Rainbow Within the Darkness

Episode 6

Chapter 11 "A not so normal day"

Marica waited for an answer and it didn't take too long when Rana's voice sounded. Still cimmerian as ever. "I don't know." However, Marica noticed something different, it was her voice. Her voice was way more furious than the time they fought.

"Why? What did you see this time?" It was Ran who asked.

Rana pouted in luminous irritation and replied seemingly hesitating, "I saw a love letter on his desk. And he went to settle things with the sender." Even though she didn't mention any name, everyone automatically knew whom she was talking about. Marica ended up speechless for a moment, she thought of a nice thing to say and when she was done constructing, she attempted to talk however, she noticed Rana's attention was no longer to them but to somewhere else thus failed to say a word. She followed her gaze and when she saw Crimson afar, near a big tree with a girl, she elbowed the person beside her.

When Ran felt Marica's elbow hitting him, he was taken a back and held her elbow to stop. While holding her elbow gently and walking along the hallway, without even taking a glance at Marica, he looked at Rana and then looked at where Rana was staring at. When he saw Crimson with a girl outside the school facility, he immediately felt worried and the thought that he was holding Marica's elbow forthwith forgotten. He remained seriously watching Crimson and his cousin's reaction back and fort until they reached the stairs. When Yumi said, 'What's with the elbow?', only then did he notice where his hand had been placed and as if a fire burned him, he instantly removed his palm away from Marica. Soon after, they went down the stairs. However, the silent teasing couldn't be ignored as Xian and Yumi giggled at each other leaving Marica with crimson pair of cheeks and Ran with a soft glimpse of smile.

But the smile and joy didn't last because even after reaching the laboratory canteen, Rana's eyes were still focused on the two person in front of the school facility near the well said canteen. Just like when they're still at the school's second floor, the two of them were under the big tree. Crimson was standing while the girl was sitting in the wooden bench, smiling ear to ear making Rana do the contrary.

"Eat, Rana. Crimson won't like such kind of girl." It was Yumi who broke the silence.

"Why?" Marica, on the other hand queried. It's just hard for her to know what's wrong with the girl. I mean, she's beautiful and it seems like she's a jolly type. A totally similar to Crimson himself.

"It's because she's Eion's cousin. You know, Marica, don't judge a book by its cover. She perhaps looks so innocent in the eyes of many however, she's the most popular man collector. And Crimson was her next target." Xian answered her. Marica nodded in reply and Hase added, "She's your ex, right?" Marica was left speechless. On the contrary, Yumi started laughing in exasperation while Rana and Ran remained stoic.

Xian apparently felt grim and disappointedly muttered, "Stop, Hase. Don't say something like that." Hase smiled at him and finger comb his hair.

After a while, they began to eat their lunch while Xian, Yumi and Marica talk about so many different and similar things. Suddenly, the canteen became chaotic with people's whispers and hushing, soon after, the large door opened and three guys entered. It was Eion, Vivian's twin brother and another stranger. They're the guys who halted Marica early in the morning. And unnaturally, upon their arrival, silence occupied the spaces between the crowd leaving Marica confused.

While gripping her fork tightly, Yumi and Xian's faces became visibly sour as if a virus came however, in contrary, Ran and Hase looks so calm. Rana stayed focused on Crimson and Eion's cousin while Marica seemed lost. These three guys approached their table and the first person who talked was Eion, with his so called cool poise, he muttered, "Marica....can we talk alone? I want to tell you something." Indeed, he looked cool and sounded sexy however, Marica reprimanded, "No, we can't." Truthfully,she wasn't interested in him even a bit.

"You know, this will benefit you. Why are you hanging with a shitty bastard like Ran? He'll eventually betray you—" CLAM! A loud bang of a metal sounded and echoed around the canteen that made his words cut off. The attention was now focus on that person. "Shut the f**k up." Shockingly, it was the elegant Yumi. Afterwards, consecutive gasping can be heard. Indeed, rather than seeing Eion create a scene randomly, it's more shocking to see Yumi cursed as if a thug whom never had elegance.

"You should be the one shutting up—" Eion reprimanded and Yumi muttered back, "Oh, really? Why would I?" The next thing they knew, they started bickering nonstop.

