Paper Planes

Kabanata 22

KABANATA 22

September 22, 20xx.

"Pauwi na ako Ria. May dinaanan lang ako sandali."

Cute turned his head towards me as he listened to what the other person on the phone had to say. His face had a tinge of worry but it was gone the second he saw me staring at him. He smiled before he covered the receiver with his other hand and turned the other way.

His name was Kyouske Kurozawa, the second son of Daiki Kurozawa, the Grand Beta. A relative. Well, now, I guess, we're sort of a relative. I called him "Cute" because I thought calling him by his real name would be boring. Besides, he seemed to like it.

He visits me sometimes, about once every two months. And when he's here, he'd teach me about Philippine History and some of her major dialects. Most of the time and during these lessons, he'd talk about his family who's been living in one of the known provinces in the country. He'd talk about his Filipino wife and his sons. I heard from the butlers that it was such a scandal back then when he decided against his father and married a foreign blood, one who, by the clan's standards, was far inferior. But by the way he spoke about them, the way his eyes light up when he recalls fond memories about them, I could feel his great love and dedication for his family.

"Alam ko iyon. Sandaling-sandali lang talaga and then I'll jump into the family jet so I could get there on time. Don't worry, hindi ako mawawala bukas."

After a while, he put his phone down and released a heavy sigh.

"Pasensiya ka na, Ayana. Birthday kasi ng bunso ko bukas kaya minamadali ako ni Komander. Alam mo naman iyon..." Anito matapos bumalik sa pinag-upuan at saka pinulot ang naiwang aklat.

Umiling ako, maingat sa pinapakitang ekspresyon, naiintindihan ang pinapahiwatig.

It's been two years since the Headmaster unwillingly agreed with Gene's decision of to adopt me but on a condition that I live separately and secretly from the rest of the clan. Within those years, I've only had three visitors, at most, in this large estate. Excluding my professors and martial arts instructors, there was no one else that I could talk to. No other children. Just me and the butlers who didn't want to stay near me for more than ten seconds. So, I was beyond ecstatic everytime someone came to visit and then crestfallen whenever it's time for them to leave... just like now.

"That's alright. I understand perfectly," I said as I swallowed the invisible lump in my throat, "It's a 14-hour flight from Charlotte so if you want to make it for the celebration tomorrow, you need to leave right away."

Lumapit pa si Cute para akbayan ako.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Ayana. Darating din ang araw na makakaalis ka rito. And when you do, the first thing we'll do is take you to my home and introduce you to my family. How about it?" He said, his tone hopeful.

"You think so?" I asked and he immediately nodded with a big smile on his face. I bit my lip as I stared at the pencil I was holding, "Um, do you think... Do you think your sons will... um... like me? I mean... you know how the clan sees me. I'm a curse. Maybe... maybe they've heard about it and—"

"That's not going to happen, Ayana," he firmly said, cutting me, as he held my shoulders and turned me towards him, "Alam nating hindi totoo ang mga pinagsasabi nila. Ilang beses ba naming sasabihin ni Yuujin sa iyo iyan? Huwag mo silang pakinggan," he firmly said.

Dahan-dahan akong tumango.

"And besides, I know my sons. Mababait ang mga iyon," he added as he gave my shoulder a small squeeze, "I'm sure they will like you."

"I hate you."

Wearing a blue overcoat, with silver linings and faded patterns from the hem, over his navy blue hakama, Akira Kurozawa glared at me as he slowly unsheathed his sword.

"But you already know that, don't you?"

Hindi pa man ako kumukurap, nasa harapan ko na siya. His mask wasn't fully on that I could actually see his hatred for me through his expression, unwavering and strong. He swung his blade across my chest that if I hadn't blocked my still sheathed sword fast enough, he would have cut me open and I could have died right then.

Tumilapon ako sa lakas ng impact ngunit mabilis ding bumangon at inayos ang sarili. I took notice of the sheath's damaged from that fast one.

