After the encounter, Kite went on his way to his apartment with knitted brows.
He was thinking about whether or not to go home. To his real home. To meet and talk with his mom.
Upon reaching the front of the apartment's building, he saw a familiar face waiting for him.
A man in his forties with a black suit and a neatly combed hair.
"Hello, sir! I haven't seen you in a while," the man greeted. "Although I would like to ask you now about how you're doing, let's do it on our way. Your mom asked me to fetch you."
"No need Regas," Kite waved him off. "I am not going home today. Maybe not for a long time. You know why."
"I see. I'm sorry to hear that you're still mourning for the lost of Sir Darwin."
When he heard his Dad's name, Kite felt a lump in his throat.
"I believe you're done with your work here. You may go now," Kite dismissed and went past him towards the apartment.
"Not yet, sir." Regas stopped him in his track. "Although I never wanted to be a bringer of ill news, I still have to say this."
Kite turned around and said, "Go on. Make it fast. Afterwards, leave now."
Regas sighed for a moment then said, "She told me that if you won't come home today, she'll cut off all her expenses for you. You'll have to live and earn on your own. She'll have it done a month from now to at least make you prepared."
Kite took in what Regas just said. He was expecting this though. Ever since he left, he has never came home.
His mom had urge him to come home. And every time, Kite will decline. It's only a matter of time before his mom's patience would reach its peak. And resorting to this matter, is something that she would definitely do so.
After thinking for a while, Kite said to Regas, "If you think this will change my mind, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I am not going back. Not yet. Even if she does cut off her support, I'll do something about it. I'll live on my own."
After hearing this, Regas frowned for a moment, then smiled afterwards."It looks like there's no convincing you out of this. You're still the same Kite that I've known," he said and then went inside the car.
But before leaving, he opened the driver's window and said to Kite, "Mag-iingat ka, hijo."
Kite nodded at him, then watched him leave until he couldn't see the vehicle anymore.
"I only got a month left, huh? I should look for a job soon." Kite thought as he went inside his apartment.
———
The next day, Kite went to his school as usual. He listened to the lessons and took notes of the important ones.
The only uncommon thing was that Rachel didn't bother him.
Afterwards, the bell rang.
It was another vacant time for them.
Kite went to the cafeteria but didn't stay there to eat his snacks. He was still traumatized by what Rachel did the other day, and was afraid that the cafeteria might instantly become full of his blockmates.
So, he decided to go to back to their declared homeroom and eat there.
Upon reaching the door, he was rooted in his place by the scene inside.
A few of his blockmates, together with Leo and Rachel, are talking to some people which are not of this block. Probably from the block F, as Kite noticed the man with his distinctive goatee. She also noticed that Rachel was raising her voice.
Kite knew that it wasn't a good time to go inside. He turned around and was about to leave, when one of his blockmate who was part of the 'talking' group, saw him and called his name.
"Kite!"
Kite pretended not to hear anything and proceeded to leave. He increased his pace when a hand grabbed his shoulder then turned him around.
It was Rachel.
"Hey! Tinawag ka ah! Ba't di ka lumapit?" Rachel said while frowning.
"Huh? Wala naman akong narinig ah. Ako ba yung tinawag niyo? Maingay kasi sa labas eh," Kite still feigned innocence.
"May Kite pa bang iba dito? Ikaw lang di ba?"
"Uh—"
"Pumasok ka na sa room! Dun ka na rin kumain. May naghahanap sayo."
Kite scratched his head and sighed. Afterwards, he went inside the room as he can't do anything while Rachel is obviously in a bad mood.
He went straight to his seat to eat, without paying attention to the gathered group.
After a moment, Leo went beside him.
"Kite, the people from Block F wants to see you," Leo said.
"Why?" Kite asked while stuffing himself with his food.
"They said that they want to make a Dota Club. And they want you to be the President."
"Pft!"
Kite almost choked himself after hearing Leo's statement.
'Ano raw? Dota Club? Meron bang ganun? At bakit ako?'
After drinking some water, he turned to ask Leo. "Why me? Besides, sigurado ba sila? Di ba merong minimum number of people na dapat mameet? I think kaunti lang sila diyan."
"Kaya nga. Kailangan ng at least 10 people to form a club sa school natin. That's why they planned to let us, the block E players to join them," Leo answered. "And why they chose you? I think it has something to do with our last game."
"Kaya ba masungit si Rachel ngayon?" Kite lowered his voice to aw whisper cautiously.
Leo chuckled at this then said, "Haha. Oo. She wants to be the one to form the club. Ayaw niyang maunahan. Dati niya pa raw iniisip yun, kaso naunahan siyang magsimula nung Jeremy."
"At kung si Rachel yung gagawa? Sino yung magiging President?"
"Ikaw pa din."
Kite sighed then shook his head. "Either way, damay pa rin ako?"
Leo nodded. "Also, I think ikaw lang yung makakapag-ayos ng mood niya."
"At kung ayaw ko?"
"Magdasal ka na raw sa lahat ng mga diyos na kilala mo na isalba ka mga paparating na delubyo." Leo said seriously.
