chapter 19

Chicken

Jay-jay's POV

"Fried chicken?" I asked.

"Legs!" Yuri answered.

"Same... Do we still need a flavoring mix?"

"Probably... Let's get one too," he said, picking up a packet of chicken mix.

We were currently at the supermarket. We decided to just cook instead.

Too lazy to go out somewhere else. Besides, I'd just end up seeing groups of girls like earlier. Ugh!

We were looking for more things to buy aside from what we'd cook.

"Snacks? Want to grab some?" he asked, pointing to the chips.

"Sure... Sure..."

We walked toward the junk food section and grabbed whatever we could. We looked like a couple with the way we were shopping. This is actually kind of fun.

"This should be enough! Let's go to the cashier!"

Since it was still early, lining up wasn't a problem. Hardly anyone was there.

It even looked like we were the first ones.

While waiting for the cashier to finish scanning the items of the woman ahead of us,

I looked at the 3kg chicken legs we bought.

Wait—where are we supposed to cook this?

I nudged Yuri, who was watching the cashier.

"Where are we cooking this?" I asked him.

"At my place... We can't cook at yours. I'll just end up fighting with Aries."

He had a point. Those two always heat up around each other.

Better not waste what we bought.

The woman was done, and Yuri paid. I didn't contribute anything except pointing at what to buy.

We headed straight to his car in the parking lot. He placed the groceries in the back seat.

"Let's go... Let's cook our lunch," he said and started the engine.

It was quiet during the ride, but I could see him smiling for no reason.

Creepy!

"Hey! What's with you?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"You're smiling by yourself."

"Oh... Sorry. I'm just excited."

I cringed a little. This Yuri's lost it! Probably got a screw loose and I didn't even know. I don't want to end up marrying a psycho.

We arrived at his high-rise building. He parked in the basement again.

As we stopped, I glanced at the fancy parked cars. I suddenly remembered the king's cars.

I wonder what he is doing now?

STOP! Don't think about him, Jay! You're with Yuri now. Your focus should be on him. Very wrong!

I immediately got out and tried to grab the groceries, but Yuri snatched them away.

"I got it..."

"Let's just split it," I said, trying to take one big bag.

"I said I got it," he insisted. I let him have his way—he's really hard to argue with. He's exactly like his friends.

We walked toward the elevator. As the door closed, something hit me.

My hand instinctively flew up and gave Yuri a hard smack on the back of his head.

"Ow! What the hell?!" he said in shock.

"You bastard! I finally understand what you meant by 'baka'!" I yelled, annoyed.

I had overheard Calix once using that word on Felix. I suddenly remembered Yuri said the same thing to me before—

when I accidentally hit his thing—and also when he brought me to his place.

I asked Calix and he explained what it meant.

"W-what?! What 'baka'?"

"You said it to me before! When we slipped in the mud during the rain and I hit your... your... your thing!" I explained.

He paused and thought. Looked like he remembered.

He scratched the back of his neck and lowered his head.

"B-because... I was just in a bad mood that time. Sorry," he said with a sheepish smile.

This guy!

At least now I know. If he ever says it again, he's dead.

"Baka! Baka! Baka!" I shouted at him.

Suddenly, his face turned serious. He looked pissed.

"Jay-jay..." he began. "Aishiteru."

Huh? What the heck did he just say?!

I raised my fist. "Are you insulting me?!"

He burst into laughter. Yep. He's completely gone nuts.

I ask a serious question and he just laughs. Maybe there's really something wrong with him.

"I'll teach you a few Japanese words," he said.

"Why?"

"In case I bring you to Japan, you might start fights with people for no reason," he explained.

Fair point. What if someone offers me food and I pick a fight?

"Alright... fine."

"Let's start with greetings," he said, turning to me. "Konnichiwa means good day."

Aaahhh... Konnichiwa.

"Konnichiwa..." I said.

"Konbanwa means good evening."

This is easy. I thought it would be hard, especially since Yuri speaks so fast when talking in that alien-sounding language.

"How do you say 'thank you'?" I asked.

"Arigatou Gozaimasu..."

The elevator suddenly opened. I didn't even realize it because I was too busy copying him—though I didn't understand a word.

