"I'm your hero.. for now."

I nod before pulling away from the hug. I wipe the few tears flowing down my cheeks before looking down. I feel embarrassed. I can't believe I cried because of that

I always tell myself not to cry cause it won't any good. It wont make anything better. Crying will just make things worse.

"I'm sorry.. nakita mo pa tuloy akong umiyak." I said getting rid of excess tears at my eyes and cheeks.

I saw his hands entered his pocket before hearing him chuckling.

"It's fine, sometimes it's okay to cry. No big problem." He said and I nodded. I look up to see him smiling so brightly.

"It's never fine, crying doesn't make anything solve or what. Crying is only for losers." I said and he chuckled making my brows furrowed.

"What?" I irritatedly asked.

"You sound like a kid. Don't have that kind of mindset na kapag umiyak ay mahina..." He pause taking a deep breath. "Crying doesn't make a you a loser. It just proves you that you're not numb and still have the heart. It just proves you that when you cry because of something, you are determined to get through the problem." He said, my lips parted a bit and my brows furrowed once again.

"I don't get it.." I said and he bursted into laughter.

"What?! Really? Seryoso hindi mo gets?" Tanong niya,I sigh and rolled my eyes before nodding.

"It's okay to cry. Yun lang 'yon. Simple as that. Don't feel bad if you're crying. Ayos lang 'yon. Remove that mindset na masama ang umiyak. Its. Okay. To. Cry." He said emphasizing every word from his last sentence.

I crossed my arms and shrug.

"Fine, I'll try. But not now. I need to be strong.." I replied and he shrug back.

"Okay, as you say. But now.. where do you want to practice?" He asked. When realization hit me. I remove my arms from its old position before dropping my shoulders a little bit. I bit my lower lip thinking where should we practice.

Cause technically, not in our house. And not here of course. And not in any public place. Someone might see me. Or even from the squad. I don't want them to see me with him, for now.

"Uh.. somewhere private." I replied not sure about it. So I once again bit my lower lip.

I saw how he scrunch up his nose before looking away.

"Stop bitting your lower lip. It's not good for me." He said. When I understand what he says my eyes widens a bit and immediately removed my teeth on my lower lip.

"S-Sorry.." I said and he shook his head. He looked back at my direction again before smiling a bit.

"So.. saan na?" He asked again, i mentally scolded myself. Ang tagal ko naman mag-isip. Dapat kanina pa kami nakaka-pag simula.

"Uh.. you know the one cafe near the Supermarket?" I asked. He tilted his head before squinting his eyes.

He shook his head. "N.. o," he replied. I small smirk formed on my lips as I find his expression cute.

"Uh.. you know that cafe near LCC supermarket. The one near the Appliance Center too? May private room kasi doon. We can just rent that room till noon." I said, his lips formed a small 'o' before nodding.

"Sure.. dun na lang." he replied and I smiled.

"Let's go.." I said and started to walk away from him. I heard him trail from behind.

"Wait! Laura!" I heard him call. I stopped walking and look from behind.

"Give me the board. Masyado 'yang mabigat." He said before snatching the board from my hands. My eyes widened and try to get it back.

"Jiro! Akin na! Kaya ko naman eh!" I hissed a bit. He put the board above his head making me unable to reach it.

"No, it's my job. Now go.." He said signaling me a 'shoo' as if I'm a dog.

"No! Give me the freaking board!" I irritatedly said. He just gave me a teasing smile.

"Naku.. mga mag syotang 'to. Sa park pa nag aaway. Kabataan talaga!"

My head immediately snapped at the other side. I saw two government employees walking away from us shaking their heads. My brows furrowed and my hands form a small fist.

"Grr! Fine! Sayo na 'yan, napapagkamalan tayong mag syota or what so ever here!" I said before walking away. I called a tricycle and gladly one immediately approached us.

The tricycle stopped in front of us and I immediately get in, Jiro following right away.

"Saan po tayo?" Tanong ng driver.

I took a deep breath first before answering.

