His gaze flickered with something unreadable the second he saw me. Hindi ko alam kung nagulat siya o hindi lang niya inasahan na makikita ako rito. His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes roamed over me—taking in my dress, my appearance, the fact that I was even here at all.I lifted my chin slightly, pretending I wasn't affected by the way he was looking at me. Pero sa totoo lang, kinakalampag ang puso ko. Ano ba 'to? Ngayon lang naman ako nag-dress ng ganito, bakit parang big deal?Pagkababa ko ng hagdan, hindi si Ryu ang sumalubong sa akin kundi sina Tetsu, Sato, at Seiji. Agad na napalingon ang tatlo sa direksyon ko, at halos sabay-sabay pa silang nagtaas ng kilay."Damn, Madelaine," sabi ni Tetsu, nakangisi habang pinasadahan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa."Pucha, para kang ibang tao," dagdag ni Sato, tila hindi makapaniwala. Seiji, being the least talkative among them, simply nodded in approval. "You look... nice."Napairap ako pero hindi ko napigilan ang maliit
A dull pounding echoed inside my skull as I slowly opened my eyes. The sunlight filtering through my curtains made me wince.I groaned, burying my face into the pillows. My whole body felt heavy—like I'd been dragged through the night and tossed into bed.Wait.How the fuck did I get here?The last thing I remembered...The pool. Conversation with Seiji. Then—fuck, I don't care. Ang importante buo pa ako. I glanced down. I was still wearing my dress from last night, but my heels were gone. Someone must have taken them off.I dragged myself out of bed and changed into something more comfortable. I stepped out of my room as I made my way downstairs. My bare feet felt cold against the hardwood floor as I moved through the quiet halls.Pagdating ko sa dining area, I stopped in my tracks.What the hell?The usual filthy, noisy atmosphere of the mansion was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the boys were—Cooking? Joke ba 'to? And what's more surprising is wala akong nakikitang kalat from las
Ryu exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders back. "Forget it," he muttered, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Let's move on."I narrowed my eyes at him, half-expecting him to push the topic further. But to my surprise, he didn't. Salamat naman dahil baka maubusan ako ng isasagot. Tetsu smirked. "Sparring?"A grin spread across Sato's face. "Now that's more like it."My lips twitched upward. Finally, something I'm actually good at.Ryu crossed his arms, glancing at me. "You're joining?"I raised a brow. "Why wouldn't I?""Volunteer ako as ka-sparring ni Madelaine!" Sigaw ni Yuta habang taas taas ang kanang kamay. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you.""I don't mind if you won't." I shrugged.The boys let out amused chuckles, clearly entertained by my confidence.As soon as Seiji signaled the start, Yuta lunged forward—but before he could even get close, I dodged smoothly, making him stumble slightly."Teka lang," Tetsu called out, amusement lacing his voice. "Yuta, dahan-dahan ha. Bak
Yuta was deep asleep. Nagpaalam muna kami sa mga nurses at nakiusap na bantayan nang mabuti si Yuta dahil aalis muna kami. Ren's got business to do and I want go home to change clothes. Ang lagkit lagkit ko na sa dugo ni Yuta. Pagdating namin sa mansyon, Ren barely put the car in full stop nang bumukas agad ang pinto at bumaba ako. I was exhausted, but my mind was wide awake. Ang dami ko pa ring iniisip, lalo na 'yung tungkol kay Ranma at kay Miori."Go take some rest. I'll try my best to be at home tonight," sabi ni Ren habang bumababa rin ng sasakyan.I smiled. "Do what you gotta do, Ren." Tumalikod na ako at pumasok sa loob.Pagkapasok ko sa mansyon, ramdam ko agad ang bigat ng katawan ko. Para akong lalagpak sa sahig sa pagod, pero mas nangibabaw ang lagkit na nararamdaman ko. The dried blood on my skin felt disgusting.I headed straight to my room, locking the door behind me. Hindi ko na inabala pang tingnan ang paligid. I just peeled off my stained clothes and rushed to the bat
