Jay-jay's POV
The frappe I'm drinking would have been delicious. But there's no flavor in it that's bothering my brain.
My feelings couldn't handle it!
"Is it delicious?" Yuri asked me.
I looked at her. "O-oh.."
"What flavor?... What flavor of air?"
Huh?!
I looked at what I was drinking. Mud! It was empty. I just scratched my head and forced a smile.
"Speak now... I know something is bothering you."
Am I that obvious? Tsk!
Yuri was obviously waiting for what I was going to say. But I don't plan on speaking. I'm not sure yet about what I saw on Eren's cellphone. I was going to ask him about it but I didn't. Sure really, I am, they are the ones I saw the night of the festival.
Are they really them?
"W-nothing... It's just something playing around in my mind."
He seemed a little disappointed by my answer.
"You're sulking." He said.
I looked at him in surprise.
"...You still don't trust us. We were all here for you but you don't seem to see us."
Oh, he was sulking.
But in reality, he was right. They were all there for me.
"It's not that I don't trust you. It's not clear to me yet, so I'm not going to tell you. I'm just drawing conclusions. Once everything is clear, I'll just tell you that." I explained to him and smiled.
Yuri just forced a smile. I know he's worried about me but I don't want to just talk.
How can I tell him that I suspect Mayo and Kit are gay? Then I'll be wrong.
Besides, if I tell him, he might suddenly take action. Or he might tell Keifer. It'll only make things worse.
"Hey... Are you really sulking?" I asked while looking at his face. He just looked at the table while shaking his head at me.
"Oh, he's sulking." I moved closer to him. I tried to peek at his face but he kept avoiding me.
"Let me see how Yuri Hanamitchi sulks." I teased and continued to peek at his face. Even though I kept avoiding him, I could see his blushing. Yu---- is so cute! I'm so cute!
"Stop it..." Yuri said annoyed but I just teased him more. "Let me see..." I tried to smile. I can't help but laugh at his look.
"S-stop it Jay..."
"Ayieh... Tampo-tampohan."
"N-no... I-im not."
"You're stuttering oh! Hahaha you're so cute." I teased him, which made him blush even more.
He was about to move his seat because of what I was doing, but I immediately grabbed his cheek and turned his face to me.
"W-what are y-you doing?" He asked.
I just smiled sweetly at him. Because honestly, I don't really know why I'm doing this.
But I'm glad to do this to him.
"Ma'am, Sir." Someone said, I was a bit surprised, causing me to let go of Yuri's grip.We both looked at the speaker.
Denzel?
"W-what are you doing here?" I asked him.
He pointed to his uniform and smiled. He was dressed as a waiter. It seemed that he was already working here.
"It seems like you don't need to order... Your sweet is enough to fill you up." He teased us.
Yuri looked away from both of us. Denzel was also as strong as he teased.
"What?! Are you still ordering?" He asked teasingly.
"Y-yeah." Yuri replied.
But before we could order, the door of the café suddenly opened and Keifer came straight towards us.
"K-Keifer," I whispered.
"Jay-Jay..." he called me. "...You need to come with me."
I looked at him in confusion. "H-huh?"
"Is there any problem, Keifer?" Yuri asked before standing up.
Keifer's eyes remained focused on me. He looked so serious that it made me nervous.
"It's about my promise to bring you back to Hemilton University."
I automatically stood up. Are we going back now? But I thought it would be next week since we were still waiting for the right time when Kuya Angelo wouldn't notice.
"R-right now?" I asked, glancing at Yuri.
"We have no more time for this. Let's go!" Keifer said, suddenly grabbing my hand and pulling me outside.
But before we could reach the door, another hand held my other hand.
Yuri...
"Jay..." he called me, his eyes pleading.
"Jay! We need to go!" Keifer shouted.
I looked at Keifer briefly and then turned my gaze back to Yuri. Yuri's eyes were full of plea, while Keifer's were determined.
I needed to see my dad. But for some reason, I wanted to stay. I looked at their hands holding mine.
Why does this feel like such a huge decision?
I bit my lower lip. I pulled my hand away from Keifer's grasp and faced Yuri.
"I just need to see my dad. I hope you understand," I said.
Yuri held my other hand. "I know. But please, come back here."
I quickly nodded before pulling my hands away from him. I rushed toward the door where Keifer was waiting.
"Let's go," he said before we ran toward his car.
Another car?!
As soon as we got in, Keifer quickly started the engine. I immediately buckled my seatbelt because it felt like I had joined an F1 race.
So fast! Crazy!
The trip to the university usually took over two hours. But with the way this King of Reckless Driving was speeding, I felt like it would only take half an hour.
His face remained serious, focused on the road. I couldn't tell if he was angry or what.
"K-Keifer..." I called him.
I waited for his response, but he stayed silent.
"Keifer..." I called again.
"What?!" he snapped irritably.
"Nothing."
"Tss."
Oh, he's annoyed. I just kept my eyes on the road and left him alone.
The whole ride was silent.
When we arrived at Hemilton University, we moved quickly. We ran to the receiving area of the largest building.
"Miss... W-where is Jasfher Mariano?" I asked the woman at the receiving table.
She looked at me and Keifer with confusion. "H-he's not here anymore... He already left earlier."
Her words saddened me, but I didn't lose hope.
"Maybe we could get some information about him? Like his address or contact number?"
"I'm sorry, but that's not allowed," she quickly replied.
"Please, Ate, it's really important! This is an emergency!" I insisted.
