Rainbow Within the Darkness

Episode 7

Chapter 13 "Coldness, Guilt and Distancing"

When the morning came, the main class was expecting the punishment they might get for doing a commotion and indeed, their expectations were granted.

The music sounded signing that the class will start soon however, today, that bell wasn't meant to go to their designated classes rather, it was a sign that the calamity will come soon. At least, for the main class, that's the point. After awhile, the speaker spoke up, "Please, come to the gymnasium right now." Repeat and repeat until the gymnasium was filled with students. When the students entered and stood organized according to their classes, they saw a particular grade level of main class students with three other students —that belongs to another class— standing in the center of the stage upstairs. They're standing as if soldiers ready for the bloodiest battle they could ever participate of, apparently appearing so conspicuous however, the students can't help but to focus to their favorite senior or junior, it was Ran.

Among them, in the eyes of many, he wasn't the typical Ran they'd always met. His eyes were colder and cimmerian. As if a body without soul or a sun without fire. And perhaps, what they wanted to see was his smiles. His iconic sweet daring smile whom was gone, unfortunately. Indeed, this Ran they see wasn't the Ran they'd always socialized with. Almost as if he wasn't Ran himself.

"Good morning, students." Finally, the principal begun. She was standing in front of the students, as if a commander ready to punish them while a microphone was on her hand. The whole gymnasium stood silent as the principal continued, "Yesterday, the annual festival was held and unfortunately, an accident happened. I already knew the whole story behind it and a punishment has already been decided by all of us, teachers. Now, why am I here announcing such incident?" The principal trailed. "It was to let you know that you should always be careful of the things you do, wether it was for fun or not. So, why am I saying 'fun or not'? It was because yesterday's fire was caused by a game involving the main class and the three other students."

The gymnasium was field with whispering. The old lady ignored them and continued, "I will not side anyone. I will never do that however, that doesn't mean I will let this pass. Remember, I don't need money to compensate for the damage, what I need is manners to avoid such tragedies!" The old lady's voice became louder and the fury was visible. She, then looked at her back and faced her back against the students. What welcomed her were the faces of the main class, full of guilt and sadness. "You! You are the main class! I expected you all to be better among all and yet—and yet.....what if anyone of you got hurt?! Can I just say my apologies to your parents as if it was a simple thing to do?" The old lady's voice cracked. "You kids are precious. Don't do something this ridiculous and dangerous. Even if it was just an accident, it was still alarming! You only live once! You only becomes teenager once! Don't do something that'll put your years into a dust! Sometimes, it's not wrong to listen and give up your pride, you're still young, do something phenomenon that can make your life memorable.... don't do something rush." Seconds later, the principal burst into tears. The whole gymnasium was filled with silent sobs and secret tears.

"Eion, and you two, will be removed from the school for three months and the main class shall do services including cleaning the school yard, the school facility and the laboratories for two months. I expect you to wholeheartedly accept the punishment." After revealing the punishment, everyone slightly nodded and sighed. Honestly, the majority were worried that Ran would undergo a hard consequence for the incident that's why when they found out it was a bit lighter, they sighed in relief. After that, the old lady started walking away and everybody thought the speech was done however, she again halted and said while looking straight at Ran, "Ah, before I forgot, for winning the competitions, do you perhaps want something in exchange? Maybe to help your fellow students?"

When everyone heard that, no one talked. Of course, it was because they automatically thinks Ran will do what the principal had suggested, so, they waited for an answer. While the students down there were intently focused to Ran, the remaining main class students up in the stage where looking at the same direction but with different gaze. Truthfully, they betrayed him by not trusting him about the game however, knowing Ran, they were expecting him to help them. Furthermore, it was more realistic of him to lend a hand than to do betrayal. So, they felt hopeful especially when Ran said, "I'd like to, Madam." However, he added, "Please remove me from the punishment."

And with that, the students gasped in exasperation. Rana, Yumi, Xian, Hase and Crimson stood quiet while Vivian and the others' hope finally shattered into pieces. Then the principal clarified, "You? I mean, you alone?"

Ran smiled coldly, "Yes, Madam. Spare no one. Only me." He muttered normally.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Madam. I am sure." Thus, the madam nodded and said, "Very well said. I'm giving you your freedom. Thank you, everyone. Go back to you rooms!"

