Word count: 4 | BrightWin

Twelve

"I'm so lost! You're not straight, Bright? But I thought you like Tu?" Nani freaked out. He's been standing for thirty minutes, still couldn't believe the revelations he heard. "Nobody said that, stupid. I already told you don't make their closeness an issue." Dew clicked his tongue.

The group is hanging out again at Bright and Win's dorm. The two explained what happened last night so that they wouldn't hide it anymore. Tu felt like a proud mother, Dew congratulated them both, while Nani's still in disbelief that he's the only clueless one in the group.

"I'm so clueless here. I thought there's something going on with them." Nani groaned. "No, Nani. The truth is I was helping Bright the whole time since Win confessed to him." Tu explained her side.

"When the three of you left, Bright asked me how I found out about my sexuality. With that one question, I immediately knew that he's confused about his own, that's why I helped him." Her friends were amazed by her ability. Win suddenly realized that Tu was also helping Bright acknowledge his feelings for him.

Win smirked and thought that he was dumb for not observing well. "Woah. I don't know what to say but I'm proud of you, Bright. You finally knew what your sexuality is and you also found a love life." Nani patted his shoulder.

"So, you're boyfriends now?" Dew's question flustered the two. "Not yet. We're just, uh… taking things slow. I don't want to overwhelm Bright." Win stuttered while explaining while Bright shyly nodded.

"Do you plan on telling your parents?" Tu blurted out. "Well, my parents can easily accept us. But Bright should tell his mom first, I don't want to pressure him so I'll let him decide about that." He squeezed Bright's hand.

Bright's still not used to these kinds of things so Win’s taking it slowly when it comes to his actions. But Bright easily adapted to Win’s love language which is Physical Touch and Quality Time so he lets him cling onto him whenever he wants.

===

While Nani, Dew, and Bright were playing mobile games, Win pulled Tu aside and invited her to have a talk at the terrace. She agreed and they left the room quietly.

“What is it that you wanted to talk about?” Tu started the conversation. “I just want to thank you for helping us out, especially Bright. I didn’t know he’s struggling with his sexuality.” Win was still shocked with what happened but Tu smirked because she's the only one who knew everything.

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad I was your wingwoman. I wish all the best for the both of you." Tu congratulated them. Win, on the other hand, was thinking about telling Tu the truth about Bright's word count. He knows that it isn't his decision to make but he has no choice. He's well aware that he would be needing her help in the future.

Win cleared his throat before speaking. "Tu, I know you already helped too much but I have a favor to ask you." Tu nodded and waited again for him to continue. "You need to know something first. Let's not talk here. It's too confidential." Tu was left confused when Win went back to the room.

===

Win and Tu excused themselves and told their friends that they would sneak out to buy in the convenience store. When they arrived there, Win started to tell everything about Bright.

Tu couldn't believe what she heard from him. Her mouth remained open until Win stopped talking. "Oh my… Why did you just tell me this now? And how about Nani and Dew? Aren't they supposed to know this too?" She freaked out.

Win tried to calm her down. "I'm sorry. Bright didn't want anyone to know. I just found out about it accidentally. He wasn't supposed to tell me too before. He told me that he has hated his condition since he was a child and he wanted to forget about it by pretending that his word count doesn't exist." Tu smacked her forehead and sighed.

"That's heartbreaking. I can feel that he wants to talk badly but he can't. Wait, but my parents never mentioned anything about word counts. How come Bright knew about it?" She clarified. "Doctors say it after a child is born but it's up to the parents whether they'll tell it to their child."

Tu still couldn't understand it so she groaned softly. "I don't understand. Why would they hide it from us? And what about Bright? Why does he know?" Win had enough of Tu being a slowpoke so he explained everything briefly. He also told her about the thing he researched that could help Bright increase his word count.

"What the hell, Metawin? Are you sure about that? That's too risky! Are you really going to risk everything? What if it doesn't work? Then you're done for nothing!" Tu's voice rises as she speaks to Win. He tried to calm her down so other people wouldn't look at them.

"Tu, please… I stayed up late for a month just to prove this research. I also asked those people who had a first hand experience. This will work, I promise." He tried his best to convince her. Tu looked at him with worried eyes before sighing deeply. "Win, I support you both but I'm scared this time."

Win gave her a sweet smile before patting her head. "There, there. Don't be afraid, Tu. You trust me, right? I know it's hard but please trust me this time too." He looked at her with anticipating eyes.

"Fine! But make sure to make it work. I'll try my best too." Tu surrendered and agreed to his favor. Win exclaimed with joy. "Thank you! You're the best, Tu!" They both laughed afterwards.

"So, how are you supposed to do it? And when?" She asked. "Before we part ways next year. During the end of summer vacation, I guess? I know he can do it." Win answered confidently. "Jeez, are you sure Bright can willingly use all of his word count without even telling him to speak?"

Win nodded. "With what's happening right now, I know it will be easier for me to succeed with my plan." Tu crossed her arm and said, "So, what's going to be my contribution here?"

"I just need you to be aware of the situation for now. But next year is going to be crucial for you. You need to monitor him every now and then even though you're on different campuses." Her jaw dropped after hearing what she's going to do. "Come on, how can I do that? I don't have a clone or something!"

"Silly! Of course what I mean is you should always check up on him. Message him or call him." Win explained while Tu was massaging her temples. "Alright. I get it now. But are you going to be okay when that time comes?"

Win agreed. "Yeah. I need to. I'm doing this for him. And I know I can depend on you, Tu. Take care of him for me." Tu punched Win’s biceps. "Metawin, stop that. As if something bad will happen. Ugh, don't worry about Bright. He'll be okay." Win smiled. He knew that Tu would be of great help and he wasn't wrong about it.

"What about your parents and Bright's? Are you going to tell them?" Tu asked once again. "Yes. I need to ask their permission and I want to clarify some things too."