"This will serve as a picture of us full of memories"
A day has passed, and everyone rested—forcing ourselves to move on from everything that happened.
"Come on, Second. Let's cook." Fourth's an invitation to me. She looks better compared to yesterday. I accompanied her to cook which is also a good way to bring her mood back.
We went straight to the kitchen. Fourth, Sixth, Tenth, Sixzen, and Twentieth were our primary cooks. Each day, we have a schedule of tasks to delegate work fairly. On the other hand, Fourth insists to cook every day because this has been her hobby here. Sixzen has a dark blue hair bun. She is also kind and sometimes funny. Sixth with a high ponytail seems okay but I know she's still griefs by the death of her friend, Twelf. Twentieth with voluminous short black hair is a bit quiet and modest like Fourth. In the few days, we stayed here, I also got closer to my friends. I got to know them even better.
"Tada!" Sixzen smiled at everyone and laid the dish on the table.
"That looks delicious, ah!" Ninezen's appetite never ceased to amaze me. He's one of the foody here aside from Firstwen.
"Let's eat!" Firstwen said excitedly and was about to grab some food.
"Hep, hep, hep!" Sixzen glared at the two starving boys, meaning we must pray first.
Before we eat, Firstwen led the prayer. Attached to this prayer was everyone's heartful devotion of thanksgiving and prayer of peace for our four departed friends.
***
I keep writing in my journal. I gained some information about my identity. I still wonder if First was really the one who dragged me into the school garden that time or it was just someone who resembles him. I also didn't get anything when I asked him because he didn't know either. I get even closer to him, and we often talk about personal stuff. Why did 02 become my number and temporary name? Is it alphabetically arranged? Still not sure because I don't even know my name yet. We have been here in the castle for ten days. It's been quite a long time.
I am currently in the art room. I was in the mood to sketch right now. I go there to pass some time.
"Hurry up," Ninezen complained.
"Um, Fifth, straighten your back and more serious face," I instructed Fifth.
"Like this?" he clarified.
"That's it! Don't move, okay?"
And since we can't see any good scenery around because the castle was completely enclosed, Fifth and Ninezen were the models who volunteered for me to sketch them. The two of them sat down and Fifth was writing with his head slightly down and Ninezen is in a humbled position. The scene I had them do was a scene within the class. I feel like I wanted to draw something related to school. Maybe, I miss going to school now we're just confined here. There's also a feeling within me that I miss my friends, myself being a student and the activities that are done at school.
"Pft! you look like crap, bwahaha!" Aeith can't stop making fun of Ninezen. These two usually have the highest form of energy among us.
"Brother, fix yourself," Fourth reprimanded her twin brother to take this thing seriously.
Well, the two of them didn't volunteer. Actually, they were teased by Aeith and Fourth to do so. They have nothing much to do so I'm glad that they accepted it. I also didn't expect Fifth and Ninezen to be some of my close friends. I got to interact with Fifth because he is the twin brother of Fourth. Their facial feature similarities are uncanny, yet their physical traits differ. Fourth is short, petite, with a cute face while Fifth has an average height for his gender and age. His face is also cute but with a hint of masculinity that was paired with his slightly buff shoulders. Ninezen is an extroverted guy with a great sense of humor along with his pal, Seventh. He loves to be surrounded by a lot of people from where he gets his energy just like Aieth. He is tall, slightly tanned skin, always forgets to do his red messy hair, and loves to crack a joke. He might be irritating sometimes because of his loudness, yet he sets a light mood for everyone. He can get along with almost everyone here because of his bubbly attitude.
"Yo, guys!" I heard Seventh greet us. "The heck is that?" he asked my two models. I was also able to be close to Seventh. He is almost of the same height as Ninezen, a blondie who was quiet at first but suddenly became noisy and funny greatly influenced by Ninezen.
"Oh well, I'm a model figure," Ninezen said proudly.
"Really?" Seventh looked at me. "Second, you should've told me instead. I have better looks than this squirt." This is always the case when you talk to Ninezen and Seventh. They really have the same feathers. I sighed at their jokes.
After a few moments of fun, I've finished it. They approached me and looked at the sketch.
"Wow!" Fourth said with sparkling eyes.
"You two really look like an idiot!" Aeith ridiculed Seventh and Ninezen.
"Am I really that cute?" Seventh praised himself.
"Oh! Not bad," Ninezen nodded while holding the sketch pad.
"You must have been an artist back then," Fifth said.
I am pleased with their reactions but what Fifth said struck me the most. He might be right. This skill must be part of me when I was in the real world. I'm glad that I've been able to sketch which made a way to know more about my friends. We're building a good relationship gradually as we stay here. I closed my sketch pad and hid it in one of the cabinets. I brought back the tools that I borrowed to their respective shelves. I already had Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Aeith, and Ninezen as models to sketch for today. My plan is to sketch them all, nineteen of them if possible. I feel shy to approach
Aeizen because she's a serious type of person who rarely smiles and prefers to be alone. If you ask her something, she will answer right away with a short phrase or sentence. She spends most of her time in her bedroom. She's not particularly close with anyone so I try to talk to her from time to time.
