New Sound

Chapter 34: Ryuji's True Intention

Neuzin's PoV

"Raining still, huh" Raid remarked as soon as he stepped outside our house with an umbrella in his hand. "No classes again, I guess? Better buy something hot for breakfast."

There he goes. Prepares to head off already without at least informing me. "Pasok." Napalingon naman s'ya sa'kin. "'Wag ka nang bumili. I'll cook today."

Tumingin s'ya sa'kin ng ilang segundo. "Your cooking is bland. I don't like it." As blunt as always.

"Man, alright, alright. Bahala ka." I'll just let him do what he want to do today. Ayokong makipagtalo ng ganito kaaga.

Walang paa-paalam nang umalis si Raid pagkatapos no'n.

I sigh, and head to the kitchen.

I'm in our house, Matsumoto Residence, and the only people staying here is me and Raid. Ayaw ni dad mag-hire ng maid, para matuto raw kami sa gawaing bahay, but unfortunately, ako lang 'yung natututo, habang si Raid ay walang pakeelam.

Raid is not really in good terms with dad, and I'd like to think na kaya hindi n'ya sinusunod si dad ay dahil galit s'ya dito.

I lit up the stove and cook some fried rice. Without any warning it felt like my memory reconstructs series of images in the fire.

Fire always reminds me of that incident since dad told me about it.

It all started when my dad get into trouble, involving Ms. Rika. If there is anyone that can be blamed in that accident, it's dad.

"Your fried rice smells nice today." I heard Raid's voice coming at the back interrupting my train of thoughts. "I guess, I'll have some of your cooking today."

"Don't just stand there. Lend me a hand here." I said as I started to cook some eggs.

"Fine. I'll do it just for once." Sa una parang hindi pa ako makapaniwalang pumayag s'ya ng gano'n gano'n. "Anong klaseng tulong ba kailangan mo?"

"Make the soup." I answered as I flipped the egg on the pan.

"Alright."

"Without complains, really?"

"At least, this is something I can do." Hearing that I glance at him, preparing the ingredients for the soup. If there's one thing he knows how to cook, it's the soup. He learned it, dahil s'ya rin naman itong mahilig sa soup, kumpara saakin, so he learned it to satisfy his own cravings.

Matapos iyon ay agad kaming nabalik ulit sa katahimikan habang abala sa mga niluluto namin.

My mind goes to a train of thoughts again.

"Maybe dad really is indeed a bad person."

Oh, I said it out loud.

"'The hell, Neu? Uttering something like that all of a sudden."

"No, I don't think so." I dismissed the thought that I happened to say out loud.

"If he isn't, then mom wouldn't have to divorce him." I heard Raid said as he get some of the soup in a bowl.

I plated the eggs that I've cooked and topped it with ketchup to complete the omurice, that I'm making. Since I already said it, there's no way I can simply ignore Raid's perspective with it.

"It's not about mom, Raid. Intindihin mo naman sana si dad." What an unpleasant topic for this morning. "He didn't intentionally cause the fire to kill Ms. Rika, he just wants the files to disappear."