Chapter 11: Survival of the Fittest

It's been nine months since I left the Monkey Room. I get to talk to my friend Allan from time to time and check on the situation in the room. He keeps me posted at all times, he also informed me about the activities of DareDevil. Stalking is real!

I've learned that once in a while visited our room using a different username to hide from us. For what reason? I don't know, maybe to check out our group's strategy, get information from our team, and use it against us in the next tournament. It is common to have a spy from each group and deploy them to different rooms to gather information. If only I knew what username he is using, at least I get to talk to him for just a short while.

In the Dragon room...

Start of private message conversation:

Sensei: Get ready, I registered you in a tournament this coming Saturday.

LOLLIPOP: Tournament?

Sensei: CASINO ROYALE is organizing two tournaments every year. One is the GGC and the other one is being held before summer. If you noticed each room was named after the zodiac animals. It's the game where the best animal reigns supreme. They call that event the "Survival of the fittest".

LOLLIPOP: And you want me to compete in the tournament?

Sensei: I want to test your skills and to know how far did you go from your training.

LOLLIPOP: Do you think I'm ready?

Sensei: I've taught you everything you need to know. From basic to advanced and it's all up to you on how you will apply all the things you've learned from your training. Besides, DareDevil will be competing. Don't you want to see him?

Biglang nabuhay ang aking diwa. Kung kanina ay tinatamad at inaantok pa ako, ngayon daig ko pa ang namapak ng isang kutsang kapeng barako. Pangalan lang pala niya ang magpapagising sa aking sistema.

LOLLIPOP: Really? Count me in!

Sensei: Tsk! You're already registered! You really don't know how to pay attention!

LOLLIPOP: Serrey! By the way, how did the game works? Is it the same as the GGC?

Sensei: It's like a battle royale or in wrestling they called it the royal rumble. All players will play at the same time. The game will be conducted all at once. Unlike the GCC this event will only take one whole day.

LOLLIPOP: Really, how? Please, tell me more.

Sensei: It will be held in a very big hall. There are thirty-six tables with twelve players on each table representing each room, the zodiac animals. Whoever wins in that table will now proceed to the next level of event where all the winners will now play in four tables consist of nine players. Whoever wins in that level will now fight on two tables with two players each and finally, the winner from the two tables will now face each other in a one on one game.

Medyo natagalan ako mag isip at abala ako mag divide-divide sa daming numerong binanggit ni Sensei. Bakit ba ako nag alangan pa eh tama naman ang bilang niya. May trust issue lang siguro ako. Ganito pala ang battle royale, mas mabilis nga naman matatapos ang laban kung sabay-sabay maglalaro ang mga manlalaro.

LOLLIPOP: I understand. Sensei, I need to go and prepare myself for the tournament.

End of private message conversation:

Halos hindi ako makatulog nang gabing iyon. Ngayon pa lang ay kinakabahan na kaagad ako sa nanalapit na laban. Iyong pakiramdam mo nata-tae ka pero hindi pa lang. Sa totoo lang sabog na ako sa pinagbabawal na utot. Kinakabagan na kasi ako sa sobrang kaba. Hindi na rin ako makakain nang maayos. Kung dati ay nakaka-tatlong extra rice ako, ngayon ay two and a half na extra rice na lang. Hirap talaga kapag nawalan ng gana. Pakiramdam ko tuloy nabawasan ako ng timbang.

Ilang araw din akong balisa at hindi mapakali hanggang sa wakas ay dumating na rin ang takdang panahon. Ang pinaka inaabangang laro. Ang Suvival of the fittest tournamanet!

We arrived in the same place where we had the GGC. But this time it's a one-day event only. We won't be needing any room. Just a locker is enough to hide or our valuables. We all gather at the bulletin board to see our designated table and who are we competing with.

I was assigned on table thirteen, together with the average level players. The elimination round was a no-brainer for me, all thanks to the intensive training of Sensei. I find it easy to pass the first round. I waited for my turn on the next round in the resting area.

Sensei was assigned together with DareDevil, but I didn't get to see him play since I was busy with my own battle. I don't need any distractions at the moment. My goal is to get to the finals. I know for sure, Yujin will be there.

As expected Yujin won against Sensei and made it to the next round. While waiting in the resting area, I saw some of my old team members and friends. Sa sobrang sabik sa isa't isa ay hindi namin maiwasan ang mag iyakan at magyakapan sa tuwa. Akala ko talaga nakalimot na sila, pero hindi pala. Sobrang dami naming napagkwentuhan at napag-chismisan. Sobrang na-miss ko sila.

