With a smile that mirrored Alex's, Serenity nodded. "Yes, I'd love to hang out with you, but I'm scared someone might see us," she replied, her heart fluttering. "No worries," Alex assured her with a grin. "No one will see us, and besides, we're just hanging out, not falling in love—yet." He smiled. "Okay, then," Serenity said, finally agreeing. Alex's face lit up with happiness as they walked out of the lobby together. They headed to a quiet café called Shakespeare, where they settled in and began to talk. "How was your hangout at the bar earlier with your friends?" Alex asked. "It was nice at first, but it got boring. But the bar itself was really nice," Serenity replied. "What about you? Where are Mel and Leo?" "They went to watch a Rie Natsuki movie," Alex answered. "Why didn't you join them? That's a great movie—I've already seen it," Serenity said. "I know, but I wanted to take a chance and contact you. And now that you're here, this is worth more than any movie," Alex said with a warm smile. Serenity fluttered as she looked at Alex's handsome face across from her. "You've got good timing since my boyfriend isn't around," she said, smiling back. "Anyway, how did you end up in Japan? How long have you been here?" Serenity asked, steering the conversation in another direction. "I've been here for two years," Alex admitted, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "But my visa expired." "So, immigration could send you back home if they catch you?" Serenity asked, feeling a wave of pity for him. "Yes," Alex replied simply. "That's so sad," Serenity said softly. "I came here as part of a band before," Alex explained. "I'm the vocalist, Mel is the drummer, and Leo is the guitarist. After our contract at our former club ended, we decided to overstay." he confessed.
"But why would you do that? Couldn't you just return after the contract and come back legally?" Serenity asked, concern clear in her eyes. "We heard that promoters stopped recruiting bands from the Philippines, and we were the last ones they brought over," Alex said. "Mel and Leo were scared to go back because life there is really hard. I stayed with them because I also need to support my family." Serenity studied him for a moment before asking, "But why do you look so Japanese?" She asked. "Well, my father is pure Japanese, and my mom is Filipino," Alex explained. "She used to work here in Japan as a performer like you when she was young. She met my dad at a club, and they got together. I was born here, but they never got married because my dad has a real wife, so I didn't acquire japanese nationalities," he stated. "Were they living together?" Serenity asked. "Yes, they lived in a small apartment," Alex continued. "But when I turned six, that's when my dad left us." "Oh no, that must have been so painful. But why does your father leave you?" she asked, her voice filled with sympathy. Alex shared a brief story about his family. "It was my father;s wife's plan, my mother said my father's marriage to that woman was arranged. He didn't love her," he said.
Flashback. Alex's father, Isao, was married to Akiko, a woman from a very wealthy family. Akiko had been instantly attracted to Isao when they were introduced by his father. She asked her parents for permission to marry him, and they readily agreed, as they saw Isao as a charming and admirable match for their daughter.
At the time, Isao was working in Akiko's parents' prestigious company. However, Isao wasn't interested in the marriage. His parents, burdened by a significant debt, pressured him to marry Akiko, seeing it as the only solution to their financial troubles. Reluctantly, Isao agreed and married her. Despite the luxurious life Akiko provided, Isao wasn't happy. After a year, he expressed his desire for a divorce, unable to continue in a marriage that brought him no joy. However, Akiko forbade Isao from leaving her. She confined him to their large house, ensuring he was always under strict supervision whenever he went out. One day, Isao managed to escape. That night, seeking solace, he went to a bar where he met Zen, Alex's mother. It was love at first sight for Isao, and he promised Zen that he would return for her. A week later, Isao came back, just as Zen's work contract was about to end. She was set to return to the Philippines the following day. Isao asked her to go with him, and Zen didn't hesitate. Together, they moved to a small apartment in a distant province. And there, Alex was born, they called him Takeru. As Alex grew up, Isao worked tirelessly to provide for them and managed to enroll Alex in school, despite the fact that Zen and Alex did not have proper visas. Isao couldn't marry Zen because he was still legally bound to Akiko, and gradually, he told her everything about his past. Meanwhile, Akiko never gave up on finding Isao. She hired investigators to track him down.
And after six years of searching, they finally discovered his whereabouts. On Alex's 6th birthday, Akiko herself showed up at their small apartment. Without hesitation, she ordered her staff to take Isao away. From that day, Isao never returned. A year later, on Alex's 8th birthday, Zen received a letter from Akiko. The letter stated that Isao had died in an accident. Heartbroken and devastated, Zen decided to return to the Philippines with Alex to rebuild their lives. Back in the Philippines, Zen reconnected with her high school classmate, Nando. They got married and had two more children, Brian and Aldrin. However, over the years, Nando developed an addiction to alcohol and gambling. He frequently hurt Zen, both emotionally and physically, and eventually left her for another woman, continuing his gambling habits with his new partner. "My mom was devastated," Alex continued. "When we returned home, she decided to name me Alex. Even though I was born in Japan to a Japanese father, I'm officially Filipino on my birth certificate—only my mom's name is listed. She eventually remarried and had two more sons, so I have two half-brothers. But they're separated now because my stepdad became addicted to gambling and women." "Oh, your parents' story is quite unusual. I bet your father was very handsome, and your mother must be beautiful," Serenity said with a smile. "Maybe," Alex replied. "But I don't even know what my father looks like now—if he's still alive," he added, his voice tinged with sadness as he recalled his father. Hoping to shift the mood, he turned the question to Serenity. "How about you? What's your story?" Alex asked, genuinely interested. "Well, my parents run a small business. I'm the youngest of three—I have two older brothers," Serenity began.
"I was about to graduate, but our business started struggling, so I decided to apply for work here in Japan. "I'm saving money to finish my studies when I go back. It's my dream to become an English teacher here," Serenity said, her voice filled with determination. "Oh, I hope you get to continue your studies. You're so close," Alex said sincerely. "Yeah, I hope so," Serenity replied. Then Alex turns the question about her love life. "How's your boyfriend? Do you really love him?" Alex asked cautiously. "I did before, but now his true colors are starting to show. I don't know how to break up with him," Serenity admitted, her voice tinged with fear. "But you can do it, right?" Alex encouraged her gently. "Yeah, I just need to find the right time for it," Serenity said, a faint resolve in her tone. Alex couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. "What about you? Any girlfriends? Or exes?" she asked. Alex replied, "I had few exes before during high school, but since I met you, I don't want to court anyone but you," he smiled. Serenity felt so fluttered as she looked at his smile, he was very handsome when he chiseled. "So, you are courting me?' she asked. "Yes, if you will allow me," Alex mused. Serenity just smiled.