Jay-jay's POV
Percy is sick. According to Felix's mom who called me earlier, he has a fever.
I feel like he got sick because he didn't get any sleep last night. He kept calling me and was clearly restless. There were moments when he would whisper random things and repeatedly say 'my purity'.
I'm not even sure if he has any of that.
I called his cellphone to check on him. It rang three times before he finally answered.
["Jay..."] he said in a hoarse voice.
"Seriously? What happened between you and Honey?" I asked, and I heard him start sniffling again.
Every time I ask him that, this is what happens. He cries, then babbles nonsense until the call drops.
["My purity, Jay!"] I heard his sniffles. ["She defiled me!"]
It's hard to tell if he's being serious or not.
I let out a deep sigh. "Seriously? If you won't tell me, I'm going to see Honey myself."
["NO!!"] he shouted so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear. ["Don't do that! That girl's a demon..."] his voice started fading.
He sounded like he was being possessed. Add to that his raspy voice—he and Gollum could practically be buddies now.
He might actually be possessed!
"So what exactly did she do to you?"
He let out a deep sigh. ["Well... she did it well. I finished. We went home."]
My forehead creased. I didn't understand a single thing he just said. If he were in front of me, I probably would've slapped him already.
"You're not making any sense! I didn't understand a word you said!" I said, annoyed.
["Ughhh! It's her... she did things to me!"] he said while I heard rustling noises on his end.
Sounded like the idiot was rolling around on his bed. Disgust showed clearly on my face.
Eeww... Did they do that?!
["No, we didn't! But she gave me pleasure—uh, I mean, she violated me!"]
I didn't want to ask anymore. I'll just let my imagination piece together what he said. It's better not to push him further.
"Alright... just get some rest. You might get even sicker."
I didn't wait for what he was going to say next. I ended the call immediately. This guy's going to drive me insane. He's really out of it.
I couldn't tell which parts of his story were true. I usually know when he's being serious, but right now, I can't tell.
I don't even know what to believe anymore.
So that's why they took so long in the restroom. So that's why Honey had that smile on her face when she looked at him. So that's why... that's why...
It's better if he just gets some rest.
I was about to set my phone down on the table when it chimed with a new message. I grimaced when I saw the name of the sender.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: My life... I miss you.
Even when I don't reply, he still keeps messaging. He's so persistent, consistently GagongBaliw. And that strange feeling like I know him...
Instead of replying, I just put the phone down on the table. I lay down on the bed and, after staring at the ceiling for a while, I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. It felt like someone was calling. I sat up and grabbed it from the table, but just as I held it, the call ended.
It was Yuri who had called.
I just shrugged and glanced at the clock. 6 p.m. I slept that long? I suddenly felt hungry. I set the phone down again and walked toward my bedroom door.
Right as I opened it, Yuri's hand greeted me—he looked like he was just about to knock.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, slightly irritated.
"U-uhm... B-because..." he said, scratching the back of his neck and avoiding my gaze.
The guy was semi-formally dressed. Like he was about to go out or something. One of my eyebrows lifted as I waited for his answer.
"How long do I have to wait for your answer?"
He sighed. "Remember? Dinner with the Head Master."
Head Master who?
I slowly shook my head. I couldn't remember a thing. What even is a Head Master? Why is that even a thing?
"I'm doomed," he whispered with his head down.
He looked like he was carrying something heavy. I was about to send him off when the word dinner rang like a bell in my ears.
Food... Free...
"Please... I can't go back home without you," he pleaded.
My eyes narrowed at him.
There! I'm Japanese now, too.
"And then what? What are we doing?"
"I'll introduce you to the Head Master, then dinner."
Dinner... Dinner... Dinner... Food!
"What if I don't want to come with you?"
His shoulders slumped as he forced a smile. "I understand." He was about to step away and leave, but I stopped him right away.
"Wait a sec!" He looked at me, puzzled. "...My sushi?"
Though clearly confused by what I said, he slowly nodded.
