Cardano did her part in bringing Manzano here.
This is the plan I came up with and shared with the two of them. As I said, Cardano is the key player in this plan.
Using her position as our class president, we arranged a meeting under the pretense of discussing the school festival. Of course, it was a lie; the real purpose was to lure Manzano here so we could talk to him. Since the invitation came from her account, no one suspected a thing.
Two days later, after the announcement on Wednesday, we-no, Cardano and Ponce informed everyone that the Saturday meeting had been canceled.
The two of them did their best to notify each of our classmates without Manzano catching wind of it. As for me, I did nothing during that time. Because of my reputation, I can't easily approach our classmates. They're wary of me, after all.
And as for the location, why did we choose the barangay hall's basketball court?
Well, that was Cardano's idea. In the plan I made, I hadn't thought about where to lure Manzano in. I figured anywhere would do as long as it was secluded. That's when Cardano suggested the basketball court in the barangay hall.
She said she could ask for permission to use it. I wanted to reject her suggestion because it seemed like too much of a hassle, but she didn't mind. She even told me to leave all the arrangements with the barangay hall to her.
Seeing her willingness, I figured it was fine. If we went through all those arrangements, the meeting would seem more convincing. In that case, I'd let Cardano handle it.
Among the three of us, I'm the only one who did nothing. I'm quite ashamed of that. So I'll do my best when it's my turn.
"Manzano, we need to talk."
Ponce stepped forward first.
However, Manzano paid her no mind and addressed Cardano instead.
"Prez, isn't discussing the school festival with just the four of us a bit too much? Aren't we going to wait for the others?"
It seemed Manzano hadn't processed what Cardano had said.
"T…there's no meeting."
"Oh, Prez, I already heard that joke. Ha ha ha."
It never sounded like a joke, but Manzano laughed heartily as if it were the funniest thing he had ever heard.
He only stopped when he noticed how quiet and serious we were. His laughter died down, and he was forced to confront the awkward silence.
"It's not a joke."
"Then why are we here? And why bring me here? If the meeting was canceled, why didn't anyone inform me? Why wasn't there even an announcement in the group chat?"
Manzano raised a valid point. However, unbeknownst to him, his argument was pointless because the meeting he believed in had never existed.
"I'll answer that."
Ponce once again stepped forward. The first time she did, Manzano simply ignored her, but this time, wanting answers, he finally paid attention.
Having gained Manzano's attention, she proceeded with what she wanted to say.
"The meeting is a lie. We made it up so we could lure you here."
"What did you just say?"
"You've been ignoring us lately, so you left us no choice."
"What are you talking about?"
Manzano couldn't respond with anything other than 'what.'
Since arriving here, I had a suspicion. He never bothered looking in our direction, and the only person he spoke to was Cardano. Just now, Manzano glanced at her, seeking confirmation.
However, to Manzano's disappointment, Cardano made her way toward the staircase.
"I'll be outside; just message me when you guys are finished."
As Cardano promised, she would only help us and not involve herself in the problem any further. The reason she was leaving was to avoid hearing the details and, more importantly, to give us the freedom to talk openly.
"Prez, thanks for your help," I said, expressing my gratitude.
"I was just doing my job as president," she replied as she turned around.
But before she could reach the staircase, a voice called out to her.
"Prez!"
From the voice alone, Cardano already knew who it was. She turned halfway around and waited for what Manzano had to say.
"Are you… involved in this?"
"I am. Sorry. If you resent me for it, that's fine. I'm willing to accept it if it means helping you guys. As for you, you need to face them."
But would that really make Manzano resent her? Not necessarily. It all depends on what was going through his mind.
After saying that, Cardano turned back toward the staircase and finally left the basketball court.
"She's finally gone," Ponce said indifferently, "Let's continue, Manzano."
"Continue what? The meeting is canceled, so what is there to talk about?"
"Really? After we revealed everything, you're still hung up on that?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh fucking god, you're so annoying!"
Seeing that their exchange was going nowhere, I decided to step in.
I walked forward and stood beside Ponce.
