True to her vow and regardless of her heartache, Elle fakes enthusiasm whenever Kaito and Zoe are around. She forces herself to chatter and appear cheerful during the car ride back to the hotel, while inside, she is screaming for solitude to process her emotions. However, she knows she cannot let her guard down, especially with Naoki sharing the same room. Like a mature adult, she postpones her emotional breakdown until she can find a private space.

"Session road for dinner?" Kaito asks the group as they climb the stairs. "Let's just take a break and meet up in a couple of hours."

"Cool," Elle responds, unlocking their hotel room door. Kaito and Zoe proceed to their room at the end of the hallway.

Elle sits on the floor, legs crossed, as Naoki closes the door behind him. She switches on her laptop and avoids any interaction with him, hoping to stave off any awkwardness. Naoki, on the other hand, turns on the TV, seeking solace in mindless chatter, but it fails to dissolve the tension.

Naoki's rejection sinks in and replays in Elle's head, and her eyes brim with tears. Unable to contain her emotions, she runs to the bathroom to cry. She decides to take a hot shower, cleansing herself of today's sweat and calming her nerves.

Naoki's gaze follows her as she emerges from the bathroom, but he does not utter a word. Just then, Kaito and Zoe knock on the door, announcing that it's time for dinner. Elle puts on a brave face and steps out of the room, ready to put on another show for the sake of her friends.

The night slips by in a foggy haze. Elle's acting skills are top-notch, and Kaito and Zoe are none the wiser to her inner turmoil.

When bedtime arrives, a silent agreement hangs between Elle and Naoki, and they keep their distance from each other. Elle's insomnia hits her like a freight train, and she tosses and turns, struggling to find a comfortable position. She's no stranger to sleepless nights, but the exhaustion is catching up to her, draining her physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Restless and wide-eyed, Elle turns towards Naoki, expecting to find him fast asleep. Instead, she catches him already staring and her pulse quickens.

"Why are you still up?" she murmurs, pulling the blanket closer to her chin.

"Can't sleep," he replies, his voice low and raspy. He stifles a yawn and asks, "Insomnia?"

"Mm," she answers, watching Naoki struggle to blink his eyes open, and her tummy flutters.

God, why is he doing this?

"Wanna play a game?" she suggests.

"What game?"

"Gun to your head, if you'd have to choose between sleep and talking to me, what would you pick?"

Naoki's lips press tightly together, a clear sign that he is struggling to give a response. Rather, he lies down on his back, closes his eyes, and pretends to drift off into slumber. Elle's mouth turns up in the corners, her cheeks straining against her true feelings. She'd rather have him be consistent in pushing her away. The unrelenting tug-of-war between hope and disappointment is depleting her reserves.

"I thought so," she says, then she flips over to the other side of the bed. It's time to put her heart to rest, at least for a few hours.

The next morning, Zoe invites Elle for breakfast without the men, the two sides agreeing to spend the day apart and meet up at the Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral after dinner.

They venture to a tapsilogan down along Session Road. Elle sips her coffee as she watches the hustle and bustle of the street and people walking by.

(Trans: Tapsilogan - a diner where they serve different dishes with garlic fried rice and egg)

"Elle, hey," Zoe utters, snapping her finger to catch her attention.

"Hm? Sorry. What is it?"

Zoe exhales, "It's just you and me now."

Elle stares down at her empty plate, her shoulders slumping. "I thought I was doing a good job."

"You did the same thing years before."

"And you've figured me out again." Elle lifts her head and forces a grin. "I'm too late, Zoe. Me and Naoki... We're at the end of the finish line."

"Did you ask him? Did you ask him if he's willing to move?"

"I didn't have to." She picks at her fingernails. "I can see it, Zoe."

"He still loves you."

"Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn't. But it doesn't matter. Something has changed... He's getting farther and farther from me."

Zoe squeezes her hand and embraces her. "I still think you should tell him. Shoot your shot or whatever." She pulls back, smiling. "Elle, I was the one who grabbed Kaito's hand that night. And I didn't let go. I don't think it's too late if you try. You have to hear it from Naoki. Otherwise, you'll always wonder what you could've done to not lose him."

Elle smiles wryly as she contemplates Zoe's advice.

"You have the right to be happy, too, Elle. Your parents want that for you," she reassures her.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Elle inhales sharply and nods her head in understanding. "I guess I shouldn't add another what-if to my list. I hardly get any sleep at night as it is."

She disentangles herself from Zoe's arms, her chest feeling lighter. "Thanks, Zoe."

"You did the same for me. Knock me to my senses. I can't let you go astray!"

The two of them laugh, and Elle makes up her mind to hold onto Naoki. Just as she should've done before.

