"He's jealous!"
I stared at the screen, frowning. "Maybe he's just worried. Jay said he doesn't trust Great."
Then I saw a message from Great pop up.
[Great]: What does this mean?
[Great]: sent an image.
[Great]: sent an image.
"What is that?" Nao looked at my phone screen, curious. I opened the image, and it turned out to be a screenshot of the conversation between him and Jay. So Jay had asked for Great's contact for this.
I was surprised. I didn't want to admit it, but…
"He's totally jealous! You think so too, right?" Nao gently shook my shoulders.
"I don't want to assume."
"It's not an assumption. This is more than clear, even if he's not aware that he's jealous. If you're unsure, ask him."
"Ask what?"
"Why do you want me to block Great?"
"I'll apologize to Great first."
[Dan]: Sorry.
[Great]: Is he your boyfriend?
[Dan]: No.
[Dan]: You don't remember who he is?
[Great]: Oh, the guy who used to go to the gym with you?
[Dan]: Yeah.
[Great]: Then why did he send me a message like this?
[Dan]: It was just a misunderstanding.
[Dan]: Sorry.
[Great]: Okay.
[Great]: I was just confused.
[Great]: Are you two just friends?
[Great]: Or are you together and he's jealous?
[Dan]: No, it's not like that.
[Great]: Oh.
[Great]: Sorry for the misunderstanding.
[Dan]: It's okay.
[Dan]: Great, excuse me.
[Dan]: I have to block you.
[Great]: I understand.
[Great]: You have someone new. It's not good to keep my contact.
[Great]: It was nice knowing you. Good luck.
[Dan]: You too.
I blocked Great.
"He's a good guy," Nao said after watching me block Great. "I remember you told him you were busy with work. Not that you're not busy now." Nao smiled. "The right person will always be the right person."
I smiled. "Maybe."
"Ask Jayden," Nao insisted.
I opened the chat with Jay. "If I ask 'Why am I blocking him?' Jay would say he doesn't trust him."
"Keep going. Ask first."
"Yeah."
[Dan]: Jay, why do you want me to block Great?
[Dan]: Why does he need to be blocked?
[Jayden]: Because I don't trust him.
I looked at Nao for an opinion.
"Try asking if it's really necessary to block him."
"But I already blocked him."
"Things like this require a little testing."
I frowned, looking at Nao with a skeptical expression.
"Then tell him that he seems trustworthy," Nao suggested. "It's not a lie, Great really does seem like a good person."
"Alright, I guess."
[Dan]: But he seems trustworthy.
The message was read, but there was no reply.
"He's not answering, and it's taking a while," I said.
"Just wait."
"Yeah."
"Are you going to tell everyone? Everyone must be curious about what happened at lunch." Nao changed the subject. "Especially Tiger, he needs an explanation," he added.
"Yeah," I mumbled. "Should I wait?"
"Why? Mom must be anxious already."
"True," I sighed. "If I give her hope and Jay doesn't choose me, she'll be disappointed. I'll wait a little longer."
"If you get your heart broken, Mom will be sad. She definitely wants to support you. When you're happy, she's happy. When you're sad, she's sad too. Don't keep it to yourself."
"You're right," I nodded. "I'll tell her at dinner."
"And Tiger?"
"What about him?"
"He's worried about you. If he finds out you like Jayden, he'll be shocked. One, because this is your first love, and two, because it's Jayden," Nao smiled. "Just announce it at dinner."
I smiled. My phone vibrated. Finally, Jay answered.
[Jayden]: Do you like him the way he likes you?
[Dan]: No, it's not like that.
[Jayden]: Okay.
[Dan]: Then about blocking him?
[Jayden]: If you don't want to, it's okay.
Nao whispered, "He's sad. Call him." I looked at him seriously.
"If I were Tiger, I'd say I'm fine, but I'd cry."
"Alright," I called Jay. He picked up quickly.
[Yeah?]
"Jay."
[Yeah?]
"About blocking Great," I started cautiously. "I already blocked him. Sorry for making you think I didn't."
[Why did you block him?]
"Huh?"
[Why?]
"Because it made you uncomfortable."
[Sorry.] His voice sounded weak. [I made you feel bad. I forced you. Don't hate me, I won't do it again.]
"No," I answered quickly. "No, no. I don't hate you. Turn on your camera," I asked, activating the video. Nao moved away. Jay turned on his camera, looking gloomy. "I will never hate you. You didn't make me feel bad."
He was silent, waiting.
