Mikha's Pov

"Gwen, wag mo na pigilan tawa mo," I said.

"If only Aiah had a weapon in her hands, she could kill you physically, but the way she was staring at you and Belle. You're already dead," Gwen said.

I punched Gwen's shoulder. Nasa Papi House na kami, kasama namin si Belle. Sa guest room siya matutulog.

"Ito naman kasi si Belle may pa-call ng name tapos niyakap ka pa pag-kalapit mo sa railings," Gwen said.

"Mj, ganda ng girlfriend mo at ang bait pa," Belle said.

"She's my childhood bestfriend, not my girlfriend," I said.

Cousin namin ni Gwen si Belle. Konti lang nakaka-alam. Once Jho and Colet saw a picture of me and Belle on my phone, they were teasing me.

Mj ang tawag niya sakin. Biglaan ba naman siya nanuod ng game tapos pag nanalo team ko sa semifinals, then makakalaban namin team niya sa finals.

"Mikhs hindi mo sinabi na pinsan mo pala si Belle," Jho said.

"Oo nga, pinakita mo lang picture niyo noon," Colet said.

"Nagtanong ba kayo?" I asked.

"Hindi pero lagot ka pag nalaman ni Aiah," Jho said.

"Pigil na pigil na nga ako pagkakita sa reaksyon ni Aiah. First time ko makita ganun expression niya," Colet said.

"Mikhs, lagot ka talaga," Gwen said.

"Oo na, I know I'm dead," I said.

Napa-facepalm ako. Ramdam ko nga kanina ang tatalim ng tingin ni Aiah.

"Ang lakas ng team niyo," Belle said.

"Wow, kayo nga din eh. Same lang tayo ng number of werewolves na teammates," I said.

"May the best werewolves win, cousin," Belle said.

"Only pure talents, no using of powers," Gwen said.

"Mag-pinsan nga kayo. Ang humble at may pagka-competitive," Colet said.

"Colet nakaluto kana ba? Kain muna tayo," I said.

"Mikhaela Janna Lim, hindi pa ako tapos mag-interview sayo," Belle said.

"Hindi lang pala kay Gwen walang lusot si Mikha, mukhang sa lahat ng pinsan niya," Jho said.

"Belle, ask away," I said.

Ayun na nga natadtad ako sa mga tanong ni Belle na sumasabay naman sa pagtanong si Colet at Jho.

"So how will you start the conversation with Aiah during the field trip?" Gwen asked.

"Kinda working on what I would say," I said.

Napa-facepalm silang apat.

"I'll talk to her, promise," I said.

"Siguraduhin mo Mikhs, lately ang hirap kaya makalusot sa hunter instinct ni Aiah," Colet said.

"Hindi gumana instinct niya habang nanunuod ng game," Jho said.

"Do I really look like Mikha's girlfriend earlier?" Belle asked.

"Yes, especially sa mga cheer mo sa kanya kanina," Gwen said.

"Good luck sa pag-susuyo Mikha Lim," Belle said.

Napasimangot nalang ako. We ate dinner first, then Belle and I were washing the dishes.

"Mj, do you think we can find the kid?" Belle asked.

"We will. It's a good thing the field trip of your school and mine is the same place at the same time," I said.

Another reason why Belle appeared is because we just found out that Tito Javier has escaped. I didn't know that he was locked in the health center. By breaking the barrier last night, the invisible barrier had weakened for a bit, and our Uncle Javier took that chance to escape.

Another thing we just found out is that he has a kid that his girlfriend left in an orphanage. That's why we were going to find the kid, to make him appear.

"Serious talk about Aiah. Go for it, Mikhs. Take the risk to cross the line. Even if she's a hunter and you're a werewolf," Belle said.

"How could you say that so easily?" I asked.

"It wasn't easy for me and Donny. He's a hunter like Aiah," Belle said.

"What a coincidence," I said.

"The only difference between our situation is that at first they didn't accept me for Donny. They even tried to set him up in an arranged marriage, but he fought for our relationship. Both of us never gave up on each other," Belle said.

"I don't know why I'm so slow at this kind of thing. Honestly, I really have fallen for her," I said.

"Halata naman sa boses mo habang katawag mo ako kanina," Belle said.

"I'll do everything I can to protect her and everyone important to me." I said.

"Before you do that, confess first, okay? Challenges for the two of you will happen, but you have your friends to help you. An alpha also needs the help of the pack. Your pack are not only your family but also your friends," Belle said.

