Keifer's POV
My wound hurt, but I didn't care. This wound meant nothing compared to the things I needed to do.
"We just finished making a plan, and now here you are, bedridden," Keigan scolded me like a grown man.
"I didn't ask for this," I said, almost whispering.
He let out a heavy sigh. "I'm heading home to take care of Keiren."
He started walking out, but before reaching the door, he turned back to me.
"Please... Have some full rest."
My lips formed a thin line, and I gave a small nod. He finally stepped out the door. I felt like I could finally breathe when I heard the click of the doorknob.
Keigan had been so bossy while lecturing me. I almost forgot who the elder brother was between us. I only gave him the authority to be the head planner, but it felt like I'd also given him the authority to boss me around.
Tss...
The bathroom door slightly opened, and Yuri peeked out.
"Is he gone?" he asked.
"He's gone... Come out of there."
He opened the door wide before walking out of the bathroom. Felix, C-in, and David followed after him.
They had been forced to hide in the bathroom when they found out Keigan was coming. He would definitely butt in if he knew we were planning something.
Just the presence of my friends already made him suspicious. Even our other friends were forced to leave the room just to hide from him. What I didn't understand was why all of them left. One or two could've stayed behind.
"That bathroom smelled great. The scent was amazing," Felix said while sniffing himself.
"That wasn't the bathroom. You smelled my fart," C-in answered and laughed.
I saw Felix grimace. He was about to smack him, but David beat him to it.
"Ouch..."
"Don't lie. Your fart doesn't smell good. That's tested and proven," David said. "...Jay-jay can also prove it."
All our eyes automatically turned to him. It was like he said something taboo.
"Oops... Insensitive," C-in muttered, but it felt like he said it loud on purpose.
"What? Isn't Jay-jay the reason we're all here? Stop acting surprised every time you hear her name" David said before crossing his arms.
C-in looked at me with a pout, like he was waiting to see if I'd react. David had a point, but I couldn't help looking away whenever I heard her name.
Especially when it came from his mouth.
"That's enough. Call the others. We have a lot to discuss," I said to make them stop.
"Already did," Yuri replied, holding his phone.
It didn't take long before the door opened and the idiots came in. They were noisy, some even pushing each other.
"Damn, bro! I was really nervous around Keigan. His presence is different now," said Drew.
"Nothing's changed. He just got cockier," Blaster said in irritation.
Looks like their fight still wasn't over.
"Wow… So brave, huh? His big brother is right here. You know" Denzel teased, referring to me.
"So what? I'm not here for him. I'm here for Jay-jay."
It didn't really matter to me if he still had issues with Keigan. He had guts saying that right in front of me. But he was right — the reason he was here was Jay-jay.
That's what I want anyway.
"Are we all complete?" Yuri asked them.
They looked at each other to check if anyone was missing.
"Feels like someone's missing."
"Yeah."
"We're definitely not all here."
I looked around and silently counted. Seemed like everyone was here.
"Who's missing?" Felix asked.
"C-in's not here," Drew replied.
C-in quickly frowned and pointed at himself.
"I'm right here!" he said.
They all looked at him with a weird smile. I had a feeling I knew what they were about to say next.
"You need to stand up. That's why we didn't see you," Mayo started, and they all burst out laughing.
I smiled briefly. Right now, I had nothing to worry about with them. I knew they wouldn't let anything happen to Jay-jay—especially if I left.
"I'll grow tall too, you'll see!" C-in replied in frustration, crossing his arms and slumping against the wall. The others didn't pay him any attention.
"That's enough. Let's talk about our plan," I said, and they all looked at me seriously.
The truth is, I'd been thinking about this since last night. I was going to challenge every group in our area. If threats wouldn't work, then I'd handle it with force.
And if I defeat them... They will become my underdogs.
Keigan told me to have more allies. And that's what I'm doing now. Gathering all the allies that I can get. I'll start from the very bottom before I recruit those who are more powerful.
Just like Angelo.
"We already sent a warning to those we fought before," Yuri said while still holding his phone. "...as expected, they just laugh and ask if they could have a one-on-one fight with you."
"Some of them are asking for conditions," Rory added. "...they want to face you and fight, but if you lose, you'll become their servant."
"This won't do. No one's taking the warnings we sent seriously," Edrix said, putting his hand on his chin.
"If it's really not working, maybe we should just ask help from Jay-jay's cousin," Drew suggested.
Yuri and I looked at him. I knew they were aware that Jay's cousin was strong, but I didn't know they also knew what he was capable of.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Tiger told me what kind of person Jay's brother is. He has more influence than we expected. He's been building it up since he was a kid. We can use that to protect—"
I cut him off. "No! We're not going to ask for his help."
"I think Drew is right," David said. "...whether we admit it or not, we're weak. We lack experience and the people who can help us."
