Chapter Text
"NICE RACE!"
Yohan removed the helmet from his head once he got out of his car. Tangina, solid. The last 4 laps with Jun, Fern, and Ren in this race was fun as fuck, although confident naman siya, he was just kind of doubting when he lost his focus during the 3rd to the last lap. Paepal talaga, he thought.
He raised his hand to give Soonyoung who praised him just now, "Thanks."
"Andyan na si Grae, by the way."
Umirap lang si Yohan, alam niya naman kasi. Carlos is the reason why he lost his focus earlier, the latter took the radio from his track manager and spoke, his voice clearly heard in the former's in ear.
"Bagal mo, Blanc."
Sa buhay niya, dalawa lang naman ang epal sa mundo: una, kahirapan; pangalawa, si Carlos Grae Choi.
Si Carlos ang Grandmaster ng OIS na kinabibilangan niya.
Ang pinunong pinagsisilbihan niya.
Ang best friend niya.
Ang taong dahilan kung paano siya nakapasok sa fraternity na ito at naging kanang kamay ng organisasyon sa university.
Three years ago, Yohan Blanc Yoon graduated as the Rank 1 from their National High School back in Batangas. Sabi nga ng mga teachers, siya ang pride ng batch nila dahil hindi lang siya matalino, mabait at gwapo pa. Magaling sa kahit anong larangan. Parang yung sikat na tagline ng isang alcohol brand, 'hindi lang pangpamilya, pang-sports pa'.
He has huge dreams for his family so like any other smart student from the province, he went to Manila and tried his luck by applying to the grandest universities in the city but while he was waiting for the acceptance letters, he received an offer from Polychromatic University.
Famous as the most expensive university in the Philippines and for producing worldclass alumni and topnotchers, Polychromatic University offered him a scholarship not just for his undergraduate studies but also for their School of Medicine with dorm and allowances. What a fucking catch, right?
Upon receiving that email, all he could think about was how this scholarship can make his dreams and plans come true.
Hindi na kailangan mag-alala kung paano pag-aaralin ang mga kapatid niya kapag nagretire na ang Mama niya na Head Teacher sa public school or ang tuition niya sa medschool. Pwede nang hindi magworking student dahil yung ipapadala ng parents niya ay para na lang sa kanila.
All he had to do was maintain his grades and assist in the library after his daily classes. Nakasaad din sa offer letter na matinding imomonitor ang grades niya per subject and nothing should not be lower than 3.5 or else everything will be cut off and paid for. Everything including the semesters he got for free.
Sisiw lang para sa Rank 1 na si Yohan Blanc Yoon. Para sa kanya, pag-aaral ang pinakamadaling gawin kaya tinanggap niya ang offer at sinabi sa parents niya na dinaig pa ang kapitbahay nilang nakapasa sa board exams noong nagpahanda sa barangay para ipagmalaki siya. Meron pa nga siyang tarpaulin stating that he's a scholar at PU sa may kanto nila pati na rin sa gate ng National High School.
"Fuck." Yohan cursed under his breath.
Para sa kanya, pag-aaral ang pinakamadaling gawin kaya tinanggap niya ang offer.
"Fuck, fuck. Fuuuuck."
Pero hindi naman pala pareho ang Senior High School sa Batangas at ang pagiging Medtech student sa Polychromatic University.
Sobrang magkaiba pala ang mga teachers niya sa STEM at ang professors ng isang prestige university.
With shaky hands, he tried to stare harder at his phone, showing the student portal.
3.25
Nakakuha siya ng 3.25 sa Analytical Chemistry ng professor niya na halos tinalo pa si Gloc 9 sa sobrang bilis magsalita.
"Yo, what did you get sa Chem?" Wednesday asked after checking her own.
Putangina, paano na 'to? Mabilis niyang tinago sa bulsa ang phone at sinimulang kumain kahit sa totoo, wala naman talaga siyang gana. Hindi naman sila hirap sa buhay pero holy fuck, hindi nila afford ang PU. Kapag nalaman ng parents niya 'to, hindi lang disappointment ang ibibigay niya kundi ang burden na makapagbayad ng tuition.
"Hey." She nudged him once more.