I look at Gwen, Jho, and Colet laughing in the living room.

"You're right. I have friends who will always be there for me, even if some of them are hunters," I said.

"Tita Mina and Tito Johan would also be happy if you think of yourself too and choose love sometimes," Belle said.

"Well, I'm really going for love," I said.

"That's our Mikhaela Janna Lim," Belle said.

After washing the dishes, I escorted Belle to the guest room so she could rest early. I went back to the living room, where my cousin and friends are still laughing. I looked at my phone and noticed so many notifications.

"Guys," I said.

"Yes, Mikhs?" Jho asked.

"What did the three of you do? The only reason my phone has many notifications is when the three of you are up to something," I said.

"Let's just say that we're helping you, our dear team captain," Colet said.

The three of them are smiling. I opened my phone to look at the notifications.

"What the heck?" I said.

Jho just posted a photo of me and Belle. Likod lang namin habang naghuhugas pero naka-back hug sakin si Belle. Ang ingay agad sa comments. Kinurot ko ang tatlo na nang-aasar sa tingin.

"Nag-comment na si Maloi, Stacey, and Sheena. They even mentioned Aiah," Gwen said.

"Uy nag-comment na si Aiah. Her comment is bagay na bagay," Jho said.

"Our plan works, she's jealous," Colet said.

"Kayo talaga oh. Malaking pag-susuyo ito," I said.

"Kaya galingan mo Mikhs. Hindi din namin sasabihin kay Aiah na pinsan niyo ni Gwen si Belle. I wanna see her getting jealous," Gwen said.

"Lagot kayo sakin sa practice," I said.

"Malalagot din pala tayo," Jho said.





The next few days before the field trip, bumawi talaga ako kila Colet at practice. We're going to play a practice match, the punishment for the losing team is to run five laps around the court. Wala si Coach Mickey, but maaga ko na pinaalam na magpractice match ang team.

"Colet, Gwen, and Jho will be on team one, while me and Sophia will be on team two," I said.

"Captain, are you sure kaya ng team natin silang tatlo?" Sophia asked.

"Just do your best, Soph," I said.

I patted Sophia's shoulder then went close to my friends.

"Gwen and Jho, no using of powers. I won't use mine either. Just pure talent," I said.

"Nakakatakot pag-captain mode mo ngayong araw Mikhs," Jho said.

"Approve din sakin itong game, para ma-test mga teammates natin," Colet said.

"Seryoso Colet?" Gwen asked.

"Yes, alam ko bumabawi si Mikha sa atin, but it's kind of fun too. May the best team win," Colet said.

"May the best team win vice captain," I said.

The practice match is three sets. The first set was already intense. Each team was showing pure determination. Colet's team won in the first set and my team won in the second set.

We did a timeout before starting the third set. Meanwhile, Maloi just arrived back from refilling the water jug, and she arrived with Stacey and Sheena.

"First set palang ganyan na itsura niyo," Sheena said.

"Parang championship game naman ata practice match niyo," Stacey said.

"Ask our captain," Jho said.

"Mikha's in her super game mode," Gwen said.

"You guys did well for the first set," I said.

I look at the door while drinking water.

"She's on her way," Stacey said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Aiah's on her way. Kinausap lang siya ni Ma'am Ica," Stacey said.

"I didn't ask about Aiah," I said.

"Your facial expression is asking," Colet said.

"How is she?" I asked.

"She's okay," Sheena said.

"Anong okay? Tinadtad nga tayo sa practice after ng games nila Mikha. Mabuti pinagpapahinga tayo ni Ma'am Ica before the field trip," Stacey said.

"Mikha Lim, hindi mo pa na-explain samin si Belle," Maloi said.

"Favorite niyo ata name ko," I said.

"We need answers. Matibay itong tatlo hindi sumasagot sa mga tanong namin," Maloi said.

I look at Colet, Gwen, and Jho.

"We kept our mouth shut," Colet said.

"True friends nga talaga kayo," I said.

"Syempre naman," Jho said.

"Ehem answers," Stacey said.

"Cousin lang namin ni Gwen si Belle," I said.

"She's a bit of a clingy cousin sometimes," Gwen said.

"Niyakap ka din niya?" Sheena asked.

"Sayo lang ako nagpapayakap bebe," Gwen said.

"Good," Sheena said.