"I wonder what Master Ryu saw in you? Because from where I am right now," he paused, eyeing me with his demeaning eyes, as he prepared for another attack, "You're nothing special."

When he moved this time, I was ready. Quickly, I threw the battered sheath as I met his steel with mine. Napakislot ako sa lakas ng pwersang galing sa kanyang pag-atake. He scoffed at my reaction. Hindi pa nga ako nakakabawi, itinulak niya ako para muling hampasin. Mabilis ko itong sinangga gamit ang aking sandata. Muntik ko pang nabitawn ang hawak na espada lalo na nang diniinan pa ng aking katunggali.

"I wonder what Master Yuujin saw in you that he readily threw his grand life away?"

Something about the way he said those words caught my attention that for a moment, I've lost my focus. He took that window to push me and strike my arm. Nakaiwas ako sa huling segundo. Mababaw na galos at punit na manggas lang ng aking damit ang natamo ko.

"You are nothing but a nuisance to this family!" He exclaimed as he struck once again.

"A bringer of misfortune!" And again.

"A curse!" And again.

Wala akong ibang nagawa kundi ang sanggalin ang kanyang bawat pag-atake.

"Kung hindi ka lang nabuhay, hindi sana namin dinadanas ang mga kamalasan ngayon! Hindi kami nagkawatak-watak! Masaya sana kami ngayon!" Sigaw pa nito bago ako muling itinulak.

Sa lakas ng pwersa ng kanyang pagtulak, tumilapon ang aking espada sa malayo at paupo akong bumagsak sa tatami mat. Agad kong ginapang ang banda kung saan tumilapon ng aking sandata pero agad ding natigil nang salubungin ng pagdaan ng espada ni Kira sa aking harapan. I held my breathe at the proximity of the s***h. I even saw some pieces of my hair got cut and fell on the floor.

I felt the cold steel touched my chin as he gestured for me to look up — to look at him. There was no longer a smile drawn on his face — no sign of his favorite mask. Now, it was all him, in his truest emotions — the real Akira Kurozawa.

"You should have just died that day you were born. It could have save us a lot of time and energy," his words stung as I've felt the sharp edge of his sword thinly grazing my skin.

"All this tragedy just because that poor witch chose to let you live."

Nagpanting ang aking tainga sa narinig. Ikinuyom ang aking mga kamay.

"Isang walang kwentang babae! Hindi na nga siya nahiya sa nagawa niya sa pamilya, nag-iwan pa ng isang sumpa! She's the worst!"

Hindi na ako nakatiis. Mabilis akong gumulong sa sahig, palayo sa kanya, at sa banda kung saan lumapag ang aking espada. Nang mapulot ko na ito'y agad kong ipinanggala sa mabibilis na pag-atake ng aking kalaban. Pero hindi tulad kanina, hindi lang pagdepensa ang ginagawa ko ngayon.

"Yes, I'm probably a nuisance to this family. I'm probably the curse that brought misfortune to all of you," I told him in between the battle of our blades, "Pero wala kang karapatang pagsalitaan ng masama ang aking ina!" I yelled as I pushed him and struck from above. With quick reflex, he blocked my strike from below and pushed me back.

"And why not? If not for her, you wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be suffering as it is! So damn her and damn you, too!"

Triggered by his words, I screamed as I went to attack him with quick strikes. All of which he was able to dodge and block.

"You don't have any right to damn the woman who gave up her life for me. You don't know her, not even half of her pain!" I yelled as I moved to strike again. He dodged again and quickly got behind me. He hit my back with the hilt of his sword. I almost crashed to the floor because of it but I've managed to keep my balance and quickly turned to face him.

"Oh, I knew her, that damned witch," he sneered, "An orphan shipped overseas because nobody wanted her in her homeland. She's basically a no-good, no-name, nobody; a thief; a liar; a mistress; and a social-climbing whore."