The students started leaving the gymnasium, whispering with confused and surprised look. Whisper. Whisper. Whisper. Until the noise is gone. When everyone left, Eion and his friends with unhappy expression followed leaving the main class quiet and unmoved. They remained inside the gymnasium, waiting for Ran's explanation however, it seems like he won't talk.

When he moved a few steps indicating that he'll leave, Vivian went out the crowd and asked, "Why did you do that? Why didn't you include us?" Her tone was demanding and her voice was shaking. She looks indeed pitiful however, Ran, without feeling any mercy and pity reprimanded, "I'm doing what you should've done to me."

Vivian was speechless. Right, why would she feel bad and irritated if Ran did that to them? It's not as if they didn't betray him too. Apparently, they deserve this.

"But Ran—" Ran cut off Dav's words. "I don't have any responsibility with you anymore."

Hearing him say that, Rana, who was his cousin was intrigued and queried, "What do you mean?"

"I will change classes."

Change? Why? Why would he do that? Isn't that too much? Too many questions filled their minds but neither anyone voice it out. "What are you talking about?" Rana queried again, in confusion.

"Rana...I don't like a class who abuses anyone like this. I'm not a machine to be use when needed. I'll switch classes, wanna come?"

"Ran! Stop joking around. Take it back!" Yumi stepped in.

"I want to leave. I don't want to stay here anymore. I've done anything I could and in the end, I was betrayed. Why? Are you guys mad at me? Is it because I didn't drink that alcohol? I don't care. So please, f**k it and let me go."

"Ran... You're just mad. Come on. We're sorry, okay?" It was Vivian who talked.

"Sorry, too. But I'm tired."

Since then, Ran really left the main class. Not the type of leave who really left. Three years ago was the year recorded that he left the class, however, that wasn't the logically truth. Within that three years, two years that Ran became a student with no definite class. At times, he'd go in the main class and at times, you'll see him blending with the students in the last class. He comes back and fort, in and out of the main class however, even though they see him sitting on his usual chair, he doesn't talk often like before. He doesn't participate in events presenting the main class anymore. And whenever the main class is having hardships, he'll leave them alone and go back to another class he stays in, refusing to lend a hand he used to do before. With his new attitude, careless behavior and cold atmosphere, it felt like he wasn't with them at all. And after two years, in the last year of that three years, Ran finally left the main class and switch his badge with another class's badge. Since then, whenever he competes, it wasn't under the main class anymore but under the new class he stays in.

And the main class realized that guilt is something that doesn't fly away even after so many years. It stays as long as you can't move on. And there, the guilt remained as the coldness grew colder, showing how distanced Ran to them is.

Chapter 14 "An open forum"

It will be a lie if Marica said she wasn't disappointed even a bit, of course she was! Furthermore, Ran seemed he trusted and thought the main class as his family before, hence, knowing how they betrayed him made Marica flinch a bit. However, that happened years ago, and she doesn't belong in the picture so, logically, she shouldn't involve herself with that issue.

"Thanks, Eion. But please, leave and let us rest." And so, she wanted to end the talk as early as she can.

"Then leave with me. Let's talk."

Marica sighed in tiredness and silently took Ran's hand. She then looked back at Eion and uttered, "Fine. We'll be the one to leave. You're such a nuisance." Her tone was low, as if she was just forcing her mouth to talk. Without even hearing his reply, Marica stood up still holding Ran's hand and pulled him towards the outside. Soon enough, she felt her friends following them behind. When she look back, she saw Xian holding onto Hase's hand while Yumi was pulling Rana who was looking somewhere else. As they approach the school facility, the distance between them and Crimson grew smaller. Then they stopped, exactly a meter apart from the two.

"Stop flirting, Crimson. Come with us." She spoke up and yet Crimson went silent, avoided her gaze and what shocked Marica more was when that lady sitting suddenly stood up and clung her arms to Crimson's arm and he didn't even move a bit to remove it. Automatically, her head turned to Rana who was looking furious while staring straight into Crimson's arm. When Marica was about to talk, Rana already moved on her own. She took the lady's arm away from Crimson's with brutality and said threateningly, "Don't touch him, you dirty bitch." And what happened next was vise versa. That lady took down Rana's hand away from Crimson and said, "Don't touch my boyfriend, Creepy Mute."

