I frowned as I watched Greco and Nacthan devour five bowls of ramen each. How could they eat that much? Where did all that food go?

"Aren't you going to eat?" Greco asked me, acting as if we were close.

I ignored him and turned my attention to Nacthan instead.

"Stop pretending. I know you're hungry," Nacthan teased shamelessly. Annoyed, I smacked him on the shoulder.

Greco chuckled softly, which made me raise an eyebrow at him.

"Go ahead and eat," he said with a smile, but I only rolled my eyes. Did he not notice that I didn't want to talk to him? Did I need to spell it out?

"You're really not eating? Alright, I'll take this," Greco said and grabbed the two bowls of ramen in front of me.

"She's not usually grumpy with guys, you know. Only with you," my brother said mischievously. "Maybe she likes you."

That earned him multiple smacks on the arm. I didn't care if his skin turned red—I'd been irritated with him for ages, and this was payback time.

"Ow! Can you stop hitting me? Do you think your hand's light or something?" Nacthan complained, his voice tinged with irritation.

"You two are so sweet," Greco commented sarcastically, shaking his head.

"Mind your own business," I snapped.

"Grumpy," he muttered under his breath. Well, he wasn't wrong. I was grumpy—but only with him, Ally, and my brother. For reasons I couldn't even explain, the three of them just got on my nerves.

When Nacthan finished his ramen, he pulled out an iPhone box and placed it in front of Greco.

"Happy birthday, Greco," he said.

My jaw nearly dropped when I realized the iPhone was for Greco.

Greco frowned as he stared at the gift.

I waited for him to take it, but my eyebrows knitted together when I noticed he just kept looking at it before gently pushing it back toward my brother.

"Sorry, but I can't accept a gift like this," Greco said with a smile.

"Just take it. It's not even expensive," my brother insisted.

Not expensive? What on earth was he talking about? I was so close to smacking him again. It's not even his money he's spending!

"No, really. I didn't ask for a gift. It's enough that you're here with me on my birthday," Greco said sincerely.

Despite his kind demeanor toward me and my brother, I couldn't bring myself to like him—he was Fuse's rival in swimming, after all.

An iPhone as a gift, and he didn't want it? Who does that?

"I'll take it then," I interrupted, grabbing the iPhone.

Nacthan glared at me.

"What?" I mouthed.

"Put it down," he hissed.

I simply raised an eyebrow.

"Are you two dating or something? Come on, just admit it. Are you both gay? It's fine with me, I promise. I wouldn't judge you—I'd be the worst sibling ever if I did," I said, my words spilling out rapidly.

I glanced at Greco, surprised when he burst into laughter.

"Are you crazy? Nacthan's like a brother to me," he said.

I nodded. Good to know. Without another word, I turned to my brother and told him we should head home. But of course, he insisted on staying with Greco.

"Let him go with you, NM," Greco said, standing up. "It's getting late. Thanks for hanging out. Let's do this again sometime."

"There won't be a next time," I said sharply.

"We'll see," he replied with a grin, walking away.

And just before he left, he turned to me and said, "See you around, NM."

Greco

"Greco! Pay your rent already! You're three months behind!"

I jolted awake at the sound of my landlady's angry voice outside my door. Scratching my head, I got up, threw on a shirt, and cracked the door open.

"I'll pay next week, promise. Chill, Manang. I'm not going to run off."

"No! You've gone too far this time. Start packing your things—someone's moving into your apartment this afternoon!" she yelled.

"Fine, fine. I'll leave. I'll settle the three months' rent next week," I said, trying to sound calm.

"You better! Don't you dare try to swindle me!"

"Geez, Manang, have a little faith in me," I muttered under my breath.

"Faith? In you? You're the most unreliable tenant I've ever had!"

I chuckled softly. "Come on, Manang. Admit it—you're lucky to have a handsome tenant like me."

"Get out of here, Greco! And don't forget the rent!"

What choice did I have? I had to leave today and deal with the rent next week.

***

It took about half an hour to reach Vera Town from Vera City. The distance between the two was quite significant, which explained the long drive. My grandmother lived in Vera Town, a place that always felt like home to me. And there was no denying how vast the entire Vera region was.

As soon as I arrived at her house, my grandmother greeted me with a tight hug, which instantly made me smile.

I had missed everything about her.