Ryu's piercing gaze met mine the moment I stepped into the hallway. His expression was unreadable, but there was a certain sharpness in his eyes that made my stomach twist.He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his posture casual-but I knew better.Laging ganito si Ryu kapag may bumabagabag sa kanya.I blinked, still groggy from sleep, and tried to act normal. "Morning."He didn't respond.Instead, his eyes flickered toward my room, then back at me. His jaw clenched.Ano na namang trip niya?I could already tell what he was thinking, but I refused to play into whatever this was. So, I sighed, shaking my head. "You got something to say, Ryu?"His voice was calm, but his words were razor-sharp. "Did he sleep in your room?"I exhaled through my nose, not in the mood for this. "Not the way you think."His brows furrowed. "Then explain it to me."I folded my arms, mirroring his stance. "I had a nightmare. Ren woke me up and stayed for a while. That's it."Ryu's eyes darkened, his
author: fnally! we get to see Ryu's point of view! Ryu's point of view: I sat at the head of the conference table, listening as the discussion unfolded around me. My fingers tapped lightly against the surface, the rhythmic sound the only indication of my growing impatience. The dim lighting cast sharp shadows along the walls, adding to the tension in the air. Tetsu and Seiji sat on my right, while Ren leaned against the far end of the table, arms crossed. "Ranma's been lying low since his last move," Seiji spoke first, his tone calm but firm. "What he did was unpredictable and too reckless." Tetsu rolled his shoulders, exhaling sharply. "We should strike before he does again." Ren, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "And where exactly do we hit him? We don't even know where he's hiding since what happened." My fingers stilled. Ranma wasn't reckless. Every move he made was calculated. If we rushed in blind, we'd be playing straight into his hands. "Let's still
Ryu's point of view:When I arrived home, I headed straight to the room where she lay. It was quiet. The only sound was the soft beeping of the life support machines connected to her. Miori. Her eyes were still closed, no response—but she looked more at peace now than before. It was as if she wasn't so far away anymore. I sensed people entering the room behind me—the doctors who had been taking care of her. One of them stepped forward and spoke gently. "Her heartbeat is finally stable."I immediately turned to look at them. "Nande?" ( What? )The doctor nodded. "Her vitals are looking much better now. Just earlier, her finger moved. It's a good sign. She's not awake yet, but this means she's getting closer."I looked back at Miori. I stared at her for a long time, waiting. For any small movement. Any sign that what they were saying was real. But she remained still. Months. I've been waiting for this moment for months. Holding onto the possibility that she would wake up,
Maddy's point of view:Ang bigat ng talukap ng mga mata ko. Para bang ilang oras akong walang malay, at ngayon lang bumabalik ang diwa ko. Hindi pa man lubusang nagigising ang ulirat ko, ramdam ko na agad ang bugbog na katawan ko—parang may tumama sa batok ko bago ako tuluyang nawalan ng malay.Hindi ko agad maigalaw ang mga kamay ko.What the fuck—?!Napadilat ako nang tuluyan, at doon ko lang napagtanto kung nasaan ako. Nakaupo ako sa isang upuan, magaspang ang pakiramdam ng tali sa mga pulso ko, at kita kong may tape pang nakadikit sa mga paa ko. Nanginginig pa ang paningin ko, pero mula sa bintana ng kwarto kung saan man ako naroon, kitang-kita ang makakapal na ulap sa labas.We were up in the fucking air.Nasa eroplano ako.I glared at him. "I already know where I am. And what you want." Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. "Smart girl."Sinubukan kong pigilan ang panginginig ng kamay ko. I can't show weakness. Hindi ako pwedeng magpakita ng takot sa harap niya. I needed to think. I
