JAPAN 2010
"Aren't you cold little boy?" tanong ng lalaking nakamaskara. He puffed smoke from the rolled tobacco between his mask's teeth. Nakasunod naman ang dalawang lalaking naka gray suit na nakahawak ng payong para sa kanya.
" Please. I want to save my sister," pagmamakaawa ng batang nakaluhod sa maputik na garden niya. No one dared to kneel before him in a stormy night like this. Alam ng nakakilala sa boss na hindi siya nadadala sa kahit anong drama. But he's been kneeling for 48 hours straight and it irritates him.
According to his men's research, this boy is only 11 years old who hold nothing valuable in his life. Pero habang tinitigan niya ito sa malayo, as a boss, he recognize something in the boy that other gambler's don't possess.
Conviction.
"Nani o kakenakereba narimasen ka?" ( What do you have to bet?) he asked and walked closer.
He knew he has no properties, no home, no parents, not even a single penny. The boy only has his ill sister with him. Hindi niya alam kung paano siya natunton ng bata at kung paano nito nalaman ang tungkol sa kanya.
But the thing that intrigues him most is the fact that he's kneeling without anything to bargain. What could be the thing he hid up in his sleeves?
Kahit malakas ang pagpatak ng ulan, napapansin niyang tumutulo ang mga luha nito bago ito tumingala sa kanya.
" I bet my future wife," anito na nakakuyom ang mga palad.
His surprise remain hidden behind his mask.
"Oh! that's interesting! hehe," he said to himself and chuckled.
The boy was the first one to caught his interest this way. He admired his young mindset and wit.
"Taking risk is a decision even adults failed to make," he said then leaned closer to him and whispered. " Kodugemo o yokoso ," ( Welcome to code game)
He left with a satisfied smile behind his mask.
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When he ended the call I was still holding the phone on my ear, flabbergasted still.
" Nikka, we have to go. May kailangan pa tayong gawin," dinig kong wika ni Sin.
" He's not a ghost, is he?" I asked.
He smiled.
" Wala silang tinamaan na vital points. No one means to kill him. Nung iniwan ng lahat ang katawan ni Damon, I did a surgery on him."
" Why?"
" Because I knew he's your friend. His death would torture every one in Zero. Isa pa, pretending to kill him is one of 6' moves."
Tumango na lang ako kahit naguguluhan pa rin.
" Bakit walang nagsabi saken?"
" It's an order from 6. Si Commandment lang at ako ang nakakaalam. I wanted to tell you but I want to surprise you more. Remember the wedding gift I gave you? That was the passcode of his room in our new house," aniya. " Happy Wedding Nikka," he said with a handsome smile.
" Sira-ulo. Sino ang magiging happy sa kalagayang 'to?" I said, reffering to the laser beams sorrounding us.
" Happiness is a decision Nikka. Whatever the circumstance, if you choose to be happy, you'd be happy."
Tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay.
" How exactly, Sin?"
He pinched my cheeks and smile.
