"I'm curious. What do you like about Manzano?"
I asked Escuro during our chocolate making.
For her to decide to make chocolate from scratch, I wondered how deep her feelings must be to motivate her this way. What did Escuro see in Manzano for her to fall in love with him?
I've read many stories, and the usual reasons heroines fall in love with the main character are things like getting saved from bullies or harassment, or losing a bet and being forced to date the protagonist. These are all a bit tropey, and there are more, but I won't list them. In Escuro's case, I wanted to know where her reason fell.
"What do I like about him?"
Escuro paused, choosing her words. She let out a thoughtful, "Hmm…" as she whisked the chocolate in the bowl.
"He's kind, nice, and I like how he considers others. Whenever I'm with him, he treats me nicely as a girl."
"Is it love at first sight?"
"I… don't think so. My first impression of him wasn't that high at first. But as time passed, my heart started to beat whenever I was with him, and these strange emotions started growing."
"And that's when you fell in love?"
"Hmm?"
"Once you noticed his charm, that's when you fell in love."
She let out a gentle sigh and couldn't help but smile faintly, "That may be the case."
It wasn't something like a prince charming rescuing a damsel in distress; it was simply time passing and her feelings developing. Escuro learned his personality, and she fell in love—a typical romance. If Manzano were a bad boy and Escuro had accidentally discovered his true kind nature, then it would be a different story—a more tropey one.
Talking about Manzano put Escuro in a good mood. She hummed while molding the chocolate before putting it in the fridge.
***
Sunday finally came, March 3. It was Manzano's birthday, and I was invited. This was the first time I'm attending someone else's birthday. To be honest, I am excited.
It said the birthday wouldn't be celebrated with a feast, but rather a simple outing between friends. I wasn't complaining, though—getting invited was already good enough for me.
The meeting time was 10 A.M., and I headed out around 9 A.M. I knew it was early, but I couldn't help looking forward to it.
Mom had already left earlier; she usually leaves at 6 A.M. When she saw me wake up early, she looked completely shocked. Then, when I told her I had plans outside, she looked doubtful, saying I didn't have friends or a girlfriend, and I usually didn't go out—therefore, there was no real reason for me to be leaving the house.
Mom already labeled me a shut-in, which is sad. But I can't blame her for thinking that way, because that's how I had behaved up until now. So I told her I made some "friends" from school, and they invited me to a birthday party. Yet, she was still skeptical, asking if I was getting bullied or taken advantage of. Well, someone was taking advantage of me, but not the way she imagined.
Of course, I didn't tell her I had gotten myself tangled in someone else's problem. I just assured her that the people I was with were kind. I didn't know whether she believed me, but she seemed glad I had made some friends. She even smiled.
After reminding me to be careful, she left for work.
I left the house exactly at 9 A.M., just as I planned. Yet, even though I was early, someone had arrived before me. Sitting on the concrete ledge near the trees was Escuro.
"You're early, huh?" I said as I approached her.
"I need to prepare myself, after all–!?" Not expecting my arrival, she jolted, then looked in my direction, "Oh, it's just you, Dalino. You scared me. I thought they were already here."
"Feeling nervous? Just relax. You're only giving a gift."
"I know that. Anyway, what about you? You also arrived early."
"Well, can't be late to someone's important day, right?"
"You're way too early. The center of this important day isn't here yet."
"The same goes for you. You were here before me."
"Can't argue with that."
"It looks like we'll be waiting for an hour."
I'd say we were a pair of idiots for being early. One was nervous, the other excited. I understood Escuro's reason for coming early. But for me to be early just because I was overexcited—as if I was the one celebrating my birthday, what was I? A kid?
"About the chocolate, you didn't forget, did you?"
"Of course, I didn't forget. I put a lot of effort into making it. This is a gift for Manzano."
As it should be. Don't let my time yesterday, going to your house, be wasted.
Escuro brought a shoulder bag with her. The chocolate she made yesterday was probably inside.
"So, when will you give it to him? As soon as he arrives?"
"No. I want the right timing to give him the chocolate. But since you're already here early, I'm asking for your help again."
