Game Of Life: Volume 2

19. A prodigy and a master

Sage

Nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan. As if there's a spark when our eyes meet. Kusang tumalim ang tingin ko sa kaniya.

"Code..." Pagbanggit ko sa pangalan niya. "The Game Master."

I felt the breeze touched my skin. The pressure between us is overwhelming.

I may not know his face, but I know his name very well. His 'in game name' rather.

Unlike me who who deletes his data, you can see code's everywhere. Halos ng mga games na nalaro ko ay nalaro na niya, at halos lahat din doon, mas mataas ang points niya kaysa sa akin.

And because of that, he was called the Game Master. And most of the gamers and players know his name.

Pumasok na sa isip ko na baka kasali siya sa larong ito, pero hindi ko inaasahan na makakaharap ko siya agad-agad.

Code smiled, together with his eyes. "Ohhh, the Game Prodigy knows me? It's an honor." He said, with a hint of sarcasm.

Hindi kaagad ako kumibo sa sinabi niya.

"Shall we start the game?" He plastered an innocent smile.

Hindi ko siya sinagot bagkus ay tinapunan ko lang ng tingin ang chess board. Nagkrus ang dalawa kong braso at pinanood ko siyang mag-first move.

"Do you find the game interesting? Fun?" He started a conversation once again.

It's my turn to move. Iginalaw ko na ang una kong pyesa. "I'm entertained."

"Oh, that's good." He moved his next piece. "Same here, I'm quite entertained... and I'm sure that I'll get entertained more."

Walang buhay ang mga mata ko nang umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Kasabay ng paggalaw ko sa chess piece.

"Tell me..." panimula ko. "How did you know Eivel? She's on my team."

He paused for a moment. It seems like I caught his attention.

Nanatiling nakatututok ang mga mata ko sa chess piece, pero pinakikiramdaman ko ang bawat galaw niya. Hindi ko magawang isawalang bahala ang tanong na 'yon. 

Nalaman niya ba 'to sa isang file? Sa isang clue? Mula sa isang Game General?

I need to know how...

How did Code, the Game Master, knows Eivel, who's a complete newbie and doesn't play games?

"Hmmm..." Hinawakan niya ang susunod na igagalaw niyang chess piece. Kapwa niya ay nalipat ang tingin ko kung saan niya 'to nilagay. "Let's say... that we're childhood friends."

It was my turn to move but I stopped. Saktong nahinto ako bago mahawakan ang susunod na chess piece na igagalaw ko.

"H-Huh?"

Umangat ang dalawa kong kilay at walang ekspresyon akong napaharap sa kaniya. Did I... heard it right?

"Surprised?" He chuckled. "But it's the truth. She seems to have forgotten about me, and I can't blame her for that... but I'm sure, I'm sure that if I introduce myself to her again, she'll remember me."

He glanced at my piece. "It's your turn."

Tanging pag-ismid ang nasagot ko sa kaniya bago ituloy ang galaw ko sa chess board.

A-A childhood friend? Tsk, it's more surprising that Miss Genius had a freaking friend.

"Sage, the game prodigy..." Pagbanggit ni Code sa pangalan ko. Muling umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. It's his turn to move. "We are really the same."

Kumunot ang noo ko at hindi ko nagawang maitago ang pagsimangot ko sa narinig. "What do you mean by that?"

Code rested his chin on the back of his palm as he think of his next move.

"Like me... you're also bored, right?"

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. This guy... he's too much pain in the back. I can't read his freaking expression.

"Being good at everything... every game... it sucks, and boring, right?" Nagsimula siyang kumuha ng isa sa mga pyesa niya. Slowly, he showed a grin. "That's why when I met her... I grabbed the chance. I knew she'll be different from the others."

I was taken aback by what he said. Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin at nakaukit ang labi niya sa isang ngiti.

"Like us, Eivel is also good at everything... hindi siya katulad ng iba na nagmamagaling lang, na nakikisabay. Katulad natin siya. Hindi ba't nakaka-excite na makakilala ng isang taong katulad mo?"

"Hindi katulad ng iba mong nakasama at mga nakalaro, kung saan sa tingin mo, ikaw lang ang naglalaro mag-isa. With her, it really feels like a game! A competition! That's great, right?!" His voice is getting louder and louder, and he's making no more sense at all.

I looked at him, expressionless and has no reaction at all. Tahimik kong iginalaw ang susunod na pyesa ko sa chess board.

"No, we're not the same." Maikli pero may diin kong sagot.

Nahinto si Code sa sinabi ko. Just a moment ago, his eyes are filled with excitement and joy... and in a snap, their look like they're dead.

"Oh..." Nalipat ang tingin niya sa chess piece na sunod niyang igagalaw. "But... you still can't hide it, you know."

"Deep inside, you are a one-man player. You play to compete— to beat others. And I know that you only see Eivel, a genius, as someone you need to compete with and win against."

Mariin akong napakagat sa ibabang labi at piniling wag pansinin ang sinabi niya. Kinuha ko ang susunod na chess piece na igagalaw ko.

I heard him heaved a sigh. "You're in denial. I'm sure that you won't be known as the Game Prodigy if you didn't beat some players, right? Kahit anong gawin mo, meron sa kanila, natapakan mo. Alam ko alam mo 'yon, at pinili mo silang baliwalain."

"We play... to compete, to move forward... we are a one-man player."

"Fuck off! I told you, we're not!" Kusang tumaas ang boses ko kasabay ng pagtayo ko sa upuan.

I lost it. Maybe because he's getting annoying... or maybe because he's telling the truth. You don't have to tell me something that I already know...

Walang ekspresyong umangat sa akin ang tingin ni Code. "Maybe you're right." Iginalaw niya ang susunod niya na chess piece.

Doon ko napansin kung ano ang susunod niyang move. Napako ako sa pwesto ko habang pinapanood siyang igalaw ang pyesa. As if the time slowed down.

"Maybe we really are not the same..."

Checkmate.

I just freaking lost to a game of chess.

Tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo si Code at casual akong dinaanan. "Nice game, Game Prodigy. Sigurado akong hindi ito ang huli nating pagkikita."

"I guess I had my hopes up. Hindi ko malubos maisip na kasama mo sa team si Eivel." Sambit niya habang naglalakad padaan sa akin.

"Maybe it was better if she was in my team instead."

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