When Marica can no longer take it to her patience, she shouted making everyone in the canteen halt, "Enough! I'm really tired of this!" And the whole place went silent again. She then took a look at Eion and said, "Please, stop ruining someone else's day. And please, stop cursing Ran." However, albeit almost asking for a request and plea, Eion reprimanded, "You're curious, aren't you? About what happened three years ago? I can tell you."

Honestly, she was curious. She wanted to ask what happened three years ago but she can't due to the thought that maybe Ran wouldn't like that. And now that Eion offered a hand to help her ease her curiosity, her desire to know became even more large. However, when she turned her gaze upon the unreadable face of Ran, her worries and curiosity vanished into thin air and wholeheartedly said, "No, thanks.".

When Eion heard her no, he felt disappointed. Adding the thought that Marica sounded not curious at all anymore made him outrage and without permission, he began to tell a story.

Chapter 12 "The history three years ago"

It was three years ago, on the exact day of the west school's annual festival, when an unforgettable event happened.

The West school Festival happens every year and on this year, the Main class of Ran's year grade were the ones responsible for the event. They made the festival more grandiose, absolute and calculated that no one thought something even a little trouble might happen. That day, only smiles and cheers can be heard. The sports, foods, stalls, shows were indeed beautiful to be told. And what made the festival more wonderful and enjoying was Ran's violin performance and the main class' immense and astonishing elegant theatrical show. However, as the clock reaches twelve in the middle of the day, the group of main class eating together in the laboratory canteen were approached by three people. It was, of course, Eion, Vivian's twin brother and the stranger guy. They're the trouble makers of the well said school. Often you can see them going back and fort in and out of the principal's lair and most of the time, their actions were explicitly disturbing however, because of social statuses neither the principal nor the teacher could kick them out.

That day, the malicious Eion dropped a ridiculous challenge and without even asking, they already knew whom he was referring the challenge to. Of course, it was no other than Ran. Because anyone knew that no one except him can humiliate Eion up to the deepest core, Eion carries the biggest hatred and fury for him. So, it wasn't shocking to see him attacking them that it almost felt like it was the most normal scenario to be seen, however, this time was different from the past challenges he offered. The challenge was playing cards; a game that Eion expertise and a gamble that Ran doesn't even know how to play with. Now, for the first time, they knew who is the upper hand and unfortunately, it was Eion.

At first, they ignored Eion's challenge and some even continued eating as if no one approached them in the beginning but when Eion finally revealed the consequences once Ran loses, everyone halted and their facial expressions became sour. The consequence was to be a dog to them, a thing that even the elegant Yumi nor the happy go lucky Crimson couldn't even agree with. Furthermore, everyone thinks that among all the classes, Main class carries the most elegant, kind, united, helpful, etc. etc. , students that they're poured with high respects and many even adores and look up to them hence, what if everyone finds out they lost in such a ridiculous game, wouldn't it be humiliating? Of course it will, just who in the world could imagine that they're good at many things but bad with a simple gambling? Realistically, even a small thing like that is a big thing to others. And the main class knew what they're afraid of; it was to be embarrass and outcast. And also, other main class of the upper and lower grade level will be drag along with them, that'll be a chaos.

Admit it or not, people will always find something to attack you with. There is no such thing that majority says 'We accept your mistakes' when they found something disappointing to you because in the contrary, people will say 'I thought you guys are good at everything' or 'playing cards are simple yet they can't even do it' and etc etc. And when things became worst, it wasn't the one who're judgmental that losses some confidence, rather it was them, the main class. Additionally, if they losses, what more can be humiliating than to follow a troublemaker and violent lad's surely idiotic orders? To become a dog to a ruthless owner is something that even the real dog doesn't want to become of. So, they thought of one thing; to not play. However, after concluding the same logic, they immediately realized that running away was more humiliating otherwise they don't feel anything at all and so, without even voicing that conclusion out, they dropped it away. With no other choice, they agreed to play leaving all the hardships and expectations to Ran.

Ran on the other hand felt worried and suffocated but never let it show to others. As the anxiousness turns visible to the rest of the students in the main class, Yumi, Vivian, Hase, Xian, Rana and Crimson felt nothing but boredom. Truthfully, Yumi and Vivian feels a little nervous but knowing that it was Ran who'll play, they managed to calm down. Besides, all they need to do is to trust him, nothing more, nothing else.

