We lost.
Jeremy stared at the screen until the scene of their Ancient breaking, ended.
He was thinking about the game they just had. About where his incompetence had cost the team. And how they were crushed by a newcomer whom they don't know a thing about.
He was deeply lost in his thoughts when someone patted his shoulder.
It was his team mate. The Ancient Apparition user at the game. He nodded his head then tilted it towards the direction of the other team.
It was a sign for them... for him to go.
No matter what he thinks, there's no bringing back the past. The game was done. And the outcome was a lost for them.
Jeremy knew this. He also know what it meant. As the losing team, they have to honor their side of the bet.
They have to do what that newcomer deemed them to. Of course, they could just not do any of it, since it was only a verbal promise.
But, it would hurt their pride. And to eyes those who are witnesses in this computer shop, they would just be a bunch of losers who could not accept their lost. They won't be able to escape the mocking and disgusted glances. And so, they have to do it.
Jeremy led his team towards the other group.
As they were walking, one of his teammate spoke. "Jeremy, di naman natin kailangan tong gawin, eh. Pwede pa naman tayong lumipat nalang ng computer shop na paglalaruan."
"Oo nga, di mo kailangang gawin to boss."
"Kalma lang boss. Naka-tsamba lang sila."
His teammates began consoling him. It was an uncommon sight to Jeremy. Usually, these guys won't even dare to talk to him when they would lose. Because when that happens, it was usually their fault. And Jeremy would've played well in those games.
But now was different. Not only were they talking to him, they were even consoling him.
Jeremy knew whay they're thinking.
'They probably think thay I would lose all my rationality and pour all my rage to the enemies. Do I look that monstrous to them?'
Jeremy doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Maybe in the past, he would do it. But now, he's not only going to honor his bet, he would also do it the right way.
He's ready to accept any mockery that would come from the other team. For he knew, that the lost today, was an honest defeat. There's no reasoning out of this one.
"Enough. Natalo tayo. At dahil diyan, ibibigay natin yung kailangan nila. Natalo tayo sa pustahan di ba? At hindi ko natatandaan na naging duwag na pala tayo para talikuran ang napakaliit na bagay gaya nito." Jeremy said, which surprised his teammates.
It was amusing to see the looks on their faces.
Jeremy sigh. He too, was shocked by what he just said. But he knew better than anyone why he did so.
He was elated. Elated that he was defeated by someone so strong. That he was able to meet someone as amazing as that guy. He wanted to play against him again. He wanted to improve. And setting him as a goal, rather than those pros in the e-Sport scene, seems more plausible. And if they were to flee from this computer shop without honoring their bet, he wouldn't be able to face him again.
That's why he made this decision.
When Jeremy and his team reached the other group, the latter were already standing by their computers and was and was excitedly chatting and laughing with each other. Well, this is the first time that they've won against them.
He eyed the newcomer which greatly piqued his interest. He was at the center of the groyp, and seemed to be in an argument with the only girl on their team.
When the other group noticed their arrival, some of them tensed, then turned to face them.
After this, they made way for the newcomer to come and face Jeremy's group.
"Oh, andito na pala kayo," the newcomer said while smirking. "I hope na di kayo tatakas sa pustahan natin."
"We won't." Jeremy stated. "But before that..."
"Hmm?"
"Let me join your team."
"What?!" the people around the both of them chorused.
———
After winning the game, Leo still couldn't believe what just happened. He stared at his screen for a long time, before someone woke him up from his trance.
"Pre, nanalo tayo!" the Faceless Void user said.
Leo closed his eyes for a moment before replying. "Haha. Oo nga, panalo tayo!"
Soon, he could hear the voices of his teammates who have been yearning for this win.
"Wooh! Kahit di ko alam papaano, basta nanalo tayo!"
"Oo nga! Kahit support lang ako dun, basta panalo tayo!"
"Nakita mo ba yung 3-man stun ko?"
"Eh yung 5-man Chrono ko?"
"Maganda nga yun, pero kaya mo bang tapatan yung kay Kite?"
"Wala namang ganyanan, ang daya mo naman! Tayo-tayo lang eh, ba't nagpapatulong ka kay Kite?"
"Electric! Te-te-ten-te-ten!"
Leo laughed at this. Then, he turned to look at person who undoubtedly contributed the most to this win.
Kite was having a conversation with Rachel. Or rather, Rachel was doing the talking while Kite would just nod at her. It seems that he does not care at the least about what happened.
Leo walked up to him and said, "Salamat."
Kite just rolled his eyes at him. "Wala lang yun. Besides, I didn't do it just for all of you, but mostly because I was annoyed by that guy's attitude."
"But still, you made us win." Leo insisted.
Kite just shrugged at this. But Rachel elbowed him at the rib which made his face momentarily sour, obviously hurt.
"Argh— Why? Why would you do that?" Kite frowned at Rachel.
"Kasi, di ka marunong makisabay sa mga nangyayari," Rachel aswered him with squinting eyes. "Di ka ba pwedeng maging masaya naman lang?"
"Bakit ba? Ano bang espesyal dito?"
"Anong espesyal? Nanalo tayo! Di pa ba sapat na rason 'yun?"
Kite sighed, "In a match, there's always a loser and a winner. So what's special about that?"
"Because we are the winner, and not the loser! Duh?"
"Isn't it something to be expected?"
"Do you know that we are going to win?"
"Uhh..." Kite was at a lost for words.
"You don't, right? That's why this should be celebrated! Cause you made winning, possible!"
"Haist. If you were to celebrate every time you win, you'll definitely bore yourself out."
"Nope, I won't."
"And why is that?"
"Because I like winning." Rachel answered. Her eyes glistening.
