"Let the InterSAT bonfire begin."

The crowd became rowdy at the overseer's announcement. Dara whimpered in pain when she was pushed left and right. The students' excitement soared when Ice Lord started striding towards the spectators area. Dara was too preoccupied dodging the bodies that were squeezing her to notice that Jiro is already standing in front of her. She yelped in surprise when her arm was yanked and she collided with Jiro's chest, his arm snaking around her waist.

"Move aside", he growled at the students who were pushing her earlier.

"Jiro", Dara said in surprise. He slowly lowered his gaze at her, his jaws clenching in annoyance and his eyes conveying his genuine disapproval. "What the hell are you doing here, Ramirez?"

"I was worried", she said as Jiro released her.

"Of your friend?" He asked, raising his hand to wipe the sweat off her face.

"Please don't fight with him."

His eyes narrowed at her, making Dara take a step back. She knew at this point, nothing can change his mind. But it was worth a shot. Bullet is her friend and she doesn't want to see him hurt. She also doesn't want to see Jiro in a fight.

"Why are you going this far for him?" His every word was laced with something she cannot quite fathom. She watched as she swallowed hard and exhaled audibly, his eyebrows furrowing as if he was in pain because of something.

"I just don't want any of you to get hurt."

"I won't get hurt. He will."

Dara gnawed on her lips and stared directly at him. "I don't want that either." She heard his sharp intake of breath as he averted his gaze. "Jiro, I-..."

"Enough."

"But-..."

"ENOUGH", he growled, making the other students around them jerk back in fright.

"I'll walk you home", he said after a while and reached for Dara's wrist, but the girl avoided his hand.

"I don't want to", Dara said firmly.

"Ramirez..."

"I'll stay here. If you drag me home, I'll just come back. Unless, you're not going to participate in the duel anymore."

Seeing her resolve, Jiro sighed in exasperation and grabbed her wrist once again.

"I told you, I'm not going anywhere unless-..."

"I'll just take you to the Black Dragons area. If you want to watch the InterSAT bonfire, then you better stay beside me", he muttered.

Dara stopped protesting and followed him, with Jiro walking ahead of her holding her wrist. "Jiro, please don't challenge Bullet", she asked while staring at his back.

"It's too late. The challenges have been passed to the overseer."

She clenched her fist and lowered her gaze. "Isn't there anything I can do to stop you?" She whispered. 

***

"Punch his face! YEAH!"

"You can do it!"

"No! Don't raise the white flag! FIGHT!"

Dara unconsciously gripped a fistful of Jiro's shirt from behind while watching the duel, wincing at every punch that landed on the challenger's face. The past fights were not this fierce, almost to the point of killing each other. She gasped when she saw blood trickling down the guy's face, her breathing becoming ragged.

Suddenly, Jiro stepped sideward, blocking her view. "Stay behind me. Don't watch", she heard him say as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Her grip on his shirt tightened, her mind wandering back to that night when Jiro told her about his past. 'I met the wrong people, joined underground fights to survive...' This is the kind of life that he had. This is the kind of pain he had to endure before he met her father. No wonder Jiro has a high regard for her dad.

"I don't want to see you fight", she mumbled, but he did not respond. "I don't want to see you fight, Jiro", she repeated.

"That's why I told you not to come", he said quietly without glancing back at her. Her heart hammered painfully as she stared at his back.

"The white flag has been raised", the overseer announced on top of the loud cheers from everyone. "The winner of this duel is Blaze from Steel Arc gang!"

Relief flooded her body when the duel ended. She can't stomach seeing another man hurt because of the stupid InterSAT bonfire tradition. Her relief, however, was immediately replaced by fear when the dreaded moment came.

"The next duel! Ice Lord from the Black Dragons gang versus Bullet from the Fire 39 gang!"

The overseer's voice rang in her ears, her heartbeat doubling its pace and her eyes widening in disbelief. "No", she whispered, not letting go of Jiro's shirt.

"Ramirez..." She heard Jiro's voice despite of the thunderous roar or approval and whistling from the gangs and the spectators, but she ignored it. She can't let him go. No. After witnessing what he needs to face – the fight, the blood, she can't let him walk in there. And why are these people cheering happily? Didn't they see those injured guys? Didn't they see what might happen if they continue with this stupid duel?

