stalemate (BL Novel)

King's Gambit prologue

this extra chapter happened during chapter 2 of Stalemate,

when Eisuke left school early to fetch his cousin in the airport.

[ *senpai- is a term use to call a senior (in school/work)]

***

<< eisuke >>

I ALREADY LOST COUNT HOW MANY TIMES I'VE GLANCED OVER THE LARGE WALL CLOCK HANGING ON THE WHITE WALL. It's been 40 past 5 in the afternoon and I could hear the monsters in my stomach growling for their meal. Yuma's flight was supposed to arrive at around 3 o'clock and yet here I am still waiting for him to show up. Pinagsisisihan kong hindi muna ako nagmeryenda bago dumiretso dito sa airport. I was just so excited to see Yuma again.

Watching the people with different faces of tiredness, exhaustion, and— most of the time- happiness passing in front of me while dragging their suitcases kept me a bit entertained.

For the nth time, my eyes flew to the direction of the clock like it's starting to become a habit, an involuntary movement. Maybe my source of entertainment was no longer working.

'Damn! Nagskip pa ako ng klase para lang dito tapos delayed pa ang arrival niya?'

I can't help but worry—and feel a bit guilty—for leaving the work on our presentation to Youjin alone. But then suddenly, my phone rings.

"Eisuke! Nasaan ka? Nandito na kami!"

Muling bumalik ang excitement ko ng marinig ko ang boses ni Yuma. His voice sounded deep and yet really cheerful.

"Ah! Nandito ako sa waiting area."

'Wait? Sinabi ba niyang 'kami'?'

"Eisuke!"

Agad ding nasagot ang sagot ko ng lumingon ako sa direksyon ng boses na tumawag sa pangalan ko. Agad kong nakita ang nakangiting mukha ni Yuma at sa tabi nya ay isang pamilyar na mukha. I know my expression turned sour as soon as I saw him but it only made that person smile as if satisfied by my greeting.

"Hi Eisuke." Bati ni Yuma, the whole time hindi nawala ang ngiti sa labi niya.

"Hindi mo sinabing may kasama ka palang uuwi?" The annoyance in my tone and expression can never be concealed as long as this person is concerned.

That made him chuckle. "Hi Eisuke. It's been a while and yet wala ka pa ring ipinagbago."

"Ikaw din. Nakakairita pa din mukha mo." I retorted.

"Thanks." He continued laughing as he wipes the corner of his eye.

"Hindi ko ba nasabi na kasabay kong uuwi si Reiji?"

"Nah."

This time si Yuma naman ang tumawa. "Akala ko sinabi ko nung una pa lang..."

I sneered at him. "Whatever. Tara na sa kotse, nagugutom na ako. Nagluto si tita ng mga paborito mong pagkain." I helped Yuma with his handbag.

"Talaga?!" The tiredness reflecting from his eyes immediately vanished then it lit up in anticipation. "Reiji, mamaya ka na umuwi sa inyo. Nagluto daw si mama."

"Yeah. Namiss ko din ang luto ni tita."

***

THE DRIVE BACK WAS ANNOYING.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na limang taon na ang lumipas mula ng huli kong nakita si Reiji-senpai* pero ganun pa din siya kaannoying. Maybe it just caught me off-guard seeing him again. Buong akala ko si Yuma lang ang susunduin ko although alam kong magkasama sila sa university hindi ko lang akalain na sabay din sila uuwi. But silly me, ang chance na hindi sila sabay uuwi ay 1% lang considering na hindi mapaghiwalay itong dalawa mula pa nung mga bata sila.