Yuri's POV
"Wow, you're really rich… You own the whole building. But who built this house on the rooftop?" Jay-jay asked.
"Grandpa did. He said he wanted to feel like he wasn't far from his hometown, so he had it built," I replied.
"Oh, where are your parents?" she asked again.
"They're in Japan, managing our business there," I answered.
"How come I never hear you speak Japanese if you're Japanese?"
"I'm in the Philippines, so I don't need to speak Japanese all the time."
"Is that your natural hair color?"
"No."
"Are you copying Sakuragi from Slam Dunk?"
"Sort of."
"Are you related? You both have Hanamitchi as your last name."
"Sakuragi isn't even a real person."
"Oh, right. Well, blah… blah… blah…"
She had been like this for a while—asking one question after another. I just kept answering so she wouldn't get bored. Otherwise, she might decide to go outside and get caught by Grandpa. I'd be the one getting scolded. He might even assume she's my girlfriend.
I thought she had already gone back to Japan, so why is she still here? I thought I had the house to myself.
"Do you know how to make sushi?" she asked again.
Why is this girl so talkative? She's seriously annoying.
"I kno—" I stopped mid-sentence.
That's when I noticed she was staring at me with a smile. She was lying on my bed, resting her chin on both hands. I quickly looked away, pretending to fix something on my study table where I was sitting.
What the hell? Why do I suddenly feel shy? My heart's even beating faster. I wasn't like this earlier.
"You know what… I take back what I said. You and Keifer are actually different," she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked, still avoiding her gaze.
"You're easy to approach and talk to," she replied.
Shit. I let my guard down. I got too comfortable too quickly. This girl figured me out right away.
Yeah… She's right. Keifer and I aren't the same. I'm not stubborn or hot-headed like him. I used to be approachable and friendly.
But that was before.
Before Ella hurt me. She didn't like me for who I was. That's why I changed myself, hoping she'd notice me. She never did. She never will.
Why do girls always prefer bad boys? Like Keifer…...and Aries.
"I like you better like this," Jay-jay said.
I don't know why, but those words hit me hard.
Could it be…?
I turned to look at Jay-jay, who was now rolling around on my bed. I was about to say something when someone knocked on my door.
"Come in!"
Auntie, our housekeeper, walked in.
"Young Master, your grandfather is calling for you," she said.
I was about to go to Grandpa when Auntie added something that made me freeze.
"He asked you to bring your friend with you."
Oh fvck. I'm dead. Sigh… Even though I didn't want to, I turned to Jay and motioned for her to follow me. Whoever told on me for bringing someone over is so dead.
I walked straight to Grandpa's office, with Jay following behind me. She had to half-walk, half-run to keep up with my pace.
"Slow down…" Jay complained.
But I ignored her. I had to face Grandpa. When we arrived at his office, I waited for Jay before opening the door.
"When you face Grandpa, bow immediately," I whispered to Jay.
She nodded. I opened the door, but before I could even step inside— A paintbrush flew straight at me. I barely dodged it. Annoyed, I immediately turned to Grandpa.
"Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Japanese!!" he yelled angrily.
This is the problem with him. He wants everything to be old-fashioned. He insists that I speak Japanese even when we're at home.
"No way! I'm in the Philippines, I'll use whatever language I want!" I shot back.
"Bakero!"
There it is! He just cursed at me! He's really pissed off now. We locked eyes, neither of us backing down.
"What's your problem?!" I demanded. He was about to speak, but I cut him off. "Speak in Tagalog! Or I'll walk out on you!"
His nostrils flared in anger. He won't win against me.
The thing is, I have a hard time understanding him when he speaks Japanese. He talks way too fast!
"You have no manners! You should be sitting before the door is opened!" he scolded.
He was referring to the traditional Japanese way of presenting yourself before entering a superior's or elder's room. Tss. What a hassle. It's a pain to sit like that, and then bow on top of it. Especially if you have to stay in that position for a while.
Another annoying thing about Grandpa—he's been going back and forth to the Philippines for so long, but his Tagalog is still terrible.
He's so hard to understand! Even the people in the house get headaches because of him. They're even forced to learn Japanese.
"Why aren't you wearing a kimono or a yukata?" he added, pointing at my clothes.
It's too hot to wear a kimono, and I'm too lazy to put on a yukata. It would make sense if we were in Japan, but we're in the Philippines! He just can't seem to sit still without wearing one. I think he's been dressed like that since birth.
"I'm just at home! Why do I need to wear that?!"
He gave me a sharp look and was about to throw his fan at me when he suddenly looked past me.
Tsk! Oh yeah, Jay!