When he heard her insult Rana, Crimson forced himself to calm down and whispered, "Shut it. Don't insult her." And yet it was enough for Rana and the others to hear. That lady rolled her eyes and surrendered. "Fine. Then let's leave." Crimson, after a brief silence agreed, "Okay." And everyone, especially Rana was alarmed.

When he saw how alarmed Rana is, "Crimson! What are you doing?" Xian finally meddled. On his back was Hase who wasn't smiling as usual and on his his side was Yumi who was looking straight at Crimson.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing? Tell us she's lying, right? Stop playing pranks, will you?" However, Crimson replied, "I'm not playing pranks."

"Then, stop this and come with us." This time, it was Yumi who spoke up.

"I told you, my boyfriend isn't—" Without even letting her finish, Ran said, "Fine. Talk to me later, Crimson." He turned to Rana who was beside Crimson. "Let Savina and Crimson go, Rana. We'll talk to him later."

On the back of Marica's head comes a praise saying, 'No wonder why he was trustworthy, he acts accordingly'. And that praise was for, no other than Ran.

Ran saw how Rana hesitated hence, he grabbed his cousin's hand gently and pulled her afterwards. Now, Marica stood on Rana's position as Yumi's duo. As they walked towards the school facility and away from Crimson, out of habit, Marica glanced back and she saw how Crimson immediately took his arms away from 'Savina's' grip. Seeing that scene, Marica immensely concluded, 'Something definitely happened'. And when they got inside the class, she did nothing but to sit and think of whatever happened three years ago. Perhaps, she didn't ask any questions to Eion anymore, but it wasn't because she's not interested,it is just she felt like Ran wasn't comfortable about it. So, she dropped the topic and went away.

When the class ended, they all concluded to go home all together. However, when they're about to go, Savina came to the main class and told them that she have something to talk with Crimson. Of course, that was a lie. She just wanted to provoke Rana hence, Marica came to the rescue and muttered, "Meet him tommorow." However, Savina reprimanded, "Who are you to tell me that? He's my boyfriend—" Marica's ear got itchy and cut her off, "And he's my classmate. Remember, you're not in a restaurant, this is school. C.l.a.s.s.m.a.t.e."

When Savina heard Marica's bravely truth reply, she felt outraged and was about to attack her back however, she immediately muted herself when she accidentally saw Ran's cold cimmerian stares. A kind of stares that could pierce her into pieces. On the other side, when Marica and the rest didn't hear any disapproval anymore, without a word, they left the room until they reached the gate of the school ground. And when they were slowly walking along the wide side walk, everyone was unnaturally silent. Only cars and trains can be heard until Yumi can no longer take it and broke the silence, "Let's go to a cafe. Let's talk about our hiking in mountain San Marcos." She began and fortunately, no one of them disagreed.

When they arrived at the cafe were Crimson himself was working at, everyone was still silent. Hence, after a minute of doing nothing and staring at blank spaces, Xian spoke up, "This is really suffocating me. Crimson, why don't you just tell us the truth?"

Crimson, who was sitting beside Ran and in front of Rana then slightly moved his chair and avoided Rana's gaze. "What truth? That's the truth."

"No...I mean...why would you be her guy? Did you court her? When? Since when? Why didn't we know?" Xian consecutively queried. Crimson's face went sour and was slightly taken a back by the number of questions however still answered with straight face. "It's because you didn't ask."

Indeed, his answer was ridiculous and too nonsense. Furthermore, Crimson isn't the type of guy who answers like that. He isn't Ran or Hase who spits the least words they could say hence, hearing his reply, albeit having inability to reprimand, they still can't let themselves to believe him easily. Besides, in the first place, why would he fall in love with Savina that fast? Isn't that suspicious? Or perhaps those thoughts were just created on their minds themselves for they couldn't accept the possibility that maybe Crimson really fell in love with her miraculously.

"Crimson, is there something wrong? You can tell us. To Rana." Yumi gently muttered.

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?" Yumi asked again to make sure, expecting to hear a different answer however, Crimson said in his ground, "Yes."

"Crimson—"

"Enough, Xian." Finally, Rana spoke up, turned her gaze to Crimson and unnaturally smiled, "Congratulations. You're still friends with me.... with us, right? Right, Crim?" She muttered while her lips uplifting however, in contrary, her voice sounded so bitter and empty. Making her congratulatory come out nothing but insincerity.

