Their Parallel Universe ✓

Chapter 08

He was defeated.

He should have seen this coming. He should have known his protective streak would be used to take advantage of him someday. He's always been aware that it's one of his weaknesses but he never expected that someone would actually exploit it to get what they wanted. And to think that someone would be his cousin. His sweet, little cousin, Lia.

Eujae didn't have any problem turning Cloud's invitation down, didn't even budge when Tem looked at him almost pleadingly. However, when Lia started talking about how she wanted to go with their friends but might not be able to because she had no one to go with, Eujae instantly knew that it was something that he would have a hard time brushing off. Of course, he was aware of his cousin's real objective. He knew that Lia was doing it on purpose to get him to attend Cloud's celebration, but he also knew that the woman meant it when she said she might not be able to go if she didn't have anyone with her. And Eujae wasn't fine with the idea of his only cousin going alone somewhere at night either. In the end, guilt and overprotectiveness won and Eujae had no choice but to give in. That is what brings them to the De Vera Residence at the present.

It's already past ten o'clock in the evening and most visitors have gone home by now. The only people left in the room are their group of friends and the Philosophy professor, Mr. JP.

Watching the pair of professors interact with each other, Eujae thinks no wonder people in the University have easily figured out Mr. Sky and Mr. JP's relationship. It seems like the older men are not exactly hiding it after all.

Eujae lets his gaze roam around the room to look for his cousin, thinking they also need to leave. He finds her chatting with someone in the corner and is just about to approach them but stops when he recognizes who the other person is.

With a bright smile on his face, Poll appears like he is in an animated conversation with Lia. Seeing the expression, Eujae's mind wanders back to the other day when he saw him talking happily with his classmates. How come it's so easy for him to smile for others and make them smile, but with Eujae he's like a completely different person?

A bitter smile crosses Eujae's face as an unpleasant feeling starts to grow in him. As if sensing his stare, Poll turns in his direction but before their eyes can meet, Eujae averts his gaze. He turns away, sighing. He doesn't understand why he always gets irritated every time he sees Poll making that expression.

What does it even matter to him? What does he care if that guy keeps on smiling at others? It is not like he wants those smiles to be directed at him. No, Eujae is just bothered by the fact that Poll keeps focusing his ill feelings on him. He gets it; he's being hated for some unknown reasons, but wouldn't it have been better if Poll left Eujae alone from the start? If only they just ignored each other from the beginning, this whole conflict between them would have not come this far. But why was that guy so obsessed with annoying him? And why did he let it affect him so much?

Anyway, Eujae thinks after their last fight, Poll might finally stop being a nuisance to him. Good riddance.

He is still lost in thought when he hears someone announce, "Okay, guys, it's still too early. How about you all take a seat and let's play a game for now."

Turning to the direction of the voice, Eujae sees the Philosophy teacher sitting on the chair around a long table. Everyone starts to gather around Mr. JP. Curious, Eujae walks to him and pulls a chair to sit down.

As soon as they're all settled, Nick asks, "A game, Sir? What kind of game?"

Grinning, Mr. JP answers, "King's Game."

"King's Game," Poll repeats, "You mean that Japanese game that involved numbered sticks, Sir?"

"Exactly, but since we don't have numbered sticks, we're using these playing cards instead." Mr. JP then proceeds to explain the rules of the game. There are eleven cards on the table, the numbers one—or ace—to ten and a king. Every round, each person has to draw a card and whoever chooses the king will have the right to issue a dare to a certain number. The person holding the number has to perform the task that the king has given to them. No questions ask because the number one rule of the game is "The King's order is absolute."