Jay-jay's POV
"Where is it already?" I asked Yuri insistently.
We'd been driving for a while now, but it didn't feel like we were getting any closer to the Japanese restaurant Yuri kept mentioning.
We must be lost. From food to disappointment, real quick!
"We're almost there," he replied with a smile.
When is that 'almost' going to be exactly? That's always his answer. Annoyed, I pouted and looked out the window. We were already far from the city and now in some remote wilderness of the Philippines.
The houses were long gone. All I could see were towering trees. I knew we were on the highway, but I still had no idea where this trip with Yuri was headed.
Let's not make this a Final Destination moment, please. Dear God!
I suddenly felt nervous, even if there was no real reason to be. The car gradually slowed down and turned into a corner that looked like it had been forgotten by civilization.
The trees were even taller on the sides, and the road wasn't even paved—it was just dirt. Clearly, no other vehicles passed through here; not a single tire mark or sign of life on the ground.
"There's a Japanese restaurant here?" I asked, feigning innocence, even though it was clear there wasn't a restaurant in sight.
What's this bastard up to now?
I looked up at the sky. It was starting to get dark, and here we were, in the middle of nowhere. I glanced at Yuri, and he smiled at me.
Son of a… Could he be planning something bad? What if he's planning to… to…
ROB ME?! Yeah, right… He's richer than I am—what could he possibly gain from someone like me?
I forced myself to shake off the fear in my head. I knew this Ulupong wouldn't waste the chance and trust I gave him.
I looked forward again, and my brows furrowed deeply when I saw a construction site ahead. There were bulldozers, diggers, a cement mixer, and other equipment clearly meant for a large-scale project.
Maybe the Japanese restaurant isn't even built yet.
Yuri parked the car beside a few other vehicles. He got out, and I followed. I looked around, and a huge tarpaulin greeted me.
Opening Soon, パラダイス (Paradise) Resort.
"Paradise," Yuri said, also staring at the tarpaulin. "It means Paradise Resort."
I just nodded without looking at him. The resort seemed to have a Japanese theme. Based on the illustration, there was a woman in a kimono standing by the door, slightly bowing.
I also read the list printed on the side: *Spa, Salon, Bar, and Restaurant—*I knew it! It's still under construction!
My eyelids drooped halfway as I gave the fool an annoyed look.
"What?" he asked.
"Where are we supposed to eat? The restaurant you told me about isn't even done yet."
He laughed at me. "Surprise."
From food to failure. I knew it.
He held my hand and tried to pull me along, but I quickly pulled it back.
"Why are you holding my hand? What's that about?" I snapped, and he looked at me, confused.
He scratched the back of his neck when he realized what he'd done. "Sorry."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Where are we going?"
He hesitantly pointed in one direction. I didn't see anything there, so I motioned for him to walk ahead and that I'd follow.
He did just that and went ahead. As we walked, I looked up at the sky again. It had been completely swallowed by darkness. The path we were on had grown darker too.
I thought we were heading toward what looked like an unfinished building—or maybe it was a house—but suddenly Yuri turned toward another path and stopped in front of a tunnel covered in plants. I grimaced; it was so dark, I could barely see anything. The tunnel seemed to be just the right height for him to walk through.
"What now? We're stopping here?" I asked irritably.
He smiled at me, and just as he let out a small laugh, a soft light flickered on inside the tunnel. The lights were of different colors, clinging to the flowers.
I couldn't take my eyes off them. The glow completely stole my attention. It was only then that I realized Yuri had already placed a flower crown on my head.
Where did this come from?! He wasn't even holding anything earlier!
I looked at him in confusion, but he just kept smiling. He extended his arm toward me as if inviting me to link mine with his. Despite all the questions and hesitation clouding my mind, I still held onto him.
I walked beside him, looking up. The lights were beautiful. There were even a few vines hanging down from the top of the tunnel. When we reached the end, we were greeted by a large tree wrapped in twinkling lights.
There was a sign hanging there, shaped like an arrow with a heart at the tip, pointing toward a small bridge. We followed it.
I felt nervous, and I couldn't even explain why.
