Chapter-354

To be or not to be

Jay-jay's POV

"Jay..." Kuya called slowly with a threatening tone. I ignored him and continued staring at the red-
haired woman. She looked like she was busy taking care of Yuri, while the other one was surprised by her. "I'll
get your food." Kuya threatened so I quickly faced her. "Stop staring at them." "Do you know that woman?" I
asked almost in a whisper. She shook her head. "Never seen her before." I was starting to be intrigued by her
actions. Add to that we had only just met her officially. The only thing I don't understand is why he was at
Yuri's house earlier and was teasing me. I thought he was really an enemy but now he's so attentive to the red-
haired fellow. I'm starting to miss him. I continued eating even though he couldn't get out of my mind. While
they were busy eating and talking, Keifer kept putting food on my plate. "Hey! I can't finish that!" I said
annoyed. "You just thought so." He said and I added more rice. He smiled at me before turning his attention to
what was on his plate. I looked at the red-haired woman for a moment when I noticed her staring at me and
Keifer. She turned to Yuri and said something in Japanese. It was as if she was asking something. Yuri looked
at us awkwardly before answering the person in front of her. "You can ask them." He looked at both of us and
the King. His expression was full of curiosity. I couldn't help but feel nervous. What he was thinking about us
had the power to intrigue us. "Are you two dating?" Whut? I immediately answered because I already
suspected what Hari would answer. "No." "Yes." We both left together and I wasn't wrong. I heard Kuya
Angelo's crisp, cheap voice next to me. Sir and Ma'am laughed a little. "Jay!" Kuya called to me and I
immediately shook my head at him. "No, ah! Keifer is just tripping us!" Kuya looked at Keifer. "What the hell are
you thinking?" "That's where we're going." Hari answered and my neck almost broke looking at him. I glared at
him. I got a look, shut up! "It's okay... I know you're not ready to be officially with me. But I know deep inside
you, you love me too." He said and smiled innocently. "Are you okay?" I almost cried when I asked. He said that
as if Kuya Angelo wasn't by our side. He said that as if I wouldn't be harmed by Kuya. She said that as if
everything would be fine but I wouldn't be fine in Kuya's hands. "You're a jerk." I whispered after her. I heard
Kuya sigh as if he was holding back his anger. Just hold it in, Kuya. "I'll pretend that I didn't hear that." She said
and went back to eating. Me too. I'll pretend not to be bothered by her. I'll pretend I'm fine even though I'm
already looking forward to her sermon. Let's pretend. I went back to eating and I immediately noticed the way
the red hair girl was looking at me. It was as if she was examining my insides and soul. I narrowed my eyes at
her. You've been here for a while. She faced Yuri and said something in Japanese. Suddenly Yuri choked and
her throat and lungs were about to burst from coughing. I felt like she had said something about me because
of the way Yuri was looking at her. She seemed to be embarrassed. I just continued eating. I'll get scolded if I
continue observing them. Hari won't finish putting food on my plate if I take my attention off what I'm eating.
We almost finished eating one after the other. The red-haired girl offered to clean up. I smiled because I didn't
have to move anymore but Sir Alvin and Ma'am Cindy still helped her. "That's just a foodie but doesn't know
how to clean up." Kuya whispered to me. "What a shame you'll be a wife. You're lazy to take care of things."