Sectwen, on the other hand, is pretty and ill-tempered. Some even call her mean behind her back but I think it wasn't appropriate to call her that. Her hair is long, shiny, and light brown in color. She does not always cooperate with our task schedule and seems to have her own world. She doesn't have many friends aside from being with Sixzen sometimes.
Third, our leader wears eyeglasses. He has a clean cut of short black hair, sharp eyes, average build, and neatness that compromises his not-so-pale skin. Being a knowledgeable, responsible, and elegant person reflected the way he acts as a leader. He only does things that make sense to him and is strict when it comes to time. He is approachable but I can't ask him this favor to him because I might waste his precious time.
Ninth is good-looking, tall, has clean-cut hair, and somewhat arrogant. I tried making a conversation with him but only interacts with the boys most of the time. I'm not sure if I tick him off or he's just like that to all the girls here. No girl except Aeith who has a strong personality dared to speak to him. He always goes to the gym room to work out.
And the last one is First. I don't know but there are times I get an awkward feeling whenever I'm with him. I am embarrassed to ask this request from him. He is kind, considerate, and humble. I often see him in the music room and library.
As for the others, I didn't have a problem asking them except for the remaining five I haven't drawn yet.
"Second, we'll hang out in the music room," Aeith said, and they left the art room. I was left alone for a moment as I was still organizing the stuff I used.
Moments later I heard the door open, so I looked away. It was First. "Hey," he greeted me.
"Hi," I greeted him slightly surprised. He closed the door.
"Another piece of artwork?" So, he's aware that I do sketches. I wonder how he found that out, I don't mention this kind of stuff to him.
"Yes, how did you find out?"
"Informed by your troops." Those guys, really. "Why didn't you tell me you need a model? I've found out from others."
"Um, I was planning to sketch you all and they were the ones available for now."
"Then, let me." He took a chair and sat on it.
"Huh?"
"What shall I do?"
I did not know how to react. This was all so sudden. "F-For what?"
He sighed. "C'mon, I'm no stranger to you."
I held my pencils tighter. "It's embarrassing because..."
"You're shy? Hahaha!" H-He pokes fun at me!
I sighed. "Is it okay... really?"
"Am I supposed to sit or stand? Like this?" He posed as if I was about to sketch him.
"'Is it really okay?" I asked him for clarification.
"It's now or never," a short phrase he replied.
"Alright, wait!"
I took the sketch pad from the cabinet again. I grabbed a charcoal pencil and kneaded eraser.
This is the chance that I didn't let pass through. Why am I so hesitant to ask him?
"Ah, okay. For your pose, you need to sit and slightly look to your left." He turned his face to his left side. "Your facial expression would be… hmm." It took me a few seconds to suggest an expression that suits him the most. "Calm face, just be you."
That's the pose I chose because it suits him. A boy with a mystical calm face. He thinks deeply every time but resolves problems calmly. He might look calm, but his thoughts are so deep making him a mysterious person. I quickly started to sketch him. I wonder if my friends are still waiting for me in the music room, so I have to do this fast.
"How was it?" He asked striking the same pose.
I replied while continuing to do so. "About there," Pertaining that I am almost half through my sketch before finishing.
"How do I look?"
I stopped for a moment. "It suits you." His pose suits him well.
A few minutes have passed, and it becomes a bit awkward. I don't know how to start a conservation with him right now.
"Pretty guy, right?" he smirked.
"You can search for the answer in the galaxy" I replied sarcastically. He's being funny with this pun again.
"I searched but I found you," He is probably referring to before we landed on the nth planet when we were still in space. I just sighed. He can be funny sometimes which makes the mood lighter. "Actually, there's something in you that's cryptic." So, he does feel like that about me. I can't deny that there's also something about him that makes him mysterious.
"You mean, I'm weird," I stated not with a question mark because he might just see me as odd and nothing else.
"Maybe?" So, he admitted as well. "But I like your weirdness," he added and paused for a moment.
"There's something weird about you too," I replied but with a light laugh.
He smirked "We have something in common."
I changed the subject. "But thank you and you agreed to be a subject model. I thought that this might turn you off."
"Why would I?"
"Looks like you don't like things like this."
He turned to me. "Hey," I was about to tell him to go to his pose when he paused for a moment and said, "Anything, don't mind me."
***
"Thank you, thank you so much!" I expressed my joy and gratitude to the five of them.
Yes! My artwork is finally complete. First talked to Third, Ninth, Aeizen, and Sectwen to be my models. Even though I disturbed them, they all agreed. I am very grateful to them, especially to First. First mentioned he would do anything if I asked and that I should not mind him asking for a favor because he'll be willing to. Third told me that I should have told him earlier because it won't disturb him. Aeizen wasn't bothered by it. Sectwen told me to 'keep up' and Ninth just looked at the sketch pad and then left the art room.
