"Julie… are you really coming with me?" Cielo asked.
They sat beside each other in the car, the road stretching quietly ahead.
Julie smiled and nodded, squeezing his hand. "That's not a problem for me, Cielo."
"If at any point you're uncomfortable," he said gently, "please tell me. Okay?"
Julie chuckled. "Don't worry."
They had already talked about it—about Julie accompanying him today to visit Crisha's home, to speak with her parents and trace the missing passbook.
"Is it okay if we visit Crisha's grave first?" Cielo asked after a moment.
Julie nodded. "Of course."
He fell silent.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I keep thinking about what Kelly remembered," Julie added softly.
Cielo nodded. "Yeah… and I still don't understand why her father needed that much money."
What really happened back then?Dad mentioned their company's bankruptcy… but when exactly did it happen?
Questions piled up.
"Ciel?" Julie called.
He turned to her, seeing the worry in her eyes. He tightened his hold on her hand.
Focus. One step at a time. Answers will come.
"We're almost there," he said quietly.
The car stopped at the cemetery. Cielo asked the driver to wait.
They searched until they found Crisha's grave.
Cielo exhaled slowly as he looked at the photo—Crisha smiling, frozen in time. His gaze lingered on the name engraved in stone.
"Hey, Crish," he said softly. "It's been a while."
Julie reached for the photo, studying it quietly—as if trying to understand the person behind the smile.
"Julie," Cielo called.
She stepped closer. He held her hand.
"Crisha," he continued, "I want you to meet my girlfriend. She's my childhood friend. We fought like cats and dogs back then… but we ended up falling in love."
Julie felt her cheeks warm, but she let him continue.
"And there's something you'll be happy to know," Cielo added, smiling. "She's the idol you always wanted to meet."
He glanced at Julie.
"Yep. She's the Pop Princess."
Julie gently rubbed his back as emotion welled in her chest.
"I wish I could really tell you this in person," Cielo murmured.
"Julie," he said softly, "do you want to say something?"
She hesitated—then nodded.
"H—Hello, Crisha," Julie said quietly. "Thank you… for supporting me back then. I know your struggles too. We were building our names at the same time—that's why people compared us."
She smiled faintly.
"But you were kind. Thank you for being Cielo's friend. He really needed that."
Cielo let out a small laugh.
"I wish I had met you sooner," Julie continued. "But don't worry. I'll take care of him."
She paused, then added softly, "My dad passed away too. I hope you meet him there—so you won't be lonely."
Cielo wrapped an arm around her.
They offered a short prayer and lit a candle.
Please guide us, Cielo thought. Help me convince your mother.
"Let's go?" he asked.
Julie nodded.
Before leaving, Cielo spoke again.
"Crisha… Kelly's okay now. She'll visit you again. Don't worry."
They walked away.
"Was it weird that I talked to her like that?" Cielo asked.
Julie shook her head. "No. I was just surprised."
"Surprised?"
"That you can be vulnerable too," she smiled. "That was real."
"So I'm not cool anymore?" he teased.
"Hey! I didn't say that," Julie laughed. "Vulnerable and uncool aren't the same!"
Cielo laughed and pulled her closer.
"So I'm still cool?"
"Of course," she said softly. "I'm happy you're still that kind of person."
He hugged her tightly. "Thank you. I really mean that."
"I'm thankful too," Julie replied, smiling.
"Julie," Cielo said as they walked back. "I need to ask you one last thing."
His tone turned serious. He cupped her cheek.
"You're really sure about this? You're not forcing yourself?"
Julie sighed. "There you go again."
"This involves risk," he said. "Please—be honest."
She fell quiet.
"Yes. I'm sure," she said finally. "I'm scared of being compared to Crisha. But… I believe her parents will understand. Even if I look like her—Crisha is still their daughter."
Her hand clenched slightly.
She's scared, Cielo realized. But she's honest.
"Okay," he sighed. "Okay."
They reached the car.
The familiar road leading to Crisha's house came into view.
"It's been a while," Cielo murmured.
The car stopped at a narrow path.
"We'll walk from here," he told the driver.
He helped Julie down.
"Thank you," she said.
"It's slippery," he warned. "Careful."
"I'm fine," she smiled.
They walked until Crisha's house appeared.
Cielo stopped.
"This is it," he said quietly. "Are you ready?"
Julie swallowed hard.
"Let's go."
Please… don't let this reopen wounds that never healed, Cielo thought as they stepped forward.