"Let go of me, Ramirez."

"No!"

Jiro reached for her hand behind him, unclasping her grip. He then turned around to face her, narrowing his eyes when he saw her shaking like a leaf while darting her gaze around in fright. He raised his hand and reached for her cheek. "Look at me", he murmured.

Dara slowly dragged her eyes towards him, trying to control her tears that are threatening to fall. "Stop this", she whispered pleadingly. His eyebrows were mashed together as he glanced back and looked at the Fire 39 leader. He shifted his gaze to Dara and withdrew his hand, his stoic expression not giving a hint of what he's thinking.

"Stay here", he said and spun around.

"Jiro!" Dara tried to stop him, but the guy is already striding towards the center, where Bullet and the overseer were waiting. She bit her lips as she watched his retreating back. When she saw Bullet staring at her, she can only pray that the two guys will stop the fight before any of them get seriously hurt.

"Write your demands on the paper", Spade, the overseer, instructed. Bullet immediately complied, scribbling something on the paper and giving it to Spade. He turned his gaze to Jiro and saw him deeply staring at his paper. Without uttering a word, he finally handed it to the overseer.

The side of Bullet's lips curved in a smile; the ecstatic cheers of their gang mates and the other students making his blood pump with excitement. He trained hard for this day.

He then glanced towards the girl who was standing among the Black Dragons, his smile slowly fading. He trained hard for her. If he must first overcome the big hurdle, by the name of Jiro Montecillo, that separates him from her, then he will face him head on, no matter what the consequences may be.

He had tried to convince himself many times that he was only interested with Dara because he was curious of her relationship with InterSAT's strongest gangster. But that lie is starting to lose its grip on him, until he finally surrendered to what his heart is truly telling him.

"Wait. Ice Lord, what's this?" Spade asked in bewilderment while looking at Jiro's paper. Bullet watched as the overseer turned both their papers and showed their demands to them.

In Bullet's paper, it was written that he wanted Jiro to stop meddling with him and Dara. That if he is with her, Jiro should not go near them.

In Jiro's paper, however...

"What the fuck is this, Montecillo?" Bullet roared in rage. The gang members and the spectators fell silent after seeing the Fire 39 leader's outburst. They stretched their necks, trying to see what got Bullet agitated, but they can't see what was written on the papers that the overseer was holding.

"Are you not going to take this seriously?" Bullet exclaimed.

"I am serious", came Ice Lord's reply. "I'm assuming you have no objection?" He then turned to Spade who was rooted on his spot, too confused to utter a word. "Can we begin?" Jiro asked.

Spade looked at the papers again before casting a questioning look at Bullet. "Are you okay with this?"

Bullet exhaled in exasperation and raked his hair with his fingers. "Fine", he said. "You are an asshole, Montecillo", he muttered before taking his position near the bonfire.

Jiro glanced over Dara once again - noticing that she was standing stiffly with her hands covering her mouth, her eyes conveying her fear - before he started striding towards his position to face Bullet.

"Ice Lord of Black Dragons versus Bullet of Fire 39. Let the duel start", the overseer announced.

***

A strong wind blew as the two leaders of the prominent InterSAT gangs faced each other. The loud cheers and roars from the people around them slowly faded in the background; their concentration fully focused on the opponent standing before them.

Bullet took a few tentative steps towards him and seeing that he's making his move, Ice Lord withdrew his hands shoved inside his pockets. He stood in silence, following Bullet's movements with his eyes. There was danger in the way the Black Dragon leader carries himself. There was something frightening with his calmness.

In a blur, Bullet bridged the distance between them and delivered the first punch directed towards Jiro's face – the speed of his fist cutting through the air. Without even breaking his gaze at his opponent, Jiro, in a fraction of a second, tilted his head to dodge the punch and swiftly drove his bended knee to Bullet's stomach, making the latter step bank from the impact.

The Fire 39 leader quickly regained his balance and prepared to attack again, but Jiro's fist connected to his face before he can raise his leg to kick him. The taste of blood in his mouth heightened his senses, the desire to win filling his mind. He charged towards Ice Lord again but just as expected, he was able to counter each attack and use it to his advantage. Jiro's movements were precise, but seemingly uncalculated. His eyes showed no sign of uncertainty, as if he knew exactly when and where each attack is coming.

