AN: Ey, hi there. This must be the longest time this story went on without an update. 😀 I don't think it has been that long though 😅

Enjoy this chapter! Maybe?

Also, this may be a bit late, but I wish everyone a great 2023.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Gaele: Can I ask you a question, Ten-Ten?

Ten2: look, i'd normally answer that question with sarcasm like last time but i know when you open up the conversation with something like that, it means you're being too serious again. what is it?

While he is lying on the sofa in his living room, Eujae looks at the chat with an unreadable expression on his face. He puts his hand that is holding the phone down and examines his ceiling as though something is interesting to see there.

It has been a couple of hours since Poll left his house this morning. Time has passed since their conversation during breakfast, but something about the talk has stuck with him until now. Sighing, he closes his eyes and rewinds the whole thing in his mind.

"Ketchup? It's spicy, though. I don't have something sweet."

"I'll take that. I'm fine with anything spicy as much as I'm good with sweets," Poll replied. Rather than on the bottle of condiment, his curious gaze was all on Eujae.

Eujae handed him the ketchup across the table, before heaving a sigh. "Alright. Fire away."

Intrigue slid off Poll's face and was replaced by perplexity. "What?"

"You seem like you have been aching to ask me a lot of questions, so shoot."

When Eujae saw that the frown had found its way onto Poll's face, he thought he was going to receive another denial as a response. But it was a wrong guess.

Poll looked down at his food, poking the omelette with a fork, as he mumbled, "Are you a son of some rich hotshot? Maybe the CEO of a big company or something?"

Eujae almost choked at the question. It was obviously just an icebreaker but not something that he had expected to hear. He wanted to laugh but held it back.

"No?" he answered, unsure, but paused for a brief moment when he remembered something. "Ah, but my parents have put up and are leading their own touring theater with other people so I guess, in a way, that makes them CEOs, huh? Their primary occupations, however, are playwright and actress. And as for being rich..." Eujae looked around the dining area and back at Poll, knowing exactly what was going through the other guy's mind. "I'm not going to deny that my and Lia's grandpa came from a rich family. This house was my grandparents and my parents' gift for me when I graduated from high school and passed the entrance exam for college."

"So you're not an illegitimate child of some stuck-up rich guy."

This time, Eujae did laugh. "I think you're watching too much anime, Apollo. I'm sorry to shatter that cute imagination of yours, but my folks are pretty good people."

Ignoring the jest, Poll remarked, "That still makes you a rich kid with a rich dad though. Must be nice, huh?"

Upon hearing the comment, Eujae paused from eating his breakfast and sent Poll an unexpressive gaze. He shook his head, sighing, before putting his spoon down just so he could bore his eyes on the man across from him again.

"I think you're getting it wrong, man," he began talking, his tone sober, "My Pa is not a rich hotshot or whatever you call it. His father may have come from a rich family, but whatever my Ma and he have right now are things they acquired through their own hard work. Even their little theater company was not something that was given to them on a silver platter. Sure, my grandparents were pretty supportive of them and they helped with the startup, but that was it. They didn't keep on spoon-feeding my parents."

Poll looked at him with round eyes as though he had just realized the negative undertone of his remark. He seemed embarrassed when he looked down at his food, mumbling, "My bad. I was wrong. I didn't mean to sound like I was undervaluing anyone's effort, alright? My statement wasn't even meant to be a dig at your parents."

"Then was that supposed to be a stab at me?"

Poll's head jerked, eyes flying back to Eujae. "It wasn't like that," he answered, but the look of guilt in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by the other man.

Deciding to let it go, Eujae picked up his spoon. As he returned his attention to his food, he resumed explaining, "I can say the same thing about me as what I said about my parents. This house may be a gift but believe it or not, Apollo, most of the things that you see here were purchased out of my own pocket. No, I am not talking about any allowance I get from my parents."

He sliced the omelette with the spoon and started picking out and putting away the diced scallions from the fried rice, making a mental note not to put too much of it next time. He didn't even like them, although they made good spices for the food. While he was busy spotting every tiny piece of chopped green onion, he kept on talking, "Au contraire, I have long stopped accepting any money my parents try to give me. I don't think you'd care to know, but I have been completely independent, and that's including financially, since I turned eighteen."

He paused, only to look around the area once more. In a way, he could understand why the knowledge that he was living independently in this kind of place was hard to believe. He looked back at Poll who had also paused from eating and was now staring straight at him.

"You may be wondering how that's possible for someone who is still in college. I don't mind telling you about it, but I don't think you're particularly interested in my personal life. And I can see that you have something you want to know more about than that. I can at least assure you one thing though. I am not doing something sketchy on the side."