The four of them left and First and I were the only ones here.
"Thank you, First!" So, this is the feeling if you've already completed your work. I feel so elated.
There isn't a camera here, so I thought I'd sketch them all. This will serve as a picture of us full of memories. We went down to the ground floor because everyone is in the living area. It looks like it's already afternoon.
"Here!" Seventh called First and we parted our ways because Aeith also called me.
It looks like the boys are playing cards and some board games in the lounge area just beside the living. They are noisy. Everyone seems to be in their spirit. On the other hand, the girls here also gathered for a sort of meeting to talk about something.
"She's here," Aeith said as if I were the only one they are waiting.
"What's up?" I innocently questioned them.
The sofas and coffee table were moved to the sides, and they all sat on the floor—crossed legs sitting position forming a circle.
"There you are," Fourth moved to her right side to give me space to sit next to her while Aeith sits on her left.
"We're going to play a truth or dare game." Sixzen started the introduction of the said game we're going to play. "This might be familiar to all of you, but I'll explain the simple mechanics." She took a bottle on her side. It's a clean empty bottle of milk that she must've gotten from the kitchen. "I'm gonna spin this bottle. When it stops and points to someone, she's gonnna choose between truth or a dare." Hmm, as far as I remember it's been a long time since I played a game like this. "In choosing truth, you'll answer truthfully to the question you're asked by someone on your opposite side. And by choosing the dare, you must perform the task you're given. Any questions or objections?" Sixzen explained to us the mechanics as if she was the game master. None of us have any questions or objections. "Alright!" She spins the bottle.
I can recall some childhood memories of mine from playing this but this time, it's with these girls that I barely know. I'm happy that all girls are here and we're having one of the best moments of our lives while bonding and getting to know more of one another.
"So, who is it?" I wasn't paying attention until I heard Aieth's voice. The bottle stopped at Twentieth. "C'mon now, we won't tell anyone," So, Twentieth chose truth. She is currently being asked who's her crush and it was Aeith who asked her who's sitting on her opposite side. I sighed.
"U-Uh, no one really..." Just what kind of question Aeith have on her mind? Can't she come up with a better one?
"Even here?" Sixzen followed to question her. Maybe she means that if Twentieth has a crush on one of the boys that are here with us on the nth planet.
"U-huh," Twentieth nodded. I can see that she's a bit tense. Maybe she's pressured to be asked such a personal question. "I just don't think that kind of stuff right now." Twentieth is a shy and kind girl. We are still in the middle of a life-threatening game so neglecting romantic feelings is understandable.
"That's kinda no fun," Aeith said. "Aw!" I slapped her thighs to stop her from being mean.
"On to the next one," Sixzen did the same and it landed to Sectwen. "Oh, it's you!" Sixzen giggled and looked at Sectwen.
"What's so funny?" Sectwen threw a sharp gaze on her.
"Nothing, hmp," Sixzen scoffed. Lately, they've been close to each other. Glad to know that Sectwen is forming a friendship with someone and that is Sixzen. They might have a bit different attitude but they're getting well.
"Okay, truth or dare?" It's Forzen's time to ask. They are really enjoying this game.
"Truth," Sectwen simply answered.
"Hmm," she's thinking of a question to ask. Maybe it is hard for her to form one because she's not close to Sectwen. "I'll ask a question contrary to the first one then. Do you hate someone here?"
A moment of silence was instilled in us. This is a tricky question but I'm curious about her answer.
"Yes," she replied.
"Oh! Who is it?!" Aeith interrupted.
"One question at a time," Sectwen's wise answer that she has escaped the second tricky question.
Aeith scratched her head from being dismayed. Well, that was close.
"If you're that curious, I don't mean someone. More like the attitude of that someone." Sectwen added. She parted back her long light brown hair on her shoulder. "I hate someone who's bossy."
Another silence filled the living area. I don't know who she's pertaining to.
"I can't come to like someone who's bossing around someone," she added.
Maybe that's why there are times she doesn't cooperate with us to do scheduled tasks. Maybe it's not that she's lazy or arrogant but there's a trait among us that she hates. I can't help myself but think who she is referring to. I started to be conscious and analyze myself if I've ever been bossy to anyone. I hope that wasn't me.
"Okay, okay, next!" Sixzen proceeded.
The bottle slowed down, and it made me nervous as it was nearing to point at me. Oh please, please don't be me. I have not come up with an answer yet if they'll ask me the same question as to the previous two. Both questions are tricky. I looked at my opposite side to see who was going to ask me if ever I have been chosen but Aeith stand and repositioned herself exactly at my opposite side.
"Hihi," she grinned to humiliate me. This girl is not fair! Her humor passes the limit.
I composed myself before scolding Aeith. I was about to yell at her before the bottle would stop
when there's a sudden commotion that interrupted our game of fun.