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After his exchange with Miguel, Akio kept his phone in his pocket and went back to admiring the view from Ren's balcony.
Lumayo siya sa kasama kanina dahil hindi na niya matagalan yung dami ng kumakausap kay Miguel. Parang kada lakad ata nila may kukumusta kay Miguel, tatanungin kung may kasama ba ito, ipakikilala siya, tapos maguusap na sila tungkol sa negosyo. Pero bukod sa hindi niya alam ano ang pinaguusapan nila, ubos na ubos na rin ang social battery niya.
So he just decided to stay here. nagsabi naman siya kay miguel na magpapahangin siya, hindi lang niya nasabi saan banda kaya nag-text ito sa kanya.
While he's in the balcony, he can't help but wonder if he'll ever relate to the ways of wealthy people. Parang iniisip pa lang din kasi niya yung mga ginagawa nila, napapagod na siya. One prime example is this party.
In Akio's eyes, a party this grand should only be done for special occasions, like birthdays or holidays; not for a mere housewarming. Para sa kanya kapag sinabing housewarming konting pansit at biko lang ang handa, tapos mga kapitbahay lang ang bisita. Just by thinking that he has to entertain this much people, parang pagod na pagod na siya.
"Did your date leave you?"
Akio immediately turned his head when he heard the voice. Sa pagkakatanda niya, eto yung Ren Choi.
"If I were Miguel, I wouldn't leave you."
"Ako nangiwan sa kanya. ang daming tao sa loob."
"Ah," Ren nodded. "You're not used to socializing."
Akio did not answer, kasi ano ba dapat ang isasagot niya sa ganun? True sis? Agree-iana grande? Department of agree-culture?
"Do you like Miguel?"
"Ano?"
Ren chuckled, "Do you like him? Or is he your boyfriend?"
"Hindi ah!" Akio instantly denied na ikinatawa naman ni Ren.
"Alright, pretty. You don't have to sound so offended by it."
Akio raised his eyebrow after hearing the endearment. Mukhang tama si Kenzo, at dapat niya talagang layuan ang taong ‘to.
"Miguel likes you, though."
For the nth time, Akio looked at Ren Choi. But this time, he stared at the guy as if he had grown another head.
"Baliw ka ba?" he asked.
Ren laughed, "So you're not only bad at socializing, but you're also dense as fuck."
"Gago," Akio reacted. "Close ba tayo?"
Ren looked at Akio before laughing once again. Tangina ano bang tingin sakin neto? Clown? Akio thought.
"We aren’t. But I know of you, Akio Jeon. And I also happen to know that Miguel likes you. He's way too obvious."
If he’s creeped out by the fact that Ren Choi knew his name, hindi na niya ipinahalata. Instead, he tried his best to stand firm and wag magpasindak sa Ren Choi na ‘to.
"Sino ka ba? Kung ano-anong pinagsasabi mo diyan."
“Aren’t you curious?” Ren asked. “Do you want to know if I’m telling you the truth?”
"Hindi na kailangan kasi alam ko namang ginagago mo lang ako."
"Aww, come on. you attended my party. at least humor me. Also, natatakot ka ba?" Ren challenged Akio.
“Ako? Matatakot?”
“Oo. Natatakot kang malaman na totoo yung sinasabi ko.”
“Bakit ako matatakot? Eh alam ko namang walang basehan yang pinagsasabi mo.”
“Then humor me, Akio. Patunayan mo sakin na hindi totoo yung sinasabi ko. I am challenging you, Akio. If I’m wrong, I will leave you alone. But if I’m right, you have to spend a day with me.”
Akio was about to protest when Ren decided to cut him off.
“There’s Miguel. Don’t look at him,” he smirked before holding his chin up. “Dito ka sakin tumingin.”
“Ano–”
Ren brought his face closer to Akio’s ear and whispered, “If he pulls you away from me, he likes you.”
Poprotesta pa lang sana si Akio nang maramdaman niya ang isang kamay na humahatak sa kanya palayo kay Ren.
He then saw Ren smirking.
“See? I told you. You owe me a date, Akio,” the guy winked before starting to walk away. But before he could fully leave the scene, he went closer to Miguel. “My apologies if Akio started to act weird around you.”
“What did you tell him?” Miguel gritted his teeth.
Ren turned to look at a stunned Akio before sneering, “Why don’t you ask him?” he said. “Good night, Miguel. See you around. And oh,” he paused. “Please send my regards to Kenzo and tell your friends that I can see them trying to hide in the bushes. They have to work on their spying skills if they want to protect you and Akio from me.”
Miguel asked Akio multiple times what Ren told him, but the smaller kept mum about it. Since they got in the car, walang ibang ginawa si Akio kundi ibahin ang usapan.
“Please, Kio. Ano bang sinabi sa’yo ni Ren?”
He awkwardly chuckled, “Wala gago. Nakasinghot ata ng katol yung tropa mo. Ha ha. Sabihan mo minsan ah.”
“Ano pwede kong gawin para sabihin mo sakin ano yung pinagusapan niyo?” Miguel continued begging.
“Wala nga,” Akio awkwardly laughed again. “Kulit mo! Oh ayan na yung bahay namin. Sige thank you, good night, sleep well!” Sunod-sunod na saad ni Akio bago mabilisang bumaba sa kotse. Habang si Miguel ay wala nang nagawa kundi umiling na lang at huminga ng malalim.
“Tangina mo, Ren,” he whispered to himself.