Jay-Jay's POV
Percy is so quiet. He hasn't said a word since he arrived with my lunch. We're on the second floor again.
I've already finished eating and am now staring at his back. He's standing there, resting his elbows on the metal railing. I sighed and stood up to join him. I also leaned my elbows on the railing and looked down at the trash below.
It would be nice to hang out here on the second floor, but the view is ruined by all the garbage.
"Percy..." I called out to him.
"Mm?" he responded.
"You seem quiet. What's up?" I teased, but it didn't seem to have any effect.
He just looked at me and shook his head. That's unusual! It feels so weird, like he's sick or something.
"Hey... Percy," I called him again and nudged him slightly.
He smiled. "It's nothing... Just tell me a story."
Even though I was confused by his mood, I did what he wanted. I told him about what happened this morning between me and Ci-N.
I ran away from her earlier after she turned her back to get more food. I hid in the restroom, and when I felt like the teacher had arrived, I went back as if nothing had happened.
"That's harsh..." he commented.
"I couldn't stop my anger," I muttered almost in a whisper.
We both closed our eyes when a cold breeze brushed against us. It's really refreshing up here, thanks to the trees around us.
"I want to ask you something," he said, and I waited for him to continue.
"...How did you manage to last in that section?"
Last?
"T-the truth is..." Because they made me feel like I belonged. Because they valued and protected me. Because they embraced my quirks. "...I don't know."
He let out a deep sigh. I let him be since he seemed to be deep in thought. The silence between us stretched for several minutes.
I still couldn't get Ci-N's expression out of my mind—the way she wiped her tears. Have I really become this heartless? Have I changed? Am I a bad person now? Am I turning back into the person I used to be?
"Percy..." I whispered, but it seemed like he didn't hear me. "...How do you forgive?"
He didn't say anything. I had a strong feeling he hadn't heard me.
I'll admit, a part of me wonders if my suffering is even worth it.
What's the point of enduring all of this?
"It's hard."
I looked up at him upon hearing that. He spoke so softly that I wasn't sure if I had heard it correctly.
"It's hard," he repeated. "...Especially when what they did hurt you so much."
Is it just me, or does he sound like he's speaking from experience? His serious expression made it seem like his words carried a lot of weight.
"You have a problem, don't you?" I asked him. "...It's obvious."
He lowered his head slightly and grinned. Seeing that somehow made me feel a little lighter.
"It's unfair..." he said, turning around to lean his back against the railing. "...I told you before, didn't I? That I resented my mom?"
I nodded, and he continued speaking.
"She left us when I was little—just like how your dad left you. And when we met again, it was in the hospital. The worst part? She let everyone believe I was dead..."
He sighed and looked up. "...She took me away from here and gave me a new life, but she never even asked me if I wanted it."
She made a decision without telling him.
I know that feeling. That feeling of not having control over your own life. They do that to me, and honestly, it's unbearable.
"H-how did you forgive her?"
"It just happened... One day, I woke up, and the anger inside me was slowly fading away," he answered with a smile.
It just happened?
"What do you mean, it just happened?"
"She showed me she was trying to make up for it. Not a single day passed where she didn't take care of me, even though I often pushed her away."
I lowered my head. They're doing the same for me now, but every time I think about forgiveness, all the things they did to me come rushing back.
The way they placed bets on me, ganged up on me, made me believe in their lies.
"...And now she's starting again," he said.
I turned to him, confused. Is that why he's like this? Is that what's on his mind?
"W-why?"
"Because she knows I've shown myself to everyone. She got mad—said I shouldn't have come back."
He shook his head and bit his lower lip. "...So frustrating!"
I just stared at him. It was obvious how irritated he was by what his mom had said. But there was one thing on my mind that I really wanted to ask him.
"W-when is my dad coming back?" My voice carried a hint of pleading.
The frustration on Percy's face disappeared, and he slowly turned serious. He looked at me, swallowing hard.
I'm scared of what you're going to say.
He took a deep breath. "He's not coming back…" He coughed slightly. "…He's not coming back here."
I straightened up, my eyes fixed on him. Not coming back? What the hell? He told me so many times that we would meet again, and now he's saying he's not coming back?
"…Because you're going to him." He added, making me frown. "…You're going to New York."
I took a deep breath. I couldn't understand. I was confused, even though Percy's words were crystal clear.
"W-what…"
"I was just waiting for your birthday… Once you're of legal age, Angelo won't have any control over you anymore, so you can come with me."
I swallowed hard and slowly shook my head. My eyes never left him, even though I blinked multiple times.
