Jay-Jay's POV
I was overthinking.
Again.
Not the cute, harmless kind of overthinking.
No.
This was the spiraling, chaotic, brain-refuses-to-shut-up kind.
Two people.
Two.
Not one.
Not a group.
Not "someone."
Two.
Muttering under my breath as I paced:
"Shun? …No. He'd make a dramatic entrance, not a secret one. Seraphina? Absolutely not—she'd send a formal invitation first… Mom? No—he wouldn't just drop that on me… Dad? …No, I would've passed out by now if that was true…"
I stopped mid-step.
Eyes widening slightly.
Jay (whispering to myself): "…Wait—WHAT IF—"
"We're here."
I froze.
Slowly turned my head.
Keifer was standing there.
Leaning casually against the car door like he hadn't just interrupted the most important investigation of my life.
Jay (blinking): "…Where?"
He looked at me.
Blank.
Unimpressed.
Almost offended.
Keifer: "Airport."
I looked around.
…Oh.
Huge building.
Planes.
People.
Luggage.
Right.
Jay (flat): "Okay first of all—don't just teleport me mentally and expect me to catch up."
Keifer (deadpan): "You were arguing with yourself."
Jay: "I was analyzing."
Keifer: "You said 'what if' three times."
Jay (defensive): "That's a thinking technique."
Keifer: "That's a breakdown."
I glared at him.
Jay: "I will push you onto the runway."
Keifer (calm): "I'd like to see you try."
…Why is he like this?
Then it hit me again.
Airport.
Air.
Jay (suddenly alert): "Wait—"
I stepped closer.
Eyes narrowing.
Jay: "You said they're coming by air—"
Pause.
Jay (faster): "WAIT—who are they?"
He didn't answer.
Of course he didn't.
He just walked ahead.
Jay (following instantly): "Keifer."
No response.
Jay: "Mark Keifer Watson."
That made him pause.
He glanced back.
Keifer: "You only use my full name when you're serious."
Jay: "I'm always serious."
Keifer: "That's concerning."
Jay: "Answer me."
He didn't.
I inhaled sharply.
Fine.
We're doing this my way.
Jay (rapid-fire): "Mom?"
Keifer: "No."
"Dad?"
"No."
"Someone from school?"
"No."
"Someone from your side?"
"No."
"SHUN?"
"No."
"SERAPHINA?"
"No."
"Aries?"
"No."
"ANGELO?"
"No."
"Honey?"
"…No."
"Percy?"
"…No."
I stopped walking.
Jay (squinting at him): "You hesitated."
Keifer: "I breathed."
Jay: "That was a suspicious breath."
Keifer: "All my breaths are suspicious to you."
Jay: "Because you're suspicious."
Keifer (slight smirk): "And yet you trust me."
Pause.
Jay (quietly): "…Unfortunately."
His smirk deepened.
God.
I resumed walking beside him.
But slower.
More calculated.
Jay (narrowing eyes): "You're enjoying this."
Keifer (without shame): "I am."
I gasped.
Jay: "You're evil."
Keifer: "I've been told."
Jay: "I'm telling you again."
Keifer: "Duly noted."
I crossed my arms.
Jay: "You're not getting away with this."
Keifer: "I already am."
…He's so annoying.
And yet—
My hand slipped into his without thinking.
He didn't react immediately.
Just… tightened his grip slightly.
Keifer (low): "You do that when you're nervous."
Jay: "I do that when I'm about to interrogate someone."
Keifer: "You're holding my hand while threatening me."
Jay: "Multitasking."
Keifer: "I taught you well."
Jay: "I hate that you think that."
Keifer: "You don't hate anything I do."
I opened my mouth—
Then closed it.
…He's right.
Again.
Ugh.
Jay (quickly changing topic): "Okay but—don't people come through the terminal?"
I gestured vaguely around.
Jay: "Like… normal human beings?"
He glanced at me.
Then ahead.
Keifer: "They're not 'people' people."
Pause.
Jay: "…What does that even mean?"
Keifer: "It means—"
He stopped walking.
Turned slightly toward the runway.
Keifer (calm): "They're arriving in a private jet."
Silence.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Jay (gasping loudly): "A PRIVATE JET???"
Heads turned.