Something ticked inside of me after hearing his foul words.

"Take that back," I said between gritted teeth as I tightened the grip on my sword.

"And why would I? They're all true anyway—"

I screamed so loud as I ran towards him. He anticipated my attack and prepared for a counter but instead of cutting through his sword, I bent down and targetted the hilt of his weapon instead and thwarted it away from him. Nagulat ito sa aking nagawa pero hindi ko siya binigyan ng pagkakataong makabawi.

I rammed into him and made him fall on his back. Itinapon ko ang aking sandata at saka malakas na sinuntok ang sahig na katabi ng kanyang pisngi. Saglit na dumako ang paningin niya roon bago ibinalik sa aking mukha. Ramdam ko ang pagnginig ng aking mga kalamnan dahil sa matinding galit.

"My mother's not a w***e. She was the greatest love of my father's life. Irreplaceable," I said through constricting airways. I looked at his eyes and saw how they slightly bulged as a small, quivering smile appeared on my lips as I was saying the next lines, "If I could only turn the hands of time, I would stop her from choosing me. I would want her to live instead. Maybe then, father would have been so happy. Maybe then, he would have loved me, too."

Despite my resilience, a single tear had managed to escape and fell on his cheek.

"Hindi niya kasalanang naging ina siya sa isang sumpang tulad ko kaya huwag na huwag mo siyang pagsasalitaan ng masama. Ako lang ang may kasalanan dito. Ako lang ang sisihin mo."

Tila gatilyo ang aking mga sinabi at marahas niya akong tinabig. Mabilis niyang pinulot ang tinabi kong sandata at saka tumayo habang nakatutok ang espada sa akin.

"Kasalanan mo nga ang lahat. Mabuti naman pala at aminado ka rito. Ibig sabihin, sang-ayon kang hindi na dapat pinatatagal ang isang tulad mo sa mundo. You'd do a lot of people a favor for dying and ending their misery," he smirked.

I eyed his sword lying a few feet away from me.

"I'm sorry but I can't give you that," I said, stalling him for a chance.

"And why not? You agree that your life is nothing but a nuisance to us and you're only good as you are dead. Why not die already? Right here. Right now. With my sword."

"Because people have sacrificed so much already just to ensure that I'm standing and breathing here today. Masasayang lang ang mga isinakripisyo nila kung hahayaan kitang patayin ako. Ang pwede ko lang gawin bilang kapalit sa lahat ng iyon ay ang manatiling buhay. Kahit gaano kahirap, kahit gaano kasakit..."

Images of Gene, Mimi, Rei, Gun, Louis, Papa and Mama, and our moments together, happy and fun times and even the sad ones, ran across my mind. A grinning Rekka flashed inside my head as he happily showed me the pictures of his cousins. Then the picture in my mind shifted into that image of a boy, whose eyes were green as emeralds, reeling me in and drowning me with emotions I didn't know I was capable of having.

Walang bibitaw... I heard him say in my head.

"Hindi ako bibitaw," I calmly said as I bravely stared at my armed opponent, "Para sa kanila, sa mga taong tunay na nagmamalasakit at nagmamahal sa akin, hindi ko susukuan ang buhay. Lalaban ako hanggang sa huli."

I did gave up once. It didn't end well for me. Or for him... Memories of that night quickly flashed in front of me.

"Tch. Such big words," I shook my head to rid of the images when I heard him sneered. He adjusted his grip on the sword and repositioned his legs for an attack, "You're proud that you're making other people suffer for your sake, huh? You'd even let them continue their suffering so you could live your life? They sacrifice, you live, is that it, you selfish witch?!"

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko sa kanyang paratang.

"If you really care for them, then just die already! Once you're dead, they won't suffer anymore! I won't suffer anymore!" He yelled as he lounged forward to strike.

