Jay-jay's POV
"Sorry… I shouldn't have called you and dragged you into this," Drew said to me.
I wanted to lecture him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. We're already here—what's the point of a sermon now? We just kept walking, following Yuri.
I wasn't sure where this hallway was leading.
"Drew… Can you tell me why Yuri used to hang out here?" I whispered to him.
Drew shook his head. "You should talk to him about that."
I couldn't stop thinking about it. What did he mean that Ella was the reason?
Honestly, I hate this place. It feels like it's full of illegal businesses. Drew finally admitted to us—he was gambling.
The money he borrowed from me? He lost it all. I could only tug at my hair in frustration. I'm completely broke (ados gone), I set aside that money for him, and now he pulls a disappearing act.
Damn it.
He promised to pay me back, but of course—when?
"Yuri…" I called out. "…Where are we going?"
Yuri kept walking. "To pay…" he answered boredly.
This is so frustrating. Not knowing where you're headed and your companions refusing to tell you anything.
So annoying!
A few more turns to the right, and I started hearing loud shouting. It sounded like people watching a Pacquiao fight. A bit more walking, and the shouting grew even louder.
When we exited the hallway, there were so many people. A huge crowd, practically screaming their throats out.
In the center was a large cage. Two guys were fighting inside.
"W-what is this place?" I asked.
"Underground fight," Drew answered.
We heard a loud whistle. Not far from the ring, we saw Tiger. He was positioned on what looked like a balcony, with a small table and a sofa. He was the only one there.
We approached, and from our spot, we had a clear view of the fight in the center.
"I'm pissed at this fight! They're all worthless!" Tiger shouted, pouring liquor into a glass. "…I was gonna put that kid in there, but good thing you guys showed up!" he said, pointing at Drew.
Drew looked shocked by what Tiger said. Judging by his expression and the vibe of this place, it was clear he wouldn't last.
A man approached Tiger and handed him something wrapped in cloth. Tiger placed it on the table and set down the glass he was holding.
"You know what to do, Yuri. Same old routine…" he said boredly before unwrapping the cloth.
An army knife was revealed. I looked at Yuri, who showed no expression.
What's the army knife for?
"You're up next, after that fight," Tiger added.
Yuri stood up and immediately took off his polo and undershirt, as well as his shoes. I saw the scars on his body again.
He grabbed the knife and swung it in his hand, like he knew exactly how to use it.
Drew and I stepped back. It was as if he became a different person the moment he held the blade. I was so confused by what was happening.
He glanced briefly at the ongoing fight before turning to us. His eyes were clearly pleading.
"I will explain everything… But please don't judge me," Yuri said, looking at Drew. "…Keep her safe."
He walked away from us and headed toward the large cage. I lost sight of him because of the crowd.
"Jay-jay…" Tiger called out to me, gesturing for me to sit on the sofa next to him. "…Let's chat for a bit before Yuri's fight starts."
I didn't want to. I wasn't comfortable around him. Just his appearance alone made him seem untrustworthy.
Sing PPAP first!
But I was forced to sit on the sofa he pointed to. I was in someone else's territory, and I didn't want to make a scene and risk us getting mobbed.
"Where'd you meet Yuri?" he asked.
"They're my classmates… I'm in Section E too."
He chuckled slightly. "What a coincidence! I was in Section E at that school too. I was classmates with Michael Angelo Fernandez… That's how I met Yuri and the others."
He was Kuya's classmate? But their age gap seems so wide.
"How'd you meet?"
"Hm?… They were always trailing after Angelo. There were four of them, though I forgot their names. Then when that jerk graduated college, he just left his little followers behind," he answered quickly.
I couldn't tell if he was mad at Kuya. I hesitated to ask more, worried he'd notice I was too interested in Kuya's story.
"W-was that why Yuri started hanging out here?" I asked hesitantly.
Tiger shook his head. "Yuri was already hanging out here with Keifer. The kind of hanging out I'm talking about is right here!" he said, pointing to where we were.
Did he mean Yuri joined the underground fights? —shit! Is that why he knows how to handle a knife? And those scars of his…
"I-I'm confused."
