OUR STORY (BxB)

Chapter 9

-TAMARO-

I am now left here in the Dorm. I'm alone. I miss the noise of other members. I still have an appointment tomorrow so I will be late going to Norway. I'm not too worried about Akiro because I know that the members will take care of him. Before leaving, I talked to Stephen not to leave Akiro. And watch carefully. This is the first time we travel without relying on the staff.

Akiro also called me when they were at the airport. And from time to time, he sent me a message. Jemuel and I also chatted about not leaving Akiro alone. Jemuel is my best friend so I'm sure he will take care of Akiro.

Last night when they did a broadcast. I watched it, and I laughed because they were teasing my baby. I saw how Akiro hid his smile and acted like he didn't care. I know he's just shy. Just wait for me, baby. I will give you a real kiss.

I am now at the airport and will check-in. To be honest, I'm also nervous because I'll be traveling alone. Especially since I don't know how to speak English yet. It might be difficult for me to talk to people there. But I'm getting stronger because of the pictures that he sent me. The places they have been. I'm nervous but excited.

When I arrived in Norway, I immediately messaged him that we would meet soon. We didn't see each other for only two days but I missed him immediately. I took a walk before going to where they were. The staff who were with them also called and said where they are so I will go to them without them knowing. Only Akiro knew that I was already in Norway. But he didn't know I would surprise them.

After wandering around the area, I went to the cable car where I could see the members. I was just waiting here when I heard their voices calling me. So, I turned to them and smiled.

I looked for Akiro first but he was at the very end. The members hugged me one by one but he was just next to me biting his lip and looking at me. He hasn't approached me yet because the members are still talking to me. When they said that we were going to leave, I just approached him and put my arms around him and he did the same while nuzzling my neck and smiling.

"I miss you, baby," I whispered to him.

"I miss you too Roo, I'm happy that you're here," he said with a smile.

While the members were talking about where to go, He was busy taking pictures of me.

We are looking for something to eat now. We can't eat together because there are so many of us. We still had staff members with us so they decided to split into two groups.

While they were asking who would eat the seafood and meat food, Akiro and I looked at each other.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked him.

"I will eat what you want," he answered.

"Shall we just have seafood?"

"All right, let's go seafood," he immediately agreed. So, we are together. Joshua also accompanied us to the restaurant where we were going to eat.

After we eat. We just went for a short walk and went back to the hotel where they were staying. When we arrived at the hotel, Stephen was there making his music. The other members cooked our dinner while we were in the living room having fun. I even played the piano and Akiro sang. I am very happy because I am with the members on this trip, especially Akiro.

The hotel we are staying at is near the river. There is also a balcony facing the river and you can see the city lights. We're standing here on the balcony; I was next to him while watching the fireworks. I'm so happy because I'm with Akiro at this time. I move at his back and hug him from behind. While still watching the fireworks. I kiss him on his cheeks.

"That's the present I want to give to you baby, I love you," I whisper in his ear. He holds my hand and he pull it, so my hug to him will be tighter.

"Thank you, Roo, I love you more," and he kissed me in my cheeks.

I love him so much. I can't quite imagine liking a guy. I want to take care of him for the rest of my life. I will understand him as long as I can. And I will accept him as he is.

-AKIRO-

My whole body felt alive when Tamaro was with us. It's always more fun when all seven of us are complete—he brings so much life into our group. He's so cheerful that it's impossible to tell when he's feeling down.

It's our last day in Norway, and we're heading to the airport. Tamaro's not with us this time—his flight got delayed again. Just like when we first left, I messaged him to let him know where we were and what I was doing. He did the same, messaging me back. When we finally arrived in Sweden, I sent him a quick update.

Harly and I headed to the apartment where we'd be staying. We were on the bus when he suddenly turned to me and asked:

"How are you and Tamaro?"

I blinked, surprised.

"Huh?"

He smiled.

"Haiztt. How's your relationship with Tamaro? What's it like... being in a relationship?"