"Aira's Cafe Kuya." I calmly said, the driver nodded before starting the engine.

I kept my eyes straight on the road not even glancing at Jiro. Until I felt his finger tapped on my knee.

"Hey.." He calmly called. I rolled my eyes and didn't even spare a glance at him.

"Hey.. Laura?" He called again tapping now my arm. I brushed his hands off and look straight.

Until I hear him sigh..

He kept silent until we arrived in front of the cafe. He stepped out first and I paid the driver before stepping out. He pushed the door open for me which I don't even care about. The cafe is actually two story and the private rooms are located at the second floor.

My foot stepped almost echoed on the room. A waiter following us from behind. I stopped in front of the door which is a private room located.

"Is this available?" I asked pointing on the door. The waiter nodded before grabbing a key and opening the door.

I peak inside the room. It is nice, air conditioned, have a tv, sofa set, and a table to eat at.

"Magkano po kapag five hours ang rent?" I ask, it's just 8am by now, and we I'm planning to stay here till noon.

"Uhm.." The waiter paused looking at the ceiling calculating.

"Bali one thousand po maam." The waiter replied.

I nod. "We'll take it." I said and the waiter nodded. I entered the room and immediately walk towards the couch.

I sat down while the waiter opened the air conditioner. Jiro sat down to the other sofa looking around the room as well.

"Pindutin niyo nalang po 'tong bell kapag o-order na kayo." The waiter said and I nodded. I look at Jiro.

"Nag breakfast kana?" I asked, he snapped his head at my side and nod.

"Yes." He simply replied. I pursed my lips and nod. The waiter left us, closing the door.

Then the room suddenly became awkward. I stand pp examining the room for a while. Looking ay the picture frames hang on the wall. And other things.

Until I stopped in front of the tv. I opened it and realized it is connected to an internet connection. I opened YouTube and started typing using the remote control.

I look at Jiro who is now preparing the board and its pieces.

"Uhm.. hey." I called, he raised his head but his eyes still focused on the board and pieces.

"Any songs you like.?" I asked and he shook his head.

"None, ikaw na bahala." He said and I nodded.

I started to type the name of my ultimate stan male kpop group. I search for its new song before clicking on it.

"I'll play kpop, I hope you don't mind." I said and he just nod, his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together.

The song started playing and I walk towards his side.

"Let's start?" I hesitantly asked. He just nod his head once before I moved my first poon. Since I have the white pieces, I'm the one to move first.

Then he just move his immediately. I bit my lower lip and moved another poon. Then he moved another one of his poon. Then I moved a poon as well.

"Check mate.." My eyes widened looking at his bishop already pointing at my king.

"W-Wait what?" I asked looking at my side. My King is basically trapped right now. I can move my queen yes.. but he can eat it.

"It's just easy Laura. You can move a piece." He said and I my brows furrowed.

"I mean, yeah I can move a piece, I can move the queen in front of my king. But using your bishop, you can eat it." I said and he chuckled a bit shaking his head.

"I won't do that. If I eat your queen, your king will eat my bishop. So no.." He said, I nodded and move my queen in front of my king just like what he said. Then he move his bishop back.

"See?" He said and I nod bitting my lip.

"I said stop with the lip biting. It's not good for me." He said and I nodded.

We continue to play, with him eating most of my pieces. He is basically so good playing this game of chess. His skills and techniques are no jokes.

"You'll basically win this one." I said moving my rook which is my only hope beside my king. I only have my rook to protect my king while he still have his queen, king, both rook, a horse and a bishop.

"I mean, yeah. But you shouldn't have that kind of mindset. You might be looking like you're losing already.But look around the board. Not just your side. Just look at everyone piece I have and see if you can eat one or not." He said then move his bishop.

"Check mate.." He said I sigh and about to move my king when he suddenly fake cough.

"Look around Laura." He said I pursed my lips and pull my hands back looking at the board.

Then I saw it, his bishop on the same line as my rook. I moved my hands to reach my rook before eating his bishop.

