Keifer's POV
"…Are you sure about this?" Yuri asked me.
I looked at him while dressing up in my school uniform. I was planning to go back to school. I felt like I'd get even sicker if I stayed in this hospital any longer.
"Yeah. I'm feeling well now." I answered.
"The doctor said one week. It hasn't even been a full week."
"The doctor's job is to treat me, while my body's job is to heal itself."
He threw his hands in the air. He was surrendering.
He really can't handle how stubborn I am.
I finished changing and grabbed the things I had asked Keigan to send over. He still didn't want to let me go, but in the end, he had no choice.
"Why didn't you have Keigan bring your car?" Yuri asked again.
"I'm not sure if I can drive yet. My wound still hurts when I raise my arm."
He raised a brow. "So who do you plan to ask for a ride to school?"
I looked at him and smiled. "You. Why would I look for someone else when you're already here?"
He smirked while shaking his head. "Tss… What are friends for."
He helped me carry my stuff. We left the room and headed straight to the station where the doctor was waiting for me.
"Mr. Watson, you do know that your condition might worsen, right?" the doctor said.
"Thank you, Dr. Peralta, but it's my body—I know what it's capable of." I said with a smile.
He handed me a pen and a waiver to sign. This was the only way they would let me leave without the doctor's approval.
"I apologize. This guy is really stubborn. I'll just bring him back if his condition gets worse." Yuri said while bowing his head.
Suddenly, he reminded me of a chicken because of what he was doing. His red hair made it even funnier as he kept bowing. He looked like a pecking rooster.
I held back my laughter. He'd definitely get mad at me if he found out what I was thinking.
I focused on the waiver and returned it after signing. They also gave me some medicine to help with my recovery.
After Ci-N's father gave me a few reminders, we immediately left. Yuri still needed to go home, take a shower, and freshen up. It was still early, so he had plenty of time.
"Ci-N's dad is a great doctor." Yuri commented as we got inside his car.
"Yeah. I think all the Peraltas are." I answered, bored.
We continued talking while he drove. The sky was still dark, and there were only a few cars on the road.
"Do you think Ci-N will become a doctor like them?" he asked.
I looked at him and then turned my gaze back to the road. "If he doesn't show his rebellious side, he'll definitely become one. He might even surpass his siblings."
He chuckled. "Maybe."
We continued our little conversation until we reached their building. He parked and stepped out of the car. I chose to stay behind so I could sleep for a while.
I slept for almost an hour until he woke me up by knocking on the car window. There was something different about him.He looked uneasy.
"O-okay lang ba kung meron tayong ibang isasabay?" he asked nervously.
"It's your car. Why are you asking me?"
He scratched the back of his neck. He didn't say another word and just started the car.
He remained silent even after we left his building and the business district.
I was comfortably leaning back when I noticed something on the road. I know this route.
"Y-Yuri… where are we going?" I asked in horror.
I saw him bite his lower lip, and there was fear on his face.
"Yuri." I called him with authority.
"Look! This is not my intention! I just really need to pick her up because Angelo asked me to." he explained as we stopped in front of Jay-jay's house.
Knowing that I was just a meter away from her made me so damn nervous. It's true that I badly wanted to see her, but I needed to set boundaries.
Even if I didn't know what those boundaries were!
"There's no problem with giving her a ride, right?" he asked with a weird smile.
I looked at him like I was about to kill him. "You're doing this on purpose."
"I-I swear I'm not… It's just a coincidence."
"Just go. Let's get this over with."
He got out of the car and walked straight through the gate of the house. I felt a sticky sweat forming on my skin despite the cold air from the air conditioner.
I just stared at the gate of their house, like I was waiting for an enemy. I can't help it. It makes me crazy knowing that I will see her.
How long has it been since we last saw each other? It's only been a few days, but it feels like years have passed.
And then, my world stopped…
He's walking with a grumpy face. I can't hold back my smile as she walks closer to me. But it quickly faded when I saw Yuri's red hair.
He ruined it.
I slumped back in my seat with a loud thud. I felt a sharp pain in my wound, but I chose to ignore it.
The backseat door opened, and I could tell that she was hesitating to get in. But she had no choice.
Yuri looked at me as he sat beside me. I simply glared at him.
