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'House 4'
"Ate, 'wag mo kasing i-literal 'yong Fukitsu. It's not what you think it is. Hindi ito base sa translation nito sa Japanese. Fukitsu is actually an abbreviation. Fukahara Tanaka, Kitsune Natsugawa, Thydin Imperial, Sachaire Vyacheslav, and Ugaai Rosso. It's the names of the ancestors of every member of the founding families of the Twilight Society. FUkahara, KItsune, Thydin, Sachaire, at Ugaai; FUKITSU."
Nagising si Saph mula sa panaginip niya. It was Kyo's explanation of how Fukitsu was formed. "But the Tanaka clan has the biggest share in the society." She remembered his words.
Nasa isang hotel siya dahil hindi siya sumunod sa utos ni Nyx na pumunta sa Tanaka village. She went straight to a hotel at nakita niya na sandamakmak na tauhan na ang nandoon.
You're not even trying to hide it anymore, huh? Isip niya noong nagcheck-in siya sa hotel. She was given the luxury suite at nalaman niyang may mga tauhan na nagbabantay sa labas ng pintuan ng kwarto niya.
She woke up annoyed, took a bath annoyed, and had her breakfast annoyed. Everything around her was either tipping her off with annoyance or making her want to scream chaos. She tried to keep her cool when Kyo called her on the phone.
"Ate, may anime convention dito. Sayang, hindi mo po naabutan. May nagcosplay ng Sailor Moon tapos akala ko babae pero binangungot ako dahil nakita ko 'yong lawit niy—ay sorry bad words! Pero ate ang ganda niya kasi."
Natawa si Saph sa sinabi nito. It was the first time she smiled today. "Kailan po kayo papasok sa Fukitsu?" tanong ni Kyo at nakita siya ni Saph na nagbabalat ng lollipop.
"Today. Kyo, your teeth. Stop with the lollipops," sabi niya rito at ngumiti naman si Kyo sabay tago ng lollipop na hawak niya. "Anyway, good luck on your first day at Fukitsu!" paalam ni Kyo at pinatay na ang tawag.
Saph threw her phone on the bed and looked at herself in the mirror. Isang oras siyang naghintay sa kwarto na 'yon hanggang sa may kumatok sa pintuan.
"Saph, it's me."
Narinig ni Saph ang boses ni Nyx mula sa labas. Hindi siya sumagot at nakita niya na lang na bumukas ang pintuan at nakatayo si Nyx doon.
"It's time to go," aniya. She got up from the bed, grabbed her bag, and silently followed him outside.
"How was your stay in Japan?" tanong nito pero hindi pa rin sumagot si Saph hanggang sa makarating sila sa parking lot ng hotel. Nakita ni Saph sina Stone na naghihintay sa kotse nila. Ice waved at her from the other car.
Dumiretso siya sa loob ng kotse na tinuro ni Nyx at sinalpak ang earphones niya para hindi siya subukang kausapin ni Ice na katabi niya lang doon sa likod ng sasakyan dahil nasa driver's seat si Nyx.
She wanted to close her eyes for the rest of the trip pero minabuti niyang tumingin sa dinadaanan nila para malaman kung saan siya dinadala ng mga ito. Her trust issues for them were up to the ceiling. Nakita niya ang dinaanan nilang mga lugar.
Twenty minutes into the ride, Saph began to see high pine trees that lined the road. It was as if they were entering a very long entrance road dahil sampung minuto silang nagmamaneho sa lugar na puno ng pine trees sa gilid.
She saw the last pair of pine trees before the car entered a gated community. She thought it was a community dahil ang taas ng pader sa gate at ang laki at ang lawak na paligid. Everything in her sight gleamed of unfamiliar faces and scents.
As the car passed by some people, she saw them looking over, as if they were curious about who was inside the car, or they already knew who it was. She saw buildings, houses, high-rise apartment complexes, and parks, and almost everything was there. She also spotted a hospital, a café, a mall, and loads of other infrastructures. It felt like she entered another city. The whole place was so big.
"Welcome to Fukitsu."
She heard what Ice said even with her earphones on. Dahan-dahan na niyang tinanggal ang earphones niya noong huminto na ang sasakyan sa isang parking space na may sign na 'Tanaka'. She huffed out a breath and got out the car.
The whole place smelt like mint and expensive fabric. The noise was starting to get louder and louder as people began to approach the car. Napapikit si Saph dahil sa flash ng camera. Nakita niya ang isang lalake na may hawak na camera at hindi na siya nabigla noong nilapitan ito ng mga Tanaka guard at kinuha ang camera mula rito.