But just in the same time I put down his bishop at my side he immediately ate my rook with his queen. Making me stopped on my tracked and just looked at him with surprise.

"What the.." I said looking at him. He put down my rook right beside him before laughing.

"Yup, that's it. I won in our first game." He said before putting my white piece back on the board.

I rolled my eyes and put his black ones on the board as well.

"You're good at eating, what the fuck!" I hiss while putting back my pieces.

"I'll learn to eat that good, too! Just wait!" I said as I put my last piece back.

I look up to him to see him a smirk formed on his lips.

"What's with the smirk?" I confusedly ask.

He shake his head then started laughing silently.

"Yeah sure.. you'll learn how to eat well too." He said still smirking. My brows furrowed thinking of what is he talking about.

"And maybe if you learn how to eat good too, you'll eat me as well." When those words entered my ears my eyes immediately widened.

When he saw how shock I am he started laughing leaning on the seat rest holding his stomach from laughing so hard.

"What the fuck, Jiro!" I said throwing him the plastics where the pieces where kept in.

"That's so gross!!! Ang bastos mo!" I irritatedly said but he just kept on laughing.

"Bakit? Sabi mo nag babasa ka ng mga ganon? Dapat sanay kana don." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Joke lang naman 'yun eh." He said and I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"It's not funny." I said and rolled my eyes.

"Okay okay, I'm sorry. Akala ko naman normal lang 'yun sayo eh." He said fidgeting using the board,moving and adjusting it.

I sigh and removed my arms from it being crossed before moving forward.

"Fine, lets do second round." I said taking deep breaths. When I look at him he once again have that smirk that made me roll my eyes for the nth time.

"Stop! Lets play.. again!" I said emphasizing the word 'again'.

"Okay.." He said still with a smile.

We started playing again. With this time taking his advices seriously. Every time he move a piece I would look of all the direction he it can move. Then making move wisely with my pieces.

-

"Oh my god!" I squealed as I saw that I am left with 5 pieces while Jiro is left with 2.

"Wag ka muna mag diwang." He said moving his bishop.

I look around to see my queen that can eat his bishop. But if I do, that he'll eat my queen with his king. So I didn't move my queen and love different.

Then he moved his king.. and..

"Check mate!" I squealed excitedly. He started shaking his head while smiling.

"Check mate!" I shout again as I ate his bishop with my rook. I'm already standing and no longer sitting on the sofa. I am beyond excitedly to defeat this boy over here.

"Okay.. you won." He said before leaning on the seat rest. I started jumping like a little girl. We've been playing for hours already, having more than 5 rounds of game.

I can't believe I defeated this guy over here! After Finally!

"Oh my god! I won!! I won!" I excitedly said raising both of my fist in the air. I walk towards his front, held both of his shoulders and started shaking him.

"I won you fool! I won!" I happily said shaking him. He started laughing while I'm still shaking his upper body.

Then I started laughing too realizing I look like a crazy girl here. When we are both tired of laughing,we started panting. Catching our breaths to gain our normal breathing.

Then our eyes met. I wasn't that surprised, not until I realized where I'm standing at.. between his legs.

Within just one second he closed his legs making me lose my balance falling on top of him. I was beyond shock and started squirming in his arms.

"What the fuck! Let go!" I said squirming trying to get off from his grip.

I realized our faces inches apart. So I started to look in different ways avoiding his gaze. But it didn't work. My eyes stopped in front of his. He have this bright smile on his lips making me less tensed and nervous.

"Ang cute mo kapag ganiyan ka." He said and my brows furrowed confused on what he just said.

He let go of me so I immediately stand up. I walk back towards my seat and sat there silent. While he started cleaning the table. I look at my phone to see it's almost lunch.

"Uh.. lets order food?" I asked and he nodded. I stand up and walk towards the bell to call the waiter.

Soon the waiter arrived and we just ordered some chicken barbecues and I ordered milktea for the both of us.

Me and Jiro walk towards the dining set, seating across each other. We just sat there silently. Me on my phone while him reading the instruction included from the chess board.

