Hidden Agenda (English)

Chapter 12

"Never! I'm giving you three days to think, not for you to cast me aside!"

An angry voice resounded from the back of the cafeteria, startling Sitang momentarily. In an effort to soothe Jiranai's anger, he responded in a gentle tone,

"Joke... I'm not discarding you. I just want to understand in these three days you've given me. Tomorrow, I plan to have lunch with N'Mee. I need to know what it's like without you."

"Stupid people like me have to resort to this. I genuinely want to grasp if my time with someone else feels like being with you," Sitang explained, conveying the weight of his decision, one of the most significant decisions of his life. His voice was resolute, but his sorrowful eyes softened Jiranai's heart.

...But... Damn it! People like Joke certainly don't appreciate this approach!

"Today is the first day, you only have tomorrow and the day after tomorrow! You have to give me an answer the day after tomorrow," Jiranai exclaimed. As he pondered, if he was so foolish, what would come of releasing Sitang and avoiding him for three days? Moreover, he still wished to experience being with a girl... but... what if he liked it? So, waiting all this time seemed futile?

...No way, stop thinking about that now!...

Sitang slightly tilted his head as he considered the timeline the other person had mentioned.

"Wait... I assumed you were counting the first day as tomorrow. I believe the date you're referring to starts from tomorrow and you expect a response by Wednesday."

"What Wednesday! You have to answer me the day after tomorrow!"

"Ah... I see, like this, you're only giving me one day."

Is one day enough? Is it sufficient for someone as obtuse as me to find clarity about my feelings?

"One day is sufficient! Why did you abandon me for so long and become involved with another girl?" The longer it persists, the worse it becomes; the longer it persists, the more fearful Jiranai grows.

"N'Mee has liked you since last year. What if Sitang also has feelings for her?"

"Zo, you can find the answer from me! If you want to know anything, just ask me. You don't need to search anywhere else, Zo."

"Joke, I simply want to understand what I would do if I didn't have you..."

This quiet voice consistently suppressed Jiranai's passionate emotions. However, today it transformed into a weapon that struck directly at Jiranai's vulnerable heart.

"Then, how did you feel before I entered your life? What about the two years I wasn't with you? Two years, Zo, two years without me? And now you want three more days to figure out your own feelings? You selfish bastard, are you even considering my feelings at all?"

Sitang felt like he couldn't breathe, recognizing that he was the selfish one, the foolish one causing pain to others. And the one he was causing the most torment to was Jiranai.

"Stop making that expression! By noon tomorrow, you should be able to decide whom you choose! Tomorrow..."

Jiranai wanted to lay out a plan for him, but the mention of tomorrow, when he would step out of Sitang's life and let him find someone else, clenched his heart and constricted his throat. He didn't know what to say, what would happen if he allowed the other person to leave without him by his side.

"Tomorrow, when you leave your place, you must call me. When you go to the department, you'll call again. Let me know where you're having lunch, and when you return, call again. Once you're in your room, shut the door, lock it, and then call me again! Do you understand?"