you can't afford to ruin another relationship again, homewrecker." 

After that, Kakucho walks away as if he didn't just drop a word like daggers, piercing through your heart in pain.

Nakaramdam ka ng matinding lungkot at hiya, and what Kakucho just said was enough to make your eyes well up with tears. A sob escaped your throat at hindi mo alam kung bakit sa sinabi ni Kakucho ka mas lalong nasaktan, kompara sa sinabi nina Lexi.

What a bad day, even if it's always a bad day every day, and the sunset never appears amidst the dark clouds ever again. Your life in this school is really doomed.

A/N: don't overthink lol wala naman 'tong heavy angst since I won't make the plot that heavy. just a high school series ;p   any thoughts so far?