My brows furrowed when I noticed that he looks so serious while reading the instructions. I turned of my phone and put it down.

"Why are you still reading that? I know you know all about the game already." I said, he look his eyes up and put down the piece of paper.

"Nah, I probably need to learn a lot more." He said putting the paper aside. The door bell rang indicating that our orders are here. We fix ourselves and the waiter entered. Trays on his hand containing our foods.

When the waiter finished serving all our orders. We started eating silently. Since our order is chicken it's pretty hard to use spoon and forks to eat. Looking around I saw the small sink at our side. I stand up grabbing Jiro's attention.

"Why?" He ask. His eyes wide a bit.

I shook my head. "I'll just wash my hands, I can't eat the chicken properly with the utensils." I replied and he nodded before standing up as well startling me a bit.

"Why?" I asked confused, having the same expression he had a while ago.

"I'll wash my hands too." He replied and I nodded slowly. We walked over the sink. He let me wash my hands first then following after I finished using the sink. We walk back to the table and started eating with our hands.

-

Right after I took a sip in my milktea. Jiro looked at me staring to my face. Which made me a bit nervous and embarrassed.
"I-Is there.. something?" I hesitantly asked.

He pursed his lips before grabbing a tissue paper. Just as he reach his hands forward I immediately closed my eyes, expecting that he will wipe the side of my lips using the tissue.

Cause that's what typically happens right?

But surprisingly, there's no tissue paper that touch my lips or the side of it. So I slowly opened my eyes,only to see him with his eyes wide while he is handing me the tissue paper.

I fully opened my eyes feeling a little bit embarrassed.

"U-Uh.. may sauce sa lips mo. Punasan mo." Hesaid teaching forward his hands. I nodded before snatching the tissue from his hands then wiping my lips.

We finished eating and I called the waiter once again. Then we started packing our stuffs before heading out the room.

We walk downstairs to the counter and paid the room and the food of course. We head out and look around the place.

"So.. saan na tayo?" He ask while holding the chess board.

I scrunched up my nose then look at my phone. Its pass 1pm. Its boring at our house by this time. I'm sure my friends are busy. Ali in her practice. Gwen probably with her mom's business. Jax with her family. Lory with her family too. Same goes with Tobi.

I sigh. "Let's enter the supermarket."

"We don't need these things Laura." Jiro said while pushing the cart full of foods and other house supplies such as shampoo,soaps and etc.

"Yes Jiro.. you need these. What if hindi pala bigyan ng mga kapit bahay niyo si lola? Edi wala siyang makain." I said after I put another can of tuna in the cart.

"Pero hindi naman maalam mag bukas niyan si lola eh!" He hissed scratching the back of his head.

I sigh rolling my eyes. "Edi turuan mo! Madali lang naman 'yan! Oh, you should try these too!" I said putting five cans of sausages.

Just I was about to look for another canned goods. I saw some teachers from our school just few meters away from us.

Maybe one of them even recognize me, and if that happens. I'm doomed.

My eyes widened not knowing what to do. If they see me, they'll probably ask things to me. And ask who is Jiro.

So I did the first thing that came up to my mind.

"Hey love! What do you think about this one?" I said pulling Jiro's head closer to mine to at least cover my face.

I saw how Jiro's eyes widened and he even squirmed at my arms but I pinched the side of his shoulders.

I carefully peaked at our teachers passing through us.I make sure to hide my face from them.
And when they're out of our surrounding I took a deep breath and sigh.

"That was close!" I said still looking at the direction where my teachers went.

"Really close." My head immediately snapped at Jiro's wide. Our faces inch apart almost making our lips touch.

I immediately push him away making him surprised.

He started laughing while wiping his fake sweat on his forehead.

"That was really close! Maybe.. this close." He said showing me his fingers his thumb and point fingers inch away form each other.

I rolled my eyes.. "Shut up!" I said before starting to walk away from him.

Then he suddenly called me making me froze on my spot.

"Hey! Wait for me, love!"

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