Poll didn't say anything, and Eujae took another brief pause before asking, "Now can you tell me, Apollo, what is it that you really want to ask me the most?"

There was no need to ask, to be honest. He knew exactly what it was, but he wanted to hear it from the person himself.

Averting his eyes, Poll whispered, "Why are you doing all of this?"

And Eujae knew it was a long overdue question.

"You know, I just don't understand why you're acting like this all of a sudden."

Something that had been asked numerous times and had been unknowingly avoided by making excuses

Because he didn't want to lose the connection they had. As Gaele and Ten-Ten. And maybe, even as Eujae and Poll.

Because he realized his mother might be right. He cared about the guy he'd argued with for years more than he let on. He would have totally ignored him from the start if he didn't give a single damn. And God knew how good he was at brushing off the things that didn't matter to him.

It was kind of funny to realize it now, considering how he tried to avoid him before. Who would have thought that he would end up doing the opposite of what he wanted to do at that time?

There were clear answers to the questions, but was the truth something that Poll was ready to hear? If he discovered what the reality was, would he stay? Or would he run away?

"Because you remind me of someone who matters to me," Eujae answered, partially telling the truth. Poll reminded him of someone, sure. Except that someone was Ten-Ten. "That's all I can tell you for now."

He heard Poll let out a sigh.

"Okay, forget about the reasons. But after everything that happened and just when you told me you didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore, do you seriously think it is easy for me to just accept all the things that you're doing now? Do you seriously think I am just going to believe you?"

"I get that I was at fault for saying that, but I want to return the question to you, Apollo, why is it hard for you to accept all of this and believe?" Eujae asked seriously.

"Because it's you."

It was a short statement but held so much meaning. And damn if Eujae didn't feel the weight of those few words.

Because it was him. Because it was Eujae Nigel Castillo, the person that Apollo hated the most. Because if it were a different person, Poll would probably not have felt this dubious.

Maybe he was just overcome by desperation the first time he saw a chance to get close to him during the incident in the grocery store that he failed to perform a reality check. In addition, his mind was so muddled by sickness the following days that he didn't get the chance to consider the whole picture.

This was not going to be easy.

Silence passed between them as they had a staring down. Eujae badly wanted to ask Poll something, but he suddenly felt afraid to know the answer, afraid to find the truth in those brown eyes.

Do you really hate me that much?

He was the first to break eye contact, smiling wanly, as he muttered, "You don't need to believe me now, but at least let me keep trying until I make you."

He felt Poll give him an intense, curious gaze before he heard his answer.

"Whatever. Suit yourself."

They spent the rest of the breakfast in awkward silence. Not long after they finished eating, Poll received a call from Tem, telling him to go home. Eujae was left alone in his house, pondering about the things that happened over the past few days.

Raising the phone in front of him, he rereads Ten-Ten's reply one more time and then sighs. He thought he could muster the courage to inquire if it was online, if he was conversing with Ten-Ten instead of Poll.

It should be easy. All he has to do is type any of the questions.

What are you going to do if I turn out to be someone like the person you hate?

That guy you always tell me about, do you hate him that much?

It's not like he doesn't already know that Poll hates him. So much, that is.

He doesn't understand why he's suddenly getting cold feet, why he doesn't want to be slapped by the cold reality that he has been aware of for a long time.

Holding his phone with both hands, he quickly types a reply.

Gaele: Actually, never mind. It's nothing. What have you been up to?

Just as he hits send, his phone buzzes, and his mother's contact name appears on the screen. He turns on the speaker, before accepting the call and putting his phone down on the sofa, next to his head.

"Hi, Ma, didn't expect you to be calling me today. Ah, I guess it's the weekend but this is still an early call, huh? Are you with Pa, right now?"

"No, I'm just calling to check because some good boy had not bothered to notify us that he was sick," his mother says over the phone, her firm tone making him wince. "Really, dear, I know you don't want to bother us during weekdays, thinking we're too busy at work, but when it comes to things concerning your well-being, don't you think we have the right to know it at least? We get it. You can take care of yourself now. You don't need us anymore, but you're still our son, Eujae. We just can't help but be worried about you, no matter what. And no, your Pa is busy today, so it's only me."

"I'm sorry, Ma. It's not like I didn't want to tell you, but I didn't have the chance to do it. I didn't touch my phone the whole time I was sick," Eujae explains in a gentle, imploring tone, "I am totally fine now though. And of course, I still need you. I always will. How can I not when you're the best parents I've ever had? Just forgive me this one time, okay, Ma? Hm? I love you."

