That's Raven on the multimedia section. ☝☝ Enjoy Reading! 😉😉

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•••••Ethan's POV•••••

I looked at the time at napansin na 4:00 p.m na pala. I was playing a video game here in the living room since 12 noon and I didn't notice the time.

"Sir Ethan ano pong gusto ninyo ni ma'am Raven para sa dinner ninyo?" Napatingin ako sa isa sa mga katulong namin na si Ate Ann nang tanungin niya ako. I smiled at her.

"I'll be the one to cook for dinner. Kayo nalang po ang bumili ng mga ingredients.", nakangiting sabi ko.

Ate Ann served us for many years now. Nandito na siya simula pagkabata ko. She still calls me 'Sir Ethan' even though I told her not to.

Actually, when I was young, my mom taught me how to cook. Para daw matulongan ko ang aking future wife sa pagluluto.

She smiled back. "Sege po. Ano pong lulutuin niyo?", she asked.

I thought about it for a minute.

Hmm. Ano kayang gusto ni Raven for dinner?

"Pork Sinigang po.", masiglang sabi ko. Ngumiti ulit siya at tumango. Favorite rin kasi iyon ni Raven.

I stretched my arms and legs and yawned.

"Just wake me up if nakarating na po kayo okay? I'll take a short nap." She just nodded. Binigyan ko narin siya ng pera.

Humiga ako sa couch and slowly closed my eyes.

*****

My eyes are closed but I know that I'm lying on our couch right now.

'Ethan.'

Suddenly, I heard a beautiful voice. More like a whisper.

Its scent. Its aura. I felt it walking towards me.

Just then, I heard another voice again.

"Sir Ethan?"

But I ignored it. I'm too tired to open my eyes.

"Sir Ethan?"

.....

"Sir Ethan?"

.....

"Sir Ethan?"

.....

"Sir Ethan?"

.....

"Sir Ethan?"

.....

.....

.....

Bigla akong napabangon ng maramdaman ko ang isang malamig na tubig sa akin.

"W-What the hell??!!", I exclaimed.

"Are you planning on sleeping forever?" My eyes widened nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon.

Napatingin ako sa kanya at binuhos niya ulit sa akin ang natirang malamig na tubig sa pitcher na dala niya.

Yikes! The couch is also wet.

"Idiot."

"Raven??!!" Gulat na gulat akong nakatingin sa kanya. Tumingin ako kay Ate Ann na nasa likod niya. "Bakit di niyo po ako ginising?", I asked.

"A-Ah eh ano po k-kasi---"

"She tried to wake you up but you didn't listen you jerk." You can compare my face now to a surprise face of an anime character. "I told you not to play video games too much.", she added.

My eyes widened again in surprise when I realized something's different.

"Raven? Bakit iba yang suot mo ngayon?", hindi makapaniwala kong tanong. "And uniform pa talaga ng Blandon High? Wow! Wait, don't tell me you de---"

"Stop making that surprise face it's so annoying.", she cut me off. Cold lang niya akong tiningnan.

Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo ko. "A-Anyway, ang aga mo atang nauwi ngayon Raven?", pag-iiba ko nalang ng usapan. Mukhang ayaw niya kasing pag-usapan eh.

Alam kong alam niya na gusto ko lang ibahin yung usapan pero hindi nalang siya umangal pa.

"I have something to tell you.", sabi niya. She's really serious. "But before that, dry yourself first. You look like a crap."

Naalala ko tuloy yung binuhosan niya ako ng malamig na tubig. Yikes! Parang na trauma na ako dun. Tumango nalang ako sa kanya. Binigay niya kay Ate Ann yung pitcher at dumiretso na sa taas. 

But something's off about her.

"A-Ah Raven.", I stopped her. She stopped though and looked at me by her shoulder. "Pwede bang magluto muna ako for dinner? We'll just talk about it while we're having our meal. Is that okay with you?"

After I asked her that, she continued going upstairs.

"Whatever. Just call me when you're done.", bored niyang sabi nang makarating na siya sa second floor. It's obvious base from her voice.

I just nodded at nagsimula nang gawin ang dapat kong gawin.

I'll just ask her later.

*****

"What??!!"

"Calm down."

"How can I calm down sa lahat ng mga ginawa niya sa'yo Raven?! Knowing all of these from you how can I calm down?" I gritted my teeth because of anger. Nakakuyom rin ang mga kamao ko.

"I'm fine."

"But still Raven! Bakit hindi mo sinabi sakin ha?! Against yan sa rules ng mga mentors at alam mo iyon! Lumalabag yang Angeleeka Buenavista sa batas nila! Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin yang mga sugat mo nito---"

"I said calm down Asano! I don't have time to hear your bullshits!" My eyes widened in surprise when she raised her voice to me. Bumigat ang aura sa pagitan naming dalawa.

Plus, he also called me by my last name kaya alam ko na galit na galit na siya.

I couldn't help myself to get frustrated when Raven told me everything that's happened to her. May karapatan akong magalit dahil napaka-importante ni Raven sa buhay ko. And everything that her mentor did to her was something unforgivable. I couldn't forgive her.

