Olympus Academy (Published under PSICOM)

XLVIII | Therapy

"Ah... H-hahaha..." Umusog si Art papalayo sa'kin, at papalapit kay Cesia. "Alam mo, Cesia, parang mas mabuti na rin siguro kung di tayo kasali ano?" bulong niya rito. "Gusto mo mag trip to Europe nalang tayo?"

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Oh. So you don't want to die with us? Why?" I pretended to be disappointed, kahit hindi naman talaga. Mas gusto ko nga na ilayo sila rito, at kung sakaling may mangyari sa'ming Alphas, at least may dalawang miyembro pang matitira.

"Joke lang! Hehe!" Bumalik si Art sa tabi ko. "Ang weird naman siguro kung kumakain kami ni Cesia ng gelato sa Italy samantalang kayo, nasa bingit ng kamatayan." She gave me a determined look. "Kung handa kayong salubungin si Thanatos with open arms, dapat kami rin!"

Tumango si Cesia bilang pagsang-ayon sa sinabi ni Art.

That's why we have no choice but to let them join us. Kinutuban kasi kami na hindi sila aalis kahit anong pagpupumilit namin. We only have a few days left, and even if we were able to relocate both of them to the other side of the world, we're a hundred percent sure they'll find a way back to the Academy.

"Umm... hindi naman siguro kayo galit sa'min, diba?" tanong ni Cesia. "Dahil sa pagmamatigas namin?"

"Wala na silang choice! Mwahaha!" Nag-evil laugh si Art.

Napangiti ako habang minamasdan silang dalawa.

That's my girls.

Bigla akong may naalala kaya nilingon ko si Kara. "By the way, when's the celebration of the lunar goddesses again?"

"Next week, Thursday." sagot niya. "Based on my lunar calendar that says it should be on Friday, they moved the celebration a day earlier."

"Of course." I nodded. "Of course, they would."

Gaganapin ang celebration earlier than expected, in order to fully prepare the Academy. To extend the travel time of students who chose to go home and not participate in battle, to make sure that the school's barrier and defense systems are maximized for any of the anticipated attacks, and to finalize everything.

"Excuse me, ladies." Pumasok ang isang aurai na may dalang mga tuwalya. "It's time for your body massage."

Nagsitayuan na kami at isa-isang kumuha ng tuwalya mula sa aurai at itinapis ito.

"Per the request of Lady Cesia, we have prepared the most expensive essential oil in the world, the champaca absolute essential oil, not just known for its unique fragrance, but also famous for being a powerful aphrodisiac. Shall we?" Sinenyasan kami ng aurai na sumunod sa kanya.

Sabay kaming napatingin kay Cesia.

"U-Uhh... may pinaamoy kasi silang essential oils sa'kin, tas pinapili nila ako kung alin daw yung pinakanagustuhan ko." pagpapaliwanag niya.

"You did, and you chose the best one." ani Kara.

"An aphrodisiac? Really?" A light-hearted laugh escaped my lips. "That is so Aphrodite."

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba ang nakakapansin pero habang tumatagal, unti-unti ring nagbabago si Cesia. There's something about her that makes her more and more compelling every time you look at her, and I can't help but admire.

Sana nga lang ay hindi niya namana yung selfish traits ng deity niya. Sobrang sayang kung gano'n, and instead of being the bestest of friends, we might end up as enemies.

• • •

We were on our way back to the classroom to meet up with the boys when we were stopped in our tracks. Bigla nalang kasing sumulpot si Sir Glen sa harapan namin.

"Ria, Kara, you are tasked to welcome the troops that are scheduled to arrive starting tomorrow." pagbibigay-alam niya. "They're the creatures that volunteered to help us. My assistant will personally deliver the files to your dorm, which includes their profiles and arrival time. Okay lang ba sa inyo 'yon?"

Tumango kami ni Kara.

After our very short encounter with Sir Glen, nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad.

"Yun ba yung first phase of preparation ng school?" tanong ni Art. "Ang i-summon lahat ng allies natin?"

"Yes." maikli kong sagot.

"Huwah! Ang cool!" Tumatalon-talon siya habang pumapalakpak. "Magkakaroon na naman ako ng panibagong friends! Wieeee!" Tumili siya at naunang tumakbo papuntang classroom namin.

Mayamaya pa'y nakarating na rin kami. Nadatnan namin yung boys na pinapalibutan ang files sa teacher's table. Nakakunot ang kanilang mga noo habang hinahalungkat ang mga ito. The next thing I noticed was their tired eyes... and their very messy hair.

Kanina pa kami nakatitig sa kanila, ngunit ni isa sa kanila ay hindi nakapansin sa pagdating namin.

I sighed. "You see, girls? This is why a spa is important."