Chapter 195 - Old Jay-Jay

Jay-Jay's POV

The music was blaring—so loud that I couldn't hear a word Percy was saying. I just stared at him as he continued talking.

Was he actually saying something? His mouth was moving, but there was no sound.

"WHAT?" I shouted over the noise.

He leaned in closer and spoke again, but I still couldn't hear him. I squinted at him.

His lips were moving, but there was no sound coming out! What an idiot!

"You moron! I'm going to kick you!" I threatened, and he burst out laughing.

His laughter, strangely enough, was the one thing I could hear perfectly. If that wasn't proof of his abnormality, I don't know what was. Tripping others up was his greatest talent.

"WOOOOOHHHHH!!" The crowd roared along with the pounding music.

We were at Kingsground, in the disco area, not the underground. Percy had dragged me here, saying it was a good place to blow off some steam.

Then, we spotted a bulky man dressed in black, wearing a thick gold chain around his neck.

A bouncer.

"You're being summoned upstairs," he said, pointing towards Tiger's office.

Percy and I exchanged glances before following him to PPAP's office. As always, the only way up was by stairs. When we stepped inside, Tiger was standing by the large glass window, watching the people below.

Unlike the deafening chaos downstairs, his office was completely silent.

"Boss," the bouncer announced, and Tiger turned to face us.

Son of a grasshopper!

What was up with his outfit? He was wearing shorts with a sun and umbrella design, cheap beach slippers, and a faded T-shirt. On top of that, he had a blunt hat perched on his head.

The man was dressed for summer vacation!

"Jay-jay!" he greeted, stepping forward as if to hug me.

I quickly moved back when I saw his armpits—thick and overgrown like a forest. Disgusting! At least trim them a little! The sight alone made my stomach turn.

"What's the matter? Don't worry, I smell good even without showering," he joked with a laugh.

Even more disgusting!

"You haven't changed a bit, Tiger," Percy said, crossing his arms.

"You were one of Angelo's pets…" Tiger mused, smirking. "...What was your name again?"

I scratched my head. He really couldn't remember Percy's name? Even back then, it took him forever to recall Aries' name.

"Percy," he answered flatly, clearly annoyed.

"Ahh, right… Perting!" Tiger said, bursting into laughter.

"Percy," he corrected, gritting his teeth, but Tiger just kept laughing.

What a clown.

I turned toward the giant window, staring at the crowd below. Everyone seemed so carefree, their faces filled with excitement and joy. They moved in sync with the music, dancing as if they had endless energy.

They looked… happy. Truly happy.

I envied them. I wanted to be like them—to enjoy myself without worries. To feel happiness without being weighed down by my problems.

The club was alive. People were dancing on stage, couples were making out in the corners, and others just lost themselves in the music.

I wished I could be as happy as them.

But after everything that had happened, I wasn't sure if I ever could be.

The people I considered family had betrayed me. The ones I trusted had lied to me. And the person I thought loved me had only used me.

Could I ever be happy again?

"…Let's talk first," Tiger said, pulling my attention back to them. "...Bring out the most expensive wine."

He gave the order to the bouncer, who immediately obeyed. The man walked to a cabinet, unlocked a vault inside, and pressed a hidden button. A bottle appeared, completely unlabeled.

Was that really wine?

I had no interest in sitting around, watching them drink. Boring! I leaned toward Percy.

"Can I have a glass?" I asked.

"You can… You just can't drink," Percy replied.

What the hell?! What kind of nonsense was that?!

"What do you mean 'can't'?" Tiger asked, looking annoyed. "...Let him drink! It's free!"

I nearly clapped my hands in joy. Damn! Free wine?! That's a rare find!

Today was my lucky day!

Tiger signaled to the bouncer, and he immediately left the room. I dropped my things next to Percy and made my way out, heading straight for the bar area.

With so many people in the way, it took me nearly 30 minutes just to reach the counter. I was shoved, bumped into, and even pushed around a few times. My arms were starting to hurt from all the rough contact.

Finally, I reached the bar and sat on a stool. The bartender glanced at me, raising an eyebrow at my outfit.

I was still in my uniform.

