CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER SIX:

The night slipped away faster than any of them expected.

One moment, they were laughing over dinner. Next, they found themselves wandering through the quiet streets of Tagaytay with paper cups of coffee in their hands and absolutely no plans of heading home anytime soon.

At two in the morning, Tagaytay had a different kind of charm.

The usual crowd had thinned, leaving only a handful of late-night diners, convenience stores that never seemed to close, and food stalls still serving steaming bulalo and sizzling street food. The cool breeze carried the scent of roasted coffee beans through the air, making every breath feel lighter.

For once...

None of them had to think about training.

No school.

No pressure.

No expectations.

Tonight, they were simply three friends making the most of the last few days before classes officially started.

"Bro, dito ka."

Before Audrae could even react—

Click.

The camera flash went off.

She immediately squinted at the sudden brightness before turning toward Elijah, who was already grinning while checking the photos on his phone.

"Elijah!"

Click.

Another one.

"Isa pa."

Click.

"Bro!"

"Natural lang!" Elijah defended between laughs. "Mas maganda kapag candid."

Audrae narrowed her eyes and walked straight toward him.

"Patingin nga."

"Ayaw."

"Elijah Wayne Quinto."

"Still no."

She reached for his phone, but Elijah effortlessly lifted it above his head, taking full advantage of the height difference between them.

"Grabe ka naman."

"Short problem."

"Excuse me?"

Aaron, who had been watching everything unfold, immediately burst into laughter.

"Bahala ka diyan, Aud. Hindi mo talaga maaabot 'yan."

Audrae shot him a betrayed look."Kampi ka pa?"

Aaron only raised both hands innocently."Neutral observer lang ako."

Elijah finally lowered his phone just enough for Audrae to snatch it from his hands.

She quickly swiped through the photos.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

...

She frowned."...Ang pangit."

Elijah looked at her in disbelief.

Then to the pictures.

Then back at her."Pangit?Bro, ikaw lang ata ang may problema sa mata."

Aaron leaned closer to peek at the screen.

His eyebrows lifted.

"Actually...Ang ganda nga."Audrae stared at him.

"Talaga?"

"Oo."

"Mukha kang album cover."

She rolled her eyes, trying her best not to smile."OA."

Elijah quickly grabbed his phone back."Exactly."

Before she could stop him—He uploaded one of the candid photos to his I*******m Story.

Audrae's eyes widened."Elijah!"

"Too late."He proudly turned the screen toward her.

The photo captured her standing quietly by the railing overlooking the city.

Her long hair swayed gently with the wind.

She wasn't smiling, she wasn't posing, she wasn't even looking at the camera.She was simply admiring the sea of city lights below.

It looked...

Peaceful.

Natural.

Very...

Her.

The caption read:

POV: Pagod sa buhay pero maganda pa rin.

Aaron laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink."Ang kapal mo talaga."

Audrae lightly slapped Elijah's arm."Delete mo."

"No."

"Delete."

"Still no."

She sighed dramatically."Bahala ka."

Elijah casually slipped his phone back into his pocket with the biggest grin on his face.

"Thank you."

After another thirty minutes of aimlessly wandering around Tagaytay, the cold breeze finally convinced them to find somewhere warmer.

A cozy café overlooking the city immediately caught Elijah's attention.

"Dito tayo."

"Coffee?" Aaron asked.

Audrae laughed."When is it not coffee?"

Elijah dramatically pointed toward the counter."My treat."

Audrae raised an eyebrow."Wow."

Aaron chuckled."Mayaman."

Elijah proudly placed a hand over his chest."I know."

Neither of them argued.

Because everyone already knew Elijah was going to pay no matter what they said.

A few minutes later, he returned, balancing three cups in his hands.

"One iced latte."

He carefully placed it in front of Audrae."One Spanish latte."

Aaron immediately reached for his drink."And one Americano."

Elijah finally settled into his seat with a satisfied sigh.

"Perfect."

For a while...

None of them spoke.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It was comfortable.

From where they were sitting, the city looked almost unreal.Tiny headlights crawled along distant highways.

Buildings glowed beneath the dark sky.

Somewhere below...Life continued moving.

Yet from where they sat, everything felt still.

Elijah took a slow sip of his coffee before glancing toward Audrae.She hadn't taken her eyes off the view.

A small smile rested on her lips.

Soft.