There is a defeated sigh on the other line. "This cheeky little rascal."

Hearing the strange endearment, Eujae can't help but grin. Rarely would his mother say such words, and when she does, it still holds so much affection.

"We're the only parents you've ever had, so what are you talking about? Just because you know you can easily win people over with your sweet talks."

Except for a certain person, no, Eujae thinks while listening to his mother.

"Lia said she was out with your uncle last night while you were still sick and alone at your place. Are you sure you're okay now?"

Eujae hums as an affirmation. "And I wasn't alone last night. Apollo was here until a while ago."

"Apollo?"

He glances at his phone, remembering he never mentioned the names to his parents, even when he told them the story about Poll and Ten-Ten. While he is looking to his side, he catches a glimpse of a book on his coffee table. He reaches for it and holds it in front of him to stare at the title.

Basic Investing and Trading Strategies

"That guy I told you about last time. His name is Apollo. Apollo Helios," he answers absentmindedly, eyes still on the book.

"Oh, he's got light for a name too. That's ingenious. Anyway, does the fact that he stayed with you when you were sick imply that you two have already reconciled?"

Eujae smirks and then returns the book to the coffee table. "Not as ingenious as how you came up with my name, I'd say. Have we made up? I wish I can confirm that, Ma. I guess I apologized, but has he forgiven me? I don't know. I can't tell if our situation has become better than before."

"Hm? And here I thought you were already making progress but why does it sound like you're not thrilled at all?"

"I don't know myself anymore, Ma. I can't understand it either. I thought I had it all figured out, but after talking to him with a clear mind, with nothing to overwhelm me, I feel like I am no longer certain. Am I doing the right thing by trying to get close to him while hiding something from him? Something extremely important, something that he deserves to know? Is it not me basically lying? I consider that it might be better if I just tell him the whole truth, but I know that would take a greater risk." He sighs, realizing that he has been doing it a lot, before adding, "Then again, I feel like whatever I do in this situation would require a big risk."

"Risk? Isn't that something that you're well versed in?" his mother asks.

He chuckles and sends another glance at the book on the table. "Yeah, I realized I have been investing and trading since I was in high school, so I have perfectly learned the ins and outs of the risk-return tradeoff. You won't get any return if you don't take a risk. And a higher return requires something more to be at stake. It's true that a bigger risk never scared me and a loss in a single trade never bothered me because I knew I still had plenty of chances to bounce back. I can still recover what was lost."

He picks up his phone from the sofa, holding it to his ear, as he sits up. With his other hand, he reaches for the book once more and flips through it. He stops at a random page.

"But this matter with that guy is no trading market. Something that means a lot to me, something that I don't want to lose, is on the line and I may not be able to get any other chances if I fail to do this the first time. And just thinking that I may not be able to get it back once I lose it is making me... I don't know. It's making me anxious. What's more, that guy is not a chart pattern that I can just analyze."

The only response he receives from the other line is silence. Wondering why his mother is not saying anything, he peeks at his phone just to see that the call is still connected. He returns the phone to his ear and waits for his mother to speak. It isn't long until he hears her voice again.

"So you said you're afraid of losing something. Can you be fully honest with me now, young man? I recall you telling me last time that you only care about that boy because he is Lia's friend and a close friend's brother, and not because you want to. That time, you sounded like you only wanted to give getting to know him personally a shot for the sake of your online friendship. But is that all there is to it? That thing you don't want to be taken away from you, is it only your relationship with him as an online friend?"

Eujae's lips curve into a humorless smirk. That is just what he expects from his mother. Elaine Castillo knows her son too well.

"Saying yet again, Ma, even I am not completely sure anymore. Of course, being in denial was a natural first reaction, considering how we have been for years. I tried to convince myself that I was only doing it for the sake of Ten-Ten."

"Ten-Ten?"

"That's his username in the game."

"Oh, that's rather a cute name."

"Isn't it? I gave him that name," he says, pride welling up in his voice, "So anyway, I was saying I thought I only wanted to save my friendship with Ten-Ten, but who exactly was I trying to fool? Apollo and Ten-Ten; it's an all-or-nothing deal. Either I get both or I lose both. There is no in-between. Of course, I'd take the former, even knowing that my online friend is the same troublesome guy who has managed to get on my nerves so many times. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but... I never felt anything like this before. This brooding fear of making a small misstep that might ruin the whole thing."

Eujae can practically hear the smile in her mother's voice when she answers, "I don't think I have much to say about trading because I am not as good as you when it comes to that. Indeed, you're not dealing with the trading market or charts, but I know there is at least one virtue in investing that you can apply in this situation, and I know that it is something that you have already mastered a long time ago. Think about it, honey."

