Chapter 28 - Grandpa

Grandpa

Yuri's POV

"You guys are really rich... You own the whole building. Who would even build a house here on the rooftop?" Jay-jay asked.

"Grandpa did. He said he wanted to feel that he wasn't far from his hometown, so he had this built," I replied.

"Ohh, where are your parents?" She asked again.

"They're in Japan, taking care of our business there," I answered

"Why don't I ever hear you speak Japanese if you're Japanese?"

"I'm in the Philippines, so there's no need for me to speak Japanese all the time."

"Is your hair color natural?"

"No."

"Are you copying Sakuragi from Slam Dunk?"

"Kind of."

"Are you related to him? You both have the same surname Hanamichi."

"Sakuragi isn't even a real person."

"Oh yeah, that's right." blah... blah... blah...

She's been like this for a while-asking questions here and there. I just keep answering so she won't get bored. She might get- She might step out and get caught by grandpa. . I'd definitely get a scolding for that. He might think this girl is my girlfriend. As far as I know, she already went back to Japan, but why is she still here in the Philippines? I thought I had the house all to myself.

"Do you know how to make sushi?" she asked again.

Why is this girl so talkative? She's really annoying.

"Hin--"I paused.

I only just noticed that she was staring at me while smiling. She was lying on my bed, resting her chin on both of her hands. I quickly looked away and pretended to fix something on my study table, where I was sitting. Why is this happening? All of a sudden, I felt embarrassed. My heartbeat sped up. I wasn't like this earlier.

"You know... I take back what I said before. You and Keifer are actually different."

"What do you mean?" I asked, still not looking at her.

"You're easy to approach and talk to," she replied.

Shit!

I let my guard down. I quickly became comfortable and relaxed. This girl already figured me out.

Yeah... She's right. We're not really- Keifer and I used to be the same. I'm no longer stubborn or hot-headed like him. I'm approachable and friendly, but that was all before. Before Ella hurt me. She never liked me for who I was. So I changed myself, hoping that she would notice me. She never did and never will.

Why do girls prefer bad boys?

Like Keifer...

...And Aries.

"I like that about you more."Jay-jay said.

I don't know why, but those words had a huge impact on me.

Is it possible...

I turned to Jay-jay, who was currently rolling around on my bed. I was about to open my mouth to speak, but someone knocked on my door.

"Come in!"

Auntie, the head maid, entered.

"Young Master, your grandfather is asking for you."

I was about to get up and go see the old man, but Auntie added something that made me stop.

"He also asked you to bring your friend with you."

Oh fuck! I'm doomed!

Sigh...

Even though I didn't want to, I grabbed Jay and signaled her to follow me. Whoever the talkative person was that told him I brought someone with me, we are in trouble. I headed straight to Grandpa's office. Jay was still following me, practically running because I was walking so fast.

"Slow down.." Jay said.

But I ignored her. I needed to face Grandpa. We arrived at his office. I waited for Jay before opening the door.

"When you face Grandpa, bow immediately." I whispered to Jay.

She just nodded at me. I opened the door. Before I could even step inside, a paintbrush flew toward me. It almost hit me. I turned to Grandpa, annoyed.

"Are you trying to kill me?!"

"Japa'nese!!" he angrily said.

That's the problem with him. He wants to make everything difficult. He insists that I speak Japanese even when we're at home.

"No! I'm in the Philippines! I'll use any language that I want!"I answered back.

"Bakero!"

There it is! He cursed at me! He was really mad now. I stubbornly stared back at him.

"What's your problem?!" I asked him

He was about to speak, but I cut him off. "Speak in Tagalog! Or I'll walk out on you!"

His nostrils almost flared from anger. But he wouldn't win against me. I struggle to understand him when he speaks Japanese. He talks too fast!

"You rude brat! You should be seated before opening the door!" he scolded me angrily.

He was referring to the traditional way of greeting elders or higher-ups by sitting before entering their room or office.

Tss.! What a hassle!

My legs already hurt, and now I have to bow too. It would be fine if it was just for a moment. Another annoying thing about this old man —he's been coming back and forth to the Philippines for so long, yet his Tagalog is still not fluent. So hard to understand! Even the household staff get headaches when he speaks. They're practically forced to learn Nihongo (Japanese).

"Why aren't you wearing a kimono or yukata?" he added while eyeing my outfit.

Kimono is too hot to wear, and I have no interest in wearing a yukata. It would make sense if we were in Japan, but we're in the Philippines! He just can't sit still unless he's dressed traditionally. He's probably been wearing those since birth.

"I'm just at home! Why should I even wear that?!"

He looked at me angrily, as if he was about to throw a fan at me, and then shifted his gaze to my back.

Tsk! Oh, it's Jay!

I turned to him and signaled for him to come closer.