"I-I don't think… that's going to happen."
His eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"…B-because I'm getting married on my birthday."
That's why I won't be able to go see Papa.
"…To Yuri," he said.
At first, I wasn't sure if he knew about the engagement, but of course, the whole Section E knew about it, so it wasn't impossible for him to find out.
His fists clenched when I didn't respond. It was as if he was starting to get irritated again. I knew he had a problem with Yuri, but he never really said why.
Freya was the first thing that came to mind, but it felt like there was something more.
"That walking stick is unbelievable. I just wanna set his head on fire." He muttered while looking away. "…Such a coward, moving in secret. He even tricked you just to get you to agree to that marriage."
He's so weird when it comes to Yuri. Every bit of irritation and resentment he has comes out whenever he talks about him.
"Did Yuri ever do anything to you?"
"Damn it!" he suddenly shouted and started pacing. "…Such a coward."
I furrowed my brows. I wasn't taking Yuri's side, but it felt unfair to me. Percy never really clarified why he hated him so much.
"He's not a coward," I said, and he instantly shot me a glare.
"Do you even really know Yuri?" he asked irritably.
I wanted to say 'yes,' but I couldn't. I remembered everything Ci-N told me and everything Yuri had done to me. The truth was…
"I-I don't."
"Then don't say he's not a coward."
"But—"
I wasn't able to finish my sentence when he suddenly kicked a broken chair that was lying around near us.
"I fvcking hate him," I heard him mutter.
I let him walk around and vent his frustration. He took deep breaths multiple times. They really are all alike—they struggle so much to get rid of their anger.
After a while, he returned to my side. His face was still serious, and it didn't seem like his irritation had faded.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
I was about to snap back with 'you're already asking,' but I held myself back because, from the look on his face, he might just punch me if I didn't answer properly.
"W-what is it?"
"Did Felix say anything about a gang war?"
Gang war?
A war between gangs with nothing better to do, so they decided to fight each other?
I hadn't spoken to Felix, so I hadn't heard anything about that from him.
"N-no…" I said, slowly shaking my head.
"That's another thing that's pissing me off! I heard him last night talking to someone over the phone. I tried to talk to him, but he refused to tell me anything. We argued about it, and I almost punched him." He explained while clenching his fists.
So that's why he's acting like this…
"W-what was he talking about with the person on the phone?"
"I couldn't understand, but he said they were joining that gang war."
I couldn't recall Section E ever being part of a gang. That's why I didn't understand why they would get involved in something like that. They were just a section or a group of people who liked to get into fights, but they weren't a gang.
"W-when is this gang war happening?"
He looked at me seriously. "Later."
So soon?!
"…I'm going to try and stop Felix. Damn it! I leave for a little while, and my brother turns into a troublemaker," he added.
I stared at him for a moment until my phone rang. I checked it and saw a new message.
From: CrazyIdiot
Message: my life…
Here we go again. That unknown number that kept texting me. I didn't even bother replying anymore because it was a waste of time. I even gave it a name so I could recognize it right away.
I glanced at the time on my phone. Only 15 minutes left. I turned to Percy, who still had furrowed brows.
"I have to go back. It's almost time." I told him, and he nodded.
We cleaned up our lunch and threw the trash in front of the room. There was no point in going any further—it already looked like a dump out here.
I turned to go back to the room, but I stopped when I saw Percy following me.
"What are you doing? Your way is over there," I said, pointing in the other direction.
"I'm staying in your room for now. I'm too lazy to go home," he said and walked toward our room.
I followed him and just let him do what he wanted. When we entered, everyone's eyes were on him. Their faces were filled with shock and confusion—except for the king.
Where are you sitting?" he asked while scanning the room.
"Here." I answered, pointing at my desk, which was right next to the door.
He looked at it, then glanced at Ci-N, who was sitting beside me. The only available seat close to me was the stool behind me.
"Kid..." Percy called out to Ci-N. "...move. I'll sit there for now."
Ci-N just stared at him. She looked at me, then turned back to Percy.
"No." she replied.
"Come on... Just for today. You can have it back tomorrow." Percy pleaded.
"No."
"I'm just going to sit there. I'm not taking your seat permanently."
"No."
"Just for today."
"No."
Here we go! A battle of two childish minds.
It was obvious Percy was starting to get annoyed by Ci-N's stubbornness. He could have just taken the seat behind me, but no—he had to insist on Ci-N's spot. Good luck getting her to move.
"What's so special about that seat that you won't give it up?" Percy asked irritably.