Unforced.

Peaceful.

"You really love city lights, don't you?"

Audrae nodded without looking away."Yeah."She rested both hands around her warm cup."I don't know...They make everything feel..."

She searched for the right words."Smaller."

Aaron tilted his head."Smaller?"

She smiled faintly."The problems."Her eyes remained fixed on the glittering skyline."Kapag tinitingnan mo lahat from here..."

She paused."parang ang liit lang ng mundo."Another gentle breeze brushed against her face.

Neither Elijah nor Aaron answered.

Instead—

Click.

Audrae immediately sighed."...Seriously?"

Elijah lowered his phone with a satisfied grin."This one's staying with me."

He looked down at the picture.

No filters.

No posing.

No fake smiles.

Just Audrae quietly appreciating the view.

Somehow, he liked those photos the most.

A second later—Her phone vibrated.

She unlocked it.

Elijah

Photo

The same candid picture appeared in their chat.

Another message followed almost instantly.

Elijah: Nasa hometown lang si Matt. Uuwi rin 'yon.

Audrae slowly lifted her eyes toward him.

".Ano connect?"

Elijah innocently shrugged."Wala."

Aaron snorted into his coffee."Sinungaling."

"President ng MattDrae fan club 'yan."

Elijah immediately looked offended."Excuse me."

"Supportive friend lang ako, bridge ako."

Audrae laughed."Bridge?"She shook her head."Pakialamero."

Aaron nearly choked on his drink from laughing."Mas bagay."

Elijah proudly pointed at himself."History will remember me."

Audrae folded her arms."As?"

He flashed a confident grin."The greatest wingman of all time."

Audrae didn't even hesitate."The greatest chismoso of all time."

Aaron clapped once."May winner na."

The three of them burst into laughter.The sound blended with the soft music playing inside the café and the distant hum of passing cars.

For a little while...

There were no cameras.

No basketball, no expectations.

Just three friends enjoying the quiet before life became busy again.

By the time they finally decided to leave Tagaytay, it was already a little past two in the morning.The roads were nearly empty.

Streetlights stretched endlessly along the highway as they made their way back to Manila.

They dropped Aaron off first.

He grabbed his backpack before opening the door."Text kayo pag nakauwi na." Aaron said.

"Sige."

"Drive safe." Aaron added.

"Ikaw rin."

As soon as Aaron disappeared inside his gate, Audrae slid into the driver's seat while Elijah settled comfortably in the passenger seat.

She adjusted the mirrors before fastening her seatbelt.

"Ako muna."

Elijah nodded."Kapag nangalay ka, palit tayo."

"Deal."

Barely two minutes into the drive...Elijah suddenly straightened in his seat.

A mischievous grin slowly spread across his face.

"Bro..."

Audrae didn't even spare him a glance."Ano na naman?"

He lifted his phone."Live si Kenji."

She kept her eyes on the road."Good for him."

Elijah tapped the screen anyway."Sasali ako."

Audrae simply sighed."...Bahala ka."

A few seconds later—

Kenji's familiar voice echoed through the car speakers.

"What's up, bro?"

Elijah greeted with a grin as Kenji's face appeared on the screen.

The livestream had already pulled in thousands of viewers despite it being almost three in the morning. Hearts floated endlessly across the screen while comments flew by so fast they were impossible to read.

Kenji was sitting on a balcony overlooking the city, dressed in a plain black hoodie and a black cap worn backward. The dim lighting made him look calmer than usual.

"Nasaan na kayo?" Kenji asked.

"Kakadrop lang namin kay Aaron," Elijah replied. "Pauwi na kami."

"Tagaytay?"

"Yeah. Nag-food trip lang."

Kenji gave a small nod before his gaze shifted somewhere off-screen.

Then—"Si Audrae ba nagda-drive?"

Before Elijah could answer, I spoke without taking my eyes off the road.

"Please don't point the phone at me."

Elijah laughed."Narinig mo 'yon?"

"Malamang."

He lowered the phone slightly."Oo, bro. Siya nagda-drive, feeling niya kasi mamamatay ako sa hangover."

I glanced at him for a second."Feeling?Kanina nga halos hindi ka makatayo."

"Recovered na ako." Elijah said "Temporary lang."

Kenji let out a quiet laugh.

It wasn't loud.

Just enough for me to hear through the speakers.