Bata palang ako. Hindi ko na naramdaman ang pagmamahal ng isang ama. Pero hindi kailanman nagkulang sa'kin si mama. She's the best person I ever had. She was my safe space. Noong nawala sya, parang nawala na rin ako. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. Dahil kung uuwi ako, dalawa lang ang pupuntahan ko. Bugbog at walang makain. Kaya pumasok ako sa iba't ibang klaseng trabaho para buhayin ang sarili ko. Na hindi humihingi ng tulong sa kinilala kong ama na si Malcolm. Ilang taong nakalipas, nakilala ko si Zeus. Napakalakas nga ng timing niya kasi 18th birthday ko pa. Sinong mag aakalang magdedebut ako sa bahay ng mga magnanakaw? Ang astig lang diba. Pero hindi ko gusto ang ideyang yon sa una palang. At the same time, I have nowhere to go. Kaya kumagat ako sa offer niya at marami akong nakilalang tao. Doon nagsimulang magbago ang takbo ng buhay ko. Nandito ako ngayon sa rooftop ng ospital. It's been a day since I woke up. Hinihingal pa ang hangin, malamig, pero hindi nakakakil
Madelaine's point of view. Parang may pumitik sa loob ng dibdib ko. Isang banayad na pagtulak. Hindi malakas—hindi rin masakit. Parang paalala lang.And then, the weight in my chest lifted.Huminga ako.Dahan-dahan. Mabigat. Parang unang hinga ko ulit sa mundo.But before this peace—there was noise.Flashes. Chaos."Code Blue—room 509! She's crashing!"Voices shouting. Tumutulak ang mga kamay sa dibdib ko. Isa, dalawa, tatlo."Charge to 200!""Clear!"Sa panaginip, may ilaw akong tinahak. Dahan-dahan.Tahimik.Parang lumulutang lang ako sa kawalan.Walang ingay. Walang sakit. Walang galaw.Puti ang paligid—malambot sa mata, parang ulap na niyakap ako. Walang pader, walang sahig, pero hindi rin ako nahuhulog. I was just... there.Hanggang sa may narinig akong yapak. Mahinang hakbang, dahan-dahan, pamilyar.Napalunok ako kahit hindi ako sigurado kung buhay pa ba ako. "Hello?" tawag ko, pero parang walang tunog na lumabas sa bibig ko.Then I saw her.Dahan-dahang lumabas sa liwanag ang
Third person's POV. Two weeks later..."Sa tingin mo... bagay ba 'to sa kanya?" tanong ni Lilith, halos hindi marinig ang boses habang maingat na inaayos ang puting tela sa mga daliri niya.Tumango si Ravika, kahit nangingilid ang luha sa mata. "Lahat naman bagay sa kanya," bulong nito. "Mamimiss ko siya.""Mas lalo ako..." sagot ni Lilith, impit ang hikbi habang pinipilit ngumiti. Tinitigan niya ang simpleng damit na hawak, dumampi ang hinlalaki niya sa lace sa gilid nito.Tahimik ang paligid. Ang langit sa labas ay makulimlim. Walang ibang naririnig kundi ang marahang paghinga, ang tunog ng tela na hinahaplos ng kamay, at ang paminsang pagsinghot.Walang nagsalita.Sa kabila, sina Miles at Zeus ay parehong tahimik. Zeus was polishing a silver necklace—Maddy's necklace. Isang simpleng pendant na binili niya para kanyang anak. "Parang kailan lang buo pa tayo e," bulong ni Miles. "Namimiss ko na si Maddy."Yeraz didn't answer. His silence said more than words could.Ilang segundo pa
Naglalakad kami palabas ng teritoryo ng Kimura. Mabigat ang katahimikan sa bawat hakbang, parang hangin sa gabi na ayaw umalis sa paligid namin. Wala ni isa sa amin ang nagsalita. Si Seiji, nasa likod lang, nakayuko. Si Tetsu, tahimik na nakasunod. Si Sato, tahimik din—unusual para sa kanya.Sa tabi ko, naglalakad si Ren. Pareho kaming walang masabi. Lahat kami pagod. Lahat kami ubos.Hanggang sa napahinto si Sato at napatingin sa paligid."Alam niyo..." panimula niya. "Pwede bang, just this once... inom tayo?"Nag-angat si Seiji ng kilay. "Sa gitna ng ganito?""Mas lalo nga ngayon," sabat ni Sato. "We need a break. Just for one night."Tahimik pa rin ang lahat. Pero sa loob ko, alam kong lahat kami gusto 'yon. Kailangan namin 'yon."May kilala akong lugar," ani Ren sa wakas. "Tahimik. Walang istorbo."Napatingin ako sa kanila. Isa-isa silang tumango."Sige," sabi ko. "Let's go."Tahimik ang biyahe. Walang gustong magsalita. Ang tanging naririnig lang ay ang pag-ikot ng gulong sa kals
Wala akong maramdaman. Parang nasa loob ako ng isang malalim na bangungot na ayaw akong bitawan."She's alive," ang sabi ng doctor kanina. Pero yung sumunod—"there's a chance that she might not make it"—yun ang paulit-ulit na umuugong sa tenga ko.Nakatayo lang ako sa hallway, nakatitig sa sahig na tila ba may makikita akong sagot doon. Nasa paligid ko sina Ren, Seiji, Tetsu... walang umiimik. Si Zeus, nakaupo sa gilid, nakayuko.Then biglang—Mabilis. Malakas.Napa-urong ako.Tumama ang kamao ni Yeraz sa panga ko at halos matumba ako sa lakas."Putangina mo, Yamada!” sigaw niya, galit na galit. "You promised her! You promised her no one gets hurt!""Yeraz!" awat ni Ravika habang hinawakan ang braso niya. Pero hindi siya nagpatinag."Kapag may nangyari sakanya, babalikan kita. Alam mo 'yan," banta pa niya, nanginginig sa galit at lungkot.Hindi ako sumagot. Wala akong mailabas. Wala akong masabi. Kasi alam ko—tama siya.Ako ang dahilan.Ako ang target.At si Maddy ang natamaan.Tumali
