10:43 pm.
Same date.
Around Fifth Avenue.
Laurist Schuster.
YOUNG MASTER LAURIST SCHUSTER GOT PLAYED IN THE HANDS OF A DIMWIT NAMED LUDWIG.
Yes. Nauto ulit ako. Nope. Hindi ng puting tela.
I was trying to support his deduction show by the means of argumentum ad odium but then, he suddenly said that the suspect wasn't one of them.
It was the victim himself.
He was the victim, the perpetrator and of course, the cause of this madness.
Yes. Madness. Kabaliwan. And I don't even know why I willingly joined their craze.
Yes. I joined them. Nope. I don't know the reason why.
When the man dressed in woman's clothing yelled 'takbo', they all hastily ran towards the door. As if I was possessed, my feet voluntarily stood and ran with them.
Meters away from the coffeehouse, a yellow cab was already waiting for them. The man in woman dress sat at the shotgun seat while Ludwig and the other dimwit settled at the passenger seat. I was contemplating whether to sit inside too when we heard the police siren. I was pulled by Ludwig and what will happen next will be the death of these three.
Mga punyeta kayo oh!
"Damn! You traitor! After this, I will make sure to blow your brain out of your head!" Sitting at the leftmost part of the seat, the burgundy haired guy shouted at Ludwig giving him the nastiest glare he'd got.
"Little Wagner, how is this my fault?" asked Ludwig, pouting.
"Obviously because if the three of you didn't play detectives, we won't be running away from the police," I answered them wholeheartedly.
Wait-am I forgetting something?
"Why are you even here?" grumpy geezer asked glaring at me as if he was saying; sino ka ba?
I shut my mouth and gave him a glare too. How am I suppose to answer him if I can't even answer myself about that question?
"He was fooled willingly by a white cloth," Ludwig announced, laughing. His eyes were telling; ang tanda mo na uto-uto ka pa rin.
"How did you know?" I asked him suspiciously.
Yes. I am now suspecting him. They are all crazy specially this guy beside me, Ludwig. Hindi na ako magugulat kung kalokohan pala nila ang pamimigay ng puting tela na iyon.
"Surprise!" Ludwig exclaimed waving a familiar looking cloth. "I've got one too! Little Wagner and Couver, each has one too!"
"Punyeta." I muttered. I directed my gaze towards the outside. Strange.
Fifth Avenue is unusually quiet for tonight. Fifth Avenue is known as the Teenage Sanctuary. Bars, shopping malls, tea house, coffee house, name any teenage hang out you know, Fifth Avenue has it. There are also motels in every corner and condom is one of the best selling product here in Fifth.
"Mister driver, send me to MC Terminal," I commanded, looking at him through the front mirror.
I just want to go back home and rest. Ayoko nang mauto ulit.
"Me too," GG-short for grumpy geezer-seconded.
"I guess, just drop me there too."
"No! Babalik tayo sa Gustazó Café!" crossdresser dimwit opposed us as if it was a matter of life and death.
"Idiot! Do you think the police won't notice us? We're their target. Our wanted poster were all known by every police Sylembourge has!"
"Wanted poster? Wait-" I stopped and slowly turned my head towards GG. "I thought you're a member of Corps?"
That's it! That's what I forgot!
"Surprise! We're criminals! His ID is fake hahaha!" Ludwig blurted and then laughed.
Punyeta!
"Punyeta! Bababa na ako!" I shouted at the driver and began kicking the cab's door.
"No. Babalik tayo," crossdresser dimwit opposed firmly.
"Is this how you betray us, you idiot! Fuck! Both of you are traitors!" GG/great dramaqueen dramatized.
"I am not a criminal so let me get down from this damnable cab!
"Really? You're not?" Ludwig asked giving me glance that held deeper meaning.
Punyeta! Huwag ngayon.
"Hindi ko kayo tinatraydor. Sadyang doon lang talaga ang ruta natin ngayon," crossdresser dimwit said with a complicated look. He swept his gaze towards the driver. I can't see his face and believe me, once I see him, I will use all the resources I have to hunt down his nine generation family.
"Surprise! The fifth member is already driving us towards our cell hahaha!"
-------
10:55 pm.
Same date.
