Hi, everyone! When I said "leave a review", it was supposed to sound obligatory. Oh well, who's stopping you from leaving without reviewing? Not me. By the way, I won't be focusing on Juan with the three boys, cause it's Juan himself we're focusing on. So um.. sorry? For this chapter, no offense, Catholic readers, but according to Jose Rizal's books, he hates the Catholic because of the "activities" that priests do in secret. I have nothing against that religion; it's just for the plot. Anyways, I forgot to mention that for every chapter, Juan grows up a little bit. Seems ridiculous? Well fine, read something else, you picky tit! I'm so sorry, that just sort of came out. Other than that, let the reading commence!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. If I did, the yaoi scenes will be extremely graphic, just because.
Juan's P.O.V.
"Juan!" I heard a voice yell. I turned around, and greeted the two boys. Eh.. young men, to be exact.
"Alejandro, Miguel! You're back!" I smiled. I gulped, and braced myself for a super long chat. I barely noticed Spain and Romano leave, smiling at each other.
"Hehe, you're so short! 9 years have passed, and I expected you to be a young husband. But look at you, you barely changed! What, you're gonna be a kid forever?" Miguel said, muffling my hair.
"So did I! I guess we're your big brothers now?" Alejandro said, grinding his knuckles on my head.
"I missed you too..!" I mumbled. "So why did you move back?" I added.
"Well, dad thought that living here is cheaper." Alejandro said, dictating it slowly as if talking to a child.
"Yeah, and we sort of felt homesick. I guess it's hard not to miss your cute little face?" Miguel teasingly said whilst pinching my cheek. Alejandro giggled, and began pinching me too.
"C-cut that out!" I blushed, slapping their hands away. They both laughed, and I felt my face turn as red as a tomato.
"Hey, where's Jose, by the way? I didn't see him at today's mass!" Alejandro asks.
"He and his family never attends mass." Miguel reminded his brother.
"Let's visit him!" I said. They both nodded. If I remembered correctly, Jose's house is behind the church.
When we got there, I knocked on the door. Jose's mother, Teodora, answered the door.
"Who is- ah, it's you. Come in." she said in a hushed tone. She seated us on a wooden chair big enough for ten people.
"Looking for Jose?" she said, without looking at me. "And who are the other boys?" she added.
"Ah, yes, we're looking for Jose. And these are Alejandro and Miguel. They've.. certainly grown, yeah?" I casually said.
"Oh yes, I remember you! Time passes so quickly, it's as if a small seed grows into a great Narra tree!" she smiled at herself. "As for you, Carlos, you're like those trees that grows in small pots. Miniature trees; they're very cute, in my opinion." she laughed, and slapped my back playfully. A little too hard. I forced a giggle. The brothers laughed as well.
"Um, about Jose?" Miguel asked.
"Oh, he went overseas yesterday!" she said. We gasped in shock.
"B-but he didn't even say goodbye!" I stuttered.
"About that, he asked me to give you this letter." she said. She gave it to me, and I decided to read it out loud.
"Dear Juan. I'm sorry I left without telling you. I'm just gonna explore a bit, you know? Travel the world, meet new people, learn different languages, the likes! I promise to go back as soon as I can. Yes, I'll be careful. Should Miguel and Alejandro return, tell them everything. From the day they left up until today. And also that I said hi. Again, sorry for leaving so suddenly. I hope you grow taller when I come back, too! Just kidding. Yours truly, Jose Rizal." I cleared my throat. "Everything, huh? Miguel, Alejandro, here's what happened when you were gone."
"Thanks for the meal!" we said in unison.
"No problem, boys. What else can I do for you?" Jose's mother asked.
"Is it okay if we sleep here for tonight?" I asked.
"Of course, after all, we have a lot of spare rooms. Would it be fine for you to sleep in just one room, so you can continue your chat?" she asks.
"That's fine, after all, I do have a lot more to tell them. Can we get the room closest to the church?" I asked. Teodora went pale.
"Are you sure?" she asked. I nodded, and smiled. She led us to the room, reminding us to "keep quiet". When she was gone, there was an awkward silence in the room.
"Have you guys ever wondered why Jose and his family never attends mass?" I said, breaking the silence. The two boys shook their head. I opened the window, and gestured for them to look.
What we saw was just a pinch of the real thing. A woman was being raped by the priest, while her husband was tied up to witness the cruel act. When the priest finished, he stabbed her to death. As for the widowed husband, he knocked him out with a mace. The priest carried both of them, and buried them both in a deep hole on the soil which seemed as if someone else prepared it for him. When they were buried, he muttered a little prayer, sprinkled some holy water on the spot the poor couple was buried on, and left as if nothing had happened. I immediately closed the window, and went to the bed. The brothers were still in shock at what they saw. Soon, they went to the bed as well, and slept. Was it a good thing to show them what happened?
"Thank you for everything, ma'am." I said.
"Stop by some other time. After all, with me being alone at home every day, it's getting kind of boring." Jose's mother smiled.
"We promise to visit everyday." Miguel said. Teodora patted her hand on our shoulders reassuringly, then went back her house.
I tried my best not to mention what happened last night. What would you feel if you saw your parents get murdered by your most trusted person? I didn't want to remind them further of their loss. I myself didn't expect to see their parents there. Now that they're orphaned, I should help them as much as I can.
"Bye, Juan." they said, when we reached the entrance of Intramuros.
"Good bye. And.. I'm sorry." my voice trailed off. They gave me a weary smile, and went their way. I walked home as well, and Spain was waiting for me.
"Oh, you're back! Romano is worrying his ass off, you know. He even said that your two friends were pedophiles." Spain said, as we walked.
"Woah, really? Man, he's such a worrywart!" I replied.
"Don't I know it." Spain mumbled.
I sighed. How long do I have to pretend that I don't know anything?
And that is chapter three! I'm sorry if it was a bit boring, though. I promise, things will get more exciting in the later chapters. Leave a review, yeah? Bye!