This… I shouldn't have come this early. But I had no choice, I was already here.
"So you want me to create the perfect timing for you to give him the chocolate?"
"That's right."
"But wouldn't giving it to him once he shows up also be a great time?"
"That's also an option, but…"
No need to say more. Her long pause and hesitation told me what she meant.
"Alright. If that option's no good, then I'll try to make the perfect timing for the two of you."
She knew what I meant. Perfect timing meant mood and being alone—just the two of them.
"Thanks. I'm counting on you."
9:30 A.M. Manzano arrived together with Ponce.
"Oh? You two are already here?" Manzano said.
Meanwhile, Ponce went to greet Escuro with a smile. But to me, she greeted me with a glare. She usually did that, but this time, I could feel there was a hidden message behind that glare. She moved her lips as if trying to say something, though she wasn't making any sound.
Sorry, I can't read lips.
I later realized it probably had to do with yesterday. Last night, she messaged me because she found out I was at Escuro's house. That's right, I never explained it to her, so the misunderstanding was left unresolved.
"So what do we do now? We came early, but the mall opens at 10 A.M."
We could wait thirty minutes, but it wasn't for me to decide. It was Manzano's special day, so he should choose. That's why I asked him.
"Hmm, I wanna see the 3D billboard."
"We can't right now. They only show it at night."
"I know."
Our meeting place was the popular 3D billboard people had been talking about. But right now, it was daytime—they only showed it at night.
"Then, aside from that, is there anywhere else you want to go?" Ponce asked.
Manzano gently touched his chin and began thinking, humming thoughtfully. Then, not long after, he replied:
"Can't think of any place. The places I wanted to go, I've already visited, and I don't want to bother going back right now."
So there's none? If that's the case, then…
"Hey, is it okay if I suggest something?"
That caught their attention.
"Sure, what is it?" Manzano gave me the chance.
"There's somewhere I want to check."
"And where's that?"
"It's close by."
Instead of saying it outright, I led them. However, the place I wanted to go was actually something I made up a moment before they arrived. A moment ago, while waiting for them, I searched for a good place on my phone. And the place I was looking for was somewhere to create a chance for Escuro to give her gift.
"Here?"
"Yes."
So, the place I chose was a bookstore.
"Isn't it perfect? We can kill time here, and it's close to the mall."
Thanks to the situation, my answer came out perfectly—while hiding the real intention.
I chose this place because I expected fewer people, and the shelves would be good for cover. As for Ponce, I'd find a way to separate her from them.
That was the plan… but when we entered, it was packed. Not overly crowded, but enough people to fill every corner.
"Is my assumption wrong?" I muttered in disbelief.
I thought bookstores weren't popular, especially among ordinary people. But now I saw it with my own eyes: it was packed.
Was my belief wrong? Or was this bookstore just popular? Either way, I was wrong.
I also noticed the bookshelves were lower than I expected. But it wasn't an issue because they still covered our shoulders. The only problem was the number of people.
I remembered reading that the bookstore had three floors. Let's see.
"Are you buying something?"
"Huh? Oh, I just want to look around, that's all. Let's go up."
No further questions, they just followed me. Though one person had complaints, she kept them to herself.
Riding on the escalator, we reached the second floor. Same as the first: it is also packed.
What about the third floor?
"Not gonna look around here? I spotted some interesting books over there."
"It's better to start from the top and go down."
"That's a great idea. I never thought of that."
Thanks, but I just made that up right now. The reason we are going up to the third floor because the second floor is a no-go as well.
Skipping the second floor, we hop on the next escalator and head to the third. Once we arrive, I look around and start counting. The third floor, of course, has people as well, but after counting, I can say the number is manageable.
"Let's start there."
Of course, I picked the corner with fewer people. Following the direction I pointed at, we settled in a spot and did our own things.
Despite choosing a spot with fewer people, there were still some around. So I pretended to browse the bookshelves here while waiting for the nearby people to leave.
"Alright, let's see."
Scanning the shelf in front of me, it was full of drawing guides. Come to think of it, everything on this floor was art-related. Not only books, but also tools and materials.