"Wait for me. I'll just change," I said and quickly shut the door.
I headed straight to my cabinet and picked out some clothes. I tried to find something that would match what Yuri was wearing—just so I'd at least look like I belonged where we were going.
Semi-formal dress...
I looked ridiculous while brushing my messy hair. It got tangled in my clip earlier. Now it looked like a witch's hair.
I ended up putting all sorts of things in it—pretty sure I even applied deodorant to my hair by accident.
After I was done with all the nonsense on my body, I stepped out. Yuri was still leaning against the wall with his head down.
"Let's go! My sushi's waiting," I said, walking ahead of him.
He rubbed the back of his neck and followed me. Tita Gema met us in the living room. She was smiling while talking on the phone.
"You two heading out?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am..." Yuri answered. "...I'll bring her back by 10 PM."
"Alright. Take care."
"Okay, Tita," I said before stepping out.
Neither of us spoke once the car started moving. He focused on driving, while I just stared out the window.
Food! Food! Food! Food!
We were close to his building when he suddenly stopped. I thought it was because of a traffic light, but there wasn't one. I looked at him—he was slightly hunched over, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"Jay-jay..." he whispered. "...Please do me a favor."
I frowned a little while watching him, waiting for what he was about to say. He swallowed a few times before lifting his head to look at me.
"Whatever happens, don't tell them our exact status," he said, eyes pleading.
"...if the Head Master finds out the truth, he might do something to you. So please... don't say anything about our situation."
Even though I didn't fully understand what he meant, I nodded.
For the sushi!
He started the car again and drove straight to the basement parking of their building. I was about to open the door when he stopped me.
"Don't get out yet," he said before quickly stepping out and coming around to my side.
He opened the door and helped me out. I wanted to smack him right there because I had no idea what he was doing. The guy was pretending to be a gentleman.
He also held my hand while we walked toward the elevator. I was seriously getting weirded out by his actions. We weren't even okay yet, and I only came with him because of the free food and sushi.
Food is life!
Inside the elevator, he was still holding my hand. I shot him a glare.
"I-I have to do this. Sorry," he said, avoiding my eyes.
I'll just think about the food. He's lucky I'm hungry. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be going along with this. Food all the way!
When the elevator doors opened, no one greeted us. No women in kimonos welcoming us in their language.
Yuri took off his shoes, so I did the same. He held my hand again as we walked.
He's seriously pushing it! I'm about to slap this guy!
We stopped in front of a door made of wood and paper—the sliding kind like in old Japanese houses. I could hear loud laughter from inside.
Yuri sat down and was about to bow, but then he looked up at me.
"You have to do this too," he whispered.
"I don't want to," I replied lifelessly.
He grabbed my hand and tried to pull me down to sit.
I resisted and pulled back.
"Jay... What are you doing?!" he said, annoyed.
"That hurts my legs. I don't want to!" I said while tugging my hand away. "Stop being difficult!"
This is so annoying! I came here for the sushi!
He pulled on me again and out of pure frustration, I kicked him in the face—right as the door suddenly opened.
Shoot!
I froze as I stared at the people inside. Their laughter died down the moment they turned to look at me and Yuri.
I shifted my gaze to Yuri, who was currently lying on the floor, also looking at them. I was forced to sit on the floor just like he had told me to. He got up beside me and returned to his place.
We both kept our heads down.
Looks like the sushi is turning to stone.
"Konbanwa. Chikoku shite sumimasen." (Good evening. Sorry for being late.) Yuri said.
I didn't understand a single word. Can I eat now? I've been starving for a while.
"Anata no fianse?" (Is that your fiancée?) asked the man seated at the end of the long table.
I didn't know him. I knew he wasn't Yuri's grandfather. He looked even more intimidating than the one Yuri called Old Man.
"Hai, heddomasutā." (Yes, Head Master.) Yuri, sitting beside me, replied.
What are they even talking about?
