Chapter-183

AM

Jay-jay's POV

"YU----Ouch!" I suddenly tripped. It was really bad luck! I stood up and shook my
clothes and my hand. I looked around again. I think I'm lost?! I took Yuri's cellphone from my pocket. I checked
the time but her wallpaper caught my attention more. It was a picture of the two of us but I wasn't looking at
the camera, while she was all smiles.. It looked like it was taken in a classroom. She was next to me and from
the angle and my appearance, it looked like we were in class when she took this. I smiled but at the same time
my tears fell. I just cried so hard. I felt like a child sitting down and hugging my knee. I was scared! I was
scared that I wouldn't see Yuri's smile again. "Where are you?!" I said and still continued crying. Why is there
such a fuss? Why is there such a fuss? I thought the one between Keifer and Ella was over but why is it being
brought up again? I don't understand. I heard a branch snap. I immediately stood up and wiped my tears.
"Yuri? Is that you?" I asked and tried to peek where I heard it. I walked closer but as time went on I couldn't see
anyone. My shoulders slumped and stopped. "That's it!" I said annoyed. I took another step to go back to
searching but unfortunately . It turned out that the cliff next to me was already there and I fell straight down. I
immediately grabbed onto anything I could grab. Thanks to the big tree roots and I survived. My heart was
beating so fast. I felt like my soul was separating from my body. Shit! A near death experience? This is Yuri's
ault! It's just a joke! There's so much drama in life. Why did you even think of hanging out in the forest? It
could have been in the hall or on our site. IT'S SO DAMN! Irritated! I tried to pull myself up. When I got to a
good position, I peeked down. I was just as annoyed when I saw that the cliff wasn't that deep. There was also
a small river below. I felt my pocket to get Yuri's cellphone but it wasn't there . I immediately felt my whole
body but I couldn't get hold of my cellphone. Tengene nemen! I looked around me and sat down but I didn't
see anything. Until I looked down. What?! It looked like the phone fell out of my pocket and went straight
down. It's a good thing it didn't fall into the water. I had no choice but to go down to get it. It was so annoying!
I took each step slowly. I held on tightly to every root or branch I could touch. I couldn't see much so I moved
slowly. I reached the bottom. I almost slipped because of the wet rocks. I immediately looked for Yuri's
cellphone. What a shame! It's an iPhone too! I found the cellphone in a thick clump of leaves. I picked it up
and shook it. I also looked at the time like I should have done earlier. It was 2:46AM. It was getting late but I
was still here in the forest looking for him. Shutanginames! I 'll just find you! There you really are----. I stopped
and was stunned. There was someone, someone lying on the other side of the river. I knew it was someone
even though I couldn't see it well. Could it be Yuri? I immediately ran towards him. I waded through the river
and let half of my body get wet just to cross and get to the person. But that's how depressed I was when I
realized it wasn't a person. It turned out to be a branch, while what I thought was a body was a branch with a
cloth covering it. "Pvta naman!" I shouted in extreme annoyance. I was crying again but not because of fear
but because of extreme annoyance and tiredness. "Jay-jay?" Someone called out. My heart beat faster. Even if
I tried to stop it, my tears wouldn't stop . He was now in front of me, the person I was crying for earlier and still
crying for. "Yuri..." I said and crossed the river again to get to him where I was standing earlier. I hugged him
tightly but he also pulled away with a loud groan of pain. "S-sorry..." I said and looked at her whole body. Her
clothes were torn and there was a piece of cloth wrapped around her arm. It wasn't clear but her face had
scratches. Her glasses also looked cracked . "What happened to you?" I asked, full of worry. "I-I fell... I heard
your voice. I tried to look for you but this is what happened to me." She explained. I started crying again.
"Where are you wearing?! You're just acting like a drama in the forest! It's so hard to find here!" I complained.
