We took the bus, and walked a bit further through a short bridge.
Buses don't go there because the road is kind of exclusive to home owners only.
Yes, it's a subdivision area.
...
"Wow, you rich." I said while walking around the area.
"Nah, lots here were cheap back then."
"Ah, humility."
...
"Alright, we're here." Shaina rings the doorbell.
I look up at the house.
...
It's two stories tall, with curvy edges for its walls, and pink tinted windows. It's walls are slightly painted with pink.
Cute.
...
After three rings of the doorbell, the door slowly opens.
It's like someone is cautious of whoever is at the door.
Suddenly, a clump of long hair strands stuck out behind the door.
Then the rest of the hair followed.
And the person's face finally appeared.
A woman who seems to be in her mid-thirties peeks out of the door checking who's ringing the doorbell.
She's just as tall as Shaina, with her hair reaching the shoulders, with a bit of it sticking out upwards.
She also has this bubbly and happy aura, the direct opposite of Shaina's.
...
"Baby!" She jumps towards Shaina, hugging her tight. "What's going on?"
Shaina lightly hugs back, and says, "Classes are cancelled today. Wasn't it announced on TV?"
"Weeell, you know how your mom is. I didn't get to listen at the news."
...
Ah, so she's her mom. She's very different to Shaina, which is interesting.
...
"You baked three cakes again? We're already running out of plates to use, mom." Shaina complains.
"That's why your dad is at the dining room, eating all of those!" Her mom giggles.
...
Then her mom notices me.
She looks at me with innocent eyes.
I don't even know if she's being innocent, or she's secretly dissecting my entire existence.
But she puts on a poker face, with blank, innocent eyes right at me.
...
But somehow, it's only at the moment that I felt instant fear.
It's not because it was scary, but it's because of the anxiety it gives me.
It's too innocent that I doubt she means well with that innocent look.
Or maybe I just don't trust that look.
It reminds me of Aira's clueless face.
But this face doesn't make me pissed, so that's good.
Seconds pass.
...
"Oooh! Who's this, hun?" Shaina's mom nicely smiles at me.
As Shaina was about to speak--
"ARE YOU HER BOYFRIEND?!" Her mom shouts, looking at me.
"MOM! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!"
"Oh, of course honey. If that was the case, I would've already known the entire family and life background of this boy. I should've also placed house traps just in case he makes you cry." Shaina's mom pats her head.
"He's a guest, mom! You can't say jokes like that on a whim!"
...
Seeing their interaction, I let out a small chuckle.
...
Shaina's mom smiles, and lets us in the house.
Upon entering, Shaina puts her palm on her face.
"Geez, mom.." she murmurs in embarrassment.
...
At long last, I have stepped on the floor of a girl's home!
I have taken a step into victory!
Hmm, I feel like something's off.
...
We stopped at the dinner room, and Shaina's mom sat on the dining table beside a guy eating cake.
Who's probably Shaina's father.
...
Her dad stands up, and wipes his mouth with tissue before looking at Shaina.
...
Tall, manly, and has a large physique.
He's like a wrestler.
Like a pro wrestler seen in T.V.
...
He puts his hands on the shoulders of Shaina, and confirms the cancelation of classes.
"So, Shaina. Is there actually no class today?" He asks firmly.
...
Masculinity is radiating off this man.
...
"Yeah Dad. The T.V.'s over there. How did you not know?" Shaina points to the television placed directly in front of the dining table.
"Well, I just wasn't sure. I saw the news, but I can't help but doubt, you know?" Her dad responds.
"We waited for the announcement, which was said on the T.V."
"Yeah, but I couldn't just trust that, not until I see you arrive at home."
"You already saw me, dad. Why'd you even ask?"
...
Woah. Shaina's a bit too rude.
Words like that can actually make a person mad.
I assume that her dad can just hold back his anger and let it out once I'm gone.
Yes. I'm assuming this dad is hot-tempered.
...
Shaina's dad smiles and says:
"To start up a conversation."
Shaina chuckles and smiles.
"I guess you got me again, Dad. I actually took you seriously."
...
I.. I like this guy. He's a cool dad.
...
"So..." Shaina's dad closes his eyes.
...
With his voice deeper, he asks:
"Who is he?" Looking at me with blank eyes.
...
I felt a chill down my spine as he said that.
Oh right, so that's why something feels off.
I haven't introduced myself and just walked straight inside this house.
...
