Chapter 178 - BARAKUDA

Jay-Jay's POV

I don't want to be crowded. I don't want to feel hot. I don't want to get muddy—huh?!

Is that a line from a movie?

This is boring! I woke up feeling congested, my body sticky with sweat. Even though I didn't want to, I opened my eyes, which only made my headache worse.

Curse this hangover!

I don't really know how to drive, yet I still drink—even if it means waking up in the morning with a splitting headache.

Damn it! My head feels like it's being torn apart. I tried to reach for my forehead, but for some reason, I couldn't move.

I looked down at my hands—and that's when I fully woke up.

I'M TIED UP!

Son of a Tokinawan afternoon! My hands were bound on either side of me. On top of that, two hands were gripping me.

My heart started racing. I didn't want to turn around. I could feel their breath against my neck.

Just an arm… Recognize it!

It was so hot inside the tent, and my body was drenched in sweat. I could barely breathe in this cramped space.

Despite my hesitation, I slowly turned to the left—and almost ended up kissing the face right next to mine.

"K-Keifer," I called out.

The sleeping figure didn't move. I slowly turned to my right, and the situation was exactly the same.

"Yuri," I called him, too.

No response. I was sweating all over, the humidity making it unbearable. I tried shifting my body, bumping into them in the process. They groaned in irritation and moved away slightly.

"Wake up! Thanks a lot! My tent is tiny, yet you both managed to squeeze yourselves in here." I snapped at them.

Yuri was the first to open his eyes and sit up. He yawned before facing me.

"Good morning," he greeted with a smile.

"Good morning to you too. Now, do you mind untying me?" I asked sarcastically.

He looked down at my hands. For a moment, I thought he was about to untie the knots, but instead, he reached over and poked Keifer. He did it a few times before the other one finally stirred awake.

"What?!" Keifer groaned at Yuri, annoyed.

"Can I untie him?" Yuri asked.

Wait… did he just ask for permission?!

The annoying pest, also known as Keifer, looked at me before smirking.

"Nah. It's a waste of time," he said.

What waste of time?!

"Shall we do it now?" Yuri asked.

Do what?!

"You can too."

Which one?!

"Can they hear us from outside?"

Hear what?!

"Cover her mouth so no one hears us."

I whipped my head back and forth between them, utterly confused. What the hell are they talking about?!

Yuri smiled mischievously and leaned in slightly. My heart started pounding.

"Jay… don't get mad, okay?" he said, his voice unusually gentle.

"…we already did it."

SHIT.

"What?! You guys are crazy!" I screamed, struggling against the ropes.

They both burst into laughter. That's when I realized they were just messing with me. My irritation spiked, my brows furrowing deeply.

Yuri finally untied me. The moment I was free, I stood up and punched both of them in the arm.

"Ow…" Keifer groaned, rubbing his arm.

"You're both animals!" I huffed before storming out of the tent.

The fresh air hit me immediately, cooling down my overheated body. The tent had been unbearably stuffy, especially with the three of us crammed inside. And this was only the second time this had happened.

I walked toward the water jug, ready to hydrate myself, but then I noticed everyone's reactions.

What the hell…?

They all backed away, eyes still glued to me. Some hid behind trees, while others ducked behind tents. Ci-N clung onto David for dear life.

"What's wrong with you guys?" I asked, confused.

No one answered.

Suddenly, a hand patted my shoulder. I turned to see Yuri grinning as he walked past me.

"That's your last one. No more drinking," he teased before taking a sip of water.

Holy shit!

What happened last night?! I remember drinking. I know that. But what happened after that? Here we go again…

Another hand patted me. This time, it was Keifer, who was also grinning.

"Nice…" he said, taking a sip of water. "…Barakuda."

Wait. What?!

*Flashback*

"Alululululululu!!"

Loud laughter echoed around the bonfire as everyone cheered.

"Go, Jay-Jay!"

*End of Flashback*

I covered my face in pure embarrassment. I swear, I'm going to kill someone!

I heard Keifer and Yuri laughing again. Even if they didn't say it outright, I knew I was the one they were laughing at.

I turned toward Ci-N, who was still hiding behind David. He kept staring at me.

"Ci-N…" I called out, stepping closer.

But he immediately backed away, clutching David tighter.

"D-don't come near me!" he stammered.

I shot him an irritated look. "Are you crazy?!"

"David, hide me!" he yelped.

David let him stay hidden without question. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. What exactly were they expecting?

I glanced at Eman, but before I could say anything, she bolted. Josh did the same—though he threw a scowl my way before running off.

