"Hmm."
As Angel walks home, she couldn't help but stare at her own photo.
2x2.
It's usually a picture every single one of us knows all too well—and usually, we forget it ever happened.
Why?
Because a formal pic is cringe—let's face it.
Who the hell ever thought sitting up straight and just... smiling would look aesthetically pleasing?
To most of us, pictures like these are usually just a "let's get it over with" phase.
We didn't really care about the stubborn hair stickin' out.
Or the crooked collar.
Normally, that is how it goes...
However...
"Don't I look way too perfect?"
Angel pouted.
If she looked cute when she does poses—or a mix of cute and sexy...
When she's just sitting, smiling formally, it almost looks like a resting bitch face.
Almost as if she wasn't cute and sexy—but cool and enigmatic instead... It's truly a wonder—because had she been Joseph, she wouldn't give her 2x2 a second glance.
But anyway—before Angel would lose focus and maybe hit a pole—she immediately looked at where she was going... and realized she had found herself in front of her house again.
Angel took a deep breath and smiled brightly.
"I'm homeee!"
Angel shouted with pure joy as she removed her shoes and walked towards the living room with her socks.
"Ah, welcome back, anak. Your medyas, oh."
Angel's mother pointed at her feet and Angel jolted.
"Oh, uh! Right!! Anyway... eto po yung picture ko."
While she took off her socks, Angel gave the 2x2 bundle to her mother.
"Oh?"
Angel looked at her mother—the sudden reaction made Angel very intrigued.
"You look really pretty, hm... nagmana ka talaga sa'kin!"
Angel's mother looked at her and gave her a teasing grin, then slapped her—almost putting her off balance.
"Eeep! Maa!!"
Angel turned red as she scrambled to balance herself.
"Ano nanaman 'yan."
A voice from the back of the house said, before emerging—revealing Angel's father.
"Tingnan mo 'yang anak mo."
Hearing Angel's mother, her father came and sat next to Angel's mother, then peered into the photo.
"Hm... yeah, I guess so."
Angel's father nodded.
"But Angel... haven't you forgotten something?"
At her father's words, Angel suddenly jolted.
Forgotten something? She already contacted her school—no, about to!—for a transfer, that she needs her necessary files and grades... Did she do something wrong?
Angel's pupils shrank in fear.
"I've forgotten something...?"
Angel asked in a small voice.
"All your papers are in Joseph's name... not Angel."
"Ah..."
Hearing her father's words, her mouth couldn't help but open.
「How could I have forgotten?」
Angel thought to herself as she caressed her other arm.
"T-that... I have... I have no clue..."
She said weakly, refusing to make eye contact.
"It's fine... I'm not trying to fight you... I'm just saying—in case you forgot."
Angel's gaze slowly returned to her parents, and saw the gentle gaze they returned back at her...
「Ah... were they always like this?」
There was no disappointment hidden in those eyes—only understanding. Perhaps she had seen this before.
But it had been a long time since she only saw eyes that were gentle and understanding.
"Mhm... I'm sorry."
Angel smiled weakly, scratching her head.
"So, uhm... ano po gagawin natin? I mean... am I going to start school from zero?"
Angel asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Heavens, no! We just need help."
Her mother interrupted, laughing.
"We need a fixer for this."
Angel's eyes then hovered its gaze next to her mother...
A fixer... huh?