Ryu's point of view."MADDY!"Nabingi ako sa sabay-sabay nilang sigaw sa pangalan niya kasunod ng malakas na putok.Napalingon ako.At doon ko siya nakita.Si Madelaine.Nakatayo pa—pero nanginginig, hawak ang tagiliran, tinatakpan ang sugat. Nakatingin siya sa sariling kamay, basang-basa ng dugo. Para bang hindi siya makapaniwala.Then... she collapsed.Parang binura ang lahat ng kulay sa paligid ko. Parang huminto ang mundo. Tumingin lang ako sa kanya habang dahan-dahan siyang bumagsak sa malamig na sahig.Biglang nandilim ang paningin ko.No. This can't be happening.Anger crawled up my spine like poison, mabilis, matalim. It wrapped itself around my heart until there was nothing left but fury.I fucking told her I'd keep her safe.And now—No. No more.Hinugot ko ang baril ko—ang baril na lagi kong dala, ang baril na matagal ko nang hindi ginagamit para pumatay. Pero ngayon, it felt right in my hand. Too damn right.I pulled the trigger.Sunod-sunod.Lahat ng kalaban na makita ko—
Zeus' point of view. It was fourth of July when I invited the last member of my group. She was my bestfriend's—well, not anymore—daughter. At the age of 18, naging independent na ito. That's what I admire about her. I approached slowly. Nakasuot pa ako ng simpleng polo, walang badge, walang pangalan. I didn't need those. She didn't look surprised to see me—parang alam na niyang darating ako."You're Zeus," sabi niya, diretso sa punto."Madelaine," I replied.Tahimik."Why me?" tanong niya. Diretso rin. Walang drama. Walang paikut-ikot.I looked her in the eye and said, "Because the world already tried to break you... and you're still here."Nagkibit-balikat lang siya. "Maybe I'm just too stubborn.""Maybe. But I know potential when I see it."And something else I didn't say aloud:She looked like her mother.Carbon copy. Lahat. Yung tikas, yung mata, pati yung tahimik na tapang na hindi mo agad mapapansin.Amy, I I hope you know you raised a beautiful kid. Strong. Fierce. With just
Tumawa si Ally."She's not even scared," bulong ni Wallace.Sato scoffed, "told you, she's a psycho." Mas hinigpitan pa ang pagkakahawk sakanya. "Ouch, bro."Lumingon si Zeus, calm as ever, kahit may barrel sa sentido niya. "Ally," panimula niya, mababa ang tono, "this doesn't have to end this way."Ally's smile twitched. "And what would you know, old man?"Zeus didn't blink. "A lot. I've seen people like you... full of pain, trying to find power in revenge."He took a slow breath. "But you're smarter than this. So if you could just—breathe—stay calm, we'll talk."Tumahimik ang lahat. The guards tightened their grips, but they were waiting too.Ally started ranting again. "You think I want to talk?! After what he did to me? What all of you took?!"Pero wala na akong naririnig. I was staring at Zeus. And he was staring at me.That look—steady, silent, commanding.Then I saw it. His lips moved, barely."Now."And then—BOOM. Lahat gumalaw sabay sabay.Nagulat ako nang makita ang Ryukets
Maddy's point of view."Who the fuck was that?" Inis kong tanong. "I'm not leaving him alone with her!""Maddy, I understand your—""Sino ba kasi yon? Ren," nilingon ko sya, "Sino yon?!" He sighed heavily. "She's one of our workers here in the Philippines at noong pinansin na sya ni Ryu, she became obssessed. Ryu needed a shoulder during those days... Ally was there."Hindi ako makasagot. Kung ganun, wala pala akong kalaban laban doon. Ang dami namang babaeng dumaan sakanya. Baka pati ako dadaanan niya lang din. "But Mads, walang something sakanila ni Ryu. Hindi niya type yon." Sabi naman ni Tetsu. "And she's psychologically diagnosed with OLD, may traits yon ng borderline personality disorder, takot syang mawala sa paningin niya si Ryu. She's not mentally unstable." Si Seiji. "Hindi niyo ba sya pinagamot? Therapy?" Si Lilith naman ang nagtanong. "We did kaya nagulat kaming makita sya rito." Tumigil ang ingay sa paligid ko. Ang mga sinabing iyon ni Seiji ay umalingawngaw sa teng