"If something's bothering you, just tell me. I just want to know why you don't trust him when he seems like a good person. Jay?"
[Because he likes you.]
"Uh-huh."
[Because he likes you. If you like him, you will go to him, and you will no longer be with me.]
"Ah, I understand." I smiled, feeling a little sad. This was like a child jealous of their parents. "I will always be with you, I've promised many times, have you forgotten?"
[Just the two of us?]
I raised an eyebrow, confused. "Us?"
[Just you and me... is that okay?] Jay spoke in a soft voice. [Without anyone else.]
"...Not like that..." I unconsciously answered quietly. I saw Nao looking uneasy. I thought about what to say while Jay waited. "Just you and me? Then I wouldn't be with my family."
[You can be with them.]
"So how exactly is it?"
[...] Jay was silent. I started getting nervous. [You're with your family, but you come to see me. Without looking at anyone else.]
"Ah."
[Can you?]
"And will you look at anyone else?" I decided to ask.
Jay shook his head. [I won't look at anyone else. I've already said that I only need you.]
"Really? Then, okay."
Jay's face on the camera brightened, smiling.
[You promise?]
"Yes, I won't break my promise. And neither will you."
[Yes.] We talked a little more before ending the call. Jay asked to video call before bed. I agreed. As I hung up the call, I saw Nao smiling.
"How lucky to see you both falling in love."
"What?"
"You're blushing. You've won him over, haven't you?"
"No," I shook my head quickly. "Jay asked for it to be just the two of us, and I agreed."
"Ah." Nao crossed his arms, nodding quickly. "And asking if he would look at anyone else wasn't flirting?"
"Jay said not to look at anyone else, so he shouldn't either. It's Feir, right?"
"Ah, yes, yes."
"Nao," I playfully hit his shoulder.
"You're not worried anymore. A few minutes ago, you were thinking about the worst-case scenario."
"It's just..." I swung on the swing. "Now I'm happy, I don't want to think about bad things."
Nao pushed my swing too. "You don't have to."
"Hmm?"
"Let the future unfold. Love whoever you want, you're not hurting anyone." Nao smiled. "Are you happy now? Good. Give it your all. If you fall, we will support you."
"That's touching," I said proudly. "Thank you."
"Hm," he smiled, patting my shoulder. "Take it easy. Learn little by little, Dan."
I smiled contentedly. "Yeah, yeah."
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
"What?" Mom was the first to speak, quickly standing up with her hand covering her mouth. "Dan, is this true?"
I nodded, embarrassed. Announcing that I liked Jay during dinner, was that a good idea? Everyone looked surprised.
"Uncle loves that guy?" Fei was also shocked, as was Tiger, who looked stunned while Nao calmed him down. Fei waved her hand. "He loves Uncle too, I'm sure!"
"Why do you think that, Fei?"
"Because he said so at lunch. Just like Daddy Ger when he gets jealous of Papa Nao. He loves Uncle too. Fei will have a new uncle! No, what should I call him? Uncle, or Auntie?"
I laughed. "No, he's not Auntie, and I'm not sure he likes me."
"Huh? He likes you! How could he not? You're so kind." Fei nodded with a happy face.
"I don't know."
"Dan," Mom held my hand. "Dan, my child, oh my god," her reaction was exactly as I imagined. "Finally, my child has fallen in love. I hope you succeed. If you need help, let me know. I will support you in everything. If you've chosen him, I will love whoever you love."
"We're not together yet," I smiled nervously. "I just wanted to say that I like someone for the first time," I scratched my neck, not knowing where to put my hands.
"That's Jane's child. Isn't this fate?" Mom looked very happy, as if I was getting married.
"I don't know if he likes me."
"Why wouldn't he like you? I don't see any reason," Mom frowned. "Right, Fei?"
"Yes, yes."
"I completely agree," added Nao. I sighed and nodded, smiling.
"I hope so, but let's take it slow."
"Yes," Mom pursed her lips. "So what's next? Will you get married and live here, or live on your own?"
"No, Mom, calm down."
Mom smiled. "I'm just joking. If there's any news, let Mom and Fei know. We will support you."
"Yeah." I looked at Tiger, who seemed less surprised but more serious. I signaled for a private talk. He nodded, and we walked outside.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
"I knew you'd be the most worried, Tiger."
"Yeah. Uh, Dan..." Tiger seemed hesitant.
"It's okay, just say what you're thinking."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Oh, you're really sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Hey, you know Jayden well, right?"
"Yes."
"Dan, you've made your decision. If you're happy, I'm happy. I won't stop you. I want you to get what you want. But does that mean we'll be family?"