"Ah, right! He's a schoolmate of mine. I brought him over for an assignment." Shaina explains.
"Hi! I'm Josh Aurelio, a student from section 3-C." I stepped in to introduce myself.
Shaina's dad walks over to me slowly.
...
I feel like I'm about to be threatened and have my life endagered for the rest of my life.
...
He smiles.
"Well, welcome to our home! I'm Fred, and she's Anna, Shaina's parents. Glad to see a friend of hers here." He says so in a happy tone.
He offers his clenched fist for a fist bump.
...
And at that instant, my fear got replaced by relief.
...
I sighed in relief and bumped back.
"Happy to be welcomed, sir." I bumped his fist back.
...
Well that was cool.
...
I was offered to sit at the dining table.
"Hehe." Shaina giggles silently.
...
"Here's some cake!" Shaina's mom places a plate with cake in front of me.
...
"So, you're from section C, right? What's that like?" Shaina's mom asked.
...
What's that like? Is being in the top section that much different?
I've been in the third section ever since, so I didn't know the perspective of students outside.
I didn't have friends from other sections too.
I only had friends from my own section, but we didn't stick long enough for me to know about it.
...
"Well, I can't say there's a lot different, but we might be a bit more focused on school activities than academics." I responded.
"Oh? That's way different than section A. Shaina's classmates always have wars about their academic performances. Their classroom is so silent during classes, but are always on edge with their grades." Aunt Anna said.
I turned to Shaina, and she nodded in confirmation.
"Wait, aren't there friend groups in your class too?" I asked Shaina.
...
I mean, friend groups are unavoidable.
...
"There are friends groups. If fact, there's a lot in her class. But all of them smile with a competitive intent behind it." Uncle Fred explained.
...
Sigh. It's weird to call them uncle and aunt. But it's way more annoying to address them as "Shaina's Mom and Dad", right?
...
"So you're saying students in these friend groups are fake friends to each other?" (Josh)
"Sort of. They still enjoy things they have the same interest on, but when it comes to academics, they do the best they can to push each other down, with the friendliest smile they put on while using their "interests" as distractions to break the study habits of others." (Shaina)
"Wow. That's a very descriptive statement. And with how you described things, I could say that you sure did adapt the speaking patterns of your parents." (Josh)
"Wow. That's a very creepy observation. And with how you compared us, I could say that you sure don't have any friends to keep yourself entertained other than observing speech patterns." (Shaina)
"A funny thing to say, considering I'm currently at your house, with your parents treating me as "your friend"."
"A funny thing to say, considering that I also have the authority to kick you out of the house when I want to."
"Ah, yes. But are you sure you're gonna let me leave without finishing this "assignment" of yours? I didn't even say anything rude in the first place."
"I could find someone else for this assignment. It may not be rude, but it was an unnecessary thing to say."
"Brave words. But I'm sure your parents took it as a compliment. You didn't have to break down my self esteem like that."
"Sigh. Fine. I'm sorry about that. Having another person in this house is a new thing for me, so I cant fully control myself right now."
"Alas, it has been another victory for Josh Aurelio!"
...
I heard Sir Fred giggle with Ma'am Anna.
...
I'll try out other honorifics for them.
...
After eating the cake, Shaina told me to come with her to her room.
"Don't forget to use protection, honey!" Ma'am Anna shouts.
"MOM! UNDERAGE INTERCOURSE IS NOT ALLOWED IN OUR COUNTRY. PLEASE DON'T MAKE JOKES LIKE THESE WITH A MALE GUEST! ALSO, I WOULDN'T EVEN DARE TO TO THINK ABOUT DOING THAT WITH JOSH!"
"Quite the mood we got there, Shaina." Her dad chuckles.
"OH COME ON! Sigh.. I'm sorry, Josh. They're usually not like this." Shaina walks fast to her room.
...
"Oh, but we are." Sir Fred laughs.
...
I open Shaina's door.
...
Wait.
....
Waaait..
Hold on.
I'm about to enter a girl's room.
...
I AM ABOUT TO REACH THE HIGHEST POINT OF SLICE OF LIFE ROMANCE STORIES!
I AM ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE STRUGGLES OF BEING A HAREM PROTAGONIST!
I AM ABOUT TO FIND FEMALE UNDERWEAR, AND GET CALLED A PERVERT!
...
TRULY, I AM ABOUT TO REACH THE PEAK OF MY HIGH SCHOOL LIFE!