Was this floor dedicated to artists? I never expected that from a bookstore. But what did I know? I'd never been in one before.
Anyway, the people around us finally left. More importantly, the four of us had separated—looking around on our own—which was perfect because I could start the plan seamlessly.
I looked around to find Escuro. But instead of seeing her first, the first person I noticed was Ponce, keeping a close distance from me.
She was suspicious of me, so she was watching. It was fine. Let her worry.
Ignoring her, I finally found Escuro by a row of canvases. Now that I know where she is, I just need to wait for Ponce to look away, then I'll go to Escuro.
Once Ponce turned around, I didn't waste the chance and hurried over to Escuro's side.
Escuro noticed me and spoke without looking.
"Do you think they're also selling these?"
Her question is unexpected. She was talking about the canvases with paintings on them. Each had its own theme, different from one to another, but when aligned, they had a flow—as if they were telling a story.
"They could be. Or maybe it's just a marketing scheme, showing off the paint they used. Isn't that why they're here?" I replied to her question.
This section where she at was full of art tools: brushes, canvases, paint, and more.
"What? Do you like art?" I asked.
"It's not like I hated it. I'm just curious, that's all."
Talking with her made me forget why I came. Any second now, Ponce would be here. Realizing that, I turned serious.
"Hey, it's time."
"Huh?"
Confused by my words, Escuro finally looked at me.
"I'll do something with Ponce, so take this chance to be alone with Manzano."
"What—"
Before she could finish, I turned. Once I turned around, Ponce was already heading toward us. Perfect timing.
"You!"
As Ponce got closer to us, before she could reach Escuro, I stepped in and grabbed her wrist.
"Ponce, great timing. There's something I want to look at on the second floor. Come with me."
"Huh?!"
Before she could resist, I dragged her to the escalator. Once we arrived, still holding her wrist, I pulled her toward the section I was curious about. I knew from the reviews that they sold manga and light novels. That was part of why I chose this place. But it's not manga I am here for, what I really wanted to see were actually the light novels.
Manga and light novels originated in Japan. Once they got translated, they exported them internationally. As a web novel reader, I also read light novels, though only in digital form. So coming here is an opportunity to look at their physical books.
"Oi, can you let go already?"
Mesmerized by the shelves full of light novels, I forgot I was still holding her wrist. So I let go when she mentioned it.
"Right. Sorry."
"So? Why did you bring me here? It's not just to look at these books, right?"
What should I say? I couldn't tell her it was a setup. But I also couldn't just say "nothing."
After giving it some careful thought, I decided to bring that up.
"I brought you here to talk about yesterday."
Just hearing "yesterday" made her attentive. Her eyes sharpened, that eyes demand me to spill everything. Sorry to say, but I will not. So should I lie instead? No need to lie, since she'll find it out sooner or later. I'll just tell her partial details.
"You found out I went to Escuro's house, right?"
Ponce didn't answer, but her eyes said everything. She wanted me to get straight to the point already. I would, however, I wouldn't let her stay silent the whole time.
"You heard it from Escuro's mother, didn't you?"
Hearing me say that, her eyelid twitched.
"Her mother? What does she have to do with this?"
She denied it. Was it because she didn't want Escuro's mother involved? Or because she didn't want to lose her source of info?
"Oh, I heard from Escuro that you and her mother are super close."
That left her speechless.
I didn't want to bring up Escuro, but it was the only way to make Ponce talk. One more push, she'll eventually admit it.
After a moment being silence, Ponce finally said something, "…so what?"
"Eh?"
"That's right. I'm close with her mother. But so what? It's not like I forced her to tell me. She just tells me willingly."
I expected her to at least deny it a little. For her to reveal it so easily caught me off guard.
Now that she had admitted it, there were lots of things I wanted to ask. But Ponce looked scary, so I swallowed the questions.
"It's not like I'm accusing you. I just want to clarify things. I haven't done anything bad to Escuro."
"I know. As if you have the guts to do anything to her at all."
… I was glad she believed me, but hearing that made me a little angry.
"So… does that mean we're cool?"
"Huh? I may believe you this time, but that doesn't mean I fully trust you. Sure, you probably didn't do anything yesterday, but what about next time?"
