To: Jiro

From: Dara

I got a part-time job at a publishing company in Sunset District! I'll be assisting the editorial staff. I saw the books they published and most of them are the ones that I liked. They told me the authors sometimes dropped by the publishing company. I hope I can meet them. I'm so excited to learn a lot!

How are you? How's your training? Take care of yourself. Don't be grumpy and smile a lot, okay?

Dara

P.S. Here's a picture of me trying out my outfit for my first day in my part-time job. What do you think?

To: Dara

From: Jiro

Congratulations. Don't take night schedules. I don't want you going alone at night. It's dangerous. And be wary of the guys in that company. Don't get too close with them and always be on guard.

I'm doing fine here. I'm not grumpy.

Jiro

P.S. Your skirt is too short, Ramirez. You better have it altered and you better send me the pic again WITH THE CORRECT LENGTH.

To: Jiro

From: Dara

My skirt is fine!

To: Dara

From: Jiro

No. The old farts in that company will ogle at you. CHANGE IT.

To: Jiro

From: Dara

Grumpy!

To: Dara

From: Jiro

I love you.

To: Jiro

From: Dara

I love you too.

The new school year had begun and a lot of changes happened. Yet, we didn't seem bothered by it. Perhaps we were just excited with the new things that were coming our way. Or perhaps, we finally learned to welcome those that we could not avoid.

Namee already left her part-time job at the club and was planning to join me at the publishing company. Bullet was getting busier ever since we entered senior year. He once mentioned that he planned to take care of his father's business. It was the reason why he was trying to learn what he could in school.

Picaro became the next Black Dragon's leader. I had no idea how he could juggle his time leading his gang, taking care of the rowdy Bonsai, and dealing with Namee because seriously – Namee Cheng. My best friend could really be a handful sometimes. Stone, on the other hand, dropped by my house from time to time to check on me as requested by Jiro, and I'm really grateful to him for always helping him out.

I sighed as I sat on one of the round tables in front of the Arts Building. I wasn't bothered by the changes in my life except for one thing: Jiro's absence. Day by day, the hole that Jiro left was becoming bigger. My house felt empty...the school felt empty. It was like his memory was imprinted in everything that I laid my eyes on.

Whenever I hear that the Black Dragons were walking on the hallway, I sometimes find myself expecting to see him walking in front, leading his gang. Whenever I look at my balcony, I can see the silhouette of his back, only to be disappointed because it's just an empty space.

I miss him so much.

I miss his voice calling my name. Ramirez, as he always called me with his blank stare and his stoic expression. I miss the feeling of his touch. I miss his reassuring presence as we walk home together. I miss those moments of silence where we enjoy our quiet time together. I miss his arms around me, holding me tight as we sleep.

But this kind of change was necessary for us to move forward.

"Dara," a female voice interrupted my thoughts. I lifted my gaze and was surprised to see Riko approaching me. "Hello," she greeted.

"Hi."

Riko sat beside me and gave me a timid smile, nervously fiddling with her fingers. "Um..." She dropped her gaze on her lap, sighing a bit before speaking. "This is long overdue, but I want to apologize to you personally. What I did before was really stupid, and I know I hurt you and Jiro," she mumbled and stared at me shyly.

I looked at her and as expected, the ill feeling was now gone. "It was a long time ago. Don't worry about it anymore," I said. "I've already forgiven you."

She inhaled deeply and a bright smile curved on her lips, as if something heavy had been lifted off her. "I'm glad to hear that."

"But don't do it again, Riko. If things don't go your way, don't force it."

"Yes," she said, shifting her gaze forward. "I've learned it the hard way. I was desperate for love back then. I thought the hollow feeling would disappear if I have someone with me." She shifted her gaze at me and smiled. "I'm doing a bit of modeling now – print ads and some magazine stint."

"Are you planning to make it your career?"

"Maybe. But for now, I'm taking things slowly. I'm enjoying it though."

I stared at her and I saw a different woman, far different from the girl who once crumbled in front of me because of a guy.

"You're right, Dara. I can live without him," I heard her say. "I'm living for myself now. And it's not as bad as I thought it would be."

I smiled back at her, genuinely happy that she found the answer that filled the void in her heart.

Time flew and everyone was now looking forward instead of looking back. Jiro had found himself too. In the midst of all the changes going on around us, everyone was slowly finding their place.

***

To: Dara

From: Jiro

Our training has ended and I've entered an official project. Things are hectic. There are deadlines to beat. How are you?

To: Jiro

From: Dara

Getting busier with the exams just around the corner. Remember to take care of your health while you're doing your best.

To: Dara

From: Jiro

Okay. I miss you.

To: Jiro

From: Dara

I miss you too.

As time passed by, we were starting to run out of things to talk about. It was saddening, but that was the reality that we had to face because of the distance that separated us.

"Seriously, when did this start? I don't remember inviting you guys to join us," Bullet said grumpily as he sat between me and Namee while looking at Picaro, Bonsai, and Stone who were all seated across the table with their trays of food.

"I have a valid excuse. That's my girlfriend right there," Picaro replied nonchalantly, tipping his chin at Namee.

"What's your excuse?" Bullet turned to Bonsai and Stone who were busy shoving the food in their mouths.

"Are you having your period, woman?" Bonsai shot back.

"He's just miffed because the new girl in third year is not worshipping him. What's her name? Sandy Park?" Stone said.

"I'm not interested in that nerd, excuse me."

"I saw you checking her out during gym class," Namee interjected.

"Will you guys stop? My munchkin can hear you. She might get jealous."