Back to Gustazó Café
I FELT LIKE THIS IS THE BUSIEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
First, I got bored, received a white cloth, got stuck in a murder turn out to be suicide case, escaped even though I did not do anything wrong and worst-coming back with 3 known criminals.
Couldn't get any unluckier, Laurist.
We entered the café again. The whole place was already arranged as if a commotion did not take place there. Wala nang mga pulis. Malinis na ang buong paligid.
What welcomed us were five chairs arranged facing two dashing men in dark green military trench coat.
"Woah! I didn't expect that these 5 criminals although had fooled countless of victims, can be fooled by a piece of cloth!" beaming with happiness, a man wearing a dark green military uniform exclaimed. On his golden plate name, carefully carved the words: Lieutenant Veco Grazia.
"Oh? The oh-so-reputable Corps resorted to this kind of tactic? Their standards became oh-so-low. Hahaha," Ludwig talked back. He chose the middle seat and that was directly in front of that arrogant Lieutenant. On his right side was Wagner, beside Wagner was me.
If I wasn't bored, he wouldn't get me here!
"Shut up!" he furiously yelled at him.
"Idiot."
"Dimwit."
Both Wagner and I reacted. Ludwig chuckled.
"HAHAHAHA! Lagi talaga kayong sabay ni Wagner kapag 'yan ang sinasabi," Couver, the crossdresser dimwit, uttered looking amused. He was seated at Ludwig's left and followed by that damnable driver who drove us back here.
"Confidence. Certainty. Trust in oneself. Oneself. Fortunately, the Lieutenant in front has too much confidence. Not in his skills though." But on a piece of cloth.
"Only shits can come up with such tricks."
The Lieutenant guy gritted his teeth. Due to anger he stood pointing a finger to us. "That doesn't change the fact that you all fell!"
"HAHAHA! Hindi naman trap 'yun. Blackmail 'yun. Explain mo nga sa kanya, Laurist kung ano ang blackmail," Couver turned at me.
Of course, I wouldn't disappoint someone who wants to team up with me in annoying those crazy guy who tricked us.
I crossed my arms and looked at the Lieutenant guy nonchalantly as if his existence did not even matter to me. "Blackmail. State of threatening someone via something or someone. One's resort if they are such a loser."
So what if he is a member of Corps?
"You!" He pointed his fingers to me.
"Yes. I am an intelligent individual with a vocabulary which composed of 49 percent sarcasm, 2 percent intellectual discourse and 49 percent insults," I retorted.
"Sige! Payt me, Lieutenant," Couver provoked him still laughing out his ass.
Wagner sneered. Ludwig chuckled and raised his hand. "Stavroux, coffee please." He then looked at the other guy with the same uniform but has shining shimmering badges all over his shoulders. On his platinum plate name, carved carefully: Chief Commander Nikolas Viscon. "So to whom do we owe this meeting? Imagine, you actually made us come here."
"The victim's case-"
"Why suicide?" Ludwig cut him off and gave a glance to Wagner.
"A retired soldier, even if he sold all his fortune, he will never afford even a picogram of Polonium-210. Much more a mere housewife and a gambling addict. You can't even buy it in the Black Market unless it was auctioned," Wagner explained.
"The price and source alone does not justify the theory of suicide."
"Remember the Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko? He was the first case to be identified of Polonium-210 poisoning. Do you know where does that idea came from?" the crazy guy named Ludwig asked, grinning. Hindi na ako magugulat kung sasabihin niyang siya ang may pakana nun. "Surprise! It's from yours truly, the very proactive crime enthusiast of 21st Century, Ludwig Pagano." He laughed. Both Couver and him laughed.
"What does it have to do with this case?" the same guy asked.
I coincidentally glanced at the Lieutenant guy, he was sitting firm on his seat not daring to make a sound of interruption. So this Nikolas guy is his boss.
"Meaning, Silver has enough stock of Polonium-210. It wasn't just a simple suicide. It's a forced suicide," Ludwig gave the simplest explanation.
"Who forced him?"
"Silver Rogue." The guy which Ludwig called Stavroux put down the tray of black coffee in front of Ludwig.
Punyeta! So the staffs of this café is in cahoots with whoever started this farce? Punyeta! I feel so idiotic now.
