#TCS19: The Colours of Deceit
Honoka Reign's POV
"Would... would you like to stay for a bit?" I slowly arced my back to see his face when I heard him say that. I think my eyes glowed because of the question. Hindi ko mapigilan mapangiti nang sobrang lawak.
"Really?" My tone seemed too excited, so he chuckled. He slowly released me from the hug, his one hand traveled through his nape, he looked embarrassed while looking at me. I couldn't help but wonder why...
"Stay for some movie?" Tanong niya ulit para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sagot ko. I nodded eagerly. Sino ba naman ang tatanggi sa kaniya? He's Rebel for Pete's sake. I missed him so much, too!
"Okay!" Masayang sabi ko at saka napatalon na parang bata. He tousled my hair because of that, I automatically shrink in my height, akala ko kasi kung anong gagawin niya. He chuckled because of my reaction.
He held my hand after. He stopped too, then looked at our hands. Medyo hinigpitan niya ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko. I think, I blushed? I felt my cheeks heat up. However, I remained calm and gave him a sweet glimpsed.
Hinila niya ako nang marahan papunta sa living room. He opened the giant flat screen hanging on the wall. I swear the huge television made it looked like a mini movie theater. He guided me to seat on the fluffy sofa.
"I'll get some snacks." He told me with a smile, then left me alone. Kinuha ko 'yung remote sa may centre table. I operated the TV. I searched for movies and started to scroll it down for some choices.
Hindi rin nagtagal 'nung biglang sumulpot si Rebel sa tabi ko. He gave a bowl of popcorn and another bowl of chocolates! Chocolates! Ferrero and Lindt! Both my favourites. "Thank you!" I exclaimed in happiness and picked some flavours from the Lindt.
"Did you pick some movie to watch?" He asked while settling down beside me. He also covered me with a blanket since it's kinda cold because of the aircon directly blowing its wind on our place.
"No pa." I answered while taking the vanilla and hazelnut flavours in my hand.
"Sana pala hindi ko na binigay 'yung chocolates." My forehead creased when I heard him murmur those words. Hindi ko mapigilan hindi matawa nang mahina. Is he serious? Ang cute ni Rebel!
Hinarap ko s'ya saka ko tinawanan. I saw him glanced at me with his peripheral vision but he remained looking at the screen, avoiding my gaze. "So silly." Loko ko sa kan'ya. Hindi na nagbago 'to.
He's still the Rebel I remember. Nagtatampo sa 'min kapag hindi s'ya pinapansin kaya ang resulta sandamakmak na pranks. He looked so mature and manly but I want this cute side of him. You just gotta pull the right string to make him like this.
Tiningnan ko 'yung bowl ng popcorn. I slightly elbowed him, tingnan na n'ya ako dahil do'n. Medyo binigay ko sa kan'ya 'yung popcorn. "Sour and cream?" I asked tenderly. He grabbed the bowl from my lap and picked one piece.
"Ah."
"Ah?"
Saktong pagkasabi no'n bigla na lang n'ya inilagay sa bibig ko 'yung popcorn. I froze! I freaking did not see it coming! He also slowly closed my hanging mouth, my eyes couldn't look at him because of surprise!
Halaaaa!
Oh my pickles? Oh my? Did he just—?
Wala akong nagawa kung hindi nguyain 'yung sinubo n'yang popcorn. "Sour and cream it is." Natatawang sabi niya sa akin. Mukhang pinagkakatuwaan pa 'yung reaksyon ko dahil natatawa s'ya tapos parang amuse na amuse 'yung hitsura!
Makauwi pa kaya akong buhay kayna Kuya Akira ko?
I feel like this Rebel in here, will take my every breath!
Calm down, Honoka. Calm down, you are part of the so called Keep Calm Trio, right? You should be calm in this situation you know?
Pero si Rebel kasi 'yung kasama ko?
Like he's freaking Leoniael freaking Rebel freaking Evans?!
Like how could I possibly remain composed?
"So what do you wanna watch, Reign?"
"Movie."
"Silly. Kaya ka nga nandito kasi manunuod tayo ng movie 'di ba?"
