VII. AMIDST THE CHAOS

Chapter 7

9–12 AM.

TIME FLEW so fast since that incident happened—I met Ryo, Red and Aoi. Those three who had three letters in their name too. Whatever occurred at past, stays at past. Yet one thing changed; we create unforgettable bond, experiences and heaven-sent memories.

We’re here in a mall because tomorrow, it’s going to be a big celebration. They will buy stuffs for tomorrow’s celebration. It’s their group’s 10th anniversary. Wow, they’ve been together since they are junior high school.

I then reminisce how their story start... It is indeed awesome.

Going to mall, Ryo’s the one who is driving Tyron’s car. He wants to be productive and not a sleepyhead the whole ride and no more coffee since he’s goind to drive. Besides, it was the anniversary of the group he established.

Tyron was next to him in case he fell asleep while driving. It’s hard. Our leader is very sleepy. As usual, Red and I are in the back seat and Jaime, she’s the only one in the middle seat. She’s sleeping because she finished the entire episode of the series she’s watching.

“Sawang-sawa na ako. Buti nga may bago,” sagot nito sa kausap. Napailing na lang ako sa kanila. Aoi’s already throwing them death glares, marahil narinig ang usapan nang dalawang ’yon.

"You’ve been together for ten years. Aren’t you tired of meeting each other’s faces everyday?” Tyron opened a topic. Ryo laughed as Aoi woke up.

“Indeed is is. It’s good to have something new,” he replied to the other person. I just shook my head at them. Aoi’s already throwing them death glares, maybe they heard the conversation between those two.

“Well... I just want to ask. How are you together until now? Do the three of you take the same strand and course?” Aoi chuckled lightly in the latter’s question before answering it.

“Honestly, we were five in our group when we were high school. The thing is, there are only three of us left. And... it really should be just the two of us, Ryo and I,” and that pique my interest. What about their other comrade, Red?

Aoi was quiet for a moment, when I looked at her, she was looking at the man beside me whose eating chips. The attention of the man she was looking at was outside the window.

I looked at the person next to me when something cold and rough stuck to my skin. As usual, Red’s looking at the window while offering me a chip he’s been eating since we entered the car—not minding Aoi’s stare.

I shrugged my shoulders before picking some. Aoi sighed before calling the name of the man she had been staring at.

And finally! The guy looks at her too. He then slowly nodded to her. What?

“When we were about to graduate and reach senior high school, Red, who loves astronomy decided to be an astronaut. He planned after graduating shs, he will take uh... what is that degree again, Atienza?” Ryo butted in when Aoi was about to confront Red again.

“BS... BS AeroE. Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. I did a research about my dream job...” he paused, still looking at the window then successfully, his gaze went to us before continuing what he was saying. “Passing the Licensure Examination for Aeronautical Engineers is one of the requirements in seeking employment in the Aeronautical Industry.” He continued then go back in his own world—attention on the window.

Someone stifled so I look at her and there goes Aoi, hands covering her mouth

“They are waiting for you to resume, Aoi,” Ryo wake up Aoi in her day dreaming. She blinked and eventually smiled—making no eye contact to us. She perhaps is shy.

“Oh well... That’s it. After Red knowing that he was far away from us once he pursued his dream job, he backed out. That’s how he loves us,” she smiled ear to ear and I hear my seatmate hissing.

“Pst... you remembered what he told us that time?” Ryo butted in, laughing. Aoi looked at him confused.

“You two! Stop it!” Red meddled. It looks like those two have caught his attention from the window and his face is turning... red? Aoi’s lips curved as if Red’s outburst is a clue. “Aish!” roared roared by someone next to me while Tyron and I couldn’t understand any of the three of them. We both looked at each other and shrugged.

“I can’t leave the both of you. You give me a roof over my head. Perhaps I can just shower myself with astronomical stuffs and pursued our goals—to grow old with each other’s embrace. We are not just omeaniscient, we are a family.” Ryo proceeded, not minding Red’s glares. With those statements, I felt my heart soften.

“Yie! Cringeeeeee!” Aoi teased that Ryo laughed, but also by Tyron and me. Soft hours, aye? I never thought of Red being soft.

“Psh! We’re here, park the car,” Red announced that Ryo did and ahead already . Maybe he’s shy that’s why he’s sulking.

We’re here in daintea.They said they will first inform that they will be gone for two days. So meaning, their manager will take care of the store first. Anyway, the restroom for both boys and girls has been accomplished. Last week too. Guess what? It’s my budget for girl’s restroom and Tyron, he’s for the boys. I didn’t know that there was something like this. But nevermind, it doesn’t cost that much money.

I pushed the sliding door using my left arm and entered. I sat at the very end. It’s up to them to explain. I’m out of it.

Ryo on the other hand sat in front of me. “I’m just wondering... you know...” he talk.

“About what?” I inquired. “Are you an ambidextrous?” he questioned back.

“What?” I chuckled lightly. “I mean, ambidextrous, a person who can use both hands with equal eas—” before he could finish his statement, I ahead at him first.

“I know what ambidextrous is. What I’m asking you is how can you say so?” I stretched my arms after delivering my claim.

“I see. Do you still remembered the scene when we met here?” I nodded. “You lifted the plastic of your tea using your left arm. When you reach for your tea when Aoi offered you a sit, you sat and spread your right arm to get your tea. And now, you used your left arm in pushing the sliding door,” Ryo explained. I smiled at him. Woah, he noticed that small detail.