"Bilis sumagot Gwen ah," I said.

"Back to topic tayo. So cousin niyo lang talaga si Belle?" Maloi asked.

"Yes, she's just a cousin," I said.

"And you're the one who's been sending the sunflower jasmine bouquets to Aiah?" Maloi asked.

"Yes," I said.

Napa-facepalm ako. In the past few days, I've been sending sunflower jasmine bouquets to Aiah. Even the papi line doesn't know, naka-tingin na sila sakin na mapang-asar.

"You got me," I said.

"Well, natyempuhan lang na nakita kita sa isang flower shop kanina," Maloi said.

"I'm just thinking of making paramdam for her," I said.

"Well, the notes in those bouquets are making her smile," Stacey said.

"Nice moves, Mikhs," Colet said.

Colet patted my back. We were about to go back to the court when Aiah and a guy arrived.

"Tagal mo ata Aiah," Sheena said.

"I caught the person giving me the bouquets; it was this guy all along. Everyone meet Fons. He's our classmates in one of our subjects," Aiah said.

"Hi, I'm Fonsie Roldan. A transfer student and part of the basketball team," Fons said.

"Fons wanted to see the gym, so sinama ko na siya," Aiah said.

See the gym or just want to be by your side. I'm feeling irritated right now. He's taking credit for the one sending the flowers. I'm the one giving the bouquet, not him.

"Nice to meet you, Fons. We'll get back to our practice match. Enjoy watching the game," Colet said.

Colet and the others are pushing me to the court. Nakayuko ulo ko, but I feel my eyes are glowing red.

"Mikha, your eyes," Jho said.

"Mikhs no powers, okay? Pure talent," Colet said.

"Relax, okay? Calm down," Gwen said.

I closed my eyes, then took a deep breath, and slowly I felt my eyes were not glowing anymore.

"Guys, I'm okay," I said.

"Are you sure? Pwede na natin itigil ang practice," Colet said.

"No, we have to finish the practice match," I said.

"Okay, let's do this," Jho said.

The third set started just like the intensity of the first and second sets. Dikit na dikit ang score. Binabantayan ni Jho at Gwen ang bawat spike ko. I look at the bleachers; Aiah and Fons are talking while smiling. The irritation feeling is starting again. Nag-timeout ako saglit, naka-huddle kami ng team ko.

"Guys, I know you're already tired, so let's end this game. Don't let the ball drop on the floor," I said.

"Yes, captain," My Teammates said.

"Sophia set it to me," I said.

She's the setter for my team while I'm one of the spikers. Beside being a setter, I was also an outside hitter.

"Captain, are you sure?" Sophia asked.

"Sophia, just do it," I said.

"Yes, captain," Sophia said.

The third set continues. Every set that Sophia gave me, I made sure to score. I know that Colet's team is feeling that I'm ending the game quickly, but they still made sure to score back too. It's now the final point for my team to win, and it's also the longest rally. Neither team is letting the ball drop on the floor.

"Sophia!" I said.

Sophia nodded. She sets the ball to me, and I hit the ball with my pure talent. I felt my power was coming out, but I resisted using it. The ball hits the floor and bounces nearly to the ceiling. My team won. They all jumped with joy while I quickly went to the bathroom.

I know my eyes are now glowing. Someone entered the room. It's Gwen and Jho. They pinned me to the wall and opened the shower to make me calm down. They are using their strength against my strength. After a few minutes, I calmed down. Pumasok din si Colet sa room.

"Pinauwi ko na mga teammates natin, sabi ko na biro lang yung punishment at magpahinga na sila," Colet said.

"The shower is so cold," I said.

"Mikhs, that was a close one," Jho said.

"I didn't use my power. It was all pure talent," I said.

"I thought we're going to see Aiah being jealous, but it's Mikha's turn to be jealous," Gwen said.

"I'm sorry guys," I said.

"No need to say sorry, Mikhs. We understand. Pinauwi ko na din sila Aiah. Si Maloi na naghatid sa kanila," Colet said.

"Hindi ko alam kung makaka-ilang, thank you ako sa inyo," I said.

"Just treat us for dinner, that was the best practice match," Jho said.

"But first change your clothes, Mikhs. Mukha kang basang sisiw," Colet said.

"Basang sisiw?" I asked.

"Just change your clothes," Colet said.

The four of us laughed and smiled at each other. They also patted my shoulder.