A/N: For those asking—this is the time when Jay-jay started going to school.
Keifer's POV
"...Are you sure about this?" Yuri asked me.
I looked at him while I was putting on my school uniform. . I looked at him while dressing up in my school uniform. I was planning to go back to school. I felt like I would get sicker if I stayed in the hospital any longer.
"Yeah. I'm feeling well now," I answered.
"The doctor said one week. It hasn't even been a full week yet."
"The doctor's job is to treat me. But it's my body's job to heal itself."
He threw his hands up in the air. He was surrendering. He really couldn't deal with how stubborn I was.
I finished changing my clothes and grabbed the things Keigan had sent over. He hadn't wanted me to leave either, but there was nothing he could do.
"Why didn't you have your car sent through Keigan?" Yuri asked again.
"I'm not sure if I can drive yet. The wound still hurts when I raise my arm."
He raised a brow. "Who are you planning to get a ride from, to school then?"
I looked at him and smiled. "You. Why look further? You're already here."
He smirked and shook 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 understand your condition could worsen, right?" the doctor said.
"Thank you, Dr. Peralta, but it's my body. I know it's capabilities," I said with a smile.
He handed me a pen and the waiver to sign. This was the only way they'd allow me to leave, even without the doctor's go signal.
"I'm really sorry about this. He really is hard-headed. I'll just bring him back here when things get worse," Yuri said while bowing his head.
Suddenly, I remembered a chicken because of what he was doing. It didn't help that his hair was red and he kept bowing. He looked like a chicken pecking at feed.
I held back my laughter. He'd definitely get mad 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 dad gave us a few reminders, we left right away. Yuri still had to go home to shower and get ready. 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. Pretty much all the Peraltas are," I answered dully.
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 then turned my eyes 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 the car and got out. I chose to stay inside so I could get a bit of sleep.
I slept for almost an hour before he woke me by knocking on the car window. There was something off about how he looked. He seemed uneasy.
"I-is it okay if we pick someone else up?" 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 as we drove away from their building and the business district.
I was comfortably leaning back when I noticed something about the road. I know this route.
"Y-Yuri... where are we going?" I asked in horror.
I saw him bite his lower lip, and fear was all over his face.
"Yuri," I called him with authority.
"Look! This wasn't my intention! I just really needed to pick her up because Angelo asked me to!" he explained as we stopped in front of Jay-jay's house.
Knowing that I'm just a meter away from her makes me so damn nervous. It's true that I badly want to see her, but I need to set boundaries.
Even if I don't really know what those boundaries are!
"It's not a problem if we give her a ride, right?" he asked with a weird smile.
I looked at him like I am about to kill him. "You're doing this on purpose."
"I-I'm not... It just happened."
"Go get her. Let's just get this over with."
He got out of the car and walked straight into the gate of the house. I felt sticky sweat forming even though the air conditioning was on full blast.
I kept staring at their gate. I looked like I was watching out for an enemy with the way I was staring.
I can't help it. It makes me crazy knowing that I'll see her.
How long has it been since we last saw each other? It's only been days, but it feels like years have passed.
And then my world stopped...
She's walking with a grumpy face. I can't hold my lips to form a smile while she walks closer to me. But that smile disappeared quickly when I saw Yuri's red hair.
He ruined it.
I threw myself onto the seat with frustration. I felt a sting in my wound, but I chose to ignore it.
The backseat door opened, and I could feel her hesitating to get in. But she have no choice.
Yuri looked at me when he sat beside me. I simply glared at him.
"Jay..." Yuri said while looking at Jay-jay through the rare view mirror. "...Sorry. I didn't tell you we were with Kei--."
She immediately cut his sentence. "Yuri." She said with no emotion. "Please lang." It doesn't sound like anything. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" Definitely pissed. "Just drive."
I saw 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 look out the window—but there's no point.
My whole body knew she was just beside me. It felt like it wanted to jump from its place and hug her tightly. It makes me feel irritated.
I know Yuri didn't do this on purpose, but I kind of wish he had so I'd have a reason to punch him.
I'd been fidgeting in my seat for a while.
I need some distraction.
I opened the glove compartment without asking the owner. And I was completely shocked by what I saw inside.
I looked at Yuri while he did the same to me. I glanced at Jay-jay subtly. relieved she was focused on the road.
Why the fvck does he keep a gun in here? I chose to ignore it and looked for what I actually needed.
Cigarette.
I knew Jay-jay hated them, but I needed one. I needed to calm down. Otherwise, I might lose control and just pull her into my arms.
After closing the compartment, I quickly grabbed a stick and lit it. In my rush, I forgot to open the window. The smoke quickly filled the car's air-conditioned interior.
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 and then cracked the window open. I saw Yuri frowning at me. I pointed at the road, signaling him to focus on driving.
I was panicking so much I wasn't thinking straight. Stupid Keifer!
When we arrived at school, Jay-jay got out even before Yuri could fully park the car.
"That's dangerous," Yuri said after parking.
I was about to get out when he child-locked the door.
I frowned at him. "Seriously, Yuri?" I said while pointing at the door.
"Do you want Jay-jay to die of lung cancer?" I could sense the irritation in his tone.
He grabbed the remaining cigarette from my hand and threw it out the open window on his side.
"I'm fvcking tense! Okay?!" I said defensively. "...You know how I get when I'm tense!"
"Yeah, right," he said sarcastically. "...When the window was right there within arm's reach."