When we reached the bridge, I saw tiny lights along the railings. I hesitated to hold on, afraid I might get electrocuted. I finally came to a stop at the other end of the bridge.
A familiar song began to play, and the pathway ahead lit up brightly, lined with petals along the sides. I wanted to ask something, maybe even complain, but somehow my body just moved in tune with the moment.
Oh thinkin' about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young, wild and free.
We started walking down the petal-filled path. My hand was still linked through his arm.
Now nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me comin' back for more.
I glanced at him when he suddenly started singing along—matching the part that was supposed to be sung by the male vocalist.
"🎶 And baby you're all that I want, when you're lyin' here in my arms. I'm findin' it hard to believe. We're in heaven, And love is all that I need and I found it there in your heart and it isn't too hard to see, We're in heaven 🎶" he sang.
I couldn't smile. I couldn't sing along.
I knew what he was doing—and I had a feeling where this was all heading.
The lights along the sides of the pathway were slowly replaced by plants. And if you looked straight ahead, the path led toward a gazebo surrounded by vibrant flowers.
Oh once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feelin' down
But it seemed that wasn't our destination. Yuri simply picked up a bouquet of flowers from the table in the gazebo, handed it to me, and we continued walking.
Now nothin' can change what you mean to me
Oh there's lots that I could take
But just hold me now
'Cause our love will light the way
We were no longer following a paved pathway. We were now stepping on nothing but bermuda grass. He started singing again.
"🎶 And baby you're all that I want, when you're lyin' here in my arms. I'm findin' it hard to believe, we're in heaven..." he smiled at me. "...And love is all I need, and I found it there in your heart. It isn't too hard to see, we're in heaven. 🎶"
Honestly, my palm was itching to land on the back of his head. I really, really wanted to ask him what all this was about. I was confused by what he was doing, but I knew all of it was meant for me.
We stopped in front of a picnic setup surrounded by tiny lamps. He gently guided me to sit down, still smiling at me.
"For the boyish yet so beautiful girl that I love."
I bit my lower lip. I couldn't even say thank you, even though honestly, I was moved by what he did.
"Y-Yuri..." I whispered, but he didn't respond.
Yuri cupped my cheek and brushed it gently with his thumb. I saw the sincerity in his eyes—but along with it, a trace of sadness.
He leaned in and kissed me...
On the forehead!
I was nervous, even if that was all it was. My heart had been racing wildly for a while now. It felt like it was dribbling inside my chest.
He faced me again. "Give me another chance and I'll prove to you how much 'I love you'."
He started leaning in again, and I knew this time—his lips were his target. I quickly turned my head away, putting a little distance between us.
I saw the disappointment on his face. He chose to bow his head, trying to hide it.
"Yuri." I called out to him, wanting him to look at me, but he kept his head down. "...Yuri. Look at me."
He sighed and forced himself to meet my gaze, managing a small, strained smile.
"I appreciate what you did, but..." Something heavy settled in my chest. "...It's too fast! We agreed to start over but it's like—you're rushing everything."
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down again. It was true. Though, that moment when we reintroduced ourselves to each other at the Mini Mart wasn't really part of the plan.
I must've looked like a total idiot introducing myself to him back then.
What I really wanted was for us to start over as friends. Not like this—him asking for another chance, and doing it so soon.
"S-sorry. I just thought..."
I sighed and handed him back the bouquet of flowers. I also took off the flower crown he had placed on my head.
"Thank you for this. What you did was beautiful." I said, and his face instantly lit up. "...But you're still rushing things!"
He laughed, and finally, the awkwardness between us began to fade.
"Alright, I won't rush anymore," he said. "...I'll just wait for you to court me instead."
Whut thu fvck?!
One eyebrow shot up, and I nearly tore it off my face just to slap him with it. Still such a snake!
"Fine. Go ahead and die waiting." I said sarcastically, and he laughed again.
Somehow, I felt lighter. It was something I often felt when I was with Yuri. No matter how awkward the situation was, it would slowly fade away.