Agad akong umilag pero hindi ko inasahan ang mabilis niyang pag-ikot. Nakailag pa rin ako ngunit naabutan ng talim ng espada ang balat ng aking leeg. My hand immediately flew to the cut. It stung as I felt some blood coming from it.

"Tch. Sayang at hindi ka pa napuruhan. Huwag ka kasing ilag ng ilag para matapos na ito."

My insides reverberated with anger as my mind flew to my family's worried faces.

"Tell me, what did I ever do to you? Hindi naman pwedeng ang tanging dahilan ng paghihirap mo ay ang aking paghinga. Ano bang nagawa ko sa iyo para kamuhian mo ako ng ganito?"

"You don't know? Hmm?" He jeered at me before lounging for another attack.

Ilag lang ako ng ilag habang patuloy siya sa pag-atake. Nang makalapit ako sa kinaroroonan noong isang espada, agad ko iyong pinulot at ipinanggalang sa kanyang sandata.

"What? You're not saying this is all because of Drake, are you? That devil isn't worth your attention, Kira, and you know that!" I countered as I tried to push him away but his blade came back as soon as it left.

He scoffed at my remarks.

"You think this is all just about you having Master Ryu's attention to yourself?" He gritted, "No, witch, this goes way beyond him," the way he said it was filled with anger and sadness that he carefully bottled inside him for years.

So Drake's just the tip of the iceberg? I thought when he made another quick attack. I was able to manage to block it but his blade slightly grazed my shoulder. I flinched when I felt another sting coming from that spot.

"Ng dahil sa iyo, nagkanda-leche-leche ang buhay ko! Kung hindi ka lang sana nabuhay, hindi ka sana inampon ni Yuujin. Hindi niya na sana isinugal ang kanyang pangalan! Hindi sana siya umalis! Hindi sana nagkawatak-watak ang pamilya namin!"

It's Gene?

"But the little boy has always been fond of Yuujin. That's for sure..." I remembered Rekka telling me.

He pushed me hard before striking my sword so strong, I had a hard time holding it properly. Napaatras ako at muling napakislot nang maramdamdan ang hapdi sa aking leeg.

"You ruined his life! The life of the person who, since the beginning of time, was my inspiration; the person whom I looked up to as a brother! You took him away from me only to break him to pieces, you thick, good-for-nothing witch! I will never forgive you for that!" He screamed as he his attacks became more and more aggressive

His strikes were getting stronger and more dangerous as I could only step back and try to block each one of them. But I was already getting tired and with my wounds, my strength was failing me. Isang malakas na tulak mula sa kanya ay tumilapon ako sa gitna ng silid. Pinilit ko pa ring bumangon at gamit ang espada'y sinubukan kong tumayo.

"Hindi ko ginusto ang mga nangyari kay Gene. Isa rin ako sa mga nasaktan sa nangyari sa kanya at ng kanyang pamilya. If I have known that this would happen, I would have prevented him from adopting me—"

His face was furious as he quickly made his way in front of me. Though weak, I was ready to block his blade with my sword. A strong back slap across my jawline sent me flying to the other side of the room.

"Hindi mo ginusto? Huwag kang patawa! You, who from the day you were born, crave for affection and attention! Ginusto mo iyon! Hinangad mong kupkupin ka niya at maging parte ng kanilang pamilya! You wanted people to take notice of you because that made you feel like you're special; that, somehow, there is meaning to your lonely life when, really, there isn't! Wala kang pake kung anong mangyari sa mga taong iyon basta makuha mo lang ang iyong kagustuhan—"

The pain in my chest swelled and suddenly bursted with his words.

"Oo, tama ka! Hinangad ko ang magkaroon ng pamilya. Hinangad ko ang magkaroon ng mga taong tatanggap sa akin at mamahalin ako bilang tao! Kasalanan ba iyon? Mali ba ang humangad na mahalin ka?" My hands trembled as memories of my past rolled in my mind like an old movie.