She pressed her hand against mine and forced a smile at me. "Sorry... I didn't know you would follow me." "I
probably would! Especially because of what happened." I said, page after page. She looked away and went
straight to the door. I knew she didn't want to talk about that matter anymore. "...S-shall we go back?" I asked
her. Her wound needed to be treated. I also wanted to hear what happened to Aries. I had no idea that his
condition might be serious . His hit was so strong, he even challenged me to a fight. I looked around. I wasn't
amiliar with this part of the forest. Maybe if I followed the river back, I might see the falls where we were
swimming. "Let's go this way." I said while pointing behind him. I walked first, thinking that he would follow
me, but I stopped when I saw that he couldn't walk properly. One of his legs was limping. I immediately
approached him to lead him. "I'm fine." He said. Look good! "Who did you fool?" I asked him sarcastically . He
laughed a little. I supported him with every step. I could feel his pain with every movement. I looked at a fallen
tree, one of its branches full of leaves looked like an umbrella. "You stay here." I told Yuri and left him to
approach the fallen tree. I checked if it could be a shelter for now. Since one branch looked like an umbrella, it
probably wasn't that bad. I cleaned the area around it and removed dirt and dried branches. I also looked for a
large leaf that we could use as a blanket. When I was done, I immediately turned back to Yuri and led him
there. It seemed like the basement was a favor to him because he was able to rest. "Is it okay?" I asked him
before sitting next to him. "Yes... This basement is also nice when it rains." "Will it rain?" I looked at the sky.
There were no stars, it was possible that it would rain. I hope not! It might make us sick, especially since we
didn't get back to the site. "I hope it doesn't catch up with us." He said and leaned against the large log that
had fallen behind us. The surroundings were still dark. I suddenly remembered Yuri's cellphone. I took it out of
my jacket pocket. It was a good thing it hadn't been wet earlier. "Your cellphone." I said as I handed it to him.
"Thank you." He pressed it to turn on the light. The light immediately hit his face, allowing me to see his entire
body. All wounds and scratches, there was also a bruise forming at the corner of his eye. I held his face and
turned it to me. I couldn't help but worry. "W-where did you fall? Why do you look like that?" I asked and
immediately grabbed his cellphone from him to light up the rest of his body. "...You have so many wounds!"
Aside from the wound on his arm that was wrapped in cloth. He also had small wounds on various parts of
his arms and legs. "I'm-I'm okay." He insisted and smiled. I had no choice but to hand his cellphone back to
him. I also leaned against the log behind us. Now I felt tired. I wanted to close my eyes for a moment but the
rain might catch up with us here. I just wanted to take a short break from chasing him because Yuri was
having trouble walking. "You can sleep first. I'll wake you up." He said and smiled at me. "No. We might get
caught in the rain. Besides, I want to be back before dawn." He nodded in acceptance of my answer. What
happened to Aries? I was worried about him. I don't know if it was because of the fight he had with Yuri that
caused him to lose consciousness or maybe Keif's punch-----pakshit! I DIDN'T EVEN SAY GOODBYE TO HIM!
"Jay... Are you okay?" Yuri asked when he noticed the sudden change in my appearance. I could see fear and
panic in me. Maybe I was already looking for him. It must have also lost its way to those who were looking for
me. What should I do? Even if I wanted to call him, my cellphone was gone. I left it in the tent earlier because I
thought we didn't need it. Besides, there was no signal here so I couldn't use Yuri's cellphone either. Really?!
Bad trip! I was so annoyed that I just leaned my head back against the log. I closed my eyes for a moment but
soon I fell asleep on my own. I woke up to feel something dripping down my face. I opened my eyes and was
just as startled when I saw it was raining. I looked at Yuri who was hugging herself because of the cold. "Why
didn't you wake me up?" There was a hint of annoyance in my voice. I immediately took off my hoodie jacket
and wrapped it around him. He didn't move or speak.I was nervous so I held her and only then did I realize that
she had a fever. "Yuri! You're hot!" I shouted and tried to adjust the way my jacket wrapped around her. "W-how
are you?" She asked me, shivering. "I'm fine! Take care of yourself first!" I tried to wrap her body but she was
still shivering and feeling really cold. I couldn't do anything but hug her to make her feel warmer. Body Heat! I
also leaned her head slightly against my neck. The rain continued, thanks to this shelter but we were already
soaking wet. "Just a little patience. We can go back to the site." I whispered to her. She didn't answer so I had
a strong feeling that she had fallen asleep. I wanted to sleep too. I also wanted to close my eyes. But I couldn't
leave her next to me. I tried to fight off sleepiness. Suddenly, Yuri's cellphone, which was just at her feet, lit up.
The battery sign came out, indicating that it was low. I also checked the time. It's 4:36AM! It's getting light!
"Jay..." Yuri whispered. "...Jay."
"Why?" I replied, thinking he was awake.