People stared.
Keifer didn't even flinch.
Keifer (teasing, low): "Control yourself."
Jay (pointing at him): "I refuse."
Keifer: "I can tell."
Jay: "You said it like it's normal."
Keifer: "It is."
Jay: "No it's not."
Keifer: "It is for them."
Jay: "I'm suddenly very concerned about who 'them' is."
Keifer: "You should be."
…That didn't help.
At all.
My eyes scanned the runway.
Heart beating faster now.
Because this—
This suddenly felt real.
Two people.
Private jet.
Keifer being this calm about it.
Jay (muttering): "I don't like this…"
Keifer leaned slightly closer.
Keifer (low): "You will."
Jay: "That sounded like a threat."
Keifer: "It wasn't."
Jay: "That's worse."
He chuckled softly.
God.
That sound.
It did something to my stomach.
I looked away quickly.
Focus.
Plane.
Movement caught my eye.
Jay (suddenly pointing): "WAIT—"
A jet.
Sleek.
Private.
Descending.
My breath hitched.
Jay: "Is that them?!"
Keifer followed my gaze.
Then—
Keifer: "Yes."
And just like that—
Everything inside me flipped.
Excitement.
Fear.
Nervousness.
Curiosity.
All at once.
Jay (half-laughing, half-panicking): "Oh my god—oh my god—why am I nervous—why am I excited—what is happening—"
Keifer (watching me, amused): "You're spiraling again."
Jay: "BECAUSE YOU WON'T TELL ME ANYTHING—"
He stepped closer.
Closer than necessary.
Keifer (low, near my ear): "Relax."
Jay: "I can't—"
Keifer: "You can."
Jay: "I don't even know who I'm meeting—"
Keifer: "You'll find out in two minutes."
Jay: "Two minutes is too long—"
Keifer (soft smirk): "Impatient."
Jay: "Curious."
Keifer: "Same thing."
Jay: "No it's not."
Keifer: "You get like this when you want something."
Jay (suspicious): "…What are you implying?"
Keifer leaned in slightly.
Keifer (low, teasing): "That you don't wait well."
My breath hitched.
Jay: "That sounded—"
Keifer: "Intentional."
…I hate him.
I love him.
This is confusing.
The plane touched down.
Smooth.
Controlled.
And suddenly—
Everything went quiet in my head.
Because this was it.
The answer.
The past.
Walking toward me.
I swallowed slowly.
Jay (inner voice): Whoever this is…
My fingers tightened around his hand.
Jay (inner voice): They already know me.
And I don't know if I'm ready for that.
The jet slowed.
Stopped.
Door opening.
My heartbeat—
Louder.
Faster.
And for the first time since this started—
I didn't say a single word.
I just… waited.
The moment the jet door opened— my heartbeat stopped.
No warning. No preparation. No emotional stability whatsoever.
Just—
Him.
He stepped out first.
Calm. Composed. Like he hadn't just walked straight out of my past and into my lungs.
His gaze found mine instantly.
Like it always used to.
Like it never forgot.
Yuri (soft, steady): "…Jay."
My throat went dry.
My fingers curled into my own palms.
Jay (barely a whisper): "…Yuri…?"
For a second—
I didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't think.
Because ten years just—
collapsed.
Before I could react, Keifer stepped slightly forward.
Not blocking me.
Just… there.
Present.
They looked at each other.
Not hostile.
Not friendly.
Something… in between.
Yuri extended his hand.
Keifer took it.
Firm.
Measured.
Silent understanding.
Yuri (to Keifer, calm): "You kept your word."
Keifer didn't look at him long.
Just enough.
Keifer (low): "I always do."
I blinked.
Jay: "…What word—?"
Both of them ignored me.
RUDE.
Yuri looked back at me.
And this time—
really looked.
Not just surface.
Not just face.
Something deeper.
Yuri (quiet, thoughtful): "You haven't changed…"
Pause.
His gaze softened slightly.
"…and yet—you have."
I frowned immediately.
Jay: "…What does that even mean?"
He tilted his head slightly.
Like he was studying me.
Again.
Yuri: "You look the same."
Pause.
"But your presence…"
Another pause.
"…feels different."
My chest tightened.
Jay: "Different how?"
