Castillian #1: Sinner's Formula

"Welcome to the official opening of Casa Universities' 2024 Intramurals!"

She was currently helping set up the booth they were manning by the side of the oval, next to the booths of other colleges. It was just her, Kathryn, and Liza tending to it.

There were a lot of people on the first day—students, staff, and guests from the three Casa Universities. So they were sure to sell a lot today.

"Kikaaaay!"

She jumped in surprise and almost dropped the Tupperware she was holding when Keita suddenly appeared beside her. She set the Tupperware down and smacked him on the head.

"Ouch! Why?!" He asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"Next time you scare me like that, it won't just be just a smack on the head," she warned, rolling her eyes and going back to what she was doing.

"Sorry, I was just really excited about what I'm gonna tell you!"

She frowned and looked at him—his smile was impossibly wide.

"What is it?"

"I got into Castillian! HAHAHA!" He grabbed her by both arms and shook her while laughing.

"NO WAY?!" They all said in unison—their classmates had apparently been listening.

"Yup! I'm just a spare, but still—Castillian! A win is a win!" He bragged.

She shook him back. "That's amazing! When did you try out? Why didn't you tell meeeeee?"

"I went when you told me they were holding tryouts, before the first grading exam. They just released the results now. Three of us from senior high got in as spares," he explained.

"That's great, that's really great." She nodded. Lisa came up behind her and whispered, "Your crush is here."

She quickly turned toward the counter—and Lisa was right. Her crush was there, along with his friend and the Shooting Guard of Castillian. The two were looking at their menu, catching the attention of the girls—and even some of the boys—nearby.

She cleared her throat and fixed her appearance before walking up to the counter.

"Hello, sirs! What would you like to order?"

She asked sweetly, her voice a bit shaky but her smile wide as she kept her gaze locked on Mico.

He was tall. Now that he was right in front of her, she realized she only reached his shoulder. He had a defined jawline, a sharp nose, tanned skin. The veins and muscles in his arms, his Adam's apple, and his long fingers—Diyos mio! She swallowed hard, suddenly thirsty and wanting to fan herself.

"Miss?"

"Hey!" Kathryn nudged her back to reality. "Their order," she whispered.

"Ah! Right, hehe. What's your order, sirs?"

She asked again, glancing at her crush—who was now staring at the open court in front of them.

"Two coffees, miss, plus two orders of kikiam and five siomai," Uno replied.

She quickly grabbed paper cups and filled them with brewed coffee from a thermos, while Liza handled the siomai.

But in her panic, she accidentally knocked over a juice cup sitting on the table where she was placing the coffee. It splashed onto Mico's shirt.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! I'm really sorry!"

She grabbed some tissues and tried to dab at his shirt. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she kept mumbling.

He gently held her wrist to stop her. "It's okay. It's not that wet," he said in a voice that was tender, deep, and cool—it felt like a lullaby. She stared at his face in awe.

When he let go of her wrist, she blinked rapidly.

"Do you need a tray, sir? You can borrow one," Kathryn offered after handing over their order and collecting payment.

"No need. Keita," Uno called to the guy behind them. "Help me with this, please. You carry the rest."

Keita quickly complied.

Scarlet shut her eyes tight and pouted as she grabbed a cloth to clean the juice spill on the table.

Seriously, Scarlet?! Of all moments, you had to show how clumsy you are—in front of your crush?! >.<

---

"She's clumsy," he said.

Uno turned to him. "The one earlier? Why? You hate clumsy girls?"

He frowned. "No. It's just... she's so clumsy."

Uno gave him a strange look, then burst out laughing. "Okay, I get it," he said, sipping his coffee.

He looked at him. "What's so funny?"

"You just seem... very interested in her."

"What are you talking about?" He mumbled, sipping his coffee—then paused as the taste hit him. The juice on his shirt was suddenly forgotten. The coffee wasn't too sweet, nor too bitter. It was almost perfect—just his type.

---

"...And then juice splashed all over her crush's shirt," Kathryn and Lisa were gossiping to their classmates.

"Scarlet, seriously? The one time he notices you, and it had to be like that?" A classmate said with regret.

Scarlet pouted. "Is it my fault he's that good-looking it makes you speechless?"

"Wow. So now it's Mico's fault you're clumsy?"

"Oh come on, his looks are literally—"

"—uterus-exploding!" Liza cut in, clutching her chest dramatically.

"What if it wasn't just juice that splashed, huh?" Kathryn whispered with a giggle.

"Hey!" She shrieked, hitting both of them on the arm. "Shut up! Someone might hear!"

"So what?" Carla chimed in, just arriving. "It's just a crush. On Mico Cein Esguerra! If it were me, I'd thank the Lord even if he stepped on me."

"Hi, I'm Scarlet," she said sarcastically,

"the girl who spilled Tropicana on the King of ViBa. Now accepting bookings for public humiliation gigs—just DM me."

"He's not into you anymore, girl. You didn't match his cool aura," Liza said, munching on fishballs. "You gotta act chill in situations like that."

"Chill? Girl, my knees were doing the Otso Otso the moment our eyes met."