"I passed, don't worry."
Relief washed over Wednesday's face, "Good to know, I thought you'll lose your scholarship on your first semester."
Well, that is what's about to happen. How will he even pay the allowances and the dorm that the school was paying for? 'Yun pa nga lang hindi na niya afford, ano pa 'yung tuition fee niya this sem?
After lunch, he tried setting an appointment with Dr. Stephenson, yung prof niya sa Chem para sana makiusap but the secretary said he doesn't allow meetings with students regarding grades. Marami na raw dumaan today but no one was given the privilege.
Putangina, walang awa.
"Yohan!"
He quickly closed the door after the rejection and smiled fakely at his blockmate, "Toffee."
"I want to invite you sana!" Toffee's eyes became even smaller as he smiled. Christopher Rex Lee is their block's sunshine, he's extra fun to be with and literally just smiles at everyone even if he doesn't know them. It's like he brings the sun wherever he is. "Ay, kaso lang may scholarship ka na no?"
Side eye. Charot.
The question caught Yohan's interest. "Ano ba 'yan?" Hindi naman siguro delikado 'to no? This is Toffee anyway, he doesn't seem like he will do something dangerous or sketchy like—
"Recruit sana kita sa fraternity namin."
Okay, maybe he does.
Yohan eyed him from head to toe. Cardigan, beret, soft colors, no traces of tattoo or bruises or sketchy atmosphere—where the fuck is the indication that Toffee is involved in a fraternity? And how come Yohan missed the sign if there is even one?
"No, thanks." Iiwas na sana siya but Toffee held his arm.
"Uy, our frat isn't like that. We're nice, promise!"
That's what they say. That's what they /always/ say. Yohan, of course, knows how this works. Hindi siya bobo. Rank 1 siya sa Batangas National High School.
Fraternities are all about connections and powers. Violence. Abuse. Corruption. Anong kindness? Walang ganon.
"Yohan, oh my gosh. Please, I swear mabait kami. We do charities! We give scholarships, more than what the university even provides. We give benefits to our members."
Shit, wait.
Ano raw?
"Scholarship?"
"I know you don't care about that since you have one na but we give private scholarships to our brods with free condo and all. We're pretty safe, initiations don't involve violence like paddling or whatever." Toffee leaned forward and whispered, "Unlike Alpha Delta Sigma, we're scared of consequences so we play safe. The only dangerous thing we do is car racing and auctions but that's mostly for the higher ups naman."
The rest of Toffee's explanation didn't register anymore, it was like he was blurred out of Yohan's world and all he can think about was the possible scholarship grant that might save him and his family from drowning with debt.
But it wasn't easy.
Regardless of whatever Toffee said, alam pa rin ni Yohan na fraternity yon. They might say all the sweet things about their organization to lure you in but you know there's something more to it. There will be risks and sacrifices. There will be trades and secrets.
At hindi niya alam kung kaya niya bang sikmurain yon.
For days and nights, iisang tanong lang ang bumabagabag sa isip niya: sasali ba siya?
But on the sixth day, he received an email letting him know that his scholarship has been revoked together with the attachment that states the bills he needs to settle in order to enroll for the second semester—hindi lang six digits ang bill but seven and the first number isn't even 1 but 3— so before he can start being rational, he already found himself reading that usual greeting after answering a Google Form.
[ Your response has been sent. The recruitment administrators of Omega Iota Sigma will contact you once your application has been reviewed. ]
Hindi bobo si Yohan. Rank 1 siya sa Batangas National High School. He's aware that by joining a fraternity, there will be risks and sacrifices.
But he's signing up for it if it means staying in Polychromatic and getting more benefits
And if he dies, at least the debt dies with him.
Wearing a white shirt and black jogger pants as instructed, Yohan mentioned his name to the security guard of the club owned by OIS.
Today is initiation day.
He was led inside, welcomed by other people wearing the same outfit. White shirt, black pants. He has no idea why they needed to wear white pero siguro para kita yung dugo kapag initiation na. Nanlalamig yung kamay niya nang makita kung gaano karami ang tao sa loob, hindi niya pa kilala 'tong mga 'to.
Are they neophytes as well?