Yuri gave a small smile.
Not big.
Not loud.
Just… real.
Yuri: "Stronger."
…
I didn't expect that.
At all.
And before I could stop myself—
I moved.
I stepped forward—
and wrapped my arms around him.
Tight.
Too tight.
Like if I let go—
he'd disappear again.
He hugged me back instantly.
Like it was muscle memory.
Like nothing had changed.
Yuri (lightly, teasing): "Careful."
Pause.
"I don't want to die today."
I let out a watery laugh.
Jay (muffled): "Shut up—"
And then—
of course—
A hand wrapped around my arm.
Firm.
Possessive.
Familiar.
And I was gently—
but very clearly—
pulled back.
Jay (laughing through tears): "KEIFER—"
Keifer (calm, serious): "Distance."
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
Yuri: "Possessive."
Keifer: "Accurate."
I stared at both of them.
Jay: "…I hate both of you."
Keifer (without missing a beat): "No, you don't."
Yuri (smirking faintly): "She doesn't."
I groaned.
Jay: "Stop agreeing with each other. It's disturbing."
Keifer leaned slightly closer to me.
Just enough.
Keifer (low, near my ear): "Don't hug other men like that."
My breath hitched.
Jay (whispering): "He's not 'other men'—"
Keifer: "He's breathing."
Jay: "YOU ARE UNREAL—"
Keifer: "And you hugged him for too long."
Jay: "IT WAS THREE SECONDS—"
Keifer: "I counted five."
…
WHY DOES HE COUNT THESE THINGS.
Yuri chuckled softly.
Yuri: "I like him."
Keifer (dry): "That's unfortunate."
And then—
everything changed again.
A voice—
loud.
Desperate.
Breaking.
Voice (shouting): "JAY—!"
My entire body froze.
No.
No way.
I turned—
slowly.
Heart racing.
Breath shaking.
And then—
I saw him.
Running.
Straight at me.
I didn't even have time to react.
He crashed into me.
Arms wrapping around me so tightly—
I almost lost balance.
Jay: "—!"
We stumbled—
and I would've fallen—
but—
A hand steadied my back.
Keifer.
But the person holding me?
Didn't let go.
Not even a little.
And neither did I.
My hands clutched his shirt.
My face buried into his shoulder.
And suddenly—
I was crying.
Not soft tears.
Not controlled.
Messy.
Broken.
Real.
His grip tightened.
And I felt it.
His body shaking.
He was crying too.
Ci-N (choked, broken): "I missed you…"
Pause.
His voice cracked completely.
"…I missed you so much…"
My heart shattered.
Ci-N (through sobs): "Why did you leave…?"
I froze.
His grip tightened more.
Ci-N: "…Didn't you love us?"
…
That question—
hit harder than anything.
My breath broke.
Jay (sobbing): "Ci—N…"
I couldn't say anything else.
Because everything—
everything—
came rushing back.
Laughter.
Running.
Fights.
Promises.
Childhood.
Home.
Ten years.
Gone.
But somehow—
still here.
Keifer's POV
They held onto each other like the world had ended once—
and they refused to let it happen again.
And for a second—
I didn't interrupt.
Because this—
wasn't mine to break.
But time—
doesn't pause forever.
I stepped forward.
Voice controlled.
Firm.
Keifer: "We should go."
They didn't move.
Of course they didn't.
So I added—
Keifer (low, but clear): "You can continue this inside."
Jay sniffed slightly.
Still holding him.
Jay (muffled): "…He's not letting go."
Ci-N (immediate): "No."
I exhaled slowly.
Keifer: "Of course he isn't."
Yuri chuckled behind us.
Yuri: "This is going to be interesting."
Keifer (dry): "You have no idea."
Jay pulled back slightly—
just enough to look at him.
Jay (teary, smiling): "You look… different."
Ci-N laughed softly through tears.
Ci-N: "You disappeared for ten years and THAT'S your first line?"
Jay: "I had a speech prepared but I forgot everything—"
Ci-N: "Good. I didn't want a speech."
Jay: "You're still annoying."
Ci-N: "You still love me."
Jay: "…Unfortunately."
They both laughed.
Still crying.
I watched them.
Carefully.
Not angry.