"What? Aribato nilamas?!" I said loudly.

He suddenly stopped and looked at me. And just in time, I saw that the maids were right there waiting outside the elevator.

Oh no!

I said it really loud. Now they were all staring at me like they were trying to decode what I said.

I bit my lip and quickly hid behind Yuri.

So embarrassing!

He cleared his throat to get their attention. They immediately greeted him.

"Remove your shoes... Let's go to the kitchen," he told me.

I did as he said, walking with my head down. I was still so embarrassed!

I didn't even realize where we were going until we got to the kitchen.

Their kitchen was modern-looking. But the wooden floors and Japanese-style kitchenware remained.

"You handle the chicken. I'll take care of the pasta," he said, placing down the groceries.

He said he was cooking spaghetti. No one's birthday, he just felt like it.

He took something from a drawer nearby. Then, to my surprise, he came over and put an apron on me.

"So you won't get dirty," he said.

I just nodded awkwardly. Wow, they do that here? Back home I just wear a tank top when cooking. Sometimes I even look like a mop.

While preparing, I kept repeating the Japanese phrase for "thank you." I didn't want to mess it up again in case someone heard me.

"Ariga-to... Go-go-go..." I whispered.

"Arigatou Gozaimasu," Yuri corrected me.

"Arigato Golaymas," I said, and he immediately burst into laughter.

Ugh! Annoying!

I thought this was easy, but it's actually hard. So frustrating! I give up. He's just making fun of me.

"I give up... You're just laughing at me," I pouted.

"It's like this..." he said and suddenly held my chin, turning my face to his. "Follow my lips."

Even though I was confused, I did as told.

"A-ri-ga-tou," he said, and I repeated it.

"A-ri-ga-tou."

"Go-zai-masu."

"Go-zai—" I didn't even finish.

Oh no!

His lips were already on mine. This jerk took advantage of the moment!

And me? I didn't even stop him. I froze. Nice one!

This guy really has guts. He kissed me in the middle of a Japanese lesson! Seriously!

He slightly pulled back, looked at me, then wiped my lips with his thumb.

"I'll teach you again next time. But for now, let's finish cooking," he said and returned to his pan.

And here I was, standing like a fool. My mind was totally blank.

I think I was still shocked by what he did.

My heartbeat wasn't normal either. Damn it! What is this? Why am I acting like this again? I don't know how long I stood there like that.

I finished cooking, but Yuri wasn't done yet. I was starting to get bored.

"How much longer?" I asked.

"Just a bit more," he replied.

While waiting for the spaghetti sauce to finish, Yuri began cleaning up the mess.

I got embarrassed, so I helped too. I threw away the trash and cleared the table.

While cleaning, I didn't notice something sharp on the counter. I suddenly cut the side of my palm.

"Ow!" I yelled, holding my hand quickly.

I looked at what I touched. Damn it! There was a knife on the side.

Yuri rushed over to help me.

"Blood... Tsk," he said.

My body started trembling. It was like cold water was poured all over me.

I could feel the blood dripping down my other hand.

Damn it! Not now.

"Hold still... I'll just grab—"

"DON'T!" I shouted, stopping him. "Don't! D-don't leave me!"

I clutched my wound tightly. I couldn't look at it—I was too scared.

I just closed my eyes.

"I-I just need to get something..."

"Please... Y-Yuri. Don't leave," I pleaded.

I heard him tearing some paper towel. He gently pressed it against my hand.

Even though my eyes were shut, I felt the tears fall.

"Ssshhh... It's okay. Don't cry," Yuri whispered as he wiped my tears.

"It's just a small wound. Far from the vital organs."

It's true. It was a small cut. But I couldn't stop the fear.

What if it happens again? What if I lose control and hurt someone?

He's the only one with me now. I don't want to hurt him.

Please... Don't let that happen.

"I-I'm scared... I don't want to hurt you," I whispered.

I knew Yuri was confused because he didn't say anything.

"O-okay... But why would you hurt me? You're the one who got hurt."

"Please... Y-Yuri. Call Keifer," I pleaded.

I know it's wrong. So wrong—because Yuri is the one here.

But Keifer knows my condition.

He didn't move.

"I'm here, Jay... W-why do I need to call Keifer?"