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a little awkward.

"What?"

He laughed.

"You two are really becoming teenagers," he teased.

"Right now, things are okay between Tamaro and me," I told Harly, smiling softly. "We're still adjusting to each other. There were moments we didn't see eye to eye, but we always managed to fix things quickly."

"That's part of any relationship," he replied, squeezing my hand. "Understanding each other matters. And remember, your brothers and I are always here to support you."

"Thank you, bro," I said, heart warmed by his reassurance. We've always known our older brothers have our backs—and it means the world. Their presence, their quiet strength, that's exactly what we need right now.

When we arrived at the apartment, Harly and I went straight out for a walk. I took photos of whatever caught my eye and sent them to Tamaro—just my way of keeping him close, letting him see the things I was seeing.

A few hours later, he called. He was lost. He didn't know where they were. And just like that, my anxiety kicked in. I knew the staff wouldn't leave him behind, but still... I couldn't help worrying. That's just how it is when you care.

Still, Tamaro's a positive soul. I know he'll find joy wherever he ends up. And true to form, he kept sending me pictures of the beautiful scenery around him—each one a little reminder that even in the unfamiliar, he sees something worth sharing.

I still couldn't shake the thoughts from my mind. I kept wondering where he was. The sky had already darkened by the time we gathered at the restaurant for dinner. I should've been thinking about Tamaro, but everything shifted when chaos broke out—Renz had lost his passport. Panic spread fast. Everyone feared he might have to return to the Philippines alone, missing out on our trip to Finland.

Minutes later, Tamaro arrived at the restaurant. I wanted to hug him right then, but there were too many staff around us. The moment was difficult—quiet, restrained. We just looked at each other and somehow, that was enough. No words. Just a glance, and we understood. We ate dinner with the group and then headed back to the apartment. We needed to rest; we'd be leaving early tomorrow.

That night, Tamaro and I slept beside each other. We were always at ease like this. He couldn't sleep without a pillow to hug, so sometimes he hugged me instead. And just like that, he'd drift off. I'd gotten used to it—he's been doing that since we were trainees.

Tomorrow, we'll make new memories with the members. I feel it already—something good is waiting for us.

-TAMARO-

I found myself alone again, traveling without the others. We took the wrong bus and ended up in a place I didn't recognize. I was with the camera director, and rather than complain, I chose to walk around and take in the scenery. This place was unexpectedly beautiful. I snapped a photo and sent it to Akiro—he always wants to see what I'm seeing.

I knew he was worried; his messages kept coming. So I called to ease his mind, telling him the staff would come for us soon. I kept thinking, I want to take him to places like this. He'd love it here—I'm sure of that.

An hour passed, and the staff finally picked us up. When I arrived at the restaurant, there was a bit of a commotion—Renz had lost his passport. I saw the fear in his eyes. I gave him a small smile, and he understood what I meant: breathe, you're not alone.

The next morning, we went to a tourist spot somewhere in Sweden. But somewhere along the way, we got separated. Akiro climbed the hill with Joshua and Stephen. I stayed behind, watching from a distance.

I rented a bike to explore the area, and just as I was circling back, Akiro came down from the hill. He hopped on the back and we rode off together, laughing the whole time. Moments like this only happen once, and we knew how precious it was. After biking around, we walked a little, soaking in the place before boarding the ferry that would take us to the cruise ship where we'd stay overnight.

The ferry ride was its own little adventure. I even pranked the members—turns out they'd hidden my bag, so I acted a little extra annoying just to stir things up. I know them well enough to catch when they're just pretending, so I played along with their tripping.

Everyone was surprised by my prank—except Akiro. He knows me too well. He figured out right away I was just acting, but he went along with it anyway. We both laughed until our stomachs hurt.

This... this felt good. That rare kind of good where you're not thinking about deadlines or expectations. You're just doing fun things. Just being.