"Trusted mo naman driving skills niya?" Kenji asked.

"More than mine," Elijah answered without hesitation."Kapag si Aud nagda-drive, tulog lang ako."

I shook my head."Grabe ka naman."

"Totoo naman."

"I value my life."

I rolled my eyes, earning another laugh from both of them.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Elijah reading the comments.

His grin grew even wider.

"Bro..."Kenji chuckled."'Driver Princess' ka raw." He laughed.

I sighed.

"Ang dami talaga nilang time."

Kenji smiled faintly."Hayaan mo na."

"Masaya lang sila."

"They'll forget about it tomorrow."

"I doubt it," I muttered under my breath.

The conversation naturally shifted.

Training.

Classes.

Moving into the dorm.

Random basketball stories.

Mostly Elijah kept the conversation alive while Kenji chimed in every now and then.

"Next week siguro makakalipat na ako," Kenji said."May inaayos na lang."

"Ayos!" Elijah replied."Bonding na tayo ng Blue Eagles."

Kenji nodded."Sure."

A short silence followed before he casually added—

"Sama ka rin, Audrae."

I kept my eyes on the highway.

Before I could answer—

Elijah beat me to it."Good luck, bro..Hindi umiinom 'yan."

Kenji tilted his head."Hindi?"

"Matcha lang ang bisyo niyan." Elijah said.

I clicked my tongue."OA."

"Tatlong Match minimum kada araw."

"Exaggerated."

"Am I lying?"

I stayed quiet. Because it's real tho.

Elijah immediately pointed at me."See?Silence means yes."

I sighed."Ang kulit mo."

Kenji rested his elbow on the table in front of him before smiling.

"Matcha's good...Pwede na 'yon."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

This guy...

A few minutes passed.

The expressway stretched endlessly ahead while the radio played quietly in the background.

For a while...I almost forgot they were still on live.

Until—

"Aud."

I hummed."Hmm?"

"Kilala mo si Sophia Cortez?"

I frowned."Sophia?"

Elijah nodded."Volleyball player."

Recognition flashed across my face.

"Ah, yung maputi?" I asked.

"Yeah."

Without missing a beat, I answered—"Crush niya." I said at tinuro si Elijah.

Silence.

Then—

"HOY!"Elijah nearly dropped his phone."Fake news!"

I couldn't help laughing."Bakit defensive?"

"Kasi hindi totoo!" Elijah said.

Kenji burst into laughter.

A genuine one.

Even through the speakers, it sounded contagious.

Elijah pointed accusingly at me."Pinapahiya mo ako sa live! another edit na naman to

"Ikaw naman nagsimula." I said smiling.

"Bro!"

I shrugged innocently."Maganda naman siya."

"Yeah, she's pretty but bro i don't like her.. Don't get me wrong people" Ani ni Elijah na humarap sa viewers niya.

I slowly nodded."Sige...Believe kita."

"Hindi ka naniniwala." Ani ni Elijah.

"Hindi talaga." I said.

Kenji shook his head while laughing."I don't think she's convinced."

"Kampi ka pa?"Elijah groaned dramatically.

The teasing continued for another thirty minutes.Most of it was Elijah telling embarrassing stories.

Some of it was Kenji laughing.

And every now and then...

I found myself answering whenever they asked me something.

Without realizing it...

I had talked to Kenji longer during this livestream than I did throughout Coach Ben's entire birthday celebration.

Eventually, the familiar entrance to our subdivision came into view.

I slowed the car before turning into our street.

"Andito na kami," Elijah announced.

"Finally."Kenji nodded.

Elijah smiled."See you next week, bro."

"See you."

Then there was a brief pause.

Kenji looked toward the camera again.

Or maybe...

Toward me.

"Good driving."

I blinked, cause it caught me off guard."...Thanks."

It was only one word.

Simple and casual, but somehow...It lingered.

Elijah ended the livestream moments later.The inside of the car suddenly became quiet.Only the soft hum of the engine filled the silence.

I parked in our driveway before turning the engine off.Neither of us moved for a few seconds.

Then Elijah stretched his arms over his head.

"Congrats."

I looked at him."Para saan?"

A slow grin spread across his face."Hindi ka na masungit kay Morzal."

I frowned."Ha?"

"Sumasagot ka na eh."

I immediately reached for the tissue box beside me and threw it at his face."Tulog ka na nga."