"Buong buhay ko wala akong ibang ginawa kundi ang maghintay. Maghintay na isang araw darating ang isang taong papasok sa aming pintuan at tatawagin ang pangalan ko. Yayakapin ako nang mahigpit at sasabihing uuwi na kami sa aming tahanan," I swallowed the lump in my throat as scenes of a child tirelessly sitting by the window, waiting... hoping.... praying for that someone to take her away from that cold, unforgiving place and bring her home, flashed before me.

"Hindi ko ginustong ampunin ni Gene dahil alam kong mapapahamak lang siya. Pero nang makita ko sila sa labas ng simbahan, parehong nakangiti at naghihintay; nang sabihin nilang sinusundo nila ako at ilalayo sa lugar na iyon... hindi ko maiwasang maging masaya. Iyon ang isa sa mga pinakamasayang araw sa buhay ko..."

"And the start of his misery, you selfish witch!"

"I never meant to put him in this situation, Kira. Believe me, gumagawa na ako ng paraan para maibalik sa kanya—"

"You mean through Master Ryu's influence?"

Bahagya kong ikinagulat ang pagkakaalam niya tungkol dito.

"Hindi mo ba alam na laro lang ang lahat ng ito para sa kanya? He finally found something that interests him, something to play with... and you thought you already had him in the palms of your hands. Are you really that stupid?"

Saglit na napaawang ang aking bibig sa kanyang maanghang na paratang.

"No, I'm not!" Mariin kong bigkas, "I don't know where you heard that but I am not using that devil's influence to try to reinstate Gene back to the family! Alam kong maruming makipaglaro ang isang iyon. Hindi ako tanga!"

Ilang sandaling dumaan ang katahimikan pagitan namin. Parehong pagod at parehong naghahabol ng mga hininga. Ilang saglit pa ay inayos na ni Kira ang kanyang tindig, inihanda ang espada para sa, natitiyak kong, pinakahuli at pinakamapangahas niyang atake.

I swallowed the budding fear in my throat as I struggled to properly hold my sword. I knew that my cuts were stinging but my adrenaline rush seemed to numb the pain.

"You really don't get it, do you?" He asked, readying himself, "There's nothing you can do to return what Yuujin has lost — not his name, not his fortune, not his honor."

"Gene never lost his honor—"

"But I can!" He yelled over my words as I took a small step backward and positioned myself for defense, "I can reinstate him to his former glory."

Kahit na pagod, hinding-hindi ako titiklop sa mga atake niya!

"All I need to do is cut off the root of all his misfortune..."

Hindi ko pa naibubuga ang aking hininga'y bigla na lang tumilapon ang hawak kong espada. And the next thing I saw was that triumphant glint in his eyes as he pushed the sharp edge of his blade towards my chest. My breath hitched as I heard the piercing of the blade through the flesh.

"Tanga ka ba? Ano pang silbi ng mga itinuro ko sa iyo kung tatayo ka lang pala riyan at magpapasaksak?!"

Ilang sandali pa akong natulala habang pinagmamasdan ang nakasimangot na mukha ng aking kaharap. Napasinghap ako nang makilala ito.

"Kyo?"

He groaned as the blade finally retracted from his flesh.

"Kyo!" Agad ko siyang dinaluhan nang bigla siyang nabuwal sa kanyang kinatatayuan.

Doon ko lang napansin ang isa pang taong nakatayo sa harap naman ngayon ng aking katunggali. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang makilala ito at makitang hawak-hawak nito ang talim ng espada ni Kira. Blood was dripping from his grip.

"Gene—"

Tatayo na sana ako para puntahan siya at agad na gamutin ang natamong sugat nang hatakin akong pababa ni Kyo.

"Leave them. They needed to sort some things out," he said in between gritted teeth as he clutched his wounded shoulder.

