Chapter 215 - Saving You

Jay-Jay's POV

With all the chaos in our lives, sometimes it feels like banging your head against a wall—so hard that you fall asleep and never wake up.

Go ahead and do it! I support you!

But sometimes, it's better to bang the head of the person who's actually messing up your life. And that's exactly what I want to do to the guy standing in front of me.

"You can't do that! You can't just move on and forget everything we've been through!" he said, annoyed, poking me with Snorlax's hand.

He was still wearing the mascot costume—only the head had been removed earlier. I stood there, dumbfounded, my tongue tied, and my body refusing to function.

I don't understand this guy! This Dimunyun Gagong Impact Pest Rattlesnake King of Snakes!

I was utterly confused by his actions. And why on earth was he inside a Snorlax costume? Where was Clefford, the one we were talking to earlier? My face was full of confusion.

"Hey! Listen to me!" he shouted, waving Snorlax's hands in front of me.

Instead of letting him continue, I turned my back on him and quickly walked away.

Where am I going? No idea.

"Jay! I'm not done talking to you! Get back here!" shouted the Plague King.

I glanced behind me and saw him trying to chase me, but because of the costume, he could barely walk properly.

Good for you! Suffer, you fool!

I picked up my pace, weaving through a group of kids playing. I jumped into a pool filled with plastic balls of different colors.

Now, I looked like I was swimming—except without water. As long as it helped me escape from that Dimunyung.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

From where I was, I saw the kids surrounding him. He cursed loudly, trying to get them off.

Taking my chance, I ran toward an inflatable slide and climbed up. The unstable surface made it difficult to move, but I managed to reach the top—only to realize that the talipandas was waiting at the bottom.

"We need to talk!" he yelled.

I shook my head, looking for another escape route, but then I noticed a boy behind me, frowning.

Oh no. He's going to push me.

I had no choice but to slide down. Knowing he was waiting, I extended my leg and kicked him with all my strength. He tumbled into the pool like a ball and flailed around helplessly.

"Damn it! Get this thing off me!" he screamed.

Take care of that yourself!

I burst out laughing while running away. This is how it should be. I was too confused by him. I didn't understand what he wanted. But one thing was certain—I wasn't going to listen to him anymore.

"Jay-Jay."

Someone grabbed my elbow, making me stop in my tracks.

I frowned at him. "What do you want?"

Why does he look so... serious?

"Can we talk? Please…" he asked sincerely.

I was about to snap, "You're already talking," but I stopped when I saw his eyes. There was sincerity in them.

I guess this is what it's like to have best friends. After dealing with one headache, another one always follows. I can never figure out what they're up to.

Road trip? Bad trip? Field trip?

I sighed and nodded slightly. He gently took my arm and led me toward the fire exit. Once inside, we walked further in to talk properly.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice echoing through the stairwell.

He seemed to notice that. He opened the nearest door and motioned for me to step inside.

A vast ballroom stretched out before us, dimly lit except for a few lights in the corners. The atmosphere was quiet—almost eerie.

"Jay… Please. Let me explain."

He needs to talk to me again. I don't want to listen, but I'm here. It would be a waste of time if I didn't at least pay attention.

"Okay! Explain."

I really don't feel like doing this.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yuri's POV

I'm so thankful right now. I don't know what's wrong, but I'm grateful that Jay-Jay is willing to hear me out.

Honestly, I had no intention of talking to Jay-Jay today. I know what happened with Keifer at the gotohan a few days ago is still fresh in his mind. Bringing it up now would be like rubbing salt into the wound.

But earlier…

When I saw Keifer looking restless while searching for the Snorlax mascot, something inside me shifted. His jealousy was consuming him again.

And jealousy was consuming me, too.

"Letting go, but here you are, searching for your next victim," I muttered under my breath.

He shot me his usual death glare. I just shrugged and continued looking around. Ci-N's party was meant for children, not teenagers like us.

What else should I have expected from Ci-N Peralta?

"Found you! Son of a bitch!" Keifer yelled, chasing after the mascot.

I just shook my head. Why does Keifer seem to be acting like Ci-N? Shouldn't it be the other way around? But that's clearly not happening.

I let out a heavy sigh and looked around again. That's when I saw Jay-Jay with Rakki and Mica.

She still looked beautiful, even with her hair cut short. But at least I could see her smiling again.

I miss you, Jay.

Now that Keifer has let you go, I finally have a chance. I can make a move without hurting you. If I have to stop the engagement, I will—just so you can be happy again.

That was what I had in mind at the time. But everything changed when I heard them.

I hadn't known Keifer was the one wearing the mascot costume, so I was completely shocked by what he did. And things only got worse when I heard what he said.