Akiro and I sat side by side on the ferry. We had taken so many photos together—just for us, keepsakes tucked away as quiet memories. After we ate, I asked him to come with me to the deck. I wanted him alone with me in a place like this. It was so romantic. I told the staff not to follow; thankfully, they agreed. They needed rest too.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulder as we stood facing the wide sea, ringed by tall mountains. He leaned his head against my shoulder, one hand resting gently around my waist.

"It's beautiful here, baby. I want to go to places like this with only you," I said, pulling him closer.

"We will, Roo. Maybe not now, but someday. That's what I want too," he said, smiling as he looked up at me.

I kissed the top of his head, and together we watched the quiet beauty before us. I felt full, content. Today, I'm with the person I love—and that's enough.

We arrived at the port where our cruise ship was docked—massive, shining, unlike anything we'd boarded before. This was a first for all of us. And after five years together since our trainee days, it felt like we'd finally found a pocket of freedom.

We explored the ship, wide-eyed. It looked more like a floating hotel than anything else, filled with people, lights, and laughter. Eventually, we made our way to the roof deck and stayed there for a while, soaking in the energy. We even danced—for a glass of beer. The members wanted to drink, so we danced. People gathered, watched, clapped. But since I don't drink beer, they handed me a glass of strawberry juice instead.

Later, we visited the arcade. I was with Joshua and Akiro—we tried all kinds of games, laughing as if we hadn't a single worry. Another memory I'll keep close.

After dinner, the staff called us into a cabin. They said they had something important to share. Akiro sat beside me, noticeably restless. I wrapped my arms around him gently. His anxiety was starting to surface.

The staff informed us that Renz wouldn't be joining us in Finland—his papers hadn't been approved. We were heartbroken. It wouldn't be the same without him. I felt sorry for him, knowing how much he wanted to be there, to experience it all with us.

After the conversation, everyone began to settle in for the night. Akiro and I had separate cabins—he was sharing with Joshua. But I couldn't sleep. I messaged him, asking if he was still awake. He replied that he couldn't sleep either, so I invited him to meet me at the roof deck of the ship.

We both wore hoodies; the cold air wrapped around us as we sat quietly side by side, looking up at the moon. I reached for his hand, and he turned to look at me.

"Are you happy with our relationship?" I asked gently.

"Of course, Roo. Why do you ask?" he said, surprised.

"I just wanted to hear it. This is our first time in a relationship," I smiled, unsure but hopeful.

He squeezed my hand tighter. I looked at him.

"We're not going to let go of each other, are we?"

"Never, baby. I'll hold your hand until the end," I assured him.

"No matter what trials come, I hope no one gets left behind."

"That won't happen," I said, leaning down to kiss his hand.

Akiro and I will go through so much more in the years ahead. Especially now, when the company still doesn't know about us. Our group is only just beginning to gain recognition abroad—we're still at the edge of our dreams. That's why we have to be careful. Quiet. Intentional. But I'm not worried. He promised me he wouldn't let go. And I believe him.

We were at the airport, ready to fly to Finland. Renz was there too, but his flight was headed back to the Philippines. We were sad—we wouldn't be complete on this part of the journey. But we all held onto one thought: we're still whole, no matter where we are. Especially when we return home.

When we landed in Finland, we went straight to the camping vans. We were headed into the countryside. But first, we stopped to eat and buy groceries. Akiro and I stayed close, just laughing with the members, enjoying each moment. The cameras were there, but we didn't think about them anymore. The staff were used to seeing us together.

They just don't know why.

They don't know that we're in love.

After we finished grocery shopping, we drove toward the campsite. Akiro and I stayed close the entire ride. We didn't do much—just played cards, exchanged jokes, and laughed together. It felt so good to be away from the stress... away from the expectations... away from the reality of everything we're trying to hide.

It was already night by the time we arrived. Everyone pitched in to prepare dinner, though the rain made it tough. Stephen struggled with the charcoal—it was our first time cooking over one, after all.