Sinabi narin niya sa akin yung laban nilang dalawa ni Angeleeka at tungkol sa sugat niya sa tiyan. Kaya pala may napansin akong kakaiba sa kanya kanina. Dahil pala iyon sa bagong sugat niya.

"R-Raven..."

"Stop worrying about me." I saw how her eyes changed but it only took a second.

Natatakot ako. Natatakot ako sa kalagayan ni Raven.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at kinalma ang sarili.

"S-Sorry." She looked at me for a second at binalik ulit ang atensyon sa pagkain.

"Will you listen to me now?", seryoso niyang tanong sakin. Tumango lang ako.

She looked at me directly in my eyes na para bang may sinasabi siya. Naintindihan ko naman ang ibig sabihin nito.

"Leave us.", I ordered our helpers. They just nodded and left us immediately.

Raven got something from her pocket and handed it to me. When I got a closer look at it, I was surprised. Pero hindi ko iyon pinahalata kay Raven.

Now's not the time yet.

"Do you know what that is?" I flashed a smile on her.

"It's a necklace.", I joked at her. Pero nagsisi rin ako sa ginawa ko kasi binigyan niya ako ng isang nakamamatay na tingin.

She's goddamn serious!

Tumikhim nalang ako. "I don't have any idea about this Raven." I tried to look at her directly in the eyes. Ayaw ko kasing mahalata sa kanya na may alam ako sa bagay na ito.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." I know she wasn't really convinced. Pero bumuntong hininga lang siya.

Sumandal siya sa kaniyang upuan at napatingin ulit sakin.

"That girl was a bitch." Napatawa naman ako ng mahina sa sinabi niya.

"Raven I think it's better if I keep this one for you. Masyadong delikado pa---"

"No I'll keep it. I'll just keep it in my room.", sabi niya at nilahad ang kamay sakin.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ulit ako. For sure, Raven won't stop until I give this necklace to her.

And also, masyadong delikado para sa kanya at sa aming lahat kung susuway pa ako sa gusto niya.

"Okay fine. But I need you to promise me something." I stood up and patted her head. "Ipangako mo sakin na hinding-hindi mo ito ilalabas sa kwarto mo at sasabihin mo narin sakin kung sakaling may manakit na naman sa'yo okay? This is just for your safety Raven." Sana maintindihan mo.

"Tsk! You don't have to pat my head." Natawa lang ako sa inasal niya.

"And also, suotin mo na yang uniform mo kapag pumasok ka bukas. It looks so good on you." She just rolled her eyes at me. Napatawa nalang ulit ako.

"Whatever. Just give me that necklace."

Binigay ko na sa kanya ang kwintas at nagpatuloy na kami sa pagkain.

After dinner, dumiretso na si Raven sa kwarto niya.

"Sir Ethan nasasarapan po si ma'am Raven sa luto niyo. Yung niluto niyo lang po na Pork Sinigang ang kinain niya eh.", nakangiting sabi ni Ate Ann.

Kasalukoyan kaming nagliligpit sa mga pinagkainan namin. This actually became my habit to help our helpers in the kitchen when I'm not busy.

"Yeah.", nakangiti ko ring tugon sa sinabi niya.

"Pero sir, napansin ko lang po. Medjo nagbago na po si ma'am Raven simula nung pumasok siya sa Blandon High noh? Posible ho bang nagkaroon na siya ng isang kaibigan?" Napatigil ako sa pagliligpit sa lamesa nang sabihin iyon ni Ate Ann.

I just shrugged my shoulders. "I know she changed a bit but Raven always has her reasons in everything.", sabi ko nalang. Tumango lang din naman si Ate Ann at nagpatuloy na kami sa pagliligpit.

Napansin ko rin na medjo nagbago na si Raven. But I know, there is a reason why she decided to change.

•••••Raven's POV•••••

Ilang oras na ang lumipas pero wala paring mentor ang pumasok samin. My classmates were just busy doing random stuffs. Some are reading books. Some are listening to musics. Some are very busy talking very loud. At yung iba naman ay nakatulala lang.

Both Miyahara and Taylor were busy talking too. Pilit nilang sinasali kaming dalawa ni Smith sa usapan nila but all we did was nod or shrug. Sila naman talaga ang pinakamadaldal saming apat eh. Me and Smith were just minding our own businesses. He's reading a book habang ako naman ay nakatingin lang sa labas ng bintana.

I still remember about our converstation with Ethan last night. I know that he knows something about that necklace but I just shrugged it off. He has his own reasons why he has to keep it from me. Well anyways, I'll figure it out myself.

We all looked at the door when it suddenly opened and someone just entered our classroom. He was wearing an I.D with a Black Sling. Which means, isa siyang mentor.

My other classmates, including Taylor and Miyahara gave him a confused look. I just stared at him blankly.

"Good Morning students!", he greeted. Everyone greeted back except for me though. "I know you're all confused of why I'm here instead of your mentor Ms. Angel."

Inayos muna niya ang eyeglasses niya bago nagpatuloy.