When Crimson saw her smile, he knew it wasn't a smile of happiness but sadness and rage. He knew that Rana will act like this but he actually doesn't know why he assumed she will, his instinct tells him. Of course, wether it was out of affection or just pure bitterness because he's in a relationship with someone they dislike, Crimson doesn't like to see her like that. And truth to be told, he wanted to say something to make her okay however, he knew that the outcomes will be based according to how he acts hence, he bitterly smiled too and accepted her obviously fake congratulations, "Thanks, Rana. Of course, I'm still your best friend!" He exclaimed.

After an hour of talking different topics, everybody decided to go home. Besides, the night's already getting deeper and deeper, going home should be a must. Hence, when they're outside the cafe waiting for Crimson who's busy talking to his manager, Marica suddenly elbowed Ran and ask, "Are we taking Rana along with us?" Partially, she wants to tag her along however, Ran pointedly answered, "No, Crimson should talk to her alone. Rana wasn't satisfied with his explanation."

Marica nodded in agreement. Indeed ,even though they acted normal,their laughter and smiles is still not enough to be a basis that Rana have no queries anymore. And even though Marica doesn't really know anything particularly to what's is Crimson's real identify, she feels that he isn't harmful especially to Rana and the two must talk seriously. Furthermore, it just doesn't make any sense, how could Crimson fall for a girl who acts like that? Who talks rudely to Rana whom he had always protected? It's must be ridiculous but at the same time, only Crimson, Savina and probably Eion and his group who knows the real answer or perhaps, he really did fell in love, love is magical after all.

When Crimson is finally done talking to his manager, he approached the group of friends automatically and out of habit, took Rana's bag without saying anything. Of course, Rana and the rest was taken aback however didn't talk a word for half says on their mind ,'bad habits die harder' or 'his words contradicts his actions' and said their goodbyes.

Xian and Hase went home together, Yumi met with her guy friend again and Rana and Crimson went somewhere together leaving Marica alone with Ran. Out of frequency, when Marica was left with Ran, she thought that they'd go home together. However, shockingly this time, Ran invited Marica to go somewhere and with no further questions and with pure excitement, she agreed. She followed him all the way from entering the train until going to their destination. After an hour, they arrived at a beach beside a long road.

The beach was quiet and breezy. The night was starry and calm. Up ahead comes a gazillion of stars and on one side comes the crescent moon making the supposedly dim night even more brighter. Off the shore goes waves after waves and on the road, a series of high-technology street lights. Underneath those lights comes a wooden benches.

Marica blankly stared at the wide sea just a little below the road. As she stands in the side road, holding the metals cemented on the land, she felt Ran's footstep on her behind. After a while, Ran surpassed her and she saw fireworks and such on his hand. Ran said, "Let's go near the sea." Before walking down the stairs. After 5 or so steps, they finally reached the beginning of the sand. They walk and walk towards the sea and when they're a meter away from it, they finally stopped. Ran took out what he's holding and gave some to Marica before lighting fire to those. Afterwards, a blinking-star like came out, and the light made by it was reflected upon Marica's dark brown eyeballs. As her mood lift up, she can't help but to sway the stick like thing on her hand as if a wand. Sway and sway and Ran can't help but to watch her intently. On his lips was a shadow of smile.

After awhile, when Marica was already satisfied, she turned herself towards Ran's direction and while wearing her brightest and most sincere smile, she spoke up, "I'm glad you took me here! It's so fun!" Her voice was indeed full of joy. As if a lightning struck Ran, he can't help but to stare at her, wind blowing along the starry night's music and her hair was dancing through it's melody. And in a blink of an eye, he can no longer see the wide sea nor the shadow of the crescent moon leading an army of thousand stars, rather what only filled his eyes was a young girl smiling beautifully, her eyes were shining and her laughter echoing.

"Ran!" At last, he woke up.

When Ran heard her worried voice, he immediately softly cleared his throat and switched position. Standing beside Marica who's still worried, he tilted his position and stared at the long sea with unseen horizon. After awhile, he muttered, "It's her birthday today."

"I know. Of course, I do." Marica smiled sweetly.

Of course, how could she forget the birthday of her most special person's mother? Honestly, she had planned something to do with Ran but with so much happenings today, she wasn't able to grab the opportunity to do that. That's why now that Ran himself did something, she was greatly relieved. However, as she thinks deeper, Marica finally noticed something, "How about Rana? Aren't you going to celebrate it with her?"