Jay-jay's POV
"Here's the first aid kit." Eman said as he handed a red pouch to Ella.
"T-thank you." Ella said as she accepted the pouch.
She opened it and took out some cotton and alcohol. She began dabbing Aries' face gently.
I looked like a fool just watching them. I wanted to call Auntie or Kuya, but I was scared of what they'd say. I knew this was all my fault.
"Jay..." C-in called me as he sat beside me. "...why are they here?"
I looked at him. "They said the clinic wouldn't accept them, so I brought them here instead."
"Keifer might get mad." He whispered to me.
"That jerk isn't here anyway."
I hugged my knees and buried my face in them. I didn't know what to do. I felt ashamed in front of Kuya because of what happened. One by one, I'm losing all of them—because of me.
"Jay-jay..." Mica called, so I looked at her.
She sat beside me and offered me the bottled water in her hand. I shook my head and buried my face in my knees again. Aries still hadn't regained consciousness.
No Horoscope for today!
"I think we need to bring him to the hospital now." Kit said, looking at Aries and Ella.
I looked at Ella, who was apparently looking at me too. It was as if she was waiting for my approval. I wanted to say yes—because Aries needed it—but part of me was afraid. Kuya would get mad at me.
"U-uhm... I-I think—" I didn't get to finish what I was saying because Aries slowly raised his hand.
I crawled toward him. He was whispering something we couldn't understand. Ella held his hand, and we both leaned closer at the same time to hear him clearly.
"J-Jay-jay... D-don't..." he said and took a deep breath. "...let... M-m-mykel... near you."
Ella and I looked at each other. He didn't want me to let Mykel near me. I didn't know the reason, but I had no intention of listening to him. What C-in did to him earlier wasn't enough. I still needed to get back at him.
Suddenly, his breathing deepened. Ella panicked and didn't know what to do. Even I started to feel nervous from the way his chest rose and fell.
Shit! Aries really is sick... in the brain—no, in the lungs!
"We need to bring him to the hospital!" Ella said through tears.
"In my car! Now!" Yuri shouted, and Felix and Eren immediately carried Aries.
We all followed them at once. Good thing classes were already done, so there weren't too many students around. When we reached the parking lot, they immediately laid Aries in the backseat of the car, with Ella beside him.
I took the passenger seat beside Yuri, who was the one driving. He immediately started the engine. Ella kept crying as she tried to talk to Aries.
Even I felt like crying from how my brother looked. Every breath was heavy, there was blood, bruises, and wounds. Yes, we were mad at each other, but I can't deny that I'm still worried.
"Aries! We're almost at the hospital!" Ella cried.
"Hold on, Dude! We're almost there!" Yuri said, and I looked at him.
That's when I noticed—he actually seemed worried too. This was the first time I'd seen him genuinely concerned about Aries.
We arrived at the hospital. Yuri carried Aries into the emergency room. Doctors and nurses rushed in to attend to him.
"Please wait over there... We'll take care of the patient." one of the nurses said and closed the curtain in front of us.
We were forced to move aside and wait in their designated area. Yuri left for a while to move the car to the hospital parking lot.
While we waited, I glanced at the entrance—and there I saw Percy.
I stood up and slightly raised my hand so he could see me. I wasn't disappointed—he immediately walked toward us, full of worry.
"How's Aries?" he asked right away.
"He's inside, they're taking care of him." I said in almost a whisper.
He looked briefly at Ella before facing me again.
"Did you call Angelo already?"
I quickly shook my head. I was scared of what he might say. He might blame me for what happened. I wasn't ready to see him angry.
"...what's wrong with you? Your family needs to know about this." Percy said, clearly concerned.
"I-I'm scared to f-face them." I whispered to him.
I didn't want Ella to hear. I knew she knew what happened with my engagement to Yuri.
She might blame me too, and I didn't want to start any drama here in the hospital.
He sighed several times and rubbed his temple. My eyes landed on his neck—there were scratches and marks there too, probably from the fight earlier.
"Go back to your school. I'll be the one to call Angelo." he said as he pulled out his phone from his pocket.
"W-wait... I-I want to know how Aries is doing." My voice was trembling, and I felt like I was about to cry.
"I'll just call you. Go back to school."
I bit my lower lip. I wanted to stay here. I wanted to make sure Aries would be okay.
Percy began dialing a number on his phone. I instinctively stepped back. I didn't want to face Kuya. I was scared.
He would turn into Hulk.
I looked at Ella, who was bowing her head, still crying. My vision started to blur and my breathing grew heavy.
I turned my back on them without saying goodbye. My strides were long—I just wanted to get away from them. I couldn't even apologize to the people I bumped into. I couldn't even look up to see who I was passing by.
Until I ran into someone. Instead of backing away or getting mad, his arms suddenly wrapped around me. I looked up in surprise.
It was Yuri...
"What happened? Why are you crying?" he asked, worried.
Instead of answering, I just sobbed. My arms instinctively wrapped around him too.
"I-it's all m-my fault," I said between sobs.
I didn't care that we were still in the hospital. I didn't care if people stared at us. They're the weird ones if they think we're acting out a soap opera.