"Costume," I told the bartender.

He just nodded, though it was obvious he didn't believe me. I saw Tiger's bouncer whisper something to him.

I glanced at them before nodding and returning to what I was doing. I wasn't sure if I should order wine—maybe because I wouldn't be able to finish it in my uniform.

"FUCKING SHIT!" a man shouted loudly nearby. "…DON'T BREAK!"

"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" a woman screamed.

I had no intention of looking to see who they were. I didn't want to get into trouble. I didn't want to get involved in other people's problems, only to end up getting hurt myself.

I didn't want to!

"What would you like to drink?" the bartender asked.

I knew nothing about wine. The only thing I had ever tried was San Miguel Beer, but they didn't seem to have that here. Their wine selections seemed high-end, and I wasn't familiar with them.

"Y-you… What do you recommend for someone with a broken heart?" I asked.

The bartender shook his head, smiling at my question. Did I sound that clueless? I knew nothing about what people drank at places like this, let alone wines.

He took out a shot glass and poured some wine into it, sliding it toward me with the same amused smile.

Was that it? That tiny amount? What effect could it possibly have on me?

I glanced at another customer holding the same kind of glass. They downed their drinks quickly, one after another. I mimicked their movements and took my first shot.

Putang ina! Ugh!

The liquid burned as it went down, scorching my throat and chest. I shut my eyes tightly at the horrible taste.

"Queen!"

A loud laugh caught my attention. I immediately turned to the person next to me.

"First time?" she asked.

I ignored her, setting the shot glass down. The bartender refilled it immediately. I was about to take another shot, but I stopped when the woman beside me laughed again.

She was still staring at me. I was starting to get irritated. I shot her an annoyed look, hoping she'd take the hint and leave.

I will punch you.

"What?" she asked innocently. "Go on, keep drinking. Don't mind me."

I did as she said. I clinked the shot glass against the counter and downed it in one go. The burn returned, scorching my throat.

When I put the glass down, I glanced at the woman beside me again. She was still looking at me, still smiling.

She really had no intention of leaving, did she?

"Do you need something?" I asked, slightly annoyed.

She chuckled. "You're fun to watch when you drink."

Huh?

I raised an eyebrow. Maybe the alcohol was already messing with her head. Maybe she was drunk and decided to mess with me. I was about to tell her off when a man approached her.

She immediately pushed him away. "What the hell?!"

"He's getting clingy again, bro!" another man said, walking up beside her.

"Can you not? Get away from me!" the woman beside me snapped.

The guy just laughed. They exchanged words, their tone mocking. It was annoying. I just wanted to drink in peace.

I turned back to the bartender and took another shot as soon as he poured it. I was about to down it when a hand suddenly reached toward me.

Shutang ina mo!

I quickly smacked the hand away before it could touch my chest. My glare landed on the bastard who had dared to do that. The man who had been talking to the girl beside me now stood in front of me, grinning widely.

"She's a fighter too," another guy behind him commented.

I glanced at the girl next to me. She had started crying, desperately trying to push the men away.

"Shit! Are you a high school student?" the man in front of me asked.

Oh no… elementary!

"HVIS student," another guy muttered. "…I heard we're supposed to let them go."

My eyebrows furrowed. Let go? What the hell did they mean by that? Their grins widened. There were six of them—earlier, they had been harassing the girl next to me. Now, they had turned their attention to me.

"Don't mess with us! Just leave!" the girl beside me—Savannah—snapped.

"Shut up, Savannah," the man in front of me said before turning back to me. "Are you alone? Want to join us?"

I didn't want to fight. I wasn't in the mood. My body was already exhausted from dealing with my own problems.

But situations like this were unavoidable, weren't they?

Bad trip.

"Really?" I asked innocently. "…You'll come with me?"

The guys exchanged grins, some giving each other high fives. They probably thought I was some gullible HVIS loser.

"Sure. Anywhere you want," the man in front of me replied smugly.

Pervert. Bastos talaga.

I gave him a sweet smile, gripping the shot glass in my hand. "Even to heaven?"

They laughed, glancing at one another before answering. "Why not? If that's what you want."