I turned to look at her and signaled her to come closer.
"She's my classmate."
Tanda suddenly became serious, glancing back and forth between me and Jay-jay.
"What's your name?" Tanda asked Jay.
"Jasper Jean Mariano, sir… but you can call me Jay-jay," Jay replied with a bow.
Out of nowhere, Tanda threw his fan at me. It hurt! And he hit me right on the head!
"What the heck?!" I shouted at him.
So annoying! He's always throwing things at people. One time, he even threw a fork!
"Do you want to get married?! Why did you bring a girl home?!" Tanda yelled, standing up from his seat.
"Are you crazy?! Why would I get married?!" I shouted back at him.
This old man is way too ahead of himself. This is exactly why I don't bring girls here!
"Why did you bring her here?!" he asked, pointing at Jay.
Jay instinctively grabbed my arm. I couldn't blame her for being scared of Tanda.
I scratched my head. "It's a long story!"
Tanda's already narrow eyes squinted even more, almost completely closing.
"You two are up to something bad, aren't you?! Are you planning to—"
I didn't let him finish. "You have such a dirty mind!"
Tanda was about to pull out the samurai displayed behind him when Auntie suddenly entered.
"Master... dinner is ready," Auntie announced.
Tanda immediately snapped out of his fit, grinned, and invited us to eat.
"Yuri… is he your grandfather? He's scary," Jay whispered.
I ignored her and just walked to the dining room. By the time we got there, Tanda was already seated in his throne, grinning at Auntie while she tended to him. This old man is so annoying. The moment food is involved, he becomes nice.
I had Jay sit beside me.
"Eat. Once the rain weakens, I'll take you home," I whispered to her.
She just nodded, but it looked like she didn't know how to use chopsticks.
"H-how do you use this?" she whispered, struggling to hold the chopsticks properly.
She looked ridiculous trying to figure it out. I handed her a spoon instead and placed food in a bowl filled with rice. She could just eat however she wanted.
"Tell me, Jay-jay… whose child are you? I don't know anyone named Mariano," Tanda asked.
Unbelievable!
He doesn't like talking during meals, yet here he is, asking questions.
"I don't know my father. As for my mother…"
Jay hesitated to talk about her mother. I couldn't tell if she was ashamed or what. Rory said her mom had many husbands. Maybe Jay-jay wasn't comfortable discussing it.
"She's currently staying with the Fernandezes," I chimed in.
Jay looked at me, surprised that I knew that. But she chose not to ask. Everyone in Section E already knew she was living with Aries—thanks to Ci-N, of course.
"Fernandez? Ahh… Are you related to Michael Angelo Fernandez? The new CEO of Fer Corp?" Tanda asked.
So that company has a new CEO now. So it's Angelo, huh? I haven't really kept up with Aries' family. I have my own life to deal with.
"Uhmm… Yes, sir. He's my cousin," Jay answered.
Tanda just nodded and returned to eating. But why do I feel like he's plotting something?
After dinner, I had Auntie prepare Jay's things, then I took her home. Thankfully, the flood subsided quickly.
"Whose car is this?" Jay asked.
I had brought a different car this time—a Toyota Hilux—because I expected flooding near her place.
"Mine," I answered, uninterested.
"Wow… rich kid," she muttered.
I glanced at Jay-jay, who was busy looking at the car's controls. She looked like a caveman discovering technology for the first time.
"Jay…" I started. She looked at me. "...About your mother. Where is she?"
I couldn't help but be curious. It took her a while to answer.
"With her new husband."
"Is that why you're staying with Aries?"
"No." She looked away. "...There's another reason," she murmured almost inaudibly.
I didn't ask any more questions. It seemed like a sensitive topic. Maybe I should've just kept my mouth shut.
Phone Conversation
"Can I speak with Mr. Michael Angelo Fernandez? This is Yuori Hanamitchi."
"Yes, sir… Just a moment."
The phone was handed to Michael Angelo. He was confused at first. This was the first time Mr. Hanamitchi had contacted him after declining their proposal a few months ago.
"Hello, Mr. Hanamitchi?"
"Herow! Is this Angero?"
"Yes, speaking."
"Subarashii! (Great!). Let's talk about your proposal. I will accept and sign it."
Angelo almost jumped in excitement but held himself back. The Hanamitchi Group and Corp. was one of the biggest companies in Japan. Partnering with them was a huge opportunity. They had already tried making a proposal before, but Mr. Hanamitchi himself had declined.
"...On one condition," Mr. Hanamitchi added. "Let's talk about your cousin, Jay-jay."
"Jay-jay? What about her?"
"I will tell you when we meet up."