He asked Wednesday and his other blockmates about OIS discreetly, not giving them a hint na sasali siya. All he heard was that they were lowkey and stable, no news of people dying for the past decade. They're just not sure if it's true or if they're just good at hiding bones. That made him terrified but what makes it less suspicious, ang daming members sa college nila na obviously, buhay at safe naman.
He went straight to the counter and sat on a high stool, watching everyone from there. Wala siyang balak uminom dahil baka roofied ang drinks, he tried looking for Toffee but he's not around.
Someone sat on the stool next to him, "Neo?" He asked after ordering a scotch, neat.
He glanced at the guy with thick eyebrows who was wearing the same thing, his muscles bulging against the cloth of the white tee and his strong perfume almost covering the whole bar, "Yeah, you?"
The other just smiled, probably flexing his dimples, "Do you have any idea what's about to happen tonight?"
"No idea," Yohan shook his head.
"Ah," the guy with large eyes and thick eyebrows extended his hand, "Grae."
"Yohan." He reached for the other's hand. If he's entering this organization, might as well make new friends. Besides, it's an advantage to connect with them. Baka mamaya may bilyonaryo dito na pwede niyang kaibiganin for clout.
Grae picked up his glass and rested his back on the counter, "Don't you think you're too pretty to be here?"
Napatawa na lang si Yohan at umorder din ng Smirnoff. Hindi yata 'yon usual order dahil natigilan yung bartender pero inabutan din naman siya. "I need the scholarship."
"So you didn't want to join?"
"Sa mundo ko, wants and needs are separate. Needs are prioritized. Ikaw, Grae, why are you here?"
Sasagot na sana si Grae nang biglang tumunog ang microphone, there was a spotlight in the middle of the bar where a tall man was standing.
"Good evening, brothers. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Maroon Kim and I will be explaining the mechanics tonight but before that, I would like to thank you for applying and coming here to undergo the initiation rites. All of us, brothers, know that it takes a lot of courage and guts to fill in that application form and step inside this bar. So for that, in behalf of all our brothers, I salute you."
Maroon scanned the whole area, his eyes locked with Grae's for a split second before he smirked, "This is Omega Iota Sigma, the small sum makes it at the end." He raised his close fist above his head, "Welcome, brothers. Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet!"
Yohan whispered to the guy next to him who seems really chill compared to him who's shaking inside, "Do you know what that means?"
Grae stared at his eyes, "He who feared would not succeed sat still."
Oh . Yoon thought, ang weird naman na Greek ang name ng frat tapos Latin ang motto in life. After hearing Grae's answer, the former went back to listening to that guy named Maroon.
"Once your name is called, you can enter the red door. Another brod is waiting right behind that door, he will give you two options of initiations. It's up to you which one you choose. Disclaimer lang, mga 'pre, these are all safe. We do not like getting our hands dirty."
Yohan sat straight when he saw Toffee approaching the tall man in the middle, he handed him a folder and whispered something. The taller just nodded and resumed speaking, "We'll start with Gabriel Dela Cruz. Please enter the red door."
Shutting his eyes, Yoon tried to catch his breath. Pilit pinapakalma ang pusong kanina pa halos lumabas sa dibdib niya. Kahit may disclaimer na sinabi 'yung Maroon, hindi pa rin siya maniniwala. Lahat naman ng nandito, gago. Hindi siya magpapauto sa kanila hangga't hindi siya sure.
He didn't notice that a particular person was just watching him at the side, very opposite of him: calm and composed. Parang normal lang lahat. Grae downed the remaining scotch from his glass.
"Alam mo ba kung anong gagawin nila?"
Tanong ni Yohan na nakapikit pa rin. The older was about to answer when he was cut off again by the younger, "Kapag nakalabas tayo dito ng buhay," Yohan opened his eyes and turned his head on the other's direction, "dapat maging close tayo ha."
For some weird reason, that statement made Grae chuckle, "Sure."
"Kung makakalabas lang tayong dalawa ng buhay, kung hindi naman edi magkita tayo sa langit." He sighed, "If only one of us lives, then ipagtirik natin ng kandila kung sino man mamamatay."
