(Game Series # 9) Mauro Eugenio dela Rama's life revolved around school and work. At times, he felt like drowning pero hindi siya pwedeng magreklamo kasi pinili niya naman 'yon. For him, he'd rather be exhausted with his 9 to 5 and 5 to 9 kaysa humingi ng pambayad ng tuition sa tatay niya. He was doing fine kahit nahihirapan siya. Akala niya hindi niya kailangan ng tulong... Then he met Atty. Achilles V. Marroquin. Mauro thought that he was just being nice to him dahil abogado na 'to ay siya ay 'di hamak na struggling law student lamang. Kahit nahihiya siya, humingi siya ng tulong dito. Kakapalan niya na ang mukha niya kaysa bumagsak siya sa subjects niya. He thought he was just being regular nice to him... hanggang isang araw ay napapatanong na lang siya sa sarili niya kung normal pa ba 'to o nilalandi ba siya ng abogadong 'to?

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Santiago Alverio is torn between family expectations and his own internalized fears from homophobic relatives. As he enters a casual fling with Diablo Delgado, he discovers that love, patience, and acceptance might be the blueprint to healing and embracing his true self. *** Santiago Alverio has always lived by the rules of his family, peers, and a silent world that tells him who he should be. As a civil engineering student, he hides behind toxic masculinity and the fear of being noticed because of expectations and a homophobic upbringing. Then comes Diablo Delgado--fearless, affectionate, and unapologetically himself. What begins as a no-strings "friends with benefits" arrangement slowly converts into something deeper. With every touch, every unguarded smile, Diablo breaks the walls Santi has built around his heart. But love is never simple. Santi is caught between family pressures, societal judgment, and his own insecurities. Will he ever realize that happiness was never about meeting expectations but about choosing the person who makes him feel whole? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Rayne Mariano ILLUSTRATOR: Ri Ot

Yuno, a painter and delivery guy, lives his life like a dish served without toppings. No flavors, no attachments, just bare survival. Though selfless and determined to stand on his own, Yuno's solitude is a paradox: he pushes away help yet silently craves connection. But when Cid, a sexually frustrated swimmer, offers him financial support in exchange for an unconventional deal, Yuno is forced to reconsider the simple life he's chosen.

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When Franco moved to Manila for college, he told himself that he'll experience everything there is to experience. And he did. His first year could be considered as... scandalous, to say the least. So when his sophomore year came, he promised himself that he'll do better para na rin sa future niya. He intended to join this prestigious organization that would surely help his career in the future. When Franco joined AIESEC, he knew his life would change... little did he know, magbabago talaga ang buhay niya nang makilala niya si Joaquin Lorenzo Santillan-the perfect student who's beloved by everyone. Franco was in awe. Every where Joaquin goes, his presence commanded respect. His presence was magnetic, his smile effortless, his charm undeniable. And he was nice-so nice that Franco unknowingly followed him around, like he was orbiting around Joaquin's magnetic presence, eager for him to be noticed. Akala ni Franco ay okay ang lahat. Naka-pasok na siya sa org. Mukhang magiging kaibigan niya na si Joaquin. But one night, few beers after, his world seemingly collapsed when Joaquin stared him in the eye and said, "In case there's any confusion, let me make it clear-I'm not gay." Franco's world tilted on its axis, crumbling in an instant. Now, his mission was simple: survival. Avoid Joaquin at all costs. Erase the memory of that moment, of those eyes, of the touch that seemed to linger impossibly on his skin. Little did he know, some marks aren't so easily erased.