Chapter 39: His girl

"There was… an incident on my school trip," Jiko began cautiously. "You know I went on that trip recently. And you know that guy?" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Daniel… He tried to cause trouble with Julie. He said some things that weren't true—about me and her."

Tito's expression darkens. "Daniel? The brat from your class? The one hanging around, thinking he's the big shot?"

"Yeah," Jiko confirms. "He said Julie shouldn't be with me because I'm boring. He tried to get her to hang out with him instead. It made me... angry."

Tito's eyes narrow further, his fists clenching slightly at his sides. "That guy has no idea what he's playing with. He's Robin's younger brother, isn't he? I'll talk to Robin. He knows how to handle guys like Daniel."

"Thanks, Brother," Jiko says gratefully. "But it's not just that... I'm worried about what people will think, how this whole thing might affect Julie."

Tito lets out a small, knowing smile. "You're worried about Julie? Good. That's a good sign, Jiko." He sits forward, his voice steady. "Does she really love you? Can Julie make you happy?"

Jiko's heart skips a beat, but he doesn't hesitate. "Yeah. She makes me happy."

Tito's expression softens, and he nods slowly. "Alright then. If she makes you happy, I'm not going to stand in your way."

Jiko's eyes widen in surprise, relief washing over him. "Really?"

"Really," Tito affirms, though his voice remains measured. "But I'll talk to our parents about this. And I'll tell them—nothing happened during the school trip, despite the rumors. Just... don't mess this up, okay? Keep it healthy."

Though Tito said that, he knows their parents already heard their conversation.

Jiko's gratitude swells. "Thanks, Brother. That means a lot."

Tito reaches over, patting Jiko on the back with a rare warmth. "Just remember, Jiko. Family comes first. But if you truly care for her, then fight for it. I'll help you. I'll make sure everything stays clear."

A sense of relief washes over Jiko, his heart easing for the first time in days. Maybe this wasn't going to be as impossible as he feared. With Tito's backing and his own determination, he could make this work—without dragging Julie into unnecessary drama. For once, things felt like they were falling into place.

"Thanks, Brother. I won't let you down," Jiko says sincerely.

Tito smiles faintly. "Good. Now, go ahead and enjoy the time you have with Julie. And... take care of her like a king. She deserves it."

Jiko feels a renewed sense of purpose. Finally, someone in his family has his back, someone he can trust. And with Tito by his side, the road ahead doesn't seem so daunting.

"Of course I will… I promise." Jiko assures his brother.

Tito nods approvingly. "Alright. Get some rest. You'll need it for what's coming next."

As Jiko lies in bed that night, a calm settles over him. The weight of the rumors, the pressure of living in a timeline that feels out of sync, seems a little lighter now. With Tito's support, Jiko knows he has a chance—a chance to build something real with Julie.

The next day, Jiko steps into a school hall buzzing with the echoes of whispered conversations. Yet, he walks with confidence, his heart steady. He's not afraid anymore. With his family's trust and Julie's love, nothing can stand in their way.

With Tito's unexpected blessing, Jiko and Julie feel a newfound sense of freedom. No longer do they have to worry about sneaking glances or keeping their conversations brief. Walking to school hand in hand, they share quiet smiles and laughter, ignoring the occasional whispering behind them. The town still talks, but now, Jiko finds it less oppressive, thanks to Tito's support. It's like the world has shifted, and for once, they don't have to be anyone other than who they are.

Julie's confidence, in particular, skyrockets. Gone are the days when she would shy away from confrontations. Now, she stands up to the classmates who still whisper behind their backs. She confronts them with a fiery determination, her voice steady and unwavering.

"Look, I don't know what you're imagining about me and Jiko," she says one day, hands on her hips, "but if you have something to say, you better say it to our faces. Otherwise, you're wasting your breath."

The whispers slowly die down, replaced by the stunned silence of her peers. Julie doesn't shy away from the heat anymore—she meets it head-on, and it only makes her stronger. Jiko watches her from a distance, pride swelling in his chest. His girl, fierce and unyielding.

As for Jiko, he throws himself into track practice with renewed vigor. The competition is fierce, but Jiko relishes it, pushing himself harder than before. He sets new personal records, beats old times, and is determined to make his mark. Every lap, every jump—he's fueled by something deeper than mere athleticism now. It's determination, mixed with the constant reminder that he wants to make both himself and Julie proud.

"Gotta keep up," he mutters under his breath after finishing a grueling set of sprints. His breathing is ragged, but there's a fire in his eyes. "Julie's counting on me."

One day, after a particularly intense track meet, Julie surprises Jiko with a banner. It's homemade, with bold letters scrawled across it: "I'm proud of you!" She stands there, her face beaming as she holds it up, her eyes shining with warmth and admiration.

Jiko blinks in surprise. "What's this for?"

Julie shrugs, trying to act nonchalant, but her smile gives her away. "You've been working so hard. I couldn't let you go without saying it out loud." She beams, a little nervous but determined to make him smile.

Jiko's face breaks into a wide grin, the kind that feels genuine and heartwarming. "You didn't have to…"

"I wanted to," Julie interrupts, her voice playful but serious. "You've been killing it on the track, Jiko. And I'm so proud of you."

"I couldn't have done it without you," Jiko says softly, his gratitude apparent in his voice. "You keep me going."

She reaches out and squeezes his hand tightly. "We're a team, remember?"

Their relationship has become a source of strength for both of them, pushing each other to be their best. Whether it's in the classroom, on the track, or simply dealing with the ups and downs of everyday life, they're stronger together.