[Joker]
In the middle of our travel, the carriage stopped.
And just like that, Koa went to us, crying and frightened.
"C-C-Clover!"
Hindi niya pa naitutuloy ang sasabihin niya, alam ko na ang kasunod. Gusto kong ngumisi, gusto kong tumawa.
The look on her face is better than what I've imagined. And the fact that I can see it close up, makes it a hundred times better.
"KEI IS DEAD!"
The tone of her voice, her expression full of horror. Her feelings are very visible, as if her heart will explode any minute now, she can't think straight. She don't know what to do, what to prioritize first.
Is it the fact that there's an intruder? Or the fact that... her brother is dead?
The chills are crawling up to my skin, I love this feeling... the feeling of contentment, and being amused.
I can't stop myself from grinning, I want to laugh right now. This sight is very... very thrilling.
Bumigat ang tensyon sa loob ng karwahe, mabilis na nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Clover.
He looked at Koa with a very serious and intimidating face. "What are you saying, Koa?" kalmado ngunit may tonong tanong niya.
Hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Koa, bagkus ay mas lalo pa siyang namutla.
"T-There are two intruders!" She's shivering, eyes are dead. "T-T-They-"
"THEY KILLED MY BROTHER!"
Pasimpleng naningkit ang mga mata ko. Nakuha ng sinabi niya ang atensyon ko.
Two?
I only predicted one tho.
I mean, at this very moment, there's only one available and can do this task among the students from the academy. Since it's an important task and needed to be done ASAP, only a few are suited for the job. And among them all, there's a high percent chance that he's the one coming.
The Solar Academy's number 1.
The Ruler, Yadiel Portugal.
Walang gana akong napasalumbaba. He's suited for the job, and I admit, he has a chance of winning too.
Like, uhm... 27%?
Yep, he has a 27% chance of winning. Considering that he'll face the King and Queen, troops, and Clover all by himself, it's a pretty high chance if I were asked.
That fucking brat might be cocky, which I believe he can hold up. But still, he can't underestimate these fucking monsters like him too.
But there's someone with him?
Walang gana akong nag-isip, nanatiling nakasalumbaba sa bintana.
Then there's only one person who I can think of.
Yadiel can't bring an ordinary student, nor someone who's weaker than him. Because it will not make sense at all.
So someone who's available at the moment... and stronger than him... connected to Solar Academy.
Her silhouette flashed in my mind.
Yeah... it's definitely that bitch.
Xilah Portugal.
"Are you sure he's dead?" muling kalmadong tanong ng lalaking kaharap ko. Nalipat ang tingin ko sa kaniya.
Koa can't answer right away, which is enough to know her answer. I looked at Clover who doesn't have any reaction at all. For fuck sake, his King just died. His King that has been with him for almost a decade, and he won't even show any sad expression?
I secretly clicked my tongue. Fucking boring. I don't really care.
Mas lalong lumubog ang baba ko sa palad ko, dahil mas lalo akong nawalan ng gana at tinatamad sa nangyayari ngayon.
The fact that Xilah is here, only means that she's in the right state to fight...
Which only means, that the students she sent for my 2nd condition... freaking lived.
I clicked my tongue once again. Fucking boring.
Tsk, I'm sure that they faced Heart. How the fuck they're still alive?
I pouted. I guess a miracle indeed happened.
And that miracle... is the fucking brat Dias. Naalala ko ang mukha ng gagong batang 'yon, naiirita ako lalo. He's a happy go lucky guy, who always messes up my calculations. I fucking hate his gift.
"Joker."
Nawala ang pagmumura ko sa isipan at ang pagmamaktol ko nang marinig ko ang pagtawag sa akin. Umangat ang tingin ko kay Clover na mukhang napoproseso na ang mga nangyayari ngayon.
"Do you have any idea who these intruders are?"
He has a deadly look on his face, which is very familiar to me. It's a sight I haven't seen for a long time, but the feeling of seeing it is still the same.
At that moment, an idea came into my mind.
Underneath my serious and worried expression, is my face grinning from ear to ear.
I just thought... of a very fucking thrilling idea.
Umayos ako ng upo, sumeryoso ang ekspresyon ko, pinaghalong lungkot din at kaba. "I guess... it's from the academy," I answered with a worried tone.
Nakuha ang mga atensyon nila ng sinabi ko.
"They must be making their move now," dagdag ko pa.
Nag-isip nang malalim si Clover at bumaba ang tingin, bago muling magtanong kay Koa. "Have you seen their appearances?"