Then, looking Manzano in the eye, I took a breath and said the following sentence.
"Manzano."
I called out his name to get his attention, but it turned out I didn't need to. Not only Manzano, but even Ponce had shifted her focus to me the moment I stepped forward.
With everyone's eyes on me, I continued what I wanted to say.
"The reason you've been ignoring us is because of me, right?"
Manzano didn't answer, but I saw him flinch. That alone told me I had hit the mark.
Ponce was surprised by my statement. This was the first time she had heard it. Realizing that this might be the reason behind everything, her eyes urged me to continue, so I did.
"Ever since I started hanging out with you guys, I've noticed a change in you. You've become awkward and distant around your friends, especially Escuro and Ponce. At first, you only distanced yourself from Escuro, but as time went on, you started avoiding Ponce as well, and eventually even me. Why?"
Saying that I noticed his change is a bit of an exaggeration. Since I don't know him personally, I can't really judge his character. My conclusion is based only on what Escuro shared with me and the little time I've spent with the group. Even so, I still trust my judgment.
Manzano remained silent, but I continued anyway.
"I think I'm disrupting the group. Because of my presence, you can't act the way you normally do."
I hate to admit it, but the rumors blaming me might not be entirely wrong. I have my suspicions about this whole farce. If Escuro were the only one being avoided, I would naturally assume it had something to do with the chocolate she gave him. But Ponce was also being avoided, and eventually even me. That made things far more complicated.
"If it really is my fault, then... would you want me to leave the group? No, I shouldn't even be asking. I'll leave right now."
I said that, but I had no intention of actually doing it. It was simply part of my strategy for today—one I hadn't shared with either Ponce or Cardano. If this worked, Manzano would feel pressured into finally coming clean.
Now, let's see his reaction.
Manzano looked conflicted, as if he were genuinely concerned about it. Was me leaving the group really that big of a deal to him?
Whatever the case, his expression only strengthened my suspicion.
On the other hand, there was Ponce's reaction.
I really tried to ignore it; however, I couldn't.
Her expression told me she liked the idea of me leaving. Her gaze alternated between Manzano and me, though it lingered on Manzano most of the time, as if she were waiting for his answer.
Is this really how she's going to treat me after I helped her with this?
I'm a little disappointed, but I don't really care. I'll just keep my focus on Manzano.
"What do you say, Manzano? I could leave right now if you want."
I continued pressuring him, leaving him with no choice but to reveal what he was hiding. I slowly moved toward him, intending to walk past him to make the act more dramatic.
But that never happened.
Before I could get close, he spoke.
"No, wait… don't leave."
"What? Why? Wouldn't it be better if I left? Since I'm the reason you've been acting like this."
"No, no, it's not your fault…"
"Then whose fault is it? Ponce's? Maybe Escuro's?"
"No… It's no one's fault."
I could feel the scales slowly tipping in my favor. Just a little more, and he'd give in.
"If no one caused it, then are you saying you changed for no reason?"
"That's right. I changed on my own. There's no important reason."
"Hmm… I'm not fully convinced. I suppose I believe you when you say you chose to act this way. What I don't believe is that there was no reason behind it. And I still think it's my fault. Maybe leaving really is the right choice."
"No, don't."
"Why are you stopping me from leaving?"
The fact that he was stopping me meant I was part of the reason. Otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to avoid me, nor would he be refusing to tell me why.
"It's… it's because it's not you, it's me. I'm just dealing with my own problems. To deal with them, I decided to distance myself."
"…are we making things difficult for you?"
The usually quiet Ponce, who had been watching our exchange, finally spoke.
"Is it suffocating being around us?"
"No, it's not. As I've already said, I'm the one with the problem."
"Then what's the problem? Maybe we can help."
"It's better if you guys don't know."
Still stubborn.
But I could already see the cracks forming. Just one more push, and everything would come spilling out.
"Have you ever thought about how we feel? Me, Ponce, Escuro, your other friends, even Prez—everyone has been worried. Have you seen how depressed Escuro has become? She's been blaming herself for how distant you've grown. Just like me, she came to the conclusion that she was the reason for your change. And Cardano, Prez, caught wind of it. That's why she's part of this plan to lure you here."
