In The Space Between

Chapter 4

"Ano ba 'yan, after ng long weekend, back to hell na naman tayo..." Aero groaned as he lay sprawled on the locker room floor, not caring that it might be dirty. Their basketball practice match had just ended, and he and Kaito were the only ones left in the room.

"Ba't nandito ka, Kaito? Wala ka bang swim practice?" Aero asked, glancing at Kaito, who was changing into his casual clothes.

"Vrix asked me to substitute for him today. He’s sick," Kaito replied, tossing an unused towel in Aero's direction.

Aero pulled the towel down, chuckling. “Since when did you become the team substitute? You're not usually the type to pick up someone else's slack.”

Kaito shrugged, slipping his hoodie over his head. "Just a favor. Besides, it kept me busy."

"Kept you busy, huh?” Aero raised an eyebrow, sensing something beneath Kaito’s nonchalant answer. He could always tell when Kaito was avoiding something, but he didn’t press further, instead shifting the conversation to something lighter. “How’s life going with you? Since you bailed on my place?”

Kaito paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. “You miss me already?”

Aero snorted. “Miss you? Nah. But my mom’s been hovering around me like crazy ever since you left. You wouldn’t believe it—she came home, and it’s like I can’t breathe without her making a comment. Literal na binibaby niya ako as if I’m still a kid.”

A rare grin spread across Kaito’s face as he pulled on his sneakers. "Sounds like she missed you."

“Missed me? More like missed nagging me about everything. But yeah, it’s been kinda nice.” Aero’s voice softened, and for a moment, the room felt lighter—free from the usual stress of school, sports, and expectations.

Kaito's silently wish that he could've atleast have his mom back, maybe she'll also do that to him.

The two shared a quiet moment of laughter, relishing in the simplicity of their conversation. The outside world always seemed more complicated, but here, in the locker room, everything felt paused. Like for a brief moment, the space between them wasn’t weighed down by the usual pressures.

Just as their laughter died down, the locker room door swung open, and two figures walked in. Aero didn’t bother moving from the floor, lazily tilting his head to see who it was.

"Sorry, naistorbo ba namin kayo?" Green asked, stepping in with a hesitant smile. Standing beside him was Everest, looking as irritated as ever.

"Okay lang, what’s up?" Aero remained on the floor, too tired to bother getting up.

"Nasaan yung kaibigan niyong spy ng China?" Everest asked, stepping into view with an annoyed expression. Aero shot up from the floor, suddenly alert.

"What did he do this time, Navarro?" Kaito asked, barely hiding his amusement.

"Perwisyo ‘yang spy na kaibigan niyo! Pag talaga nakita ko siya, ipapakain ko sa kanya lahat ng pina-luto niya!" Everest fumed, pacing back and forth as Aero and Kaito tried not to laugh at his frustration.

"Anong ginawa niya?" Aero asked, wiping a tear from his eye as he sat up.

"Tumawag sa nanay ko kagabi at nag makaawa na utusan ako na ipag-luto siya kase may sakit daw. Pati nanay ko dinadamay pa niya sa ka-demonyohan niya." Everest ranted, his face flushed with annoyance.

Kaito and Aero burst out laughing at Everest's dramatic complaints. Green, standing off to the side, was also stifling his own laughter, looking away to hide his grin.

"Tangina, parang inaasar ako ng buong mundo!" Everest grumbled, though the corner of his lips twitched with amusement. He knew the guys found the situation hilarious, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to strangle the so-called "spy"—their mischievous friend who often caused havoc.