Chris glanced at his little sister when he heard her groan for the third time while they were eating.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Julie puffed her cheeks dramatically. "Brother… what do they even get from chasing after Pop Princess?"
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She dropped her spoon with a soft clatter."First it was Kenneth… then now Cielo. Why?!"
"Oh?" Chris smirked. "So even your childhood friend got curious about Pop Princess?"
Julie nodded, sulking.
"Well," Chris hummed, "you can't hide it forever—especially since one of the Villanuevas is helping with the same charity you promised to support. Next week you'll visit the kids again—with the Villanuevas."
Julie's face fell. "Can't I just… cancel?"
Chris stared at her. "Julie. You promised the kids. Do you really want to break their hearts?"
She slumped in silence, defeated."…Fine. I'll do my best not to get caught. Is Kenneth coming too?"
"Maybe. Cielo isn't the only Villanueva you have to worry about." He smirked. Then added, "Why don't you just tell them the truth?"
"No way!" Julie shook her head violently.
Chris sighed. "Julie… I've been covering for you for months. And it's not only them who are curious. Kevin and Jonathan keep wondering why you don't join any clubs."
"Sorry, brother. But you know why I can't reveal who I really am." She met his eyes pleadingly.
He softened, ruffling her hair. "I know. But if they find out… just explain. They'll accept you—just like your friends did."
Julie only nodded.
After eating, they cleaned up. Their mother wasn't home—busy with work again.
The Next Morning
On their way to school:
"Ugh… I don't want to study," Julie whined behind Chris.
Chris flicked her forehead. "Stop complaining."
"Brother, walk me to my room…" She clung to his arm like a toddler about to get abandoned in the grocery aisle.
"You're throwing tantrums again." But he let her hold on anyway.
"Good morning, Chris," Dave greeted when they passed.
"Morning," Chris said.
Dave blinked at Julie. "What's with her?"
"Nothing. She's just lazy again," Chris sighed, pulling Julie forward before she tripped.
Dave chuckled.
Then another voice chimed in—"It's early, and you're already throwing tantrums."
Cielo.
Julie glared. "None of your business."
Cielo took her wrist. "Let's go. We'll walk ahead."
Julie squawked indignantly as he dragged her away.
From behind, Dave called, "Hey, Cielo! Don't make her cry this early!"
Chris only shook his head. "Let them be."
A soft laugh echoed behind him as someone patted his shoulder.
Soon, the dancers who joined the last competition entered.
Chris quietly greeted one girl, "Congratulations, Miss Santibañez."
"T-Thank you, Pres," she said shyly.
He patted her shoulder lightly.
"Chris," Dave called again.
"Yeah?"
"There's a charity event next week at the orphanage. And guess who's attending? Pop Princess."
Chris blinked. Dave's smile was teasing—he was obviously fishing for a reaction.
Chris simply nodded. "Really."
"And Kenneth's joining too. His parents can't go, so he'll represent their family. Honestly? I think he's just excited to see Pop Princess." Dave shook his head.
Chris stayed silent.Is Julie going to be okay?
Dave patted him on the shoulder. Chris gave a small smile back.
*****
Later…
He really doesn't react, huh? Dave thought.The Villanueva blood—curiosity is always in the veins.
But Chris… Chris always protects his sister.
For almost five months here, Julie had never joined any club. No extracurriculars. No events. No performances.
Odd… for a Navares.
Chris is talented—dancing, instruments, singing. But lately he only dances.
Why hide her talents? Why hide her?
"Dave."Kevin snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Huh? Oh—Kevin."
"You good? You're zoning out."
"Ah… yeah. Nothing important."
"Anyway, don't forget—we have the meeting today. Every school is sending a VP and disciplinary officer."
"Right, right. Let's go."
They spent half the day attending the meeting. With no practice afterward, Dave headed home.
At the Villanueva House
"You're here, Kenneth," Dave said when he saw his cousin reading in the living room.
"Hey, Dave."
"Where's Cielo?"
"In his room."
"You're staying over?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Dave said. "You rarely visit. How are your parents?"
"They're fine. But they won't be home next week—work again."
Dave nodded.
Cielo stepped out of his room. "You're here."
"Yeah. Just finished some work," Dave replied.
Dave crossed his arms. "So… what's your plan for the charity?"
Kenneth burst into laughter. "Damn, Dave really sees through everything."
Dave raised an eyebrow. "What do you even gain from knowing her real identity?"
Cielo answered first. "Brother… Julie's dad is a music professor. Chris is good at dance and music. Their mom—like ours—used to dance. Doesn't it seem strange that Julie doesn't do any of it?"
"She doesn't dance," Dave said.
"Yeah, but music?" Cielo insisted. "She's amazing. That time at the piano—she played a difficult piece like nothing."
Dave blinked. "She plays?"
Kenneth nodded. "Also? Those compositions Melissa sings? Julie wrote some of them."
Dave stared."…She wrote those?"
"Yep. She avoids singing, so she gives them to Melissa. But we know Melissa wants Julie to sing them herself," Kenneth said.
Dave pinched the bridge of his nose. "So that's why you suspect her?"
"We're curious," Kenneth said.
"And when you prove it—if you prove it—what then?" Dave asked.
Kenneth grinned. "Nothing. I just want to ask why she keeps rejecting my invitations. Hurts, man."
"And you, Cielo?" Dave asked more seriously.
"Nothing much. I just want answers. Why she keeps hiding it."
Dave sighed. "Just don't make things harder for Pop Princess."
Kenneth smirked. "Your girlfriend Melody is a huge fan."
"I know," Dave said. "It's fine."
"Anyway, let's eat," Dave added.
"Finally! I'm starving," Kenneth groaned.