"It's really not allowed."
"Look, Miss... We don't have time for this. We really need to talk to that guy," Keifer interjected.
It was clear he was getting irritated because she wouldn't give us the information.
I understood why she couldn't, but still... Aaaiizzztt!
"Is there a problem here?" a man asked.
I remembered him! He was one of the speakers during our university visit here.
"Sir, they're being persistent... They're asking for Sir Mariano's information," the woman complained.
He looked at both me and Keifer. "What for?"
"B-because----"
"We cannot tell you... but please tell him that Jay-Jay is here," Keifer interrupted.
The man glanced at his watch. "Even if I tell him, it wouldn't matter. He's probably already on the plane."
Plane?
"We're too late..." Keifer whispered.
I was confused. Too late? Plane?
"Keifer..." I called him.
"Someone told me that your dad is leaving for good."
Hearing those words made my knees go weak. I would've collapsed if I hadn't held onto the table.
He's really leaving me. Just when I finally got to know him.
Why is he doing this?
"K-Keifer... Maybe we can still catch him at the airport? Maybe we can still make it?" I asked, trying to hold back my tears.
"Oh, we probably can't..." he answered softly.
But I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. They just started falling. Instead of letting everyone see me like that, I quickly walked out of the building and headed straight to the parking lot where Keifer's car was.
I sat down on a plant box.
It hurt so much — the thought that we finally had a chance to be together, but he chose to leave. He had a chance to make it up to me, but he didn't. I thought that once I saw him, everything would be okay.
I was wrong.
I felt someone sit beside me. I didn't bother to look at who it was.
"Jay..." he called me and suddenly put his arm around me. He rested my head on his shoulder.
"...I should've hurried. Maybe we could've caught him."
"E-even if we did... He's really leaving. There's nothing we can do," I replied.
"He has his reasons, Jay... As of now, we just don't know what they are."
My heart grew heavier, and I broke down in tears.
"Go ahead... Cry as much as you want." I cried even harder. I buried my face into Keifer's neck. I didn't know how to let out this pain. If I had to shed every tear to ease the heaviness in my chest, so be it.
We stayed in that position for a long time. Eventually, I calmed down and asked to go home. Keifer didn't speak or ask any questions. Maybe he could feel that I wasn't in the mood to talk. He drove me home, and when the car stopped, he suddenly hugged me.
I was surprised at first, but I understood why he was doing it.
"We're here for you..." he whispered.
"T-thank you."
He let go of me. As I was about to open the car door, he grabbed my arm.
When I turned to look at him, he quickly kissed my forehead.
I was speechless. Stunned! I wanted to ask what that kiss meant, but he had already looked away.
I had no choice but to get out of the car and walk quickly toward the gate. I didn't enter the house right away. I leaned against the gate and listened for the sound of his car leaving.
I wasn't disappointed — Keifer started the car and drove away quickly.
M-my heart...
This isn't good! It's getting worse — this feeling. I've already admitted to myself that I feel something different for him.
But I have no intention of exploring what that feeling is.
It would only lead to chaos if I tried to figure it out. It's better this way.
I walked toward the house. Just one more step and I'd be inside — but then I stopped.
It felt like I forgot something.
Oh no! Yuri!
I spun around, ready to run back out, but then it hit me — he might not even be there anymore. But wouldn't he have texted me if he'd left?
I quickly grabbed my phone, but there were no texts or calls from Yuri.
I bit my nail anxiously. I wasn't sure what to do.
As much as I wanted to call or text him... I had no load.
Ugh! Whatever!
I grabbed my bike and rode off. It was already getting dark, but I didn't care. I pedaled fast even though I wasn't sure if he'd still be there.
When I turned the corner near the café, I stopped. The lights were off, and it was clear there was no one inside.
He probably left.
I sighed heavily. I was about to head back home when I thought I saw movement inside the café. Even though I wasn't sure, I went closer.
I peered through the glass window.
It looked like... someone was inside.
I parked my bike and walked to the glass door. I only meant to peek inside, but I accidentally pushed the door — and realized it was still open.
I pushed it open wider and stepped inside — and then I froze at the sight before me.
The ceiling was covered with Christmas lights, twinkling like fireflies. It was so beautiful, I couldn't help but smile.
Scented candles were scattered all around.
Who would... Was this Yuri's doing?!
My eyes searched the room, and I spotted Yuri sitting in the corner, alone and quietly drinking. Four empty bottles were already on the table in front of him.
"Yuri..." I called out.
He stopped drinking and looked at me. He forced a smile and set down his bottle.
"Do you like it?" he asked, gazing up at the lights.
"Of course..." I answered, smiling.
For some reason, I could tell right away that something was bothering him.
It seemed like he had really waited for me. I felt so guilty. I left, and it turned out to be for nothing. If I'd known, I wouldn't have left him behind.
He sighed, and I turned my attention back to him.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the floor.
"Jay-jay..." he began. "...Are you serious about your feelings for Keifer?"
W-what...?
"H-huh?"
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
I was about to say something, but then he pulled one hand out of his pocket and set something on the table.
A small red box.
My heart started pounding.
"For you..." he said, then walked out of the café.
I was left staring at the box, completely stunned. I turned to look for him, but he was already gone.
I bit my lower lip.
Please let me be wrong... Please don't let this be what I think it is.
I slowly picked up the box and carefully opened it. My eyes widened in shock when I saw what was inside.
I sank into the nearest chair.
W-what does this mean?
Why did he give me a ring?