"I want to sit next to Jay-Jay."
"I want to sit next to her too."
"Does she even want you to sit next to her?" Ci-N taunted.
Percy turned to me, his brows furrowing. He was still angry from earlier, and it seemed like his temper was about to get worse.
"I swear, I'm gonna pick a fight with this kid," he muttered, but Ci-N must have heard because she furrowed her brows too.
"Just sit behind me," I told him, pointing at the seat.
"No. I want to sit here." He stubbornly replied.
I sighed and shook my head. His childishness was kicking in again.
He turned back to Ci-N, who was now glaring at him. At this rate, they were going to start a fistfight in front of me.
"Just let me sit there. You can have it back tomorrow." Percy insisted.
"No."
Percy let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'm gonna flick your forehead! You've been annoying me for a while now!" he shouted.
"I'm gonna kick you! You've been annoying me for a while now!" Ci-N shouted back, mimicking his tone.
"Oh, so you're brave now?"
"Oh, so you're ugly now?"
Percy turned to me, pointing at Ci-N.
"This kid is bullying me!" he whined like he was tattling to a parent.
I sighed and leaned slightly toward Ci-N.
"Just move for now. You can sit here again tomorrow."
She pouted and blinked a few times. "But I want to sit next to you."
I turned to Percy with a bored look. "She's not moving. There's nothing I can do."
"This kid is so stubborn! And she's tiny too." Percy grumbled.
Ci-N immediately glared at him. "And this guy is ugly! And uncircumcised too!"
Laughter erupted from the Ulupong guys. They had been listening to their argument the whole time. I glanced at Percy, who had tears welling up in his eyes as he pointed at himself.
"She called me ugly and uncircumcised! I swear, I'm gonna fight this kid!" he raged.
I cringed. These two really couldn't be together. Not only were they both childish, but someone would definitely end up crying if they kept bickering.
"I don't care." I said, unimpressed, before finally taking my seat.
Percy had no choice but to sit behind me. From time to time, he and Ci-N would throw insults at each other. I considered stopping them, but I knew it would just be a waste of my breath.
My phone buzzed again. Another text from that crazy unknown number, "GagongBaliw." It was empty, so I ignored it. But a few moments later, another message came through.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: I love you, my everything...
Tsk! Who the hell is this idiot?
To: GagongBaliw
Message: Idiot!
I smirked as I hit send. This person was really messing around but wouldn't reveal their identity. If I ever found out who they were, I'd make sure to punch them in the face.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: I'm not an idiot, but maybe an Ulupong.
I immediately glanced at the Dimunyung Ulupong guys. None of them were holding a phone, nor did any of them look suspicious.
Annoying! Who is this?!
To: GagongBaliw
Message: Who are you? Stop messing with me, you're not funny.
I waited for a reply, but none came. It seemed like they listened to what I said and stopped.
Our teacher arrived, so I put my phone away and pretended to focus on the lesson. In reality, nothing was actually sinking in.
From time to time, I glanced at the two sitting beside me. They wouldn't stop messing with each other. Occasionally, they even threw pieces of paper at each other.
"Tiny."
"Uncircumcised."
They hissed insults at each other under their breath. I couldn't get any peace with these two around. Maybe I should stop letting Percy sit here, or I should move Ci-N away.
So much trouble!
While waiting for the next class, I took out my phone, planning to play a game. But I stopped when I saw I had a new message.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: I'm your savior. I saved you from your kidnapper and claimed my price on the same day.
My forehead creased. What was this idiot talking about? He's insane! He must be insane. No doubt about it.
To: GagongBaliw
Message: You're crazy, man!
His reply came almost instantly.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: I miss your lips. Can I claim them again?
My heart started pounding.
What the hell is this psycho saying? Could it be Kei—NO! This isn't the King of the Ulupong. He wouldn't waste his time doing this.
To: GagongBaliw
Message: Who the f* are you?!**
From: GagongBaliw
Message: I told you. I'm your savior. I saved you while you were blindfolded.
Blindfolded?
Only one event came to mind. The time I was kidnapped… when the Dimunyung King got stabbed.
To: GagongBaliw
Message: Were you the one who kissed me?
My hands trembled as I typed those words. It wasn't Keifer who kissed me back then.
So, who the hell is this creep?!
From: GagongBaliw
Message: You got it right. 😉
Sh*t.
Who the hell is this bastard?
My hands were still shaking. I didn't reply anymore. I just shoved my phone into my bag.
Whoever this is… they better pray I never catch them alive.