The night time came and the evening hour of the festival began. In the mean time, the location was on the back of the school facility. Around them was trees and on the center was a bon fire. On top of them was a bright shining moon, a gazillion of twinkling stars and a moving cotton of clouds. As the chopped woods crisp in the fire, the refreshing wind touches their skins, a soft melody of music conquered the whole land, skies and nothingness and after a while, the bonfire was already surrounded by pairs dancing along with the music. Some cheeks are burning in crimson and some lips were singing with the harmony of smiles. It was a romantic sight however, in the end of the crowd, a group of grim looking students can be seen. They're standing side by side with such a grievance expression but still, everyone ignored them and continued their dancing. Those people were the main class of a certain grade level, the class who held and created the event, it was Ran's class.

Aside from Ran, all of them are present there. Obviously, they were worried about the game but this time, it wasn't about losing or being humiliated, it was because of Vivian's twin's proposal. A proposal to save themselves away from the game's consequences by dragging someone in exchange for their seats. The proposal was easy; they will make Ran win and their wish as the prize should backfire at him; make him drink alcohol during the annual festival. In that way, they don't need to face the cruelty of losing anymore but Ran will only be the one left to suffer the consequences. Perhaps, Eion doesn't care about winning nor loosing and what is only important for him was to get revenge against Ran that's why he created that proposal. If it was Eion himself, he won't hesitate anymore and choose to save himself away from trouble however, the case was different for the main class.

Everyone knew who Ran is. He is their companion who boosts their confidence. He won different competitions that made the main class popular in and outside the school. Furthermore, he is a friend who always lend his hand whenever someone needed help. Not only he is reliable, he is trustworthy too. Hence, they felt torn between betraying him or entrusting the unattainable victory to him. Rana, Hase, Xian, Yumi and Crimson never said a word but they already knew what their answer is and that is to trust him however, that wasn't the case for Vivian and the rest.

As they bite their lower lips, clutch their hands into a fist, and grip their blazers, inner shirt or skirts, everyone was drowned by their thoughts of dissimilar what ifs. For so long, they kept on thinking what choice to choose; is it to accept the humiliation or betray the friend no—the family that had always hold onto them? But in the end, they ended up choosing the latter. To choose what'll benefit them the most.

On the other side, Ran was watching videos of gambling games in different social media apps inside a laboratory building separated from the school facility. He was trying to learn it as fast as he could when a guy entered the Science laboratory and the first thing he said was, "Don't play. Don't play." His words was quite hard to understand. His hair was disheveled and his breathing was hyperventilating meaning to say he ran and ran and grew tired. Ran immediately stood up from his seat and accompanied the newcomer, he gave him water and when his breathing went back to normal, he begun to tell a story that made Ran completely befuddled. And that story was about the negotiation between Eion and the rest of the main class. When he learned the truth, he lost his care and put down the gambling videos. At last, his hope disappeared and a cold stare begun to appear on his face, leaving the newcomer guilty and yearning.

When the clock reaches 9 o'clock in the evening, Ran with cimmerian eyes started his journey towards the gymnasium where the game of card is to be held. When he arrived inside, his classmates welcomed him with hardly visible guilt expressions, and only Rana, Xian, Hase and Yumi were the ones that are different. Hase lazily put his hands on Xian's hip while Xian remained smiling, Yumi elegantly stood beside them, near the stairs up to the stage, and Rana remained staring at their classmates standing on the other side of the stage, looking guilty. Ran ignored everyone and went towards the table and chair placed in the center of the circle of crowd. After a while, Eion arrived with a card on his hand, behind him was two people and a meter away after them comes Crimson wearing a smile no one can understand.

The game began and the rule was simple; win three matches and the game is settled. That's all to say. While Eion was distributing the cards, everyone was trying to read Ran's mind. But even Eion can't call if he was nervous or confident for apparently he looks nothing at all. Like an earth with no land, as if a skies with no cloud. He looks plainly cold and cimmerian.

After an hour, the game scored two versus one and the upper hand was on the enemy. Having such score, the main class can't help but to feel nervous and more and more uncertain. Their sweats were descending like bullets while Eion and the other two was smirking ear to ear. On the other hand, Hase, Xian, Crimson, Rana and Yumi remained bored and stoic, watching the game lazily. Another set of minutes had passed and three cards were left, two cards for Eion and one card for Ran. This time, it was Ran's term to take a card and if he took the wrong one, Eion will definitely, automatically win that set of the game making it the last set.