And then came Akiro, saving the moment. He fanned the charcoal with exaggerated flair until the flames puffed up, dramatic as ever. We couldn't help but laugh—my baby's always got some kind of mischievous charm going on.

He's always the ramen guy. Even back in the dorm, he makes ramen for all of us. That night, he served me first, placing some on my plate before fixing his own. That's just who he is—thoughtful, caring. Total boyfriend material. Honestly, between the two of us, he feels more like the older one.

There are days I don't take life all that seriously. I just go where things take me. But when it comes to him... I'm serious. Always.

We ended up staying up late, almost until morning. After dinner, we just kept talking, kept laughing. It's one of those nights I'll carry with me—light, unfiltered, quietly meaningful.

When we woke up, the members agreed to spend the morning by the sea. The breeze was crisp and fresh—it felt good on the skin, like a gentle reminder to breathe slower. We started writing whatever came to mind in the sand. I picked up a stick, drew a big heart, and inside it I wrote: "Akiro loves Tamaro forever." The members burst out laughing when they saw it.

I just wanted them to know how much I love him. When I glanced at Akiro, he was scratching the back of his neck, trying to hide a smile.

We danced our newest song right there on the sand, carefree and loud. Our playfulness echoed with laughter across the shore. While some of the others chased each other around, I noticed Akiro standing alone at the edge of the water, eyes closed, face turned toward the sea. He was a bit far from everyone—quiet, thoughtful.

I walked up behind him, wrapped my arm around his waist. Instinctively, he rested his head against my shoulder.

"What are you thinking?" I asked softly.

"Nothing, Roo. Just letting myself enjoy the sea breeze."

I stayed quiet after that. I wanted to enjoy it too.

Then he said my name.

"Roo."

"Mmm?"

"What if the company finds out about us? What happens to us?"

I paused. "Would you agree if we were separated?"

"Of course not," he answered, looking up at me. "I've never felt like this before. Not once in my life."

I smiled and tightened my hold on him. "Don't think about it now, baby. We'll face that bridge if we get there."

"Haiztt... you never take anything seriously, do you?" he said, grinning.

"There's one thing I do take seriously," I said, my voice more certain. "You."

He smiled. That kind of smile you remember long after the moment has passed.

We stayed for a few more minutes until the members called us back to the van. It was already late. We had to prepare dinner, and tomorrow we'd be leaving, so tonight would be our last sleep here. After we ate, we cleaned up everything so there'd be nothing to worry about in the morning.

The staff had already turned in for the night. It was just the members now. They agreed to have a few drinks before bed. While they talked and sipped quietly, I sat next to him, my head resting on his shoulder, scrolling through pictures of the two of us from the trip.

Stephen looked over and asked seriously, "When we get back to the Philippines, what are you two planning?"

I paused, lifted my head, and took a deep breath.

"We're not telling the company yet. Akiro's only nineteen... maybe after his birthday," I replied.

"But they have the right to know, Tamaro," Joshua added.

"We'll tell them, bro. But not now. Our group's just starting to get noticed," I said, voice steady but firm.

Stephen nodded. "Whatever your decision, just remember—we're here to support you."

"Thanks, bro," I said softly.

They kept drinking into the night. I don't remember if they went on until morning—I'd already fallen asleep, my eyes heavy with exhaustion and my heart full from everything this trip had become.

-AKIRO-

It was early morning, and while the members settled into sleep, I stayed awake, waiting for the sunrise. Roo loves the sunrise too, but he was already sound asleep beside me, so I let him rest. I slipped out quietly and stepped into the cool air to capture the sky. The sunrise was soft and golden—just enough to make the world feel new again.

After I took the photo, I returned to the van and lay beside him. I turned on my side to face him. As soon as he felt me there, he wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my arm without a word. I kissed him gently on the cheek in return. With him this close, I fall asleep easily. He's familiar, calming. Even without a bath, he still smells good—it's honestly addictive.

A little later, I felt him stir. His eyes opened slowly as he looked at me.

