Daniel's POV.
When we were children, our parents and elders often taught us how to live with integrity. One of the core lessons was always to tell the truth. Lying is considered a sin in the eyes of both man and God—an act that inevitably leads to trouble. We are taught that a sin is a sin; whether great or small, it is a turning away from what is good.
Yet, there are types of lies that, despite being sinful, are meant for the benefit of others. We call these "white lies"—deceptions crafted for the sake of a person, a situation, or peace of mind. But is it truly justifiable just because it's a "small" sin? Is a good motive enough to shield you from the weight of that lie when karma eventually comes to collect its due?
My morning began with a heavy, lifeless feeling, weighed down by the negative thoughts I couldn't seem to shake. I was reaching a breaking point—exhausted and bored by a daily routine that felt like a repetitive loop leading nowhere. The air in the house felt stagnant, and even the hum of the refrigerator seemed to be mocking my lack of progress.
As I walked home from a quick errand, I noticed someone loitering by the lamp post near our gate. The orange glow of the streetlamp was just starting to flicker on. My heart sank the moment I recognized the silhouette. Even without seeing her face clearly, that petite frame, thin build, and short hair were unmistakable.
It was Lea—my eccentric schoolmate with the yaoi obsession. I had no idea why she was there or how she found out where I lived, but my gut told me I was her target.
I tried to play it cool, intending to walk past her and head straight for the gate. Just ignore her, I told myself. Pretend I don't know anyone like her. I'll just bolt inside, lock the door, and sleep the world away.
My heart hammered against my ribs with every step, the sound loud in the quiet street. I prayed she wouldn't notice me, terrified she'd turn my day into a chaotic mess just like she did at the mall. I managed to pass her; I knew she saw me, but strangely, she didn't say a word. She just leaned against the post, looking at her phone.
I wondered why she didn't greet me or even call my name. Was I just being paranoid? Was I not the reason she was there after all?
"Something's definitely fishy," I whispered.
Just as I moved a few paces past her, she spoke up as if she were just noticing me. A chill ran down my spine, and my feet froze in place.
"Oh! You're finally here! Good day!" she chirped, her voice cutting through the evening quiet.
I spun around, my patience already worn thin by my assumptions. I snapped at her immediately, pointing a finger. "Can you please just leave me alone? I'm not interested in your offer! Go find someone else for your 'partnership'!"
But instead of the desperate plea I expected, she reacted with total calm, looking at me as if I were speaking a foreign language.
"Huh? Wait, what are you talking about, Daniel?" she asked, tilting her head. "What offer?"
"Don't play dumb with me! I know exactly why you're here! You're stalking me!"
Before our argument could escalate, the gate creaked open and a man approached us—the person Lea had actually been waiting for. He stepped between us with a polite, confused greeting. This man—fair-skinned, almond-eyed, and fit—was my younger brother, Romeo, the middle child of us three siblings.
Romeo was the "perfect" one: handsome, intelligent, athletic, and incredibly kind. Sometimes I felt like he had inherited every good trait I lacked. We were worlds apart.
"Is there a problem between you and Lea, Kuya?" Romeo asked, looking between us.
"I don't know what's wrong with your brother; he just started shouting at me out of nowhere," Lea interjected, putting on a remarkably convincing act of being a victim.
"W-wait... you two know each other?" I stammered, my face heating up.
Romeo introduced Lea as his schoolmate and former classmate from nursing school last year. It was only then I realized that this "fujoshi" was actually a nurse, and they were currently studying together for their upcoming board exams.
"So... you're just here to study?" I asked, all the air deflating out of my lungs.
"Of course. What else would I be here for?" She gave me a sly, knowing smirk that only I could see. "Wait... did you think I was here for you?"
I couldn't find the words to answer. I was paralyzed by the sheer embarrassment of assuming I was her target. I wanted to make an excuse, but my mind was a total blank. I could only look away at the pavement, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
Romeo didn't let the awkwardness linger. He invited Lea inside so they could get to work.
"I really made a fool of myself," I whispered to myself as they walked in. "But I still don't trust this girl one bit."
Hours passed, but I couldn't relax. I paced my room, the floorboards creaking under my feet. My mind was racing with thoughts of whatever scheme Lea might be concocting by getting close to my brother. I began to imagine the worst: that she was using Romeo as a pawn to secure her "ideal" marriage arrangement. I knew I shouldn't interfere—Romeo is an adult—but an older brother's instinct told me I had to keep an eye on them.
"That's it. I have to save my brother from that fujoshi."
I got out of bed and crept toward the living room. Peeking through the doorway, I saw them buried in books, focused and studious. The dining table was covered in highlighters and thick medical textbooks. On the surface, it looked perfectly normal. Maybe I was just overthinking it.
Deep down, I knew Lea was generally a good person, despite her childish streak. So why was I so worried? Maybe those recurring nightmares about her were getting to me. I took them as a warning about marriage, though they say dreams are often the opposite of reality.
"Romeo, can you help me with how you got this answer for the pharmacology section?" Lea asked.
"Huh? Sure, let me see."
Romeo stood up and leaned over Lea to help. Their shoulders were almost touching as he patiently explained the problem. It was a boring sight, frankly. Nothing scandalous was happening. I was about to give up on my suspicions and go back to bed.
"Why am I even worrying? He's smarter and more capable than I am," I muttered.
But as I watched from the shadows, Lea caught my eye. She saw me staring at them like a total stalker. I didn't know how to react, so I just stood there, caught red-handed.
In that moment, she flashed me a smile. It was a sweet, wide-eyed look at first—the kind of look someone uses to act cute—but it slowly morphed. Her expression shifted into a dark, "evil" smile, as if she were revealing a hidden plot. The sudden shift in her face sent a jolt through me. My suspicions flared up instantly.
"I knew it! I don't trust her at all. I won't let you make a victim out of my brother," I hissed under my breath.
Romeo noticed me hovering by the door as well, so I had no choice but to walk into the room as if nothing had happened.
"Kuya? I thought you were going to sleep? You have work later, don't you?" Romeo asked, checking the time.
"Huh? Oh... uh... I couldn't sleep. I think I'm just hungry. Yeah! That's it!" I blurted out, my stomach conveniently growling at the mention of food.
I was panicking, scrambling for words. I decided right then that I needed to get the truth out of this girl for my brother's sake.
I pulled some cash from my wallet and practically forced Romeo to go out and buy food. He offered to just get something from the fridge, but I insisted he go to the store down the street, desperate to get him out of the house so I could talk to Lea alone.
Though confused by my persistence, Romeo eventually gave in. Lea just smiled at him, even chirping in a request for snacks using my money, despite the fact that I hadn't offered her any.
"Don't hurry back! Watch out for cars!" I called out as he left.