Jay-jay's POV
"...You go to church?" I asked C-in as he stepped out of the bathroom.
"Not really. Someone just invited me today," he replied.
Ayyyiieeehhhh...
I already knew who it was. No need for him to answer. It was none other than Rakki San Diego. I glanced at my phone when I heard it ring.
Yuri Calling...
I stepped out of the room before answering. I didn't want C-in to know Yuri was calling. Who knows what he'd think?
"Hello?" I answered in a near whisper.
["Are you busy?"] he asked right away.
"N-not really... Why?"
["Let's go to church,"] he invited.
I looked at my room's door. "U-uh... The thing is..."
["Great! I'll pick you up in 20 minutes,"] he said before abruptly ending the call.
How rude?!
He and Keifer are really the same—hanging up the call just like that.
But how am I supposed to go? I need C-in to leave first before I can get ready.
I went back inside my room and casually sat on my bed, pretending the call didn't happen.
"Do I look okay?" C-in asked.
"You look fine."
"Is this 'That's My Bae' material?" he said, striking a pose.
"Are you going to church or a fashion show?"
He scratched the back of his head and pouted. "Church."
"Then get lost! You look fine already!" I snapped.
Just leave already! Every minute I spent talking to him was time wasted.
"Alright, alright… I'm leaving," he said, checking his wallet and phone. He walked toward the door, and I thought he was finally leaving, but then he turned back to me.
"Are you sure I look okay?" he asked again.
"YES! YOU LOOK HANDSOME!" I yelled, making him grin mischievously.
"I knew you'd say that," he said with a wink.
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but he was already out the door before it could hit him.
As soon as he left, I slightly opened my door and listened. I heard him saying goodbye to Aunt Gema and Uncle Julz.
He's gone!
I immediately ran into the bathroom and took a quick shower. I changed just as fast. I just threw on pants and a t-shirt. I was in a hurry and had no idea what I was supposed to wear anyway.
I rushed out of my room and headed straight to the living room, where Aunt Gema met me.
"Jay... Where are you going?"
"To... To... To... The chu----"
"Ma'am, someone is outside waiting for Miss Jay-jay," the maid interrupted.
Yuri!
"Who is it----"
"I'm leaving, Auntie!" I shouted and bolted out the door.
I didn't wait to hear what Aunt Gema was about to say. But the moment I stepped outside the gate, I froze.
My outfit felt so out of place next to Yuri's.
He was in semi-formal attire, while I looked completely casual. Maybe I should go back inside and change?
"Jay!" he called when he saw me. "...Shall we go?"
I looked down at my clothes, then at his. This was embarrassing.
"Let me change first," I said, turning back toward the house, but he grabbed my arm.
"It's okay… You look perfect to me," he said with a smile.
I didn't argue.
He walked to his car and opened the door for me, gesturing for me to get in.
Oh, wow. A gentleman!
Unlike a certain someone. That rude---Ugh! No! Don't think about him! Bad thoughts!
Yuri started the engine as soon as he got in. I had no idea where he was taking me, but it turned out to be the nearest church.
I just hope C-in isn't attending mass here.
"Are we attending mass here?" I asked as I gazed at the church.
"Of course… Why? You don't want to?" he asked while parking the car.
"Not really… I just expected something more like Buddha."
He raised an eyebrow.
"...Because, you know, you're Japanese? And Japan is mostly Buddhist?" I added.
He suddenly burst into laughter, even slapping the steering wheel.
"What year were you born? This is the 21st century, Grandma. Catholicism is everywhere now," he teased, speaking as if he were explaining something to an old woman.
I scowled. "How would I know?"
He just shook his head, still amused.
He opened the car door and got out, so I did the same.
He waited for me to step out properly before we walked toward the church together. There were already a lot of people inside.
I scanned the crowd, trying to spot C-in or Rakki, but with so many people, I couldn't see or recognize them.
Suddenly, Yuri took my hand and pulled me along. "Let's sit here."
We settled in the middle section, at the end of a long pew.
"Okay now?" I asked, making him look at me in confusion. "...We're settled, right? So maybe you can let go of my hand now?"
This guy!
We were already seated, and he was still holding my hand. He was enjoying this, wasn't he?
