Why?
なぜ？
Naze?

Kyoto, Japan; October 18, 2027

ELIANA is currently packing her things because she and Ran are traveling to Italy for the Italian league. Riri was entrusted with Eliana's cat named Ran so all are settled.

Ran still has to finish his studies to become fluent in English, and it's part of Eliana's contract to join with Ran.

Italy is one of her dream locations, so she is ecstatic to be able to visit. For Eliana, Italy is filled with artistic locations that appear to be emerging in her creative thoughts.

She did not go to Ran's residence; rather, Ran picked her up.

Ran was shocked since there was no communication between them as they got into the car. "Why are you being so quiet?"

Eliana looked at Ran and said, "Nothing."

Eliana kept clicking on her phone. That's why Ran turned to face her, who was standing directly next to her.

He reads and understands because he knows some of the words in Filipino. It is said in the messages . . . "Miss na kita, kailan ka babalik?"  (Translation: I miss you when you are coming back?")

It is a guy who chatted with her and Ran understands it so Ran grabs Eliana's phone and taps the video call icon. And the guy answered the call, "Hey El, why y. . ."

"Bro, stop messing with her, it's just a warning from me . . ." And Ran's aura changed. Seems like he's jealous.

"Ran!" Eliana said and tried to take her phone back. "Jeremy! Paki-end call na niyan!" (Translation: Jeremy! Please end the call!")

"Why? I am just talking to him, Eli," Ran said and looked at Eliana.

Eliana still tried to get her phone back and calmly said, "Jeremy's my friend, Ran Takahashi."

"Hey there Ran, just a warning to you, if she's getting mad she will say completely your name."

Ran gives the phone back to Eliana and Eliana shuts down her phone. Ran apologizes to Eliana, and says . . . "I didn't mean to get you mad, I just don't want any other guys to talk to you even my teammates."

Eli turned her cheeks red like tomatoes. "You make me blush again! Don't be like that!"

Ran asked Eliana again, "I'm curious, who is Jeremy?"

Eliana shows a picture of her and Jeremy. "Jeremy is my friend that started when I was in 2nd-year college,"  Eliana answered.

"How did you guys meet?" Ran asked as if he were an investigator interrogating Eliana about Jeremy.

"He messaged me. We're both same religion so I replied to him. We had a lot of interaction at our school before and one time I was chosen to be a narrative reporter and I watched him competing with my schoolmates, that's where we started to talk."

"What he was competing?"

"Table tennis," Eliana answered and looked in Ran's direction. "He's sporty like you!"

"I see, so he also be with you while you're studying?" Ran asked again.

"Yes, in fact, we are study buddies who are always in the library studying for our semis and final exams and even tackling something about our lives," Eliana revealed while beaming as she told an old story of her with Jeremy. "There's a point that the librarian warns us because of our laughter," Eliana added. "We're both good friends."

Ran felt jealous because of that as he felt that Eliana was happy while talking about this friend of hers. That's why he changed the conversation. "So you like studying since then," said Ran. "The reason why you became a teacher."

"I wanted to be an architect," Eliana said. "But my family has not enough money for my tuition fees," Eliana added with her voice full of regret. "The thing I learned about it is that everything happens for a reason . . ." Eliana pointed out. "And now, I am already an English Teacher of one and only Ran Takahashi."

Their conversation stopped when Eliana's phone vibrated. Suddenly Nixie sends Eliana a video of Ran Takahashi doing otso-otso. She laughs hard because of that. "Otso-otso huh," Eliana said and she looked at Ran. "Look!"

Eliana shows the video of Ryujin Nippon dancing otso-otso. "Oh my gosh, Ran! You're a dancer! Amazing!"

Ran suddenly blushed and said, "No, you're just making fun of me!"

"I'm not laughing!" said Eliana with a burst of laughter. "I'm sorry! You can sing, play a guitar, or play volleyball but one thing is for sure, you can't dance."

"How about you Eli? The ball of volleyball always hits on your face," he said while laughing.

"Ah, you're teasing me huh," Eliana threatened as she took her phone. "Oh! Sehun's also in Italy! I will take a picture with him . . ."

"Eli . . ."

Ran called and Eliana looked at him. He's a bit sad because Eliana noticed that his eyes broadened. Eliana was nervous. They are always sweet to each other, but with Ran's behavior, she hopes that . . . he likes her too. "O baka ginagawa niya lang 'to dahil alam niyang may gusto ako sa kanya." (Translation: Or he is just doing this because he knows that I like him.")

"Why are you sad?" Eliana asked.

He puts his head on her shoulder. "Can I rest for a while?"

"Sure."

Monza, Italy; October 19, 2027

SINCE Eliana and Ran left Japan at night, it took them 15 hours to travel to Italy. After a long trip, they arrived in Monza, Italy.

They couldn't sleep anymore so they just walked around. Eliana felt jetlag because of the time adjustment, but Ran is used to Italy so he can handle it.