"I'm Yamato and nandito ako para sabihin sa inyo na suspended si Ms. Angel for 2 whole weeks." Our classmates gasp. Lahat ay nagulat sa sinabi ni Yamato.

Well, except for me, Smith, Taylor and Miyahara that is. Hindi namin alam na suspension ang punishment niya but we do know kung bakit suspended siya.

Isa sa mga classmate ko ang nagtaas ng kamay para magtanong.

"Bakit po sir?"

"All I can say is, she broke the rules." Nagbulongan naman ang mga kaklase ko. "Silence everyone."

Tumahimik naman sila. Inayos niya ulit ang suot niyang eyeglasses.

"For now, you will be training on your own. Bahala kayo kung saan niyo gusto as long as hindi kayo lalabag sa rules and nasa campus lang kayo. You are also free to go outside the classroom even if the classes are still on going." Kita mo naman ang saya sa mukha ng mga classmates ko nang sabihin iyon ni Yamato. But it didn't last long. "Pero hindi kayo lalabas para magkwentuhan lang o kung ano man yang gagawin niyo na sobrang immature."

"Tsk! Talk about immature." Bulong naman ni Miyahara dito sa likuran ko.

And again, inayos niya ulit ang suot niyang eyeglasses.

"You will be training yourselves for the upcoming Assassination Team." I saw how the expressions of my classmates changed. This Yamato guy just gave us a smirk. "I know all of you wants to survive that's why you must not waste any time. When you're in an Assassination Team, you will be given missions and face different kinds of devils."

Napatawa pa siya ng mahina at isa isa kaming tiningnan.

"Well I guess you should spend most of your time with your friends or lovers now. Because once you will be assigned to an Assassination Team, trusting others will be considered as suicide. Your own definition of 'Trust' will surely change." This time, kita ko na ang lungkot at takot sa mukha at sa mga mata ng mga kaklase ko.

'Your own definition of Trust will surely change'? What's that supposed to mean?

Tumawa siya ulit ng mahina at tiningnan kami isa isa. He stopped his gaze on me. He smirked pero bored ko lang siyang tiningnan.

Seriously? What's his deal?

"Good Luck.", sabi niya at lumabas ng classroom. I know may gusto pa siyang ibang iparating dun sa sinabi niya but I just shrugged it off.

I'll let it slide for now. I have too many things to figure out right now.

*****

"Kinakabahan ako sa upcoming Assassination Team. Hindi natin alam kung sino ang magiging ka-team mate natin.", nag-aalalang sabi ni Taylor.

Nandito kami ngayon sa isang bench malapit sa puno at kumakain ng lunch. We're actually talking about the Assassination Team.

Well, halos lahat kaming mga 1st Ranked Assassins ay pareho ang mga pinag-uusapan.

"Yeah. Marami akong mga rumors na narinig na nakapagbabago daw talaga ng personality ang Assassination Team.", sabi naman ni Miyahara.

This is interesting.

"It's interesting.", kalmado namang sabi ni Smith habang kumakain.

"I agree.", pagsang-ayon ko naman sa kanya.

Taylor just sighed. "You guys are similar."

I just ignored what she said at tumayo na.

"I'm going to the library."

"Wow! Nagpaalam na siya satin. Iba na talaga kapag nakasuot na ng unifo---Aray naman!" Napahawak siya sa mukha niya when I threw a book at him.

"Shut up idiot." Tinawanan lang kami ni Taylor habang si Smith naman ay nagbuntong hininga lang.

"Anyway, sasama ako sa'yo sa library. There's also a book that I want to return." I just didn't argue with him. Basta hindi lang niya paiinitin ang ulo ko.

"Sege. Hihintayin lang namin kayo dito.", sabi ni Taylor.

Habang naglalakad kami patungo sa library ay pinagtitinginan kami ng ibang mga estudyante. Pero agad naman nilang iniiwas kapag nakatingin na ako sa kanila. Napa-'tsk' nalang ako.

Nakakabwisit. I know why they're looking at me like that. Ngayon lang ba sila nakakakita ng babaeng naka-uniform?

"And I think it's also because magkasamo tayo." Napatingin ako kay Miyahara ng magsalita siya sa gilid ko.

I raised my head. Ngayon ko lang din na realize, mas matangkad pa pala siya sakin?

"Did you just read my mind?"

"What do you mean?" He confusedly looked at me. I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Never mind."

"Sungit.", I heard him said but I just ignored him.

Paparating na sana kami sa library ng bigla naming masalubong ang isang tao na kasali sa mga tao na dapat ko pang kilalanin.

"Raven. Blade.", sabi niya.

Nagkatinginan muna kami ni Miyahara bago sabay naming sabi,

"Sniper."

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Woohoo! Finally able to update at least twice in a week. 😁😁 Since hindi pa ako masyadong busy, I will start editing the POVs of the characters. 👏👏

Anyway, ano kaya ang feeling niyo na mangyayari kina Blade, Raven and Sniper? 😶😶 And who do you think will be their team mates in the Assassination Team? 😟😟

Stay updated for the next chapter. 😉😉