Chapter 15

"So, Dino, have you ever had a girlfriend before?" Ivan inquired interestingly.

Dino nodded and answered, "Yes."

"Oh. How many girlfriends have you had so far?" Ivan asked.

"One," Dino replied while blushing. "What about you?"

"I've had two," Ivan responded with a smile.

"Oh, I see," Dino answered. "So you're bisexual, correct?"

Ivan nodded and smiled before replying, "Yes, I am."

At that moment, Dino blushed and thought, [He admitted that he's bisexual without any hesitation. That's awesome!]

"S-Since when did you know that you're bisexual?" Dino asked curiously.

"Since I was eighteen years old," Ivan responded without hesitation. "And what about you, Dino? Are you straight or bisexual?"

Upon hearing Ivan's question, Dino's face reddened even more before breaking his eye contact with the Russian swimmer. He also thought of what Eric told him about currently having an identity crisis.

[Oh my goodness...What should I answer him?!] Dino thought, feeling bashful with his face red from blushing. [If I'm really straight, why can't I answer him right away?! Am I really having an identity crisis, like what Eric told me?!]

"Dino? What's wrong?" Ivan asked, noticing that Dino's face was red while the latter was also not able to answer.

"Oh, sorry! I...I…" Dino said while also finding himself unable to say what he was thinking any further.. 

[Damn it...Why can't I say it?!] Dino thought while feeling tense.

Ivan smiled and said, "It's okay, Dino. You can take your time in thinking what you want to tell me. Anyway, what kind of sports do you engage in?"

"I engage in basketball!" Dino answered with a smile.

"That's awesome!" Ivan exclaimed cheerfully. "Are you a member of a varsity team too?"

"I was back in high school," Dino replied.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Ivan exclaimed in a lively manner. "But are you a member of any basketball team right now?"

Dino shook his head and answered, "Right now, I'm not."

"Oh, so do you plan to join a new basketball team?" Ivan inquired curiously.

Dino thought for a moment and replied, "Hmm...Right now, I'm not thinking about that. I still have to check if I can balance it with my studies."

"I see. How about you join the swimming team?" Ivan suggested while grinning. "If there's any swimming team in your school, that is."

"Oh...I...I haven't thought of that yet," Dino replied without looking directly at Ivan's eyes. "Also, I can't swim, so I have yet to learn that before I decide to join that team."

Ivan smirked and declared, "Which is why you have to consider very carefully what I offered you - to teach you how to swim for free."

"Oh...Yeah. I'll give it consideration," Dino answered with a smile, looking directly at Ivan's eyes again. "If I ever decide to accept your offer, when will we be starting with the lessons?"

"We can start next week," Ivan responded with a smile while pointing his right index finger upwards. "That is, if both of us are available."

"Alright! I'll think about it!" Dino replied excitedly while showing his cute and innocent smile, making Ivan feel mesmerized by it again.

[Oh...He's smiling again!] Ivan thought happily, with his pupils dilated. [How I really wish I would always see this adorable smile! But I also find his shyness adorable!]

"So, Ivan, have you played basketball before?" Dino asked curiously.

Ivan smiled and replied, "Yes, I have. But I never joined any varsity basketball team. I just played with some of my friends."

"Oh, I see. But did you try joining any?" Dino inquired.

"No, I haven't," Ivan answered while shaking his head.

"Why not?" Dino asked.

Ivan laughed and responded, "I guess basketball just isn't my thing. I'm just into swimming."

"Oh, that makes sense," Dino declared with an innocent smile. "You just love swimming that much, don't you, Ivan?"

"I guess, yes," Ivan answered with a bright smile. "But now, there's another thing that I like so much."

"Oh, really? What is it?" Dino asked interestingly.

"You, Dino," Ivan replied sweetly.

At that moment, Dino felt his heart beat faster. His face also became red from blushing again. 

"Uh...What? Could you say that again, please?" Dino requested shyly.

"I said I like you. I really, really like you," Ivan replied in a voice full of emotion while looking directly at Dino's eyes.

Dino looked closely at Ivan's eyes and saw that the latter was sincere in his feelings. Ivan's eyes were dilated and his smile showed full satisfaction. Afterwards, Dino broke his eye contact with Ivan. 

[What should I say? Honestly...I don't know what to answer him.] Dino thought while blushing.

"Ivan, I…" Dino said, finding himself unable to say what he was thinking again. 

"Hm?" Ivan uttered with his mouth closed.

"I...I…" Dino declared shyly. "I…"

[Looks like he still doesn't realize how he feels for me, and that's why he can't answer me.] Ivan thought. 

"Dino, it's okay. You don't have to give me your answer right now," Ivan said in a reassuring tone while smiling. "So please take your time in thinking about it."

"Oh, okay," Dino answered. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Dino!" Ivan replied merrily. "Also, thanks for coming to our date today!"

"No problem, Ivan!" Dino responded cheerfully. "I wanted to get to know you more, and that's why I agreed to go on this date with you!" Dino declared passionately. 

Ivan found himself unable to say anything for a moment after hearing Dino's passionate declaration. Afterwards, he smirked and said, "Hearing that from you makes me feel so happy, Dino! Thank you very much!"

After taking about two hours of eating and talking, both Ivan and Dino had finished eating the food. Dino felt satisfied after eating so much delicious food. 

"I loved the food!" Dino exclaimed cheerfully. "Thanks, Ivan!"

Ivan smirked and said, "I'm glad to know that! You're welcome!"

"But are these Russian foods?" Dino asked. 

"Some of them are, and some of them are Italian," Ivan replied with a smile.

"I see. And how much did everything cost?" Dino inquired curiously.

"Around more than five thousand pesos," Ivan answered while smirking.

"What?! It's that expensive?!" Dino asked in utter amazement. 

"It's okay. I spent that money on a date with a guy I like, so I have no regrets," Ivan declared sincerely and lovingly. "And you don't have to pay for them."

"Oh..Okay," Dino responded. "But..Next time, maybe I can help you order more affordable food? I don't want you to spend too much money."

"Oh, sure! That would be great! Thanks, Dino!" Ivan answered merrily. "Now then, shall I request something from you, if you don't mind?"

"Sure! What is it?" Dino asked. "What do you want?"

"I want you to kiss me," Ivan said with a smirk. 

Dino blushed and replied, "M-Me? Kiss you?" 

Ivan nodded and smiled before answering, "Yes! So, can you do it for me? Please?"

"Oh, I…" Dino declared shyly while blushing.

"Please, Dino? Please?" Ivan requested while showing his adorable blue eyes. 

Upon seeing Ivan's cute and beautiful blue eyes, Dino found himself unable to refuse the former's request. He knew that he would make Ivan feel very happy if the latter's request was granted.

[He ordered lots of food for me, so it's just right that I give him a kiss.] Dino thought. [Alright! I'll do it then!]

"Okay, I'll do it!" Dino answered in a mixture of both shyness and determination. 

Ivan watched Dino as the latter stood up and approached the former from across the table. 

"P-Please...close your eyes!" Dino requested shyly while blushing.

[His shyness while requesting is also cute.] Ivan thought with a smirk while being mesmerized by Dino's cuteness. 

"Alright! Please give me your best!" Ivan declared cheerfully before closing his eyes.

As soon as Ivan's eyes were closed, Dino closed his eyes and leaned forward to kiss Ivan. He was trembling with both nervousness and shyness before his own lips touched with Ivan's. Ivan, upon feeling Dino's lips, pulled Dino closer to deepen their kiss.