Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Seventy-Five: A Pair of Outcasts

"Having a snake is unusual too."

Nagkibit-balikat si Maki. "Having a pet sounds more harmless than another weapon, especially of your skill."

Napahawak ako sa blade na nakatago. Should I change it then? Nakatago naman siya.

"Noticeable?" tukoy ko sa dagger.

Umiling siya. "The coat's too large. That's alright, I guess. Huwag mo lang ipakita sa kanila. I doubt they'd also go and inspect you when they supposedly hate you, 'di ba?"

"Mm." seryoso kong tinitigan si Maki. "You? Why are you talking to me?"

A smirk appeared in his lips. "Are you, perhaps, insinuating that I hate you?"

I blinked. Ang weird lang. Why would he, a stranger all these days, introduce himself to me today? Kung saan galit ang lahat ng players sa'kin? And if it's not hatred, then it's avoidance. Was he hoping to be a symbol of hope? A flicker of understanding?

"Siguro nga ang pangit ng timing ko. In the first place, it's not like I wanted to be bestfriends with you. Nito ko lang nakita ang pagkakapareho nating dalawa. Thought we could both be outcast friends."

"Outcast?"

Isang malungkot na ngiti ang sumilay sa mukha niya. "Right. Outcasts. Everyone dislikes you because they thought you murdered someone, and nobody likes me because I'm gay." nagkibit-balikat siya. "Hindi ba magandang team-up 'to? Dalawa tayong kinamumuhian ng mga tao."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. "Gay?"

"Gay. Bakla. Parte ng LGBT community. Parehas tayo ng trip which is men, sis." aniya sabay kindat. "Oddly, the existence of gay gamers is unusual for others. And for this medyo homophobic bunch ng players, my presence isn't really well-accepted. Namely, Amnesia, ang maingay na pangit."

Napangiwi si Finn. Si Amnesia talaga ang pinaka-sakit ng ulo nila. The boy can't mind his own business. Kailangan lagi siyang may say sa ginagawa ng iba.

"So, I thought, you know-" nagkibit-balikat siya. "Baka gusto mo ring makipag-kaibigan sa taong maiintindihan ka. I also enjoy your company. Kaya ka naman pala super popular noon."

Well, if I think about it now, Maki's habits and gestures did seem a bit feminine - hindi sa ito lang ang palatandaan para malaman ang sexual orientation ng isang tao, but it did offer some hint. Hindi rin naman nag-iba paningin ko sa kaniya. He's still the same noisy and feeling-close Maki as earlier.

I hummed as a response. Nauna akong naglakad papunta sa gates at narinig kong sumunod siya. He placed a subtle distance between us and I can see him occasionally glancing at me.

"Is my preferred gender a problem to you?"

Umiling ako. "Nothing wrong. Gusto mong magstay dito?"

Maki chuckled. "Oo nga pala, nandito pa rin tayo sa loob ng realm. Sobrang peaceful dito na nakalimutan kong nasa laro tayo."

"Then... you fight alone?"

"Hmm, oo. Wala namang may gusto na sumama sa isang baklang tulad ko. Boys are rather afraid I might jump on them- which, by the way, assumero sila sa part na 'yon. They're not even my type." nakangiwi niyang sagot. "And the girls doesn't really want to team up with me since I'm not a straight boy, ya'know. Hindi ko alam at parang balak ng iba na gawing dating game 'to."

Speaking of dating, I remembered the tragic couple who accompanied us in the maze.

"You're strong."