"Eh? What does my not cleaning up have to do with marriage?" "It's okay, we have lots of maids. Jay doesn't
need to move at all to do house chores." Hari interjected into Kuya and I's conversation. We stared at him
while blinking. What was he saying? I was already nervous about his condition. And why were we talking
about marriage? Kuya, after all, was saying something that wasn't right. "What makes you think that you two
will end up as husband and wife?" Kuya Angelo asked with a threatening question. "I just know." he replied and
smiled. He just didn't want to be surrounded by flowers and butterflies. He was so confident that we were
really going to be together. Strong in faith. Where did he get the confidence in his thoughts? Maybe I could get
it too. Kuya faced me as if he was examining what was on my mind and whatever secret I was hiding deep
inside me. I guess he thought that I was already in a relationship with the King of Snakes. Well, we don't have
a proper label. The only secrets I have in my body are hidden foods. Food that I took from the kitchen of the
house while they were sleeping. Then I would hide them in the bedroom. They were safe with me. I looked at
Yuri who was just smiling at our conversation. It was obvious that he wasn't listening and had something else
in mind. I was about to approach him but Ma'am Cindy went first and signaled him. They looked like they were
about to leave to get Yuri's remaining belongings that weren't caught in the fire. She briefly said goodbye to us
before turning around and leaving. Following them was a red haired girl who looked at me as if she was
teasing me. I pouted before blushing. This girl also had a different problem with me. She must be beautiful to
me. After they left, Kuya went to Sir Alvin. The King of the Snakes left us behind. I immediately felt his simple
approach to me and I quickly walked away. "Get ready, Kuya is right there." I said to him. He just smirked. "Like
I'm scared." He replied arrogantly. "We're going to fight here." "Really?" I asked sarcastically. "Do you want me
to call him now?" I challenged. "Don't. He's busy talking to Sir Alvin." he quickly replied. Did I think he was
brave? "You're being brave, aren't you?" I teased and he seemed annoyed. "You want me to go out and be brave
now?" he asked and I nodded sparingly in response. I had a strong feeling that he was going to do something
stupid again. I wasn't worried because Kuya was right there and I knew he was here with just one shout.
"Come on..." He motioned for me but I didn't follow. "Come on... Let's just go a little further." Why do we have to
go? "It's easy." He hurried me. "Why? Can we go here?" He shook his head. "We need to go there." I glared at
him. "Just try to do a miracle. Kuya Angelo is right there." He laughed lightly. "What miracle?" He grabbed my
hand and pulled me. "You're still so innocent. Are you innocent?" I let him pull me back to the living room.
When we got there, he just looked around for a moment before wrapping his arm around my waist. I almost
screamed but he immediately covered my mouth. He just took it away, making sure I wouldn't scream. I
immediately hit his chest. "Isn't this a miracle of yours? Let me go." I tried to push him away but he already had
two arms around my waist. If Kuya and I caught up like this, not only Keifer would be shocked, but me too. He
wasn't even finished lecturing me, he looked like he was going to get even more. I needed to be nicer now.
Maybe Kuya would get fed up with me and use his sideline for me. When Papa and I were about to meet.
Maybe I'd see the angels in heaven first. "Just a hug. I just wanted to hug you." he pleaded. "If Kuya catches
us, your arms will be cut off." I threatened but he just laughed at me. He leaned his head on my shoulder and I
elt his deep breathing. Gradually, the reason why he was doing this became clear to me. I could feel his
tiredness and it seemed like he was also having problems. I must have been wrong to worry him earlier when I
told him I had been spying on the shooter. I had only added to his stress. "I feel useless." He whispered. I didn't
realize that my arms were already wrapped around him. I only noticed when he spontaneously tightened his
embrace on me. "How useless?" I asked. "I'm not there to help Yuri. Yes, we are rivals with other things but
he's still my bestfriend. My care for my friends are equal but when it comes to Yuri it hits differently." he said
and I knew it was true. From then until now even when they are enemies sometimes he never fails to show his
appreciation for Yuri. Even though I almost broke them up, he was still ready to accept his best friend. I know
why. He doesn't want another Percy in his life. He doesn't want another friend to disappear from his life. That's
why no matter how many times they fight, he will still accept Yuri. It's amazing that there is someone like him.
Even if they have different views and want to do or believe, he still accepts his friend. After all, that's how
riendship should be. No matter what your differences are, as long as you accept each other and have respect,
there will be no problem. It's just more fun if there's some silliness involved. "You didn't mean for that. He
dialed the wrong number." I patted his shoulder. "Our names are next to each other. J and K." "He should've
double checked it before calling. You're in danger too." "But I'm okay, right? Whole, nothing more, nothing less.
