When classes finished, I catered to my notebooks and kept them in my briefcase.
I then went to the canteen to have dinner.
The canteen was scarcely filled with students at this time, for it was only around four, nearing five in the afternoon.
I grabbed a tray, and went to the buffet.
The buffet mostly had grub that I did not recognize—which probably meant I wasn’t from around here in my past.
The foods in the heated trays were things I came to recognize for the past two weeks I’ve been in this school.
I wouldn’t say they tasted bad, but I wasn’t used to the flavors of it.
There were chicken and boiled eggs stewed in soy sauce and vinegar, a noodle dish with an orange pork and shrimp gravy, fried pork-filled spring rolls that paired well with sweet chili sauce, garlic rice, flavored chicken shreds, et cetera.
However, I was more interested in one item...
Scanning the trays, my eyes glowed when setting them on a tray of yellow clumps of protein.
Scrambled eggs!
"A serving, please."
Alongside the eggs, I got a cup of garlic rice and a bottle of soy sauce after cracking some black pepper on the eggs. I ignored the salt.
After drizzling some soy sauce, darkening the colors of both the grain and protein, I scooped a portion of the eggs, then some rice, before inserting the spoonful between my lips and into my mouth.
I munched with a satisfied expression.
The unsalted eggs paired beautifully with the umami soy sauce and the rice which was nearly flavorless without the garlic crisps in it made a harmonious result.
With only a few grains and clumps of eggs left on my plate, I was nearly finished and about to leave when...
"Regulus."
A familiar voice reverberated in my ears.
"Basil, like I said, he doesn’t remember jack shit—!"
I turned around and saw Basil in the flesh with Sam, who was holding him back by the shoulder.
Basil forcefully shrugged her touch off. Then, he glared at her.
"Oh, fuck you, Sam. I don’t give a damn if he doesn’t remember. He was with us that night, so he’s involved by now.
"Besides, we need help. He’s our last hope, that’s for sure."
I’ve understood this fact for a while now.
Something happened that night.
What exactly happened?
I recalled the stories and news Jibril told to me as he stitched.
I didn’t recall much but I remember something about a serial killer that targeted...what was it? I forgot. I wasn’t listening and was too busy ignoring the pain of his stitching.
Now that I think about it, my body was lighter and less stiff due to his resewing. I had him to thank for.
"Regulus," said Basil, holding both of my shoulders, in a serious tone.
I was about to respond, but he looked seriously around.
As it was nearly supper, students and staff alike were beginning to crowd.
"Let’s not talk here."
They led me to a remote area in the quadrangle.
The quadrangle was an area surrounded by greenery, a singular orange tree that reminded me of a story about a tall bean sprout, and vine-lined corridors. It was the center of the school.
At one corner, behind the tree that was more than a century old, there was an area that was isolated and where no one, unless chosen to, could be seen.
And, at that moment, I was being interrogated.
Basil’s eyes were panicky and Sam looked to be near tears. He comforted her before turning to me.
"Regulus, you remember me, right? I gave you my whole name at Crook’s last week, didn’t I? That’s why I gave it to you; so you’d remember."
My memories were a blur.
I couldn’t even remember what I had for breakfast.
Was this an aftereffect of amnesia..?
I pointed a finger at him.
"You’re Basilian."
"Basilian..?"
His words were elongated.
"Basilian A Ramos. B-A-R—" "B-A-R!"
Our words went in unison.
"A is for Aquino, by the way," he added. "Thank angels, he remembers."
Sam pursed her lips.
"He remembers you. But does he..."
Her words trailed away.
Basil took a while, but he eventually snapped his fingers in remembrance.
"Oh, yeah. What about Solomon? Solomon Kenley Balt. Has he ever told you his full name?"
Solomon. It was a familiar name, but for some reason, I couldn’t picture him.
Basil saw my confusion as he followed on a description.
"Tall guy, but a midget when compared to me—" Sam smacked his back "—and very, very serious looking. Would never catch a joke, that folk."
Sam pinched his ear.
"How the hell is he supposed to remember him through what you think of him?!"
"Ah, ow, right, ow."
Sam let go, and Basil rubbed on his ear which had turned red from the force.
"Anyways. Around a hundred and eighty centimeters, that folk, and pale skin. Looks like a ghost at times. Always wears either a tuxedo or a barong. Deep, green eyes that are more grey. Black hair that’s always waxed. You get me?"
"...no."
I really didn’t remember.
I was also urging and itching to go back to my dorm by that time. It was nearly six p.m. and I refused to be home any later!
"Ugh," groaned Basil and Sam.
"Have you got a photo?"
I tried to be of help at least.
"That’s the damn thing. Reggie."
Basil said, and his words made the birds in the trees caw and retreat, as he pulled out a photo.
It was the same photo that my advisor had shown me.
A photo of us at the freshmen get-together at. The logo of the bar "Crook’s" and the establishment itself could be seen as the background.
The photo was of me, Basil, Sam, and...
A man who was slightly taller than me, but not any taller than Basil.
He wore dapper clothing. His face, however...
His face was smudged away.
"No one remembers his face."