What? Did she think that if I went to Escuro's house again, I would do something?
"Don't worry. It was just a one-time thing. I was only there because Escuro asked me for help."
"Help with what?"
"Manzano's birthday is today, right? I helped her pick a gift."
"A gift?"
"That's right."
"Camille has a present prepared…" Ponce mumbled.
And just like that, after hearing me, she turned and walked away.
Really! This was why I didn't want to tell her straight earlier!
Ponce headed back to the third floor, but I didn't care anymore. I think I had already given Escuro enough time. Now that my job was done, I followed Ponce to the third floor.
***
After killing time in the bookstore, we headed to the mall next.
The mall opened at 10 A.M. Yeah, we were pretty early; we even saw the doors open. The reason we came early was that today is Sunday, and the mall would be crowded. Even at this moment, aside from us, other people were waiting for the doors to open. So when they did, it was like a stampede.
Once inside, we went straight to the top floor. It wasn't the same as the place I suggested from the bookstore, the reason this place was chosen to celebrate Manzano's birthday because on the top floor of the mall, there's an arcade.
Hopping from escalator to escalator, we reached the top. At the top, there was also a cinema, and beside it, the arcade.
Since the mall had just opened, there was no one in the arcade except the staff.
"So what now? Do we buy tokens or something?"
"They use cards here."
Manzano took out a card and headed to the counter. He handed it to the cashier along with the payment. The card was equivalent to tokens here. Instead of using tokens, they used cards to play the games—you just need to pay for the credits on the card.
Once the process was done, he returned to us and asked, "What should we do first?"
"You decide, it's your birthday," Ponce replied first.
Good. While they talked, I could speak to Escuro. I just wanted to confirm if she had already given the present.
Leaning toward her, I whispered, "Did you give it?"
Not expecting me, she jolted and avoided looking at me.
"Don't tell me… you didn't?"
Silent… that was her answer.
After giving her time and distracting Ponce, it seemed all that effort was wasted.
This just makes me sigh.
"Okay, listen. I'll give you another perfect opportunity to give that present. Please make sure you do it this time."
Although she didn't say anything, she weakly nodded.
***
Attempt #2
This arcade also had a mini karaoke. Only four people could fit in it. Perfect for us.
So, after playing the games Manzano liked, I suggested it, and he was okay with it.
After watching them sing for two to three songs, I stood up from my seat.
"You finally decided to sing?" Manzano asked me.
Despite suggesting karaoke, I never planned to join them. I just thought it was the best place for Escuro to have a second chance to give Manzano her present.
"Nah, I'm just going to the bathroom."
Saying so, I looked at Ponce and added, "Ponce, can you accompany me?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, I'll go with you instead."
Manzano was about to stand, but I stopped him midway.
"No, I want her to come with me."
When I said that out loud, the room fell silent. The three of them looked utterly confused and shocked. Even Escuro, who knew I was doing this for her, was surprised by what I had just said.
Breaking the awkward silence, Ponce was the first one to snap back into her senses and replied, "Fine, I'll go with you."
Oh, did she realize my intention?
Accompanying me, we left the other two in silence.
Exiting the karaoke room, we headed toward the entrance of the arcade. But before we could step out, she grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
"Is this a joke?! You're really bringing me to the bathroom?!" She wanted to shout, but restrained herself, not wanting to make a scene.
"Wouldn't pretending we're going to the bathroom make it more believable?" I suggested.
"This spot is enough—they can't see us, unless they leave that room."
"That's true. But to be safe, let's at least go somewhere else."
"Alright, fine."
Agreeing, we left the arcade. We didn't go far, just enough to be out of sight.
"So… what is it this time?" Stopping, she asked.
"Nothing."
She frowned at my reply.
"Is this something to do with the present?"
Was it that obvious? I hadn't told her the full details back at the bookstore, and she didn't even know Escuro had been trying to give the present at that time.
"That's right."
"Then, is Camille going to give the present to Manzano right now?"
"That's the plan."
I just hoped Escuro would actually give it this time.
"Okay, let's give them some space," she said, then took out her phone.