"Shit! You were with them?" GG also pointed a finger to Stavroux. Maybe thinking whether to curse more or directly pounce at that emoticon.
Wagner sneered at them and just decided to kick the chair. Luckily, the cup is already in the hands of Ludwig.
Sana hindi na lang niya kinuha.
"Freigu is in his baddest mood. I can only make this kind of coffee," he apologized to Ludwig and the latter just smiled. Stavroux turned to Commander guy. "The only organization who can get their hands on Polonium-210 is the Silver Rogue Mafia."
"It might be called forced suicide but you can't categorized it as one. After all, he willingly did it," Ludwig added. I frowned. I don't even know what they are talking about now.
Nikolas guy eyed Ludwig. The latter just chuckled and took a sip from his cup.
"You know, Commander Nikolas, when you've seen death countless of times, even if you were presented by a cold corpse, you can easily identify what was their expression before dying. Think. How many people ended dead in my hands?"
"Then what is his motive?" Lieutenant guy challenged him.
"He committed suicide and now dead, let's respect the dead's wish," Ludwig answered disinterestedly as he shrugged off his shoulder and took a sip of his coffee again.
"You say that because you don't know," Lieutenant guy scoffed.
"Idiots, that's for you to know. It's your job."
"Yes. What would the people say if the news of Corps needing the assistance of the criminals in a case leak out? Such a shame!"
Having dealt by two or three consecutive blows, Lieutenant guy sat again not daring to say another word.
"Lieutenant Veco, don't look at me with such jealous eyes." Ludwig laughed and turned his head towards the crossdresser dimwits' direction who is currently poking the driver's cheeks. "It should be with him. After all, he's your idol's favorite." He taunt and then laughed madly.
Lieutenant just gritted his teeth while making an expression of: why would I be jealous of a mere criminal.
"The feeling of not being worthy in the eye of the one you admire the most. It hurts, dear," he taunted him, still grinning annoyingly.
If I were the Lieutenant guy, I would directly cuffed him.
"Ludwig, sa tingin mo, marunong 'to magsalita?" Crossdresser dimwit asked, still poking the driver's cheeks using his fingers.
"Yup! He just loves his saliva the most!"
I shook my head. "Now that all these drama is done, can we leave now?"
"Right! Holding young master Laurist here. . . are you prepared if the economic status of Sylembourged dropped due to these tricks?" Ludwig wasn't serious at all. He was still grinning.
And I wasn't even thinking of pulling any shares that I have in the government and military. After all, I still need them.
I stood. I am going to leave even without their permission. If I stay here any longer, I would just stressed out myself.
"I am here to recruit all of you."
I was about to take a step closer the door but then. . . as if Nikolas guy banged his head on the wall, he dropped the funniest joke in my entire 20 years of existence.
"Tama naman ako ng dinig di ba?" Couver asked, scratching his ears.
"Yup! They are recruiting us hahaha. The funniest pun I've ever heard."
"Are you out of your mind, Commander? Your chaperon said it himself, they are criminals!" I asked but did not forget to give Lieutenant guy a blow again.
"Young master Laurist, you're one too."
"Shut up, dimwit!"
"Ludwig Pagano, former mafia executive. Wagner Krest, an assassin in the same mafia. Couver, the thief. Sin Grive, the hacker who messed up with the last election. And of course, Laurist Schuster. I want all of you," Nikolas elaborated.
Sure! He's not listening! Dude, punyeta.
"You know what, Nikolas? This is one hell of shit!" GG actually kicked the table again not suppressing his temper.
Go GG! Kick his ass too!
This is the first time I'm going to support you.
"All of you possess abilities," Nikolas blurted out and believe me! it made us want to kill him on the spot.
"Punyeta."
"What the shit!"
"Eh?"
"Let me correct you-it's my curse not ability."
"All of you are what we call Bearer," he added.
"There are only 4 blood type-that was what the public know. But there are actually 23 more blood types and there are only 23 people who has it," Stavroux guy a.k.a Emoticon took the lead to explain. "For example, Couver. He is the bearer of blood type P. Phantasm."
I-we all turned to Couver. The latter smiled and started his own defense.
