Jay-jay's POV
I could hear Ella sobbing behind me. Even I wanted to cry out loud. Percy still hadn't answered, but the serious look on his face was enough to make our hearts sink.
"Where is he?!" Ella's voice was pleading.
"P-Percy... where is Aries?" I asked.
He lowered his head for a moment before sighing.
"Aries..." he began, and I held my breath, afraid that I might completely break down. "...Aries... well..." He glanced behind us. "...There! He's coming!"
I immediately turned to look in the direction he pointed. His clothes were dirty, stained with a bit of blood—about as much as Percy's. But he walked straight, as if nothing bad had happened.
Ella instantly ran toward him, greeting him with a tight hug.
Alright... The girlfriend first, the sibling later.
Once I was sure he was okay, I immediately turned to that bastard Percy. But the traitor had already escaped. All I could hear was his mischievous laughter.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT, PERCY! THAT WASN'T FUNNY!" I yelled in anger.
"Mwuhehehehe..." was all I heard from him.
Damn it! I nearly collapsed from the fear he gave me. I thought something terrible had happened to my brother.
I turned back to Aries, who was still hugging Ella. I didn't speak because I didn't want to interrupt them. Just knowing he was safe and unharmed was enough for me.
A few seconds later, Aries looked at me. He pulled away from Ella and immediately walked toward me. I didn't hesitate to welcome him with a hug.
"That damn Percy! I thought something had happened to you!" I said, my face buried in his chest.
I'll deal with that lunatic later.
"It's okay now... It's over. No one will bother you anymore." He whispered before letting go of me. "...What happened to your face?"
"I-it was Sato... The one who dragged me away from you earlier. The marks are only showing now."
He hugged me again and kissed my forehead.
"Sato is dead."
I was shocked and pulled away from him. D-dead? How? Who? Wait! I haven't even gotten my revenge on him yet!
It was hard to believe. Sure, I hated him, but I never wished for him to die. I wasn't that cruel. I was just... feisty.
"W-who—?"
"He killed himself." Aries quickly cut me off.
That idiot took his own life. "What?!"
"Yuri told him he had already called the Japanese Embassy to have him arrested. Looks like he didn't want to be taken alive, considering all the crimes he committed." Aries explained.
I nodded slowly. I thought one of them had done it.
Speaking of Yuri... I smiled at Aries. They were together earlier, which meant...?
"We're not making up, if that's what you're thinking." Aries answered, and my smile faded.
"Then why were you together?"
"Obviously because you needed us. But that's all there is to it."
Oh, what a waste...
He patted my head before leaving to return to Ella. I was happy for them, that they were okay again. But did they really have to stick together like glue?
My worries about Aries had disappeared, but my irritation with Percy was growing. Did he really have to scare me like that?
Now, only Yuri and that damn King of theirs were making my heart race. Why were they taking so long? I couldn't help but think of the worst.
I had probably been pacing back and forth several times, constantly looking at the same path the two had taken, hoping to see their group walking down that road too.
"Iihhh... Get away! Gross!" I heard Percy's scream, which I assumed was directed at Honey.
Serves you right! That's karma!
"Wow, you're the one disgusted with me? You're unbelievable!" Honey shot back.
"Go away! You purity thief—OUCH!" Percy yelped.
I was pretty sure that lunatic just got slapped.
The others were clearly getting impatient too. I even heard someone snoring. Meanwhile, C-in kept throwing pickup lines at Rakki.
"Are you the sun?" He asked.
"Why..." Rakki replied, obviously forced.
"'Cause you're the center of my solar system." The little brat said, giggling.
It was clear that he was the only one enjoying his own pickup line. Rakki simply let out a sigh in response.
At least they could enjoy themselves. Meanwhile, I was restless with worry.
To top it off, I was starving. And I was not a pleasant person when hungry.
I might just start biting people out of nowhere.
"Should we call the police now?" I heard Drew ask.
"Let's wait for Keifer first," Eren replied.
"That's exactly why we should call the police. He might already be done for," he said, and I immediately shot him a glare. "...J-just kidding." He added quickly when he saw me.
"Your joke isn't funny!" I snapped. "...How about I make you done for?"