"Ang OA mo."
"Eh. I have a bad feeling about this."
"You'll live."
Another sigh from the younger, "You should live too, Grae."
Isang nakakalokong ngiti ang lumitaw sa mga labi ni Grae, halos napatigil si Yohan kasi gago, bakit ang gwapo nito? What the fuck are those dimples? Kaso mukhang straight. Ekis, Yohan. Tropahin mo na lang kung mabubuhay pa kayo pareho.
"Yohan Blanc Yoon."
Sabay silang napatigil nang marinig ang boses ni Maroon. Hindi na kailangang tanungin ni Grae si Yohan kung okay lang ba siya kasi kitang kita kung paano nanginginig ang mga kamay niya at halos hindi na makatayo sa sobrang hina ng mga tuhod niya.
"Goodluck, Yohan."
Hindi na ito sumagot at naglakad na dahan dahan papunta sa pulang pinto.
Grae, on the other hand, went to the black door where the other brothers, most especially the higher ups, are staying. They have CCTVs over there, overseeing the whole initiation rites. He quickly sat in front of the monitor for the room behind the red door.
There he sees Yohan standing timidly and listening attentively to the explanation of their brod for the consent form and non-disclosure agreement.
"Yohan Blanc Yoon, you have two options. Hirap o sarap?"
Clasping his hands together, Grae leaned forward, his eyes glued on Yohan's face.
"What's the consequences of these options?" The neophyte asked without stammering, but his hands behind his back betrayed him, trembling.
"No explanations, Yoon."
Yohan kept mum, weighing his options. Kapag hirap, may paddling, diba? Doon siya mamamatay dahil sa bugbog? Kapag sarap... tangina, blowjob ba? Sex? Fuck, paano ba gagawin niya?
Doon ba siya sa masasaktan siya o doon sa mandidiri lang siya sa sarili niya?
Tanginang, 3.25 kasi 'yan. Paano niya naman babayaran yung utang kung hindi niya itutuloy 'to?
Grae wished Yohan would choose the Hirap option just like almost all the other brods in the fraternity.
The thing with OIS, they meant it when they said they do not like dealing with blood, or violence as a whole. No hazing meaning no paddling, no burning, no punches, no death. It has been this way since more than a decade ago, the Grandmaster that time wanted to revamp and rebrand brotherhood in their organization. Hence the start of the charities and grants, redirected everything to gambling and car racing.
Initiation rites were shifted from violence to shame.
Hirap meant running around the school grounds naked.
Sarap meant having sex or providing sexual favors like blowjob or handjob with someone from the higher ups.
Grae wished Yohan would choose Hirap.
But it didn't happen.
Because Yohan chose the latter and was once again led to the another door, a blue one.
The brothers inside the black room cheered, someone even whistled. They were joking around how this one was a jackpot because he was pretty. Their current Grandmaster, Paulo, was smiling widely, if he rejects Yohan, one of the higher ups will be given the chance to fuck him. If he accepts, he's the one to fuck.
The Grandmaster from years ago removed the violence but that doesn't mean the assholes were gone.
"Must be nice to hear him whining, gago!" Nico, a senior, laughed.
Grae tried to stay still. This isn't his battle. He shouldn't meddle with this case because Yohan chose this knowing what's next.
He doesn't even know who Yohan Blanc Yoon is.
He shouldn't do something.
But Yohan... fuck, he only wants the scholarship and these shitheads only want to fuck him for his pretty face.
He shouldn't do something.
Grae stood on his feet, the room suddenly grew quiet when he stopped in front of Paulo who was sitting on his throne. It's a tradition since the fraternity has been established that only the Grandmaster can sit there.
"What's the problem, Grae?"
Don't meddle, Grae. You can still sit on your spot and let it be. He tried to convince himself to stop but Yohan's face kept flashing in his mind.
"Supremo, please let me facilitate the initiation for Yohan Yoon."
Pride. Nilunok lang naman niya ang pride niya and everyone else gasped after hearing his plea.
"Kilala mo?" Tanong ni Paulo.
"I don't know him."
Paulo chuckled, surprised, "This is fascinating. Aren't you straight? Now you want to fuck a pretty boy?"
