Chapter 28: People

Yet, the deeper their connection grows, the more they're faced with challenges they hadn't anticipated. Jiko becomes hyper-aware of how others perceive them—of the rumors and speculation that swirl like whispers behind his back. He constantly deflects questions from friends, brushing them off with half-hearted laughs or subtle changes in topic. Teachers at school start to notice too, offering them curious glances whenever they're seen together.

Julie, however, grows more bold in her approach. She refuses to hide—partly because she's tired of the secrecy, but mostly because she's tired of pretending it's something she should be ashamed of. "Why should we have to keep this a secret?" she asks one day, frustration edging her voice. "We shouldn't have to hide, Jiko."

"I know," Jiko replies, his gaze fixed on the ground. He hates feeling like they're tiptoeing around the truth, always wary of what might happen if someone finds out. "But you know how it is. People talk. And… I don't want to cause you any trouble."

Julie sighs, looking down at her shoes. "But hiding like this isn't fair. We deserve to be happy without feeling like we're constantly sneaking around."

Jiko doesn't have a response—at least, not one that sounds promising. He knows she's right, but the fear of what could happen if Tito finds out, if their families find out, is something that clutches at him like a tight grip. He feels torn between what he wants and what he knows he needs to protect—Julie included.

The tension starts to weigh on both of them, though neither is willing to back down from how they feel. They continue to find their stolen moments—passing notes in between classes, sharing quiet laughs in secluded spots, and long phone calls that stretch late into the night. But it's clear that every moment feels tinged with hesitation, as though they're walking on thin ice.

And then, one afternoon, the inevitable happens. Jiko hears a group of students talking—whispers that make his skin prickle with unease. "Did you see them again? Jiko and Julie… they've been spending so much time together. They're practically inseparable now."

Jiko's stomach knots, and he tries to brush it off at first. It's just the usual high school gossip—nothing he hasn't dealt with before. But as the days go on, the rumors spread further, seeping into conversations with teachers, slipping through the hallways like a growing storm.

One day, after school, Jiko finds himself cornered by some of his classmates. He's standing by his locker, exchanging books with a friend, when someone suddenly leans in—half-joking but with a sharp edge to their tone. "Hey, Jiko. What's this I hear about you and Julie? People say you two are getting… close."

Jiko freezes. His heart races, and he quickly adjusts his posture, forcing a casual smile onto his face. "It's nothing," he answers, trying to sound nonchalant. "We are close from beginning. We're just friends."

The laughter that erupts around him is tinged with disbelief. "Sure, Jiko. Friends who are always hanging out together, sneaking glances at each other in the hallways. What I know, man and woman cannot be friends, especially the way you guys acting.." The group snickers, and though they mean it as a joke, Jiko can feel the weight of their words—how they're already starting to believe the rumors.

The following day, Jiko's dread becomes a reality. That evening Tito approaches him—casually at first, but with an unmistakable seriousness behind his eyes.

"What's this I hear about you and Julie?" Tito asks, raising an eyebrow, half-joking, but his tone carries something more than mere curiosity. "People say you two are... close."

Jiko's heart sinks. He freezes, his stomach twisting. He knows what's coming—what Tito suspects. But still, part of him tries to play it cool. "It's nothing, brother. I have already told you before, we don't have any romantic feelings," he says quickly, giving a half-hearted laugh.

Tito leans in slightly, his expression unreadable, but there's a hint of something suspicious—something Jiko can't quite brush off. "You sure about that? Seems like you've been spending a lot of time together lately."

Jiko's fingers tighten around his books. He feels trapped—guilt gnawing at him, though Julie means nothing to Tito in this timeline. It doesn't matter. The fact that someone else might think they're involved is enough to make him feel like he's crossing some invisible line.

"I'm just looking out for her," Jiko says quickly, though even he knows it sounds flimsy. "We're friends. That's all."

Tito shrugs, but Jiko can tell he isn't convinced. "You better be careful, Jiko," Tito says, his voice lower now. "People talk, and things can spiral out of control fast."

Jiko forces a nod, though inside, he feels uneasy. Tito might shrug it off now, but Jiko knows his brother—how protective and sharp he can be when it comes to those he cares about. And that thought—Tito suspecting something, even if it's just in passing—makes Jiko's chest tighten further.

Later that evening, Jiko sits alone, scrolling through his phone, his mind racing. Julie's name pops up on his screen. He hesitates for a long moment before deciding to call her—knowing they need to talk.

"Hey," Julie answers, her voice soft but cautious.

"Julie," Jiko says, his tone serious. "I think we need to talk. This thing with the rumors… it's getting worse."

There's a pause on the other end. "Yeah, I know," Julie admits softly. "People at school keep bringing it up. They're making it seem like we're hiding something."

"I don't want this to spiral out of control," Jiko says, his voice low, edged with frustration. "But I'm worried—worried about what might happen if my brother hears about it. Or our families."

Julie sighs. "Why is your main concern always your brother… You are acting like a girl, who is protected by goon brother. Well, I'm tired of hiding, Jiko. I don't want to keep this a secret anymore. We shouldn't have to be afraid of what people think."

Jiko leans back against his bed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But it's not just about us. It's about what comes next. We've got people watching us—speculating, and it's starting to feel overwhelming."

For a moment, neither of them speaks, the weight of their situation settling heavily between them. Jiko feels torn—part of him wants to stand his ground and defy the world, while another part is weighed down by the fear of consequences.