Lumabas ako saglit sa resting area para pumunta sa banyo nang makita ko si Sensei at Yujin na nag uusap. Dahil legit na chismosa ako ay medyo napakinggan ko ang kanilang pag uusap nang hindi nila ako napapansin. Hindi ko lang nababanggit pa pero may lahing ninja rin kasi ako, magaling magtago sa ngalan ng chismis.

"You beat me again! Congrats!" Sensei cheerfully said. He's such a good sport. Kahit kailan ay hindi ko siya nakitaan nang pagkadismaya. Hindi rin siya bitter tulad ng iba diyan.

"Only because you're not taking the game seriously," he replied.

"Well, what can I say? I only came here to have fun!" Sensei smiled at him. "Did you know that Me'ann is here?"

Biglang naging seryoso ang mukha ni Yujin at lumapit kay Sensie. "I'm going to take back what's rightfully mine!"

"Wait a minute, I'm not the enemy here. Please calm down," mahinahong sinabi ni Sensei sabay tapik sa balikat ni Yujin.

Hindi na nagsalita pang muli si Yujin at mabilis itong naglakad papalayo kay Sensei.

Gusto ko sana magtanong kay Sensei kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Yujin kanina, ngunit tinatawag na ako ng kalikasan kaya nagmadali na akong pumunta sa banyo.

After a few minutes, all participants were called for the next round. I feel more anxious and agitated. I just can't wait to start the next round. I 'm not afraid nor nervous, but the anticipation is killing me.

Is this how a gambler feels in each and every game? I never felt so alive and excited at the same time. I can't tell whether it's for the sake of playing the game or because this is the moment I've been waiting for so long. To finally see DareDevil once again.

There are only four tables left in the next round and tables were placed in every four corners of the big room. I can see the people watching us, sitting from the benches and the players from each table. I was about to look for Yujin in the adjacent table, but Sensei called out to me and scream.

"Me'ann, stay focused!" He's giving me a hand sign, telling me to set aside my feelings. I decided not to look at other players and concentrate on the nine players in my table.

It took the game longer than I expected. At first, I was a little uneasy. I kept thinking to myself that the person on the other side was Yujin. He's so near and yet so far. I wanted to see him so badly, but at the same time, I need to think about the game.

As the game progress, I was able to get my mojo back. I am more relaxed, focused, and strategic on my moves. I tried to be more careful in every fold and call I made.

Sa sobrang pokus ko sa laro ay hindi ko na namalayan na naghihiyawan at palakpakan ang mga ka-miyembro ko sa Dragon pati na rin sa Monkey room. I did not even noticed that daredevil was watching and standing just beside me, observing my moves and how I played the game. I was too fixated with the game. A few minutes have passed and the game was concluded I was victorious and will proceed to the semis.

Nalaman ko na lang ang lahat nang matapos ang laro. Nang lumingon ako sa aking likuran si Yujin agad ang unang bumungad. Bigla bumilis ang pintig at lumakas ng tibok nang aking puso, at ako ay kinabahan. Mas kinabahan pa ako ng makita ko siya kaysa noong naglalaro ako sa laban. Hiya ako eh, Tyet ang landede!

I was startled at first that I froze for about five seconds or more, I just snap out of it when he greeted me.

"You did well. I can see you've improved a lot."

"Thanks, I learn it from the best. By the way, did you made it to the next round?" I casually ask. Kunwari pormal-pormalan lang para hindi halatang kinikilig.

"I did," he immediately replied.

"Good, make sure you'll make it to the finals. I'll be the one to beat you!"

He smiled and said, "that was supposed to be my line..."

"Well, I said it first. See you there!"

I turn around and walk away, but then, he calls my attention...

"How have you been doing?"

"Surviving," tipid ang sagot ko sa kaniya.

He walks closer to me and said, "Did you ever missed me?" He looked straight into my eyes. " I miss you," he softly whispered.

"Likewise," I replied.

After that, I walked away and never look back. Deep in my heart, I was so happy to hear him say those words. For the first time, he shows his emotion. At that very moment, all I wanted to do is to hug him tight, but I can't. I will never let my guard down.

There's no way I will fall from that old trick. He clearly knows my weakness. He knew all along that I liked him since I confessed to him before I left the Monkey Room.

As I walked away. I can feel that he was still looking at me. I was about to turn around when Sensei held my hand and put his arm around me.

"Don't lose your focus. Remember the reason why you're here," he whispered. We both left the game room and went out for lunch.

It was indeed a survival of the fittest. I nearly made it through the next round. Most of all the struggle real! I almost give in to DareDevils charm.