'Fukitsu Masters'
"Your family's tradition, rules, and whatever the hell you hide behind your empire are sick."
Tiningnan ng lahat si Zack sa sinabi nila. Isa-isa nang naglakad palabas ang mga tao sa arena matapos ang laban ni Saph. Lumabas na rin si Nyx na magulo na ang necktie at buhok dahil sa pagpupumiglas niya sa mga Fukitsu guards kanina.
He combed his hair using his fingers and turned off his phone.
"Nyx, we should check on Saph. Kailangan niyang pumunta sa Fukitsu Hospital," sabi ni Ice. Tumingin si Nyx sa kanya. "You know we're not supposed to go after her," he said. Tumingin sa kanya sina Stone at nakita niyang kinuwelyuhan ni Ice si Nyx dahil sa sinabi nito.
Ice Imperial is one of the few people in Fukitsu who is not afraid to lay his hands on a Tanaka.
"What the fuck did you say? Nakita mong umalis siya na duguan tapos sasabihin mong hindi natin siya susundan?" galit na tanong nito at hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak ng kwelyo ni Nyx.
"It's tradition and natural that the Tanaka guards and our own people would look after her. Don't get too involved with our business, Imperial. You might be involved with my sister in other ways, but when it comes to our traditions, stay out of it."
Marahas na tinanggal ni Nyx ang pagkakahawak ni Ice sa kwelyo niya at aalis na sana nang may humarang sa kanya na mga Fukitsu guard at kasama ang isang babae na nakasuot ng pormal na damit.
"Fukitsu Masters, please come this way," sabi ng babae na hanggang balikat lang ni Ice.
She has long black hair and spoke in a monotonic voice. Bumuntong-hininga sina Ice, Nyx, at Stone dahil sa sinabi nito at walang nagawa at sumunod na pero may binulong si Stone kina Demo bago siya sumama kina Nyx.
Naglakad sila papunta sa opisina ng student council at isang Fukitsu guard ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa kanila. Natigilan si Nyx nang maalala ang sinabi ni Saph.
"Simpleng pagbukas ng pinto kayo rin ang gumagawa?"
Nyx is aware that his sister values justice and equality among people. She didn't like how their house has a number of staff members when they can just survive with one. Saph would always leave a big tip to baggers at grocery stores whenever they helped her carry huge boxes that she alone could not carry.
When visiting small towns, Saph would stop in her tracks to rummage in her bag in search of some change so she could give it to the beggars on the street. If given that she didn't have any change, she'd buy a meal for them instead of giving them the money since she knew they needed food at the exact moment.
When she was in high school, she would volunteer at school feeding campaigns and even visit villages deep in the mountains to donate food and clothing to the people. Saph would cry whenever she saw old people eating by themselves and would hate anyone who mistreats a stray dog or cat.
She was sweet, generous, and loving.
And now, Nyx is seeing his sister fight people, make them bleed, and bring them closer to death. She couldn't hurt someone before. She couldn't even hurt a fly. Saph would always hesitate to hurt her sparring buddies during one of her Anpa's physical tests.
He realized how they broke her into pieces and now expected her to glue herself and shine at them like she used to.
"Please step inside," sabi ng babae na nag-imbita sa kanila.
"You don't have to be so formal, Akio," sabi ni Ice sa babae. She did not look at them or even blinked. Pumasok na sina Nyx sa opisina at nakita nila si Zero na nakaupo na sa upuan na may pangalan niya sa likod. Iniikot-ikot niya pa ang swivel chair niya tsaka tumingin kina Nyx.
"Your sister is interesting," bungad niya rito.
"Don't get me started, Natsugawa," Nyx warned him at umupo sa upuan na may pangalan niya rin. "Nasaan 'yong secretary mo, Zero?" tanong ni Stone.
"Oh, she's not coming today. Aya hates someone in this room," mahinahong sabi ni Zero habang nakatingin kay Nyx na nakatingin lang sa harap. Nagsidatingan na ang ibang council members at yumuko sila kina Zero bilang paggalang.
"Alright, let's start the meeting," sabi ng babae sa harap.
"For those who don't know me or decided to forget my name, I'm Akio. I'm this year's student council president," pagpapakilala nito. Her voice didn't have any certain tone to it. To Ice, it was like listening to a robot.
"Fukitsu student council members, I'm sure you already know the four people in front of us. But if you were born yesterday then let me introduce them," sabi ni Akio at binanggit ang mga pangalan nina Zero habang isa-isa niya itong tinuturo.
