The Mariano house was unusually loud that night.
Not because of Jay.
Because of Percy.
Jay walked into the living room and immediately stopped.
"…what is that."
On the wall was a huge board.
Photos.
Sticky notes.
Red strings.
Dates.
Jay stared.
"Percy."
Percy Jude Mariano stood proudly in front of it like a detective.
"This," he said dramatically, "is the Jayfer Investigation Board."
Jane burst out laughing from the couch.
"PERCY you actually did it."
Jay looked horrified.
"You are insane."
Percy pointed at the board.
"Evidence."
Jay walked closer.
There were photos from court.
Keifer catching her.
Keifer giving her water.
Keifer looking at her.
Jay grabbed a sticky note.
It said:"Moment he started caring."
She turned slowly.
"I will destroy this house."
Percy raised a finger.
"Correction."
He tapped another note.
"Possible first crush moment."
Jane clapped.
"This is art."
From the doorway, Michael Aries Fernandes walked in.
He stared at the board.
Long.
Silent.
Then he looked at Percy.
"You have too much free time."
Percy nodded proudly.
"Yes."
Aries walked closer.
He pointed at a photo of Keifer holding Jay.
"If he hurts her…"
Percy finished calmly.
"We bury him."
Jay threw a pillow at both of them.
Meanwhile — Watson House
The Watson house was also loud.
Because Mir Keigan Watson had just opened the Team Jayfer group chat.
Keigan: Breaking news. Percy made a conspiracy board.
Keiren: I want pictures.
Percy immediately sent one.
Keiren screamed.
"KUYA COME SEE THIS."
Keifer walked into the living room.
"What."
Keiren turned the phone around.
Keifer stared.
At the board.
At the photos.
At the red string.
He blinked slowly.
"…Percy is insane."
Keigan laughed.
"Actually it's very detailed."
Keifer rubbed his face.
"I hate all of you."
Just then Mark Keizer Watson walked in.
"What are you boys yelling about?"
Keiren handed him the phone.
Keizer looked.
Then laughed.
"Oh that's brilliant."
Keifer groaned.
"Dad."
Keizer smirked.
"You caught her twice."
"I prevented a fall."
Keigan grinned.
"Sounds romantic."
Keifer glared.
"It wasn't."
Their mother Serina Watson walked in.
She saw the board photo.
"Oh my."
She smiled softly.
"She's very pretty."
Keifer walked out of the room.
Immediately.
Keigan whispered to Keiren,
"He's panicking."
Keiren nodded.
"Definitely panicking."
The Next Day — Courtroom
Jay arrived early.
Mostly because she wanted to avoid Percy.
But unfortunately—
He was already there.
With coffee.
And the phone.
Jay narrowed her eyes.
"You posted the board."
Percy sipped coffee calmly.
"Yes."
"You're dead."
Jane walked in.
"Oh please Sugar, the internet loves it."
Jay froze.
"…the internet?"
Jane showed her the phone.
The board photo had thousands of likes.
Jay covered her face.
"I'm moving to another country."
Across the room—
Keifer walked in.
He had clearly seen the post.
Because the moment he saw Jay—
He sighed.
Jay crossed her arms.
"This is your fault."
Keifer blinked.
"How."
"You caught me."
"You fell."
"You were there."
"So were you."
They stared at each other again.
Luke Reyes walked in right on time.
He sat down and looked around the courtroom.
Then he smiled.
"Oh excellent."
Jay groaned.
"What now."
Luke pulled out his phone.
He showed the photo.
The board.
The entire courtroom gasped.
Luke laughed.
"Counselors, you're trending."
Jay whispered,
"I'm going to kill Percy."
Keifer rubbed his temple.
Luke leaned forward happily.
"I'm starting a bet."
Jay froze.
"No."
Keifer sighed.
"Please don't."
Luke smiled like a villain.
"One hundred dollars."
He tapped the desk.
"You two date before the year ends."
Percy shouted from the back.
"I'M IN."
Keigan raised his hand.
"Same."
Keiren added,
"Definitely."
Jane nodded.
"Obviously."
Aries crossed his arms.
"No."
The room went quiet.
Aries looked directly at Keifer.
"If he hurts her, there will be no year."
Luke blinked.
"…intense."
Jay sighed.
"Can we just start the case."
Luke nodded happily.
"Yes of course."
Then he whispered dramatically,
"But the romance subplot continues."
Jay dropped her head on the table.
Keifer looked at her.
And for the first time—
He actually laughed.
A real one.
And Jay heard it.
And somehow…
That annoyed her even more.