He caught it effortlessly before laughing."Ayan..."

"Defense mechanism."

I opened the driver's door."Good night, Elijah."

"Good night, Driver Princess."

I stopped walking, slowly turned around.

He was already sprinting toward the front door before I could throw my bag at him.

"ELIJAH!"

His laughter echoed throughout the quiet neighborhood.

I could only shake my head as I followed him inside.

Within minutes...

The lights upstairs were off.

The house fell silent.

And somewhere on the internet...Clips from Elijah and Kenji's livestream had already begun making the rounds.

By sunrise...Basketball fans would have another reason to talk.

The next few days passed in the blink of an eye.

Somehow, life felt... lighter.There were no early morning practices.

No game-day pressure, no interviews.

Just lazy mornings, movie marathons, late-night Mobile Legends sessions, and endless food deliveries with Elijah.

It was nice.

The kind of break I didn't realize I needed.

Funny how a single week could disappear so quickly when you were actually enjoying it.

"Aud..."

A series of knocks echoed from the other side of my bedroom door.

"Aud, gising ka na ba?"

I groaned.

Without opening my eyes, I pulled the duvet over my head.

Maybe if I stayed quiet...

He'd leave.

Another knock.

Louder this time.

"Bro..Eight o'clock na."

I buried my face deeper into the pillow."Mamaya na..." I mumbled.

"Nope...Open the door."

I let out the most dramatic sigh imaginable before dragging myself out of bed.

Still half asleep, I shuffled toward the door and unlocked it.

The second it opened—

I was greeted by Elijah's annoyingly cheerful smile.

He looked far too energetic for someone who had slept at nearly four in the morning.

In one hand was a medium-sized paper bag.

The grin on his face immediately made me suspicious.

"Ano 'yan?"

Instead of answering, he simply held the bag out toward me.

"For you."

I blinked."Ha?"

"Open it." He said proudly, smiling.

Curiosity instantly replaced my sleepiness.

I accepted the bag before setting it on top of my vanity.

Inside was a familiar shoebox , my eyebrows slowly knitted together.

Wait...No way.

I carefully lifted the lid.The moment I saw the pair inside—

My brain completely stopped functioning."No freaking way."

I quickly picked up one shoe, staring at it as if it might disappear.

The limited-edition colorway.

The exact pair I'd spent weeks complaining about after missing the online release.

The same pair that sold out in seconds.

I looked back at Elijah.

Then at the shoes, then back at him again."Eli.. You didn't."

He folded his arms proudly."I did."

I looked completely speechless."How?"

He shrugged like it was the easiest thing in the world."Pre-order..Months ago..Remember when you kept saying, 'Sayang, hindi ko naabutan'?"

I slowly nodded."Kaya pala"

He laughed."Kaya tumatawa lang ako."

I couldn't stop smiling."You knew?"

"The whole time."

"Yep."

I shook my head in disbelief before hugging the shoebox against my chest."You're actually crazy."

"I know."

A laugh escaped my lips.Then, before I even realized what I was doing—

I wrapped him in a quick hug."Thank you."

"Seriously, this means a lot."

For once...Elijah didn't tease me.He simply smiled before lightly patting my head.

"Happy birthday in advance."

I frowned."My birthday's still months away."

He shrugged."Advanced mag-isip."

I laughed."Ang labo mo."

"Basta."He pointed toward the hallway."Now get dressed...Breakfast is ready."

Before following him downstairs, I placed the new shoes carefully on the rug beside my bed.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, making the colors stand out even more.

I couldn't resist, igrabbed my phone.

One quick photo.

Another angle.

One more.

Perfect.

I uploaded the picture to my I*******m Story.

Best Friend Points: +1000 🫶 @elijahwayne

Less than five seconds later—

Elijah reacted to my story.

😂🤝

I shook my head." Best guy ever!!"

By the time I made my way downstairs, the smell of garlic fried rice and longganisa had already filled the entire house.

Dad was reading the morning newspaper while sipping coffee.

Mom was arranging freshly sliced fruits on the dining table.

Elijah was already eating like he hadn't seen food in days.

I slid into the chair beside him.

Dad looked up first, a knowing smile slowly appeared on his face. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Dad."

He studied my face for a second.

Then I chuckled.

"Ano'ng meron?Parang ang saya mo ngayon." Dad said.