"Don't you dare accuse me," I glared at him. "How about the gun in your compartment, huh?"
I opened his glove compartment to grab the gun, but he immediately stopped me. He even slapped my hands.
"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? The heirs of the Hanamitchi clan."
"Tss..."
He unlocked the door and we both got out of the car. He was about to help me walk, 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 fine, but thanks to my wound, which gives me pain from time to time, I had to slow down.
I reached the room without that red-haired guy waiting for me. I could imagine him laughing at me while I walked.
I saw Jay-jay sitting at the first table beside the door. Beside her was C-in, who kept trying to get her attention.
I continued walking until I reached my table.
"I thought you weren't allowed to go out yet," Edrix asked while eyeing me.
"Come on, that's Keifer. Knows better than the doctor," Rory said and chuckled.
The whole class was no longer the same.
It's not exactly how I imagined it, but it was close—Jay-jay trying her best to ignore C-in and everyone else.
After the morning class, Eman prepared a very special meal for Jay-jay. He had been working on it since morning—thoughtful and well-prepared. 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's the type of person who hates seeing his efforts go to waste.
"It's okay! She'll eat with us too! We just need little patience!" C-in said, trying to cheer everyone up.
"Ci is right! Next time, let's make her favorite—she won't be able to say no!" Eren added.
Eman just forced a smile. He's one of the people who had grown close to Jay-jay. So I knew the situation was hard for him.
While the others were eating, Eman sat near where I was. 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 the wrong move and let them notice my problems—or the real reason behind what I've done.
For now, all they know is our plan to protect Jay-jay. Aside from that, nothing else. It's better this way.
"Oi! Oi! Guys!" Drew shouted while running toward us. "...Jay-jay and Yuri are fighting upstairs.!"
Everyone rushed outside—except for me. I figured I'd just ask Yuri when he got back. They were probably outside for several minutes.
I almost closed my eyes to take a nap when I heard footsteps. I looked, and our eyes met.
Jay-jay...
The coldness in her gaze is sending shivers down my spine. It was my fault she had become like this. I deserved it. I deserved her cold treatment.
She quickly sat at her desk after turning her back on me. It wasn't long before a few of our classmates returned to the room. Nobody said a word. Even Rory and Edrix chose to stay quiet.
More students entered one by one, only speaking in whispers so as not to make too much noise. Yuri was one of the last to come in. When he sat down, I looked at him.
He pulled a book from his bag and started reading. He didn't seem like he was planning to say anything either. I decided not to ask.
I glanced at Jay-jay and saw Ci-N still trying to get her attention. I sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
This isn't going to be easy for anyone.
Our afternoon class ended without me even noticing. I was just lost in thought, thinking about Jay-jay. And speaking of Jay-jay, I heard Ci inviting her out, but she stayed firm and refused before walking away.
"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 looked at Yuri when I noticed he was in a hurry.
"I'll just take Jay-jay home and come back right after," he said and walked out of our room.
I let out a deep sigh. "Felix!"
"Yes?" He answered with a big smile. "Need anything?"
"Don't leave yet. We're having a meeting," I said with authority.
Everyone who was still around went back to their seats. They also texted our other classmates who had already left.
Now we were just waiting for Yuri to return—okay, he just came back.
"I thought you were taking Jay-jay home?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"She's with Percy now. Looks like he'll be taking over my job," he said in a low voice.
I just nodded while forcing myself to stand up. I sat on top of my own table and looked at all of them.
"So, how was it?" I asked, and they gave me confused looks. "...I'm talking about Jay-jay."
They all started complaining at once, making the room noisy.
"She's so cold towards us! I didn't know she could be like that!" Blaster said.
"It's true! She always glares at me whenever our eyes meet!" Calix complained.
"Girls really are scary when they're mad!" Rory added.
They all agreed in unison.
"We can't give up on Jay-jay!" Ci-N declared like he was campaigning.
"She's hurt, so we should understand her!" Eren added.
"Let's court her!Each of us should try different ways!" 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.
"Buzzkill," Yuri said. "We said everyone can try their own way, remember?"
"I'm just stating the possibilities." I turned to Edrix again. "What if she really does hit you with it?"
"Eerr… I don't know," he answered while scratching the back of his head.
"How about giving her clothes? The trendy ones girls are crazy about now," Drew suggested.
"What if she turns it into a rag right in front of you?" I asked again.
"Shoes, maybe? The ones with heels," Mayo also suggested.
"What if she uses them to kick you in the face?"
Almost all of them bowed their heads while rubbing their necks. They looked like they were running out of options.
"How about food..." Ci-N said, and everybody chuckled. "You never know, right?"
He had a point there. She's a food lover. It's unlikely she'd refuse food.
After talking about their plans on courting Jay-jay—which I badly wanted to disagree with, but I couldn't—we moved on to our main topic and the real reason I called this meeting.
"What did the Gangs say?" I asked them.
"They've become even bolder. Some are already asking for fight dates," Denzel answered.
"I've spoken to two groups who are willing to make peace with you," David said.
Looks like those ones were scared of the threat I made.
"But there are still others who haven't responded. That's the risky part," Rory said, worried.
"For now, we can only stop some of them from getting close to 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 on us. They leave 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 go ahead and add the details.
"Rory! Find a group we can use as our second warning."
"I got this! Thanks!"
If they don't know how to stop, then I'll show them how.