"My classmate."

Grandpa suddenly became serious, looking back and forth between me and Jay-jay.

"What's your name?" Grandpa asked Jay.

"Jasper Jean Mariano, sir.. Jay-jay for short," Jay replied, bowing slightly.

Out of nowhere, grandpa threw the fan at me.

Ouch! It hit me right on the head.

"What the heck?!" I shouted at grandpa

So annoying! He always throws things at me. Sometimes, even a fork.

"Do you want to get married?! Why did you bring a girl home?!" Grandpa yelled angrily. He even stood up from where he was sitting.

"Are you crazy?! Why would I get married?!" I snapped back at him.

This old man is way too ahead of himself. This is exactly why I don't like bringing girls here.

"Then why did you bring her here?!" he asked, pointing at Jay.

Jay clung to my arm. I couldn't blame her for being scared of grandpa. I scratched my head. "It's a long story!"

Grandpa's already slanted eyes narrowed even more. His eyelids almost closed.

"You have a bad plan, don't you?! Are you planning to---" I didn't let him finish his sentence.

"Your mind is so dirty!"

Grandpa was about to grab the samurai displayed behind him when Auntie entered.

"Master... dinner is ready." Auntie said. It was as if Tanda's craziness disappeared.

He smiled and invited us to the dining area.

"Yuri... is that your grandfather? He's scary."Jay whispered.

I ignored Jay and just walked toward the dining area. When we arrived, grandpa was already seated on his throne. He was smiling widely at Auntie as she attended to him. This old man is really annoying. But he always becomes kind when it's mealtime. I made Jay sit beside me.

"Eat now. Once the rain stops, I'll take you home." I whispered to her.

She just nodded at me. But it seemed like Jay didn't know how to use chopsticks.

"H-How do you use this?" She whispered, struggling to position the chopsticks in her hands.

She looked ridiculous trying to figure it out.

Sigh....

I handed her the spoon. I was the one who put food in her bowl, filling it with rice. She could deal with it being short.

"Tell me, Jay-jay... whose daughter are you? I don't know anyone named Mariano?" Grandpa asked.

A miracle!

He doesn't like talking while eating. But here he is now, asking questions.

"I don't know my father. My mother... she...

Jay seemed hesitant to talk about her mother. I couldn't tell if she was ashamed or something else. According to Rory, her mother had many husbands. Maybe Jay-jay wasn't comfortable discussing it at the table.

"She's living with the Fernandez family now." I added.

Jay looked at me. I knew she was wondering how I knew that. But she seemed to just let it go. Everyone in Section E already knew she was staying at Aries' place, of course, courtesy of Ci-N.

"Fernandez? Ahh... are you related to Michael Angero Fernandez? The new CEO of Fer Corp.?" Grandpa asked.

So the company had changed CEOs. Apparently, it was now Angelo. I hadn't been keeping up with news about Aries' family. After all, I had my own life to deal with. I should take care of things.

"Uhmm... Yes. He's my cousin." Jay replied.

The old man just nodded and went back to eating. Why do I feel like he's cooking up some mischief in his mind? After eating, I asked Auntie to prepare Jay's things, and I took her home. Hopefully, everything will get better soon.

"Whose car is this?" Jay asked.

I brought a different car this time. I used a Toyota Hilux. I expected flooding near their area.

"Mine..."I answered, bored.

"Such a rich kid move..."

I glanced at Jay-jay, who was busy inspecting the car's controls.

She looks like a man from the past.

"Jay..." I started, looking at her

"..About your mother. Where is she?"

I couldn't help but be curious. It took her a while to answer.

"With her new husband."

"Is that why you're staying with Aries?"

"No." She avoided my gaze.

"..It's a different reason." She almost whispered.

I didn't ask any further. It seemed like a sensitive issue. I probably should have just kept my mouth shut.

*[Phone Conversation]*

"Can I speak with Mr. Michael Angelo Fernandez? This is Yuori Hanamitchi."

"Yes, sir... Just a moment."

The phone was handed to Michael Angelo. He was confused at first. This was the first time Mr.Hanamitchi had contacted him after declining their proposal a few months ago.

"Hello, Mr. Hanamitchi?"

"Hello! Is this Angelo?"

"Yes, speaking."

"Subarashii! (Great!). Let's talk about your proposal. I will accept and sign it."

Angelo almost jumped in excitement but heldhimself back. Hanamitchi Group and Corp. was one of the biggest companies in Japan. Having a partnership with this company was a great opportunity. They had already tried to make a proposal before, but it was declined by Mr. Hanamitchi himself.

"On one condition," Mr. Hanamitchi added.

"Let's talk about your cousin, Jay-jay."

"Jay-jay? What about her?"

"I will tell you when we meet up."