Mabilis kong pinunit ang dati ng napunit na manggas ng aking pulang kimono at saka dinapatan ang kanyang sugat. Inilag nito ang kanyang balikat at agad na napasimangot nang siguro ay muling kumirot ang sugat. Inabot ko iyon at saka idiniin ang tela sa dumudugo pa rin niyang sugat.

"That freaking hurts, you dimwit! Dahan-dahan naman!"

"Kailangang diinan para tumigil ang pagdurugo..."

"You say that but you're bleeding yourself, you fool!"

Sasagot na sana ako nang mapansin ang pag-aalalang nakaguhit sa kanyang palaging galit na mukha.

"Kyo—" I wanted to ask but the muted clank of a fallen object got our attention.

Agad kong binalingan ang dalawang lalaking nakatayo at nakita kung gaano kaputla ang mukha ni Kira sa naganap. My worry doubled when I saw Gene's wounded hand at his side with a lot of blood dripping from it.

"Gene—"

"Y-yuujin... I... I... I didn't... I'm... um... I'm..." Kira stuttered as he tried to find the words to say.

I couldn't see what expression Gene was currently wearing. But from what I could tell given Kira's panicky reaction, he must've been so pissed.

After a while, Kira finally regained his bearing, he shut his mouth, straightened his back and hardened his expression.

"I only did what I thought was best so you may be able to return to our crest," he raised his arm and pointed a shaking finger at me, "She needs to die so our family could regain her glory and show those ingrates from the alliance who really rules this empire!"

"No one has to die, Kira. Not Aya or anyone for that matter."

"But it's because of her that we are suffering right now! She's the cause of all these troubles! She's the reason of all our bad luck!"

"How could a child like her be the reason of a powerful clan's rumored downfall? Ano ba ang nagawa niya para pagbintangang siya ang dahilan ng lahat? Wala siyang kinalaman sa pagbagsak ng ating pangalan. Biktima rin lang siya ng mapangahas na tadhana."

Gene took a pause as he made a step forward. Sa ginawa nito, napaatras naman ang kausap.

"I don't believe that. Kung hindi lang siya dumating sa mga buhay natin, masaya pa rin sana tayo ngayon! Hindi ka sana napilitang umalis. Hindi ka sana natanggalan ng pangalan!"

Nakita kong umiling si Gene bago muling nagsalita.

"Walang kasalanan si Aya sa mga nangyari sa akin. Ako ang pumili nito. Ako ang may gusto nito. If you want to be angry at someone, be angry at me instead. I selfishly decided on this and I don't regret it."

"Why? I don't understand... You were our Beta! You were supposed to lead us! Dapat kami ang pinili mo! Dapat kami ang kinampihan mo!"

"Kira—"

"Bakit siya pa? Bakit hindi mo man lang naisip na may mga nangangailangan sa iyo sa pamilyang ito? Why did you choose to leave us?" His voice broke at the end of his question and my chest constricted with hurt, feeling his pain, "Why did you leave me behind?"

Gene found an opportunity and engulfed his youngest cousin in a tight hug.

"Hindi ako nawala, Kira. Nandito pa rin ako. Pangalan ko lang ang tinanggal sa akin, hindi ang aking dangal o aking pagkatao. Walang nagbago. Ako pa rin ito," mariing sabi nito habang akap-akap ang pinsan.

After a while, we heard Kira's muffled cries.

"I only wanted to help you... I just wanted Jin-niichan to come back home to us."

"I am here, Aki-kun. I've always been here. Dinagdagan ko lang ang mga taong magmamahal sa iyo. At isa na roon si Aya," marahang sabi nito, "She's not the enemy here, Kira. Alam mo iyon, hindi ba? Kakampi natin siya."

Kira was silent for a while, still reluctant at Gene's remaks. Saglit niya akong sinilip, tila hinahanap sa aking mukha ang pinapaintindi ng nakakatandang pinsan, bago dahan-dahang tumango nang hindi tinatanggal ang kanyang paningin sa akin.

