After the ceremony, the Elites headed back to the Elite building. As soon as they entered their headquarter, Stell quickly clung onto Paulo.
"Waaah! What did you eat Paulo? Seriously, I'm a special mention, right?"Stell immediately greeted him. Paulo just shook his head at Stell's behavior and smiled slightly.
But her smile immediately returned when she saw Justin.
He knew that the price of his success would be Justin's misfortune. His father would surely be disappointed again.
"Yes," Paulo said in his mind. The four of them called Justin "Jah" as a term of endearment.
As they looked at each other, Justin just gave her a small smile. She couldn't approach Justin because of Stell's arm that was tied around her.
"Hey Ken! You're crazy! How dare you wear earphones during the ceremony,"Stell snorted and let go of Paulo.
"You're another Josh Cullen! You're a scene too, aren't you? You know something else."I want that spot to come to me voluntarily. "Hah! You're really so arrogant!"he added.
"Your noise,"Ken answered.
"Why? What I did was cool!"Josh said laughing.
This is the true friendship of the Elite Five. In the eyes of most, they are fighting but in reality, they consider each other as brothers. In four years, the five of them are almost the same in life because they are separated from other classes at ALAB University.
"Justin, be quiet. Awww, our youngest. What's bothering you?"Stell's affection and immediately went to Justin's side.
"What else? Of course, that's causing problems for his perfect father!"Ken said irritably.
Justin just shook his head at Ken's words while forcing a smile.
"You really have no control over your mouth, Felip Jhon," Justin said in his mind.
"Okay lang ako. I'm glad that we managed to maintain our spot," Justin said with a wide grin.
"And another thing, weren't you impressed with my acting earlier with Josh? Hahaha!"Justin said laughing and walked over to Josh.
Stell immediately let go of Justin because of what he said. Surprise was evident on her face.
"What?! Was that just acting? Do you know how nervous I was earlier because I thought you were going to step on me?"said Stella.
Everyone just laughed. They were all thinking the same thing because even though Justin was the youngest among them in age, Stell seemed to be the youngest among them because of her mischievousness.
Their banter was interrupted when the TV screen in front of them beeped loudly. A signal that they were about to be given something to do. As the Elite Five, apart from more advanced lessons and training, they also had tasks that were definitely more difficult than regular classes.
"Little one,"That was all Ken could say before Paulo turned on the TV.
"Elite Five, congratulations for maintaining your spot again. Since you are the second batch that managed to reign ALAB University for four consecutive years, we will give you a reward," said ALAB University president President Robin Hood.
President Hood is the only one who knows the true identity of the five. He is close to the five soTatang Robinthe five of them call him when they're just talking to each other.
The five of them looked at each other and knew they were both confused. None of them spoke and just continued listening to President Hood.
"You're probably wondering who the first batch is, right? Ask Mr. Nase, I'm sure he knows them,"President Hood said with a smile and looked at Paulo.
All four of them turned to Paulo at the same time, causing him to sigh.
"My brother and his boyfriend are first batch, they were top 2 and top 1 for four years as well,"Paulo said reluctantly.
"What?!" the four said at the same time.
"I wonder, do you have a brother?" Sejun asked.
"Why don't we know?"Stella said.
"Top 1 ba sya o top 2?"Justin asked.
Paulo's headache grew worse from the three's successive questions. But he was even more shocked by Ken's reaction.
"Does your brother have a boyfriend? Wow, that's awesome. I hope so!"Ken asked.
"Let's listen to Father Robin first,"Paulo was the only answer and they immediately followed.
"I won't drag this out any longer and it looks like you guys will have more to talk about. Just go to the Science Laboratory at 3pm. Don't be late. Okay?"President Hood said.
"Yes, Father Robin," they answered.
When the TV screen went dark, the four immediately surrounded their leader. The four often called Paulo "Leader" because he was now considered the leader of the four.
