The Greatest Supreme

Rin put his right hand on his mouth and let out a breath.

”…Of course, I just woke up, ” he explained.

”Yes, yes, so go now to the bathroom. I have many things to accomplish, so just for now, don talk to me for a moment. ”

He went to the bathroom while scratching the back of his head.

…..

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

I need to focus first on the competition.

I checked the time; it was already 7:06 a.m.

I stretched my arms and snapped my neck. I closed the tab where the article about me was projecting.

Knock. Knock.

I opened the door, and the room service delivered our breakfast.

Then I closed it and immediately went back to my seat. I shut down the laptop, brought some books from my bag, and then studied while eating.

For more than three hours, I immersed myself in reading just to be at least insensible to the things I was worried about.

Ringgg.

The timer I set had already been exhausted.

I stood up and saw Rin playing with his notebook computer.

”Rin, get ready now. We will head out in an hour.

”W-wait, Im not done yet. ”

”Just pause it. ”

”Man, you can pause an online multiplayer game… You talk about such a thing as if youve never played games. ”

”Im just kidding. Just do it quickly. ”

”…Fine. ”

We had this kind of conversation as if nothing had happened. Well, as if it wasn the first time…

I changed into some decent clothes and slicked back my hair.

Rin had already finished his game. He was so tilted after his game, though.

Poor him.

I saw Rin had already changed his clothes; he wore a gray hoodie and some pants.

”Lets go. ”

I nodded.

* * *

I checked the time on my wristwatch; it was 12:27 p.m. I was in the backstage room provided for the contestants. I was alone in this room, and Rin was already in the studio hall.

I kept recalling some information in my head.

Knock.

I stood up and opened the door.

”Hello, Sir. The show will start thirty minutes from now. We need our participants backstage. Thank you. ”

”Sure. ”

Then, I properly tucked in my shirt and pinned my nametag on my chest.

I closed the door and followed the staff.

The crowd noise gradually increased as I got closer to the backstage area. I could not help but feel apprehensive.

…Why do I always feel like this?

Then…

A woman was leaning against the wall as if she was waiting for someone. She was accompanied by a cameraman who was fixing something on his device. The woman was wearing business attire and was holding a microphone.

Hm.

The woman noticed me approaching, so she immediately fixed her posture. She walked toward me, while the cameraman then followed her.

”Good afternoon, Sir Radnier. I am Penelope Cruz, an entertainment journalist from ABC News. Can we have a moment with you? We are making a scope about the competition, and we would like to ask some questions. ”

…This is a good opportunity.

I looked at the staff member and told her to go ahead first. Then, I responded to the journalist, ”Sure, go ahead. ”

The camera rolled, though it wasn live.

”Ah, Sir. You mentioned in your previous interviews that you
e a Filipino-American. You were born in America, then when you were thirteen years old, your family stayed here in the Philippines for three years. Can you tell us more about your experiences in those years? ”

In front of me was the microphone.

I was in deep thoughts for a moment while subconsciously staring at the microphone.

Then I answered while smiling, ”…I guess my experiences inside the three years I spent here hold such indefinite value for me. Nothing in this world could match those experiences. I encountered diverse cultures, especially the food like sinigang, adobo, and kare-kare. I also met quality friends, not that many, but they molded almost the entirety of my happy adolescent years. I haven met them though after all of the years I was gone… ”

Yes, people like a little drama, so I added some.

”We
e glad that you talked about some Filipino food. Now that youve mentioned it, can you name your friends, in case they
e watching… Maybe there is something you want to tell them? ”

”….. ”

Subconsciously, my hand was already gripping. Then it was immediately released.

”Ah, haha. Those people probably don want public exposure, so I rather not say their names. But if there is something I want to tell them… I just wish them happiness, thats all. ”

”Hm, I see. Last question, Sir. When you returned to America, was there something within you that changed? Like homesickness, probably culture shock…? ”

…..

I couldn answer for a moment.

”H-hello Sir? ”

I glanced at my wristwatch.

”Ah, sorry. I have to go now. ”

”W-wait, Si— ”

I immediately went to the comfort room.

.

.

.

Creak.

Haaa.

I controlled my breathing while staring at the big mirror.

I washed my face.

Pssshh.

…I feel better now.

I dried up my wet face. I looked again at the mirror, then… gently smiled.

Haaa. I look so pathetic.

I should go now.

* * *

When I arrived backstage, I witnessed the bustling scenario as the production team acted as if someone had set their world on fire.

Amid that chaotic panorama, my eyes laid on the lady who was sitting on a foldable chair. Her posture was straight, her legs were crossed and slightly angled, and her clasped hands were on her lap.

Is she the other finalist? It seemed like so.

My eyes averted their gaze to the people running back and forth. Then, I returned my sight to the two people.

I carried on walking until the stagehand noticed my presence. He raised his right hand as if he was calling me.

Without turning her head, the ladys almond-shaped eyes coldly stared at me, with quite a strict face, then slowly returned to the stagehand.

…Hmm?