Bullet threw a punch blindly but Jiro caught his wrist and delivered an elbow strike, knocking the air out of him and making him cough. He lets go of his wrist and watched as Bullet staggered backwards.

"That's for kissing her", he muttered.

Bullet gave him a mocking grin. "This is not enough, because I'll kiss her again."

"Bastard", Jiro growled and stepped forward, raising his fist, but his arm hang in midair when he heard her voice.

"JIRO! STOP IT!" Her voice was full of worry, making him grit his teeth.

"Damn it", he muttered while heaving a pained sigh, his arms hanging limply on his side. Bullet grabbed the chance and lurched towards him, driving his fist on his face. He felt the impact on his knuckles as his punch solidly hit Ice Lord, but something is amiss. Bullet furrowed his eyebrows as he took a step back and stared at Jiro in bewilderment. Something's not right.

He heard the roar of encouragement from his gang mates and he pushed the thought aside, directing his concentration on his opponent. He delivered a combination of continuous attacks, making sure that Jiro will not be able to retaliate. Each punch and kick connected, his mind getting hazy from the victory that is now within his grasp. Another kick on his chest and he watched as Jiro knelt on the ground. The side of Bullet's lips curved in a smirk but he froze when realization slowly dawned on him. Something's not right. There was a steady whisper of confusion among the students; and the loud cheers were replaced by disbelief and puzzlement. He lifted his gaze and saw Picaro of the Black Dragons looking at their leader somberly, as if he has been expecting this to happen. He glanced back and noticed his gang mates discussing among each other while staring at Ice Lord. Then, it hit him.

He grabbed Jiro by the shirt, his eyes blazing with fury. "What the fuck are you doing, Montecillo?" But his question was met by his stoic gaze. With his left hand gripping his shirt, Bullet punched his face multiple times before leaning down again. "FIGHT WITH ME!" He growled.

Jiro peeled his grip off his shirt and pushed his hand on the ground to stand. "Had enough?" He asked nonchalantly, blood trickling down his burst lips.

"YOU ASSHOLE!" Bullet lurched towards him but Jiro stepped sideward, dodging him. He then reached for the white flag tied to his wrist and began untying it, rendering Bullet speechless.

"I figured you're not going to raise your white flag", Jiro said as he finally untied the piece of cloth which was now dangling in his fingers.

Disbelief was written all over Bullet's face as he eyed him. "Y-You were planning to lose all along..."

"I planned to win", he said as he slowly raised his arm. A stony silence enveloped the school ground as they all stared at the white flag which was raised by the leader of the Black Dragons. "But she ruined it", he finished. Bullet watched as he released the white cloth, his eyes following it as the wind carried it to a distance.

"The white flag has been raised", the overseer's voice announced amidst the silence. Jiro turned around and began striding away, leaving his flabbergasted opponent behind.

"The winner of this duel is Bullet of Fire 39 gang."

***

Murmurs of disbelief and bewilderment flooded the spectators. In contrast, Dara stood in silence; the tears that she struggled to hold back started falling. She watched as Bullet stormed away, followed by his gang mates, while Jiro slowly strode towards her. He stopped in a near distance, staring at her with the usual blank expression on his face.

"Stop crying. He'll survive", Jiro said in a hushed tone. Tasting the blood in his mouth, he wiped his lips with the back of his hand while his gaze is still locked with hers.

Dara took a few steps towards him, roaming her eyes on his face. "A-Are you okay?" Her voice cracked. She covered her mouth with her hands as she sobbed, a mixture of overwhelming emotions taking over her. Jiro didn't respond as he stood on his spot, watching her.

'Jiro', her mind screamed. He was in front of her – standing with his usual indifference; tall and proud, as if the world can offer nothing that can possibly shake him. His gaze settled at her, his eyes conveying something that no one will ever know...because he's Jiro – a guy whose thoughts she cannot quite fathom.