"Yeah, ah, oo nga 'no."
"Hahaha. Damn, cute."
Sinimangutan ko siya saka kinuha 'yung remote at naghanap ng movie na pwedeng mapanuod. I heard him munching some popcorns and stretched his arms back to rest it on the headrest of the sofa.
I focused on picking a movie instead. I clicked the animation genre.
I was silently scrolling it down when I felt Rebel's hand pulled me closer to him. I didn't mind, he also played with my hair.
"Would it be fine to watch How to Train Your Dragon?" I queried as he slowly rested his head on the top of my head. Warm. So warm. Napangiti na lang ako ng palihim.
"Anything you wish to watch." He replied softly, it almost sounded like a whisper.
"Rebel?" Mahinang tawag ko.
"Patay ako kayna Kuya Akira nito..." Nahihiyang sabi ko.
I felt happy to see him, super happy, to be with him. But I'm pretty sure Kuya Akira's gonna be dead worried about me, pati si Nicholas mag-aalala sa akin 'yun. Lalo na solong babae ako sa 'min. Baka ibaliktad 'nung dalawang kapatid ko 'yung buong school mahanap lang ako.
"I'll take care of that, so worry not."
"Really?"
"Yep, anything for you."
"Then if I wish na... you come with me to let them see you, will you grant it ba?"
He slowly removed his chin on the top of my head. "That's a different story."
"But kas—"
"In time, Reign... in time."
I didn't push through the topic. Medyo guminhawa rin 'yung pakiramdam ko 'nung sinabi n'ya na huwag ako mag-alala about sa mga kapatid ko 'tsaka sa barkada.
I just pressed the watch button so we could watch the movie.
Rebel and I watched the movie with joy. Hanggang sa kalagitnaan he went to the kitchen. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero natagalan s'yang bumalik. 'Nung bumalik s'ya he just pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arms around my shoulder.
"Damn, just damn." I heard him murmur.
"Why?"
"Nah, it's really damn hard resisting you, just so you are informed."
I chuckled lightly. "Why?"
"You are a princess personified you know?"
"Art too, and Haper, oh she's a living duchess."
"Tell me amusing things you did when I was gone, Reign."
So instead of watching the rest of the movie, I told him stories. I told him the memories we created without him, I also made him feel on how much I dreamed of the Evans' siblings to be a part of the memories we'll create in the future.
"You seriously made a pool inside your house? Reign, that prank could have been mine." Natatwang sabi n'ya sa kwento ko tungkol sa kalokohan namin nina Kuya Akira.
Papa brought us some pool and balls to play with and when he wasn't looking Kuya Akira and I went to bring a hose to fill the pool of balls with water. Napagalitan man kami ni Mama no'n sa ginawa namin, sobrang enjoy rin naman kami ni Kuya ko.
"Mama also used to go to the prefect of discipline because of me."
"Now, you are kidding me."
"It's true!" Humarap ako sa kaniya habang nakayakap siya sa balikat ko kaya hindi rin ako nakalayo sa kaniya.
"But you are not the kind to be in trouble."
"I'm not!" Natatawang sabi ko.
"Then why?"
"Some of the girls would tease me and would play a prank on me because they wanted to see my reaction. They say I've always been calm and regal so they used to play tricks on me."
"I'm the only one allowed to play pranks on you!" He said seriously and when he saw my puppy eyes he pinched my cheeks.
"Damn."
"Eh?"
"Eh?" Gaya na naman niya sa akin kaya sinapak ko s'ya nang mahina.
Ilang saglit lang biglang may tumunog na kanta. The movie ended. Great. Hindi ko man lang napanuod 'yung movie dahil sa kakulitan nitong si Rebel.
"Looks like it's time's up." I heard an emotional tone in his voice.
Napatungo ako. "You'll still appear before me, 'di ba?"
"Of course." He assured softly and locked me up in his arms once more. I felt his lips on the top of my head.
Nauna s'yang tumayo 'tsaka ako nilahadan ng kamay. I held his hand as we quietly walked to the front door. "Don't try finding me, are we clear?" He's serious about it so I nodded my head like a kid. I gently stroked his hand.