Is it a crime to cry in public?!
"Sshhh… Don't think like that," he said, letting me bury myself into his neck.
I closed my eyes. Why is this person so KIND to me?! He probably wants to become a saint, acting all martyr-like. Of all people who I hurt, he's the one who's literally okay with it.
Damn this kindness! Share it with others, will you?!
Slowly, I stopped crying. I didn't say anything else until he invited me to step out for a bit. He was planning to invite me to eat, but I quickly made it clear we had to go back to school.
He agreed and started the car, heading back to campus. There was still chaos among the students even though the earlier scene was over. Everyone was gossiping when we arrived.
"Poor Aries, huh?"
"He was arrogant anyway! He got what he deserved!"
"Thought he was tough—turns out he's weak."
My fists clenched and I glared at them. When they noticed I was staring, they shot me sharp looks in return.
I felt Yuri's hand rest on my shoulder. I looked at him.
"Ignore them," he said.
I nodded and walked toward our building. We were getting close to our classroom when I noticed the Ulupong group and other students gathering like there was trouble.
This day really must be cursed!
Yuri broke into a run, so I did the same. As we got closer, Calix and Mykel were already exchanging punches. Mica, on the other hand, was being surrounded by David, Eren, Kit, and Drew.
"Yeah, that's it! Knock him down!" shouted one of Mykel's buddies who looked like he was from Section D.
Calix's face was covered in blood, but he refused to stop throwing punches and kicks.
"Stop it!" Mica screamed in tears. "...Leave Calix alone!"
Yuri and I almost moved at the same time to get between them. I punched Mykel square in the face, and he stumbled back, dropping to the floor. His eyes were blazing with anger as he stared at me.
His lackeys were alarmed and looked ready to charge, but Yuri quickly stepped in between us.
"STOP!" he shouted in a booming voice.
The punks locked eyes with us. Mykel slowly got up while wiping the side of his mouth.
"Mykel... Why are you here?" Yuri asked calmly.
Mykel let out a small laugh. "I just came to pick up Mica."
"Liar!" Calix yelled. "...You tried to kiss her and forced her to go with you!"
I looked at Mica, still hiding behind the Ulupong group. Fear was written all over her face. I didn't even need confirmation—what Mykel did was obvious.
With behavior like that... he really was a Mykeliling.
"Leave. Now," I said firmly.
Mykel walked up to me with a smirk and jabbed a finger into my forehead. "You don't get to give orders here," he said, just as firm.
"Leave, Mykel. Let Mica stay here," Yuri said.
Mykel turned his attention to him instead. They stared at each other like they were sizing up who was braver, who was tougher.
"Just because Watson's gone, you think you're the toughest guy around. What can you even do, huh? Hanamitchi?" he challenged him mockingly.
Yuri didn't respond, but never broke eye contact. When he got no reaction, the Mykeliling burst out laughing. His companions joined in.
They were all missing a few screws.
"You've got nothing!" one of the Section D guys scoffed.
"You're just like Aries," another one chimed in.
"What do you even expect from these Section E kids?" Mykel said to his group. "...They only act brave when Watson's around. But now that he's not? Nothing but losers!"
They laughed even louder. I looked at Yuri—his fists were clenched tight. He looked calm, but he was dead serious.
These jerks are getting on my nerves! And they still won't leave!
"Are you done?" I asked in irritation. "...Maybe you can leave now?"
Mykel suddenly stepped up and grabbed me by the collar. His face was so close to mine I could smell his breath—it reeked of cigarettes.
"You've been testing my patience! I'm getting fed up with you!" he said. "...You and your cousin are exactly the same. Both your faces piss me off."
"Let go of Jay-jay," Yuri ordered.
Mykel still had a grip on my uniform collar. He looked at Yuri and let out a small laugh.
"Make me," he challenged.
Yuri was about to step in when Mykel suddenly yanked me away from everyone. The Section D students stirred as the Ulupong group tried to help me, chaos breaking out.
The jerk took advantage of the moment and dragged me away from them.
I tried to fight back, but my uniform was getting pulled up—and if no one stopped this, I'd be stripped in front of everyone.
They'd see my secret... my belly rolls!
"What the hell! Where are you dragging me?!" I shouted angrily.
"I'll teach you a lesson. You need to learn to respect the new King."
New King?! Was this self-declared? His face is thick! They brought Aries down just to say he's the new King? The audacity!
We reached the front of the main building. The same place where they beat up Aries. Mykel threw me down hard, and I crashed straight onto the ground.
A few students saw us and quickly ran away. I slowly got up, and not long after, students started pouring out of their classrooms.
"What is it this time?" Freya asked in irritation.
Mykel pointed at me while pacing near where I stood. "I've had it with this girl."
Freya looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I ignored her. I chose to face Mykel, who was circling like he was trying to figure out what to do next.
Teachers were passing by and obviously curious, but the moment they saw me or Mykel, they chose to walk away and act like they didn't see anything.
Ugh! Cowards!
"Hold her." Mykel suddenly ordered.
Two guys from Section A started approaching me. I panicked and immediately kicked one in the stomach. He fell back, and the other one froze, looking scared.
