Rewind (Erityian Tribes Novella, #2)

05 - Surprise

"You monsters. Are you serious?"

Nakatulala lang si Akira sa amin habang inaayos ko ang papers na pinagsulatan ng decoded chapters ng book. Halos nasa kalahati na kami pero dahil ang sakit na ng mata ko ay tinigil ko muna. Akemi fell asleep on the floor and I didn't wake her up since she seems tired these past few days. Buti na lang at wala kaming pasok ngayon kaya makakapagpahinga na ako.

"Matutulog ka na?" tanong ni Akira no'ng papunta na ako sa kama. "Wait! Samahan mo muna akong kumain sa plaza!"

Ah. So he's here.

"Chaperone ulit ako?" She blushed after I said that. She's been doing this for three years so I know that her fiancé is here.

"Please?" she pleaded. Well, I've been accompanying her for three years as well, so I really have no choice.

"Fine."

Naghilamos lang ako at nagbihis, then after that ay umalis na kaming dalawa at iniwan namin si Akemi sa kwarto. Habang naglalakad kami ay hindi mapakali si Akira kaya saglit akong napangiti. Aside from solving a crime or case, this is the only time Akira becomes quiet and restless.

When we arrived at their meeting place, I silently drift away from them, giving them their time to talk and enjoy each other's company without me. Besides, Kohaku has been sending silent pleas through his inner voice, to be with Akira alone.

'Thanks, Naomi,' he said. 'I owe you one.'

'Yeah, sure.'

Umalis na ako roon pero tinignan ko pa rin sila noong makalayo na ako. Kohaku and Akira has been friends since they were young, but when their parents decided to get them married in the future, they've become uncomfortable with each other. It's not uncommon for Erityians to let the parents decide for the marriage of their children. They also pick someone from a family or clan they know since they need to assess the strength and abilities of their child's partner.

My grandmother might be thinking about my marriage, too. I'm sure she has already picked someone from other families. Ideally, her choice would be Hideo, since our familial ties are quite strong. We've been together since we're children and even though we're not saying anything about it, we know that in the future, we're going to be husband and wife.

"Ah!"

Nagulat naman ako nang may naramdaman akong bumangga sa akin. Pagtingin ko ay natumba na pala sa harapan ko si Reina. Umupo naman ako para magka-level kami ng posisyon.

"Sorry, Reina. Okay ka lang ba?" Tinulungan ko siyang tumayo at pinagpagan naman niya ang damit niya.

"Mmm." Tumango siya sa akin pero naiiyak na siya. For a 4-year old kid, I was surprised by her behavior. She tried not to cry in front of me and I find that appealing.

"Gusto mo ba ng ice cream?" tanong ko para makabawi at biglang nagliwanag ang mukha niya kaya napangiti ako.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Nawala ang bakas ng lungkot niya kaya naman hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at pumunta kami sa ice cream parlor sa plaza. Papasok na kami nang biglang huminto si Reina.

"Ah! Kuya Misho!" sabay turo niya sa right side.

I saw Mitsuo walking towards our direction, with his usual 'annoyed' expression. He looked at Reina but he immediately averted his eyes. Then I remember that he's not good with kids. Before he can escape, I swiftly blocked his path and hit his chest.

"Kanina ka pa niya tinatawag," I said while looking at Reina.

Nakahawak lang si Mitsuo sa dibdib niya at pinipigilan niya pang maubo. Hindi ko naman madescribe ang expression na ginawa niya no'ng tumingin siya kay Reina. Bago pa siya makagalaw ulit ay hinawakan na ni Reina ang kamay niya.