"Welcome to Fukitsu Academy," Nyx said and walked by her side.
Wala pa ring sinabi si Saph sa kanya. She saw Stone and the others got out of the car at naghiyawan ang mga babae na nakakita sa kanila.
"Is that her?" Tumingin lang si Saph sa unahan nang marinig niya ang mga bulong-bulongan sa paligid.
"Well, she does look like Nyx. It's definitely her," sabi naman ng babae na may hawak-hawak na designer bag. Naglakad sa likod nila sina Zack kaya mas dumami ang mga tao na pumalibot sa kanila para makita kung sino ang dumating.
Binilisan na nila ang paglalakad habang binibigyan sila ng daan ng mga Tanaka guards. Nakarating sila sa harap ng isang opisina at isang tauhan nila ang nagbukas ng pinto. Kumunot ang noo ni Saph at tiningnan ang Tanaka guard na 'yon dahilan para matigilan silang lahat.
"Do you do everything for him? Open the door, drive the car, or make him walk? Simpleng pagbukas ng pinto kayo rin ang gumagawa?" she asked, laughing sarcastically.
Hindi sumagot ang lalake na tinanong niya at yumuko lamang ito sabay humingi ng tawad.
"He didn't even do anything wrong and yet he's apologizing. How many people did your family torture?"
It was the first line she said directly to Nyx. She emphasized on your family to give him an idea that she didn't accept her identity as a Tanaka. Naglakad na lang si Saph papasok sa opisina at binati sila ng ilang lalake na nasa mid-40s na ang edad at may salamin ito na makapal ang grado.
"Pleased to have you join our academy, Ms. Dela Vega." Tumingin si Saph ng maigi sa lalake na 'yon dahil sa tinawag nito sa kanya. He called her by her actual surname and not the one that everyone keeps throwing at her.
And by that, she smiled.
Napako ang tingin nina Ice sa ngiti na ibinigay ni Saph sa lalake na kinikilala nilang dean ng academy. Pinaupo sila nito at tiningnan pa rin nila ang kilos ni Saph na parang nababagot pero hindi ito pinapahalata.
"It's your first day here in Fukitsu and I know it might be overwhelming dahil magkakakilala na ang lahat ng mga estudyante rito dahil dito na sila nag-aral simula junior at senior high school. Our academy offers programs for junior at senior high school and expanded our programs for undergraduate studies." Nakita nila Nyx na nakikinig si Saph sa mga sinasabi nito kaya hindi na lang nila pinatigil 'yong dean.
"The academy has some rules, Ms. Dela Vega. One, students are not allowed to leave the community without a gate pass. Our housing facilities are of top quality, so you don't have to worry about your stay here. You and Mr. Tanaka can share a place. He owns the Diamond Manor, which is also called House 1." Umiling si Saph sa sinabi ng dean.
"I want my own place if that's okay. I don't want to share a house with someone not trustworthy," mahinang sabi ni Saph kaya napangiti na lang 'yong dean dahil wala itong masabi.
"Sure, you can pick your housing facilities in a bit. Now, the second rule is to keep the academy's prestige alive. In other terms, no violence inside the campus. Violence is only allowed during official matches and exams." Ice wanted to know Saph's reaction to the violence rule at nakita niyang hindi man lang ito nabigla.
He figured that Zyd filled her in with most of the information she needed.
"That's all for now. Our student council president will fill you in with the rest of the academy's rules and criteria. You may pick your house from this." Nagkatinginan sina Demo noong inilahad ng dean kay Saph ang isang tablet. Tinanggap ito ni Saph at naghanap ng bahay na kukunin niya.
"How do I get the house?" tanong nito habang nakatingin pa rin sa tablet.
"You have to fight for it. You can either steal a house or fight for an unoccupied one," sagot ng dean.
Fighting for a house. Mahinang natawa si Saph. It's just like how Zyd explained it. In Fukitsu, everything is similar to the world outside. If you want something, you have to fight for it. This process allows you to show off your capabilities and prove your influence in the Fukitsu society before going to the real deal: the Twilight Society.
Saph looked at the houses and the people occupying them. House 1, the Diamond Manor, is occupied by Dawn Onyx Tanaka and Ice Imperial. Natawa si Saph sa nakita niya at dahan-dahang tiningnan si Nyx na nakatingin lang din sa kanya.
"Tanaka? Not even Dad's surname? Oh, wait—I forgot, we're not siblings," aniya at binalik na ang tingin sa tablet.
