"Do I even have money for all this..." I muttered, mostly to myself.
Beside me, the white-haired girl tossed another pack of snacks into the cart. "Oh, I think we'll need this-"
"And these." she added, reaching for a few water bottles.
"Hey... Athy, I know you want to be ready for the field trip but-" I trailed off, staring at the trolley."Don't you think this is a bit too much?"
She blinked, raising an eyebrow.
"Athy? Where'd 'Anne' go?"
"That's what you're worried about?"
"Of course not. It's just, you're pretty quick at thinking of new nicknames." she brushed it off and pushed the trolley forward.
"But... I guess I like it better than 'Anne', to an extent," she murmured, so softly I almost didn't catch it.
A few minutes later, we reached the counter. As expected, the total hit a little over a thousand and two hundred pesos, with a few coins of change. Another wound on my wallet
Athy walked ahead, carrying some of her things, while I, her supposed assistant, ended up carrying most of it. They weren't heavy, not compared to the weights I was used to lifting. But still... our builds weren't exactly that different.
Honestly, if someone saw us side by side, they'd probably think we're just two girls who were out shopping. With me being the unlucky one who carried most of the load.
Long silky hair, unreasonably smooth skin (Thank you, skin care routine. Unlike missy here, I just can't maintain perfection by existing.) small feminine looking frame, soft eyes, every bit a girl. (Did dad's genes lose, or was I just that unlucky in the genes department?)
I actually do remember that one time in highschool. Forced into joining a beauty pageant, as a guy by the way, so I ended up cross-dressing, because everyone swore I'd win.
Strangely enough, I did.
Never looked too hard into why, though. Nor did I look at any of my pictures during that time, so I'm not sure how I looked like. And I think I answered to Q&A just fine...?
Either way, that was back then.
"Are you seriously thinking of other girls when I'm here?" Anathasia's voice cut me off from my little reminiscing moment, and before I knew it, I was standing face-to-face with her already.
I blinked. "Girls? You really think I'm that ballsy?"
"No, but you're an idiot."
"...that was uncalled for." I muttered, watching her walk ahead while I stayed close behind.
"Just making sure, that's all." she said, voice airy as ever, already walking ahead.
"Right..."
---
The days passed in a flash. To my right, Anathasia sat engrossed in her phone, playing some sort of video game or the sort, then to my left was the flat, green scenery of rice farms newly planted.
"It's been five months already... huh." I murmured, wistfully to myself.
Resting my chin on one hand, I stared out at the bus window, the cool wind quietly ruffling my hair while the white-haired girl beside me leaned against my shoulder, still scrolling through her phone.
I didn't really mind at this point, it was pretty much normal for her to do things like this, I'm just glad she's comfortable enough to just be herself around me at least.
I still couldn't get rid of that sense of unease though. That feeling of knowing the person by your side, the one you chose to trust, was hiding something more from you. And the fact that I couldn't exactly read her intentions didn't make it any better.
Like giving a weapon to a stranger, then trusting them not to shoot you with it. Except that stranger... Isn't human, but something that humanity itself probably couldn't define.
But until then, I can only wait until that moment comes - when she finally decides to reveal it herself. For now, I'll trust her, and hope I'm wrong for doubting her.
The thought lingered in the back of my mind, but it faded the moment the bus slowed to a stop. Students in front were already standing, filling out one by one while Anathasia... was completely, hopelessly asleep.
"Hey..." I whispered, gently tapping her shoulder.
No reaction. Instead, she tightened her grip and pulled me closer, deciding I was apparently the perfect plushie to snuggle with. Her warmth wrapped around me like a blanket, along with two very soft things pressing against my arm, which I tried very hard not to think about.
"...again...? It's the new years all over again..." I muttered. This was exactly what happened when she dragged me into bed back then.
And no, nothing happened.
"Wake up oi." I grumbled, reaching over to pinch her cheek. "Your boobs are pressing against me, you klutz."
She slowly stirred awake, her arms still curled around mine as she gently rubs her eyes.
"Are we there yet?" she murmured, blinking up at me.
Then, with a soft, sleepy smile:
"Oh, hey Kyle..."
"Yeah, good morning sleepyhead." I sighed, shaking my head lightly. "Anyway, we're here, so let's get going, yes?"
She nodded, still not quite awake, and I packed our things. Like water, snacks, the usual.
We filed out of the bus, the last of our class. And for reasons beyond mortal understanding, Anathasia was still glued to my side, occasionally rubbing her eyes with one hand while refusing to let go with the other.
A few classmates and even students from the other departments, shot us curious looks, but that was the least of my worries right now.
We'd arrived in Dapitan city. I'd been here with my family years ago, but that was over five years back, so everything felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
One thing was certain though: the sunset here hadn't changed. The same soft glow, the same gentle warmth that I remembered, now stretching over the boulevard near where our bus stopped. Beside us was a hotel, not overly fancy, but tall enough to stand out against the shoreline.
A sharp clap echoed, pulling everyone's attention forward.
One of our instructors, the one in charge of room assignments stood in front of the group.
"Okay, boys will be at the second floor, 180 to 190, and girls, third floor, room 200 to 210," he called out, then looked directly at me.
"Mr. Abe will be paired with Miss Dunaleff. First floor room 097."
The announcement hit like a bomb.
Everyone froze.
Whispers erupted instantly, from our class, from the other sections, even other people from different departments who clearly weren't supposed to be listening.
And beside me, Anathasia... looked very satisfied.
That was all I needed to know.
This girl definitely did something to the faculty...
I reached over and gave her arm a small pinch, just enough to make her yelp.
"Ow! What was that for?!" she complained, finally letting go of my arm.
"You did something to make the faculty go along with your whims, didn't you, missy?" I stared at her, deadpan.
Her eyes darted left and right. Her reaction alone was enough of a confession.
"Maybe... maybe not...?" she said, hands behind her back, trying, and failing to lie her way out of it.
"Good god..." I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. Through my fingers, I could see how her expression went from flustered to guilty.
And goodness, she knew exactly what heartstrings to pull, I swear. I couldn't even stay mad at her.
"You know what... it's fine," I sighed, reaching out to pat her head. She still looked guilty, almost childishly so.
"Sorry... I just... don't feel comfortable sleeping beside other people." she murmured.
And honestly? I couldn't blame her. Her reason was valid.
The method, however... not so much.
"Alright, alright, I understand," I said, ruffling her hair as she leaned into my head, almost like a cat. "Everyone's like that, too. But manipulating people, doing what you did earlier? That's a no-no. Don't do it again, okay?"
Her gaze dropped to the ground, then nodded.
"I'm sorry..." she mumbled, her voice soft and tinged with guilt. "I won't do it again..."
I couldn't help smile. Before I could stop myself, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a gentle hug as I patted her head.
"Alright, alright. What a cute little thing you are." I murmured, burying my face briefly into her white hair. She hugged me back without hesitation, arms gripping around my back.
And that was when it hit me.
I was treating her exactly like I did back home.
Too late.
Everyone had already seen.
"Oh..." I breathed, swallowing hard as heat shot up my face. Anathasia lifted her head from my chest, staring up at me with those clear unbothered eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head, completely unaware of how warm my face felt.
"Nothing, let's just go to our room, yes?" I said dismissively.
Why was she so innocent looking at times like this yet suddenly become sharp whenever she wants to? Does she operate on a different existential plane or what?
But nonetheless, I somehow managed to cut the embarrassing moment short as we went inside.
Though, I could feel the stares of the other students boring into my back as we entered, and when I glanced back, I could see Noah smirking at me for some reason.
He was here all this time??