"I'm glad you're home, my dear. How have you been in the city?" she asked warmly.

I smiled back and hugged her tighter. "I'm doing fine, Grandma. Really happy," I replied, though deep inside, I knew I was lying. Life was tough being away from her. It had been summer since my last visit, and now it was already September. We hadn't seen each other in months.

She was the one who raised me, my grandmother, the woman who stood in as my mother for as long as I could remember. She had been funding my education since I was a child, and I owed her everything. She never abandoned me. She nurtured me.

Truthfully, without her, I wouldn't even be alive today.

"Have you eaten yet, dear? Let me cook your favorite dish," she said cheerfully. I nodded, grateful.

I carried my belongings to my room, placed them on the floor, and flopped onto my bed. I had missed this room as well—its coziness, its familiarity. It was far more comfortable than my cramped apartment back in the city.

After settling in, I headed to the living room and turned on the TV while waiting for her to finish cooking.

The smell of her cooking wafted into the air, teasing my appetite. My excitement grew as I anticipated tasting her dishes again. Her cooking wasn't just a favorite of mine—it was famous in Vera Town. My grandmother ran a small restaurant there, and her culinary skills were adored by everyone. The business was doing well, thanks to her passion and expertise.

I got up and walked to the kitchen, leaning against the wall to watch her work.

"Grandma," I began hesitantly, "this afternoon, I'm planning to look for a job. I need one, especially since I haven't been able to pay the rent on my apartment in Vera City."

She turned to me, her face filled with surprise. "How much do you need, dear? You should've told me earlier so I could help you."

I shook my head firmly. "No, Grandma. I can't keep asking you for more. You're already paying for my tuition. You've done more than enough for me."

The truth was, I didn't want to burden her further. If it were up to me, I'd rather she didn't have to work so hard anymore.

"Greco," she said, her tone firm but kind, "what are you saying? Everything I've done for you is still not enough. Don't feel shy about asking for help. It's just the two of us, after all. We're family." She smiled warmly before handing me a taste of her freshly cooked dish. "Here, try this."

Her infectious smile immediately made me grin in return.

I must have inherited her cheerfulness. We both had smiles that seemed to persist, no matter what challenges came our way.

Our moment was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Curious, I went to open it. Standing there was a man, probably in his thirties, dressed sharply in a black coat and holding a large box along with a small envelope.

I studied him warily.

Who was this man? And what was he doing here?

"Good day," he greeted politely. "I'm Louel Posadas, Secretary to President Lucas."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Sorry, but who is President Lucas?"

His lips curled into a smile at my question. "He's the President of Vera University. I'm here on his behalf to deliver a gift for you."

"A gift?" I repeated, confused. "My birthday was yesterday. It's over." I chuckled lightly, then stepped aside. "Please, come in."

I called for my grandmother, telling her we had a visitor. While waiting, I entertained Mr. Louel. He handed me the envelope, which I promptly opened. As I read its contents, my forehead creased.

"Sorry, but I'm not interested. You can leave now," I said flatly, my expression and tone brimming with displeasure.

The offer was for a scholarship at Vera University. I knew I should be thrilled, but the mere thought of attending that university made me feel anything but joy.

"Are you sure you want to decline, Mr. Pellaria? This is a great opportunity for you. President Lucas saw your potential during the recent swimming competition. He believes in your talent and wants to offer you a full scholarship so you can focus on your swimming career," Mr. Louel explained, trying to persuade me.

I shook my head firmly. "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. I don't like the attitude of the people at your university. Too many arrogant students there," I admitted. Memories of Fuse's condescending demeanor flooded back. He might have been an excellent swimmer, but his personality was garbage—full of arrogance. Even after I congratulated him on his win, he had the nerve to look down on me.

"Not all students at Vera University are like that. I assure you, Mr. Pellaria, once you join, you won't regret it. This is a chance to open doors to countless opportunities. Please, don't dismiss it without careful thought," he urged.

He then placed the package on the table. "Inside is the Vera University uniform. Wear it when you're ready to accept our offer," he said with a smile.

"I'll take my leave now," he added before turning to my grandmother, who saw him out.

I didn't bother following them to the door. My mood was already ruined.

I never dreamed of attending Vera University, and I certainly didn't want to share a team with someone as arrogant as Fuse.

