Chapter-224

Friends

Jay-jay's
POV

"Where are you?" I asked Yuri urgently. The car we were riding in had been moving for a while but it didn't
seem to be able to find the Japanese Restaurant Yuri was talking about. I guess we got lost. Food turned to
stone! "We're almost there." He answered with a smile. How long has that 'almost' been? That's always his
answer to me. I pouted in annoyance and just looked outside. We were far from the city and where we were
about to enter the Philippines. The houses were gone. All I could see were tall trees. I knew we were on the
highway but I still didn't know the destination of what Yuri and I were riding. Please don't call it Final
Destination! Jusme! I was nervous even though I shouldn't have been. The car gradually slowed down and
turned a corner as if it had been covered in civilization. The trees on the side were taller, the road was still dirt
and unpaved . It was obvious that there were no other vehicles passing by because there were no tire tracks
or any other type of vehicle on the ground. "Is there a Japanese Restaurant here?" I asked innocently even
though it was obvious that there was no restaurant here. What was this traitor planning? I looked at the sky. It
was almost dark and we were still lost. I looked at Yuri and he smiled at me. Son of... Could this be a bad
plan? Maybe he was planning to.... He was planning to.... HOLDAPIN! Where is it.... He is richer than me, what
can he gain from someone like me? I just tried to push the fear out of my mind. I knew that this Cobra would
not waste the chance and trust I had given him. I just looked ahead and my forehead was just furrowed when I
saw a construction site. There was a bulldozer, digger, cement mixer and other equipment that was obviously
or a large-scale project. Maybe the Japanese Restaurant was still under construction. Yuri parked the car
next to another vehicle. He got out and I did the same. I looked around and a large tarpaulin appeared before
me. Opening Soon, (Paradise) Resort. "Paradise." Yuri said while also looking at the tarpaulin. " That means
Paradise Resort." I just nodded without looking at him. The resort seemed to have a Japanese theme. Based
on the drawing, there was a woman in a kimono waiting at the door while slightly bowing. I also read the signs
on the side. Spa, Salon, Bar and restaurant ----it said it was still under construction! My eyelids drooped slightly
and I looked down at the ceiling in annoyance. "Why?" He asked. "Where are we going to eat? The restaurant
you mentioned is still under construction ." He laughed at me. "Surprise." He said the food turned into stone.
He grabbed my hand and suspected me but I immediately pulled it back. "Why are you holding it? What's
that?" I asked and he looked at me in surprise. He scratched his head when he realized what he had done.
"Sorry." I made it difficult for him. "Where are we?" He hesitantly pointed in a direction. I didn't see anything in
what he was pointing so I motioned for him to walk first and I would follow. He did so and went ahead. While
walking, I looked at the sky again. The sky was completely engulfed in darkness. It was also dark where we
were going.
I thought we were going to continue to the building under construction or the house but
Yuri suddenly turned somewhere and stopped in front of a
tunnel full of plants. I winced because it was so dark and I could barely
see anything on the road. I thought the tunnel was just right for his height.
"What? Let's just go here?" I asked irritably.
He smiled at me and with a slight laugh, a small light inside the tunnel turned on
. Different colors clinging to the
flowers.
I stared at them. That light grabbed all
my attention. I finally noticed that Yuri had already put a
flower crown on me.
Where did this come from?! He wasn't holding anything earlier!
I looked at him in surprise but he kept smiling. He gestured with
his arm as if to say that I should anchor. Even though I was full of wonder and
doubt, I still held onto him.
I looked up as I walked. The lights were beautiful. Plus
, there were some vines hanging from the top of the tunnel. When we got out,
a large tree with small lights also wrapped around it greeted us.
There was a signage hanging there with an arrow but a heart at the end
of it, pointing to a small bridge. We went there.
I was nervous because I didn't understand.
When we got to the bridge, there were also lights on the handrail on the side.
I was afraid to hold on and maybe get electrocuted. At the end of the bridge, I
completely stopped.
A familiar song started playing and the pathway
was very bright because of the lights on the side and it was also full of petals. I wanted to ask or complain but
my body
seemed to spontaneously agree with the situation . Oh thinkin' about all our younger years There was only you
and me We were young, wild and free. We started walking and following the pathway full of petals. My hand
was still anchored on his arm. Now nothing can take you away from me We've been down that road before But
that's over now You keep me comin' back for more I looked at him when he started singing and joined in with
what was supposed to be the male vocalist. "And baby you're all that I want, when you're lyin' here in my arms.
I'm findin' it hard to believe. We're in heaven, And love is all that I need and I found it there in your heart and it
isn't too hard to see, Were in heaven" he sang. I couldn't help but smile or join in with him. I knew what he was
doing and I seemed to know where we were going. Gradually the lights on the side of the pathway were
replaced by plants. And when you hit the end, it pointed to a Gazebo surrounded by colorful flowers. Oh once
in your life you find someone Who will turn your world around Bring you up when you're feelin' down But it
didn't seem like our destination was there. Because Yuri just took a bouquet of flowers that were on the table.