"They are our Fukitsu Masters. They do not belong to the student council because they are far too mighty for this position. It's a shame they weren't called the Gods of Fukitsu."
Akio spoke in a very monotonic voice that it was hard to know if she was joking or not kaya hindi alam ng mga student council members kung ano ang ire-react. "It's fine, you can laugh," sabi ni Ice at isa-isa nang nagtawanan ang mga 'to na halata namang peke at pilit lang dahil takot pa rin sila sa mga tao na nasa harap nila.
"The agenda of this meeting is..." Akio trailed off and turned on the projector. It showed Saph's image dahilan para tumaas ang kilay ni Zero.
"What? Someone's interested in her other than me?" tanong nito dahilan para dahan-dahang tumingin si Nyx sa kanya. Zero shrugged his shoulders and looked back at the screen, obviously admiring the photo in front of them.
"Why would we even talk about my sister?" tanong ni Nyx.
"Because she's new and we don't know what to do with her," Akio replied.
"I believe I can take care of my sister just fine," sagot ni Nyx pero napaawang ang bibig ng mga myembro ng council noong umiling si Akio. "She just disagreed with him!" bulong ng ibang myembro.
"Taming a beast requires a team effort, young master Tanaka. I know your family is handling this matter very well but as the standing president of the school, we need to cooperate," Akio explained. Ice was impressed that she was not showing any sign that she feared Nyx or even talking about the Tanaka family.
"I know you are aware of how the rules in the academy work, young master. Even if your sister is your family's most beloved person, we cannot treat her like a baby. According to my calculations, your sister is doomed to break a few of our school rules. And if she breaks any rules, we give her a punishment," paliwanag nito.
May nagtaas ng kamay mula sa student council at hinayaan naman siya ni Akio na magsalita. It was a girl, and she was sitting in on a chair that had 'Student Council Auditor' on it.
"Are we seriously punishing a Tanaka? That doesn't seem right, Akio. We're literally in their territory," nanginginig sa sabi nito at mas lalo siyang nanginig noong humarap si Nyx sa kanya.
"No, it's fine. The rules in the academy are applied to all. And one more thing, the academy is not my family's territory. My grandfather just owns more than half of it," sabi nito.
"Stop bragging, Tanaka," mahinang sabi ni Zero habang nakatingin pa rin ito sa larawan ni Saph sa harap kaya pinatay na ni Nyx 'yong projector.
"Anyway, going back to our agenda, anong plano mong gawin sa kapatid mo?" Akio asked. Nyx flicked his tongue and slumped back on the chair.
"Let her take the punishment." Nagsabog kaagad ng ingay sina Ice at Stone dahil sa sinabi niya habang umangat naman ang gilid ng labi ni Zero sa narinig niya. "Nababaliw ka na ba? We agreed to take her away from any of that!" inis na sabi ni Ice at tumingin sa kanya si Nyx.
"In case you didn't notice, Saph is out for blood just to get on Anpa's nerves. She'll do what it takes to poke into his head at alam mong gagamitin niya ang Fukitsu rito. One way or another, she will purposely ask for a punishment. Might as well give her what she wants," sagot ni Nyx at nakita niya ang pagtiim ng bagang ni Stone.
"She just stabbed herself. She'll be fine," nakangiting sabi ni Zero kaya tumingin na si Stone sa kanya pero wala itong sinabi.
"Alright, that's settled then. If she breaks some rules, we'll punish her accordingly. That's all for today. Thank you for your time, everyone."
Tumayo na ang lahat matapos magsalita ni Akio. Naglakad na palabas si Nyx at dumiretso siya sa Emerald Manor. Nakita niya sina Demo sa labas at saka siya tumingin sa bintana ng manor. May mga naglilinis na sa loob at nakilala niya kung sino ang mga ito. "It's from your family," sabi ni Ice habang nakapamulsa at nakatingin sa manor.
"Anong sabi ng lolo mo?" tanong ni Stone na nasa gilid ni Nyx.
"Hindi ko siya kinausap. I turned off my phone," sagot ni Nyx at naglakad papasok sa Emerald Manor. Pagpasok niya ay binati siya ng mga katulong sa bahay at may isa sa kanila na lumapit sa kanya.
"Lady March," sambit ni Nyx sa pangalan nito. Lady March has been working for the Tanakas for over two decades. Siya ang nakakita kina Nyx at Saph na lumaki at pinagkakatiwalaan siya ng dalawa.