Not jealous.
Just—
aware.
Because this?
This wasn't rivalry.
This was history.
And history—
doesn't disappear.
We started moving toward the exit.
Slowly.
Messily.
Emotionally.
Jay still held his hand.
Not letting go.
And I didn't stop her.
But my gaze?
Stayed sharp.
Because something told me—
This reunion—
wasn't just emotional.
It was going to change things.
Jay-Jay's POV
I thought I was ready for the past.
I thought I had time.
But standing there—
between who I was…
and who I became…
I realized—
Nothing prepares you…
for people who never stopped missing you.
Keifer's POV
By the time we reached the apartment—
they finally stopped crying.
Not completely.
Not cleanly.
But enough to breathe without breaking.
Jay still held his hand.
Of course she did.
Like if she let go—
he'd disappear again.
And him?
He didn't even try to pull away.
I noticed everything.
I always do.
The door shut behind us.
Silence settled—
but not empty silence.
Heavy.
Full.
Loaded with ten years of things unsaid.
Jay looked around like she suddenly remembered where she was.
Jay (sniffling slightly): "…Welcome to my place."
Ci-N turned slowly.
Taking everything in.
Ci-N: "You live here?"
Jay: "Yeah…"
Pause.
"…I built everything from scratch."
I glanced at her.
She didn't say it proudly.
She said it… quietly.
Like it still surprised her.
Yuri nodded once.
Yuri: "Impressive."
Jay shrugged.
Jay: "I was bored."
I huffed softly.
Keifer: "You cry over noodles and call that boredom?"
Jay turned instantly.
Jay: "EXCUSE ME—"
Ci-N blinked.
Ci-N: "You cried over noodles?"
Jay: "IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL SITUATION—"
Yuri (calm): "What kind of noodles?"
Jay: "WHY DOES THAT MATTER—"
I leaned against the wall, watching her spiral.
Keifer: "Instant."
Jay gasped.
Jay: "YOU DID NOT HAVE TO ADD THAT DETAIL—"
Ci-N burst out laughing.
Ci-N: "You didn't change at all."
Jay (defensive): "I have matured."
I raised an eyebrow.
Keifer: "Where?"
Jay: "…I hate you."
Keifer: "No, you don't."
She didn't reply.
Which proved my point.
Ci-N dropped his bag and stretched slightly.
Ci-N: "So… quick update."
Pause.
"I'm a doctor now."
Jay froze.
Jay: "…You're WHAT—"
Ci-N (grinning): "And a part-time pilot."
Silence.
Then—
Jay: "YOU FLY PLANES???"
Her voice echoed through the apartment.
Ci-N winced.
Ci-N: "Indoor voice—"
Jay (pointing at him): "YOU WERE THE SAME PERSON WHO COULDN'T RIDE A BICYCLE WITHOUT FALLING—"
Ci-N: "Growth."
Jay: "You CRIED when you scraped your knee—"
Ci-N: "I was FOURTEEN—"
Jay: "You're flying people in the SKY—"
Ci-N: "Professionally."
Jay turned to me slowly.
Eyes wide.
Accusing.
Jay: "…You knew this?"
Keifer: "Yes."
Jay: "You didn't tell me."
Keifer: "I wanted to see your reaction."
Jay: "I nearly had a heart attack—"
Keifer (dry): "Worth it."
She threw a cushion at me.
I caught it without looking.
Ci-N leaned casually against the counter.
Ci-N: "It's a custom jet, by the way."
Jay blinked.
Jay: "…Of course it is."
Ci-N (grinning wider): "Gift from him."
He pointed at me.
Jay turned slowly.
Again.
Jay: "…You're insane."
I tilted my head slightly.
Keifer: "I invest in useful people."
Ci-N smirked.
Ci-N: "I'm useful?"
Keifer: "You fly me places."
Jay: "YOU GAVE HIM A JET—"
Keifer: "You're loud."
Jay: "YOU'RE RICH—"
Keifer: "I've noticed."
Yuri chuckled softly.
Yuri: "He's underreacting."
Jay pointed at him too.
Jay: "YOU—WHY ARE YOU SO CALM—"
Yuri: "I've known him longer than you think."
I glanced at Yuri.
He didn't elaborate.