Hinintay ko ang sagot ni Koa. She definitely didn't. Nasa harapan siya nakapwesto, nasa gitna ang karwahe namin, at pinakadulo si Kei. Nasa gitna rin ang ibang kasama sa troop. If Kei is dead, then the intruders are behind us.
But how did she knew he died though?-
An answer popped in my mind. I immediately stopped myself from chuckling.
Oh, I know how.
Bumaba ang tingin ni Koa, nanatiling namumutla pa rin at nanginginig. "I d-didn't... but a member from the back... said he saw a glimpse of... red hair."
Bingo.
"A fucking Portugal, huh," ani Clover. Umayos siya ng upo. "Well, there's two of them, then it's definitely not the Judge." Nawala nang kaunti ang tensyon na meron kanina.
"Kei must have been caught off guard." Winasiwas niya ang kamay niya. "You can take care of them."
Bakas sa mukha ni Koa ang pagkabigla at pagkadismaya, pero hindi niya kayang sumagot. Poor little girl just lost her brother after all, and their boss doesn't even give a fuck about it and try to avenge him.
"O-Oh... o-okay-"
"You won't fight?" pagsali ko sa usapan. Muling napunta ang mga tingin nila sa akin.
Prenteng sumandal sa upuan si Clover. "I don't see a reason to."
I secretly clicked my tongue. My eyes changed.
I immediately caught their attention.
'What are you-"
"64% chance. There's 64% chance that your troop will get eliminated if you'll let them be, Clover," may pagbabantang sambit ko.
He was taken aback. What I'm saying is the truth tho.
"Are you saying that we will lose, Joker?" sarkastikong sagot ng kausap ko.
Nanatili akong seryoso. "It's the Venus. The Venus and the Ruler, are the intruders, Clover."
Hindi siya nakasagot, alam na ang gusto kong iparating. Napaismid ang lalaking kaharap ko, bago umayos ng upo.
"So you're telling me to fight?"
Of course, fucker. I don't want you to wait for your death here. I want to at least see you suffer until the end.
"You should. It's also perfect to disposed them now."
Mukhang nakuha ko na ang interes niya, kumurba ang labi sa isang ngisi. "You have a point. Their heads are perfect gifts for Andina."
I smiled. Indeed.
"Then-"
"Wait."
Akmang tatayo na papalabas si Clover nang pigilan ko siya. Nahinto siya nang ilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. His forehead furrowed, confused.
"What?-"
"A gun." Nilapit ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. "Give me a gun."
Mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya. "What for? You don't need a gun. You don't have to fight, I'll take care of everything."
"Tsk, I need assurance, idiot. Give it to me now."
Ismid ang sinagot niya sa akin bago maglabas ng gintong baril na may orasan sa bulsa. A familiar gun... that I invented.
"Here." He handed it to me. I smirked.
"Then I-"
"Wait." I stopped him for the second time.
He kinda looks irritated. "What now?"
My expression darkened, I showed a grin.
"I'll give you a tip."
Nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan, humampas ang hangin.
"Huh?-"
"I know... Venus' weakness."
It felt like time moved slower as I move my lips. Lumalabas ang mga salita sa bibig ko na sumasabay sa hangin, bawat letra ay tumatatak sa utak ng kausap ko.
"That's my tip," pagtapos ko. "Consider it as an advice from a friend."
Seryoso si Clover nang marinig ang payo ko. He quietly left the carriage with a serious and cold expression, leaving me and my companion behind.
I'm sure that he's offended that I gave him an advice in fighting, but he can still use it just in case.
"Joker... you fucking traitor!"
Dahil kanina pa siya tahimik, nawala sa isipan ko na nandito pa rin pala sa siya. Nalipat ang walang gana kong tingin sa estudyanteng kasama ko. Nanlilisik ang mga mata niya sa akin.
"I THOUGHT YOU ARE OUR ALLY!"
Umangat ang dalawang kilay ko. "Oh... you also know about that?" kaswal na tanong ko. I thought that it was a big secret tho?
He clicked his tongue. "I'm a coder! We know Cross' background! Of course we know it!"
"M-Miss Xilah is sensitive about it! Why did you tell him that?!"
He looks disappointed and hurt, probably because of the fact that I said something important to our enemy. He's gritting his teeth, clenching his fist.
I remained expressionless, there's a sudden silence.
It took seconds before I felt the wind breeze once again. At the same time, my lips turned into a grin, my eyes are smiling too.
"Why?"
"It's more thrilling that way, don't you think?"
CHAPTER 41
Thrilled