Chapter 5: Soft

Chapter 5

"I REALLY can't believe it. I've been dumped by a girl!" Enzo heard Les say.

"Than men, isn't it?" ani Rein.

Enzo continued to organize the line-up for the friendly match against SLU. He was so busy with Allie that he only now faced it. He did not mind it. She needed him. And he vowed to be with her.

"That's not what I mean, bulinggit."

He knew what Les was referring to was his ex-girlfriend. It is not obvious but he is updated on events regarding his friends. He might not show it but he cared even just a little bit.

"You haven't told 'min why you just showed up today, coach." Friends' attention shifted to him because of what Cloud said.

"Yes. Reus just wanted to get a Search and Resque Party, eh," Chuck said.

"I'm just concerned about the captain," Reus promised.

Enzo squeezed his senses and then glared at his friends. Like Allie, she did not enter the duration of Aunt Nella's hill and funeral. He forgot to tell his friends. Good thing Les was a good vice-captain. He took care of the club while he was gone.

"What happened, Enzo?" Chase asked.

Enzo was blown away by the wind. "A friend's mother had died," he simply replied.

"Oh. Condolence," the men said one after another.

Then.

"Whoa. Do you have a friend besides' min, captain?"

"Who? Where? How? When?"

"Someone put up with you, coach?"

Enzo could not fully comprehend how he managed to become the coach-cum-captain of their tennis club especially since this is how he handles it.

"Silence!" he shouted. When they were quiet he continued. "Two days from now is our friendly match against SLU."

"Tch. I don't see the need to practice. They're a bunch of sissies," Guji said seriously.

"When you lose, nognog, I will laugh at you."

"Shut up, parrot. You're the loser, not me."

"I said silence!"

They have calmed down. They even beat the woman when she talked. Enzo was about to mention the line-up for the friendly match when his cell phone vibrated as a sign that someone was calling. When he saw the name on the screen he immediately stood up.

"Les, tell them the line up for the match. I'll take this call."

When he got out of the locker he answered the call. "Allie."

"Renz! You're going to pick me up, aren't you? I might be late coming home, eh. Can your six pick me up?"

"Why?"

"Avi and I are going to do a project. My classmate. It's time for you to pass."

Enzo felt Allie's voice. It seemed like she was fine. That was good. He was being worried for nothing it seemed.

"Okay."

"Thanks."

Even before Enzo cut the call, he added in a low voice, "Take care."

He clicked the End button even before Allie could say anything.

"Hey, take care raw, oh."

Enzo closes his eyes in annoyance when he hears Reus' voice. Of all people who could hear his conversation with Allie, it would be the big gossiper of all time.

"Would you like to go around the court fifty times, Reus?"

It shakes hard. "Of course not, coach. I'll just buy water, eh. Bye. Take care."

Enzo looked up and then the wind blew. He looked at the wristwatch. He had one more hour before he could pick up Allie. Entering the locker, he turned to his friends one by one. "Open court. Now."

WHEN riding in Enzo's car, Allie immediately smiled at the man. "Hello, Renz!" he greeted her in a cheerful voice.

Allie's whole day went well. Aside from her momentary crying when she told Avi and Martin about her mommy, she was fine.

He smiled. She thinks of her mommy. He was still smiling.

She was moving forward with a smile on her face.

Enzo hugged him. Allie fastened the seatbelt. He was surprised when Enzo still did not operate the car. When he turned it on it stared at him intently; as if questioning his condition.

He smiled at it sweetly. "I'm fine, Renz. Really."

It seemed like her answer satisfied him. "Where are we?"

"Mall?"

He nodded and then drove. He did not speak during the duration of the trip. The silence between them was nice. It was comforting and not filled with tension.

When they arrived at the mall, they immediately got out of the car. Upon entering the mall, Enzo turned to him.

"Where to?"

"There's this book that I really want to buy ..." she trailed of.

Enzo started walking. Allie almost broke up because of following it. It is a big step; apparently forgot that he did not walk so fast.

"Clumsy," he murmured when he suddenly grabbed her wrist.

When Allie and I went straight, he greeted Enzo. "I'm not clumsy."

"Fucking right," Enzo said softly.

"Stop cussing!"

"Tsk." Instead of letting go of her wrist, Enzo slid his hand to hers and grabbed it tightly. "So little miss clumsy won't greet the floor."

He stared at it. "I prefer those of you who do not speak," he said with a sigh.

He snorted.

Arriving at the bookstore, Allie went straight to the shelf where the How-to-draw-a-Manga books were placed. When he saw the new issue he took it.

"You are still into that, huh."

He smiled at Enzo. "Yep. Do you think I'm just wasting my time here?" he asked the man hesitantly.

He took the book from him and looked at it. "No. I think you should do what you think will make you happy," he said without looking at her.

Allie's smile widened along with the seemingly warm palm that landed on her heart. You said Enzo, that's what his mommy told him.