The mere sight of him brings Dara a flurry of emotions. A sense of security; and a sense of uncertainty. Her tears kept on falling as she darted her eyes on the cuts and bruises all over his face and body. Despite what she wants to make herself believe, the stinging pain in her heart and the tears in her eyes mean that she was already captivated by him more than she should. She slumped her shoulders in surrender, too weak to even counter the realization that her mind is telling her.

"Ramirez." His voice cut through her thoughts. As he slowly approached her, Dara willed herself to stop crying but the moist on her cheeks suggest that she failed.

"Ramirez?" She saw the way his eyebrows furrowed; the way his mouth slightly parted as he saw the steady stream of tears on her face. No words were uttered between the two, their silence met with the soft breeze of the night.

"You're hurt", she finally said in between sobs.

"This is nothing."

"Why did you raise your white flag?"

"Because that's what you want."

"I wanted both of you to stop fighting."

"He won't raise his flag."

"But, Jiro...you lost."

"If that's what you want, then..." Jiro focused his gaze on her and shrugged, "...that's what I should do", he stated, like it's the most obvious fact that she should have known by now. Dara bit her lips and averted her gaze, wiping her tears with her hand. This guy is really something - his unflinching stand to keep his words he gave to her father, his stoic gaze that no one can obscure. For her, Jiro is a man of silence and boundless strength. A man who is always behind her. The one man her heart belongs to.

***

Dara hugged the small first aid kit that she was holding while staring at the door of Jiro's house. She texted him that she's coming, but he told her not to. Even so, she decided to come. She has been in his house on a few occasions whenever her dad requests her to bring something to him. It has been a while, though.

She pressed the door bell and when no one came, she decided to enter the key code. "Jiro", she called out and entered the house. Seeing that the living room is empty, she proceeded to search for him.

Dara found him in the bedroom, lying shirtless on his back with his arm across his eyes. She stood by the door and darted her eyes around. Just like when she first saw his room, it was still almost devoid of furniture, except for the bed and the closet. One would think that he just moved in, judging from the absence of many things. His house is raw, and warmth seems to be a foreign thing - the exact representation of himself.

She saw his shoes and his shirt lying on the floor and just as she was about to pick it up, she heard Jiro's voice. "What are you doing here, Ramirez?" He asked without taking his arm off his eyes.

Dara strode towards the bed and stood at the side. "I came to tend to your wounds. I figured you don't have any medicine in your house."

"You don't have to", he said coldly, making Dara's grip on her kit tighten a bit.

"I want to", she said firmly and sat on the bed, hastily pulling out some things from the first aid kit.

Jiro withdrew his arm from his eyes and looked at her. He then pushed himself up and sat, grabbing her wrist. "You shouldn't be here. I told you, I'm fine."

Dara stared at his face, noticing that the bruises are now more vivid than before. Seeing his injuries up close, her chest constricted in pain. Her eyebrows furrowed deeply as she lowered her gaze and saw his body covered in more bruises.

Without uttering a word, Dara pulled her wrist forcefully from his grasp. She began applying medicine on his cuts and bruises in silence, her fingers gently stroking his skin. Her hand trailed down the side of his body where Bullet kicked him, his muscles rippling as he jerked back with her touch. 

When she glided her fingers on his stomach, he stopped her hand, his chest heaving up and down with his labored breathing. "You can stop now", he murmured.

"God, Jiro..." She whimpered and wrapped her arms around him. She felt him stiffen, and she thought he's going to push her away, but he didn't. "Why didn't you dodge his attacks? Why did you let yourself get beaten?"

 "I thought you'll get mad if I didn't let him get even", he replied as he entwined his arms on her waist. "I thought you're going to avoid me again."

"What? What made you think that?"

"You said he's your friend", he murmured as he pressed her closer to him. He inhaled deeply, her sweet scent intoxicating him.

"I don't understand you at all", she said in a breathless voice as he hovered at the crook of her neck.

"You don't have to", he whispered. "I'm nothing."

Dara shuddered when she felt the tip of his nose on her skin, trailing on her neck and moving up her face, tracing her cheek with his eyes tightly shut. He pulled away slightly and stared at her, the intensity of his gaze drilling through her. His eyes flicked down on her lips, and her breathing instantly hiked up. She saw him swallowing hard, dragging his teeth on his lower lip.

He tilted his head, his breath breezing on