He took a swig of his drink. "That disco upstairs? That was their favorite hangout spot. Especially Keifer—man! That guy was a magnet for trouble. He'd pick a fight with anyone!"
You're not alone. I get you!
"…From what I know, he got a girlfriend. Then he stopped coming here," he added.
It must've been the time when he was with Ella. So he can act like a good boy after all.
"…Then Yuri, he just lost it. I saw him picking fights outside. When we asked him what was wrong, he wouldn't answer. Until he said he was going to join KingsGround…" He took a swig of his liquor. "…I didn't allow it. He was too young—he might end up like me if he went down that path. But he wouldn't listen, and that's that. I found him inside the cage, fighting one of my underdogs."
If Keifer stopped coming here when he got together with Ella, Yuri was the one left behind because—shit!
I think I'm starting to get it. That was the time Yuri was heartbroken over Ella. He started hanging out here because of Ella!
The shouting suddenly grew louder, making us turn toward the large cage. The fight was over—Yuri was next.
I couldn't help but worry. Even though Yuri knows how to fight, you can never be sure.
Yuri entered the cage, holding the knife Tiger gave him. His opponent came in too, and I'll admit, there was a huge difference between them. Yuri's opponent was way bigger than him.
Oh my gosh!
The bell rang, and Yuri and his opponent immediately got into position. They circled each other, sizing each other up, waiting to see who'd make the first move.
Yuri's POV
The last time I was here, I faced the last person I ever expected.
Keifer.
I don't know what I was doing back then. I wasn't myself. When Ella chose Keifer, it felt like my world came crashing down.
All I knew during that time was that they shouldn't see me. I loved Ella, I wanted her to be happy, and I didn't want her to think about me anymore.
It really fucking hurt! The pain was so intense I just wanted to die. But I'm not that weak. I'd never let the pain decide for me.
I wanted to get rid of the pain I was feeling. Move on? I didn't think so. But the fastest way for me was to feel another kind of pain.
Pain vs. pain.
That's what I thought was right. That's what I thought was the quickest way. That's what I thought would end my feelings for her.
But I was wrong…
It only took one girl to end my feelings for Ella. And that girl is looking at me right now, her eyes full of concern.
Jay-jay.
If before I fought here to feel pain, to unleash all my hurt and anger, to throw myself away...
Now, I'm fighting for her. I'm fighting to protect her, to make sure she's safe, and for what I feel for her.
And I absolutely won't lose!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jay-jay's POV
I'm going insane!
Every swing of the knife from Yuri and his opponent makes my heart drop. This is way too intense.
"Yuri's got this!" Drew said beside me.
I know he's just trying to ease my worry, but how's that supposed to work when even he's shaking with nerves?
"Let him be! Yuri's smart! He knows what he's doing!" Tiger said.
Even so! Damn it!
They're fighting with knives, for crying out loud. Even a fistfight is scary enough, let alone this.
"Aaahhh!!!!" I screamed when Yuri got hit by a knife across his chest.
It seemed like just a graze since he didn't flinch much, but there was still blood.
"Damn it! I can't watch this anymore!" I said, covering my eyes.
But I couldn't resist peeking, especially when the crowd's shouting got louder.
They kept swinging their knives for a bit longer, and Yuri managed to land a hit on his opponent. There was a lot of blood, and the other guy clearly got pissed.
Suddenly, Yuri's opponent threw his knife at him. Yuri dodged, but a punch followed right after.
"Yuri!" we shouted.
He got back up quickly, but he was no longer holding his knife. The fight turned into a brawl. Given the size of his opponent, Yuri was struggling to fight back.
Yuri went down and seemed to have trouble getting up. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran toward them. I knew I couldn't get inside the cage, so I stood as close as I could to where he was.
With Yuri down, his opponent started kicking him repeatedly.
"Yuri! Get up! Please!" I screamed.
I didn't know if he could hear me, but I didn't stop shouting.
"YURI! Please!"
I kept calling out to him. For some reason I couldn't understand, tears started streaming down my face with every shout.
This can't happen! It can't!
"Please! Get up already!"