Suddenly, the elderly man Yuri was speaking to burst into loud laughter. He even held his stomach like it was the funniest thing in the world.
Are they laughing at me?!
"Tsuyoi on'na! Kare wa anata o utsu koto ga dekimasu!" (Strong woman! He can beat you down!)
I was close to getting mad at this old man. I didn't know what he was saying, but he sure knew how to annoy someone.
"Come here, eat with us," Yuri's dad invited us.
I looked at Yuri as he slowly stood up. I followed his lead, and he immediately helped me up. We both entered with our heads slightly bowed. Yuri pointed to where I was supposed to sit.
"Long time no see. How are you?" Yuri's mom asked.
"I-I'm good. I hope you are too," I replied.
I'm hungry! Can I eat now?
Yuri's mom laughed. "Yes, I am."
I tried to smile, but I knew it came out crooked. This is so frustrating! All because of sushi!
Then the old man in the center started speaking again. I didn't understand anything he said, so I just stared blankly at him.
"He's asking for your full name," Yuri whispered to me.
"J-Jasper Jean Mariano, sir," I replied awkwardly.
Yuri spoke, likely explaining what I said. The old man smiled and nodded.
I started eating as Yuri handed me a bowl full of rice. I ate slowly thanks to this cursed chopstick.
Where's the sushi?
The old man kept chatting away even as we ate. Sometimes, the others would burst out laughing, and I just sat there completely out of place. How would I know what they were even talking about?
After a while, the old man looked at me again and said something else. I waited for Yuri to whisper it to me, but he just stared blankly, blushing.
"Hey… What did he say?" I asked him.
"U-uh… H-he said if… we could, uhm... have a b-baby after the wedding," he stammered, avoiding my eyes.
I looked at the old man, who was grinning widely at me. Meanwhile, Yuri's mom and dad were laughing uncontrollably. I turned back to Yuri and narrowed my eyes at him.
"Depends…" I said, making him look at me. "…depends if I even attend the wedding." I said sarcastically.
Yuri winced before forcing a laugh.
"Kanojo wa itta, kanojo wa sore ni tsuite kangaerudarou." (She said, she'll think about it.)
The old man responded with another loud laugh. He kept talking and talking until dinner ended.
There wasn't even any sushi! Yuri's a liar!
I walked with a frown, trailing behind Yuri. He was in the middle of a conversation with the old man. He turned to me and smiled.
"He said he wants to talk to you. Please… Just try to answer him properly."
My brows furrowed. "How am I supposed to do that? I don't even understand what he's saying."
Yuri scratched the back of his head before turning to the old man. He said something again before the man walked away from us. Yuri grabbed my hand once more and we walked.
"He just wants to ask you some questions. I won't be there, so someone else will help you talk to him," he said.
We stopped in front of the same kind of door as earlier. Well, all the doors here looked exactly the same. It opened, and the old man from earlier was already sitting behind a large table.
Who really is this guy?
He gestured for us, and Yuri immediately left. I stepped inside and only then did I notice there was a woman with us. She closed the door and sat beside the old man. I sat down as well on what looked like a cushion laid out on the floor.
"Ms. Mariano?" the woman called to me. "...I'm Alliah Mata. I'll be your translator."
I smiled at her and gave a nod. The old man kept staring at me like he was studying me. He looked at Alliah before he began to speak.
I didn't understand anything again, so I had to wait for the translator to speak.
"The Head Master is asking if you know who he is," Alliah said.
I blinked. Head Master? That's him? I was expecting someone bald on top and carrying a samurai. But this one just looked scary.
"N-not really," I answered awkwardly.
Alliah spoke in Japanese, and the Head Master let out a light chuckle. He gave a rather long reply.
It felt like I was watching anime straight from Japan.
"I want you to know that I am the Head Master of the Hanamitchi Clan. The balance of the whole family rests in my hands. I ensure fairness among our entire bloodline in all matters..." the old man continued, and so did Alliah. "...Yuri, your fiancé, is my grandchild from my youngest sibling."