"Speak, or forever you'll be in silence!" Stell said jokingly while pointing her finger at Paulo.
"Shh, I prefer silence,"Paulo answered them irritably.
Stell just gave him a mean look in return, so Paulo could do nothing but sigh. He knew the four of them wouldn't stop him until he told his story.
"Fine, as I was saying, my brother and his boyfriend are included in what Dad said. My brother was top 1 for four years, like me, while his boyfriend is top 2. And yes Ken, my brother has a boyfriend. Thank you for not judging them."Paul answered.
"Dude, it's 2018. It's normal. I'm jealous,"Ken groaned and frowned. Paulo just shook his head at Ken's words.
"Same Ken. But what happened to them? You're terrible, Paulo. In the four years we've been together, not once have you mentioned that you have a sibling who's in the Elite Five. Tsk!"Josh said.
"You didn't ask. Besides, my brother and I parted ways a long time ago. He's always busy with his shows. I've hardly seen him since he graduated from ALAB University four years ago. We only ever video call,"Paul said.
"That's enough for now. Prof. Hong, Paulo, and Justin gave you an order. I think it was about the medical reports of the five of us,"Josh groaned while pointing at their schedule bulletin board.
The five of them have already passed their medical reports. One of the privileges of the Elite Five is the weekly medical reports, while the regular classes have monthly ones. This is to ensure that their well-being is always good.
"Right, let's leave first,"Justin said while carrying the papers.
As soon as they left the headquarters, Paulo immediately spoke.
"Teka lang Jah,"Paul said.
Justin immediately stopped walking and looked at Paulo. His forehead furrowed as Paulo took half of the papers he was carrying.
"My collection,"Paulo said while carrying a handful of papers.
"Sejun, that's heavy,"Justin said softly.
"Hurry up. I want to sleep,"Paulo answered and ignored what Justin said.
Justin immediately chased after Paulo until he caught up with him.
"Just now someone called me Sejun again. Only my brother calls me that,"Paul said.
"I didn't know about that, Sej-- Paulo," Justin said shyly. He didn't know that that name had sentimental value to Paulo.
He had just seen Paulo's necklace with Sejun on it. Until he got used to calling Paulo Sejun in addition to Pinuno.
"Crazy, it's okay. I'm glad you're calling me like that. It reminds me of the old times with my brother. Since he graduated from ALAB University, I haven't heard that from him,"Paulo's story. His face showed sadness.
"Okay. We'll always be called Sejun instead of Chief," Justin said kindly.
They didn't realize that they were already at the door of the office of Prof. Adelaide Hong, advisor to the Elite Five.
"Good day, Prof. Hong!" They greeted each other as they entered Prof. Hong's office.
"Oh, you're here? You passed late again,"Prof. Hong said with a shake of his head as he looked at the two.
"We're sorry for the delay, Prof. Hong. We just had a hectic week because of the reevaluation," Paul said.
But they both knew that there was only one reason for the reports being late, and that was because of Ken.
"Alright, let's just say that I don't know the real reason why your reports are late, okay? I'll pretend that I believe you John Paulo,"said Prof. Hong.
Paulo only forced a smile in return and secretly hugged Justin.
"Ah, Prof. Hong. The real thing is, my father and I had a personal appointment last week, so I took the medical checkup quite later than the others," said Justin to save John Paulo's rigged alibi.
"It doesn't matter, Justin. The important thing is you've passed it now. But I'm sorry to inform you that starting this week, your medical reports really must be passed on time. Not even a minute late," Prof. Hong said seriously.
The two frowned at what Prof. Hong said.
"Right, you'll be told your reward at 3pm so you don't have any idea yet. To spoil you, your reward has something to do with your innate skills. Thus, I wish you good luck. You can now leave,"said Prof. Hong.
As the two walked back to headquarters, no one said a word to them. It seemed like their hunches were in unison. Their hunches were different.
And it's not something good.
Author's Survey:
What do you think is the reward for the Elite Five?