I smiled at him again and positioned my hand. "Then why don't you go first?"

BOOM! Chicken giftinamos!

Before he could react, I threw the shot of liquor straight into his face. While he was caught off guard, I took my chance—kicking him hard in the chest.

"Shit!" his friends shouted.

People close to us immediately looked our way, while the others didn't care and kept doing what they were doing.

Just dance!

"Oh. My. God." Savannah gasped, still standing beside me. "That was freaking awesome!"

"You idiot!" The other guy screamed, about to attack me, but the bouncer grabbed him.

"Don't mess around here!" the bouncer shouted, picking them up one by one.

As people went back to whatever they were doing, I returned to my seat and stared at the shot glass in my hand. The drink was wasted.

"That was so cool when you did that!" Savannah said excitedly.

Is he still here?!

"…Thank you for saving me. I'm Savannah Shane, by the way," he introduced himself, extending his hand toward me.

I had no intention of paying him any attention, but something about him made me want to tease him. I reached out and shook his hand.

"Jay-Jay," I answered lifelessly.

I was about to take another drink when he, the nuisance sitting beside me, started talking again.

"…Those guys were seriously ugly… Anyway, thanks again for saving me."

"I didn't save you," I said, making him stop. "I just got rid of those crooks because they were annoying."

He just shrugged and continued talking. I didn't respond—I just stared at my shot glass. The alcohol hadn't hit me yet, so I still felt like I was floating. My heart was still heavy from everything that had happened.

My heart is still broken!

"Why are you so quiet?" Savannah suddenly asked, right in my face.

Yes! Right in my face. I leaned back slightly, startled by his wild energy.

I was starting to like him.

"N-nothing. I just want another drink, but the bartender's busy," I replied.

Savannah chuckled and glanced at the bartender, who was indeed busy—flirting with other customers.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked, smiling.

"You already are."

He laughed again. "What's your problem?"

I looked at him.

"…Well, obviously, you wouldn't be drinking like this if you didn't have a problem."

Obviously?! Your skin.

"I don't have one," I muttered, but he still heard me.

"It's okay, you can tell me. We're friends now, after all—"

What?!

I immediately cut him off. "Friends? Since when?"

He laughed again. "Since a few minutes ago."

I was starting to get bored with him. Couldn't he see that I didn't want to talk? I just wanted to drink.

What's up with you, Ateng?!

"…So, tell me. Is it school? Family? Or… love life?"

I looked away at the last word. That's a bad word. Bad for my health.

He laughed again and nudged me.

One more time, and I swear, I'll punch you!

"Are you heartbroken?" he asked, as if accusing me.

I was about to tell him off and send him away when he suddenly grabbed my shot glass and waved the bartender over.

"You're drinking the wrong thing," he said.

When the bartender approached, Savannah whispered something to him. The bartender's reluctance was obvious. He glanced at me before turning back to Savannah.

They talked for a while before the bartender finally got to work. He grabbed a bottle of wine, mixed in some ingredients, shook it, and poured the concoction into a shot glass before setting it in front of me.

I eyed both of them suspiciously.

"What is this?" I asked, already annoyed.

"That's 'Broken Hearted Medicine.' I invented it myself," Savannah said proudly. "…And don't worry, it won't get you drunk."

I pointed at the shot glass. "Then what's the point of drinking it?"

He laughed again. "Just try it!"

This guy seriously talked too much. It was getting late, and I needed to find Percy so we could head somewhere else. My head was starting to ache from dealing with him.

I downed the drink in one go. I squeezed one eye shut at the taste—it was sour, bitter, and minty all at once. But unlike my usual drinks, this one didn't burn my throat.

"Okay, I drank it—"

What the… Fudgie Bar?!

I couldn't even finish my sentence. Suddenly, everything around me moved in slow motion. Literally, slow motion!

I shut my eyes, trying to steady myself. My head hurt—I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or whatever Savannah had given me.

"Savannah! What the hell did you make me drink?!" I demanded.

He didn't answer, so I opened my eyes again. Something strange was happening—I felt a rush of energy surging through me, like I had just chugged ten cups of coffee. My heart pounded in my chest.