Grae didn't waste any second and kneeled in front of the throne. Kung kanina gulat na ang lahat, mas gulat pa sila ngayon because this is the first and only time they can see Carlos Grae Choi kneeling in front of the current Grandmaster.
Not because he's prideful.
Not because he doesn't really give a fuck about the organization.
But because he's the next Grandmaster.
Carlos Grae Choi is the next-in-line according to the heirarchy. He was chosen by the alumni, the Chairman of the organization, and Paulo himself.
He's not someone they can mess with, knowing what kind of power he holds and will be holding soon enough.
It's a rare sight to see an incoming Grandmaster kneeling for the mercy of the outgoing one.
Especially when the reason is a pretty neophyte.
Paulo stood on his throne and helped Grae stand, patting the dust on the younger's knees, "Grae, do not fucking kneel. Ikaw ang susunod na Supremo. Do not show them weakness. But sure, since this looks fun, go and fuck that neo."
He walked past Choi and turned off the monitor that shows the blue room. "Privately yours."
Carlos Grae bowed his head and ran to the blue room where he found Yohan kneeling on the bed, blindfolded with red silk, panting with nervousness. Bullets of sweat forming on his beautiful forehead while his hands were restlessly placed above his lap.
For the record, Carlos Grae Choi is straight as fucking ruler.
Never fucked or kissed anyone who isn't female.
Born and raised in a family of Alpha males.
Not homophobic but definitely not into men.
Yet standing here in this very cold room makes him wonder why the fuck did he end up here?
Inhaling deeply, his right knee slowly dived on the bed. His left hand gently reached for Yohan's nape as his head lowers down and closer to the younger's clueless face.
Yohan's muscles tensed up at the mere touch. Walang kaalam alam sa kung sino mang nasa harap niya ngayon. Mas matanda ba ito? Mas bata? Malalaman niya ba kung anong itsura? Kung sino? Nagtoothbrush man lang ba 'to? Gusto niyang umiyak, tumakbo palayo pero hindi niya magawa.
Hindi niya pwedeng gawin.
Kasi kung gagawin niya? Paano na yung pamilya niya? Mababaon sila sa utang para lang bayaran lahat?
Wala siyang ibang maisip kundi: putangina. Putangina paulit ulit. Putanginang mundo. Putanginang buhay. Putangina.
Dapat ba mas piliin niya na lang na masaktan physically?
The low temperature of the room did nothing to the both of them because they were both sweating tremendously. As mentioned, Carlos Grae hasn't kissed any man before and right now, halos magplay na sa utak niya ang kanta ni Katy Perry.
If he kisses this boy, will he like it?
And if he doesn't fuck this boy, will there be no consequences? Can he really trust Paulo? Totoo bang hindi nila papanuorin knowing that this is the first time he will be associated with another guy?
In one swift motion, Grae caressed Yohan's lips with his own. The sirens were echoing inside his mind, reminding him that he shouldn't be doing this.
Yohan pressed his eyes shut behind the red cloth, pinipilit na lang isipin na he's doing this for fun. That this is a one night stand not some initiation of a fucked up organization. He answered the kisses as gently as he receives them, his lips parting automatically as the guy's tongue licked his lower lip and eventually slipped in his mouth. The younger noticed how the other tastes like cherries, like that one Katy Perry song where she says she liked the taste of cherry chapstick.
After exchanging salivas and hearing each other moan, they both figured out that this doesn't seem bad at all.
Parang... alam nila kung paano gumalaw ang isa't isa for some reason.
Yohan almost thought he's making out with an ex kasi alam ng lalaking nasa harap niya na gusto niya whenever his tongue gets sucked.
While catching their breaths, the frat boy stared intensely at the neophyte, "Have you fucked a man before?"
Yoon's forehead creased, the voice seemed familiar, "Yup."
A wave of relief washed over the fratboy, "Good to know. I haven't fucked a man yet, okay lang ba sayo?"
Lalong kumunot ang noo ng neophyte. If this fratboy hasn't fucked a man before, why is he doing this now? Is he also coerced into this?