"Go joke around with a drunk person... just not with a worried Jay-jay," David chimed in.
I turned my back on them. These bastards weren't helping. They were only making my fear worse. I wanted to go there already, but how could I when Kit and Mayo blocked me every time I took a step forward?
I had already rubbed my hands over my face multiple times. I was getting frustrated! I felt like crying again.
Damn that Sato! You shouldn't have died yet. I haven't even yanked your hair. My scalp still hurts from what you did. I haven't even gotten my revenge. Not even a single flick on your forehead.
Just one little snap at the roof of your mouth, and I'd be good.
I turned my gaze back to where Percy and Aries had come from earlier. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders when I saw Yuri walking towards us.
I smiled, ready to run up to him—until I noticed his clothes. So much blood, so much that at first glance, you'd think it was all his.
I swallowed hard. Turns out I wasn't as strong as I thought. I assumed my fear had turned into worry, but I was wrong. Earlier, I ignored Aries and Percy's clothes. Their shirts only had blood splatters, so I didn't panic. But Yuri's... it was too much.
Yuri smiled as he approached me, but when he noticed I was staring at his clothes, he stopped.
"I-is that blood... yours?" I asked worriedly, though fear was still evident in my voice.
"No, it's not mine," he answered, taking off his polo. But even his inner shirt was stained with blood.
We looked at each other, neither of us knowing what to say or do. He knew about my problem with seeing blood.
"I-I wanted to... h-hug you," I said, avoiding his gaze. "...I was w-worried about you."
He also averted his eyes. "I... wanted that too."
But how?
He glanced at his clothes for a moment, as if an idea had popped into his head. He dropped his polo and took off his shirt.
My eyes widened. That idiot was topless. And the worst part? My eyes were stuck on his body. I had seen him shirtless so many times before, but for some reason, it always felt new to me.
Someone, please pass me some bread—I need a filling!
He didn't say another word. He took big, quick strides towards me like he was in a hurry or racing against time.
In the blink of an eye, I was already buried in his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around me.
"Please ignore the fact that I'm topless," he said.
How could I ignore it? His body was so warm. But that wasn't the important part. I just wanted him to feel that I was worried about him, and I knew he felt the same.
"Currently ignoring," I replied, making him chuckle slightly. "...Why did you take so long? Percy and Aries have been back for a while."
"Sorry, I had to call our embassy... and my Otosan as well."
"You scared me," I said, hugging him tighter.
He didn't say anything, but I felt him kiss my forehead.
I don't know why, but his embrace felt different. It was as if... he was afraid of something.
I was about to ask when these bastards rudely interrupted.
"That's so indecent!"
"There are innocent people here!"
"Damn! Have some shame!"
"These two are so inappropriate!"
"Don't look, Mica!"
We were planning to ignore them, but then C-in suddenly stood up near us, eyes wide, pointing in the same direction Percy, Aries, and Yuri had come from.
"Keifer! It's Keifer!" he shouted, and Yuri and I instantly pulled away from each other.
At the same time, we turned to look where he was pointing. And I almost screamed—
Damn it! There was no one there!
That bastard nearly gave me a heart attack! And why should I be scared of him, anyway?
Right! Right!
I immediately turned to face that little brat, but the bastard had already gotten away. He even had the nerve to laugh loudly along with the others.
"You too! I'll tie you and Percy together!"
Speaking of Keifer… Why isn't he here yet?
"Yuri..." I called out to him as he was picking up his clothes. "...Did something happen to Keifer? Why isn't he here yet?"
Yuri didn't even look at me. He walked closer while holding his clothes, then patted my shoulder with sad eyes.
"M-maybe he just had to talk to someone. Let's wait a little more" he said, forcing a smile.
I wanted to ask more, but he had already walked past me. It was clear he didn't want to talk anymore.
I didn't know if I should apologize to him. I knew I had hurt him. But if I did, it would be like admitting that I meant to do it.
I chose to stay quiet. I didn't want to add to his pain. I didn't want to hurt him any further.
I was worried about Keifer, but right now, it was Yuri who weighed more heavily on me. He had sacrificed too much for me. He had been hurt too many times.
I needed to make sure he was okay.
