Clandestine (Erityian Tribes Novella, #6)

05 : Emotional Pillar

The beast roared as I tried to attack its back.

Napatalon ako sa itaas ng puno. I watched the larger bear as it bared its teeth after I landed a cut on its body. Napatingin ako sa isa pa na mas maliit nang kaunti at nagtama ang mga mata namin.

"Oh, shit—"

Despite its bulky body, it was fast. Sinangga niya ang katawan nito sa puno kung nasaan ako kaya agad akong napalipat ng pwesto. The larger bear saw what was going on and lunged at my direction, too. I hastily summoned two swords and jumped off the tree, landing on the larger bear's shoulders, but the beast anticipated it.

I yelped as its claws grazed my ankle. Agad akong tumakbo at nagtago sa likod ng isang puno. I cursed in my head, berating myself for being careless. I tried to calm down and started concealing my presence. These beasts could smell fear and anxiety. This shouldn't be the time to feel those.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at hinigpitan ang hawak sa sword ko. I quietly motioned toward the smaller bear and threw the sword right at its eyes. I ran toward its direction as it roared in pain and pulled it from him, landing on the nearby tree.

The attack succeeded and the smaller bear escaped as blood trickled down its face. The larger one tried sniffing my scent and I had to breathe deeply to control my emotions. Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko nang maramdaman ko ang sakit sa paa at tuhod ko.

Naghintay ako ng ilan pang minuto at mukhang nawalan na ng interes ang oso. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang tuluyan na itong umalis. My weapons disappeared and I leaned against the tree, panting.

I wanted to train fighting against enemies that only use their instincts and would always have that intent to kill so I figured I could use the beasts as training partners. But damn, they were too wild and aggressive.

There were wounds and scratches all over my body. Despite the pain, I ran back to my cabin.

***

Buti na lang at may natira pa akong bandages kaya agad kong nilinis at tinakpan ang mga sugat na natamo ko mula sa Green's Bane. I checked the Shinigami but he was still unconscious. I wondered how long he would stay like this. Gustuhin ko mang malaman ang totoo niyang kalagayan ay hindi ko naman siya pwedeng dalhin sa Medical department.

I sighed after dressing my wounds. Tumayo ako at mabilis na nagbihis. Matapos 'yon ay pumunta ako sa campus at dadalawin ko sana si Akira pero nakasalubong ko si Kohaku, her husband, habang hawak si karga si Vivien.

"Ah. Michiko," he greeted.

Kinumusta ko naman agad siya at napangiti ako nang mabalitaan kong nagising na si Akira. He said she was resting in their house at the Senshin Village and he was on his way home from the Central Plaza. Napatingin naman ako kay Vivien. She has the same red hair as Akira. She giggled as she reached one of my fingers.

I smiled at her. "Listen to your mother, okay?"

She chuckled in response. Ang cute.

Nagpaalam na si Kohaku sa akin at dumiretso ako sa office ni Hideo. Balak ko sanang dumalaw kay Akira pero mukhang mas kailangan niya ng pahinga.

Nang makarating ako sa office niya ay nakadungaw siya sa bintana. He had that wistful expression on his face, as if he was reminiscing something. The first thing I thought about was the time when Akemi went back to her family. That was the same face he had that time.

Pagkatapos ng nangyari kahapon ay nanatili lang siya rito. Facing the Shima head must have been frightening but he did well.

Napabuntong-hininga ako habang palapit sa kanya. I tried to smile despite missing Akemi and Mitsuo again.