"I won't let you move on. I won't let you fall out of love. I won't allow it."

This can't be happening.

He said he was giving up. That he was letting Jay-Jay go. But then what is this? Why is he doing this? Why doesn't he want Jay-Jay to forget her feelings for him?

I don't understand Keifer. He isn't lying this time—he's serious. He really doesn't want to let Jay-Jay go.

Then I have to do the same.

At first, I intended to talk to Keifer. But I changed my mind and went looking for Jay-Jay instead. And I wasn't disappointed—here she is, standing right in front of me.

"Jay… I'm really sorry for all the pain I've caused. It's true—I was an idiot. You knew that from the start."

I paused, giving her a chance to respond.

She was the one who told me that Keifer and I both had sapi. We didn't even know each other that well, but she had managed to bring me back to who I used to be.

A natural me!

She didn't say anything, so I continued.

"Keifer came up with that plan. I was by his side. I was one of the leaders because I hated Aries, but… I have to admit, I had my doubts." I took a deep breath.

"That's why I stopped in the middle of it. I got close to you, and I saw what you did. When I realized I was falling for you, I tried to come up with a plan to save you."

"Save me?" she whispered.

I had explained this to her before—when we got lost in the jungle.

"I tried to save you from Keifer, from his plan, but I was too late. When you said you liked him, it felt like being stabbed with a katana. You fell into his trap, and I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to pull you away from him."

That was the night she admitted she liked Keifer. I had been worried. Heartbroken. I didn't know what to do.

I wanted to save her. I wanted her. I fucking love her.

"But I didn't give up. I still tried. But of course, I failed. I was desperate to save you—to have you. I didn't want to get hurt again, and I didn't want you to, either."

"That's why you forced that useless engagement?" she said, annoyed.

I lowered my head. "Y-yes."

She shook her head.

"So that's how you wanted to 'save' me," she said sarcastically.

I tried to step closer, but she moved back. I stopped in my tracks, bowing my head. I took a deep breath and composed myself before speaking again.

"I'm not putting all the blame on Keifer. I was there when he planned everything. I'm guilty too. I'm sorry, Jay. I'm sorry for not stopping him. I'm sorry for making choices that crossed your boundaries." Then, I did something I never thought I could do.

I kneeled down.

"Stand up… Don't do that," she ordered.

But I didn't listen to her. I really wanted her forgiveness. If I had to kneel until she forgave me, I would.

"I'm really sorry… Please, Jay. I want you back." I saw her walking toward me. I felt his gaze on me.

"It was never part of our conversation that I would forgive you," she said coldly. "We're only talking about your explanation—nothing else, nothing more. So stand up. It's a waste of time kneeling."

Her words resonated with me. They hurt so much, as if my chest was being squeezed. I never thought she could be this tough because of what happened. Or maybe she was forcing herself to be.

I slowly stood up but kept my head down. I couldn't stand it. Why could she be so harsh with me yet tolerate Keifer despite everything he had done?

"You really love Keifer, don't you?" The words escaped me before I could stop them.

She shot me a sharp look. It wasn't enough to make me back down, though. I wanted to know. I needed to.

"You forgave him so easily, even though he never even made an effort to apologize." My voice was quiet, but the pain in it was undeniable.

She stopped in her tracks.

"I haven't forgiven Keifer."

Not yet? But she will soon.

I couldn't help but feel bitter. A hollow laugh escaped me. It hurt. It hurt so much.

"Why him? Why still him? After everything he's put you through, you still love him."

A tear suddenly rolled down her cheek. Watashi ga nani o shita? (What have I done?) I wanted to step forward, to hug her, but I knew she would only push me away.

"It's not that easy!" She sounded frustrated as she wiped her tears. "If you haven't moved on from me, how do you expect me to move on from Keifer?! Do you think I want to feel this way?!" Her voice shook with anger. "...I don't! That dimwit keeps messing with my head—saying he doesn't like me but acting like he does! And because I have feelings for him, I keep hoping!"

Shame washed over me. She was right. In my own pain, I had forgotten that she was hurting too.

I felt like a fool.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

She cut me off. "Damn! I'm so sorry?! Are you a broken record?! You and your best friend are the same—both of you are idiots! Making the same mistakes over and over!" She wiped her cheek again, her voice trembling. "I don't know what to do anymore!"

I stepped closer. This time, I didn't hesitate. I took her hand in mine. She tried to pull away, but I tightened my grip.

"I know what you can do," I said softly. "Forget about Keifer. I'll help you." I brought her hand closer to my face.

She went silent. Please say yes. I swear, I'll do anything to help her.

It hurt me too much to see her suffering because of Keifer. So I would do everything in my power to help her forget. To make her happy, to keep her from hurting anymore.