"That's… that's not what I wanted to happen..."
"Do you know how much distress you've caused us? No matter what's been troubling you, can't you at least share it with us? Everyone wants to help. Can't you see that?"
"I didn't mean to cause anyone trouble. I just wanted to… wanted to…"
"Wanted what? Just say it. Open up to us and let us see if there's any way we can help."
"No, I can't."
"Why not? Is your problem really that serious? Do you think we're unreliable? That we'll only make things worse?"
"I would never think that."
"Then why won't you tell us? Maybe it really is my fault that you can't say it. Maybe I should just leave."
"No, no, no. The one who should leave is me."
That was… something I hadn't expected.
Was it a slip of the tongue, or did he genuinely mean it? I won't lie, it caught me off guard.
Ponce seemed just as shocked as I was, though it probably hit her even harder.
"W-What did you just say?" Ponce spoke up, "You're going to leave us?"
I knew Ponce wouldn't stay quiet after what Manzano had just said.
They had been friends for a long time. Of course, she wouldn't sit idly by if Manzano suddenly decided to leave without giving a reason.
Manzano seemed to realize his mistake and looked at Ponce with remorse. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again. After a moment, he finally spoke.
"Sorry. I have to."
"Have to what? Why are you leaving? Was it because of us?"
"No."
"Then why?! If it's not us, then please tell me the reason."
"..."
Is this it?
Is his wall finally about to crumble?
Before he could come up with another excuse, I needed to pierce through.
"Manzano, you should just tell us everything. Whatever you thought was best for everyone, it wasn't. It only made everyone feel worse. Don't you see why we had to resort to this? Because we're worried, and we don't understand the reason behind your actions."
"But…"
"If you keep doing this, you'll only keep hurting the people around you."
Manzano fell silent after hearing my words.
"I… didn't realize my actions were causing everyone this much distress. I told myself I was doing the group a favor."
"A favor, how?"
He looked at me and Ponce, as his words followed, "To you and her."
"Us?" I said at the same time Ponce asked, "Me?"
"And Escuro as well."
The three of us.
Everyone in the group except Manzano himself.
But why us?
What could he possibly mean by doing us a favor?
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ponce asked the same question that was on my mind.
Manzano showed a faint smile before answering.
"Ponce, Escuro, and I have been friends for a long time. Up until a certain point during our first year of high school, our group's dynamic never changed. However, that changed when Dalino joined us."
So it really was because of me.
I had my suspicions, but have no proof. Ever since I joined them, too many coincidences had occurred within their group.
I could blame Escuro for starting everything, since she's the reason I ended up joining their group in the first place. But I couldn't ignore the possibility that my presence had caused some discord as well.
As if reading my thoughts, Manzano looked at me and said,
"Don't worry. It's not your fault."
He said that, yet my name was still part of the story.
"When Dalino joined us, I thought it was unexpected, but at the same time, it made sense. Just like how our group formed through coincidence back in middle school, I thought adding Dalino was simply another coincidence. But once he settled in, the group's dynamic started to change."
From that last sentence alone, I already knew where this was heading.
"Escuro inviting Dalino into the group—was it really just a coincidence? The two of you were noticeably close, despite that being the first time I'd ever seen you interact. So I started suspecting that you had met in secret before then. And while I was still having those doubts, I started hearing rumors from our classmates that the two of you had been hanging out alone somewhere."
Those rumors again.
I knew there was something off about his explanation.
"Wait a minute, Manzano. Whatever you heard, it's just a baseless rumor."
"I know. I wouldn't believe something like that so easily. However, after watching you and Escuro interact, I couldn't help but feel there was something special between the two of you. And not only her..."
"Not only Escuro?"
In response to my question, his gaze shifted toward Ponce.
"Wait, me?"
"You changed too. I thought it was strange how interested you suddenly became in him. Just like Escuro, your eyes always seemed to follow him. Seeing the two of you like that, I eventually started thinking that it was time for me to leave the group."