House 2, the Golden Manor, is occupied by Zero Natsugawa, Aya, Evo, and Red (Red Scorpions). House 3, the Silver Manor, is occupied by Ashton Bridger, Zackery Dans, Demo Ford, and Ezekiel Fortalejo (Midnight Phantoms).
She saw that House 4, the Bronze Manor, was available.
"I'll take the Bronze Manor," aniya at ibinalik na ang tablet sa dean matapos niyang makita ang challenge na nakalagay doon. To obtain the key to the Bronze Manor, she has to defeat 20 skilled people. It did not specify what these people's skills are.
"Saph, we can fight for yo—" She cut off what Zack was about to say.
"It's fine," walang gana niyang sabi.
"Are you going to fight alone?" tanong ng dean at tiningnan pa si Nyx na parang may gustong sabihin.
"I've always been alone even though I was born with a twin. Weird, right?" she asked and smiled again. Tumayo na ang dean at nakipagkamay kay Saph.
"Good luck, Ms. Dela Vega. You may head straight to the arena," sabi nito at tumango si Saph tsaka naglakad palabas. Paglabas niya pa lang ay narinig na niya ang tunog ng mga cellphone ng tao sa paligid at sabay nila itong tiningnan.
"What the hell? Kukunin niya ang Bronze Manor?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng ito at tiningnan si Saph na iginiya na ng mga Fukitsu guards papunta sa arena. The Fukitsu guards were all wearing red suits with a white mask on their faces.
Agad na sumunod sina Nyx kay Saph papunta sa arena at nagkakagulo na rin ang mga tao.
Sa isang parte naman ng Fukitsu ay nagkakagulo na ang mga estudyante at nagtatakbuhan na ito papunta sa arena. "May concert na naman ba?" tanong ni Evo habang nakatingin sa mga estudyante mula sa terrace ng Golden Manor.
"No, the hidden Tanaka just showed up," Red reported, and he was smiling so wide kaya kumunot ang noo ni Evo at naglakad palapit sa kanya. "Ang saya mo ata," sabi nito.
"Ang ganda ba naman ng nakita ko, sinong hindi magiging masaya?" natatawang sabi nito at inaya sila na pumunta na rin sa arena para manood.
Dumating si Aya na kasama ang lalake na nakahoodie ng itim at parang kakagising lang. His black hair was a mess under his hoodie, and he was still trying to close his eyes.
"Zero, come on. We're finally going to see a Tanaka fight," Evo said and pulled him towards the arena. Hindi na sila nahirapan makahanap ng upuan sa arena dahil nakareserve na ang VIP section sa kanila.
Sa kabilang VIP section ay nakita ni Aya sina Nyx, Ice, at Stone na kakaupo lang. Zero yawned and rested his elbows and arms on the railings and looked at the girl who was slowly walking towards the arena.
"And the dragon entered the bat's cave," nakangiting sabi ni Evo at tiningnan si Zero na napako ang tingin kay Saph.
"So, what do you think?" tanong ni Aya kay Zero. "Think what?" tanong nito habang nakatingin pa rin sa stage.
"Do you want to kill this Tanaka?" she asked. Zero huffed out a breath and rested his back on the chair tsaka nilagay sa bulsa ng hoodie niya ang kanyang mga kamay.
"She's cute," he said.
Sa parte ni Saph ay nakatingin lang siya sa dalawampung lalake na umaakyat na sa stage. She heard an announcement about her taking the Bronze Manor. The announcer did not mention who she was pero rinig na ni Saph sa paligid na pinag-uusapan na siya ng mga tao.
"This is the hidden Tanaka that they're talking about? She doesn't look the part." Rinig niyang sabi ng isa sa mga 'to.
"Tinago pa nila 'to? Parang hindi naman worth it. How can she fight these guys?" Another one asked.
Mahinang natawa si Saph at hinanap ng mata niya si Nyx. Nakatingin ng diretso si Nyx sa kanya kaya tumingin na si Saph sa harap at nakita niyang kumukuha na ng baseball bat 'yong ibang lalake at may mga kumuha naman ng matatalim na bagay katulad ng kutsilyo at machete.
She was given weapons of choices too pero tiningnan niya ang mga nasa mesa. She didn't fancy any of them kaya wala siyang kinuha sa mga 'to at naglakad na papasok sa stage. The guys waiting for her laughed when they saw that she didn't bring any weapon.
"No weapon? That's new," mahinang sabi ni Zero at sumandal muli sa railings para makita ng maayos ang mga nangyayari.