Yuri stopped a little farther away from the Ulupong to get changed. I started walking toward him, but hadn't gone far when I heard the name of the person I'd been waiting for all this time.
"It's Keifer..."
At first, I thought they were just messing with me again. But then I heard footsteps—slow and heavy.
I froze. My heart seemed to beat in time with each of his steps. I forgot whatever it was I had planned to do.
Not far off, he was already wearing his coat. There wasn't a trace of blood on the guy. His necktie was wrapped around his right fist, like he had used it for punching.
His face looked the same as always. It didn't even seem like he had been in a fight.
His face still looked the same. It didn't even seem like he'd been in a fight.
Here I go again. This strange feeling creeping in all over again. Why do I get like this every time I see him? I wasn't like this before.
I want to cry, but I also want to be happy because he's right in front of me. I want to hug him, but I also want to punch him.
I must be going crazy because of this guy!
"Keifer..." C-in called out to him, as he went to meet him.
Keifer stopped right at the spot where I had been standing earlier, waiting for them.
They were talking about something we couldn't hear.
He glanced at me for a second, but there was no reaction at all.
It felt like something stabbed me right in the heart.
You traitor, you animal!
His conversation with Ci-N ended and he started walking again, this time heading toward the exit—the same way Freya had gone earlier. I couldn't move from where I was standing.
Until he walked right past me. No glance? Nothing at all?! He passed by like he didn't even know me.
Damn it! Am I a ghost now? Was I invisible to him?!
"Oh... Jayjay just got ignored." Drew said, making me raise an eyebrow.
I swear, I felt like punching someone. Seriously? I know! I know he ignored me. You don't have to rub it in! Might as well put it on a damn banner and slap it on my face—"Idiot, You Got Ignored!"
I just rolled my eyes at Drew.
All I could do was follow the King of the Ulupong with my eyes. That's all I could manage now. I couldn't chase after him anymore.
But my thoughts quickly changed the moment I saw what he did when he passed in front of Aries and Ella. He turned. He looked!
He looked at Ella Dianne.
He looked at her! He looked at her, okay?! He looked!
HE LOOKED AT HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND! Woah! This animal is really trying me!
Me? He walked past like I was air. But her? He looked.
What the hell?! Is there something going on that I don't know about?!
I'm not the jealous type. I don't get jealous easily. Really, I don't. No. NO!
Why would I be jealous? Is there even something to be jealous about? IS THERE?!
He just looked! He only turned to look at his ex, while I— I, the one he promised forever to, the one he said he loved—He just walked past me.
"You okay, Jay? Do you need to poop or something?" Eren asked, staring at my face.
I didn't care about what he was saying. I was pissed! I was pissed because I knew I shouldn't be mad, but I was! That was such a low move.
When it comes to exes, you shouldn't be jealous of them anymore. They're done. Over. EX—the word itself means a former position or place. So there shouldn't be any more problems there.
BUT HE LOOKED!
FUCK! HE LOOKED, MAN!
That's a different story altogether! SHe's an ex, right? So why turn back to look? Maybe he wants to never be able to look again for the rest of his life.
Should I just break his neck?
"You little shit..." I muttered under my breath.
Out of sheer frustration, I took off my shoe and hurled it at him. It hit him squarely on the back, making him stop in his tracks.
"Jay!" Yuri scolded me.
I ignored him and grabbed my other shoe to throw it again. This time, it hit him square on the head, making him bow slightly.
That's when I noticed everyone staring at me. Even Aries had his brows furrowed. Percy just stood there, dumbfounded by what I did.
"Oh, Jay… Your socks don't match!" C-in pointed out, laughing.
Oh, wow! Thank you for mentioning!
Now they were all staring at my mismatched socks. One was white, the other black. And to top it off, my pinky toe was peeking through a hole in the right one. How would I even know there was a hole in it?
I ended up taking both socks off too—might as well, before I become everyone's punchline. I threw those at their King as well.
I just took both socks off instead of letting them become another reason for people to tease me. Then, I threw them at their damn king.
"Here! Eat that!" I yelled at him. "...Damn you! You show up, and then act like that? Pretending I don't exist?!"