"Crystal." I answered with a low voice.
"Don't pout, I might kidnap you for real from Akira."
Natawa naman ako ro'n. Baliw nito.
"Silly."
"I know."
Sinuot ko na 'yung sapatos ko tapos ay niyapos ko 'yung box ng chocolate na binigay niya sa akin.
"'Till I see you again?"
"My honour."
Lumabas na rin ako matapos niyang sabihin 'yun. I don't wanna look at him kasi baka hilahin ko lang s'ya at isama sa akin. And I don't wanna see how he's struggling to let me go. Naglakad na lang ako nang dire-diretso kahit hindi ko alam kung saan akong parte ng school napunta.
I just walked blindly 'til I heard some voices.
"Honoka!"
"Honoka!"
Napalingon ako at nakita ko si Art at Harper.
"Ano'ng ginagawa n'yo rito?" Tanong ko 'nung makalapit sila.
"Waiting for you." Art replied simply.
"Luna texted us to wait for you here, since you went with her to earn some aurous?" Harper clarified more.
"Ah, yeah, right." Napatango-tango ako. Luna? Luna made an excuse for me? But it was Rebel who was...
Wait! It only means one thing!
Luna and Rebel know each other!
"Ah, earth to Honoka, earth to Honoka!" Art spoke while snapping her fingers in front of my face.
"Let's go?" Harper looked a little confuse but she let it go.
"Sa'n galing ang chocolates mo?" Art questioned.
"Ah, bigay ni Luna." Palusot ko.
"Why?" Harper eyed at me keenly.
"Because I won some bet." I reasoned out. Luckily, they did not ask more queries so we all proceeded back to Luna's house.
What a day, what an afternoon, what a night.
Rebel flipped my world in snap! Just oh my royals!
* * *
Luminous Erina's POV
The moment Honoka stepped out of the house, I immediately jumped from the roof and slid through the window. Hindi man lang lumingon si Honoka, samantalang parang gusto na itong habulin 'nung isang baliw rito!
HAHAHAHAHA. Hindi ko mapigilang mapahalakhak sa isip ko dahil sa nangyari.
"Hahabulin na 'yan, hahabulin na 'yan!" I teased laughingly while clapping my hands as I slumped on the sofa. Eon saw me and gave me a sharp glare. Wooh! Kung ibang araw pa 'to, natakot na ako, pero nasa akin ang huling mouhahaha ngayon.
"Don't touch the blanket, you crazy creature!" He yelled and marched to the sofa just to take the blanket that I was supposed to wrap on myself. Highblood ang lolo mo! Nashookt ako!
Parang batang ayaw maagawan ng laruan niyang kinuha 'yung blanket. "Hala, s'ya para 'yun lang, akala mo papatay, aba." I murmured while pouting.
"Huwag ka nga ngumuso r'yan, para kang bibeng pumutok ang labi!" Naiiritang sabi niya.
ABUUUH!
Kalma, Luna, na sa'yo pa rin ang huling hurrah, kaya huwag ka mag-alala.
"May pabor kang hiniling sa 'kin kanina, Eon, baka nakakalimutan mo." Banta ko sa kan'ya.
"Ah, shit." Iiling-iling na sabi niya at saka pumunta sa second floor syempre hinabol ko 'yung mokong na 'yun.
Pumunta sa kwarto n'ya ang loko. He blobbed on the bed and irritatedly looked at me. Binelatan ko s'ya! Akala n'ya ha!
"Did you finish your task?" He asked.
"Ako pa!" Nakathumbs up na sabi ko.
"100 aurous! Ay 200 na lang pala!" Masayang sabi ko.
"What the?"
"300 then!"
"Fuck you, Luna." He hissed and sat on the bed. I laughed evilly.
"Going up to 400." I winked at him playfully.
"For what?!"
"Duh, nagsinungaling ako sa mga Kuya ni Honoka para 'di ka mabuking sa hidden desire mo ro'n sa prinsesa!"
"The fuck you talkin' about?!" He snapped and gave me a deadly glare.
"Now we're climbing to 500." Hirit ko.