"Hindi ka ba nagtataka kanina, Wagner-tsun? Kung bakit hindi tayo napapansin ni Kuya Cashier?"
"Stavroux."
"Basta 'yun!"
"That is because of his ability. His ability to manipulate illusion. Within his 1 meter radius, kaya niyang manipulahin ang ipapakitang ilusyon sa iba," Stavroux continued.
And I swear, in the name of all saints, gods, and goddess that those 7 religions have, this wasn't what I was expecting.
"Idiot. We're criminals. How do you expect us to act like heroes?" GG rolled his eyes.
"My little Wagner is right. I've killed countless of people that I don't even dare to sleep at night."
"You know, Nikolas-I mean-Commander Nikolas, you're probably drunk with coffee. Go and get some wine to sober you up," I retorted and decided to turn around to walk away but Couver just need to ask another question and fuck curiousity for being a cat.
"Bakit mo kami kailangan?" Couver's liveliness was gone. It was replaced by his serious expresion. His eyes were pitch black and as if a black hole, unable to give any meaning.
"For the next election," Nikolas answered. He straighten his back not minding the seriousness in Couver's approach. "To secure the seat for the current president," he continued.
"What a loyal dog!" Ludwig exclaimed, chuckling.
"A loyal dogshit," GG seconded.
"Ayoko nang patagalin ang usapang ito." Hindi na niya pinansin ang pang-aasar ni Ludwig at GG. He also did not notice how dark Couver's aura. I wasn't going to mind him but I can sense it. I've been always sensitive to wild fluctuations of other's emotion. The three Ytrivo earlier did not affect me at all, meaning, Couver's change of mood was stronger than their combined emotions.
I pity Mister Ytrivo for having no one sincerely mourning for him.
"Lahat ng nakalagay sa email na ipinadala namin sa inyo, kapag natapos ang misyong ito, ibibigay namin sa inyo."
Wagner raised his brow. Ludwig chuckled. I, on the other hand, was unable to focus on anything. Couver's sudden mood shift affects me greatly.
Damn, ability! Ludwig is right. This is a curse not a gift.
"I don't need anything. So, exclude me out," I claimed.
I just want to get out of here this instant.
"You expect me to join this shit? Dream on, bastards!"
"All expenses paid?" Ludwig asked Nikolas and the latter just nodded. "Then I'm in!"
"What the fuck?" GG reacted violently.
"Sorry, little Wagner. I have nowhere to go and Darota hates me now." Ludwig did not forget to put on his crook smile.
"Hindi mo na 'ko kailangang tanungin." Couver stood shaking his head. "I really really hate your guts." He chuckled.
"Nikolas, tinitingala kita noon dahil sa kagustuhan mong mahuli lahat ng kriminal para sa kapayapaan ng Sylembourge. Ngayon, I completely despise myself." He laughed. Sinabayan pa siya ni Ludwig. Good for the both of them, nagkakaintindihan sila masiyado. "Tara na, Driver-chan, tayong tatlo na lang ni Ludwig ang bumuo ng Cursed Gang na 'to tutal ayaw naman ni Wagner-tsun at ni Laurist," he invited the driver as if he was sure he's going to agree with those rubbish proposal.
But to my dismay, the driver stood and followed Couver's tail. Wow! This piece of pet dog.
"Mabuhay tayong mga kriminal!" crossdresser dimwit cheered.
"Yup! We're criminals being loathed by the society because of our twisted thinking."
"At may isang grupo ng engot na nahihibang na at balak tayong gawing tagapagligtas nila! Pakyu sagad!" Couver yelled then laughed which made me shiver and it was obviously because of the emotional turmoil inside him.
Punyeta! Isinusumpa ko, hinding-hindi ko na hahayaang magkita pa kami ulit. I've met countless of sly people but this crossdresser thief here has the most complicated and complex emotions. Anymore feelings, I think I am the one who will explode.
"It's a curse. We're cursed. Welcome to Cursed Gang!" Ludwig followed back hooking his arms around the driver and Couver's neck as they made their way outside the coffeehouse.
"Esperagaso,"
I muttered under my breathe.
I have this feeling that madness will going to reign all over reasons and logics.
Punyeta.