I immediately pointed upstairs."Dad!Look!..Ja bought me the limited pair!"

Dad laughed."Kaya naman pala."

Mom glanced at Elijah."You did?"

Elijah only grinned."She deserves it."

Mom smiled before shaking her head."You spend too much"

"Favorite ko kasi."

I gasped dramatically."Narinig mo 'yon, Mom?..Favorite daw ako."

Elijah immediately clicked his tongue."Huwag kang assuming...Favorite kong kaaway."

I placed a hand over my chest."Aray."

Dad laughed so hard he almost spilled his coffee.

Mom smiled while setting another plate on the table.

"Audrae, anak...How many pairs of shoes do you have now?"

I pretended to think."Hindi ko na po alam."

Dad laughed again."Exactly."

Elijah immediately joined in."Tito...Last week umiiyak pa 'yan kasi naubusan siya ng stock."

I glared at him."Hindi ako umiyak."

He slowly turned toward my parents."She did...Exaggerated..May dramatic sigh pa every five minutes."

I kicked his foot lightly under the table."Traitor."

He laughed."Truth teller."

Breakfast continued with the usual teasing, laughter, and random stories.

Exactly the kind of mornings I loved.

Simple.

Warm.

Home.

After breakfast, Mom left for an appointment while Dad headed straight to the office.

The house suddenly became quiet.

Elijah looked toward me with a grin."Gym?"

I nodded."Obviously."

He stood up immediately."Race you upstairs."

Before I could even answer—He was already running.

"Hoy!"I laughed before chasing after him.

Some things...Really never changed.

An hour later, we were already at the gym.Like always, Elijah and I trained separately.

He disappeared toward the weights section while I headed straight to the court for my shooting drills.

Nothing too intense.Coach had specifically told us to enjoy the remaining days of our break before preseason officially started.

Still...

Neither of us knew how to take a complete rest.

Basketball had become second nature.After almost two hours, we finally called it a day.As soon as we stepped outside, the afternoon heat greeted us.

Elijah stretched both arms above his head."Bro, I'm starving."

I laughed."Kailan ka ba hindi gutom?"

He looked offended."Excuse me...Athlete ako...Bulking season."

"Season mo buong taon." I laughed.

He ignored the comment."Pizza?"

I didn't even hesitate."Game."

The mall was noticeably busier than usual.

Families wandered from store to store, kids ran around with balloons in their hands, and the food court was already filling with the familiar lunch crowd.

We had barely walked past the first clothing store when—

"Excuse me..."A young guy, probably around my age, approached with his phone clutched nervously in both hands.

"Pwede po bang magpa-picture?"

I smiled."Sure."

He quickly handed his phone to Elijah."Kuya, picture po."

Elijah took the phone with a grin."Sa'kin talaga binigay?"

The guy laughed awkwardly.

A few seconds later—

Click.

"Thank you so much, Ate Audrae!"

"Good luck next season!"

"Thank you!" I replied with a smile.

As soon as he walked away, Elijah nudged my shoulder.

"Famous."

I rolled my eyes."Tigilan mo nga...Dedma sa bashers."

He laughed."Confident."

Not even five minutes later—

It was his turn.

A group of girls suddenly approached us, trying and failing to hide how excited they were.

One of them stepped forward.

"Hi, Elijah... Pwede po bang magpa-picture?"

Elijah immediately smiled."Of course."

Then he casually handed me his phone.

"Photographer ka muna."

I sighed dramatically."Feel na feel na naman nya?"

"Picturan na lang, dami side comments"

Ani ni Elijah.

The girls laughed.

I took several shots from different angles before checking the results.

"Wait..."

I stepped back a little."Mas okay dito 'yung lighting."

They quickly adjusted.

Click.

Click.

Click.

One of the girls peeked at the photos.

"Ang ganda!"

I smiled."You're welcome."

After thanking us multiple times, they finally left.

I returned Elijah's phone."May bayad yon ha"

He blinked. "Bayad?"

"Professional photographer ako."

He burst into laughter."Mamaya na, libre muna."

We eventually reached the pizza restaurant we'd been craving since leaving the gym.

A crew member welcomed us inside.

"Table for two, Ma'am?"

I nodded."Yes, please."

We were just about to follow him—When someone called my name.

"Audrae."

I turned around.

My steps immediately halted.