"That's exactly why we're doing this. To change that," Yuri said.
"We don't have time. There's no room for trial and error," Denzel added.
"I don't agree with asking help from her brother," Felix interrupted. "...there'll definitely be a big price for that."
"He'll take Jay-jay away from us!" C-in shouted, looking scared. He even slapped both of his hands against his face.
"That's better! She's not even safe here with us anyway!" Josh answered.
"How can you be sure she'll be safe once she's away from us?" I asked,and they all fell silent. "...it's even riskier to take chances if she's far from us."
"Keifer's right," Yuri agreed. "It'll be harder to protect her if she's far from us. Our enemies could follow her wherever she goes."
That's why she can't be far from our friends. She's safer here.
"Decide fast, Keifer. If you wait too long, ten groups might already have gone after Jay," Calix said.
I nodded. Right now, I can't charge into the groups that are challenging me to fight. I'm still in the hospital, and the doctor hasn't cleared me for discharge yet.
They continued talking about the plan. Some gave suggestions, while others shared their opinions. Some also said we should ask Angelo for help.
Tss… That's not an option.
I know he already has a hunch about what's happening. Most likely, he's just waiting for me to approach him—and of course, he'll give me a condition I won't be able to refuse.
Angelo is too clever. Hard to outsmart. If I'm supposed to learn from someone how to think ahead and outplay the enemy, it should be him.
"Keifer!" Felix called out. "...Kuya texted! Jay-jay just finished a fight with one group."
Worry washed over me. This is exactly what I was afraid of.
"How's Jay?" Yuri asked.
"She's okay, but the group she fought seems to be the same ones we've fought before."
Damn it!
No one really wants to take the warning we sent seriously. I have no choice.
"C-in! Call your father, tell him to discharge me now," I said and forced myself to stand up.
They all rushed to stop me.
"Stop it!" Yuri shouted at me. "How will you fight when you're like this? You haven't even regained your strength yet!"
"I will hunt those bastards and use them as an example."
"We'll take care of it," David said, and that made me stop. "Don't push yourself. Besides, those guys are weak. We can handle them."
"David's right. Leave it to us. Rest and think of a better plan," C-in said while stretching his legs.
Obviously warming up for a fight. He couldn't hide how excited he was.
"I'll go with them," Yuri said and forced a smile. "...it's the least I could do."
"I'll stay here. I'll prepare the message we'll send. Just make sure to send me the pictures right away," Edrix said while taking his laptop out of his bag.
"Let's go! Let's go!" Mayo urged.
"I'll stay," Kit said, and they all looked at him. "...I think Keifer and I have something to talk."
"You'll stay—" Mayo started but was immediately cut off by Eren.
"You're coming with us. Let them talk first," he said, and I saw Mayo clench his fists.
What for?
Some of them had already left. Yuri made sure I wouldn't sneak out before he went. The others followed soon after, leaving only the three of us—Edrix, Kit, and me.
"Do you think they can handle it?" Edrix asked while looking at the closed door.
"You sound like you don't trust them," Kit said, and Edrix immediately shook his head.
"It's not that. The gangs are more aggressive now that Ram's gone. They're looking for a new leader, and they see themselves as candidates," Edrix explained.
He was right. They'll try everything to rise higher. And to them, I'm the obstacle. That's why Jay-jay became their target—so I won't be able to fight back.
"You're right, but don't forget… like Jay-jay said, we're Ulupong," Kit said, making us both smile.
"I don't see the connection, but yeah, it's true—we are Ulupong," Edrix replied, shaking his head.
Both of them looked at me. I smirked while shaking my head. Yeah, I know. You're all Ulupong—and I'm the King.
I lay back on the bed to rest. Pain surged from my wound because I forced myself to stand earlier. The cut must've been deeper than I thought. I should've never allowed that Z to make a move.
I don't even know if he survived what his friend did to him. Maybe it's better if he didn't.
I planned to close my eyes and sleep. I was confident our friends could pull off what they promised.
But sleep wouldn't come.
I heard Edrix say goodbye to Kit. I looked at them just before Edrix walked out of the door. Kit turned to me and forced a smile.
"He just said he's buying food," he said, and I nodded.
He sat on the sofa across from where I was lying. He obviously looked uncomfortable—and it pissed me off.
"Do you want to say something?" I said in a serious tone.
He flinched. "U-uh... about what you found out—me and Jay-jay—even though there's really nothing… um… we didn't—"
"Kit," I cut him off. "I'm having trouble understanding you."
He scratched the back of his head. He grimaced, clearly struggling with what to say. He took a deep breath.
"A-about what you found out. What you heard me and Mayo arguing about."
I frowned but tried my best to stay calm. Just remembering it made my blood boil.
"When you tried to kiss Jay-jay," I said—not as a question, but a statement.
