Chapter 11

wish
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I spent the whole night in the library’s restricted section.
 
Hayate and I sneaked inside the campus for various reasons, while we left Hiroshi in our lodging to monitor and take care of Kana.
 
It was quite hard to enter the campus at night, especially this time because the tension between Senshins and Shinigamis were heightening, but we managed to sneak inside undetected. I immediately went to the library while Hayate went to the dorm.
 
Information about the Hansen clan were scarce and it took me four hours to collect a few books mentioning them.
 
Hansen was one of the five major clans in the Senshins tribe, along with Shou, Heren, Jikko and Quirino. However, more than a decade ago, their whole village was annihilated by the Shinigamis. According to a journal written by a Hansen member, they had sworn to be a hidden clan to do their duties with utmost efficiency.
 
“It’s rare to see you reading.”
 
I almost yelped when I head a voice coming from behind. Pagtingin ko, si Hayate pala. He smirked at me and I knew he just read my mind.
 
“We’re not allowed here in the campus and especially in the library’s restricted section,” I whispered. “Kaya huwag kang maingay r’yan. Mamaya mahuli tayo.”
 
Nasa pagitan kami ng mga shelf ngayon kung saan nakalagay ang history books tungkol sa Erityians. I didn’t want us to get caught since we just broke several rules at the same time and punishments would surely be severe.
 
“What did you find?” tanong niya at binigay ko sa kanya ang hawak kong journal.

“They were wiped out more than a decade ago but the motive and method were not stated.”

“Wiped out, huh?” he muttered. “They didn’t know there was a survivor.”
 
Naalala ko bigla si Kana at ang nangyari kanina. She had been keeping her tragic past all by herself and I realized that revenge was the only reason why she wanted to live.
 
“I’m glad we survived, too,” he added.
 
My body trembled upon remembering what happened a while ago. I couldn’t believe we just had an encounter with two Elites and a Reaper. Marami na akong na-encounter na Shinigamis simula nang naging tracker ako pero hindi ko in-expect na makakaharap ko ang Elites nang ganito kaaga. Dad said the only time Elites move as a group is when something big is about to happen. At malakas ang pakiramdam ko na may kinalaman ang hinahanap nilang ‘heir’ dito.
 
“But I’m also worried about that humdrum.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Ah. That Ariel Andrada?”

He nodded. “We would be dead by now if it wasn’t for him.”

“Right. Those Elites immediately shifted their attention to him after that stunt.”

“I wonder how he knew about the Erityians.”
 
Ilang sandaling katahimikan ang bumalot sa pagitan namin nang sabihin niya ‘yon. Humdrums capable of acquiring these kinds of information would be dangerous and they could potentially expose our existence to the world. It could ruin the balance we were trying to maintain for centuries.
 
Napatigil naman kami nang makarinig kami ng kaluskos galing sa main area ng library. We carefully reached for our weapons and prepared for the worst-case scenario.
 
“Meow.”
 
I almost cursed out loud when something jumped from the top of the shelves and landed in front of us. Buti na lang at natakpan agad ni Hayate ang bibig ko kung hindi ay baka nahuli na kami ngayon.
 
“It’s just a cat,” he whispered as the white cat stared at us.
 
Wait . . . this one looked familiar.
 
Tinapik ko ang kamay ni Hayate niya para makapagsalita at agad niya rin naman ‘yong inalis.
 
“Isn’t she Demi?” bulong ko pabalik.

“Ah. You’re right.”
 
We knew their cat was still alive and roaming around the campus but we hadn’t had the chance to see her again after the funeral. Sabi ni Ma’am Michiko, tanging sa kanilang dalawa na lang ni Sir Hideo nagpapakita si Demi.
 
“Maybe she just sensed our presence,” sabi ni Hayate.

“Siguro nga.”
 
Pagkasabi ko no’n ay agad ding umalis si Demi at nakahinga kami nang maluwag. We copied all the data we needed and returned the books properly. Agad din kaming umalis habang wala pang nakaka-detect sa amin pero bago pa man kami makalabas ng campus ay may nakita kaming mga taga-Technology department kaya kinailangan naming magtago sa mga puno.
 