"Come on! What the hell is wrong with you guys?!" I demanded.

No response.

Yuri chuckled, handing me a bottle of water. "You had a great time last night."

A wave of dread hit me. Oh no… I think I know where this is going.

Keifer smirked. "So… Who is Barakuda?"

Damn It!

"H-Huh?"

"You said last night that you were Barakuda."

My eyes widened. "W-What...? That character I played in our school play... back then." I answered almost in a whisper. "...I was so embarrassed. I went up on stage drunk."

That was also the first time I tasted wine. Yuri and Keifer laughed. I looked at them strangely.

"Congratulations! You portrayed your character very well," said the King, smiling teasingly.

Argh! What?!

"What did I really do?!"

I noticed Felix slowly approaching me. He was obviously hesitating. He took out his phone, pressed something, and then handed it to me.

A video... again?!

I watched the video. The shaky camera work made it hard to watch, but I had to keep going to remember what I had done.

They were shouting loudly. The camera was moving frantically, tossing and turning.

"I need a virgin!" A loud scream—was that me?

I couldn't see myself in the video, so I couldn't tell for sure if I was the one screaming. But I had a strong feeling it was me.

"I'm Barakuda!" I screamed again.

This time, I was certain it was my voice.

"Shit! Jay is going crazy!" That was Calix's voice.

The noise quieted down a little. The camera angle kept changing, as if someone was searching for something.

"Jay-Jay is gone! Did you see her?" Felix whispered.

"Aaaaagghhhh!!" Ci-N screamed, and the camera immediately pointed at him. "...Jay-Jay is going to kill me!"

In the video, I was chasing Ci-N—and I was holding a... knife?!

"Ci-N! Hide!"

"Hurry up, Ci!"

"Ci-N! Play dead!"

Ci-N and I suddenly disappeared from the frame. The camera angle changed again.

"Where?!" Felix asked worriedly.

The camera focused on the bonfire. After a while, I emerged, looking around for someone.

"I need a virgin! I need a virgin! In exchange for eternal life!" I kept shouting over and over.

I cringed at how I looked in the video. I was yelling the same lines I had in our school play.

How embarrassing!

"Eman! he's still a virgin!" Blaster suddenly shouted in the video, followed by loud laughter.

"Gago, Blaster!"

"Eman! Run!"

I disappeared from the video again. I noticed Felix was still hiding, staying in the same place.

Suddenly, a series of screams erupted from somewhere. Felix pointed the camera in that direction, and then Edrix, Eman, Rory, Eren, and Josh came running.

"Here's Josh! He's still a virgin!" Eren said while trying to push Josh forward.

"Tado!" Josh shouted at him before they all ran again.

I thought they were going to keep running, but suddenly, Keifer and Yuri appeared with a rope. They immediately ran up to me and wrapped it around my whole body multiple times.

Everyone cheered loudly at what the troublemakers had done.

"Burn the witch!" Ci-N screamed—only to get a hard slap from David.

The video ended there.

I was too embarrassed to face them. So this was why they were afraid of me.

"We couldn't sleep. We were scared of you," Felix said as I handed him his phone.

"Sorry," I muttered.

I turned to Ci-N, who was trying to hide behind David.

"Ci... Sorry."

"Just please, Jay... Don't ever get that drunk again," David said.

"Never again... I'm really sorry."

Ci-N slowly stepped out from behind David, his head lowered.

"Can..." He hesitated, and we all waited for what he was going to say next. "...Can you brush your teeth first? Your breath is even scarier than—Ouch!"

I smacked him hard. His face turned serious. For a moment, I thought he was about to say something important.

What an idiot!

I sighed and headed back to my tent to grab my things. I needed a bath.

"Where are you going?" David asked.

"I'm taking a shower!" I shouted back without looking.

I picked up my pace to reach the bathroom before breakfast was gone.

Snakes are dead meat!

Since it was still early, I had the whole bathroom to myself. Nice! Now I could sing whatever I wanted without anyone judging me.

Oh yeah!

I started taking a shower, humming as I washed up.

🎶 Baby, you don't have to rush, you can leave your toothbrush at my place....At my place. We don't need to keep rush, you can leave your toothbrush at my place... At my place. Stuck in the limbo—Aaaaaggghhhh!! 🎶

Putangina!

Someone suddenly yanked open the shower curtain—the cubicle door!

I quickly grabbed my towel and covered myself, pressing my back against the wall.

"Are you deaf or something? Can't you hear your own voice?" Freya asked irritably.

Ugh! Frog voice!

"I-I thought I was alone—aaaagghhh!" I screamed again when I saw everything.