Keifer had let her go. And I wouldn't let her change her mind again. I won't let that happen.

"Y-Yuri… I-I don't want to h-hurt you," she stammered, her voice breaking. "It might happen again. I'll get caught up in it, and so will Keifer." Tears slipped from her eyes.

"Is it still Keifer?" My grip loosened. "...Do you still hope?"

She didn't answer. Her silence crushed me.

"But he let you go," I whispered, staring at her in disbelief. "...He's given up."

"W-what are you saying?"

I hesitated. Should I tell her?

"About a week ago, Keifer asked me to keep you safe. I asked why, but he didn't give me an answer." I met his gaze. "...He said he's letting you go."

Her hands trembled. More tears fell from her eyes. Regret hit me instantly. I tried to apologize, but before I could, she turned and walked away.

I didn't move. I just watched her slowly disappear from sight.

I shouldn't have said that. I'm so sorry.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jay-Jay's POV

I don't know what cheap words I should say just to lighten the weight on my chest.

All classes... Even Japanese and Korean.

Yuri's words will drive me crazy. I've given up on Keifer, but what is he doing? His persistence is unbearable.

Every step I took was fast as I climbed the fire exit stairs. I rushed back to the rooftop, and to be honest, the moment I saw him, my fist landed straight on that animal's face.

I'm not playing games! If it were Barbie and me facing off, I'd still be fine with it—but no. I look more like a Bratz Doll.

It turns out Hudlong has no intention of letting me go. He said he won't allow me to move on. But why? Who does he think he is? The situation makes me look like a fool—relying on him, only for him to play with me whenever he pleases.

I was near the door when it suddenly opened, revealing the very person I was looking for. He stopped when he saw me but quickly walked closer.

"We need to talk," he said authoritatively, grabbing my arm.

Get ready, you animal!

I let him pull me along. We exited through the fire escape door and reached the last floor before the rooftop. He didn't stop until we stood in front of a door.

He hurriedly pressed the keypad, and as soon as it unlocked, he pulled me inside. He let go of me before turning on the lights. We were inside an apartment.

But whose?!

Everything was spotless and looked brand new. The place was fully furnished and almost as spacious as Aunt Gema's house.

I glanced around before remembering why I was here in the first place.

"I'll explain everything—"

He didn't get to finish. As he moved toward the sofa, I met him with a sharp slap.

Let's pretend there was a mosquito!

I know he can feel my anger. I wanted to punch him, but I hesitated, so I settled for a slap instead.

He turned his head and took a long pause before facing me again. He didn't even touch his face to ease the pain. I could see the shock and anger in his eyes.

"Does it hurt? Well, good. That makes us even," I said bitterly.

He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

"I deserve that," he muttered lifelessly.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "It's good that you know, because YOU DESERVE EVEN MORE! I've had enough! I want to break your bones."

He looked away, biting his lip. He stepped closer, attempting to touch me, but I quickly slapped his hands away.

"Don't touch me!"

"Let me explain," he said calmly.

"Explain what? Go on, tell me another lie," I challenged him.

His fists clenched, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. I could see his Adam's apple moving up and down.

"Jay..." His voice was laced with desperation. "...I understand that you're mad, but please, just listen to me."

"Fine! Explain! Because I want to understand why you keep playing with me, why you keep hurting me over and over again. Why you came back just to mess with me all over again." I gave him a plastic smile. "Go ahead. Maybe if you explain, I'll finally understand. Maybe it'll help me forget how I feel about you."

Suddenly, he punched the wall. I won't lie—I was startled. But I forced myself not to flinch. He bent forward, his shoulders rising and falling with each deep breath. His fists remained tightly clenched.

"I told you… I won't let you," he said through gritted teeth.

He's insane! I'm so tired of this!

"Who are you to stop me? Why?! Aren't you the reason I want to forget?! And now you're saying you won't let me? YOU'RE SO FULL OF YOURSELF!" My voice cracked as my cursed tears began to fall. "...I don't want this anymore. I don't want to love you anymore."

"It's not possible," he whispered.

"I don't want to!" I screamed.

"It's not possible," he whispered again.

"Stop it! I can't love you anymore!"

"It's not possible."

"Enough! Stop torturing me!"

"No way!"

"Why won't you let me?! Why?! WHY?!"

"BECAUSE I CAN'T LOSE YOU!" His scream echoed through the entire floor.

I was stunned. We were both gasping for breath after our heated exchange. My lips trembled as I looked at him.

It was then that I noticed—perhaps for the last time—the tear rolling down his left cheek. He gazed at me, his eyes filled with resentment.

"I can't afford to lose you. So, please… don't move on." 😭