Present Day

Yani scratched the back of his head—embarrassed from the childhood story. “So yeah… That happened. And I guess somehow, it affected me to not know how to make friends. After all, I randomly blurt out things that creep them out no matter how hard I try to seem normal and approachable.”

Kris nodded in understanding. So that’s the reason why he just… lets me be an asshole without fighting back. Gosh, I kind of feel bad now. “But still, just because others were hurt, doesn’t mean they have the right to hurt you back.”

A pause.

“But if I do, they’d just hurt worse than they already do.”

Kris exhaled. You’re too pure for your own good, and you don’t even realize it. “You’re almost six foot tall, work out like you said, and have magic powers or whatever. Use your gifts, Yani. There’s nothing wrong with protecting yourself.”

Yani chuckled, “I guess that’s true.”

Kris was about to move on to another topic, but he decided to leave on a note, “To add, just because you’re different doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve any friends.” He bashfully looked at Yani—almost self inserting. “You don’t have to conform with what’s normal.” He gripped on his red patadyong skirt and played with his beaded bracelets. “You just need to find the right people… who would accept you-”

Kris’s cheeks reddened, and he looked away. “I mean, you’re like a goth or something, right? That’s your whole subculture!”

A pause.

Yani began chuckling—finding the latter adorable with his own way of comforting. “Thank you, Kris… It meant a lot.” He didn’t tease or address the latter’s awkwardness and blush. He knew that Kris wouldn’t want that to be put into topic.

Kris was grateful for Yani’s purposeful ignorance. Hence, he cleared his throat to begin a new topic. “So… your sixth sense.”

“What about it?”

“I don’t think it’s simply a sixth sense… It’s more than that. The spirits gifted you with something precious.”

Yani nodded, and stared at his hand.

“You should name it.”

“What?”

“Your power, I mean. Just like my skill is called bugaw since it drives away malevolence, you should name your skill.”

Yani placed his fingers on his chin to think. “I mean, it’s just like the sixth sense but more… special, I guess? Maybe a seventh sense?”

“Seventh sense? How creative.”

“Tsk. There you go again with the judgement. Anyway, I’m sticking to this.”

“Suit yourself.”

Kris stood up and roamed around the small space. On a corner, he found a shelf filled with dry herbs and potion bottles. Hm, impressive. Then, he spotted some waxed shot bottled on a desk—seemingly a curse. Wait, hold on… “Is this the herpes spell?!”

Yani ran in front of Kris, hiding his bottles. “It’s one of my best sellers, ok?! Again, it’s temporary!”

“Seriously, Yani. You’re going to cause an outbreak with one wrong move!”

“I mastered this already, ok?”

“Out of all the spells to master!”

“Again, it’s a best seller.”

Kris held his forehead from stress—shaking his head. “This is so unorthodox. The Baylanes would never approve of it.”

“What’s a Baylanes?”

“None of your concern.”