For them, her happiness matters so much.

"Thanks, Renz."

Enzo turned his back on him. But before that it gently patted his forehead first.

It was his "shy-type" way of saying "You're welcome."

"THANKS," Allie said to the waiter as she placed her order.

He smiled at her then turned away. He immediately stabbed the tempura and bit it. Enzo already knew his likes and dislikes because he immediately took the tempura sauce. He knew he was not immersed in that.

They are in a Japanese restaurant. When she bought the book — which Enzo paid for — she let the man eat. He also wants to try the new shaved ice here at this resto.

"I don't like him," Enzo said as he focused his attention on the waiter's back.

"You don't like anyone, Renz," he said. Then she smiled cheekily while saying, "Except me."

Enzo's eyes focused on him. Its gray eyes are drowning. There was no emotion there but Allie felt, when she dived into her eyes, she could read all of Enzo's hidden secrets.

Enzo smirked causing Allie's eyes to be masculine. "What? You can react, captain."

"Nothing," he replied before blowing up.

He bit the tempura ten times. He used a chopstick even though he was struggling. When you are in a Japanese restaurant, you should use a chopstick; that is his motto. Nothing can stop him from using the chopstick even though he is struggling.

"There's more rice falling back on your plate than you eat, Alianna."

"So?"

Enzo handed him a spoon and fork. "Use these."

"Na-uh."

"Allie."

"No."

"Alianna."

"I won't. I'm stubborn. I won't listen to you."

"Little ..." he suddenly said in a soft voice.

Maybe it was his voice. Or maybe it was him using his nickname for her once again that Allie found herself crumbling in front of him.

Motto be damned.

"Fine," he said frowning. When he reached for the cutlery, he immediately bent down so that he could not see the smile on his lips.

"What happened to being stubborn?"

He pointed to Enzo. "You happened."

"Tsk."

Allie sighed one after another. When the tempura ran out and there was more rice, without a word he stabbed the tempura on Enzo's plate. When Enzo looked at him he regretted it.

It just shook. His hand went up. He thought it would take the tempura with his fork but his hand went beyond that.

His thumb touched the side of his lip and you gently wiped it.

"You're drooling."

Her cheek blushed. "H-not so!"

Enzo sat up. "I know. I'm joking," he deadpanned.

"You don't know how to joke!" Allie smiled. "You just want to touch my face, eh. 'Sus."

"Yeah, right."

"You crushed me, didn't you?" she cheated on the man.

When Enzo did not answer, Allie did not know why her heartbeat suddenly quickened. It was as if she was anticipating his answer. Why?

The waiter arrived just in time with the shaved ice they ordered.

It was as if what had happened between them had been forgotten. But in the corner of Allie's mind was the wonder of Enzo's actions. Especially in his actions.

Allie knew she loved Enzo. It was purely platonic, though. She cared about him the same way he cared about her (no matter how much he tried to hide it, he cares).

It was purely platonic. Nothing more, nothing less.

Right?

He pushed the strawberry shaved ice closer to the man. "Oh, eat it."

"I don't want to," was its simple answer while drinking iced tea.

"Renz! Eat it. That's your favorite, strawberry."

It shook.

"Enzo!"

Shake it again. "I'm stubborn, too."

"Please? For me? Lawrenzo?" she pouted and tried her best to mimic the "puppy dog ​​eyes" she would always see in anime and movies.

"Fuck. Fine. Stop with that fucking dog eyes."

"Puppy dog ​​eyes. I thought you were stubborn. What happened?" he teased like he had teased before.

He poked her forehead before shaking his head. "You happened. You fucking happened."

She poked his forehead, too. "Stop cussing. Bad boy!"

He put the spoon with shaved ice in his mouth. "You're so noisy."

He replied with a smile.

Good. Gradually their former organization returned. Oh, so good.

"TELL me something about your friends, the Tennis Knights. Nine of you, right? Les, Cloud, Chuck, Reus, Guji, Kei, Chase, and Rein? Right?"

Enzo nodded at Allie's question. They are here in the movie room of the Guttierez. He invited her to watch a movie. It feels like bonding as well. It's been a while since they've been together like this with Enzo. Allie wants to make the most of it.

"Come on, tell me about them."

An exasperated sigh left Enzo's lips as he looked at her. If you look at him, it looks like he's naughty. Well, this is the only place where he can be naughty.

"You already met Les. Our team's vice-captain. His girlfriend broke up with him. He doesn't like it."

"And?"

It shrugged. She puffed her cheeks when suddenly, an idea popped in her head. "Why don't you tell him to look for a woman who can pretend to be his girlfriend? So that he can get revenge on his ex-girlfriend."

"What's the use?"

"You know, Lawrenzo, women, they look like men too. When they see that their ex is new and happy with the others, they will be threatened."

"You're talking as if you have an experience."

She rolled her eyes at him. "I can read then look around."