I just sat there, dumbfounded. Alliah spoke in Tagalog, yet it still felt like a completely different language. Everything was so confusing. My head hurts. Is there no sushi here?
"Okay... I-I know who he is now."
Alliah translated what I said. The old man said something else to her, and even before he finished speaking, she had already started translating again.
"To be honest, I don't like you. You're far from the woman we wanted for Yuri. You're not Japanese, you're not influential, you're illegitimate, and you bring nothing but trouble..."
My fist clenched at his words. I wanted to fire back with a few sharp insults, but because he was an elder, I kept my mouth shut. I didn't even know how he found out all that stuff.
Alliah continued. "...you also lack manners. If it were up to me, I wouldn't allow you to marry my grandson..."
The old man took a deep breath and went on speaking, and so did Alliah. "...Yuri is simply intelligent and realized his abilities as an heir at an early age. He used that to get what he wanted."
I didn't know if I had the right to speak back. This old man had done nothing but insult me. I really, really wanted to let out a colorful string of curses, but I held back out of embarrassment. I was in their house, and he'd already said I had no manners. I didn't want to prove him right.
The old man spoke again, and of course, Alliah came to the rescue with the translation.
"I want you to fix yourself. Straighten up, because once we take you to Japan, no one in the family will accept you."
Seriously?! No sushi, and insults to go with it?
"That's okay... I don't accept myself as part of your family either," I said without stopping.
It was clear that Alliah was taken aback and hesitant to translate what I said. But I gestured for her to go ahead.
I didn't want to be rude, but what could I do? My pride was being stepped on by everything this old man was saying. He deserves a back-to-back slap.
Alliah translated my words to the old man. Suddenly, his brows furrowed and he shouted words I couldn't understand.
Alliah turned to me, visibly trembling.
"You have no respect... You didn't even try to show me any. Where did Yuri pick you up from, some slum? You're uneducated," she said to me softly.
Wow... Like you people are any better.
I didn't want to make him angrier—he might just have a heart attack. I stood up and looked him straight in the eye.
"If all you're going to do is insult me, then I'll leave..." I bowed. "...thank you for the dinner."
I didn't wait to hear anything more. I quickly stepped out and headed to the elevator. I even saw Yuri, but I walked right past him.
While waiting for the elevator doors to open, I struggled to put on my shoes. I was so frustrated I couldn't even wear them properly.
I'm gonna throw these!
"Jay-jay!" Yuri called out. "...What happened? What did you say to the Head Master?"
I glared at him just as the elevator doors opened. As I stepped in, he followed. I jabbed at the button furiously in annoyance.
"Jay-jay, what's going on?! What did you tell him?!"
I took a deep breath. I'd been wanting to punch something for a while now, and if he didn't stop, it was going to be him.
"Stop this," I said calmly.
"Jay..."
"Call off the wedding."
He stopped and just stared at me. I didn't know if he was shocked or what. The elevator door opened and I stepped out quickly, but he grabbed my arm.
My fist moved on its own and landed on his face. He dropped to the floor, holding his cheek. I wanted to hit him again—one more punch—but I was too tired. And still no sushi.
So annoying! Just awful!
He slowly stood up. "Jay... W-why?"
"Why?! Damn it! Are you really asking me that?!" I shouted angrily. "...Call it off! You're the only one who wants this! Your family doesn't wants this, I don't want this, and even Tita Gema is being forced into it!"
He looked down as his fists clenched. He knew that. I didn't even need to tell hi,.
"I-is that really what you want?" he asked quietly.
I took a deep breath. I needed to calm down. Otherwise, that punch might not be the last.
"Yes."
"Alright." He answered quickly. "...I'll call it off."
I wanted to scream from happiness.
All the irritation I'd been carrying just disappeared—sushi or no sushi.
"...but on one condition..."
I froze. The joy I felt came to a screeching halt.
"...Let's start all over again."