I looked around, and suddenly, everything seemed brighter. The music blared in my ears, but instead of being overwhelming, it made me want to dance.

"How do you feel?" Savannah asked with a grin.

Without realizing it, I grinned back.

"Shit! This woke me up! Hahahaha…"

Even though nothing is particularly funny, I feel like I'm having fun. He also asked for a drink like the one he gave me. After drinking it, he suddenly stood up.

"Let's enjoy this night!" he screamed.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the middle of the dancing crowd. As we stopped, the ringing in my ears grew louder. I smiled when I saw people dancing around me.

I want to dance too!

Even though I had no idea what dance moves to do, I still danced. I raised both hands and kept moving.

"Woooooohhhhhh!!!" I screamed loudly. "…Party animal!"

I heard others near me laugh. We continued to dance, and so did Savannah. My blood was pumping with energy, and we danced like there was no end.

Go ahead! Go ahead! Dance!

If I could always feel like this, life would be amazing. No problems at all—wait, do I even have a problem?! There's nothing to escape from—am I running away from something?! And what was my reason for drinking—why am I even drinking?!

Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?! Hahahahaha…

"Savannah!" I called out to my partner, who was still dancing beside me. "…Am I forgetting something?!"

He nodded. "You forgot to find a date!"

A date?! Is that it?! That's easy!

I looked around, searching for someone to pull. A man caught my attention. Handsome and serious-looking—while staring directly at me?

Target acquired!

He stood motionless in the middle of the crowd. He wasn't dancing. Just standing there, staring at me. I bit my lower lip.

I was about to walk toward him when Savannah suddenly stepped in front of me. He seemed to notice who I was looking at.

"That's Chickboy," he whispered and laughed. "…His name is Keifer."

Damn it!

Suddenly, memories flooded back. That's why I'm here.

The wound I tried to heal. The words he said. The pain I felt. It all has to disappear again!

I want that feeling again! I liked how I felt when I drank earlier!

I forced my way back to the bar, searching for the bartender from before. He looked surprised to see me again.

"One more! Please!" I pleaded desperately.

He shook his head. "Only one per person! It has a bad effect on the body!"

I felt like crying because I didn't understand. I needed it—I wanted it.

"Please…"

"Miss, I really can't—"

"Give it to her, bro!" Savannah jumped in.

The bartender sighed, took out the same bottle, and mixed another drink. The moment he set it in front of me, I grabbed it and drank it in one go.

Shit! Here we go again!

"Come on!" Savannah cheered.

We ran back to the dance floor and kept dancing. This time, I felt different. My body was more energized. My heart pounded faster.

Even in the crowd, I felt strangely alone. It was as if I was the only one dancing, even though people kept brushing past me. The wind was cold, yet I felt warm.

"WOOOOHHHH!!!" I screamed. "…Disco! Disco! Good! Good!"

Savannah laughed beside me as we danced nonstop. I laughed too—for no reason. We looked crazy, but we were genuinely happy.

Non-stop fun!

I glanced at a man nearby. He was watching me with a smile. His eyes were blue and sparkled under the lights.

"Hi!" I greeted as he approached.

"You look so happy!" he said.

"I'm just enjoying the night!" I replied, dancing in front of him.

"Really?"

Something in his tone sounded sarcastic, but I just smiled and nodded.

Suddenly, his smile disappeared, and he turned serious. "Enjoy, enjoy… That's enough! I'm taking you home!" he said, annoyed.

Wow! This guy is crazy! His mood changed so fast!

"Why would I go with you?! I don't even know you!" I protested.

Then, out of nowhere, he hit me.

I clutched my neck in shock. The force of it made me feel dizzy!

"That! Do you remember now?!" he asked, irritated.

Tears welled up in my eyes from the pain. I felt like I was going to pass out. I glared at him, and when the lights flashed across his face, I finally remembered!

"P-Percy?!"

"My neck attack works like a charm!" he boasted. "…Now, let's go!"

"I don't want to!"

"Are you coming with me willingly, or do I have to drag you?!"

Ugh! This is so annoying! He's crazy! I'm still having fun!