Silence filled the gymnasium. Finally, Ran raised his hand to take a card however, when his hand was in mid air, Dav, one of the main class shouted,"Wait! Wait!" Hence, Ran's hand halted.

Everyone looked upon Dav who was showering with his own sweats, Dav added, "I take the proposal. I take it." When everyone saw his bravery, another one said, "Me too. I'm taking the proposal!" Next one and next one until the majority was decided. And disappointedly, Vivian was included.

Ran finally smiled and ALL of them was taken a back. When he heard them accept the proposal, he stood up from his seat and a long skring of a chair echoed. They walk back a little and some avoided his gaze by looking straight at Eion's back or to his cards. Without cutting the stares, Ran harshly took the card on Eion's left side and combined it with his card. Afterwards, he dropped the cards on the table together and at the same time, gasps can be heard. He won, no, they should've won even without Eion's help. After a long silence, Ran finally spoke, "Fuckers. Do you really think I didn't know? Drink alcohol to what? To get expelled and humiliated alone? Eat it up buddies. I'm done!" And that's it! Ran faced his back against them and started walking away. They knew it, Ran cussing means he was furious.

When he was already halfway the long gymnasium, Hase and the rest soon moved to follow Ran out however, Vivian suddenly shouted, saying, "Dav! It's your fault! It's your fault!" She was blaming Dav and Hase and the rest halted.

"Vivian, stop it." Xian muttered softly however, Vivian reprimanded, "It's his fault! If he didn't talk, then we should've won!"

"Why are you blaming me? Am I the only one who agreed?! You too! You too!" Dav shouted back, pointing anyone one by one.

"If you hadn't started it then no one should've followed!" A woman sided with Vivian.

"If I was alone, even if I told him I accepted the proposal do you think it'll be voided? No, right?! It was all your fault!" Dav blamed back.

The next thing they knew, everyone was already blaming each other turning the used to be silent place into a chaos.

Their voices were loud but because the gymnasium was far away from the school's backyard, no one of the students dancing heard their argument. And the fight went louder and louder, and not even Xian's scoldings can make them stop. Only when Eion laughed hysterically then did everyone halted. He stood up with a smirk and everyone watched him intently. When he raised his hand, they realized he was puffing cigarettes long already, showing his boredom towards their fightings. And without a word, Vivian started attacking Eion. Hase ignored them and started walking away, behind him was Rana.

"You dumb! Bastard! You manipulative i***t!" Vivian screamed repeatedly and pushed Eion. When he was slightly irritated, he attempted to push back but he remembered Vivian was a friend's twin so he avoided to touch her even a skin. Step back, step back and a curtain was already behind them. In a single blow, Vivian pushed Eion backward and he hit the curtain making it up blaze out of his cigarette.

Due to fear, Eion stood back and ran away from the blazing curtain. Everyone was shocked and nervous that no one didn't move in a minute. When Hase felt the silence, he looked back and finally saw the blazing curtain and the thickening smoke. He immediately ran back and tapped Yumi. He grabbed Xian's hand and pulled him toward the exit along with Yumi while Rana followed by Crimson immediately went out to call for help. The remaining students run everywhere looking for water—panicking and some were trembling in nervousness. On the other hand, Vivian was shock, unmoved while a red figure was reflected on her dark brown eyes. Suddenly, a hand grabbed hers and she let that person tag her along towards the outside.

Rana called for help, she was shouting nonstop, "Help! Help! There's a fire! A fire!" And the first who aided her help was the red cross team. Students stopped dancing and the senior, especially the senior in main class provided help upon recognizing their fellow main class student. They took piles of piles of water and fastly attacked the gymnasium with water. They did that without break until the fire was gone. When everything was settled, the students whom are tired for helping, dropped themselves in the cemented land, catching their breathing as if they're drowned.

When Ran saw everything, he was lost and asked himself, how did a simple ridiculous game could do something dangerously alarming like this? But in the end, he knew himself who's the one at fault. It was them. It was him. It was him himself.

The annual festival finally ended with the worst possible way and everyone wasn't happy at all. For a while, the seniors lectured and talked to the students involved. The red cross team were aiding their injuries and bruises when a group of teachers, including the principal arrived.

"Main class. Let's all talk tomorrow." That was the last words the principal uttered after the clock reached 11 o'clock.