"The young lady is already asleep. Your family doctor tended to her wound," sabi nito. Tumango si Nyx at nagpasalamat dito tsaka tumingin sa mga tao sa paligid na pinupuno na ng gamit ang bagong bahay ni Saph.
They looked at the furniture and noticed a common logo on it. An italic letter T. Ice recalled how he lied to Saph about the logo, saying that it was Takahashi, not Tanaka.
"Your grandfather is already pampering her," sabi ni Stone at nakita ang mga mamahaling gamit, libro, at damit na pinapasok ng mga tauhan nina Nyx sa Emerald Manor.
"He's been pampering her since she was born. Why do you think she got the body enhancement? If my body could take it, sana hindi ko na siya hinayaan pakialaman pa si Saph," sabi ni Nyx at tiningnan ang mga tauhan nila na binubuo ang isang malaking bookshelf para kay Saph.
"Your grandfather has a weird way of showing his affection," Ice said, sounding amused and irritated at the same time.
"Yeah, he makes me kneel in front of him because he loves me dearly," sarcastic na sabi ni Nyx at umakyat na para hanapin ang kwarto ni Saph. Nakita niyang may isang kwarto na bukas ang pinto at pumunta siya rito tsaka niya nakita ang doktor nila na tinatapos na ang ginagawa niya. Paglabas ng doktor ay kinausap nito si Nyx at sinabing pahinga lang ang kailangan ni Saph.
"What about her wound?" he asked.
"She received the body enhancement, young master. Her regenerative cells are more active than a normal human being. She'll heal in no time without leaving a scar," the doctor explained before excusing himself.
Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Nyx at tiningnan si Saph na natutulog. Sinara na niya ang pinto at bumaba tsaka kinuha ang kutsilyo na ibinigay ni Saph sa kanya. Nakasilid ito sa isang zip bag at tinawag niya ang isa sa mga Fukitsu guard.
"Please take this to my grandfather. It's a gift from Sapphire."
"Right away, young master," the guard said and left his sight.
✥✥
"Anong meron sa inyo ni Saph?" tanong ni Zack habang naghihintay sila sa professor ng huling subject nila ngayong araw. Matapos ng laban ni Saph sa arena ay bumalik sa dating gawi ang campus. Dahil sa tanong ni Zack at halatang pinalakas nito ang boses nito ay napatingin sa kanila sina Zero. Stone was looking at the front, dazed and exhausted.
"We're friends," sagot nito.
"Wow naman. Sinamahan mo siyang maggrocery, ikaw nagturo sa kanya sa biometrics, tapos tinawagan ka pa niya kanina," panunukso ni Zack kaya hinampas siya ng magazine ni Demo dahil masyado itong maingay at naririnig sila ni Nyx.
Tumingin si Zack kay Nyx na nakaupo sa upuan niya at nakapikit habang nakahalukipkip pero halatang hindi ito tulog.
"What? I'm not saying something wrong. Sapphire needs friends, the loyal ones. Hindi 'yong ginagamit lang siya para sa pangalan niya," Zack said and took a glimpse at Sasha's irritated face. Silang dalawa lang ni Yuri ang pumasok at wala si Xyra.
"Nasaan si Xyra?" Kiel politely asked Sasha.
"Obviously, she's not here," sagot nito.
"Hey, he asked you nicely. Wouldn't it hurt to answer him in the same manner?" tanong ni Ice na siyang nakarinig sa usapan nila. Tumingin sa kanya si Sasha at tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"And why should I be nice? We're in this hellhole anyway. Wala namang maganda ang ugali sa inyo!" Tumaas na ang boses nito dahilan para mapatingin na sa kanila ang iba.
"Just because we didn't welcome you in our class dahil halatang nakapasa lang kayo through recommendation ay pwede mo nang pagsalitaan si Ice ng ganyan!" sigaw ng isang kaklase nila na babae.
"Don't you dare glare at us," pagbabanta ng isa sa kanila. "I can glare at whoever I want!" sumbat ni Sasha at tatayo sana pero nagmulat ng mga mata si Nyx at itinapat ang sapatos niya sa likod ng upuan ng Sasha.
"Are you going to keep it quiet or not?" tanong nito.
Itinikom kaagad ni Sasha ang bibig niya at dumating na ang professor nila. The professor announced that Saph was exempted from today's class because she achieved something that was almost impossible for the other students.
The class continued normally at noong nag-ring na ang bell ay tumayo na si Nyx para umalis pero may tumunog sa screen sa harap.