"Go to hell, Erina."
"Isasama ko 'yung 600 aurous para may pambayad ako kay Satanas."
"Lumabas ka nga rito!"
"Nope. 700's the number."
"100." He bargained.
"Kuripot mo aba, 800!"
"No deal, then."
"Hahaha, ganun pala ha?" Asar na sabi ko at saka biglang nag-evil laugh. "Mouhahahaha Eon, mouhahahaha!"
"So... ano ngang ganap kanina?" I teased playfully and sat on the massage chair near his bed.
Hindi nagsalita si Eon, tinakluban niya lang sarili niya ng kumot. Lalo akong napahalakhak.
"Reign~" I mimicked. Hindi ko pa natatapos pero napahagalpak na ako ng tawa sa sariling ginagawa. Grabe naman kasi! I mean parang ibang Eon 'yung nakita ko kanina! Aba, sinapian yata 'to ng Dyos ng mga Asukal! Omygad lang!
"Kung hindi ko sinabi sa 'yo na nasa Tower si Honoka, nako, Eon!" Sabi ko sa kan'ya.
"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Luna! Lubayan mo ako! Masamang ispiritu ka!"
"Hindi ka rin naman nakatiis! Hahaha!" Napahawak ako sa tyan ko kasi masyadong astig si Eon kung ako ang tatanungin pero sobrang tiklop kay Honoka! Like hindi ko maimagine na may ganung side pala 'tong insektong 'to!
"Isa kang dakilang marupok Eon!"
"Shut up!"
"Hahaha! Sinabihan ka lang ng I miss you, taob ka na, agad dude!"
"Ah! Shut up, babarilin na talaga kita Luna makita mo!"
"Iiwasan ko, don't worry! 1000 aurous na pala 'yung deal natin."
"You skipped 900, freak!"
Asar na sabi niya 'tsaka tinapon sa akin 'yung unan na nahagip ng kamay niya. Nakaiwas ako, ang lakas non aba! Ang bilis pa, baka natumba ako sa pagkakaupo ko kung tumama sa kin 'yon!
"Haha! Binibilang mo rin pala! Bayaran mo na kasi ako. Sinalba ko 'yung love life mo aba! Wala 'tong utang na loob!" Reklamo ko sa kaniya.
"Whatever, I'll give you a hundred."
"Aba!" Kinuha ko 'yung unan tapos binato ko s'ya. "Kuripot mo! 1000!"
"Ayoko."
"Talaga? Ayaw mo nito?" Bigla kong nilabas 'yung phone ko at saka pinakita sa kaniya 'yung cute na si Honoka habang nasa loob ng kaliwang pisngi niya 'yung bilog na chocolate.
Napa-upo si Rebel at pinanliitan ako ng mga mata para makita 'yung picture.
Tinago ko 'yung phone ko at humagalpak ng tawa!
"Deal!" Bilis mag-iba ng ihip ng hangin! Wow! This must be Honoka's power! Just wow!
"Galawan mo talaga, eh, 'no?" Natatawang hataw ko. "Send ko sa 'yo, 'tong isang picture kapag nasend mo na 'yung pera." I told him.
"Pero parang ibang tao ka talaga sa harap ni Honoka! Shit! 'Yung damn, cute; damn, Reign mo talaga!" Patuloy na pang-aasar ko.
"Tigilan mo ako, Luna!" Binato na naman po n'ya ako ng unan. Muntik na naman ako.
"Talagaaaa?"
Natigilan kami ni Eon sa pagbabatuhan ng unan 'nung sumulpot si Gaebryelle sa bintana ni Eon. Tamo 'tong bunso nila, may pintuan naman do'n pa dumaan sa bintana. May lahi talagang akyat bahay 'tong mga 'to eh.
"Oh, shit!" Eon exclaimed.
Patay s'ya! Hahaha! Mas malakas pang-asar nitong si Gabby kaysa sa 'kin.
"Kuya Himagsik, galing dito si Ate Honoka?" Tanong ni Gabby habang naglalakad papunta sa kama ng Kuya n'ya saka 'yon nag-blob sa higaan. Magkapatid nga sila, trip na trip nila 'yung ganung paghiga sa kama.