”Sir Radnier, welcome. Oh, as you can tell, shes your final opponent from Italy. ”

As the stagehand introduced her, I looked at her and politely smiled. The lady looked at me and nodded her head once while still maintaining her earlier posture and demeanor.

I could see her now in much clearer detail… I guess Rin wasn exaggerating. The nametag on her chest was visible.

”Oh, Sir Radnier, you may sit here. ” The stagehand invited me while pointing to the vacant foldable chair beside Ms. Arcuri.

I sat on the chair. The stagehand began explaining things to remember and do. In that whole process, Ms. Arcuri didn make a sound, even as a way of agreeing.

Yes, I already saw this coming.

”I need to go now since theres a lot of things happening backstage… Is it okay to leave just the two of you for a moment? ”

I nodded my head, and so did she. At our non-verbal response, he left.

”….. ”

”….. ”

Even though the crowd noise and the busy atmosphere were rampaging here, it felt like a mini-space vacuum emerged just for the two of us. To be precise, it resembled a situation inside the eye of a storm. It was silence amid the turmoil.

”….. ”

In her attitude, she reminded me of someone.

I used my left hand to grab my right wrist, and then my left index finger continuously tapped. I looked at my wristwatch without moving my head, and the time was four minutes before one in the afternoon.

I didn bother to look at her, even just a sideway glance, because it would probably worsen the mood once I did. Well, it didn matter if she wouldn bother to start a conversation; I myself hated small talk, particularly with strangers.

I began recalling some information inside of my head until…

[Welcome to the 6th International College Clash, Individuals Category, Finals!]

Applause. Cheers.

I stood up from my seat and readied myself for entrance. The lady beside me stood up also.

[For our sponsors, thank you so much for…]

My ears became alert as they awaited the cue that would allow me to enter the studio hall.

[And now for our first finalist… lets welcome Zekiel Radnier from the United States of America.]

Applause. Cheers.

As the quiz master introduced me, my feet took their step on the stage. I carried on walking while witnessing the crowded spectacle. A bright smile formed on my face, and I kept eye contact with some audience members. Behind that smile was the anxiety about something I couldn fathom.

…Is it because of the possibility that hey are here?

Or because this is already the finals?

Perhaps because I am worrying that something unexpected might happen?

I was already in front of my assigned podium.

[ We all already know who Zekiel Radnier was, who just recently became an Internet sensation. But for the last time, for buzzer checking, we encourage him to introduce himself. After that, Mr. Zekiel, can you tell us about what you currently feel now that you have reached the finals?]

I nodded at her.

Buzz.

[Hi. Im Zekiel Radnier, twenty-two years old, from the University of A, New York City, currently studying Business. Today will mark the end of the competition, so Im enthusiastic and grateful that Ive come this far. Thank you Philippines for your heartwarming welcome. Mabuhay po kayo.[1]]

Applause.

[Wow, thank you so much, Mr. Radnier. Now, for our second and last finalist… Lets welcome Fia Arcuri from Italy.]

Applause. Cheers.

From there appeared a woman who was approximately the same height as me.

The lights reflected on her sultry eyes, and those eyes pierced the audience. However, despite her intimidating gaze, there was a tight-lipped smile.

She walked with her back and legs straight, as if she was on the runway. Her long, straight hair synchronized with the slight sway of her hips as she walked towards her podium. Undeniably, she was a head-turner.

She sat on her seat and placed her hands on her lap.

[Okay, again, lets welcome Fia Arcuri, another internet buzzworthy…]

…Really?

[So same with our first finalist… Fia, we invite you to introduce yourself for the last time. Afterward, tell us about your current thoughts… now that you
e finally here in the finals.]

She stared at the audience for a moment, and the crowd noise subsided.

Buzz.

And a voice was heard.

[Good afternoon. Im Fia Arcuri, twenty-two years old, from University B, Milan, Italy. Im studying Economics and I also took a Fashion Modeling education. Its fulfilling to be here in front of you and I just hope for the best.]

Hm, I see. She was better than I was firstly impressed. I thought that she was someone who would be monotonous and would answer the question with brevity.

[Thank you, Ms. Fia. Now that our introductions are over, let us explain once again the mechanics of the competition… There will be twenty setter questions. Each setter question has its own category. When answered right, it will correspond to three bonus questions that will fall under the same category as the setter question. Five points are equivalent to every correct answer. In terms of setter questions, you can answer right away even if the question is not read yet fully. The first one to use the buzzer will be the one to answer. Only use the buzzer to answer the setter question. When answered wrong the setter question, the other competitor will have the chance to steal the spotlight.]

I nodded as a way of agreement.

The quiz master continued, [Okay, so thats it. Good luck to both of you. The 6th International College Clash, Individuals Category, Finals now begins.]

Naturally, the crowd noise subsided to its fullest.

Haaa.

[For the first setter question… Category Mythopoeia. Mythopoeia is the act of creating a mythology. The first known use of the word was in 1846. In 1931, the author of the The Lord of the Rings John Tolkien adapted the word as the title of his poem as part of the argument he used in his conversation with Clive Lewis and Hugo Dyson at Magdalen College. The poem was added in the second edition published in 1988 of what book?]

Buzz.

Buzz.