'Fukitsu Masters Ranking'
Kumunot ang noo ni Nyx sa nakita niya at doon na naglabas ang status ng apat na estudyante. Ang Fukitsu Masters ay ang mga estudyante na mataas ang overall ranking nila. Whether it's academic, sports, or other things considered for the Fukitsu Masters list.
1. Zero Natsugawa
2. Dawn Onyx Tanaka
3. Ice Imperial
4. Ashton Bridger
Natawa si Ice at tiningnan si Stone. "Ba't panghuli ka na?" panunukso niya rito.
"Mahal ko kasi si Nyx. Pinagbibigyan ko," sagot nito na nagpatawa naman kay Nyx pero may tumunog na naman sa screen. Nakita nilang inilabas ang percentage ng ranking nilang apat. Zero, who was standing by the door, looked at his ranking with confusion.
1. Zero Natsugawa – 99.2%
2. Dawn Onyx Tanaka – 99%
3. Ice Imperial – 98.5%
4. Ashton Bridger – 98%
"Are they rubbing it to my face na 98% lang ako?" inis na tanong ni Stone at nakita nila na nag-divide sa dalawang columns ang screen at may stats na ipinakita sa kabilang parte.
'Overall Student Ranking'
1. Dawn Sapphire Tanaka D.V. – 100%
2. Zero Natsugawa – 99.2%
3. Dawn Onyx Tanaka – 99%
4. Ice Imperial – 98.5%
5. Ashton Bridger – 98%
'S Class student | Special Rank 02: Dawn Sapphire Tanaka D.V. is qualified to apply for the academy master position. Please proceed to the Student Council Office to finalize your application'
Natawa si Zero sa nakita niya at umalis na habang nakatitig lang si Nyx sa screen. He let out a smirk and looked at his sister's name. There was a proud look on her face.
✥✥
"Lady March," bati ni Stone sa nagbabantay kay Saph sa Emerald Manor. Lady March is already showing her age. Pumuputi na ang buhok nito at may wrinkles na. Hanggang dibdib lang siya ni Stone noong nagbukas siya ng pinto.
"Welcome, young master," bati nito.
"Please call me Stone," nakangiting sabi nito at nakita ni Lady March na may dalang beef porridge si Stone.
"Ang sweet mo namang bata ka. Para kay Sapphire ba 'yan?" tanong nito at tumango si Stone tsaka inilapag ang porridge sa kitchen table. Sinubukang kunin ni Lady March and porridge bowl sa cabinet pero si Stone na ang nagpresenta na kumuha nito dahil may kataasan 'yong cabinet. Siya na rin ang naglagay ng porridge sa bowl at tinanong kung natutulog pa ba si Saph.
"Gising na siya, anak. Iyong bata na iyon talaga ay hindi na nakikinig sa akin. Nasasaktan na siya sa mga ginagawa niya," sabi nito at halata sa mukha nito na nag-aalala siya para kay Saph dahil isa siya sa mga nagbantay rito mula pagkabata.
"She'll be alright, Lady March. Nandito naman kami para bantayan siya," sabi nito at nagpaalam na dadalhin niya kay Saph ang porridge. Pagdating niya sa kwarto ni Saph ay nakaupo na ito sa kama at nakaharap sa TV. Napansin niya si Stone at ngumiti siya rito.
"You're weird," he said.
"You just stabbed yourself and now you're smiling," sabi niya at inilapag ang porridge sa mini table.
"Wanna hear an interesting fact?" she asked, and he nodded while setting up the table.
"Naghilom na ang sugat ko." Dahil sa sinabi ni Saph at tumingin kaagad si Stone sa kanya at halata sa mukha nito na nagulat ito sa narinig niya. She laughed at his face.
"It's the body enhancement. It makes me heal wounds in an hour or two, depende sa lalim at laki ng sugat," pasimple niyang sabi at hininaan ang volume ng TV. Stone breathed out and looked at her.
"So, one of the reasons why you stabbed yourself was because you're testing how fast your wounds will heal?" he asked.
"Hindi, alam ko na 'yon noong nasa Japan ako. I was surprised at first though. Napaisip pa ako na baka naging bampira na ako," natatawa nitong sabi. Umiling na lang si Stone at ngumiti tsaka inilapit na sa kanya ang mini table.
"Saph, it's doesn't mean that just because you'll heal immediately ay sinusugatan mo na lang basta-basta ang sarili mo," he scolded at nilagay na sa kamay ni Saph ang kutsara at sinabihan ito na kumain na. She scrunched her nose at his remarks.
"And why should I listen to you?" she jokingly asked while tasting the porridge.
"Because you're making me worry."
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