Grae felt the confusion based on the other's expression behind the blindfold so he planted a soft kiss on his lips, "You can teach me." He guided Yohan's arms and wrapped them around his neck, "I promise to be a good student."
For the first time today, napangiti si Yohan. Pucha, ano ba namang pick-up line yan, ang baduy.
"Ano namang ituturo ko?" He asked, almost whispering.
The other answered in the same manner, whispering, his breath fanning Yohan's lips, letting him imagine how close they are, "How you want to be touched."
Yohan arched his back when he felt a finger graze against his nipple over his shirt.
"How you want to be kissed."
Another lick on his lower lip.
"How you want to be fucked, Yohan Blanc Yoon."
Brightness almost blinded the neophyte's eyes when Grae quickly removed his blindfold, revealing his face and whole identity to the younger.
[Present.]
"WALANG KUPAS!"
Lalong umirap si Yohan nang maramdaman ang isang violent na akbay mula kay Carlos. Kapal talaga ng mukha magcomment eh late naman siya dumating. Syempre alam na niya kung bakit. He's probably out and about with some chick that's orbiting him.
Ganyan naman siya, baliw sa babae.
Baliw.
Ba't sa babae? Ay, tangina. Saan galing 'yon.
Tinanggal niya agad ang pagkakaakbay at umupo sa couch, watching the other brods playing around the racetrack with their own cars. Sinusubukang 'wag ipahalata na badtrip siya kaya lang he's failing miserably.
Why?
Because Carlos Grae knows him best.
He knows every single thing about him. What annoys him, what makes him happy, what satiates his sadness and disappointment.
Except na lang sa isa.
That for Yohan, Carlos Grae isn't just Carlos Grae Choi.
He's not just the Grandmaster ng OIS na kinabibilangan niya.
Hindi lang siya yung pinunong pinagsisilbihan niya.
Hindi lang siya best friend.
Hindi lang siya yung taong dahilan kung paano siya nakapasok sa fraternity na ito at naging kanang kamay ng organisasyon sa university.
Tumawa na lang si Carlos sa asta nitong isa, sanay na sanay kapag naiinis, "Wag ka ngang mainis. Nakaabot naman ako, ah. Ayos pusta nga eh. Basta ikaw talaga, laging panalo."
"Bakit ka late?" Yohan sipped from the can of soda.
Sabi nga kanina, alam naman niya ang totoong dahilan pero nasusuka pa rin siya sa kung anong isasagot nitong isa.
Carlos bit his lip, fighting the sheepish smile on his face, "Remember that girl from—"
The younger asked, pretending that it doesn't bother him at all, "You fucked her?"
Hindi na sumagot pa si Choi, he just raised his brows and eventually smiled like he won the lottery.
Puta.
Bakit nga ba nafall si Yohan Blanc sa isang straight na Carlos Grae Choi?
Another morning sa homebase ng OIS, nagrereview si Yohan sa lounge dahil may practical exam sila mamaya. Moving exam pa nga to be specific, so he needs to review well to keep his latin honors in line. Wala namang requirements ang OIS in exchange for his scholarship aside from being a brod pero he still needs his awards for his own satisfaction.
Dumating ang ibang brothers at bumati sa kanya, tinanguan niya lang sila at pinagpatuloy ang pag-aanalyze sa mga parasites.
"Gago, may bagong chicks na naman si Supremo."
Pucha.
Gustuhin mang lumingon ni Yohan, hindi niya magawa. That's how it usually is, hands off at nonchalant siya sa mga escapades ni Carlos. Wala siyang pakialam dapat. Walang reaction. Walang comment. Walang kahit ano.
Narinig niyang nagtawananan 'yung dalawang nasa kabilang dulo ng lounge at pinagkwentuhan kung sino ang bagong babae ni Carlos. Hindi lang siya mapakali nang magbanggit ng bagong pangalan.
"Weh? Si Mina ng Bio?"
Fuck?
Mina? Bagong babae? Wait—Mina ng Bio? Yung half Japanese na pinadala sa US last month for a conference? Although he wants to focus on his reviewers, he can't stop thinking about Mina and Carlos Grae. Taas din talaga ng standards, no?
"Hey, nakakunot na naman noo mo." Maroon slid on the empty space next to him, "May problema na naman ba kay Choi?"