Ran needs to have training and while Ran is training, Eliana is wandering around Monza. As she wandered, she saw an old woman struggling to carry a big box.

That's why she approached and offered, "Uhm, do you need some help?"

The old woman looked and said, "Uh, are you sure you can lift my things?"

"I am!" Eliana said and took the big box from the old man. It's heavy but Eliana can handle it.

"Where's your place, Ma'am?"

"Are you sure that you can lift my things?" the old lady asks.

"Yes ma'am!" Eliana cheerfully said and the old woman pointed the way. It's close to the Candy Arena so it's easy to get back.

"My dear, what's your name?" the old lady asks.

"I'm Eliana Cuevas. You Ma'am, what's your name?"

"You can call me, Karen," Karen said. "What are you doing around here?"

"I'm walking around and taking some pictures of this place. I was enchanted to see a place like an art." Eliana's answer was mixed with admiration. Italy is indeed beautiful.

"Where are you from?" Karen asked.

"I'm from the Philippines," Eliana answered with a smile. When Eliana smiles, her dimples also come out.

Karen smiled because Eliana's smile was charming. "So what were you doing here? Are you a tourist?"

Eliana smiled. "I'm here to teach my student who's currently a player of Vero Volley Monza and a national player of Japan."

"Sounds interesting my dear," Karen said as if there was a deep meaning in what she was saying. "Do you have a crush on that person?" Eliana's cheeks suddenly turned red and she couldn't deny the old man's shame. "It's okay, dear! That person is lucky if he got you, you're a kind-hearted person."

"Madam! I'm so happy for your compliments but I was just his fan too," Eliana said while her face was still red. "I don't think he likes me."

"What's the name of this person?" tanong ni Karen.

"He's Ran Takahashi," Eliana answered. The nervousness remained in her chest even in her stomach something seemed to be whirling like a butterfly.

"Ran will like you, I believe that," said Karen. "One time he realized that he's into you. Maybe he is just baffled about something."

Eliana thought and still hoped that Ran would like her. Eliana took a breath as she was in front of Karen's house. "If you're free, come here, I'm available to talk to you."

"Thank you for chatting with you, I'm so glad that I met you, Ma'am."

"Thank you too!"

Later on, Eliana left and walked to the Candy Arena, but she met Ran's opponent in the VNL, Italy's national player, Yuri Romano.

He is tall so Eliana is dazed. They are like giants in size. Every place she goes, she shrinks because she meets big people, but she doesn't show it as well she always wears high heels.

"You're Ran's English teacher right?" Romano asks Eliana.

That's why Eliana looked and answered, "Yes, I am. What do you need, by the way?"

"I saw you with an old lady and you were carrying a heavy box, that's just I am fascinated by what you've done. Girls are used to lifting light things but you're . . . amazing," said Romano with admiration for Eliana.

"You know, what guys do, can girls do too," Eliana defended. "You can't underestimate or think misogynistic to us!"

"Woah, I'm not underestimating you, I'm just surprised that you can do that," Romano said. "By the way, see you around!

After Eliana arrived at Ran's location, Ran immediately asked where the lady came from.

"Did you know Eli, Ran is crazy looking for you! He doesn't concentrate on his practice because of your absence," Mattia said who just visited Monza for Ran.

Eliana laughed at what Mattia said. "I just walk around! Monza is indeed a beautiful place so I was mesmerized. It's my first time here so yeah don't mind me."

Mattia was pleased with Eliana because the girl appreciated everything and she gave a deep meaning to everything.

Even though Ran keeps Eliana staying away from them she's still unstoppable. Especially with Mattia, he always talks to Eliana that's why Ran always looks so angry towards him.

"Chill Ran! We're just talking!" Mattia said laughing.

"Eliana! Someone's looking for you," Ran's friend said at Vero Volley Monza.

That's why Eliana said goodbye to Ran but Ran came along. He is like a security guard watching over Eliana.

The guy who is looking for Eliana is Romano. The one she passes by. "Eliana! By the way, here." Romano gave Eliana a signed ball. "Can we take a picture?"

"I'm the one who will be permitting you . . ."

Ran couldn't continue what he was going to say because Eliana spoke. "Oh my gosh, it's my pleasure to take a picture with you!" Eliana said.

"Ran, can you take us a picture?" Romano requested to Ran.

Ran took out the cell phone and took a few shots as if he was grumbling. "Done." He then suddenly leaves without any words. That's why Eliana followed him.

"Ran," Eliana called him but Ran didn't look back. "Ran," Eliana called again and this time, she was confused. "Ran Takahashi!"

At that moment he stopped walking and still didn't look back at her.

"Why are you being like that?" Eliana asked. "I am . . . confused, Ran. You're making my mind crazy because you're acting like that."

"Because I told you not to go near guys, still you're being stubborn. I am worried that you may be hurt," Ran said.

"You're worried that I will get hurt but you're the one who is hurting me right now," Eliana directly said as if something blocked her throat. "I love the Ran that I knew . . . So why you're like that . . . tell me."

"Because I feel jealous!"