"Oo, Gabby babes, nako!" Natawa na ako. "Parang nag-ibang tao 'yang Kuya mo!"
She chuckled and grinned evilly.
"Yiee, si Kuya binata na, hindi na stalker."
I guffawed loudly because of her first remark! Jusko po, unang banat pa lang 'yan ha, pa'no pa kaya kung alam ni Gabby 'yung detalye 'nung nangyari sa pagsosolo 'nung dalawa kanina! Makasurvive kaya sa kahihiyan si Eon?
"Oh shut up, Pateh." Iiling-iling na sabi ni Eon sa kapatid.
"Ayiee, sinolo mo kaagad? Hala s'ya, isumbong kita sa Kuya Akira no'n?"
"I know right, Gabby! Ginagapang na pala nito 'yung unika hija nina Tita Shana at Tito Jacob, wala pa silang ka-alam alam!"
"What the fuck, Luna?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Eon. Binelatan ko s'ya.
"Don't worry, Luna, I'll light some candles for Kuya Himagsik's heart because he's deadly into Ate Honoka!"
Lumapit ako kay Gabby at saka nakipag-apir sa kaniya.
Napakamot si Eon sa batok n'ya! "Bahala na nga kayo, d'yan!" Pikon na sabi nito 'saka mabilis na nagmartsa para kumuha ng hoody sa closet n'ya.
"Sa'n ka, Kuya?" Gabby asked innocently. "Ayiee, hindi makatiis? Gusto na kaagad i-stalk ulit si Ate Honoka?" Dagdag gatong nito.
Putek, mamatay ako sa kakatawa rito eh!
"Shut up, Pateh!"
"I thought Kuya Hustisya was the only one who swam through sugars, I never thought you secretly followed him!" Gabby declared poker faced. Hindi ko alam kung sa'n ako matatawa, ro'n ba sa pagiging poker face ni Gabby o ro'n sa sinabi niya.
Pwede bang both?
HAHAHAHA.
"Sabihin ko kaya sa Second Crown na may crush ka sa kanya?" Banta ni Eon sa kapatid.
"Tell him!" Gabby excitedly replied. "Maybe he'd start paying attention to me, too!"
Eon frustratedly run his fingers through his hair. "Ano bang gagawin ko sa 'yo?" He said while shaking his head. Binalingan naman ako ni Eon na maluha-luha pa dahil halos kakatapos ko lang tumawa.
Grabe dami kong tawa ngayon, mga lampas bente.
"Hindi pa ako tapos mang-asar, Kuya! Bumalik ka rito!" Hiyaw ni Gabby 'nung lumabas sa pinto si Eon, napa-upo ito sa kama. Nag-kibit balikat na lang ako. I don't really know where he's planning to go or what he's planning to do.
"I'll be back! I'm just gonna finish some unfinished business with the Perriots!" We heard his voice echoed in the room.
"Looks like the Perriots will experience some hell without going to the underworld." I stated while shrugging.
"Messed with the wrong person, eh?" Natatawang sabi ni Gabby habang nakatingin sa pinto kung saan umalis si Himagsik este 'yung Rebelde.
* * *
Harper Aurora's POV
The next day...
After such a tiring and irritating day of being so-called commoners that doesn't really makes sense for someone like me, it's already time for the three of us... Art, Honoka and I, to go to the Tower.
We are walking while talking to each other reaching near the Tower when we heard some gossips from the filthy mouths of the middle tiers.
"Seriously, the Perriots were taken down?"
"Yep, kicked out, they said."
"Fucking shit? Who defeated 'em?"
"Still working on for that info."
"But what the hell, right?"
"I heard they were still playing at the Tower until yesterday, then poof!"
"You think it's the Elites?"
I slightly shook my head. They suspected every rank in the caste. Blaming everyone besides their own rank—Middle Tier. Who are the Perriots, anyway? Some kind of clowns?
"Saw you playing with some clown, yesterday, Honoka. Know something about that?" Art asked Honoka who was kind of spacing out after we heard those people who are polluting the air because of their rumours.