He handed it to me and we went back to walking. Now nothin' can change what you mean to me Oh there's
lots that I could take But just hold me now 'Cause our love will light the way We're not following a pathway
anymore. We're just stepping on pure bermuda grass. He sang the song again. " And Baby you're all that I
want, when you're lyin' here in my arms. I'm findin' it hard to believe, We're in heaven.." He smiled at me. "..And
love is all I need, And I found it there in your heart, It isn't too hard to see, We're in heaven. " My palm is
actually itching to hit his back. I want to ask him too. I'm confused by what he's doing but I know all this is for
me. We stopped in front of a picnic set surrounded by small lamps. He slowly made me sit down and he
continued to smile at me. "For the boyish yet so beautiful girl that I love." I bit my lower lip hard. I couldn't help
but thank him even though to be honest, I was so happy for what he did. "Y-yuri..." I almost whispered but he
ignored me. Yuri touched my cheek and caressed it with his thumb. I could see the sincerity in his eyes but
also the sadness. He came closer to me and kissed me.... On the forehead! I was nervous even though he just
kissed me there. My heart had been beating abnormally just now . It felt like it was dribbling inside my chest.
He faced me again. "Give me another chance and I'll prove to you how much 'I love you'. He slowly
approached me again and I knew this time. His lips were his target. I quickly avoided moving away from him
slightly. I could see his disappointment. He chose to bend down to hide those . "Yuri." I called out to him so he
could face me but he chose to stay like that. "...Yuri. Look at me." He sighed and forced himself to look at me
while forcing a smile. "I appreciate what you did but...." It felt like something was weighing on my chest. "...It's
so fast! We were going to start talking again but it felt like---it felt like you were in a hurry." He grabbed my
neck and bowed. It was true, but that wasn't part of our introduction to each other at the Mini Mart. I looked
like a fool introducing myself to him! I want us to start over as friends. Not like this where he's asking for a
chance again and so quickly. "S-sorry. I thought..." I sighed and picked up the bouquet of flowers. I also
removed the flower crown he had placed on my head. "Thank you for this. You did a great job." I said and his
ace quickly lit up. "...but you're still in a hurry!" He laughed and the distance between us both completely
disappeared. "Okay, I won't rush anymore." He said. "...I'll just wait for you to woo me." Whut thu fvck?! One of
my eyebrows rose and I almost had to remove it from my face to slap him. He was still a real viper. "Oh okay.
"You'll die just waiting." I said sarcastically and he laughed again. Somehow I felt lighter. It's something I feel
when I'm with Yuri. No matter how awkward the situation is, it gradually disappears. "Sorry if I was in a hurry...
I forgot what we were talking about." He said while smiling. "...so, it means that as of now we're---." "Friends." I
continued what he was going to say. His smile widened even more. "Is that with benefits?" My hand
spontaneously rose to meet his slap. He blocked it with his arm while continuing to laugh. I repeated it with
one hand. "You idiot! You idiot!" I said annoyed as I continued to slap him. I only stopped when I felt tired and
my palm hurt. I kept hitting his arm. They were really friends. Even kissing! I couldn't say anything... "J-that
was just a joke. I thought you were just going to say 'we're classmates'." There was a strange glint in his eyes
that seemed to be full of hope. "...I'm happy that you accepted me as a friend." I felt light inside and it felt like
there were no problems between us. That's how I feel now. It felt like we were really starting over. "You really
don't want benefits?" He chased after me and I threw the bouquet at him. "Tsk! "You're really going to hit me!"
He laughed again as if he was overjoyed. There were times when he really felt weird. And this was one of
those times. He even lay down on the picnic cloth we were sitting on. "I'm happy to have you again." He said
and turned to me. "...even friendzoned." That's probably how important it was for him to forgive him. I smiled
back at what he said. I hope we stay like this. I hope we stay like this, happy with what's between us. He got
up while not taking his eyes off me. "Let's eat." That's it! That's what I've been waiting for him to say. "Of
course! "Where's the food?" I asked and I looked at the picnic basket he was taking. He opened it and took out
the plate, saucer, glass and cutlery. I waited for him to bring out the food but it was gone. He just rearranged
the items he brought out. I winced. I must be hungry! I've been thinking about sushi for a while now. Yuri is
also having a bad trip. He's having a hard time! "Is that our food? Air?" I asked irritably. He laughed at me
again. I was starting to get irritated by what he was doing. Add to that I was hungry and if I didn't control
myself, he might actually hit me. He took something out of his pocket. It looked like a small cellphone but with
an antenna. He pressed something and it opened and he spoke. "Is the food ready?" He asked. I heard some
kind of signal disruption and only then did I realize that he was holding a radio. "Ready Sir." The person on the
other side replied. "Good. Time to feed the beast." He said before completely hiding the radio in his pocket.
