"Life is limited, that's why it's so precious. Since there's a limit, we try our best to live."

-Heiji Hattori

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Chapter 4:
Game On

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ZANE

As we stepped out of the house, a blue car awaited us. Raine walked confidently to the vehicle and knocked her knuckles on the closed window.

I stood back, observing quietly. Though unsure of Raine's intentions, I was determined to ensure Auntie's safety and avoid any entanglement in any unpleasant affairs.

The window whirred down, revealing another familiar face — a man, perhaps in his late twenties.

"Where to?" Raine asked.

"Noli Street," the mysterious figure responded. "Hop in."

"It's always her you're looking for," a female voice chimed from within the car.

Raine slid into the car, motioning for me to join her.

"Who's this?" the man inquired as I prepared to enter.

"He's with me," Raine replied.

"Oh, so you brought someone along to stir things up?" the girl seated upfront whispered, her words barely audible.

"He's just here to monitor that girl," I responded evenly.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, I caught the eye of the girl with flowing, slightly curled hair and crimson lips. Despite her elegant appearance, a hint of annoyance lingered in her gaze.

With a dismissive roll of her eyes, she put her earphones on her ears like she didn't want us to be there.

As the car set off, the unfamiliar destination echoed in my ears.

"Raine, I'm serious. Who's he?" the man asked once more, casting a serious glance in my direction via the rearview mirror.

"He's with me," Raine reiterated.

"You know I can't just bring anyone along, right?" he pressed.

"Where are we headed, though?" A shiver ran down my spine as my unanswered questions fought for release.

Raine turned to me, her gaze piercing. "What do you think?" she asked. "I sense you have a hunch."

Unsure of her intentions, my mind raced through the possibilities. Could it be a party? Or maybe a gathering?

"I'm guessing somewhere mysterious," I said with a wry smile.

"You might be onto something," she conceded, her smile cryptic.

"About earlier, how did you know Auntie knew me?" I ventured cautiously. "Were you aware she's merely my maternal uncle's wife?"

Raine met her own gaze in the mirror, her lips curling into a playful smile, leaving me none the wiser.

"It's just a coincidence, right?" I interjected, hoping to find some logical explanation.

"A coincidence? No," she countered, her tone firm. "I simply saw it from you."

"Saw?"

"I saw your childhood photo at Auntie Clara's coffee shop," she spoke.

"But that doesn't mean I'm her nephew, does it?" I interjected again..

"Your face looked different back then — you were smaller and had a different hairstyle. I may have entertained the possibility it could be someone else, but..."

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"Oh, you're coming here too!"

"I'm going to have a snack, Auntie. Do you have any bread left?"

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"You called her Auntie," she added. "But again, it's not a great clue to say you are her nephew. Even I call her Auntie."

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"What do you want? You can also choose a coffee."

"Uh, no coffee for me. I'll just have the chocolate crinkles."

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"Earlier, you immediately complained that the adobo I cooked was the chicken your mom asked your aunt to buy."

Once again, she reminded me of things I wanted to forget.

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"Excuse me, Ma'am, but did you cook the chicken that my aunt bought?"

"Was that yours?"

"That was supposed to be mine! Do you realize it's wrong to take something that doesn't belong to you? Can you even afford to replace it?"

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"Your phone earlier. I noticed it's old. Your blue cloth, a bit over your size. Probably because both are secondhand," she added. "I've seen that outfit worn by a resident there. Your sister likes that color. Maybe the shirt held sentimental value for her, so she gave it to you instead of throwing it away or giving it to someone else."

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"It's your first day here, so you may choose. Auntie Clara will treat you."

"Oh, wow!"

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"Now that conversation! Treating you to coffee and food. Just signs that you might indeed know and have a connection to Auntie Clara," she added.

"Yes, but how did you know I'm her nephew?" I asked again.

"Auntie Clara mentioned she still has a college-age kiddo, and you might be that one. Because a well-known college is nearby, you stayed here. The other rooms were already full, so even though you're a guy who questions the world a lot, she agreed to let you stay in the same flat as me, apparently, one who might not be your ideal flatmate," she spoke.

"Why, you asked? Based on the photo I mentioned earlier and Auntie's frequent mentions of her mysterious kiddo, I can say she wanted you to stay, so she allowed you to continue. Plus, I know your parents want to keep you safe, so they sent you to Mrs. Nuñez instead of a boarding house. That also means you must be a provincial boy," she added, connecting the dots with ease.

"How did you know I have a sibling who also rents there?" I probed further. "Do you talk to her?"

"I rarely talk to those who stay there. I'm usually inside," she replied, her gaze drifting towards the scene outside the car. "Your sister, she's the one that looks like you and not your aunt, obviously! Although she doesn't talk much to your aunt, her photo is also there in the shop, and I remember Aunt Clara mentioning she asked about her sibling. So, another Nuñez. And you heard me right. I saw," she spoke with a knowing smile.

"Okay, fine," I conceded, impressed by her deductions, though I kept my admiration concealed.

"We're here," the guy in front of me announced as the car slowly came to a stop, making us divert our attention to our destination.

As they each stepped out, I followed suit. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of nearby blossoms. Before me stood a quaint two-storey house, enveloped by lush greenery, its mint green walls making me feel a sense of serenity.

"What are we doing here?" I asked as I emerged from the car.

At that moment, it seemed like she was merely paying a casual visit to a friend. Yet, inexplicably, my heart whispered otherwise.

I walked forward, my pulse quickening as I caught sight of police tape not far away.

"Is this the theme of the club you're going to?" I spoke, attempting to lighten the atmosphere as we approached the house.

Near the entrance, a few individuals clad in investigative attire stood. They are just like the characters from my sister's favourite TV shows.

"Why is your ward here again, George?" one of them inquired, eyeing Raine with suspicion.

"I've already discussed that with him, so don't expect that he will send me away, sir," Raine retorted.

"I simply need to confirm my suspicions, which is why I brought her along," George explained firmly.

"And who's the other one?" the guard questioned.

"She's just accompanying me," Raine clarified. "I didn't invite him, but he insisted on coming."

"So, are you joining us inside or staying out here?" George directed his query at me.

A mysterious aura enveloped me, urging me to retreat, yet Auntie's concerned gaze held me in place.

"You stay outside. We'll be quick," Raine instructed.

Panic flickered within me, prompting an unintended outburst, "Oh no! What if something happens to you while you're out of my sight? Auntie will scold me!"

Raine sighed, exchanging a glance with George before proceeding indoors. As I moved to follow, my attention shifted to the departure of the stern-faced girl accompanying them earlier. "Aren't you coming in?"

"Why would I enter? I'm not a cop," she retorted, striding away without a backward glance.

Confusion clouded my thoughts, my heart racing once more. "Cop? What do you mean?"

"You mentioned going inside, so do it. They may expect you," she replied cryptically, halting near the highway to stay inside the car. "Be careful. You're straying further from what you're meant to watch over."