No matter how prestigious Vera University might be, it wasn't for me.

NM

"Ugh, seriously, Nacthan!" I grumbled, swatting at him repeatedly.

"Just accept it—you lost, plain and simple," he teased with an annoyingly smug grin. In a fit of frustration, I threw my entire stack of Uno cards at him. Every single time we played this game, I ended up losing. It was infuriating.

Before I could launch into another round of complaints, Mom called us to the dining table. The moment I took my first bite, a wide smile spread across my face. There's nothing quite like a home-cooked meal. It has a comforting taste that transports you back to childhood—a reminder of the flavors you grew up with, the kind that feels irreplaceable no matter what.

"Mom, can I stay at home instead of the dorm? I'll just commute to Vera University every day. It's only a 30 to 40-minute ride, and I honestly prefer being here," I blurted out. I'd been holding onto that thought for weeks. I used to dread the daily commute and the energy drain it brought, but now, I felt like it was worth it. My dorm life had been enjoyable, sure, but nothing beat the warmth of home. It was finally time to make the switch.

Mom's face lit up with a warm smile. "Of course, sweetheart. Why would I ever stop you from coming back home?" Her gentle tone was a relief. I half-expected her to scold me for the sudden decision, but she didn't.

"Guess what, Nacthan? You'll be seeing me every single day now," I teased, throwing him a mischievous grin. He gave me an unimpressed glare, which only made me laugh harder. If he thought he had a monopoly on being annoying, he had another thing coming.

By afternoon, I managed to drag Nacthan out of the house for some cake at Happiness Café. It wasn't far—just a quick stroll through our village. As soon as we stepped in, I headed straight to the counter, placed our order, and found a seat by the window. The usual stares from the other customers followed. People always assumed Nacthan and I were a couple. It didn't help that he was well-known around town; being seen with him often drew attention.

"Here's your order, sir—"

"Greco?" Nacthan interrupted, his voice laced with surprise. His reaction made me glance up. Sure enough, it was Greco, the last person I expected to see here. He placed the plates on our table, flashing a polite smile.

What was he doing here?

"You're here? Did you head back to your grandma's already?" Nacthan asked, beating me to the punch.

"Yeah, I had to," Greco replied easily. "This is just a part-time gig."

"Why not help out at your grandma's restaurant instead?" my brother suggested.

"There are already people helping her there. Besides, I need to earn money myself. Lola's done enough for me, and I want to pull my own weight," Greco explained, smiling again. His words silenced me.

I stared at him, caught off guard. For someone as good-looking as him, I didn't expect this kind of life. To be honest, I'd assumed he lived a privileged life, much like Fuse.

But Greco's words revealed a stark contrast. Hardworking and self-reliant—those weren't qualities I associated with him. It was humbling. And surprising.

After a quick goodbye, he left to attend to other customers. I watched as he moved efficiently through the café, bringing orders to tables and flashing that easy smile that seemed to captivate everyone around him. The girls, in particular, couldn't keep their eyes off him, and I couldn't blame them. Greco was undeniably attractive.

If he weren't Fuse's rival in swimming, I might've even found myself drawn to him too.

Once we finished our cake, we saw Greco leaving the locker room just as we were about to head out.

"Let's walk home together," he suggested casually. Nacthan, of course, eagerly agreed before I could protest. I sighed internally, resigning myself to the situation. I didn't want to interact with him, much less get chummy. In my mind, he was firmly labeled as an opponent of Fuse—someone I shouldn't be too friendly with.

As we walked, Greco and Nacthan chatted like old pals, their conversation revolving around their school. Being a year older than Nacthan and not from the same school, I couldn't relate, so I let them talk. Instead, I kept my focus on the path ahead, hoping the walk would end soon.

When we reached our house, I froze as I watched Greco head into the house next door—the one with a restaurant attached to it.

Wait. What?

Why was he going there?

Before closing the gate, Greco turned back to me, catching my confused expression. He laughed lightly. "I'm your neighbor. Did you seriously not know? You've never been one to step outside much, even back then."

I felt my shoulders slump in disbelief, my mouth slightly agape.

As if that revelation wasn't enough, he flashed another smile. "See you around, NM," he said before shutting the gate.

I stood there for a moment, stunned. Of all the things I expected, this wasn't one of them.