Kite knew that arguing with her is impossible to win. So he decided not to answer anymore.
Then, the other group finally came to them.
Kite was glad for their timing. He was happy to be able to rid himself of the sermons from Rachel.
Then, he made his way to face their leader. The very reason for his participation in this game. He wanted to make this person know that he isn't an invincible deity, and someone could defeat him anytime.
He just couldn't stand these overtoxic players. Toxic ones are enough. Those over? The worst.
Also, he couldn't let them insult anyone's father. He just won't. It made him think that the one whom they were insulting, was his late Father who supported him in his love for Dota. That's why he made another excuse to break his vow.
With this, Kite was concerned.
"It looks like I've been breaking my vow more recently ever since being in touch with Rachel. I need to keep a safe distance. Social distancing is good for a person," he thought.
Kite shove his thoughts aside, then turned to face the guy with a goatee.
He wanted to make this guy apologize and take back everything he said. He was not that serious in making him say all those insults upon him. Those only came out of his mouth in a whim, due to the sudden anger that he felt. But now that he's calmed himself down, he only want to make this guy submit.
He started by trying to mock him. He was sure that with this guy's attitude, it might struck a chord. So he waited for him to be angry while apologizing. But what came next was unexpected.
The guy not only did not get mad, he also asked something that could be considered as... absurd.
"Let me join your team."
What did he just say?
"No way!"
Kite was taken aback by what the guy has said, so he wasn't the one who answered it. It was Rachel.
The guy kept his gaze firmly at Kite then asked seriously, "Why? Am I not good enough?"
Rachel was still the one to answer. "Why? Let me tell you mister, after all you've said and done, you expect us t—"
Rachel's yammering was cut off when Kite decided to say something.
"No. You seemed to misunderstood something," Kite said to the guy.
"What?!" Rachel turned to look at Kite. "Don't tell me na papayagan mo siyang sumali satin!"
Kite ignored Rachel then continued to talk to the guy. "What I'm saying is that it's impossible for you to join our team... "
This caused some sigh of relief from both group to be heard.
"... That's because we are not even a team. I am not part of them. You can ask them if you want to join. I'm only an extra here. Don't ask this from me. All I want was for you to realize your mistakes and apoligize." Kite continued.
After saying this, the people beside Kite went silent.
That's right, he was never a part of their team. Even the usual talkative Rachel was silent.
"If you're not part of them, then I have no intention of joining them." the guy said.
"Why is that?" Kite asked curiously.
"Because you're the only one that I recognized as above me within these group of people. Although I admit what I said and done earlier was wrong, I still won't change my opinion about them being weak. Because that's the truth," the guy answered truthfully.
Kite couldn't help but smirk by the guy's remarks and straightforwardness.
"You!" Rachel was about to do something—probably bad—to the guy, but was held back by the persons beside her.
The guy then turned to look at Rachel.
"Miss, I'm sorry sa mga sinabi ko at ginawa ko kanina. Although tinuruan naman ako nang maayos at minahal ng parents ko, I still forgot about good manners. Mali lahat ng mga ginawa ko kanina," the guy said, then looked around at everyone who's part of Rachel's team. "Sana mapatawad niyo ako at ang mga kasama ko."
Upon seeing their leader apologizing, the other people on the other group followed suit.
"We're sorry din!"
Rachel seemed contented with this because she finally stopped struggling.
Noticing that no one seems to object, the guy said, "Thank you."
"Okay, it's settled then!" Kite said and he spread his arms.
"We will be taking our leave first," the guy said to Kite, then headed to the door with his companions.
Right before leaving, he turned around then called to Kite, "If you ever wanted to make a team, Jeremy Lace, Block E. Can you consider me?"
Kite didn't know how to respond to this, so he just nodded at this Jeremy guy.
Then, he looked at the one who's been itching to tell him something.
He turned to Rachel and said,"No matter what's the condition, I am not interested in forming a team, so shut it."
Rachel frowned at this. "But you will still be my coach right?"
"As long as you'll pay me."
"Che!"
"Hehe."
This earned some laugh beside them.
Except for Leo. He seemed to be lost in deep thoughts.
Then their group headed outside.
———
Kite and his blockmates were finally out of the computer shop when someone from behind them spoke, which startled them.
"So. Nagdo-Dota ka na naman pala?"
The voice came from a tall and neat man in a white businessman suit. He was probably around his twenties. He was leaning beside the door.
Nobody knows who he was talking to.
Among the confusion, Kite spoke to the man. "Pake mo? Porke ba andito sa computer shop eh nagdo-Dota na kaagad? Di ba pwedeng gumagawa ng projects? Thesis? Mga ganun?"
The man clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Di ko alam na masipag ka na pala ngayon."
The man then turned to walk towards a car that is parked a few meters from them.
He opened the driver's seat and then turned to look at Kite again. "Pinapa-uwi ka na ni Mama. Gusto ka raw niyang maka-usap. Ano, sasabay ka?"
"Hindi na. Baka madungisan ko pa yang kotse mo," Kite answered cooly. However, Rachel seemed to get a glimpse of fury from his voice.
"Sigi. Bahala ka."
After saying this, the man went inside the car, closed the door then drove away. When the car was nowhere to be seen, the people in their group went on their own ways. They seemed to come to a tacit conclusion of not talking about what just happened.
Only Rachel and Kite was left behind.
"Sino 'yun? Obviously kilala mo," Rachel asked.
"Oo, kilala ko nga," Kite said as he placed both of his hands behind his head. "Sigi, uuwi na ako."
"Di mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko." Rachel stomped.
"Haist. Ang chismosa mo talaga."
"Eh, sino nga yun?"
"Yun? Well... he's just my brother."
###