Fukitsu Academy

Chapter 15

'Cafeteria'

"Are you here to apply for the Fukitsu Masters position?" tanong ni Akio kay Saph na nakatayo sa harap niya. She was wearing a white tracksuit and had her hair up in a ponytail. In Akio's mind, Saph was too casual for someone who has billions of dollars around their neck.

"No, not really. I'm not interested," sagot nito.

"Then why are you here?" diretsong tanong ni Akio. Tumingin si Saph sa kanya at ngumiti sabay tingin sa relo niya. It was already four in the afternoon.

"I'm curious," nakangiting sagot ni Saph. "About what?"

"About which class you are in. I looked at all the classrooms today, wala ka roon. So, I'm curious." Narinig ni Saph na natawa si Akio kaya tiningnan niya ito. "You're curious for a Tanaka," she said.

"I'm not a Tanaka," said Saph with a sour undertone in her voice.

"Okay, let me answer your question after you answer mine." Tumingin si Saph sa kanya na parang naghihintay ito kung ano ang tanong ni Akio. "Bakit ayaw mong sumali sa listahan ng Fukitsu Masters? Everyone is dying to be on that list," aniya na nagpatawa kay Saph.

"Someone who's already dead cannot be dying just to get somewhere."

Saglit na naguluhan si Akio sa sinagot ni Saph sa kanya. "I want an answer, young lady Tanaka—not a quote," aniya. Tipid na ngumiti si Saph at tiningnan ang mga upuan sa student council office at nakita niya ang mga pangalan nina Nyx, Zero, Ice, at Stone. Umupo siya sa upuan ni Stone at tiningnan si Akio.

"I don't want a leadership role. Tamad ako at never akong naging leader sa group activities namin noong high school ako," sagot nito at ito ang unang beses na nakita ni Saph na ngumiti si Akio sa buong pag-uusap nila.

Saph huffed out a breath and was amazed that a girl who displayed a neutral face like Akio could smile.

"Zero was right. You are entertaining."

Tinaasan ni Saph ng kilay si Akio sa sinabi nito at hindi na lang nagtanong. She wasn't so curious about things that involve people she isn't acquainted with. "I want your answer to my question," sabi ni Saph sa kanya.

Akio breathed out and looked at her directly.

"I never expected a Tanaka to be so engrossed in my business—"

"I'm not a Tanaka," paglilinaw ni Saph sa kanya at natawa ulit si Akio. "Alright, young lady Dela Vega—" Akio corrected.

"—I don't have a section. I attend my classes in my office. Being the student council president eats up my time. And I'm getting paid for my position. It's a win-win," sagot ni Akio habang nakatingin ng diretso si Saph sa kanya.

"If you're taking lessons, then... from which class?" tanong ulit ni Saph.

Akio couldn't believe how she was so curious given that the two of them don't have any business with each other. But in line with her belief in serving people higher than her, she is obliged to address Saph's questions.

"S Class, young lady Dela Vega," answered Akio.

"So, technically, you're my classmate. So, you don't have to be so formal with me. Just call me Saph," sabi ni Saph. Tumango si Akio bilang sagot. Saph breathed out and stood up. Naglakad siya papunta sa pinto at huminto sa tapat nito tsaka tumingin kay Akio.

"Thanks for telling me about the Fukitsu cart yesterday. See you around," said Saph and left.

Naglalakad si Saph sa hallway at diretso lang ang tingin niya sa unahan. Habang naglalakad siya ay nakita niya si Zero na may kausap na babae. She recognized that the girl was their classmate, Aya. Napansin ni Zero si Saph na naglalakad palapit sa kanila dahil nasa gitna sila ni Aya sa hallway pero hindi siya napansin ni Aya dahil nakatalikod ito kay Saph at parang seryoso ito sa sinasabi kay Zero.