"J-Jay…" Yuri said while looking at Jay-jay through the rearview mirror. "…Sorry. I didn't tell you that Kei—"
She immediately cut him off. "Yuri." Her voice was emotionless. "Please." It didn't sound like anything. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" Definitely pissed. "Just drive."
I saw the pain in Yuri's expression before he started the car. Meanwhile, I was still feeling tense. My palms were sweating, and I kept wiping them. I chose to focus on the road, but there was no point.
My whole body knew that she was close to me. It was like it wanted to jump from my seat and hug her tight. It irritated me.
I knew Yuri didn't do this on purpose, but I wish he did, so I could punch him. I had been restless in my seat for a while now.
I needed some distraction.
Without asking permission, I opened the glove compartment. My eyes widened at what I saw inside.
I looked at Yuri, and he did the same to me. I subtly glanced at Jay-jay. Good thing she was focused on the road.
Why the fvck does he keep a gun in here?
I chose to ignore it and continued searching for what I was looking for.
Cigarette.
I knew Jay-jay hated this, but I needed it. I fvcking needed to calm down. Otherwise, I might lose control and just grab Jay-jay in an embrace.
After closing the compartment, I quickly grabbed a stick and lit it. In my rush, I forgot to open the window. The smoke quickly mixed with the air conditioning.
Yuri didn't seem bothered, but Jay-jay was different. She started coughing hard because of the smoke.
"What the hell?! You're smoking inside the car?!" she said, clearly annoyed.
I subtly slapped myself before slightly opening the window.
I saw Yuri frowning at me. I pointed at the road, signaling him to focus on driving.
I was panicking so much that I wasn't even thinking about what I was doing.
Stupid Keifer!
When we arrived at school, Jay-jay got out of the car even before Yuri could park properly.
"That's dangerous," Yuri said after finally parking the car.
I was about to step out when he child-locked the door.
I frowned at him. "Seriously, Yuri?" I pointed at the car door.
"Do you want Jay-jay to die from lung cancer?" I could hear the irritation in his voice.
He snatched the remaining cigarette from my hand and threw it out of the open window beside him.
"I'm fvcking tense! Okay?!" I said defensively. "…You know how I get when I'm tense!"
"Yeah, right," he said sarcastically. "…And yet the window was right next to you."
"Don't you dare accuse me," I glared at him. "How about the gun in your compartment?"
I opened his glove compartment to grab the gun, but he immediately stopped me. He even slapped my hand.
"For protection!"
"Protection my ass! Don't tell me someone's trying to kill you too."
His forehead creased as he pointed at himself. "Do I have to wait for death threats? I'm part of the Hanamitchi clan's heirs."
"Tss…"
He unlocked the door, and we both stepped out of the car. He tried to assist me while walking, but I quickly pushed him away.
He just laughed while shaking his head.
"Suit yourself," he said, smiling like a lunatic.
He knew I could walk just fine, but thanks to my wound, which kept sending sharp pains from time to time, I had to slow down.
I arrived at the classroom without waiting for that red-haired guy. I could already imagine him laughing at me while I walked.
I saw Jay-jay sitting at the first table beside the door. Ci-N was beside her, desperately trying to get her attention.
I continued walking until I reached my seat.
"I thought you weren't allowed to leave yet."
Edrix asked while observing me.
"What are you talking about? That's Keifer. He knows more than the doctor," Rory said and chuckled.
The whole class wasn't the same anymore. It wasn't exactly what I imagined, but it was close. Jay-jay was trying her best to ignore Ci-N and the whole class.
After the morning class, Eman prepared a very special meal for Jay-jay. He had been working on it since morning, putting a lot of thought and effort into it. He even bought expensive ingredients, according to Denzel, who helped him.
But Jay-jay chose to eat outside.
I saw how painful it was for Eman. He was the type of person who hated seeing his efforts go to waste.
"It's okay! She'll eat with us eventually! Just a little patience!" Ci-N said, trying to cheer everyone up.
"Ci is right! Next time, let's prepare her favorite food—something she won't be able to resist!" Eren added.
Eman just forced a smile. He was one of those who had grown close to Jay-jay. I knew the situation was hard for him.
While the others were eating, Eman sat close to me. I heard him mutter something.
"Maybe this is my karma for joining the bet."
He said, and I looked at him.
I chose not to say anything. I didn't want to make a wrong move that would make them suspect my problem or the real reason behind everything I had done.