"What the heck?! It's just one girl! And you can't even hold her down!" Mykel shouted furiously.
I didn't notice him getting close to me. By the time I saw his punch coming, it was too late—
he landed a punch right to my stomach.
"Ugh!" I groaned, falling to my knees.
The students screamed loudly after seeing what he did. My vision quickly blurred from the pain. My knees felt weak.
I think my insides just shifted.
Before I could recover, he kicked me again. I flew backward and hit the ground.
"You cousins really are the same—useless!" he shouted at me.
He started to move in again, ready to kick me once more—but a punch knocked him down. The punch was so strong, it sent him flying.
My arms trembled as I tried to get up. I looked to see who did it. Fear and shock filled me when I finally saw him clearly.
That look in his eyes—like he was ready to kill someone. His hair, an absolute mess, like he fought a comb and lost. His clothes, just a plain t-shirt and jeans. His face, radiating pure rage.
All those things made me almost not recognize him. Like he had become a different person...
Kuya Angelo.
Everything stopped the moment people saw him. Some of the boys ran away. And one was so terrified, he wet himself—right through his skirt or pants.
I looked to his side as Yuri and the rest of the Ulupong arrived. They looked like they had just finished a nasty fight with the Section D guys. When they saw Kuya, even they froze.
"K-Kuya..." I called out to him, but it came out more like a whisper.
As Mykel slowly got up, Kuya just as slowly began walking toward him. Blood was dripping from Mykel's nose and mouth. He was clearly dizzy—he could barely stand.
"Who do you think you are?" Kuya asked calmly. "...You humiliated my brother and hurt my cousin. Who the fvck are you?..."
Mykel stepped back when their eyes met. Even I was scared. It didn't feel like Kuya standing in front of me anymore.
"...I will make you pay. I will make you wish that you were never born. I will make you suffer. I will make you ask to die..." Kuya stopped just a few feet away from him. "...You will feel hell,asshole."
Suddenly, Mykel dropped to the ground and burst into tears, shaking with fear. We were all stunned by his reaction. Kuya had only punched him once, and that alone had this kind of effect on him.
And then there were those eyes—sharp like knives. I'd never seen him like this before. Sure, I'd seen him angry before, but this... this was different.
Very different.
And for some reason I couldn't explain, I felt like I was looking at... Keifer. I knew Keifer, Yuri, Percy, and Aries shared some similar traits, but there was something unique between Kuya Angelo and Keifer.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when someone helped me stand. It was Yuri, along with David and Felix.
"Where does it hurt?" Felix asked.
I shook my head in response and looked back at Kuya. He was still standing in front of Mykel.
"W-who d-do you think y-you are?" Mykel stammered angrily, though the fear was written all over his face.
uya Angelo grabbed his collar and brought his face close.
"I am... your worst nightmare." he said, and then shoved Mykel, tossing him to the ground.
Members of Section A quickly approached the fool who was now on the floor, knees trembling. Everyone else was whispering among themselves, clearly trying not to be overheard.
Kuya turned to us. I took a step back when his gaze landed on me. I'll admit, I was scared of him—but now, he was even scarier.
His eyes felt like they pierced deep into my soul.
"What did that jerk do to you?" he asked softly.
My tongue felt tied. I couldn't speak. Kuya was about to approach me when a loud voice yelling his name suddenly made him stop.
We all turned to see where it came from. From the main building, the Guidance Counselor came striding forward with long, heavy steps.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Ma'am shouted. "...You assaulted a student inside the school! Do you know we can sue you?!"
Kuya's eyes were lifeless as he looked at her. "Then sue me."
The counselor was fuming with rage. The veins on her head looked like they were about to burst.
"You've got some nerve!"
"Maybe you're forgetting something," Kuya said calmly, but his eyes began to change again.
His earlier expression returned. I could see the fear in the Guidance Counselor's eyes, though she tried to hide it.
"...I am the King of this place! I'm the reason this school is still alive! Technically, I already own this school, yet here you are disrespecting me!..." Kuya shouted. "...So, who really has the nerve between the two of us?!"
"You're insolent!" Ma'am yelled, clutching her chest. "...You've never had any respect!"
It looked like she was about to have a heart attack.
I turned to Yuri. "S-stop Kuya. She might have a heart attack."
Yuri swallowed hard before speaking. "You don't understand, Jay... No one can stop your cousin."
I frowned. No one can stop him? Just like Keifer when he's angry. We looked back at Kuya.
"You're finished, Angelo. You've got nothing left to brag about, so you can't intimidate us anymore!" Ma'am said haughtily. "...You think too highly of yourself!"
Kuya chuckled slightly, which surprised all of us. "I don't need a company to be intimidating. You know that... Maybe I should just burn this school down again and take your students with it."
Ma'am completely stepped back, looking pale. Some students rushed to steady her so she wouldn't fall.
"There used to be rumors that this school once burned down because of some conflict. But I had no idea Angelo was involved," Yuri said quietly, not looking at me.
I felt an even deeper fear rise in me. I didn't know Kuya could do something like that. Burn the school down?!
"I'm still the King." he said with a smile.