"Wala, gago."
The 6-foot tall brother made a face, showing Yo that he doesn't believe in him, "Okay, kwento mo yan. Ano ba yan, nagrereview ka rin? Para kang si Ash, tuwing nakikita ko may hawak na reviewer."
Yohan rolled his eyes at the mention of Ash—Ash Wonwoo Jeon, kinagigiliwan ni Maroon Kim na masyadong emotionally unavailable dahil busy mag-aral at maging abogado kaya yung kaibigan niya nagiging kawawa kasi parang asong ulol na hintay nang hintay sa wala, "Sabi sayo sukuan mo na 'yang Ash na 'yan."
The taller touched his own chest as if offended sa tanong ni Yoon, "Utak mo ba may ubo? Anyway, san si Carlos Grae?"
Nice. Change topic agad si gago. Basta pag si Ash ang usapan, atras agad para hindi siya masampal ng katotohanan.
"Ewan. Maybe in the middle of someone else's boobs like a sucker that he is." The jealousy isn't supposed to be obvious, it was meant to be discreet and exhausted inwards but it spilled like a water dam, and even the devils know how bad Yohan wants to hurt himself now after exposing himself.
"Did he suck yours?" Maroon raised his eyebrows in mockery.
Binato siya ni Yohan ng highlighters, sakto sa mukha. "Putangina mo."
Pero lalo lang nainis 'tong isa nung tumawa si Maroon. "Bakit ba nahihiya ka pa? We all know you had sex from that initiation night."
Aalis na sana si Yohan para makaiwas sa usapan kaya lang umupo na rin si Toffee at Jade sa tabi nila, may bitbit na iced coffee para sa kanya. Fuck, gusto lang naman niya magreview pero bakit parang The Buzz ang mangyayari ngayon?
"Hindi ka pa ba aamin kay Grae, Yo?" Jade asked, handing him the iced coffee he definitely needed but not in this way.
"Hindi."
Toffee's eyes widened, nagulat na ang bilis sumagot ni Yoon. Honestly, tanga na lang naman talaga ang hindi makakapansin sa feelings ni Yohan at ang tanga na 'yon, si Supremo mismo.
"Guys," Yohan closed his books and gathered his things from the table, "I know you care about me at gusto niyo gumaan lahat pero trust me, walang sense. Straight siya, bading ako. Hindi pwede."
Bago pa makatayo si Yohan, pinigilan siya ni Toffee na bitbitin lahat ng gamit niya, "Wala talagang anything significant na nagaganap sa condo niyo?"
Silence enveloped the atmosphere before the oldest's lips curled into a smile, "Wala. Kaya hayaan na natin." He thanked the younger ones for the coffee before he left homebase and went straight to the library, baka mas makakapagreview siya doon. Ignoring the way his heart slams against his chest because of the question thrown by Toffee.
Right after he became an official member of OIS, he was offered to live in a condo unit provided by the frat. There are four to six brods sharing one unit, these are brods from the province who prefers to stay with their other brothers instead of a dormitory. Madali namang makisama, medyo hassle lang kasi na-assign si Yohan sa unit with six brods so in short, maingay, magulo, makalat. Masakit sa ulo. Hindi siya makapagreview nang maayos, kaya lang dahil libre lang naman, wala siyang karapatan na magreklamo at medyo takot siya na mapag-initan considering na bagong member lang.
Every month daw may visitation na ginagawa ang higher ups to check the brods' living state. Si Carlos ang nagroam during the second month and when he saw Yohan reviewing on the floor sa isang corner ng living area kung saan naglalaro ng PS5 ang iba, he immediately had the dorm manager pull Yohan out of the unit the next day.
The younger was brought to a different building and was dropped off with his bag in front of a door at the 17th floor. Up to this day, he can still remember the anxiety of standing there without knowing what's waiting for him at the other side of the door dahil walang sumasagot sa kanya kapag tinatanong niya kung bakit siya lilipat at sinong nag-utos.
But the door flew open, and there was the reason: the incoming Supremo.
"Hi, Yohan. From now on, you'll live with me."
Fuck those dimples.