"Nothing comes to mind." Honoka answered calmly. Both Art and I nodded but there's this lingering feeling inside me that's kind of suspicious about Honoka, like she's hiding something from us.
Nevertheless, if she doesn't want to share it yet, it's completely fine, it's not like she's obligated to report on us or what. She's a grown woman, she has reasons, I'm pretty sure.
When we arrived at the Tower, we agreed to do some betting and bidding on the Casino again. Easy money and no physical battles, it benefits us so we have nothing to complain about, and it's the safest place in here.
Honoka decided to go to the roulettes and Art went to play some card games.
I actually wanted to try something different today since it was a one-sided play yesterday, not thrilling at all. They don't even know how to play some tricks and such about the Skat. Pitiful. Gladly, Mother taught me on how to use one's head in playing those kinds of games.
I went to the directory to see if I qualified on the Colour Game that caught my attention yesterday. The prize if you win the game is $ 100, 000!
If I win that game, I just need more or less $ 800, 000 to become a Middle Tier! And if I continue to play and win in 8 nights, jackpot!
The explaination of how I became a middle tier will be explained to our Kuyas and Ates once I cross that bridge. As for now, I'm gonna play and earn and show some skills, there's no time to waste in this school.
I want to be at the level of Law. I want to be able to face him in a battle and he'll tell me, I'm great!
While thinking of that, napahawak ako sa ulo ko. Ouch lang! What was that ba? I felt like some kind of monggo seeds were aimed directly at my head! I've been feeling it since yesterday! I aggressively scanned the whole room.
Nothing suspicious! Agh! Kapag talaga nakita ko kung sino 'yun! I'm gonna make him or her bald! Psh!
I arrived at the directory and asked about the game, she told me I could join and gave me the room number. It was just two doors away from the Casino so all good. I texted Art and Honoka about it, I don't want them worrying or searching for me.
When I arrived inside a lady escorted me to some kind of maze. She almost touched my elbow so I glared at her, I can manage on my own! No need to touch me. What if she's having a contact with all the participants 'di ba?
It's ewwy kaya!
"Where are we going?" I demanded firmly.
"To the venue—,"
"Call me, mademoiselle." I cut her off, she might call me some weird names. Nope. Never going to happen. And nope, not gonna let her call me Harper or Aurora. We're not close, duh?!
We walked in a maze kind of thing, it was all red brick walls. I focused and tried to memorize the way she's guiding me in, this might be part of the game. I can't let myself be fooled. That's a no no.
After some more turns and straights we arrived on another door. She gestured that I should go in, even though I was hesitant, I still went in. When I opened the door a blinding white room and white lights welcomed me.
Some people wearing all white outfits told me to stand still so I did.
I was scanned while standing, I remained stoic. This won't surprise me.
"4 reflectors detected." The machine recited.
The two people wearing the oh so white outfits pointed at my earrings, bangle and my pocket.
"What?" I irritatedly asked.
"Please remove the earrings, bangle and the knife inside your pocket." The guy told me politely. I was puzzled but I removed my things, they put it inside a vintage box.
"Your belongings will be returned after the game." Another one informed.
"Obviously, I'm gonna report you if you don't." I told them while rolling my eyes.
Some woman stepped to my back and she made me wore some kind of big necklace.
It wasn't really a necklace, it's more like a neck cuff and there's like a medium size square on it. The square thing was positioned on my nape. My forehead knotted but they did not let me ask questions.
How rude! I rolled my eyes at them.
Psh! As if I'm gonna push them to answer me. No way! They should give me answers.
They guided me to another door and I arrived at another so white environment. However, unlike earlier this one has some weird capsules scattered all around with large rough red fabric covering 'em.
There are people on each red fabric capsules. I choose a capsule. The one nearest from me. I walked straight—stomach in, chest out, chin up and looked down on the people who noticed my entrance.
Their eyes glowed with admiration and slightly avoided an eye contact and bowed their heads lightly.
Yes, that's how you do it, you bow down to someone higher than you.
Some people made their entrance too. All of us are wearing those weird neckcuffs.