He blinks, deliberating about his mother's statement. He is aware that when it comes to Apollo, he has already failed to apply one of the most important traits in investing.

Keep your emotions in check. Don't make decisions while you're emotional.

That must not be the virtue that his mother is talking about. After all, there have been plenty of times when he lost his composure because of that guy, plenty of times when he did and said inappropriate things to him because he could not control his emotions.

But his mother is right. Well, his mother is almost always right about him.

He remembers it now. There is that simple, but probably the most important virtue he can employ.

Patience and timing.

He just has to patiently wait for the perfect time to take a position.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Eujae finds Poll at a snack bar in front of their campus on Tuesday. It's only been two days since they talked to each other in his house, but Eujae feels like it has been a while since the last time he saw the guy. He also didn't see him yesterday, as their group was not able to meet for lunch due to a conflict in their schedules.

With a cup of iced lemonade in hand, Eujae slides onto the chair in front of Poll, who is too busy typing on his laptop to notice him.

"What are you still doing here, Apollo?" he asks, announcing his presence. "I saw Tem already leave with Cloud earlier."

Poll's hands freeze on the keyboard of his laptop. With a scowl, he looks up at Eujae. He doesn't even seem surprised by the intrusion anymore. "I can ask you the same thing. L.A. already went home a while ago. Aren't you supposed to be her ride?"

Eujae places his drink on the table and then shrugs when he notices Poll giving him a stare as if waiting for his answer. "Yeah, her parents were on their way from some business they attended. They passed by our uni so they decided to pick her up since they had a dinner plan before going home anyway. Actually, they invited me but I declined because I wanted to hang around a bit, so here I am."

"Who asked?" Poll mumbles, going back to typing on his laptop.

Eujae chuckles. "I believe you did."

"Not the last bit, I didn't," Poll clarifies as he keeps his attention on his personal computer, "Your answer could have ended on the first sentence."

"Fine," Eujae yields, giving a small smile, "So how about you? Why didn't you go home yet?"

With a roll of his eyes, Poll briefly glances at Eujae and then resumes what he is working at. "I was with some classmates earlier, discussing a group project. I am just wrapping up some things and am about to leave." He stops moving his hand and stares at the screen of his laptop.

Eujae can't see what Poll is looking at, but judging by how the creases in between his brows have become more pronounced, he can tell that it is not something that the male twin finds pleasant.

Before he can ask what the matter is, he hears Poll mumbling to himself, "I don't understand why college students still have to study about this stuff. What does it have to do with me being an Art student? Haven't we had enough of this shit since we were in grade school? I don't even like History."

"That makes two of us," Eujae chimes in, stopping Poll's monologue and making him look up at him again.

"What are you still doing here?" Poll groans.

Instead of answering the question, Eujae asks, "Do you have a ride, Apollo? Want me to drop you off?"

The answer comes immediately.

"No, thanks," Poll grumbles and closes his laptop, before shooting Eujae a glare, "In case you didn't notice, I'm old enough to know how to go home by myself."

Just as Eujae is about to respond, a Japanese song suddenly plays out of nowhere, distracting them both from the conversation. Eujae arches a brow, watching Poll fish his ringing phone out of his pocket. So the Japanese music is his call alert ringtone.

Typical Apollo.

Eujae looks around the snack bar and tries to tune Poll out when the guy begins to have a conversation on his phone. However, it's hard not to listen when they are only a table away from each other, and Poll's voice is loud enough for Eujae to hear. Based on the way he talks and the tone of his voice, Eujae assumes that the guy is talking to his twin sister.

"What?!"

Eujae's attention darts back to Poll upon hearing his exclamation. When he sees Poll's terrified expression, his brows knit in concern and confusion. Color has escaped from the male twin's face.

"Y-yeah, I'll... I'll be there," Poll says, sounding rattled.

Eujae waits until the call ends. As soon as Poll hangs up, he asks worriedly, "Are you okay?"

But it is as if Poll has forgotten about him as he grabs his laptop from the table and pulls his backpack from the chair next to him.

Eujae watches as Poll fumbles on the zipper of his backpack. Seeing how disconcerted the man is, he stands up and rounds the table to go near him. He grabs Poll's shaking hand, calling his attention. "Hey, what's the matter? That was Tem you were talking to, right? What happened?"

Poll looks up at Eujae with glassy eyes, looking like he wants to cry. There is a brief pause before he speaks in an unsteady voice, "I-I need to go to the hospital."