#CHP16

6 0 0
                                    

* * *

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

* * *

I regret letting Ada pick our food. If I had known she'd be triggered by this severe allergy, I wouldn't have let her eat that shrimp.

I didn't even know she was allergic to that sea cockroach.

Fortunately, her skin is getting better now. I know how much she treasures her beauty; she's been hiding her face from me since we arrived at the hospital.

Elri called, wondering where on Earth I brought her sister. I forgot to inform them and left them clueless for a while due to panic. I mean, Mine was having a hard time breathing.

It didn’t help that Ada was being annoying.

It was the first time I felt that frustration toward her; she was very insensitive. I’ve been asking myself how she became like this. I felt like a bad friend for not noticing and letting her turn out this way.

"You don't really have to do this. Any moment my family might come here, you can leave now."

I like attending to her.

But wait, is she ashamed of me?

"You don't want your family to meet me?" Her eyes widened, then she stared into nothingness for exactly thirty seconds as if she was processing something. I was weirded out and almost called the doctor to check if the allergy affected her brain.

What is she thinking now?

Though I understand where she's coming from. I won’t deny that the dinner was important, but it would not outweigh her. I can reschedule that dinner with my family anytime.

"You don’t expect me to leave you here looking like this." She reacted violently, as expected. I didn’t mean anything bad at all.

However, I let her be. I’d rather see her like this than the scenario we had before we left the campus. Her voice is still kind of raspy, almost like a man’s, but I would never tell her that.

But she looks energetic now, unlike before. I’m seeing a genuine smile from her—not the fake or flirty one.

It's as if she was able to release a heavy burden from her chest. I wasn’t wrong when I pointed out her habit. I thought she wasn’t aware, but she really chose that.

We both hate conflicts.

We’re the same.

We just want a peaceful life.

We’re the same as well.

But I’ve learned that running away from conflicts doesn’t solve anything. It just makes everything worse until you can't function anymore.

I want her to keep that genuine smile.

And the look in her eyes—it was stirring something in me.

We were in a sort of staring contest when her siblings barged in. They were unbelievably loud...

No wonder, Mine’s very talkative.

"Ate, tumatawag si Mommy," Lyron spoke, and I would occasionally fix my gaze on him. I wanted to talk with him, but now's not the time. But I guess I was still obvious.

He’s hard to find sometimes, like he’s intentionally hiding from the teams trying to draft him. I've known him as slightly twisted...

They continued having a simple talk, and it magically helped Mine recover her energy. She looks more revitalized. They really have a tight and admirable bond with each other.

Perhaps not, or Anzai just loves teasing his sister. I don’t get why he’s subtly blaming Mine. She doesn’t have any fault.

But maybe I’m his problem, like Juno?

It’s crazy to think that he likes her sister—more like protective, but it’s so extreme as if I had touched a sore spot of his.

"Ano ‘yan, gusto mong mapunta sa good side namin para makuha si Lyron ano?"

So it’s not about Mine, but Lyron? Does Lyron have no plans of choosing a team among his brothers? I’m not sure if I should be happy or worried, knowing I’ve become a target of annoyance once again.

I apologized to her siblings on Ada’s behalf. I can take full responsibility, but it’s still different if Ada would apologize herself. What made me mad is that she didn’t even bother visiting Mine. When, in fact, even if accidentally, she was the cause of this.

I definitely wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. But when I couldn’t contain my doubts, I investigated on my own.

"I-I’m sorry... I didn’t know she was allergic to it! Okay?" She was on the verge of crying, but it didn’t affect me. I’m utterly disappointed.

"So was I. But why haven’t you apologized until now? Where’s the basic courtesy and decency you had, Ada?" Her eyes widened slightly, showing a glint of anger and disbelief.

"You’re blaming me! What’s going on with you?"

"I’m not, Ada. When did I blame you? I just want you to apologize. Do you dislike her that much?" I’d even accompany her, but here she is, stubbornly arguing with me.

"What about you? Do you like her now? Because I'm telling you, she will just hurt you! She likes playing around, dont trust her!"

It pained me, it was like she's adding salts in my open wounds.

"I'm grateful for the concern, Ada. But I'm not a child, I can handle that on my own and I can fully decide for myself. Stop avoiding the topic."

"Fine, I will!"

I closed my eyes, trying to compose myself. "You’re not sincere."

"Do I sound like that to you?! You're unbelievable!"

"Let’s talk when we’ve cooled down. I’m sorry for barging into your room."

"N-No—I'm sorry na, Ami..."

"Not to me, Ada," She nodded.

I made sure to bring her to Mine when the date of the event came. Mine’s not blaming her at all, but it doesn’t mean Ada doesn’t owe her an apology.

The fashion ramp came, and I was utterly amazed by Mine’s designs. I’m not being biased here,  but her works were outstanding, it can easily draw your attention and her mark would live rent free in your mind. I felt like a walking mannequin because the clothes were getting more recognition, which is how it should be.

She could actually model them if she were allowed.

She’d be breathtaking...

And I’d probably lose my mind.

f l w r s a u s a g e

Chasing Home PlateWhere stories live. Discover now