Good.
Jay turned back to him.
Jay: "And you?"
Yuri lifted one shoulder slightly.
Yuri: "Still single."
Jay narrowed her eyes.
Jay: "By choice?"
Yuri: "Mostly."
I smirked faintly.
Keifer: "He's picky."
Yuri: "I have standards."
Jay: "RUDE—"
Ci-N: "He means you didn't qualify."
Jay gasped.
Jay: "I WAS THE STANDARD—"
I leaned closer to her.
Just slightly.
Keifer (low): "You still are."
Her breath hitched.
And just like that—
she went quiet.
Effective.
Ci-N was watching her.
Closely.
Softly.
I decided to end that.
Keifer: "He refused to marry without you present."
Silence.
Complete.
Immediate.
Jay froze.
Jay: "…What?"
Ci-N scratched the back of his neck.
Ci-N: "It's not a big deal."
Jay stepped closer.
Jay: "…You waited?"
He shrugged.
Like it didn't matter.
Ci-N: "Some things are non-negotiable."
Her eyes softened.
Too much.
I watched it happen.
That look.
History.
Attachment.
Something that wasn't mine.
And for the first time since he walked in—
Something sharp twisted inside my chest.
I didn't show it.
Of course I didn't.
But I stepped closer.
Close enough that her shoulder brushed mine.
Intentional.
Claiming without saying anything.
She noticed.
She always does.
Jay glanced at me briefly.
Then back at him.
Jay (soft): "…That's stupid."
Ci-N smiled slightly.
Ci-N: "Yeah."
Jay: "…You should've lived your life."
Ci-N: "I did."
Pause.
"…Just kept one thing unchanged."
I exhaled slowly.
Keifer (low, under my breath): "Unfortunate."
Jay turned instantly.
Jay: "WHAT WAS THAT—"
Keifer: "Nothing."
Yuri smirked.
Yuri: "That was jealousy."
Jay blinked.
Jay: "…You're jealous?"
I met her gaze.
Steady.
Unbothered.
Keifer: "No."
Pause.
"…I'm aware."
Jay: "That's worse."
Keifer: "I know."
Ci-N clapped his hands lightly.
Breaking the tension.
Ci-N: "Okay—enough emotional damage."
Pause.
He looked at Jay.
Ci-N: "How's your life here?"
Everything stilled again.
Jay didn't answer immediately.
Her fingers curled slightly.
Her gaze dropped for a second.
And I noticed that too.
I wondered the same.
Not the version she tells people.
Not the version she jokes about.
The real one.
The one she hides.
The one that made her disappear for ten years.
I shifted slightly closer.
Close enough to remind her—
She wasn't alone answering that question anymore.
She glanced at me.
Just for a second.
Uncertain.
I leaned closer.
Low enough that only she heard.
Keifer (soft): "Don't lie."
Her breath caught.
Jay (whisper): "I wasn't planning to."
Keifer: "Good."
Pause.
"…I like the truth."
Jay: "You can't handle all of it."
Keifer smirked faintly.
Keifer: "Try me."
Her lips parted slightly.
And for a second—
It wasn't about them.
Not about the past.
Not about anything else.
Just—
us.
Ci-N watched her.
Waiting.
Yuri watched quietly.
Understanding.
And I—
I watched her the way I always do.
Carefully.
Completely.
Because whatever she says next—
will tell me everything.
"…My life here…"
She paused.
And I knew—
This wasn't going to be a simple answer.
Jay-Jay's POV
Everyone was looking at me.
Waiting.
Expecting.
Ten years.
One question.
Ci-N (soft, curious): "How's your life here?"
I inhaled slowly.
There were a thousand answers.
None of them simple.
So I smiled instead.
Just a little.
Jay: "I picked up a few hobbies."
Silence.
Keifer snorted.
Keifer: "That's an understatement."
I shot him a look.
Jay: "Let me build suspense."
Keifer: "You trip over stairs."
Jay: "That was ONE TIME—"
Keifer: "You fell twice."
Jay: "I slipped."
Keifer: "You argued with gravity."
Ci-N burst out laughing.
Ci-N: "She used to fall while standing still."
Jay: "YOU ARE NOT HELPING—"
Yuri (calm): "I believe them."