"Why are you here?" he asked, voice soft and drowsy.

"Mmmm."

"Have you been here before?"

"Hmm... hmmm," I murmured, too sleepy to answer properly.

He hugged me again and drifted back to sleep. The members were still resting, so there was time—enough for one last quiet moment.

When everyone finally woke up, we packed up and got ready to leave. Our next destination was a scenic biking spot, and each of us was given a bike upon arrival. The scenery was breathtaking—wide stretches of green, the kind of calm that sinks into your chest. We stopped to take a group photo, smiling against the backdrop of Finland's quiet beauty.

But then, the weather turned. Rain began to fall suddenly, and the staff decided it was best to return to the van. We ended up being taken to a sauna house to warm up, sheltered from the cold outside.

Inside the sauna, Tamaro and I sat close together, surrounded by the rest of the members. We played games—and of course, the losers had to face funny little punishments. It turned into fits of laughter, the kind of playful chaos that feels healing after a long day.

After the sauna, the room quieted as a letter from Mr. William and Manager Brandon was read aloud. Everyone listened. It was one of those moments that pulled us all together—something official, something meaningful, layered over the simple joy we'd just shared.

We found ourselves quietly emotional, almost teary, after hearing the heartfelt letters from Mr. William and Manager Brandon. If there's anyone we're truly grateful for—it's them.

Before our trip ended, we visited the Santa Claus House. There was something whimsical about it, like stepping back into childhood. We were each asked to write a letter to someone we cared about. So, we got together and wrote letters to the members. They'll be delivered to us on Christmas Day.

This trip taught us so much. We learned to make decisions independently, to do things on our own without always leaning on the company staff. We've gotten used to being taken care of, but this time, we had to rely on ourselves. It was a quiet reminder: we need to learn the simple things, so next time we won't be in trouble.

Tamaro and I created so many memories along the way. He recorded GCFs filled with moments of us—little scenes, just ours. He said he'd keep them for the two of us only.

Now that our Travel Blog trip has ended, things have become hectic again. There's guesting, rehearsals, TV performances. But after three years of waiting, all I can say is: our era has truly begun.

All the members are busy now, each with their own projects. But Roo... he's the busiest. It's his debut as an actor, and he's starring in a drama series with some of the industry's top names. I'm proud of him—truly. Still, I wonder... does the company really not know about our relationship? Or am I just fooling myself? Sometimes, our gestures are too obvious. But what can we do? We love each other. Or... do we? I'm confused.

When our ship name was made public, the company told us there had to be another pairing in the group—me and Jemuel. And so, the JemKiro ship began. At first, none of us agreed with the idea—especially Tamaro and Jemuel. They're best friends, and Jemuel knows about my relationship with Roo. But it wasn't our call. The company made the decision, and we're only just starting our careers.

They explained the reason behind the fan service. It's not just about the music—we need to stir public interest through ships, pairings that fans can talk about. JemKiro has to play that role. But TamaKiro... that's not a fan service. There are real feelings involved.

That's what makes this harder. To be honest, I'm scared. I don't know what our situation really means anymore. I feel doubt creeping into my chest when I think of Roo. Am I really in love with him? Or am I just used to being with him?

At this age, there's a constant whirl of confusion and questions in my mind. All I know for sure is that I'm happy when I'm with him. But sometimes, I can't help the jealousy that slips through—the immaturity that shows when someone else is close to him. I guess I am selfish when it comes to him.

He's a social butterfly—warm, easygoing. His smile could charm anyone, and it often does. He meets idols, and before long, they become friends. And I sit there, trying to quiet the jealousy that claws at me, but it's hard. It makes me uncomfortable.

I've met other artists too, some close to my age, fellow P-pop performers. And while I enjoy their company, I still find myself thinking about him—missing him. I've done my best to understand his busy schedule, to be patient, to give him space. But there are days when my immaturity overtakes me. Days when I feel insecure, unsure, and too full of feeling.