He looked down. "I only tried, but it didn't happen."
I slightly turned my head. I wanted to get up and punch him.
He tried to kiss Jay-jay... My Jay-jay.
Even if it didn't happen, I wasn't pleased. He tried to kiss my Queen. No one is allowed to kiss her.
I will never allow anyone to kiss her. She's mine—and what's mine will always be mine.
I took a deep breath to ease the rage I was feeling.
"You know exactly what you did, right?" I asked, clearly irritated.
"I-I..."
"How dare you try to touch her," I said, struggling to stay calm. "...You tried to claim what wass mine. Are you dreaming of dying by my hands?"
I saw him swallow nervously. I glanced at my hands and realized my fists were clenched.
"I-I know... When you mark your territory, no one else can approach," he said. "...but I didn't do that to steal her from you."
I looked at him like I was ready to kill him. For the first time, he met my gaze directly. It was like he was challenging me—no! It was like he was standing his ground.
"Explain," I said.
" I wasn't myself at that time. Jay-jay was the only one in front of me, willing to listen—to my problems," he explained. "...I asked her for help." He gave a faint smile. "But she punched me. We were both surprised, but that became the wake-up call I needed."
"I don't see the connection between that and you trying to kiss her."
He nodded slightly. "I asked for her help, Keifer. I asked her to help me become..." I saw regret flash in his eyes, but he quickly pushed it away. "...to become..." He took a deep breath. "...a real man."
My forehead creased. "W-what?"
"I'm gay, Keifer."
I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. Did he just say the word gay?
He's Kit—one of my friends. One of the people I always relied on. He never backs down from a fight. Kind of a goofball. Always chased by girls—second only to Eren.
He is Kit… and... He's gay?
"W-wait... what?" is the only thing that comes out of my mouth. He scratched his cheek, as a sign of irritation.
"Do I really have to repeat it?"
I shook my head. "No. It's just that—how?"
"I don't know how. All I know is I no longer feel attracted to women," he said.
"I don't know how. All I know is I no longer feel attractions to woman." He said.
I stared at him for a while. I'm putting everything in my mind and trying my best to understand it.
"So... Y-you're gay." I said still lost in words. "...You romantically like man and not woman." He nodded slowly. "You don't really like or feel attractions to Jay-jay." He slowly shook his head.
My lips slowly form a smile. I can't believe this. Until I couldn't hold it in anymore—and I burst out laughing.
Shiiit!
All this time I thought that he also like Jay-jay. I thought he also have special feelings for her. I thought I'd have to keep an eye on him too..
" K-Keifer... are you okay?" Kit ask.
I still wasn't done laughing. I had to hold my wound because it was starting to ache, but even then, I couldn't stop.
"You're gay and you don't really like Jay-jay." I said still laughing.
"Not that I don't like. I mean, I like her as an individual."
I finally grew tired from laughing, so I stopped. I adjusted how I was lying down.
" All this time, I would need to watch over you too. I feel relief." I said to him.
He look at me confuse. "So, it doesn't bother you if I'm gay?"
I shook my head. " Do you fantasize about me?"
"No."
"Then I have no reason to feel bothered. You're the same Kit that I know. Still my friend and still my classmates. Nothing changes unless you wish to change your sex to female."
He immediately shook his head. "No. I'm not changing it."
"Then I have no reason to feel bothered." I said and he smile. "... at least I'm comfortable to ask you to take care Jay-jay."
He looked confused. "Why would you ask that?"
I cleared my throat. "I have to go back to London before my birthday. With everything I need to do, I have to be there at least a month before."
"W-what about Jay-jay? That's it? You're just going to leave her—or us—without a clue about what's really going on?"
"Trust me. It's better this way. The less you know, the safer Jay-jay will be," I said.
He was about to respond when the door opened. It was Edrix—his arms loaded with food.
"Kit! Help me out!" Edrix shouted.
Kit looked at me first before rushing toward him. He was carrying a ton—mostly huge bags of junk food. They dropped everything on the coffee table beside the sofa.
"Alright... let's eat," Edrix said while rubbing his hands together.
He was about to open a bag when he noticed we were both just staring at him, not moving.
"What?" he asked.
"You're doing this on purpose. You know I can't eat yet," I said, sounding irritated.
"Have you checked your phone? Maybe they already messaged you," Kit said.
"You guys are so mean to me," he said before pulling his phone out of his pocket. "...oh, there it is! The message just came in."
He grabbed the laptop and started typing. He was clearly excited.
"Type my message down," I commanded, and he gave me the go signal.
"...This is the first warning. Cross my path and I'll break some bones. Touch my girl and I will open the gates of hell. Don't test my patience—I can be a living beast."
I'm a Watson, I am cursed and I am turning into a beast.
Because I am in love.