Looks like she had no intention of having a conversation to me.
So, I took out my phone as well, and we waited outside. I decided to give Escuro plenty of time to steel herself.
***
Once karaoke was done, we played a few more games before leaving the arcade. And the next plan for Manzano's birthday was to eat.
But since we were only high school students, we couldn't afford an expensive restaurant. So that became the topic of our conversation as we walked.
"What do you think, Dalino?"
"Huh?"
"Which one do you prefer?"
"Um, I'm fine—whichever you choose."
Not gonna lie, I didn't even know what the options were. Since the karaoke, I'd been spacing out. Why was I like that now? Because Escuro still hadn't given the present for a second time.
It was really frustrating; my effort felt wasted again.
"So, Jollibee it is."
Manzano made the final decision. Between McDonald's and Jollibee, he chose the latter.
Once it was decided, Manzano led the way. But before we could get far, Ponce stepped ahead and turned to us.
"What if we just have a picnic at the park?" she suggested.
"What would we eat then?"
"Well, we could get some snacks like chips, or perhaps buy take-out from Jollibee instead. What do you guys think?"
After hearing Ponce out, Manzano looked at us to see if we had anything to say, but Escuro and I just shook our heads, signaling that it was up to him to decide.
"Alright, let's go with that. So, let's head to Jollibee to buy take-outs."
"No, no, you and Camille can just wait at the park." Once Ponce said that to Manzano, she looked in my direction. "And as for you, Dalino, come with me to Jollibee."
"W-what? Why?"
"To help me, of course. What are you telling me to carry all of that on my own?"
"That's…."
What the heck is this now? I get that she wants some help carrying the food, but does it have to be me? It's not like I don't want to help; it's just that I thought she hated me with all the hostility and everything. So it's hard to believe she actually asked me.
"Oh, I'll go with you instead."
Seeing the situation wasn't good, Manzano volunteered—only to get rejected.
"You don't have to, it's your birthday, after all. Just leave the pickup to us."
"T-then I'll go."
Now it was Escuro's turn to volunteer, yet she was also rejected.
"No, you stay here with Manzano as well. What I need is a man's help, that's why," saying that, Ponce looks at me, "Now, Dalino, do you finally understand why I picked you?"
I got her point, but was that really the whole reason? I felt there was something else, and the only way to know was to ask her.
Anyway, since her reason was valid, I had no choice but to comply.
"Alright, alright, let's go."
Thus, we left Manzano and Escuro at the park and headed to Jollibee. Since I didn't know where the nearest Jollibee was, I just followed Ponce from behind. Once we were far enough from the park, I took the chance to ask her.
"So, what's the real reason you brought me?"
When I asked, she stopped in her tracks and turned around.
"I just helped you."
"…what?"
"I know Camille hasn't given the present yet. Or rather, she failed to give it to him that time. So I thought I'd give you guys a hand."
"By bringing me and giving them space?"
"That's right, just like what you did to me."
"Heh, it wouldn't work."
"And why's that?"
"I already tried it twice, yet it failed."
"Is that so? Perhaps you're doing it wrong."
Me, doing it wrong? Where exactly? Between the place and the atmosphere, where am I failing?
"And what could I have been doing wrong?"
"I don't know. Maybe you didn't consider the atmosphere at all."
"You think I haven't thought of that? I keep that in mind whenever I choose a place."
"Place? You mean the karaoke and bookstore? That atmosphere was the worst. You gave Camille a stressful situation. No wonder she wasn't able to give the present."
"Oh yeah? Then what difference does the park make? I don't see how the atmosphere there could help."
"Heh, we'll see once we return."
She said that, then turned around and started walking toward Jollibee—or so I thought. But instead, she was looking around, as if searching for something. Her gaze then fell on a trash can, and she walked over to it.
Stopping in front of the trash can, she took something out of her handbag and tossed it inside.
"What was that?" I asked out of curiosity.
The thing she threw looked like a box.
"Nothing, just garbage. Don't mind it, so let's go to Jollibee already."
She said that, but I was still really curious about what it was. However, there was no way I could force her to reveal it. For now, I'd just follow her.