"And so is your Kyo-niichan, who, by the way, alerted me about your little rendezvous with my daughter," Gene added as he released Kira to look at him, who now has one of his eyebrow raised at the peculiarity of the information, "Alam mo bang alalang-alala siya sa iyo?"

Kira shifted his gaze towards his older brother and for a second I thought I saw Kyo's cheek tinted with a very light shade of red before brushing Gene's statement off with his usual grunt.

"Tch. Masyadong makeso... " He loudly said as he suddenly stood up. Nahulog ang dinidiin kong tela sa ginawa nito. Pinulot ko pa iyon at tumayo na rin para muling lapatan ang kanyang sugat.

Pareho ng napabaling ang dalawang nag-uusap sa aming direksyon. Doon ko lang rin nakita ang pagod na hitsura ni Gene, suot pa ang kanyang three-piece suit at tahimik kong pinagdasal na hindi sana siya galing sa kalagitnaan ng isang hearing. He eyed my condition and another pang of worry ran across his face.

"Kaya napag-aalamang bakla iyang si Kira dahil sa malambot mong pagdidisiplina. I'm out of here," sabi nito bago marahas na inalis ang aking mga kamay sa duguan niyang balikat at saka nagsimulang umalis.

"Teka lang, Kyo, kailangan pa nating gamutin ang sugat mo—"

Natigilan ako nang bigla itong umikot at humarap sa akin. He eyed from head to foot before clicking his tongue.

"Alalahanin mo muna ang sarili mo bago ang ibang tao," sabi nito at saka muling tumalikod para magpatuloy sa pag-alis.

"Kyo, sandali!" Tawag ko bago pa man siya makalabas ng silid.

He stopped before turning around with an annoyed expression.

"What?"

Lumapit pa ako ng ilang pulgada para mas marinig ang kanyang isasagot sa tanong na kanina pa bumabagabag sa aking isipan.

"Do you still hate me?"

Ilang sandali niya akong tinitinigan na tila hindi makapaniwalang iyon ang lumabas sa aking bunganga.

"Nothing has change, cursed one. Unlike Kira, my hatred for you isn't stemmed on Gene's affection. The fire of this hatred won't burned out for so long as you are breathing."

Kumuyom ang aking dibdib sa kanyang isinagot. Kung ganoon...

"Then what is that wound for? You should have just let Kira kill me."

He let my statement hang in the air for a second before a smirk slowly appeared on his lips.

"This is not for you, oh, cursed one. This is for that stupid little brother of mine," he paused as he glanced at Kira, who was currently tending to Gene's wounds, "Ayokong may magawa siyang alam kong pagsisisihan niya lang sa huli."

Marahan akong tumango nang may maalala.

That's right!

"Kyo, don't go just yet," I told him and before he could protest, I dragged him back to where the two were.

"Are you okay, Aya? Let's get your wounds fix as well—" I pulled his uninjured hand to make him stand, "What is it?" Natatawa nitong tanong habang pinapaharap ko sila sa nagtatakang Kira.

Inayos ko ang nagkapunit-punit kong kimono at saka tumikhim.

"Anong nangyayari—"

Nagsimula ako sa pagkanta ng isang pagbati at agarang namilog ang kani-kanilang mga mata. Ilang sandali pa'y sumabay na rin iyong dalawa kong katabi. Kahit hindi man pinapahalata ni Kyo, pansin ko ang bahagyang pamumula ng kanyang mga pisngi habang umaawit. Si Gene naman ay sinasabayan pa nang masiglang pagpalakpak ang pagkanta.

Kunot-noo akong pinagmasdan ni Kira nang matapos ang munti naming palabas.

"How did you—"

"Matagal ko ng alam," I paused as I smiled at him, "Matagal din akong naghintay na dumating ang araw na makita at makasama kayo sa personal."

I extended my wounded arm to him. He looked at it like it was the biggest mystery of his day.

"Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu, Akira!"