“Their silence is creeping me out,” the older guy said.

“The Shinigami tribe is making their move,” the other one replied. “We should be getting ready yet those Elders want to involve the child.”

“No wonder the President is pissed. Half of them want her dead so the Shinigamis can’t use her while the other half want her to be of help as a Senshin.”

“But they don’t want to acknowledge her as a pureblood. What a cruel fate that child has to go through.”

“Sooner or later, they will have to decide because both tribes need an heir to their thrones.”
 
Hearing their conversation sent shivers down my spine. I was right. The heir they were talking about was Sir Hideo’s and Ate Akemi’s daughter.
 
Her existence was kept as a secret and only the older Senshins, as well as members of the Atama family knew about it. I don’t have any idea where she is or how her life is but that would surely turn into a mess once both tribes make their moves.
 
“This is getting dangerous,” Hayate muttered. “Let’s go.”
 
Nang makalayo na ang dalawang lalaki ay mabilis kaming umalis sa campus at bumalik sa lodging. Pagdating namin doon ay saktong nagkamalay na si Kana pero napahinto ako nang makita ko si Hiroshi.
 
“What the hell are you doing?!”
 
He was sitting on Kana’s bed, his face right in front of hers, as he held the hilt of a dagger that was thrust through her pillow.
 
“Asking for information,” he said with an innocent look on his face.

“That idiot,” Hayate mumbled.
 
Agad ko siyang hinila palayo kay Kana at sinamaan siya ng tingin. This guy has the highest IQ among our generation yet he sometimes acts as a complete moron.
 
“Pasalamat ka hindi pa ako makagalaw,” Kana said as she threw dirty looks at him.

“Oh, thank you,” he mocked.
 
Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako dahil kahit ganito na ang sitwasyon ay nagagawa pa rin nilang inisin ang isa’t isa. Ako ang napapagod para sa kanila.
 
“Are you feeling okay now?” tanong ko sa kanya pero hindi agad siya nakasagot. She just stared at the ceiling and I realized how dumb my question was. Of course, she wouldn’t be.

“For someone who wants to avenge her clan, you’re quite reckless,” Hayate suddenly said and that got our attention.
 
Kana glared at her and I was surprised by his choice of words. Why would he say something like that after learning about her past?!
 
“You don’t know—!"

“We know,” he said, cutting her off. “We know how hard it is for you to live your life.”
 
Kana’s eyes began to tear up after what he said.
 
“You should have told us,” I chimed in. “You should have told the administration about this matter. They would help you.”

She scoffed. “Help me? There’s no way they would help someone who has already lost everything.”

“But still—”
“Do you think someone from a perished clan is more worthy of their attention than their missing heir?”
 
Nagkatinginan kami ni Hayate nang sabihin iyon ni Kana. May alam siya tungkol doon?
 
“What do you mean?”

“I tried asking for help. I went to the Council of Elders to ask for their judgment but before I could go to their office, I overheard some of them. They said the heir is their priority above everything else.”

“Kana . . .”

“You know, I went in that school because I thought they could help. And I thought I could still belong somewhere. I was wrong.”

“How about us?” tanong ko. “Do you think you don’t belong here with us?”
 
Kana remained silent. Even though I knew she was hiding something from us before, I had grown to like her. She was like a sister to me; a dear friend.
 
“If they can’t help you, then depend on us. We’re friends after all.”
 
Tears silently fell from her eyes and I had to breathe deeply to keep myself from crying, too. Tinapik ko ang balikat niya at ngumiti.
 
“You’re not just from Hansen clan anymore. You’re also a part of Atama family. If you need something, just ask us. You don’t have to do all of these by yourself. You’re not alone anymore, Kana. So please, allow us to help you.”
 
She stifled a sob and I could see the vulnerability she had protected all her life this time.
 
‘If . . . if I’m allowed to voice out my wish . . . then please . . . please help me see the end of this. I . . . I want to avenge my clan,’ she whimpered in her inner voice. ‘I want to be free from this excruciating revenge already. Please . . . help me.’
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