Rewind (Erityian Tribes Novella, #2)

11 - Assault

Days passed and we didn't talk to each other. What happened that night made us tense and uncomfortable toward each other though I didn't know why.

"Let's stop this."

Naaalala ko na naman. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang kailangang itigil. I was pretty sure it was a one-sided affection but that statement confused me more, and confusion was one of the things I hate the most.

Nag-ayos na lang ako ng gamit dahil mamayang madaling-araw ay aalis na kami ni Akira, samantalang 'yong tatlo ay magsstay rito. The vacation before the Fielding has started and I can't believe that seven months have already passed. It felt like I used my sixth sense for a long time.

I was in the middle of packing my clothes when Akira approached me.

"Naomi," she called with her stern expression.

"Hm?" I put away my clothes and gave my attention to her.

"Alam kong napapansin mo rin . . ." Her voice trailed off but I already knew what she wanted to say through her inner voice. 'Something is really strange about Akemi though I don't know what.'

"I know," sagot ko naman. "She gives off a dangerous vibe and her sudden disappearances make me more doubtful."

"Umaalis din ako tuwing madaling araw para mag-training at minsan ay hindi ko na siya naaabutan dito." Ah so that was what she was doing. I thought she was secretly meeting with her fiance.

"Hideo's already observing her so we don't need to worry."

Bigla namang nagbago ang expression niya at tumingin siya sa akin nang nakakaloko.

"Pansin ko lang, bakit hindi mo na hinahampas—" I glared at her. "I mean, kinakausap si Mitsuo? Nag-away ba kayong dalawa?"

I was hoping that no one would notice our situation but Akira's instinct was second to none and lying to her wouldn't be a good choice.

"Sort of," sabi ko naman at pinagpatuloy ko ang pagliligpit ko. "He's too complex. I can't understand him at all."

"You mean, the both of you are complex," she retorted. "It's too obvious that you guys are attracted to each other."

Saglit akong napatigil dahil sa sinabi niya. Did I hear it right? And how did she know?

"Anong sabi mo?" tanong ko at tinuro niya ang tenga niya.

"I know everybody's secrets."

Pagkatapos no'n ay napunta na sa iba ang usapan namin at inayos na rin namin ang mga gamit namin. Kumain lang kami at naghintay ng ilang oras pero nagulat na lang kami nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. Akemi was catching her breath as she stared at us, as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Hindi na namin tatanungin kung saan ka galing pero aalis na kami," Akira said with her teasing smile.

Hinintay lang namin si Akemi na makauwi para makapagpaalam kaya naman kinuha na namin ang mga gamit namin at lumabas ng kwarto. Pero bago kami tuluyang makalabas ay halos sabay pa kami ni Akira na gumamit ng inner voice.

'Don't worry. Your secret moments are safe with me,' she said.

'Pagbalik ko, we're going to talk about a lot of things,' sabi ko naman at saka kami tuluyang lumabas.

"Secret moments? You mean with Hideo?" tanong ko kaagad noong nasa labas na kami ng dorm.

"Yeah."

We trod inside the forest and using our weapons, cleared the wild plants and shrubs stems along the way until we reached the abandoned mansion in the outskirts of the city after a couple of hours. Actually, we could've crossed the lake and walked into the forest and we could've arrived at the park but there might be few people strolling and exercising around so this was a good choice.