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Chapter 32: Stars in the Sea

Even to me, those memories seem vivid.

Who would have thought that a single happy family picture is just a show-off— veil that hides secrets on the family's wall?

Dad was grateful to me, for I am the eldest son and trained to become the next heir of his company. It's against my will to follow what he commands, but I don't have a choice. Kahit na rin sa degree ko ngayon ay hindi ko naman gusto.

I'm in love with arts, but for him, it's a waste of time.

I don't want to live a lavish lifestyle. We want to open up our ideal café and art gallery, and we want to stay with Mom and strive for those dreams.

I remember the day when Mom cried in the corner while the broken picture frame with Dad was lying on the floor with shattered glass. Kaede, Aikira, and I came to comfort her even if we didn't know what had happened. The only thing she responded was a smile on her face with bitterness.

Not until I saw the terrible scene in my life with the wreckers.

And my little sister. That scumbag made her miserable until I almost ended him.

It doesn't mean they have an agreement about our custody; I'm okay with it, especially when I remembered Aikira's fate under his roof and with our step-sibling.

That triggered me to protect Zenrie-chan even if she didn't say a word. I made a promise, and I have to do it.

No matter how big her hatred towards me from what I've done in the game before.

"Jairus. Jairus!" Bumalik ang aking kamalayan nang marinig ko ang boses ni Zoiren. He even snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Hoy! Mukhang lumulutang na rin isipan mo ano?"

"S-Sumanai (Sorry), may naalala lang ako," mahina kong tugon.

"Maisip ko lang, Jairus, hindi ba't close kayo ni Zenrie?" My attention draw to him even more when he asked.

Mahina akong tumango sabay lingon sa dagat. "Uh... yes. Why did you ask?"

"Puwede mo ba siyang kausapin mamaya? Sa totoo lang, nakikita ko kasing mas nakakakilala ka sa kanya. You even know what she feels in just a glimpse on her eyes." Mukha ba akong psychic para sa kanya? He's sometimes a little bit weird or just the clouds carrying his mind.

I shut my eyes for a while and feel the breeze of the sea. Kahit ako ay maraming iniisip.

But when he asked me about Zenrie-chan, medyo bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. My shoulders slumped.

"May problema ba, Mr VI— Jairus? Natahimik ka yata," aniya't tinignan ako na parang scanner.

"Ayos lang ako," agarang tugon ko. "About that, it will not be so easy."

"Paano mo naman nasabi? May problema ba kayong dalawa?" mabusising tanong ni Zoiren na tila nagpa-buntong-hininga sa'kin.

Don't tell me he's like investigating us just because of what happened.

Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon niya kapag kinausap ko siya. Her mind and heart seem in the middle of chaos because of what happened from the past. I didn't have time to explain about it. Neither my comrades should know about this...

...including Zoiren.

"Wala naman," diretsong tugon ko't tumingin sa kanya. "If that's for her best, I'll give it a shot. Since Zenrie-chan has so many things to talk about."

"Mabuti naman kung ganoon," he agreed and continue talking. "Magiging backup niyo ako kung sakaling kailangan niyo ng tulong. O kaya nama'y susunod na lang ako sa pag-uusap niyo."