A/N: Photo credits to SB19 Sejun Fan Page.
It's been two weeks since the intense training of the ALAB Elites started. Every elite had to adjust with the new teaching methods and lessons. However, to John Paulo's eyes, this intense training is insanely hard for a normal person. If they were normal students of ALAB University, they could have fainted or get hospitalized with the intense training they are going through.
Thus, Paulo's mind has been restless ever since. The other elites tried to ask him but he can't utter about uncertainty. It will only make the elites anxious.
Aside from the training, Paulo also noticed that something about Justin is strange. He seems more distant than before. He couldn't decipher why, but they began to drift apart than before.
"Huy! Paulo! Kanina pa kita tinatanong!" Stell said while waving his hand in front of Paulo.
Doon lang bumalik sa ulirat si Paulo. Nagliligpit na sila ng gamit dahil kakatapos lang ng training nila.
"I'm sorry, Stell. What were you saying?" tanong nya.
"Sabi ko kung saan mo gusto gumala? First rest day natin bukas. Grabe! Miss ko na ang outside world!" Stell whined.
"Kahit saan, okay lang sakin," sagot ni Paulo.
Habang nag-uusap ang ibang miyembro ay hindi maiwasan ni Paulo na mapatingin kay Justin na kasalukuyang naglalaro ng Pacify sa computer.
Napakunot ang noo nya dahil sa apat na taong pinagsamahan nila ay ngayon nya lang nakita na naglaro ito ng horror game. Magugulatin kasi si Justin at ayaw sa dugo at violence.
"Justin, kailan ka pa nahilig sa horror games?" agad na tanong ni Paulo na nakakuha ng atensyon ng lahat.
Nilingon lang sya ni Justin nang may malamig na tingin at saka tumutok ulit sa computer na labis na ikinagulat ni Paulo. Kahit kailan ay hindi nagagawa ni Justin ang mangdedma lalo na kapag tinatanong.
"Ah, Paulo. Tinuruan ko si Justin. Wala daw kasi siyang magawa nitong nakaraan kaya tinuruan ko sya nyan. Buti nagustuhan nya. Hahaha!" paliwanag ni Josh kay Paulo ngunit hindi pa rin sya kumbinsido.
"Uy Paulo, wag mo kalimutang ipasa yung medical reports natin ngayon ah. Ayoko maparusahan kasi gusto kong maenjoy yung rest day ko!" sabi ni Stell.
Biglang nabuhayan si Paulo sa sinabi ni Stell. Tama. Kailangan niyang makita ang medical records. Imposibleng walang kakaibang makita doon lalo pa't puspusan ang training nila.
Ngayon lang siya magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na suriin yung records dahil jam-packed ang schedule nila palagi.
Agad na tumungo si Paulo sa kwarto nya dala-dala ang mga records. Alas-kwatro na ng hapon at alas-singko ang deadline ng reports kaya wala syang dapat aksayahin na oras.
Una nyang nakita ang record ni Josh, tapos kay Ken, Stell, Justin, at ang sa kanya.
Pero wala syang nakitang kakaiba. Yung vitals nilang lahat ay normal.
Ang tanging nakita nya lang na bago ay may mga nadagdag sa profiles nilang lima.
Felip Jhon Suson, also known as Ken, standing 168cm, weighing 127lbs, has exceptional dancing skills with utmost versatility in speed and beat of the song. In the speed dance challenge, he successfully danced on-point at 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.5x, 2x, 4x, 6x, and 8x random speed dance challenge.
Josh Cullen Santos, also known as Josh, standing 167cm, weighing 121lbs, has excellent memory skills and can memorize rap lyrics at one glance, and can rap for 10 minutes with minimal breathing.
Stellvester Ajero, also known as Stell, standing 170cm, weighing 132lbs, has wide vocal range, making it easier for him to imitate voices after hearing the voice for 30 seconds.
Justin De Dios, also known as Justin, standing 173cm, weighing 130lbs, has hypnotizing voice that can make people fall asleep after 20 seconds. However, during the intensed training, Justin has also shown his skills in controlling the emotion of a person with his singing.
John Paulo Nase, also known as Paulo, standing 172cm, weighing 127lbs, can perfectly in sync his voice and movements into the most accurate notes and beats due to his sensitive hearing.
Upon reading these details, Paulo started to shake as he discovered that each of the members has capabilities that is beyond a normal human has.
But what really piqued his interest in Justin's sudden shifting not only with his personality but also with his capabilities ever since the intense training. As far as he can remember, Justin's ability is a lullaby voice, which can make people fall asleep in seven seconds.
"Did Justin's ability downgraded?" Paulo asked to himself subconsciously.
Paulo tried to remember ever bits of memories he had with Justin but he can't decipher when and why did he suddenly change.
Except...
"Justin has never called me Sejun ever since the intensed training started. But he clearly told me before that he will call me Sejun more oftenly," Paulo thought.
But he has no memories of him and Justin fighting that can result the distant relationship between them.
While in deep thoughts, Paulo's phone suddenly rang.
Kuya Josue calling...
He put the papers aside and answered the call.
"Kuya, napatawag ka?" Paulo asked.
"Mom wants to know if you'll go home tomorrow for your rest day," Josue said.
Gustuhin mang umuwi ni Paulo ay hectic pa ang sitwasyon, lalo pa't may mga kailangan pa siyang alamin sa lagay ni Justin.
"Come to think of it. Kuya Josue has never called me Sejun and became distant with me either. Like how Justin is acting right now," Paulo thought.
"Paulo, are you still there?" Josue asked that made Paulo snapped out of his mind.
"I have to confirm my suspicion," Paulo firmly said in his mind.
"Kuya, do you know a guy named Sejun?" Paulo asked nervously.
At the back of his mind, he is praying that his suspicion is wrong. That his brother and Justin are just having a sudden personality change.
"Sejun? I don't know him, Paulo. Should I know who's that person?" Josue answered that shattered Paulo's mind.
---
"Kuya Josue, if I become a performer, what do you think should be my screen name?" the 15-year old Paulo asked to his older brother, Josue.
"Hmm...screen name huh? Well, think something unique but doesn't go far away from your real name, Paulo," Josue said with a smile.
"I can't think of any, Kuya," Paulo said.
"Let's see...John Paulo Nase. JP? Nah, too common. Paulo is too obvious and plain, lalo na yung John. Nase, John. Nase...John. Se...John..." Josue thought loudly, while beside him is Paulo who was waiting for his answer.
"Aha! Sejun! Yes, Paulo! Sejun suits you very well!" Josue exclaimed.
---
"Paulo, hello? Was the call interrupted? You are not answering me," Josue asked to Paulo who was drowned in thoughts already.
"How can you forget the name you gave to me, Kuya Josue?" Paulo thought.
"Yes, Kuya. Tell Mom that I won't go home tomorrow. I have some things to finish in school," Paulo plainly answered to hid his confusion.
"Okay, take care. Bye," Josue said and ended the call.
Paulo's hands weakened, making him drop the phone in his hand. He is too shocked with what he just witnessed.
"Is Kuya Josue that I spoke to just now...really my older brother? Or was he..." Paulo couldn't continue his words.
"What did the ALAB University do to my brother?" Paulo asked to himself.
Author's Survey:
Any guess about the future?