For now, all they know is our plan to protect Jay-jay. Aside from that, nothing else. That's for the best.
"Oi! Oi! You idiots!" Drew shouted while running toward us. "…Jay-jay and Yuri are fighting upstairs!"
Everyone ran outside except for me. I'll just ask Yuri when he comes back.
They were probably out there for a few minutes.
I was about to close my eyes and sleep when I heard footsteps. I looked up, and our eyes met.
Jay-jay…
Her coldness sent shivers down my spine. It's my fault she's like this. I deserve it. I deserve her cold treatment.
She immediately sat down, turning her back on me. Not long after, a few of our classmates entered. No one spoke. Even Rory and Edrix chose to remain silent.
More and more classmates came in, but they only whispered to avoid making noise. Yuri was among the last to enter. When he sat down, I looked at him.
He took a book from his bag and started reading. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk either. I chose not to ask.
I looked at Jay and saw Ci-N still trying to get her attention. I let out a heavy sigh while pinching the bridge of my nose.
This is not going to be easy for everyone.
The afternoon class passed by without me even noticing. I had been zoning out, thinking about Jay-jay the entire time.
And speaking of Jay-jay, I heard Ci invite her to eat together, but she firmly refused before leaving.
"It's okay, Ci-N! We just have to keep trying!" Eren said, trying to cheer him up.
Ci-N just smiled and nodded.
I turned to Yuri when I noticed him rushing.
"I'm just going to drop Jay-jay off and then come back." He said before walking out of the room.
I sighed. "Felix!"
"Yes?" He answered with a smile. "Do you need something?"
"Don't leave yet, we're having a meeting." I said with authority.
The remaining people returned to their seats. They also texted our other group members who had left.
Now, we were just waiting for Yuri to come back.
—okay, he just arrived.
"I thought you were dropping off Jay-jay?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"Percy is with her now. Looks like he's taking over my job." He said in a low voice.
I just nodded and forced myself to stand up. I sat on my table and looked at everyone.
"So, how was it?" I asked, and they gave me confused looks. "…I'm talking about Jay-jay."
Everyone started complaining, making the room noisy.
"She's so cold to us! I didn't know she could be like that!" Blaster said.
"It's true! She keeps rolling her eyes every time we make eye contact!" Calix complained.
"Girls are really scary when they're angry!" Rory added.
They all agreed in unison.
"We just have to keep trying with Jay-jay!" Ci-N said as if he was making a campaign.
"She's hurt, so we need to understand her!" Eren added.
"Let's court her! Everyone, do whatever they can!" Felix said, and they all agreed.
"Let's give her flowers!" Edrix suggested, but I immediately stopped him.
"What if she smacks you with the flowers?"
They all paused and looked at me.
"You're such a killjoy!" Yuri said. "Everyone should try their own way, right?"
"I'm just stating the possibilities." I turned back to Edrix. "So? What if she hits you with them?"
"Uhh… I don't know." He scratched his head.
"How about giving her clothes? The trendy ones that girls go crazy over." Drew suggested.
"What if she turns them into rags right in front of you?" I asked again.
"Shoes, then? The ones with heels." Mayo suggested.
"What if she uses them to kick you in the face?"
Almost all of them lowered their heads and rubbed their necks. They look like they're running out of options.
"Maybe food…" Ci-N said, and everybody chuckled. "You never know, right?"
He had a point. She's a food lover. There's no way she'd refuse food.
After discussing their plans to court Jay-jay—which I badly wanted to disagree with, but I couldn't—we moved on to the real topic and the actual reason I called for a meeting.
"What's the response from the gangs?" I asked.
"They've become bolder. Some of them are even asking for a fight date." Denzel answered.
"I've spoken to two groups willing to make peace with you." David said.
Looks like they got scared after the threat I made.
"But some of them haven't given a response yet. That's the dangerous part." Rory said with concern.
"For now, we've managed to keep some of them from approaching Jay-jay. But not all." Kit said.
This is exactly what those bastards want. They want me to start a war so they can gang up on me—or us. They're leaving me no choice.
"Edrix, send them my answer…" I commanded, and he took out his laptop. "…My first warning was just a warm-up. Are you ready to see the second one?"
I let him add more details.
"Rory! Find a group we can use as a second warning."
"Leave it to me! Thanks!"
If they don't know how to stop, I'll show them how.