"So that's why you became distant?" I asked.
"That's right."
"Again, why? You've said the group's dynamic changed because of me. But how does that connect to your decision to distance yourself?"
I had already figured it out from his explanation, but I wanted to hear him say it himself. Besides, Ponce wanted to know as well, judging by how attentively she was listening from the side.
"The reason? It's… Ponce and Escuro finally found someone they were interested in. I couldn't just get in the way, could I? That's why I decided to distance myself and give you guys some space."
"Wh—"
"Wait, wait, wait, what are you talking about?!"
Before I could say anything, Ponce jumped in first.
"Are you trying to say I like him?"
Ponce pointed a finger at me while wearing a disgusted expression.
That's rude. I'm right here, you know.
"Don't you?"
"Huh?! No! Why would I like that guy?"
"I thought you did. Like Escuro, you've also spent time alone with Dalino."
"What?! When did that ever happen?"
"Well, hmm… during my birthday, I guess. Although Dalino was the one who initiated it. And then there was the time you two went to the cafeteria together. Ah, but we saw you that time, which made you cancel your plans. Sorry about that."
After saying that, Manzano turned to me and remarked,
"It's good that you're giving Ponce some attention, but don't forget to give some to Escuro too, okay?"
"I'm not even trying to—"
"Aaahhhh, for fuck's sake!"
Ponce cut me off before I could finish.
"Listen here, Manzano. Neither Camille nor I have feelings for him. You've completely misunderstood everything."
"Just a misunderstanding? Then what about those times when the two of you were sneaking away together? Or when you went to the cafeteria?"
"Well, that's…"
"I was just clearing my name," I answered for her.
"Clearing your name?"
"Yep. Remember how suspicious she was of me because of the rumors? I was just setting the record straight."
"Then what about Escuro?"
"Her? I was just asking about the group so I could fit in. Everything you've heard from those rumors is exaggerated."
"Exaggerated, huh? So everything was just a misunderstanding on my part?"
"It's hard to say everything was, but for the most part, yes."
"And I caused everyone so much trouble. Was my consideration really just me being selfish?"
"No. You did what you thought was best for everyone, even at your own expense. That's admirable. However, you just misread the situation. That's what you get wrong."
Everything had become a mess.
One thing led to another like a row of falling dominoes.
Escuro may have been the one who started it, but I was the catalyst that made everything spiral further.
"What now?" Manzano asked.
"Just go back to being yourself. And apologize to the people you made worry."
I directed his gaze toward Ponce.
She was one of the people he owed an apology to.
"Ponce… I'm sorry. I thought you liked Dalino, so I made a selfish decision."
"I'm mad."
Ponce crossed her arms.
"You've been avoiding us for weeks, and then you come out with something as stupid as me having feelings for him. It makes me want to hit you even more."
"I'm really sorry. If it'll make you feel better, I can take a punch."
"No, save that for Camille. She's the one who got hurt the most."
"I will."
After speaking with Ponce, Manzano turned to me next.
"Sorry to you as well."
"No, it's fine. Just make sure to apologize properly to Escuro. Ah, and to Prez too, since she helped organize all of this."
"Okay."
Finally, the matter was resolved.
It's stupid that a misunderstanding caused all of this, but at least it's over now.
It's crazy how my mere presence can disrupt their group. My reputation, those rumors—whenever I try to do something, people immediately judge it and draw their own conclusions. It's ridiculous how absurd people's assumptions can be.
I can't really blame my classmates for thinking that way. If anything, I should blame my past actions.
So should I just accept it?
My reputation has already spread throughout our class, perhaps even to other classes. At this point, it's practically irreversible.
Still, that doesn't mean there's nothing I can do.
What I can control are my future actions. I'll reflect on my past and avoid doing anything that could further damage my image. I'll become an ordinary student—so ordinary that rumors will have nothing to latch onto.
However, can I actually do that?
Hmm…
I'll leave that problem to my future self.
For now, resolving the misunderstanding with Manzano is enough.