The Lady of the Atonement Cathedral is the site of the highly anticipated New Year's Eve mass, attracting locals and tourists alike. The cathedral's high walls are a canvas of stunning paintings, each depicting Christian stories and images of saints and Jesus Christ. As families and friends gather in the pews, they whisper to one another, respecting the church's solemn atmosphere.

Naoki and Kaito make their way through the sea of people to join Elle and Zoe at the corner. Elle kneels in silence, her head bowed in prayer before the mass officially starts, and Naoki takes a seat beside her. To her surprise, he kneels down as well.

"Are you a Christian?" she murmurs.

"No," he answers, admiring the intricate murals on the walls.

"Are you okay attending the mass?"

He nods and looks at her. "I've been to a few masses before, but this church is exceptionally beautiful."

"Catholicism is ingrained in Filipino culture."

"So, you're a Catholic?"

Elle gazes at the statue by the altar. "I... I am. I was? I used to attend masses with my parents whenever we could. On special occasions and holidays. Like tonight."

"You stopped?"

She nibbles her bottom lip. "I got busy."

"Is that it?" he probes.

Their lines of sight cross and Elle is compelled to unveil one of her secrets as the first step to bare her soul. "There was... A time I begged God to help save someone I loved. He was a man who gave me everything. But I lost him. And I lost my faith."

Naoki's expression softens. "Your father."

"Yes. I'm not that faithful, I suppose, " she admits. "I know this might be a trauma dump, but I... I'm adopted, Naoki. They treated me like their own. And as you know he... Papa died three years ago."

Naoki is taken aback by Elle's honesty, her vulnerability striking a chord within him. But when she looks at him, expecting a response, he has difficulty finding the right words.

"Don't you have anything to say?"

"About what?"

"I don't know. Aren't you surprised?" she asks. Her lips part. "Hold on. Do you... Do you know? That I'm adopted?"

Naoki nods meekly. "I do."

"You know?" she murmurs. "You know everything?"

Their conversation is cut short as the master of ceremonies announces the beginning of the mass. Naoki and Elle rise to their feet, shifting their attention to the entrance of the celebrant.

Elle shuffles her feet uneasily, her thoughts swirling with questions of how Naoki learned about her background. And most importantly, why she feels as if he's aware of more than he's let on.

Itching to talk to Naoki in private, Elle struggles to listen intently to the Word and the songs. As the service ends at 11:30 PM, the crowd pours out of the cathedral. Kaito and Zoe suggest walking to Session Road and waiting for the clock to strike midnight on the busy street.

"Naoki," she utters, breathlessly matching his pace. She deftly puts some distance between them and the couple who are chattering animatedly about the day.

Naoki glimpses at her but does not stop walking. "What is it?"

"The thing we were talking about earlier..." she begins. "How did you know?"

He clears his throat. "Tita Rose. She mentioned it."

Elle frowns, remembering the exact moment Naoki gives her the cold shoulder. "Last Christmas."

Naoki stays silent, and the lack of response irks her. "You... You changed since then. Is it because I'm adopted? Is that an issue?"

He pauses and looks her in the eye. "Of course not."

More people are gathering on the road, excited for the fireworks show. He clutches Elle's elbow and leads her to a secluded alley between a Chinese restaurant and a souvenir shop.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because you stopped flirting with me after that!" she snaps. "You were wooing me. Even if you said you didn't love me anymore, I knew that was bullshit. And then you stopped. Just like that."

Another realization jolts Elle, making her take a step back unsteadily. "Is it because you knew it was me? That I brought it home? That I was the reason why—"

Naoki shakes his head vehemently and inches forward. "No, Elle. I don't think it's your fault. But I do... I do understand now. Everything. Why you did what you did and why we broke up. And I'm not angry."

"I'm confused, Naoki," she breathes. "If you understand, then why are you pushing me away? Do you... Do you really not love me anymore? Do you hate me?" Tears fill her eyes. "Why did you say we should've stayed friends?"

"That was my mistake. I'm taking that back," he replies, voice trembling. "I can't ever be friends with you, Elle. What we had, as some sort of penpals, I can't do that again. When I return home, I won't contact you. But I never said I dislike you. Nor do I hate you."

Desperate, Elle begs, "So you really want me to say it, don't you? Fine. I lost. Stay for me, Naoki. Don't go. Stay here."

Elle's words give Naoki a bittersweet feeling, his eyes also moistening.

"I can't," he answers softly. "And I understand why you won't leave with me if I ask you to, Elle. Despite what happened between us and the choice you made, I still believe you're a good person, and you deserve to be happy."

His next statement slices through Elle like a knife.

"Even if it's not with me."