Damn it! She wasn't even covering herself! Her hair was still wet, with shampoo dripping down.

I immediately looked up at the ceiling. Yes, I was a girl too, but... she was a queen!

"What? Can't look at my gorgeous body?" She teased.

I didn't answer. I tried to close the curtain with my foot, but Freya blocked it with her hand.

"...Or maybe you're hiding something?" she added, suddenly tugging at my towel.

I gripped it tightly, nearly slipping as I struggled against her.

This is insane! I can see what I shouldn't be seeing!

"FREYA!" I screamed, fighting back. "...You're such a bitch!"

She was unbelievably strong. I thought she wouldn't stop, but I sighed in relief when she finally let go.

"You're no fun," she muttered.

I shot her a glare, but it softened when I noticed her swollen eyes. She looked either really drunk or completely exhausted.

I guess that's why I tripped.

"W-what's your p-problem?" I stammered, staring at her—at her face!

Don't look down!

"It's boring here," she said, scanning me from head to toe. "...It feels like I can see something in you. Cover up there!"

"W-what?! Go away!" I felt my face heat up.

This girl is so shameless! Does she have nothing better to do? And how did she get her body to look like that? So unfair.

But to be honest... Her body is beautiful!

She just grinned and walked away. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Then, out of nowhere, something on her ear glimmered.

I'm not sure, but it looked like an earring. It shone for a second before disappearing.

That looks familiar...

Before I could figure out where I had seen it before, I hurriedly closed the curtain and finished my shower as fast as possible. Who knows if she'd come back and mess with me again?

After showering and brushing my teeth, I returned to our site, feeling fresh. No one could say my breath was scary now!

When I arrived, they were already eating breakfast. Pfft... They didn't even wait for me!

"Eat, Jay!" Calix called out.

"Food is what really gives you life—not just forever," Rory added with a laugh.

What is he, a fortune cookie?

I quickly dropped off my things in the tent and went to Eman to ask for food.

He handed me a plate but was still frowning at me.

"Hey... I'm sorry," I said, forcing a smile. "...Really sorry."

"Tsk! Last night was your last. You're not drinking again," he said, annoyed.

"Alright, alright. As long as we're at peace?" I held up two fingers.

He sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "Fine."

I grabbed some food and sat next to Ci, who was once again the star of the storytelling.

"Barakuda! Barakuda!" They all chanted while laughing.

Ugh!

I glared at them. "I'll throw this plate at you!"

"Alululululululu!" Drew howled, making them laugh even louder.

"You guys are the worst!"

"Enough!" Edrix finally spoke up. "...Or we'll all end up in that bonfire."

"Hahahaha... Witch!"

Ugh! I asked them to stop, and they took it as an invitation to tease me even more. Snakes, all of them!

They kept teasing me while we ate. One by one, they left for the bathroom since we had another program to attend. After lunch, we'd hang out again since we weren't joining their activity or whatever.

This retreat is really... something. I can feel it!

Rory and Edrix were the first to return, so I went with them. The others would follow. Just like yesterday, we took our usual spot at the back.

I glanced at Section A. Their laughter echoed loudly. As expected, Ella and Aries were in their own little world. Mica was chatting away while Freya's group was being chaotic.

"Barakuda! Barakuda!" someone shouted while running toward me.

Who else?!

Just one time—just let me hit this kid once. That's all I ask! One shot, and I'll be happy.

"Move! I'm sitting there," he said, pushing me aside.

Look at this guy, shoving people around like it's nothing. I almost fell! I shot him a glare, but he just grinned at me.

Jerk.

The others arrived soon after. The organizer grabbed the mic, making everyone quiet down. It started with a prayer.

"Keep an eye on the one over there. She might fall asleep again," Blaster whispered, making everyone chuckle.

"Tsk! I won't sleep!" I shot back.

We turned our attention to the front as the organizer cleared his throat.

"Let's talk about something everyone can relate to," he said into the mic. "...Something very common and well-known in this world."

I know this! I know this! Money!

"...Love."

Ugh, so cheesy.

Ci-N suddenly stood up, raising both hands.

"THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS FOREVER!" he yelled.

Everyone burst into laughter and applause.

Sh*t!

"Wooooh!"

"Hahaha..."

Even the organizer laughed. I glared at Ci-N, but he looked so damn proud of himself.

"...BUT RAKKI AND I HAVE FOREVER! I LOVE YOU, RAKKI SAN DIEGO!"

I slapped my forehead. This guy is beyond help.

Seriously, when will this retreat end?