"Don't use me to slither your way out of this, Bullet," I remarked and smiled teasingly at him. "We all know you like her."

"You guys are insane."

"Hey, Ice Lord has finished his training, right?" Bonsai suddenly asked.

"Yes, and he's now part of an official project."

"Isn't he coming back any time soon? For a vacation maybe?" Picaro asked.

"I don't think so. He's very busy lately."

"There's your girl, Lee," Stone pointed his fork at the far corner of the cafeteria, catching everyone's attention.

"She's not my girl!"

Just like that, the conversation about Jiro had ended. Little by little, even the people around me were getting used to his absence...just like me.

***

The graduation was coming and the heavy atmosphere in InterSAT was back. The time of inevitable goodbyes was drawing near, and the time to step toward an uncertain future was coming.

To: Jiro

From: Dara

I love you.

To: Dara

From: Jiro

I love you too.

Jiro's calls and messages were slowly becoming scarce. It scared me that even our replies were becoming mechanical. Were we drifting apart? Would the familiar feeling still be there when I see him again?

I do miss him a lot and I can't wait for us to be together. Alone at night, when I think of our moments together, it made me wish for his quick return so he could be with me again. But when I wake up and when I do my normal routines, my heart was peaceful, erasing the previous night of sorrow. Is this okay?

I halted my steps and stood in the middle of the hallway, roaming my gaze on the school ground below. I wonder if he was thinking the same way I did.

I pulled out my phone from my bag and browsed the pictures of him that I secretly took, my lips immediately curving in a smile. It'll be alright. Even though I'm at ease with his absence, my heart still beats for him. We are both reaching for our goals now, and this distance is an obstacle we can eventually surmount.

As I pocketed my phone and continued gazing at the familiar school scene on the ground that can be viewed from the Art Building's hallway, a gang brawl started in a near distance, startling me. *Sigh*

Another day in InterSAT... Another day without him.

***

His long strides did not falter as he walked in the hallway amidst the excited murmurs of the students while they stared at him in awe and admiration. His commanding presence attracted the attention of everyone but he seemed oblivious about it, his stoic stare focused forward.

A gang brawl erupted at the end of the hallway, to the direction where he was heading. But the guy continued walking, unfazed of the chaos that he was about to walk into.

A freshman gang member bumped into him and he abruptly halted his steps, his sharp glare dropping toward the student who blurted a string of curses and was now about to punch him.

"No! Wait! That's—" His gang mate was not able to stop him from attacking the man with an uncaring attitude and a dangerous air around him. Everyone froze when the guy with a dragon tattoo curled his fist and slammed it on the face of the idiot who tried to attack him.

"Oh my God! It's him!"

"He's here!"

"Who?"

"He's back!"

Dara was about to run away from the gang brawl when she heard the excited squeals of the students, making her curious. She yelped in surprise when she saw a gang member who was hurled across the hallway. His body slid on the floor, his nose bleeding, perhaps because of a strong punch that sent him flying.

"Stupid punk," a low growl that made her heart race entered her ears. That voice. But it was not possible. Only a year had passed and he still had another year to finish his project.

Dara's eyes widened when a familiar figure turned the corner, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as he stepped over the guy who was now slumped on the floor while covering his bloody nose.

Jiro.

He strode slowly and when he lifted his gaze, their eyes met. Dara was paralyzed on her spot, unable to believe what she was seeing. Jiro. His proud stance and imposing presence, his deep penetrating eyes intensely looking at her, his uncaring attitude... It was really him. God, it's him!

He halted his steps and stood in front of her, roaming his gaze on her face. Without uttering a word, he lifted his hand and touched her hair, his fingers accidentally brushing against her cheek, making her heart flutter.

"Your hair is long," he remarked, his expression remaining impassive as he dragged his gaze on her hair that now fell below her waist.

"Y-Yeah. I didn't cut it. I mean, I just had it trimmed from time to time but—" What the hell is she saying?! For Pete's sake, he didn't come back to check on her hair!

"I thought you have no class today. I was supposed to surprise you later. I'm just about to check on the idiots in the turf; see if they didn't end up killing each other yet," he said. "I'm back for good. The project ended earlier than expected. I'll be working at our office in the uptown district," he added, a proud smile curving his lips that reached his eyes.

Dara did not respond and stared at his eyes – those brown eyes that were far different from how they used to be. Gone was the boy who was unsure of himself – broken and defeated. Gone was the boy who doubted his worth.

A lump formed on her throat as a mixture of emotions flooded through her. She had been questioning herself before if the familiar feeling would still be there once they meet again and now, she found the answer.

"Ramirez."

She hung her head low when his lips moved and mentioned her name. It was too long, and she badly missed it. Suddenly, she felt him gently tugging her by the wrist, her face crashing against his chest, his scent enveloping her senses. His hand rested at the back of her head as she listened to the hard pounding of his heart.

"I'm glad you're back," she mumbled.

The sky was an endless orange marred by a few clouds, just like the day he left. Things may not be how they planned them to be, but life was beautiful that way. There were a lot of paths to choose from, a lot of decisions to make; there were a lot of surprises along the way.

Jiro wrapped his arms around her, holding her in a tight embrace. Finally, he was able to climb out of the pit where he fell. He was glad that he took one brave step, because that was how the journey started. And that was how he won...with the support of the girl that he loves.

It was a long and arduous road for the both of them, but the view at the top of the mountain was worth the pain.

"I'm glad I'm back," he whispered.

Writer's Note:

Epilogue is up next! I will be posting a NEW STORY after this so FOLLOW me to be able to read it!