I mentally counted the people in here. 20. There are 20 people present in this game. Nice. I thought it'll be few. It looks fun now.
After some minutes, some weird sound came from the speaker. It announced the game title.
The Colour of Deceit.
Napansin ko na may mga naka-smirk na sa mga players at saka nila pinagmasdan 'yung iba pang mga tao. I also did the same. Nope. Wala akong kilala kahit isa. None in any of our classes, or someone I bumped into or something. All strangers. Great.
"What a game..." I heard the blonde girl murmured beside me. She's not that close since she's in front of her own capsule. 7th capsule.
"Now the rule of the first round of this game is simple." The robotic voice echoed in the four walls of this room.
"You just need to recite the colour that will be shown at the back of your neck." WHAT?!
What kind of game is this?! Obviously, there's no way I'd see the colour at my nape! That's why there's a small rectangle at the back of our neck cuffs! It's where they'll display the colour!
"Choose someone you can trust to tell you the colour displayed on your neck cuffs."
"You'll be given 10 minutes for each interval of the first round."
"After the 10-minute mark you'll go inside your capsules, sit on the chair in there and recite the colour of your neckcuffs."
"Failure to do so will result in electric chairs."
Holy molly!
Are you serious?!
There's no way I could afford to be electrified!
My precious hair will burn!
I've been taking care of it since I was young.
And my oh so smooth milky skin!
Noooo! Noooo!
"If you survive the electric chairs, you can continue on the game, if you failed to do so, there would be a compensation of $ 10, 000."
"There will be one ultimate winner who will take the $100, 000 and at the third round of this game, we'll announce another interesting thing that'll keep you playing and thrilled."
"The second round will only begin once 10 people survive the first round."
"Forfeiting in the game is not allowed. You'll be demoted from your current rank in the caste system if you insist."
Oh my heels! So this game can be stretched out until one winner is declared?! Oh my perfectly sculptured noes!
Napatingin ako sa mga taong nandito. Nope! I don't even see anyone trustworthy!
What am I gonna do?
Play this game on my own?
But how?
Reflectors—Nope! They confiscated it! So what now!?
"The game will commence in 3, 2, 1."
Then there was a loud siren signaling the start of the game.
I was hesitant to approach people! Like I don't like to trust any of 'em! Sana pala sinama ko na si Honoka or Art dito.
But... nope. Not a good idea. If we remain at the end, one of us need to sacrifice in the electric chair, or forfeit but the consequence of quitting in the game is too much. We don't wanna go lower than what we are called now.
People started to talk to one another. I couldn't move! I'm stoned in front of my capsule!
Some people looked like goons, some looked slutty, others looked like they'd punch you if you talk to them, others looked approachable but some looked mischievous! How am I supposed to assess these people?!
"How 'bout you tell me my colour and I'll tell you yours." The blond girl who was beside me asked. Napakurap kurap ako. My hand automatically pointed at her in the most maarte way. Like I couldn't control my initial reaction, okay?
Someone talked to me! Like duh?!
"...and how can I be assured that whatever colour comes out of your mouth is credible?" I questioned keenly looking at her from head to toe. She smirked when she saw what I did, she shrugged her shoulders.
"Try me." She taunted looking bored. She's wearing a weird fashion, okay? She's wearing worn out sneakers and like panlinis ng dust na palda and like patches of panghawak sa hot pot na upper shirt. She doesn't really look trustworthy, get me?
"Ahm, hi!" Another creepy girl appeared in front of us.
I automatically scanned her whole posture. She's not that normal too! She's wearing almost nothing! Like kulang na lang 'wag s'ya mag-suot ng kahit anong clothes!
What the heck happened to people in here?
"Tayo na lang mag-grupo?" Tanong ni Weird Fashion aka 7th dahil nasa capsule seven s'ya beside mine which is the sixth one.
"That's cool." Sagot naman ni Almost no Clothes aka 10th because of her capsule.
They are supposed to left me out but I started to speak.
"Ahm, wait?" I gulped. I also swallowed my choosiness in talking to people. I need them. I'll use them.
"So payag ka na?" Asked the 7th one.
"A-ah, yes?" I stated hesitantly. They looked at me.