Don't think about that, we need to focus on what we can handle right now like Ma'am Cindy said." He sighed
before nodding. "But I hope you keep yourself out of harm's way." His hug tightened again. "I can't handle it if
something happens to you." I thought about his last words for a moment. Keifer was making my heart skip a
beat . It wasn't funny anymore - just a little. My level of vulnerability was rising. I also hugged him willingly.
"You keep saying it. I'll be careful, right?" I whispered to him. "You're so stubborn." he said and I laughed a little.
I thought for a moment. What am I doing? I'm already pampering him too much even though we haven't had a
serious relationship yet. It's embarrassing to admit but I also like the attention he gives. I also like it when he
pampers me like this. But we can't just be like this. Maybe I was right in what I thought, maybe it's time. Maybe
it's okay. I still have fears and doubts in my mind but I won't know if I've completely forgiven him if I don't try. In
the short time since he came back, a lot has happened. Maybe we can be together. "Keifer..." I called him. "Are
you okay with us just like this and without a label?" He laughed a little. "At first, yes. But I later then realize that
it's better if we have proper relationship status. I want to legally call you mine and you do the same to me."
"You still know something legally about that." He pulled away from me and held one of my hands. "Felix told
me the consequences of not having a relationship label. He also told me that others might think of me as a
side chick, which I don't want to. That's why I thought it would be better if we had a label." He frowned for a
moment and stared at me. "Why are you asking me that?" "What... because... I just suddenly remembered
because it seems like you change your mind so quickly." I answered with my head in my hands. "As long as it's
or your own good, I will quickly change my mind." Arrogant. It's really for my own good. "Well, it's you..." I
whispered and folded our hands. He stared at me and so did I. I briefly felt his warm palm on mine. Keifer and
I were almost the same age but his hand was so big compared to mine that it looked like a child's hand. It
looked like a duck's hand and the nails were still stubby. It's better to be clean now. "Is there something
bothering you?" he asked. I shook my head and forced a smile. I stared at his face. I always change when I
see his face. Maybe because I always avoid looking at him to avoid my vulnerability. So when I have a chance
to look at him, I feel lonely. He simply smiles at me before tucking my hair back behind my ear. He takes care
of me in a strange way. I suddenly miss the times when we fought. Even the silly things I did to him that he
didn't know about and I wouldn't tell him. I'll take care of that. Is it too fast if we become friends right away?
When did it all happen? When did he come back and explain? When did I notice the change in him? And when
did I notice that he seems to be developing himself. But all that was just a few months while we've been
flirting for a long time. Yes, I also admit to myself that we're flirting. There's nothing wrong with us becoming
riends despite that short time? Above all, only we know what we've been through and when the right time is
or us. "Jay?" he called without hearing my answer. "Keifer..." I started. "I-I think..." he waited for me to say. My
hand tightened involuntarily from holding his hand. I was getting nervous and I was also starting to sweat
even though the temperature in Sir Alvin's house was comfortable. "What do you see?" He asked impatiently. "I
think... I-I can... let's... let's." I stuttered because of the nervousness. Breathe! Breathe! There was no reason
or me to be nervous but I couldn't help it. It was like I was about to give out a secret code that if he didn't get
it, it would be the end of our lives. I was also a little embarrassed. I didn't look like I was going to be in a
relationship. I was just a 'yes' or 'no' or 'okay' type of person. Could I be the girl. "W-Let's..." "Let's?" I hesitated.
Why did I feel so fast? So fast. Faster than the speed of lights. Faster than Lightning McQueen. Faster than
Flash. It shouldn't be this fast, it should be a little slower.I stared at his face, clearly waiting for what I was
going to say. I felt bad if I didn't continue what I was going to say. This was also a good opportunity because it
was just the two of us. Besides, I was also very strong right now. I was so strong even though Kuya Angelo
was around, I was still holding hands with Keifer. Maybe next time I wouldn't have my hands. "Is everything
alright?" He asked impatiently. "It's okay... I just wanted to s-say it." I couldn't finish what I was going to say. My
tongue was automatically retracting from nervousness. I was annoyed, it felt like I was the one flirting with the
two of us. Flirting? I don't remember this man doing anything to me properly. I winced after our eyebrows met.