Then, I began to tap my fingers in the table. “No. I’m just doing that to see if one of you would leave a comment. I’m surprised. But whatever, I’m actually a left-handed.” I then raised my left arm.

He pouted after I said that so I asked him why. He pouted before giving me his answer. “Aoi and I went on a gamble if you’re left-handed or not. I answered you’re right-handed and she answered left. My wallet will be reduced by a blue bill,”

I laughed at him. They even made me a bet! I just shook my head and the three came closer. Ryo handed Aoi one thousand peso bill. Aoi punched the air which made my facepalm. We then continue to our destination.

“Lacey?” I was slightly startled by the sudden call. The four of them are looking at me worriedly. Uh... I am that occupied about the scene a while ago?

“I’m okay. Where were we?” I just responded then smiled a little.

Aoi smiled widely at with before pointing an ice cream shop. A Japanese ice cream shop?

They started walking so even though I am naive, I just followed.

“Kamsahamnida!” Ryo greeted. Not only me, but Red and the saleswoman too creased their forehead. Why he suddenly talks in Korean? And what, thank you?

“Ha? Why are you saying you’re welcome, Ryo?” Aoi added so I cupped my forehead with my left palm. My lips formed in a tight line.

“Slowpoke, Awo. He said thank you,” said one, Tyron. I just pulled out my hair. It would have been fine but I wish they knew they were in a japanese shop?!

“Useless. I said hi, what are you saying thank you and you’re welcome?” Ryo was irritated.

CAN SOMEONE BURY ME ALIVE?!

They are indeed embarrassing. I am ashamed for them.

“Ha? Ma’am, sir? Are you telling konnichiwa?” the saleswoman winced after saying those uncertainly then she continued. “Kamsahamnida is a Korean word and you probably mean arigatōgozaimasu in Japanese which means thank you,”

The three faced the shopkeeper at the same time with wide eyes and uttered the words...

“What?”

I almost chuckled the fuck out loud but I prevent myself. Gosh! Their faces are priceless! I grimaced so the little curve that formed in my lips won’t be seen.

They looked like they have done something illegal: the other one was looking down at feet, Tyron; Aoi that is turning red and the one who’s usually not quiet just became one, Ryo. Of course, they are and they will. They fight and then voila, the three of them are wrong.

They seem to have no intention of doing anything and are just dumbfounded so I cleared my throat. Ugh! It seems like my work—cleaning someone’s mess. I missed that.

Afterwards, I faced the lady with an apologetic emotion. The lady was baffled about my companions sudden reaction. So I do. I was shocked when our leader, Ryo, stated kamsahamnida. We’re in a Japanese shop for fuck’s sake! They are making a scene. Fortunately there weren’t many people. And if there were, they are minding their own businesses so it’s an advantage to me—I meant to these three to save their asses from embarrassment.

“Uh... I’m truly sorry about the commotion we’ve caused but we’re going,” I apologized at pulled Ryo and Aoi. I signal Red to do the same thing to Tyron. I only have two arms and they are three so basically, I only pulled two.

“Erps, we’ve been a stupide for a long time,” I finally laughed at Aoi’s point when we stopped walking.

“Don’t empathize with us. You’re the only fool here,” Ryo said. His expressions and gestures say he’s still shy. He is speaking softly and he’s quiet this time.

“Coming from you, huh?” Aoi will never let herself lose. Both fighters, aye.

“Excuse me, Tadeo, people are not perfect so they make mistakes. In your case, you are really stupid,” I heave a deep sigh. These two won’t stop until someone will stop them. I don’t even know what’s the connection of their words to what they are fighting about.

“Useless...” I heard Aoi whisper. Maybe the two of them don't want to make their argue grow any bigger. Ryo being Ryo, sneered at her.

“It’s embarrassing,” Tyron blurted out of nowhere, stopping the two of them from looking at each other. Seems like he just got the courage to talk back after an embarrassing situation.

“Thanks for stating what's obvious,” said by the person who had been silent for a while, Red.

“Are you now embarrassed being with us, mommy Red?” if I was just drinking something, I probably got choked in Ryo’s words.

If someone sees or hears them, that person will surely assume that these two are in a relationship.

“Hands off, Marquez,” Pula commanded. “I thought I was your baby?” the latter teased and clung tightly in Red’s arms.

"Yuck! Stop it. Bromance is not your thing, hey, bugs,” I chuckled in Aoi’s boldness. What an unfiltered mouth.

“Stop calling me mommy, you two. I’m not your mother,” Red irked.

“Huh? Aren’t you? You cooked for us, you clean our house, you took care of us so we thought you’re our mother?” not sure, Aoi’s mentioned the things that Red is doing.

“Tsk! Let’s just get going instead of pissing me off, Tadeo and Marquez,” he then started to walk while Ryo’s still clinging to him, chuckling.

He seems like a leader, aye. Or so it seems.

They weren’t that far from me and Tyron who was still dumbfounded so I raised my eyebrows.

"You okay, Art?" I asked him and he jumped off. Uh... he’s indeed making his own whirlpool. I missed calling him his name.

I just pulled him and heard Ryo, teasing Pula if she was embarrassing them. Well... Pula sounds so cool so I will call him that.

“I am not in your place a while ago yet I am the whose embarrassed. Tsk! I want to dig my on grave recently,” I heard Red stated then wagged his head.

Likewise, Red. I felt the same way too.

**