Our karaoke time continued with more singing. Alongside that, we also enjoyed the snacks bought at the karaoke hub.
After my first song, I didn't get another turn. When I said I wouldn't sing again, they quickly apologized for their behavior, but I reassured them it wasn't like that. I explained that the only reason I wouldn't sing anymore was that, aside from the song I had already sung, I didn't know any others.
Understanding my situation, they apologized again, regretting that they hadn't asked me first before inviting me or deciding on karaoke for the celebration.
Well, it was their oversight for not asking my opinion; however, at the same time, I couldn't really complain because I also share some of the blame for accepting their invitation without knowing what it was for. I voiced my thoughts, hoping they'd blame themselves less.
Respecting my choice, they didn't force me to sing again.
Now that I was out of the rotation, I watched them take turns—one singing while the other sat on the couch, waiting for their turn.
And me? Whenever they switched turns, while one sang at the front, the other would chat with me, so that I wouldn't feel left out.
That was considerate of them, but they didn't need to worry because I had my own way of enjoying the celebration. How? Since I didn't need to sing, I had more time to enjoy the snacks.
"Alright, it's your turn again, Escuro."
Ending his turn, Manzano handed the microphone to Escuro. As she took it, he headed toward the door.
"I'll go to the bathroom," he said before stepping out.
Now it was Escuro's turn, but she didn't move at all. She just sat beside me, not even reaching for the tablet.
"Um… aren't you going to sing?" I asked.
"Later. But first, I have something to tell you," she replied.
I wondered what she was about to say. Many guesses came to mind, but the most likely was the real reason she invited me here. I still doubted that this was just for celebration—and especially that it was her idea in the first place.
While I searched for clues in my mind, she began to speak.
"Sorry for inviting you today without notice…."
"…"
She apologized again… Hadn't I already said I was fine with it? It was partly my fault too, so there was nothing to feel sorry for—unless she was apologizing for something else.
As I thought it through, an idea suddenly struck me. I shaped it into words and spoke.
"Let me guess. At first, your actual plan was just to invite Manzano—just the two of you—but you chickened out and dragged me here. Is that it?"
That had been my suspicion for a while. It didn't make sense for her to invite me otherwise.
"That's right," she admitted, lowering her head, looking dejected.
"Really, you haven't learned from last time. Even though I didn't say it then, I was actually mad at you for using me as an excuse."
"Sorry…."
"But anyway, did you really need me here at all? Look, you can talk to him just fine. What's more, you even had a sing-along with him earlier."
That's right—the two of them had sung a duet before. For someone who claimed to be shy, she sure was bold to invite Manzano to sing with her. That didn't seem like how a timid girl would act.
"He-he, I did try my best. But that's only because you were here that I could do it."
She said that, but I hadn't done anything at all. I only planned to let this event unfold and see where it went.
"I'm happy to hear that you rely on me, but I thought I already helped you last time?"
This was one of the things that kept bothering me when they suddenly invited me. I thought I had already fulfilled my promise and that my connection to her had ended that day.
Hearing me say that, she looked confused.
"Yes, you helped me greatly."
When she said that, I felt she didn't understand what I was trying to point out, so I explained my thoughts.
After hearing me out, she gave me a skeptical, even more confused look. Then she looked me in the eye and said;
"You did help me, and I appreciate it, but sorry to disappoint you—we're not done yet."
So I was still dragged into her problem.
"Do you perhaps hate it?"
"If I say yes, will you not involve me?"
It would be a lie to say it didn't bother me, but somehow I didn't see it as troublesome.
"If you don't like it, then sorry—I won't try to involve you again. But believe me when I say your words did help me back then. They truly gave me confidence; however, it's not enough. That's why I'm asking for your assistance."
Are my words really that impactful? I was flattered by the praise, but also a bit skeptical.
"I know I said I wouldn't involve you again, but I want to ask one last time. Can you please help me? If it truly bothers you, you can refuse."
She looked me in the eyes firmly, saying the words I expected. I knew she was going to persist, and I was determined to refuse—but I didn't.
"Alright, I'll help you."
"It's a shame—wait, really!?"
"Yep, you heard me."
"No, wait, let me remind you. Helping me isn't just for today—it's long-term."
"I know. It's not until Manzano becomes conscious of you or perhaps falls for you, right? I'm already aware."
I could have declined her request, but I didn't. Not gonna lie, the request was bothersome, but since I had already started helping her back then at Valentine's, perhaps I should see this through and find out how it ends.
"Thank you. I'll rely on you from now on."
"Yes, yes, but please don't expect too much from me."
I wasn't sure if this was really the right choice. Whether I'd regret it or not—I had already regretted it at the start—now I was just going to fulfill my words, probably just to save face.
***
After that talk, I officially began helping Escuro with her love life problem.
Also, since that day, I've been with them more often, and my once-quiet breaks have turned into time spent in their company.
During break time, they always invite me to eat lunch with them—most often in the cafeteria, sometimes outside the school building. Aside from that, they'd sometimes ask me after school—either to walk home together or to hang out somewhere.
Throughout the days I've spent with them, it hasn't all been just fun. I also help Escuro with her thing with Manzano whenever we get the chance. But our plans aren't big or elaborate—just small steps, little by little. We don't want to be forceful and risk upsetting Manzano. And as for whether what we're doing is effective, I have no clue.