"Have you flirted with me yet?" I asked irritated. He blinked at my question as if he was saying 'You 're gonna
be kidding me.' in his mind. "Weren't the things I did for you already flirting?" I covered my mouth with one
hand because of what he said. He was right, with the amount of things he did and gave.
Courtship can also be considered courting. Because I have a different kind of courtship in mind, the
old-fashioned kind.
"Courting. I think so." I answered but he and
I didn't seem convinced.
"Do you want me to court you traditionally?"
I shook my head quickly. "H-No. What you've done is okay. At
least it's unique and there's nothing to copy."
"You sound sarcastic."
I blinked. "No â€" ."
"No problem with me, I will serenade you in front of yo
ur
house."
I didn't know whether to laugh or grimace at what he was saying.
He could serenade you if that's what he wanted but he should prepare
himself for Kuya and our neighbors. I know
there's often chaos at home so I wouldn't be surprised if they were upset.
They'd move house if they didn't want us.
"What are you going to sing?"
"I'll compose my own song. Blaster can help me."
I smiled. It was an effort to plan to serenade him. I'd sing
him an Eminem song.
"No." I quickly said.
"Why not?"
"It's okay, right? You've done a lot for me. I think
that's enough." I said softly and stared at him.
I also stared at his eyes. I noticed that he was obviously
waiting for me to say something next. It was as if he was waiting for something to
say. But like before, my tongue was back again.
Magic word?
"W-let's..."
I felt his grip tighten.
"Let's... let's â€"."
"PLEASE!" a loud shout from outside the house also interrupted what
I was about to say.
Oh shut up!
"PLEASE!" he shouted again.
Keifer and I let go of each other when Kuya Angelo appeared with
Sir Alvin. They immediately went to the door to peek in to see who it was.
"Does Sir really live here? Maybe we're getting lost?" I heard
someone say and it felt like I heard their voice.
I immediately followed Kuya as they came out. I wasn't
wrong because the Ulopongs were standing outside and waiting for
someone to confront them.
Good timing.
"Here's Sir â€" oh Jay-Jay!" Eren said while pointing at me.
"Jay-Jay!" Ci called to me and hugged me.
I hugged him back. It was like we hadn't
seen each other for 10 years. We walked around for a while before letting go.
"How did you find my house?" Sir asked in surprise.
I was a little surprised by his actions. He went back to Sir Alvin who
I see at school, unlike earlier when I mistook him
or his own twin.
Hehe. double hanger.
"Keifer, sir." Felix replied. "You gave us the address so
we could follow him here."
"I said after class." said the King who was already next to me. He looked
at his watch. "The lunch break is almost over."
The rest of them laughed softly and put their hands on their heads.
The idiots looked like they were cutting.
Great.
Sir Alvin sighed. "I need to call your next subject
teacher."
He turned away from us and went inside the house. I looked at
Kuya when he shook his head at us. The Ulopongs fell silent as
they looked at him. The others actually looked away,
probably because they were bored.
"I don't see the purpose of you guys being here." Kuya said and
olded his arms.
I wanted to yell at Kuya for what he said. I could feel
our friends' embarrassment. He didn't even ask the real
reason for their coming, he just said that.
Seriously, couldn't they just be worried too?
"We're just too lazy to go in." Ci-N replied and smiled at
her.
"That's gibberish!" Mayo said to Ci, annoyed.
I winced. I thought it was because they wanted to know what
happened and were also worried. It turned out that those who were too lazy to go in
came here. That
's okay too.
Kuya shook his head again and his disappointment was evident.
"We're here because we cared for our friends." David replied and
looked at him straight in the eye.
"Yeah right." Kuya's sarcastic answer before turning away from us and following
Sir Alvin.
When he disappeared from our sight, the Ulopongs approached.
They each had their own reactions to Kuya's actions but
their questions dominated.
Where is Yuri and what happened?