He slowly stood up straight. He let out a deep sigh. Then he turned to me with serious eyes. But I couldn't see any trace of anger.
He has no right to be mad at me!
And he even had the audacity to pick up my shoes and socks. He handed them to Felix, who was the closest to him.
"Done?" he asked, completely emotionless.
I couldn't respond. That one word made me feel small. My anger flared up even more. I wanted to charge at him, but my feet wouldn't budge.
"...If you're done, I'll be going." He added, about to turn away from me.
Oh, hell!
"That's what you're good at! Turning your back and leaving!" I shouted, making him stop. "... Go ahead, Sieg! Leave! That's all you ever do! You can only face someone when it's a fistfight!"
"J-Jay... That's enough," I heard Rory say, trying to stop me.
"Let Keifer go. Maybe he just has something important to take care of," Denzel added.
"Really?!" I replied sarcastically. "...Something to take care of? Or something to run away from?"
He looked at me again, but this time, I saw emotion in his eyes. I couldn't tell exactly what, but I knew he wasn't pleased with what I was saying.
Even so, I kept going.
"...you haven't even faced me about all the crap you did to me! And now you're leaving again? What? Same old thing? I'll left waiting again? Unbelievable!"
"This isn't the right time to talk about this." Percy said seriously, which surprised me.
He rarely gets serious, and when he does, it's usually not for good reason. Even so, I chose to ignore him and kept facing the Demon King
" If you're leaving, then just go," I said calmly. "... But I can't promise there'll be anything left to come back to ."
Because I didn't know if I could take any more.
"Done?" he asked again, which irritated me even more. But instead of cursing at him, all I managed to do was nod.
I thought he was going to leave. I thought he'd turn his back on me and walk away again. But I was wrong.
Something seemed to snap in his mind. He took large strides toward me, completely serious. I was about to step back, but his hands were already on my face.
"You talk too much." He said, and without warning, pressed his lips against mine.
I heard the Ulupong react, and the others who could see us too. But none of that registered in my mind anymore. All I knew was that he was here with me. This was our moment, and this moment was ours alone.
No one else was stealing the scene.
But it turned out to be fleeting I slowly felt Keifer's body go limp. Not even a second passed before he collapsed onto me. Because of his weight, we both fell to the floor.
"KEIFER!" I screamed.
Something's wrong! What is this?!
The Ulupong immediately rushed toward us. They tried to lift Keifer so I could get out from under him. As soon as I was able to move properly, I looked at him.
He was unconscious, his lips pale as death. I couldn't understand! He was walking just fine earlier.
"Keifer! W-what's happening? Open your eyes!" I said, lightly slapping his cheek.
Damn you! I haven't even made you pay yet!
"Let me through!" Yuri's voice cut through the crowd as he pushed the Ulupong aside.
He knelt in front of Keifer and forced him onto his stomach. I was confused, but I let him do it—he probably knew what to do better than I did.
Yuri lifted his coat, and I froze when I saw the cause of it all.
Blood was pouring from his back. I thought he didn't have any cuts or wounds from earlier, but it looked like he had purposely hidden it from us.
They tore Keifer's shirt open, and two wounds—holes in his skin—greeted us. Blood was flowing like water from a busted pipe.
"C-in!" Yuri called. "...What do I do?!"
C-in ran toward him, panicked. "P-pressure... We need to stop the bleeding!"
Both Yuri and Ci ripped off their polos, balled them up, and pressed them against Keifer's wounds.
"Someone call an ambulance!" David yelled.
"I'm doing it already!" Percy responded.
While they were all busy helping the bleeding King, there I was, unable to move.
I just stared at my hands, realizing too late that they were already stained with blood. Fresh, warm blood. The metallic scent filled my nose.
Move! Keifer needs you!
I couldn't do it. I was getting dizzy, like my stomach was about to turn inside out. There was so much blood, it felt like someone was going to die. I hated this feeling I couldn't stop trembling, the shaking reaching deep into my core.
"JAY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Yuri yelled furiously. "...Help us here!"
I shook my head rapidly. "I-I c-can't... G-get him away from me."
I could feel everyone's stares on me—confused, judgingl.
"...P-please... I-I'm begging you."