Feed the beast? Is that me?! "Which beast?!" He smiled and looked in the other direction. This is impressive! I
even called him a beast and then he was the beauty? Okay, men! It's nice to slap this Japanese guy back to
back. A little while later, people came up to us. They brought large plates that they set down next to us. The
other one was carrying a bucket full of ice and a bottle of wine. When everything was in order, they bowed
before finally leaving. I thanked them. "Let's.... Eat." He said slowly. I was already eating before he could say
that. It was his fault! He still had a surprise surprise. I hope he filled me up first. "Let's go! "Eat!" I said and got
some more food. He started eating too. We were both angry at first. There was no conversation for now. With
the amount of food he brought us, I felt like I was going to be hanged. But I didn't care, as long as there was
plenty of food! Food is life Baby! There were times when Yuri would ask questions while eating, which led to
conversation. Sometimes about Aries, Mama, and of course Kuya Angelo. "Did Kuya Angelo have a girlfriend
before?" I asked and took a sip from the glass of wine Yuri gave me. "I think so... I'm not sure." I winced. "Why
aren't you sure? I thought you were always after him before?" He shrugged. "But I don't know about his
personal life anymore. "He taught us to be strong." I drank more wine until I finished the contents of the glass.
I put down the glass and took a chocolate from the plate near me. "Are you mad at Kuya?" I asked innocently.
He looked at me in surprise. "Why did you ask that?" I looked away. I slightly raised my knee to hug him. "Y-
because... I used to pay attention to... Keifer, who seemed to be mad at him." He quickly sipped the glass he
was holding. It emptied like water that had been gulped down. "Too much has happened between the five of
us. I can't blame Keifer if he's mad at Angelo. Especially the day Percy disappeared." He sipped the glass he
was holding again. I watched him as he took a deep sip of wine. He was very serious and seemed to be
remembering what had happened to them. "Y-if you can't be mean. What happened?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yuri's POV I looked at Jay-jay when he asked. Honestly,
there's a part of me that is happy. We're starting to get really okay. Even just in the Friendzone! "If you're not
okay to talk about----." I quickly cut him off. "Keifer is so angry." He was stunned. "...Keifer was so angry when
he found out Percy was gone." Flashback... My hand was shaking while drinking water. It was like my body
didn't want to accept the medicine the nurse gave me. But the truth is, my system didn't want to accept
everything that happened. It was so fast. "Yuri." Hahaoya called me. "...Keifer is awake." Even though my legs
and thighs were hurting, I forced myself to walk to the other room where Keifer was confined. We had only
been in the hospital for a day. Even though there were no scratches or fractures on my body, Hahaoya chose
to confine me. That accident is a nightmare. Keifer lost consciousness after being thrown out of the car. He
just woke up and only now would he know the truth. "Remove this thing from me!" Keifer angrily ordered one
of the nurses even though he was still clearly dizzy. He was trying to pull out the needle stuck in the back of
his hand. "Keifer! Please! Stop! You need to rest!" Hahaoya scolded him. He calmed down a little. Each of his
breaths was deep. There were times when he even held his breath because of the pain. I went inside
completely and walked closer to him. "Leave us." I ordered the nurses. I looked at Hahaoya and he got that he
also needed to leave. I knew he should stay outside in case something happened. As the door closed, Keifer's
raised eyebrows greeted me. I know, he's freaki'n confused. "What the hell is going on? Why are we here?" He
asked irritably. I wish I could tell him this calmly. But knowing Keifer, he can't relax when he doesn't
understand a thing. "Keifer----." "Where is Aries and Percy?" I swallowed when I heard Percy's name. I didn't
know where to start. "Keifer... Aries is in the private room on the next floor." I bit my lower lip. "...is...P-
per...Percy." "Yuri." His voice suddenly became serious. I knew he had a clue. It's so hard for me to tell the
news about Percy. "Percy is...." I suddenly feel numb in my throat. "...Percy is..." A tear fell down from my eye.
"...is d-dead." I didn't hear any answer from Keifer. I took a deep breath to hold back my tears. He just looked at
me as if he wasn't processing what I had said to him. "This is a joke, right? Is Percy tripping again? He really
hurt you. He'll hit me later." He said and seemed really annoyed with Percy. "...Can you tell me his Room
number? I'll visit him later and make him pay." I couldn't answer. I didn't know if he understood what I told him
or if he just didn't want to believe it. "K-keifer... I'm not joking. What I said is true." He looks at me with his
death glare. I almost step back but I remain my posture. He needs to understand that what I'm telling him is
true. He held his head tightly. At the same time, he almost screamed because of the pain. I was about to go to
him when he suddenly removed the dextrose. He forced himself to stand even though he couldn't. When I
went to help him, he quickly hugged me. "Damn it Yuri! You know how I hate unfunny jokes." He said annoyed.
I removed his hand from my collar and followed his gaze. "This ain't a joke! Percy is Dead." He held his head
again and sat down on the floor. I was about to call the nurse and doctor but he grabbed the end of my
hospital gown. "W-what happened?" He asked softly. "We'll talk about it later. The doctor needs to see you." I
said but he grabbed my shoulder to help him stand up. "I don't care! I want to know what happened!" He
shouted at me. I could see a mixture of pain and anger in his eyes. I didn't want to talk. He needed to look at
me, the pain he was feeling in his head was not normal. "Yuri!" He shouted while shaking me slightly. "K-
keifer... The car fell..." I swallowed. "...and Percy was with him