I glared at all three of them.
Jay: "I regret bringing you here."
Keifer (low, amused): "No, you don't."
…
Annoyingly accurate.
I grabbed my keys.
Turned toward the door.
Jay: "Come on."
Ci-N frowned slightly.
Ci-N: "Where are we going?"
I smirked.
Jay: "To prove a point."
Time skip —
The moment we stepped inside—
they froze.
Ci-N: "…This is your hobby?"
I leaned casually against the counter.
Jay: "One of them."
Keifer didn't say anything.
But I felt it.
His gaze.
On me.
Sharp.
Interested.
I picked up the gun case.
Opened it slowly.
Jay (calm, steady): "I wanted to be stronger."
Silence.
My fingers brushed the weapon.
Familiar.
Grounding.
Jay: "So I became stronger."
Ci-N blinked.
Ci-N: "…You're serious?"
Yuri stepped closer.
Watching carefully.
Yuri: "You trained?"
Jay: "Licensed."
I loaded it smoothly.
Like muscle memory.
Jay: "And disciplined."
Yuri exhaled slowly.
Yuri: "…You changed."
I met his eyes.
Jay (quiet, firm): "I had to."
Silence fell again.
But this time—
it wasn't confusion.
It was respect.
Behind me—
Keifer (low, near my ear): "You look good like this."
My breath hitched.
Jay (without turning): "Armed?"
Keifer: "In control."
Pause.
"…Dangerous."
I smirked slightly.
Jay: "You say that like it's new."
Keifer: "I'm just appreciating the upgrade."
…
Why does he say things like that so casually.
Three guys stepped into position.
Training partners.
Familiar faces.
Opponent 1: "You sure, Jay?"
Jay: "Always."
Ci-N leaned closer to Yuri.
Ci-N (whispering): "She's going to die."
Yuri: "…Watch."
Keifer crossed his arms.
Relaxed.
Too relaxed.
Keifer: "She'll be fine."
I rolled my shoulders.
Centered myself.
And then—
They attacked.
Fast.
Sharp.
Coordinated.
I moved.
Duck.
Block.
Twist.
Hit.
Opponent 2 stumbled back.
Ci-N: "WHAT—"
I didn't stop.
Turned.
Kicked.
Opponent 1 lost balance.
Yuri's eyes narrowed slightly.
Impressed.
Opponent 3 came from behind—
I grabbed his wrist.
Twisted.
Dropped him.
Silence.
Three down.
I straightened slowly.
Breathing steady.
Jay: "…Warm up."
Dead silence.
Then—
Ci-N: "…WHAT."
Yuri (low): "Efficient."
Keifer smirked.
Keifer: "She's dangerous."
I turned toward him.
Raised an eyebrow.
Jay: "You're just realizing that?"
Keifer: "I always knew."
Pause.
"…Now I have proof."
My heartbeat did something stupid.
Later —
We walked into my office.
Ci-N stopped at the entrance.
Ci-N: "You… built this?"
Jay: "Yeah."
Yuri looked around.
Observing everything.
Details.
Structure.
People.
Yuri: "From scratch?"
Jay: "Every part of it."
Keifer stood beside me.
Close.
Too close.
Keifer (low): "She doesn't do things halfway."
Jay: "You say that like it's a compliment."
Keifer: "It is."
The door swung open—
Samy: "YOU DIDN'T WAIT FOR ME—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her eyes landed on Yuri.
Pause.
Long pause.
Dangerous pause.
Oh no.
Jay: "…Samy—"
Samy (whispering, but not really whispering): "I like him."
She pointed.
Directly.
At Yuri.
I slapped my forehead.
Jay: "NO—"
Yuri blinked once.
Yuri: "No."
Silence.
Then—
Samy straightened.
Completely unfazed.
Samy: "I'll make you."
Ci-N choked on air.
Ci-N: "WHAT—"
Keifer turned his head slightly.
Watching the chaos unfold.
Keifer: "This is entertaining."
Jay: "STOP ENCOURAGING—"
Coel walked in behind Samy.
Took one look at the situation.
Coel: "…I missed something."
Jay: "She proposed."
Coel: "To who?"
Jay: "Him."
Coel nodded.
Coel: "Valid."