I looked at him slightly but he was still very tight
-lipped. It was like he was talking while asleep or delirious from the fever.
"I'll fight you..." He whispered again and I was stunned. "...
I won't let you lose again..." He buried his head in my neck.
"...aishiteru."
It was so nice to hear what he said. Any woman would be thrilled
when she heard that. But not me, because instead of thrill,
I felt----shame overwhelmed me.
I couldn't fight him, like he could. If
only I could teach the heart, I would have long ago told or taught him that you were the only one to
love while teaching him math problems.
But that's not the case.
The heart is stupid, the human brain is stupid. That's why he can't learn
math problems either.
You're almost perfect in every angel. Handsome, rich, smart and you can
also be considered as a goodboy. Yes you have flows but you can adjust
that. Being perfect, I only realized one thing. I don't
deserve you, someone else better does.
I looked up at the sky when I noticed it was gradually getting brighter.
I took Yuri's cellphone but it was already turned off. I didn't want to
wake her up but we had to get back.
"Yuri..." I was about to call while patting her. "...wake up."
Her body was still hot so I was sure she was still feverish.
She moaned slightly and adjusted her seat. She slowly opened her eyes.
"Let's go... The rain has stopped." I told her.
I stood up first to support her. I don't know but I feel like
she's heavier than before. She must have been trying not to
weigh me down earlier, but because she has a fever she can't
do that now.
We continued walking. We were slower than before.
The sky was finally getting brighter. I could already see the dirt on
both of our bodies. A mixture of mud, dust, and wounds.
"Jay... Let's rest for now. I'm dizzy." He said so I stopped
walking.
I helped him sit on a broken log.
His face was red and it seemed like he was struggling to open his eyes. I touched
his forehead and I felt him get hotter than before.
His fever seemed to be rising.
"Can you still do it?" I asked hesitantly.
He smiled at me to show that he was okay. "So... Just rest."
I sat next to him. I leaned his head on my shoulder.
Each of his breaths was deep, which apart from hearing, I could also feel. I
hoped it wouldn't get worse.
Suddenly, his stomach rumbled. He looked up
at me with raised eyebrows.
"Last night was the last time I ate." I said while smiling.
He laughed a little. "We'll eat when we get back."
I nodded. Now my stomach was making me feel hungry.
If this goes on for too long, I'll be the one who gets sick.
Yuri's head rests on my shoulder again. Silence reigns
between the two of us. I don't want to tease her because she's resting.
"Do you know..." She broke the silence. "...Hahaoya doesn't like
me getting sick." She said and smiled.
"I guess Mom does." Except for me.
"Would Mom do anything she did?"
I was stunned. I didn't know what to answer because I've never
experienced that with Mom---except when she interfered in
our marriage talks.
She pulled away from leaning on me and looked away. I wanted
to think she was just delirious that's why she was acting like that but she wasn't.
"Hanamitchi family is very well known in Japan. Aside from being
close relative of the Minister of Japan, they have lots of businesses.
They even own an island."
That feeling when you suddenly feel small. You feel small because you thought the person
next to you was rich but there was someone even richer.
"...Because of there reputation they never accepted my mother. Besides
being half Filipino, their family is also unknown. It hurts her
that every action she takes, the entire clan is ashamed of her.
It hurts her even more when she knows that the chance of
her getting pregnant is small."
I continued listening to her. I knew she hadn't experienced
what happened to her mother but even so, I could feel
her hurt too. "...So when I was born, they took good care of me. Hahaoya
never left the house, just to make sure I was safe. They said, luck came when I was born." She took a deep
breath. "... They took even more care of me. I'm a prince but never put on throne. I'm the only heirs of
Hanamitchi Clan." Only? Do you have a sibling? "...Yoichi was just adopted." She said that made me stunned.
"H-ha?" "She was adopted to fill the gap in the family. They need to marry one of us to a purebred Yakuza clan.