"Sorry if I rushed... I forgot about our agreement." He said while smiling. "...So, it means that as of now we're—"
"Friends." I finished for him.
His smile grew even wider. "With benefits?"
My hand shot up, ready to slap him. He blocked it with his arm while laughing, so I tried again with the other hand.
"You're insane! You Jerk!" I snapped at him, still swatting at him nonstop.
I only stopped when I started feeling tired and my palm began to ache—his arm was the only thing I kept hitting anyway.
They really are friends. Even his perviness! I've got nothing to say...
"J-just joking. I thought you were gonna say 'we're classmates' only." There was something in his eyes—a strange glimmer, like hope. "...I'm happy that you accepted me as a friend."
It felt light, like there hadn't been any problems between us at all. That's how I felt now. Like we were really starting fresh.
"You really don't want the benefits?" he teased again, and I raised the bouquet like I was about to hit him with it.
"Tsk! You're seriously about to get smacked!"
He burst into laughter again, like he was completely delighted. Sometimes, he's just... weird. And this was definitely one of those times.
He even laid back on the picnic cloth we were sitting on. "I'm happy to have you again," he said, looking over at me. "...even if it's just in the friendzone."
Maybe that's how important it was to him that I forgave him. I answered his words with a smile. I wished we could just stay like this. I wished we could just be happy with whatever we had between us.
He sat up again, eyes still fixed on me. "Let's eat."
There it is! That's what I'd been waiting for him to say since earlier.
"Of course! Let's feast... Where's the food?" I asked, glancing toward the picnic basket he was opening.
He opened it and pulled out plates, saucers, glasses, and utensils.
I waited for him to bring out the food—but there was nothing else. He just neatly arranged all the stuff he took out.
I grimaced. Maybe I'm just really hungry! I'd been thinking about sushi for a while now.
Yuri's being annoying again. Loves messing with people!
"Is that our food? Air?" I asked irritably.
He laughed at me again. I was really starting to get annoyed at everything he was doing. Add the fact that I was starving, and if I didn't hold back, I might actually land a hit on him.
He took something out of his pocket. It looked like a small cellphone but with an antenna.
He pressed a button, and it lit up before he spoke into it.
"Is the food ready?" he asked.
There was a bit of signal disruption, and that's when I realized he was holding a radio.
"Ready, Sir." came the reply from the other end.
"Good. Time to feed the beast." he said before slipping the radio back into his pocket.
Feed the beast? Was that me?!
"Who are you calling a beast?!"
He just smiled and looked in another direction. This jerk! Calling me a beast while he's the "beauty"? Seriously?This Japanese guy really deserves a back-to-back slap.
After a while, a few people approached us. They carried large plates and set them down beside us. One of them also brought a bucket full of ice with a bottle of wine inside.
Once everything was in place, they bowed before leaving.
I made sure to thank them.
"Let's... eat." he said slowly.
But I was already eating before he even finished that sentence. Well, it's his fault! All those surprises—he should've fed me first!
"Come on! Let's eat!" I said and grabbed another bite.
He started eating too. We were both silently focused on our food for a while. No talking, just serious eating. With the amount of food they brought, I felt like I was being prepped for execution. But I didn't care—as long as there was food!
Food is life, baby!
There were moments when Yuri would ask me questions while eating, and it would naturally lead to conversation. Sometimes about Aries, about Mama, and of course, about Kuya Angelo.
"Did Kuya Angelo ever have a girlfriend before?" I asked while sipping wine from the glass Yuri handed me.
"I think so... I'm not sure."
I winced. "Why aren't you sure? I thought you guys used to tail him around all the time?"
He shrugged. "But I never really got involved in his personal life. It was enough that he taught us how to be strong."
I drank more wine until I emptied the glass. Then I reached for a piece of chocolate from the plate near me.
"Are you guys mad at Kuya?" I asked innocently.
He looked at me in confusion. "Why would you ask that?"
I looked away, raising one knee to my chest and hugging it slightly.
"B-because... I noticed that... that Keifer before, he seemed like he was angry with him."
He downed the wine in his glass quickly. Emptied it like it was just water.