"Arte ka gurl?" Tanong ni Slut! How dare her! 10th lang s'ya sa 'kin 'no! Sampu lang!
"Loud and proud." I said while confidently smiling. As if I'll be provoked in that. Sampu ka lang almost no clothes and pito ka lang weird one.
"Okay, sabihin mo na sa akin, dali." 10th one said to me and I rolled my eyes at her. I should be the first you know! I'm the priority here! Duh?
But I'm mabait naman minsan so I'll tell her na lang.
She turned her back to me and showed me her nape. Medyo napakunot noo ako. I smiled cheerfully. "Okay!" I told her, she faced me. I stole a glance at 7th she's looking at me like weighing if I'll be trustworthy or not.
FYI, I should be the one like acting that, ano!
"It's Shamrock!" I told her while smiling widely. She should be delighted because I'm good at colours!
"What the fuck? Gago ka ba?" 10th asked while looking at me like I stated some kind of alien colour! I arced my brow at her.
"Excuse me?" Maarteng tanong ko. I answered honestly tapos I'm the one wrong? Hell no!
"Amusing." 7th giggled at us.
"Tangina may sapak ka ba?" Sampu snapped at me. I gritted my teeth.
"You don't cuss—disgusting questionable creature—at me." I told her and gave her my sweet smile. Nope, I'm not gonna lose some braincells here.
What do I do? The colour's shamrock! I'm being genuine here!
"Puta! Makaalis na nga!" He marched away from us. I rolled my eyes.
"Your loss." I mumbled and crossed my arms.
I looked at 7th who's chuckling at me. "Now, what?" I asked her. She shrugged.
"Why won't she believe me?" Tanong ko. I feel so wronged here.
"You are too specific, dumbhead wouldn't get what you said."
"Psh!"
"You could have said green, you know?" 7th advised while laughing softly beside me.
"But there are different shades of green, FYI." I spoke while rolling my eyes.
"Fine, fine, but you only recite the common colours here you know, don't include the shades."
"Whatever." I retorted, then 7th turned her back at me.
"State mine." She told me. I sighed.
"Egyptian."
I heard her laugh at my answer, tinaasan ko s'ya ng kilay. "Blue it is." She stated the obvious.
"Turn your back at me, I'll tell you yours."
"You, walk to my back instead."
She looked at me amused and laughed softly. Instead of complaining she followed what I said. Great. I'm not the type na inuutusan kasi, only the gang could order me around, I mean, sometimes. Sometimes.
"Vermillion." 7th told me.
"Red it is." I mocked what she did earlier.
"You trust me with that?" She questioned.
"Nope, more like betting or taking some risk with your statement."
"Perfect."
7th and I waited few minutes 'til another siren rung. We all went inside our capsules. It was dark inside. There was one huge chair. I sat in there.
After I sat metallic cuffs from the chair locked my wrist and my ankle. Looks like there's really no escaping huh?
I tried to see if I can see some reflection in the corners of my eyes or in the wall of the capsule but nothing. Masyadong magaling pagkakagawa ng place. No reflection at all. No way to make sure the credibility of the colour at my back.
"Please recite the colour." The robotic instructor stated.
"Red." I spoke firmly.
I was actually debating whether to say another colour or Vermillion. But basing on the intelligence of the people in here; it seemed like they'll never care about the shade so I made my decision simple by choosing Red.
"5." There was a count down. After it came down to one, I was released from the chair. I went out of the capsule right after.
"Congratulations! 20 players remain."
WHAT?!
No way!
So, everybody trusted what other people said?!
And this game will be stretched out more!?
Holy molly! This is not a good start... But somehow, I felt relieved. The 7th girl did not lie to me!
I looked at her and I saw that she slightly bowed her head at me for a simple thanks and I did the same. Seemed like I still need 7th until the end of this game.
The Colour of Deceit?
Pretty interesting, because soon enough, we will be down to two.
And I'll be one of the last players of this game of colours and lies.
***
To be continued...
Sorry for all the errors!
150+ comments, I'll update the next <3 (Only credible comments will be counted, cheers!)
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