She's still our relative but from afar." Damn! My situation is already depressing but it turns out it's going to get
worse . She's still very young but someone has a wedding planned for her. Of course, Yuri can't be married off
to someone else because she's already engaged to me, so Yoichi will be the one to marry off to. "Is our life
complicated?" He asked and forced a smile. "A little... I'm just confused why your mom doesn't like Ella, after
all, her life is more sensible than mine." Hello? From a broken family here! She didn't say anything. She
suddenly stood up and started walking. I immediately followed her to support her. We continued walking and I
still couldn't hear any answer from her. I felt like she was hiding something from me. I could hear the loud
gurgling of the water. That meant we were close to where we were swimming. I looked at Yuri and saw how
tired he was. I immediately stopped. "Let's rest for now. Your fever might get worse." He didn't answer. He was
leaning against a tree with his eyes closed. He was gasping for air and constantly wiping his sweat. "We're
almost there----" "Jay." He cut me off. "...I'm at fault for you." I looked at him in surprise and waited for him to
say something. Something was making my heart beat faster. I was starting to tremble too, but it wasn't
because of hunger. "T-Tanda didn't set up our wedding." He said, which made my mind even more confused.
"...Angelo already refused when Tanda proposed to him. That old man doesn't believe in second chances, so
the offer was gone right away..." He looked away and took a deep breath. "...But when the news reached me
that Fer Corp was going to collapse, I was the one who proposed to Angelo." I took a step back. My mind was
ull of questions. I tried to clarify what he was saying. "W-what...." "I was the one who set up that wedding in
exchange for help from Angelo's company. Since no one could refuse what I wanted, they agreed. Even though
Hahaoya didn't want you, he forced you." My tears fell on their own accord. "B-but you said before... Y- you
couldn't stop the wedding. Y-you said they were the ones who wanted it." "I lied to you. I'm sorry." "I-I don't
understand... Why did you do that?" "Because I love you and I can't afford to lose to Keifer again." He quickly
replied. "...I also want to save you from him." I wiped away my tears. My feelings were mixed right now, but my
anger was taking over. I didn't understand why he had to be selfish. I shook my head and looked him straight
in the eyes. "No. That's not love." "No. Please don't say that." "You're just afraid of stepping on your ego!" I tried
to calm myself down. "...You're just afraid of being embarrassed again for the same reason." "No. That's not
it." "Okay! If you really love me, why are you still affected by Ella?" I challenged him. He looked away and didn't
answer. I was right! He still had feelings for Ella. Even though I felt sorry for her appearance now, I couldn't
control my anger. She was tying me to something that would last a lifetime. She didn't think about my feelings
anymore. I, the fool, for fear of what might happen if I refused, agreed right away even though there was no
certainty. Pvta! You're so stupid, Jay! I could only shake my head at what I found out. About her and Ella and
that quick wedding. I felt like I was going crazy! I heard people who seemed to be talking. I fell silent and Yuri
and I looked up almost at the same time when we realized they were close. "Someone!" I shouted in
excitement. I quickly ran but immediately turned back when I heard Yuri's loud yelling. I lost track of the fact
that he couldn't walk properly. I supported him and walked slowly. "HELP! THERE'S SOMEONE HERE!" I
shouted so that they could track us down whoever they were. "HELP US!" The people's conversation grew
louder, meaning they were close to us and getting closer. I breathed a sigh of relief at our situation. We could
go back, I wanted to eat and sleep. "Here!" I heard someone shout. I was about to scream too but Yuri
suddenly grabbed my cheek. The incident continued and happened very quickly. He kissed me! I pushed him
slightly but it had no effect. I couldn't push him hard because I was worried about his feet. He also pulled
away on his own accord when he felt me pushing him away. My eyebrows met as I looked at him. I was about
to get angry but I stopped when I noticed the person next to us. My heart stopped beating and I felt like I was
dying without realizing it----I wish I could just kill myself right now. K-keifer. He stared at us with his evil and
angry gaze. His fists were clenched and he almost rushed at us. "K-keifer..." I said and was about to approach
him but he suddenly turned his back on us and ran quickly. Shit! I immediately chased him and only then did I
see that he was with the other Ulopong. I stopped when they came to meet me. "Jay! Finally... We saw you
too." Felix said. My eyes were still on Keifer. I had to chase him. I had to explain to him. "P-go see Yuri! He's
there!" I said while pointing to where we came from. I didn't wait for what they would say. I immediately ran to
chase Keifer. I didn't care about my tiredness and hunger. I wasn't disappointed because I caught up with him
standing under the tree. I slowly approached him. "Keifer..." I called. He suddenly punched the tree's trunk.
With the force of his punch. The tree shook and a few leaves fell. I just swallowed in fear. "I'll pretend I didn't
see anything." He said and walked away. I don't know if what he said was a good thing but my fear and
apprehension prevailed.