"Eh, maybe."
"Ever heard the saying 'two tigers cannot share one cave'? I want to show you the scars he left on me, but there aren't any because Nao applied cream there," Tiger touched his side. "Can I trust him?"
"You trust him more now, don't you?"
"If you like him, we need to trust him more than this."
"I love everyone in the house," I said with a reassuring smile. "If I didn't trust him, I wouldn't bring him."
"Yeah, that's true."
"Jay has been through a lot. The world hasn't been kind to him," I sat down. "I want to be something good for him because he is something good for me."
"Is this just pity?"
I shook my head. "Pity doesn't make your heart beat faster."
"Alright, I understand," Tiger sat up straight. "I'm just worried. Sorry."
"It's natural," I quickly replied. "I knew you'd be worried. You're from the same world and have had issues before. I'd be worried too. That's why I wanted to talk."
"You're still kind-hearted. No wonder you broke so many hearts in school."
"Wait," I laughed. "What?"
"It's true. My friends used to buy the soy milk you sold just to see you, even the ones who were allergic."
"That's just because it tasted good."
"Yeah, it was good."
"Back then, you also used to go to the shop just to see Nao."
"No, I started liking him after going there."
"Oh," I nodded.
"So..."
"Hm?"
"When you and Mom found out about my job, why did you let me stay?"
"It's simple, because Nao believed in you," I smiled. "That's all there is to it."
"That's all there is to it?"
"Yeah."
"Then we'll believe in Jayden because you believe in him."
"Thank you," I smiled. "Tiger, I want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Did you get rid of Jay's gang?"
"Leon did. He handled everything," Tiger answered confidently.
"Alright. There's another gang that has issues with Jay's father, different from Jay's gang. Do you know anything about it?"
"Hm?" He frowned. "No, do you want me to look into it?"
"Can you? Is that too much to ask?"
"No, it's very easy."
"Thank you."
After we finished talking, we returned to the dining room. The topic of conversation was my first love. Everyone was telling Fei what I was like before: a bookworm who focused on studying, never interested in anyone until I started working. They recalled times when people confessed to me or asked me out and how I rejected them. Hearing all of it made me embarrassed. Nao had a good memory, especially for things like this.
"Having an adorable older brother is exhausting," Nao pretended to sigh. "I had to protect you from bad kids and chase away admirers. Most of them were Dad's friends. When he rejected them, Dad was the one who comforted them."
"Uncle is really cute."
"Eh," I scratched my cheek. "Why are you suddenly saying that? Thanks. It's already late, I should—"
"You're going to call Jayden, right? Alright, let's go."
"Okay, Uncle is going to call Jayden. Fei going to shower first."
"Hmmm... you two..."
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
After showering, I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment, wondering why I was doing this. Usually, I didn't check myself before calling Jay. It's true, we want to look good in front of the person we like. I picked up my phone, placed it on the bedside table, and took a deep breath before starting the video call.
Jay answered in less than five seconds. I was the first to speak, my voice slightly nervous at first.
"What are you doing? Uh, what were you up to?"
[Waiting for Dan.]
"Ah, sorry for making you wait."
[It's okay.]
"Jay, I asked Tiger about the gang that has problems with your father. Is that okay?"
Jay turned his head, thinking.
[Ah... yeah. Why?]
"It's better to have information. I'm afraid they'll come back to hurt you."
[Nothing's going to happen to me.]
"But I'm worried."
[...]
I smiled. "Am I not allowed to worry?"
[I don't want you to worry. Tell Tiger to send the information, and I'll take care of it,] Jay said seriously. [So you'll stop worrying.]
"Wait," I stopped him. "No, Jay. No more 'I'll take care of it.'"
[But they're making you worry.]
"I don't want you to go back to that. You don't like it, right?"
[Yes…]
"Let's make a deal. You won't hurt anyone or handle them, except in the ring," I said seriously. "Alright?"
[Yes.]
"But if they attack you first, you can defend yourself."
[What if they hurt you?]
"If they hurt me?" I repeated his words.
[I'll protect you.]
Without realizing it, I smiled. "Really?"
[Yes,] Jay answered seriously. [I'll protect you.]
"Thank you."
[Dan.]
"Yeah?"
[I want a photo frame and sunflowers.]
"Sure, we'll go shopping. The frame is for your mom's photo?"
[Yeah, and the sunflowers are for when I miss you.]
"Alright," I grinned.
I didn't know if this counted as flirting, but Jayden got one point!