Yuri: "No."
Samy: "You'll say yes later."
Yuri: "No."
Samy: "Denial stage."
Ci-N was laughing uncontrollably.
Ci-N: "I like her."
Keifer: "She's a problem."
Jay: "She's MY problem."
Keifer (low): "Noted."
I turned toward him.
Jay: "You're enjoying this too much."
Keifer leaned slightly closer.
Keifer (low): "I enjoy watching you lose control."
My breath hitched.
Jay: "I'm not losing control—"
Keifer: "You just yelled at three people in ten seconds."
Jay: "That's leadership."
Keifer: "That's chaos."
Jay: "You love it."
Keifer (soft): "I love you."
…
I froze.
And then immediately—
Jay (flustered): "NOT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE—"
Samy (gasping): "HE SAID IT AGAIN—"
Coel: "He says it like breathing."
Ci-N (watching quietly): "…Yeah."
I avoided his gaze.
Ci-N looked around again.
More serious this time.
Ci-N: "One question."
Jay: "Hmm?"
Ci-N: "What does 'SE' stand for?"
Silence.
For a second—
I didn't answer.
Then I smiled.
Soft.
Not for show.
Jay: "Section E."
They frowned.
Ci-N: "…What?"
I looked at him.
Then at Yuri.
Then at Keifer.
Jay (quiet): "…Part of my family."
Silence.
This time—
not awkward.
Meaningful.
Yuri nodded slowly.
Yuri: "That makes sense."
Ci-N smiled slightly.
Ci-N: "You always did that."
Jay: "What?"
Ci-N: "Turn pain into something bigger."
…
I didn't reply.
Because this time—
he wasn't wrong.
Everyone was still there.
Talking.
Laughing.
Arguing.
But for the first time—
It didn't feel like pieces of my life.
It felt like one.
Messy.
Loud.
Complicated.
But mine.
I left to become stronger.
And somewhere along the way—
I became someone I didn't even recognize.
But standing there—
with all of them—
I realized—
Maybe…
I didn't lose myself.
I rebuilt myself.
The chaos didn't end.
It multiplied.
"NO."
Yuri's voice was flat.
Final.
Samy pointed at him like she was announcing war.
"I call his room."
"No."
"I already decided."
"You decided wrong."
I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh.
Keifer leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching like this was premium entertainment.
"Denied," he said calmly.
Samy gasped. "YOU DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY—"
"I do," Keifer replied.
She turned to me dramatically.
"Jay, say something."
"I'm enjoying this," I said honestly.
"Traitor."
Ci-N was sitting on the couch, watching everything with pure amusement.
"This is what your life looks like now?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "It's… a lot."
He grinned.
"I like it."
Samy crossed her arms.
"Fine. If I can't stay with him—"
"You can't," Yuri said immediately.
She ignored him.
"—then I choose Jay's room."
"No," I said instantly.
She blinked.
"You're choosing him over me?"
I pointed at Ci-N.
"I'm choosing my childhood best friend who hasn't seen me in ten years over your temporary crush."
Samy narrowed her eyes.
"Temporary?"
Yuri muttered, "Hopefully."
She pointed at him again.
"You. Stop talking. You're already in love with me."
"I'm not."
"You will be."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"Stop," Keifer cut in, voice calm but firm. "You're exhausting."
After fifteen more minutes of arguing—
Actual arguing—
We somehow settled.
Samy (dramatically flopping on the couch): "This is injustice."
Coel (passing by): "This is peace."
Final pairing:
• Me + Ci-N • Keifer + Yuri • Samy + Coel (against her will, apparently)
Samy pointed at Yuri one last time before leaving.
"This isn't over."
Yuri looked at Keifer.
"…Is she serious?"
Keifer smirked slightly.
"Yes."
Yuri sighed.
"…Great."
The apartment slowly quieted.
For the first time that day—
Everything slowed down.
I sat on the bed, hugging my knees slightly, staring at the city lights through the window.
Ci-N walked in behind me, closing the door softly.
For a moment—
Neither of us spoke.
Then—
"Hey."
His voice was quieter now.
Softer.
Familiar.
I turned.
"Hey."
He sat beside me.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just… right.
"I missed you," he said.
No jokes.
