Missing Melody (COMPLETED)

Missing 9: Grand Ball

SINJI'S POV

I pouted my lips, my gaze following my brother as he paced restlessly back and forth in front of me. I was comfortably sprawled in his expensive swivel chair inside his university office, watching him look like a complete idiot circling the room.

Hindi kasi siya makamove-on. He couldn't accept the fact na ginawa ko siyang major prize sa laro na naisip ko. But sad to say, he declined it the moment he found out the mechanics: that if the player wins, he or she earns a literal date with him.

Wala talaga akong pinalagpas. I mean, hello? It was the perfect opportunity para pagtripan ang dakila kong Kuya.

"Will you please quit walking around like an idiot?" I snapped, though a tiny bit of fear crept into me when he suddenly stopped and darted a death glare in my direction.

"For goodness' sake, Sinji. Don't lump me in on that stupid game," he hissed, his voice laced with annoyance.

Ngayong huling araw dapat gaganapin ang Squid Game version na naisip ko, and mamayang gabi na rin ang inaabangang Grand Ball sa L.A. Pavilion.

"You already declined it, ano pa bang ikinapuputok ng butsi mo?" I wanted to laugh out loud seeing his frustrated face.

He was clearly stressed out from his official work, pero lalo ko pang pinapasakit ang ulo niya. He was the one who appointed me to organize this celebration, kaya manigas siya. Gumagana na naman kasi ang pagiging balahura ko, especially with the help of my partner-in-crime and dearest friend, Saviel Hyuga.

Kuya Luther rubbed his face in utter frustration. He stopped pacing and faced me, placing his right arm on his waist while his left hand brushed through his hair—a signature gesture whenever he didn't know what to do with me anymore.

"The students are bugging me. They even filed a petition to continue that game," he groaned.

"Edi masaya," I replied nonchalantly.

"Are you out of your mind? I don't like dating someone I don't know personally. I don't have time to play with fire."

"Date lang naman 'yon, Kuya. Hindi ko naman sinabing ikama mo."

My lips twitched as I suppressed a smirk. I caught him off guard with that one. Kung sabagay, iba na nga pala ang hanap ng katawan niya at hindi lang 'simpleng gala' ang habol niya. Boys and their needs? Such a pain in the ass.

"Forget it. Just please stop messing with me, or you will regret it if I decide to wrap up your little scheme and play along with it."

I just rolled my eyes and chose not to talk back. Pinatawag niya lang naman ako rito para sermonan sa kalokohan ko. Minsan talaga, may mga bagay na hindi na dapat pinapalaki, pero itong kapatid ko, daig pa ang O.A. kong kapitbahay dati na akala mo ginto kung umarte.

I heaved a heavy sigh as I stood up from the chair and approached him. I snaked my arms around his waist, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Kunot na naman 'yang noo mo. Ang panget mo na," I teased, stifling a laugh against his chest.

His face crumpled even more. "As if my face could ever lose its coolness."

"Yabang."

Kuya playfully tugged at the ends of my hair, pretending to pull it, but it felt more like a kitten's gentle nudge. My brother has these cold, hard features that could intimidate anyone, but deep inside, he has this gentle and tender loving care—charot.

Pero seryoso, he's incredibly sweet to me whenever it's just the two of us. Kung hindi ko nga lang siya kapatid, baka nagkagusto na ako sa kanya. But I'm grateful he's family, because if it weren't for him, I never would have met Senri.