Nyx, on the other hand, palmed his face and was already gritting his teeth but decided to not display too much emotion in front of a big crowd.
Tumingin si Saph sa paligid at nakita niya ang isang babae na parang coordinator na may sinusulat sa board niya gamit ang isang ballpen. Naglakad palapit si Saph rito at nakita niyang metal ballpen ang gamit nito.
"Hi, can I borrow your pen?" tanong niya rito.
Napasinghap pa 'yong babae nang malaman niyang si Saph ang nasa harap niya. Nanginginig ang kamay niya noong inabot niya ang ballpen rito tsaka na bumalik si Saph sa harap ng mga lalake.
Ice squinted his eyes just to make sure he was seeing clearly.
"Did she just grab a pen?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Zack.
"Alright, everyone. You know how this goes. You may proceed." With what the coordinator said, the people in front of Saph decided to slowly approach her.
"Miss, sayang naman ang mukha mo kung masusugatan namin. Sigurado ka na ba diyan sa hawak mo? We're fighting here, not taking the exams," natatawang sabi nito at natawa na rin 'yong iba. Saph clicked the pen and took a step back.
"Umaatras ka na agad? See, dude. What did I tell you? Naduduwag talaga ang mga babae sa st—"
Everything happened so quickly. One minute, they were standing in front of her like hunters surrounding a prey, and in a few seconds, they were all screaming on the ground, holding their necks, eyes, thighs, and arms.
Dumudugo na ang mga parte na hinahawakan nila at saka tumingin ang lahat kay Saph na nasa gilid na. Tumingin silang lahat sa ballpen na hawak nito at nakita niyang may dugo na tumutulo doon. The camera in the arena focused on the pen, letting everyone see it on the big screen.
"Yes! Sapphire!" sigaw nina Zack at Kiel noong makompirma nila na nanalo si Saph.
Naghiyawan na rin ang mga nasa arena. "Tanaka! Tanaka! Tanaka!" sigaw ng mga ito at nakita ni Nyx ang kapatid niya na tinakpan ang tenga niya sa mga naririnig niya. Saph irritably threw the pen away and grabbed the key to the Bronze Manor and left the arena looking extremely irritated.
The whole day was spent talking about the fight at the arena. Ang laban ni Saph lang ang bukam-bibig ng mga estudyante ng Fukitsu.
"That's what I'm talking about. See, Nyx? This is what we need." Nakatingin lang si Nyx sa laptop niya habang kausap niya ang lolo niya. "She exterminated them in less than a minute, Anpa. That's not what we needed. It's more than we needed. That means she doesn't have to get the Med00, right?" sabi niya rito.
Narinig ni Nyx na tumawa ito ng malakas dahil sa sinabi niya.
"No, she still needs the Med00 to activate the nanobots inside her body," sabi nito.
"Anpa, I don't want to hide things from her anymore. Hindi na niya ako kinakausap at parang alam ko na ang patutunguhan ng mga pinaggagawa niya rito sa Fukitsu." Even if Nyx wanted to yell at his grandfather, he was not ready to lose a limb. Then again, he remembered that Saph was right. He was the coward.
"You don't need to hide things from her anymore, Nyx. I'll visit her soon."
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It's been a long time since Saph slept so peacefully. She rolled over on her bed in her new home and opened her phone's gallery. Tiningnan niya ang mga larawan ni Aki. Once again, she felt a pang on her chest. He arrived so suddenly and was gone too quickly. She felt her heartbeat and closed her eyes.
It's getting a little dark in this heart of mine. She thought and breathed out.
Before she went to Japan, she questioned so many things. How long has her family been fooling her? How could Nyx smile at her knowing that he's hiding something so big? Her questions were answered by Zyd. Most of them. While she was away, she developed trust issues with the people around her.
She hated how her family has group of men protecting and serving them. Noong makita niya na halos sila lahat ang gumagawa ng mga bagay na pwede naman nilang gawin, ang pagbuksan ng pinto, pagdala ng bag, at minsan ang pagsagot sa mga katanungan.
Saph didn't like having people serve for her. Kahit 'yong mga maid nila sa mansion ay hindi hinahayaan ni Saph na pagsilbihan siya palagi. Except for their chef since Saph wasn't made to cook. She'd burn the kitchen if she tried.
She hated every bit of being a Tanaka. How they experimented with her body without her permission, and everything related to that matter.
She made a promise to herself before she entered the school; that she'd make her family regret everything they did to her by bringing chaos to this playground called Fukitsu Academy.
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