He looked down at our hands. I thought he was finally going to let go, but instead, he just smiled at me and tightened his grip.
"Hey. Are you going to let go or will you let go?"
"Just let me hold it for a while," he pleaded with a pout.
I shook my head. "Don't do that. It doesn't suit you."
He leaned in closer. I thought he was about to do something, but then…
He gave me puppy eyes and pouted even more.
"Does it really not suit me?" he asked.
I was about to laugh at how ridiculous he looked, but someone beat me to it.
I turned to see a group of women watching us, giggling among themselves.
Oh… Are we close, ladies?
Yuri suddenly straightened his posture and looked ahead. He immediately turned serious and let go of me.
"So embarrassing... This is your fault, Jay-jay," he muttered.
Oh, wow!
"Why is that exactly?" I asked, laughing.
More and more people filled the church. Suddenly, there was a loud feedback sound from the speaker before someone spoke—the mass had begun.
As I listened to the priest, I couldn't help but glance at the group of women who had laughed at Yuri earlier.
They kept looking in our direction—or rather, just at Yuri. They would whisper to each other and giggle.
Seriously? Did you come here for mass or for a fangirl meetup?
I nudged Yuri slightly to get his attention.
"What?" he whispered.
"You have a fan club," I replied, subtly motioning toward the group of women with my lips.
He immediately understood and glanced in their direction.
"Just ignore them," he said.
I tried to follow his advice. But sometimes, it's just really hard to ignore people when their actions are so annoying.
Now, I was the one being targeted. How did I know? They would look me up and down, then laugh.
Oh, come on!
Bad mood activated! And in church, no less. Lord, forgive me, for I am a sinner... A very irritated sinner.
Without a second thought, I grabbed Yuri's hand. Full-on hand-holding, my dudes! He was slightly surprised, but he just let it be.
I thought that would be enough to make those crazy girls stop, but instead, they started whispering even more while stealing glances at us.
What is with these people? I can't even concentrate on the mass!
"Jay..." Yuri called. "...Is something wrong?"
I motioned for him to lean closer. When he did, I whispered,
"Look at your fan club, then laugh."
"Why?"
"Just do it." I insisted.
The fool forced a laugh and glanced at them. But of course, this flirt just had to take it to another level—he suddenly giggled playfully, making the people in front and beside us turn to look.
"Behave yourself," I hissed at him.
"Sorry... I couldn't help it."
Annoying! I should have just ignored them in the first place. Now we were the center of attention. How frustrating!
I did my best to avoid looking at the other group and focus on the mass. Then came the time for the Holy Communion.
We lined up to receive the host. But, of course, because luck just loves playing games, the group of girls ended up in the line right across from us.
Unbelievable!
They were all trying to act cute in front of Yuri. Since he was behind me, I couldn't tell if he was playing along.
I suddenly lost my appetite for this whole thing. Irritated, I stepped out of the line and left Yuri on his own. The shameless guy didn't even follow me!
I really don't want to curse, especially not in church.
But T.I.!!! So annoying!
I sat down and waited for a few minutes. It felt like forever. Finally, Yuri returned and immediately came over to me.
He knelt down to pray for a moment before sitting beside me again.
Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed my chin.
"Say ahh."
Huh?
"Come on... Open your mouth," he insisted.
Even though I was confused, I did as he said. The next thing I knew, he placed the wafer in my mouth.
"That was actually for me, but I decided to give it to you instead," he said with a smile.
I was speechless.
For a moment, I was in awe. But wait… isn't it forbidden to give your wafer to someone else? Yuri is in trouble if someone saw that.
I completely forgot about the annoying group from earlier. Soon, the mass ended, and we walked out of the church, hand in hand.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"A-anywhere."
"Are you sure?"
I only managed a small nod. I had no idea where people usually went on a Sunday like this.
"Even to a motel?"
My eyes widened at what he just said. Even some elderly women passing by gave us a look.
I immediately smacked him hard. "You idiot!"
"It was just a joke! You were being too quiet," he defended, laughing.
"I swear, I'll kick you! You think of something! I think C-in won't be home until later."
He went silent for a moment, deep in thought. He even checked the time on his watch.
"Let's just cook something."