After a week had passed, they finally decided to add me to their group chat. There are four members, including me. The reason there are fewer members in the group chat is that because it was formed primarily to help them stay connected while being in different circles.
Looking at the list of members, aside from my name, there's Manzano, Escuro, and their friend Andrea Ponce, who is also our classmate.
I hardly know Ponce, but I do know she's close to Escuro and Manzano; I've seen the three of them together in the past. Escuro even mentioned that Ponce is her best friend since middle school, and she seemed proud of it.
But where is Ponce now? What happened to her? I don't see her hanging out with them anymore. When I asked Escuro, she explained that before the first semester ended, Ponce joined a club. And since then, Ponce has been spending less time with them, busy with her club activities.
"That's unfortunate," I said.
Still, I was curious. Ponce is her best friend—does she know that Escuro likes Manzano? When I asked, Escuro said Ponce doesn't know.
"Okay, but why not tell her? Then you could rely on her instead of me," I asked.
Escuro shook her head. She said she was too shy and didn't want to bother her best friend.
Again, why me, a stranger? I wanted to complain, but it was no use now, so I kept it to myself.
Although I am curious what Ponce would think if she knew, and how she feels about me joining their group, I'll probably never know. Despite being in the same class, I've never had the chance to talk to her. Even now that we're in the same circle, I still haven't. And as for the group chat, she rarely says anything there. So, there's really no chance to talk to her.
When I thought there was no chance, an unexpected opportunity arose.
It was Wednesday, and I was in the cafeteria having lunch with Escuro and Manzano again. While we were eating, someone approached our table out of the blue.
"Can I join you guys?" a female voice asked.
Looking up, it was none other than Andrea Ponce.
"Andrea!"
Escuro quickly responded, grabbing Ponce's arm and urging her to sit beside her. And Ponce accepted without hesitation.
"What about the club?" Manzano asked once she sat across from him.
"There are no club activities today. What? Am I not allowed to be here?"
"No, not really. In fact, we missed you."
"Oh, please stop with the sweet talk. Anyway, is he the new guy?"
Ignoring Manzano's remark, Ponce immediately turned her attention to me.
"That's right. He's Dalino, you know, our classmate."
"I know. He's that… the rumored weird guy, right?"
"Hey, don't just say that so bluntly! Sorry about her, Dalino—she can be tactless sometimes. But she's actually a kind person."
Manzano ended up apologizing on her behalf. I wasn't sure about that kindness, but I couldn't judge her just yet.
"Oh, I'm fine with it. I'm aware of my reputation."
"Oh, really? Then you also know people call you a creep, right?"
"Hey, Ponce, you're being rude!"
"Sorry, sorry, I just wanted to confirm the rumors—so I can get to know him better."
"Not that kind of topic."
If it weren't for Escuro telling me about my standing in our class, I wouldn't even know these rumors existed. And now that I do, all of this just makes me feel worse.
"It's fine. It's all just a misunderstanding, after all," I said.
"Oh? Then can I ask you about those rumors?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Hey, you don't have to go along with Ponce's antics," Manzano said with concern.
"No, it's fine. It's better to clear up any misunderstanding."
After reassuring everyone, Ponce began her Q&A.
Her first question was, "What's your side of the story?" I told her that I'm just a loner, an introvert. Being content with my solitude, I never really tried making friends in class.
Hearing my answer, Ponce nodded as if she understood. Then, without wasting a second, she asked her next question.
This one was about one of the rumors—that I was a stalker.
Like, what the heck? Me, a stalker?
Ponce explained that the rumor started when a girl in our class claimed I had been following her after school.
"Huh? I never followed anyone! We probably just happened to have the same route home," I said.
That's the truth. That girl just assumed things wrongly.
Ponce nodded again at my answer. I hoped she truly understood. After that, she moved right on to the next one.
The next rumor was that I had been taking sneaky pictures of the girls in our class—and, worse, that I was aiming at their legs or under their skirts.
"Are you kidding me? I never did such a thing!"
"Really? The girls said your phone's camera was pointed at them while you had a freaky grin on your face. So what's your excuse for that?"
That? That was when I was reading a web novel on my phone. They probably thought I was taking pictures of them, but I wasn't. When I explained that, she still looked skeptical.
"Then what about your grin?"
"What?! Can I not be happy while reading?!"
"Ah, right. Sorry if that offends you. But you should reconsider how you appear to those around you."
I would—if anyone had pointed it out before. But no one ever confronted me about it.
We continued our Q&A throughout the break. Most of her questions were about rumors I had never even heard before. After spending my first year in solitude, without interacting with my classmates, I never expected rumors about me would be going around.
"Alright, that's enough, Ponce. Break time's about to end; we should head back to class now," Manzano interrupted, reminding us of the time.
"So, did that clear your misunderstanding of Dalino?"
"Yeah, it cleared up a lot," Ponce replied.
She said that, but she didn't look convinced by my explanations. She still had that fierce, doubtful look.
What's her deal?
Throughout the whole conversation, she'd been antagonizing me with those rumors. It felt like she was trying to unmask me with her questions.
I don't know if I did something to her, but it felt like her persistence had something to do with the rumors. Is she perhaps one of the girls who felt offended by my behavior? I have no idea.
I'm glad the talk ended when it did—saved by the time and Manzano's interruption. And honestly, I hope I never have a conversation like that with Ponce again. Or better yet, I should probably avoid being alone with her at all. That's what my intuition tells me.