Kenji stood a few meters away, one hand casually tucked inside his pocket.Beside him were two guys I had never met before.

One was noticeably taller, wearing a backwards cap.

The other looked quieter, though the grin on his face suggested otherwise.

Elijah looked pleasantly surprised."Bro! Andito ka pala."

Kenji walked closer."Kakarating lang."His eyes briefly landed on me before returning to Elijah."Kayo?"

"Kakagaling lang gym, kaya gutom na."

Kenji nodded.

Then glanced toward the spacious semicircular booth behind them.

"Join us...Marami pang space."

I instinctively looked at Elijah.

He looked back at me.

A silent conversation passed between us.

Okay lang?

I gave a small shrug.It wasn't like we were strangers anymore.

Not after Pampanga.

Not after the livestream.

Not after the messages.

Elijah smiled."Game."

The waiter immediately guided us toward their table.I slid into the booth first, choosing the seat beside Elijah.

Kenji sat directly across from me.His two friends occupied the remaining seats.

For a brief moment...

None of us spoke.

Until Kenji broke the silence."By the way..."He gestured toward the two guys."This is Timothy."

The taller one lifted a hand.

"Yo."

Kenji pointed toward the other.

"Miguel."

Miguel smiled politely."Nice meeting you."

Elijah immediately reached over the table to shake both their hands.

"Elijah Wayne."

I followed shortly after."Audrae Brie, but you can call me Drae."

Both of them smiled."Nice meeting you."

Almost instantly...

The awkwardness disappeared.

Timothy turned out to be loud and Miguel wasn't far behind.Within minutes, the three boys were already laughing like they'd known each other for years.

I quietly picked up the menu."Chicken wings."

Elijah nodded without looking."Expected."

"Obviously."

I lightly kicked his foot beneath the table."Judger."

The waiter returned.

"Ready to order, Ma'am?"

I nodded.

One by one, everyone gave their orders.

When the waiter finished writing everything down, I looked around the table.

"May gusto pa ba kayong idagdag?"

Timothy immediately shook his head."Wala na po."

Miguel froze.

Then I looked at him."Po?"

Timothy realized what he had said."Ay—"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Miguel leaned closer and whispered loudly—"Man, Hindi teacher kausap natin."

Timothy covered his face."Na sanay, magalang po kasi ako simula bata" Natatawang sabi niya.

Even Kenji chuckled quietly.The atmosphere instantly became lighter.

More comfortable.

Like we'd all been friends longer than we actually had.

The conversation flowed surprisingly easily.

Most of it revolved around basketball, the upcoming UAAP season, and the different universities everyone came from.

Timothy and Miguel were nothing like I expected.

Timothy was loud.

Miguel was sarcastic.

Together...They somehow matched Elijah's chaotic energy.

I mostly listened while scrolling through my phone every now and then, occasionally joining in whenever someone asked me something.

About fifteen minutes later, our food finally arrived.

The table quickly filled with pizza, chicken wings, pasta, fries, and way more food than five people could realistically finish.

"Finally." Elijah rubbed his hands together dramatically."Akala ko mamamatay na ako sa gutom."

I laughed."Five minutes ka lang naman naghintay."

"Longest five minutes of my life."

Without wasting another second, everyone started eating.

For a few blissful moments...

Everything was peaceful.

Until the first fan approached.

"Excuse me..."

A girl hesitantly walked toward our table."Pwede pong magpa-picture?"

Kenji smiled politely."Sure."

Elijah stood up as well.

Within seconds another group came.

Then another, and another.

Every few minutes, one of them had to stand just to accommodate photos.

I quietly continued eating, pretending not to notice.

I was already used to it.

Basketball players, especially varsity athletes, had become minor celebrities.Still...I couldn't ignore the way a few girls glanced at me before walking away.

Some were curious, others...Not so much.

Miguel noticed it too.He leaned toward me slightly before speaking in a lower voice.

"Kala mo naman aagawin mo boyfriend nila."

I laughed."Parang kasalanan ko pa."

He shrugged."Fan culture...Minsan OA talaga."

I nodded in agreement."Sanay na rin naman ako."

Across the table, Kenji looked at me for a brief moment before setting down his glass."People like making stories."His tone was calm.

Matter-of-fact.

"Especially online."

I let out a quiet sigh."Tell me about it...One follow back lang, feel nila there's something deep behind it

Timothy nearly spit out his drink.