Enzo placed one arm on Allie's back. It was as if he had already embraced her because of what she had done. He could feel the heat coming from Enzo. His nearness never failed to make her feel safe.

"Fine."

Deafening silence enveloped the two of them. Their attention is focused on television. Gradually Allie leaned on Enzo's body. He leaned on its shoulder and waited for it to move. He thought Enzo would remove his attachment to it but it did not.

Instead, he finally put his arm around her shoulder.

Allie smiled forever.

Platonic. Purely platonic. Right?

"Are you okay?" it asked in a low voice.

She knew it was about her mommy asking.

"It's sad sometimes, of course. But when I think that mommy doesn't want me to be always sad, that emptiness disappears in my heart."

"Good."

"I noticed something," Allie interrupted in the silence that enveloped her and Enzo.

"Hn."

"We've always been together." When he felt Enzo's tense, he immediately added in a confused voice, "I'm not complaining. I really want you to always be with me, eh. It's just ... I just want to know why? Why did you suddenly walk away? Why? are you suddenly here? "

Enzo did not answer immediately. Allie held her breath as she waited for Enzo to answer.

For the next few years, he let Enzo go. He thought if that was what he wanted, he would follow. He knew sometimes, someone needed to get away to be able to think. Now that Enzo is here again, he just wants to know why. So that he can prepare if it will go away from him again when the time comes.

The past years had been hard for Allie but because of what happened, she learned how to stand for herself. She gained new friends (even if they were few). In a way, because of Enzo leaving her, she grew up.

"I'm sorry. I ..." Enzo was blown away by the wind.

Allie grabbed Enzo's palm and then looked up at the man. Despite the poker face he had, she caught the troubled look in his eyes before it disappeared.

Allie squeezed Enzo's palm. "Okay. I won't ask why. Last question. Will you leave me hanging like that again?"

He answered instantly. "No. Not again."

She smiled. "Good." Allie was blown away by the wind. "I have a request. If you have no choice but to leave me, at least tell me why first, okay?"

"Allie ..."

"I can take it. Just tell me the reason why. Promise me?"

Enzo's grip tightened on his palm. "Promise."

"Good boy."

It moaned at him. But at Allie's hearing, her moan became soft.

"GOOD morning, cyborg!" Allie greeted Enzo with a smile as he entered the dining area.

Enzo hugged him before sitting in one of the empty seats in front of the table.

"I cooked breakfast. There are eggs, hotdog, bacon, and sausage. Just wait for this toasted bread, okay."

"Why did you cook?"

Allie shrugged. "I just want to. With us, I cook for mommy." Enzo did not say a word. When the toaster rang he took the bread and put it on the saucer. He approached Enzo and jokingly kissed her on the forehead. "Here's your breakfast, cyborg!"

"Alianna!" Enzo growled before wiping the forehead he kissed. He just giggled but he could not deny that electricity seemed to touch his lips when he kissed Enzo's forehead. Weird.

"Eat it, cyborg," he whispered to the man.

Even before he could put food on his plate, Enzo preceded him. He almost drowned in the amount of food it put on his plate. He immediately refused when Tita Lily and Tito Miguel entered the dining area.

"Good morning, Tita, Tito!" he greeted them.

They also greeted him with a smile.

"You cooked, Allie?" Tito Miguel asked.

"Yes. I'm used to it. Mommy, I always cook."

Allie saw the sadness in Aunt Lily's eyes before she smiled. "Next time, let's cook together."

"All right!"

"Let her eat first, mom," Enzo whispered.

He scolded Enzo and then ate a hotdog. When he noticed that there were no eggs in the dish, he turned to Enzo.

"What?" its a question. "Do you want my eggs?"

Allie's cheek blushed. He did not know if Enzo was teasing him especially since he looked serious. To some, it will be thought that Enzo will not tease. But he knew it. Sometimes, it trips hard. It's not just obvious because it's always serious and looks like a dragon that emits fire.

She made a face at him. It was shaken that he put an egg on his plate.

"Here. You have my egg."

"Lawrenzo!" he did not shout.

When he turned to Tita Lily and Tito Miguel, he caught them smiling.

Told you so. Enzo was very angry.

She pouted at him. He stood up before gently ruffling her hair. "I'll wait for you in the car."

"Fine."

When Enzo came out, Allie was about to continue eating when Aunt Lily spoke.

"I'm glad you are here with us, hija."

"Me too," he said shyly.

"I don't want you to be alone. One more ..." He looked at what Enzo had come out. "You are good for my son. He's been a recluse for years. Too serious, too cold. But when you came back into his life, I can see him living again. Thank you, Allie."

It was as if something was squeezing Allie's heart when she heard what Aunt Lily said. It was probably one of the nicest thing someone had said to her.

"He does the same to me, Tita," he said weakly.

"Meant for each other, Lily?"

"Yeah. Totally."

Allie's cheek blushed. What now?