Keifer's POV
The door slammed behind Yuri, echoing like a gunshot in the sudden silence. My hands shook from gripping his collar, knuckles white. Jay stood strong beside Rakki and Ella, chin up, but I saw the tremor in her fingers.
"Everyone okay?" Angelo asked, voice steady as he checked the locks.
Nods rippled through the room. C-in punched the air. "We got him! Team Section E forever!"
Serina crossed from the kitchen, face pale but fierce. She pulled Jay into a hug first. "Anak, you alright?"
"Yeah," Jay said, voice firm. "Just… surprised."
I stepped close, wrapping my arms around both of them. "I'm sorry. Should've watched closer."
Jay turned into me, hand on my chest. "Not your fault. We're good."
The girls swarmed her — Freya squeezing her shoulder, Mica muttering "creep," Ella promising ice cream therapy. Percy cracked his knuckles dramatically. "Say the word, I'll handle round two."
Felix laughed, breaking tension. "Dude got yeeted by the whole squad."
Rakki smirked. "Literally cornered himself."
Laughter bubbled up, shaky at first, then real. Keiren and Keigan high-fived. Aunty Gemma passed comfort snacks — extra lumpia, chocolate cake.
Movie resumed, but no one focused. Instead, stories shifted — everyone sharing their own "creep" moments, turning fear into power. Jay leaned against me, bracelet brushing her arm.
"Team," Angelo said finally, raising his soda. "Always."
Glasses clinked.
Later, as the apartment emptied — hugs tighter, promises fiercer — Jay and I cleaned up side by side.
"He won't come back," I said, scrubbing a plate too hard.
"I know." She dried beside me, calm. "We're stronger than him."
I pulled her close, water dripping forgotten. "Love you. Fierce queen."
She smiled up at me. "Love you too, protector ulupong."
Dishes done. Lights low.
Yuri's shadow lingered, but it was small now.
Ours was bigger.