Kite gulped at this. Then he raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay. Pupunta na ako dun."
When he reached them, the people from the other block greeted him. Those who were not part of the game last time shot him some scrutinizing look.
They probably can't believe that I can play Dota.
Jeremy then walked up to him and offered his hand, "Mr. Kite. We meet again."
"Of course! Isa lang school natin eh!" Kite left these words unsaid as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He then accepted the hand and shook it. "Why so formal? No need for that."
"Indeed. But it's only natural. Since you're the strongest player here," Jeremy stated, unperturbed.
"Sigh. Let's cut to the chase." Kite said.
"I believe na sinabi na sayo ni Leo yung plano namin?" Jeremy asked.
"Yes, he did. And I refuse." Kite answered.
This made Jeremy and the other people around him frown, some exclaimed unbelievably.
"What?"
"Ano raw?"
"Huh?"
Jeremy raised his fist to silence them, then turned to Kite. "Why is it? Pwede mo bang sabihin ang rason mo para tumanggi?"
Kite crossed his arms. "The answer is in front of you. You see, apart from those na kasama mo nung naglaro tayo, the others here na dinala mo doesn't believe kung ano man yung mga sinabi mo sa kanila about sakin. I bet na kailangan pa nila mawitness it firsthand in order to dispel their doubts. And if I'm not mistaken, sinabi na rin nila Leo na I'm not playing Dota anymore. Exception lang yung last game kasi I was forced by your misdeeds.
So tell me, gugustuhin pa ba ninyo na magkaroon ng President sa Dota Club na hindi naman nag-lalaro ng Dota? Isn't it too ironic and laughable? Won't your blockmates still harbor that doubt every time they're at the Club? If that's the case, then the club will be dissolved in no time. Trust is of the essence in this case. Without it, it's better to stop this before it even started. Unless you can do something about it, then stop with this nonsense."
Those block F people lowered their heads. Apparently, Kite hit the right spot. It wasn't easy to trust a person just because someone told you so.
But Jeremy remained unfazed. "All that you've said were true. However, even if you don't play Dota, doesn't mean that you can't be the President of the club. Although I personally want you to play for us, you can still be the coach or the head of expertise. Since you have the most knowledge in Dota inside this room," he then turned to look at his blockmates, then back to Kite. "I'm sure that they can verify everything that you will say in their own ways. That way, they'll be able to see that choosing you isn't wrong. And they can focus on improving themselves with your teachings, as you will be in charge of the strategies. As for trust, I believe we can build that along the way. For now, my words should be enough to keep my blockmates in place. For yours, I don't have a say about them."
"There will be no problem." Rachel suddenly interjected.
"Okay, it's settled then." Jeremy said.
Kite sighed again for the umpteenth time. He really didn't want to be dragged into this. However, the sight of the raging Rachel—albeit cute, is like a ticking time-bomb that may explode anytime, and has no other target but him. He would have to face the brunt solely, should anything happen. Besides, he only need to do some office work. It's still fine as long as he doesn't play. And if he could play this well, he might get paid. He really needs money right now.
Kite finally opened his mouth to speak after weighing the pros and cons, "Since you're all okay with it, I only have one more thing to ask."
"Please say it," Jeremy said.
"Let Rachel do the application. Let her form the club. Then, I'll be the President," Kite said then turned to look at Rachel. The other was smiling brightly at him. The signs of his previous tantrum was nowhere to be found.
"Okay. That's easy. Yan lang ba talaga?" Jeremy asked.
"Yes. Yun lang. Any problem?" Kite rebutted.
"Ah, wala na," Jeremy said, then turned to Rachel. "I'll have to trouble Miss Rachel for the application form."
"Don't worry! I'll handle everything!" Rachel said proudly.
———
When the other party has gone, Kite was left with Rachel.
"Hay. Mahihirapan na naman ako nitong mag-aral. Kasi sa gabi, magtuturo pa ako sa isang tao. Tapos ngayon, President pa ako? Hay, sumasakit na talaga ulo ko." Kite murmured. He intentionally raised his voice a little bit, loud enough for Rachel to hear.
"Oo na. I'll pay you!" Rachel rolled her eyes at him.
"Hehe. TY momshie!" Kite teased at her.
"Momshie ka diyan! Loko!" Rachel glared at him.
"Eh bakit? Para naman talaga kitang sugar Mommy, ah? I make you smile, you pay me." Kite winked.
"T*anginamo! Yuck!" Rachel stuck her tongue in disgust.
"Bwahahahaha!"
"G*go ka talaga Kite!"
"Thanks! I get that a lot," Kite smiled at her. "By the way, kelan nga yung date of application para sa mga club?"
"Mga next week," Rachel answered. "Bakit?"
"So, di ka pa naman busy ngayon di ba?"
"Why? Are you asking me out?" it was now Rachel's turn to tease him.
"Shunga! Papasama lang ako," Kite immediately denied.
"Haha! Papasama saan?" Rachel asked while still laughing.
"Maghahanap ng trabaho."
###