Miguel burst into laughter.

Even Elijah had to cover his mouth.

Kenji shook his head, smiling to himself."That bad?"

I looked at him."You have no idea, there's a lot of edits, many fake scenarios

The entire table erupted into laughter.

Elijah pointed at me."Yeah, sometimes fans don't know their boundaries and forgot to respect people's privacy"

I buried my face in one hand."Exactly my point."

When the laughter finally settled...

Kenji leaned back comfortably against the booth.A small smile lingered on his lips."Well..."

He shrugged."You can't really blame them."

I raised an eyebrow."For what?"

His eyes met mine.

Steady.

Relaxed.

Almost amused.

"For thinking we'd look good together."

Silence.

Timothy slowly lowered his slice of pizza.

Miguel blinked, then looked at Elijah.

Elijah looked at me.

I stared at Kenji, was this guy...Serious?

Elijah was the first to recover, he slapped the table once before laughing loudly."Tangina, bro! Confident!"

Timothy leaned back in his seat."Solid."

Miguel covered his face."Grabe 'yung delivery."

Meanwhile...

Kenji looked completely unbothered.As if he hadn't just dropped the boldest line of the afternoon.

I crossed my arms."Wow, may script ka ba bago pumunta rito?"

He chuckled."Wala, observation lang."

I scoffed."Observation?"

He nodded once."People usually don't ship two people unless they see something."

I narrowed my eyes."Or...Bored lang sila."

"Possible."He admitted with a small smile."Pero pwede ring tama sila."

I stared at him for another second.

Then simply took another bite of my pizza.

"Delulu."

That earned another round of laughter from everyone.

Even Kenji couldn't stop smiling.

Once the teasing finally died down, Miguel cleared his throat.

"Question."

He looked at me."Sanay ka na bang ma-ship?"

I nodded."Pretty much."

"Lahat ba ng na-ship sa'yo..."He paused."friends mo?"

I shrugged."Most of them, may interaction but basketball community is small"

Kenji rested his elbow on the table."So...Who's the strongest ship?"

Before I could answer—

Elijah immediately raised his hand."Matt."

No hesitation, no second thoughts.

"Matt?" Timothy repeated.

Miguel looked confused."Who's Matt?"

Elijah grinned proudly."Matt Zedrick Jao..Captain ng SDU Men's Basketball."

Recognition immediately flashed across their faces.

"Ahhh..Si Captain Jao."Miguel nodded."Gets, lakas din don maglaro silent assassin plus the looks, bro!"

I sighed dramatically."Please, don't remind me."

Elijah laughed."Bro, hindi lang malakas...National level na 'yon."

I pointed my fork at him."Ikaw kasi pasimuno."

He looked offended."Ako?Fans may gawa niyan!"

Timothy looked at Kenji."Pogi rin daw si Matt."

Kenji nodded without hesitation."He is."His tone remained calm and respectful."Magaling din maglaro."

Elijah smiled."Good guy 'yon...Kapag nakilala niyo...madali kayong magkakasundo."

Kenji gave a small nod."I know, he looks kind"

For some reason, that answer caught my attention.There wasn't even the slightest hint of insecurity in his voice.

No jealousy.

No competition.

Just simple respect for someone he hadn't even met yet.Somehow, that surprised me.

After another hour of random conversations, the table was finally cleared.

Kenji checked the time on his watch."We should get going... May hahabulin pa kaming oras."

Timothy and Miguel immediately stood.

Elijah did the same."See you around, bro."

The two of them exchanged a quick handshake.

"Good luck sa paglipat."

"Thanks."

Kenji turned toward me.

Our eyes met briefly.

He smiled, not the teasing smile from earlier.

Just...Warm.

"See you around, Audrae." He smiled.

I returned a small nod."See you."

As we walked toward the exit, I heard Miguel whisper loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Solid ka talaga, Kenji."Timothy laughed."Hindi na nagpapigil."

I resisted the urge to look back.

Instead...

I simply kept walking beside Elijah.

The cool air from the mall entrance greeted us as the automatic doors slid open.

For some reason...I couldn't stop replaying one particular sentence in my head.

"You can't really blame them if they think we'd look good together."

I clicked my tongue to myself.

Grabe talaga 'yung confidence ng taong 'yon.

And yet, a tiny part of me couldn't help but smile.