No teasing.
Just truth.
Something in my chest tightened.
"I missed you too."
Silence.
Comfortable.
Heavy.
Then suddenly—
He bumped his shoulder into mine.
"You still cry this easily?"
I gasped.
"I do NOT—"
"You literally cried at the airport."
"You cried too!"
"That was emotional depth."
"That was embarrassing."
"That was bonding."
"That was ugly crying."
He laughed.
And just like that—
Ten years disappeared.
"You still talk too much," he added.
"You still act like you're smarter than everyone."
"I am smarter than everyone."
"Doctor doesn't mean genius."
"I'm also a pilot."
"That just means you're dramatic with machines."
He leaned back, stretching.
"You used to think planes were magic."
"I still do."
"You said you'd marry a pilot."
I froze.
"…Did I?"
He turned his head slowly.
"Yes."
Pause.
"…Should I be concerned about your current choices?"
I grabbed a pillow and hit him.
"SHUT UP."
He laughed again.
Loud.
Unfiltered.
The kind of laugh I hadn't heard in years.
And for a moment—
Everything felt normal.
"Jay," he said after a while.
I hummed.
"You really changed."
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I knew—
He didn't mean it lightly.
"I had to," I said quietly.
He nodded.
Didn't question it.
Didn't push.
And somehow—
That made it harder.
Then—
Softly.
Carefully.
Like he was afraid to break something—
"Why did you leave?"
Everything stopped.
My breath.
My thoughts.
My heartbeat.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Heavier.
I looked at him—
And for a second—
I almost told him.
Almost.
Then panic crept in.
Fast.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
"I—"
My voice failed.
He waited.
Patient.
Trusting.
And I couldn't.
"Tell me more about flying."
The words came out too fast.
Too forced.
He blinked.
Then smiled.
Easily.
Naturally.
"You're changing the topic."
"Yes."
"Not subtle."
"Not trying to be."
He laughed softly.
"Fine."
And just like that—
He let it go.
Didn't question.
Didn't push.
Didn't notice.
Or maybe—
He did.
And chose not to say anything.
"You should see the cockpit," he said.
"Don't start."
"It's impressive."
"You're impressed by yourself."
"I'm impressed by engineering."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You are."
He leaned closer slightly.
"You wanna fly?"
I blinked.
"…What?"
He smirked.
"I can take you."
Before I could answer—
The door suddenly opened.
Keifer.
He stood there, eyes scanning the room.
Landing on me.
Then Ci-N.
"…Am I interrupting?"
Ci-N grinned.
"Depends. Are you here to be annoying?"
Keifer walked in calmly.
"I'm always here to be annoying."
I rolled my eyes.
"You live for chaos."
"I live for you."
My heart—
Did that thing again.
"Stop saying things like that randomly," I muttered.
"No."
Ci-N looked between us.
"…You two are weird."
Keifer sat beside me.
Close.
Too close.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Flying," I said.
"He wants to impress me."
"I don't need to," Ci-N said.
"I already did."
Keifer glanced at him.
Then at me.
Then back at him.
"…Careful," he said calmly.
Ci-N smirked.
"Jealous?"
Keifer didn't react immediately.
Just leaned slightly closer to me.
"Should I be?" he asked quietly.
I swallowed.
"…No."
He hummed.
"Good."
Ci-N raised an eyebrow.
"…That was subtle."
Keifer looked at him.
"I don't do subtle."
I hit his arm lightly.
"Behave."
He leaned closer to my ear slightly.
"Or what?"
I froze.
"…Keifer."
He smirked.
"Relax. I'm being good."
Ci-N watched us.
"…You're not."
Eventually—
Keifer stood up.
"I'll let you sleep."
He looked at me.
Just me.
"Don't overthink."
I blinked.
"…I wasn't."
He gave me a look.
A knowing one.
Then—
He left.
The room fell silent again.
Ci-N leaned back.
"You're in love with him."
I didn't answer.
Because I didn't need to.
Later—
When the lights were off—
And the room was quiet—
And everything slowed down—
His question came back.
"Why did you leave?"
And I still—
Didn't have an answer I could say out loud.
Jay (inner voice): Some truths don't stay hidden forever…
And mine—
was already catching up to me.