"Too much happened between the five of us. I can't blame Keifer if he's mad at Angelo. Especially on the day Percy disappeared." He refilled his glass again.
I watched as he drank deeply, his expression serious—like he was reliving something painful from their past.
"I-if it's okay with you... What happened?"
Yuri's POV
I looked at Jay-jay when she asked. Honestly, there's a part of me that feels happy. We were finally starting to be okay with each other.
Even if it's just the Friendzone!
"If you're not okay talking about it—"
I quickly cut her off. "Keifer was furious." She paused. "...Keifer was furious when he found out Percy was gone."
Flashback...
My hands were shaking as I drank some water. It was like my body was rejecting the medicine the nurse had given me. But the truth was, my whole system just couldn't accept everything that had happened.
It all happened too fast.
"Yuri." Hahaoya called me. "...Keifer is awake."
Even though my legs and thighs were aching, I forced myself to walk to the next room where Keifer was confined.
We'd only been in the hospital for a day. Even though I didn't have any visible injuries or broken bones, Hahaoya insisted I be confined too.
That accident was a nightmare.
Keifer had lost consciousness after being thrown from the car. He had just woken up—and he was about to learn the truth.
"Remove this thing from me!" Keifer snapped at one of the nurses, even though he still looked dazed.
He was trying to pull out the needle from the back of his hand.
"Keifer! Please! Stop! You need to rest!" Hahaoya scolded him.
He calmed down a little. Every breath he took was heavy. At times, he would press his fingers to his temple in pain.
I walked in completely and stepped closer to him.
"Leave us." I ordered the nurses.
I looked at Hahaoya, and she understood that she needed to step out too. I knew she'd stay right outside just in case something happened.
As soon as the door closed, I was met with Keifer's furrowed brows. I know, he's freakin' confused.
"What the hell is going on? Why are we here?" he asked, irritated.
I wanted to tell him everything calmly. But knowing Keifer, he couldn't stay calm if he didn't understand what was happening.
"Keifer—"
"Where is Aries and Percy?"
I swallowed hard when I heard Percy's name. I didn't know how to start.
"Keifer... Aries is in a private room on the next floor." I bit my lower lip. "...and... and... P-Per... Percy..."
"Yuri." His voice suddenly turned serious.
I knew he had a hunch. It was so hard for me to deliver the news about Percy.
"Percy is..." My throat suddenly went numb. "...Percy is..." A tear slid down my cheek. "...is d-dead."
There was no response from Keifer. I took a deep breath to stop my tears. He just stared at me like his brain wasn't processing what I said.
"This is a joke, right? Percy's messing around again, isn't he? And now he dragged you into it too. I swear, I'm gonna get him for this." he said, and he genuinely sounded annoyed at Percy.
"...Can you tell me his room number? I'll visit him later and make him pay."
I couldn't answer. I didn't know if he just didn't understand what I said—or if he just refused to believe it.
"K-Keifer... I'm not joking. What I said is true."
He looked at me with a death glare. I almost stepped back, but I stood my ground.
He needed to understand that what I said was real.
He clutched his head tightly, groaning in pain as he did. I was about to move closer when he suddenly ripped the IV from his hand. He tried to stand up, even though his body clearly couldn't take it.
As I stepped in to help him, he grabbed me by the collar in one swift motion.
"Damn it, Yuri! You know how much I hate terrible jokes!" he growled.
I pried his hand off my collar and met his eyes squarely.
"This ain't a joke! Percy is dead."
He clutched his head again and collapsed onto the floor. I was about to call the nurse and doctor, but he held on to the hem of my hospital gown.
"W-what happened?" he asked softly.
"W-we can talk about it later. You need to be checked by the doctor." I said, but he grabbed my shoulder to help himself stand.
"I don't care! I want to know what happened!" he yelled at me.
There was a mix of pain and rage in his eyes. I didn't want to say anything else. He needed to be checked—what he was feeling in his head wasn't normal.
"Yuri!" he yelled again, shaking me slightly.
"K-Keifer... the car fell..." I swallowed hard. "...and Percy was in it."