The storm outside still hadn't stopped.
Rain hit the windows of the Supreme Court of the Philippines building like thousands of tiny drums. Lightning flashed again, lighting the courtroom for a second.
Jay stood near the center table, pretending to organize her files.
Pretending nothing happened.
Pretending she did not just hug her biggest rival in front of everyone.
Across the room, Mark Keifer Watson was watching her.
Quiet.
Thinking.
On the judge's bench, Luke Reyes leaned back with his hands behind his head like he was watching the best show of his life.
"Oh this storm is fantastic," Luke said cheerfully. "We should have power outages more often."
Jay groaned.
"Your Honor."
"Yes, Counselor Mariano?"
"Please stop enjoying this."
Luke grinned.
"Impossible."
In the back row, chaos was already happening.
Percy was pacing.
"Did you SEE that?"
Jane grabbed his arm.
"Percy, she literally hugged him."
Percy pointed at the front.
"IN COURT."
Keigan leaned forward excitedly.
"Ate Jay looked terrified though."
Keiren nodded.
"But Kuya Keifer didn't even hesitate."
Percy whispered dramatically,
"He went full protective mode."
Behind them, Michael Aries Fernandes stood with arms crossed.
Watching Keifer.
Very carefully.
Near the front, their parents were also talking quietly.
Jasfher Mariano sighed.
"My princess hates storms."
Beside him, Jeana Fernandez nodded softly.
"She's been like that for years."
Across the aisle, Mark Keizer Watson leaned back in his chair.
"My son noticed immediately."
Serina smiled gently.
"He always notices people he cares about."
At the front again—
Jay finally finished stacking her papers.
She turned to leave.
But Keifer stepped in front of her.
Blocking the path.
Jay raised an eyebrow.
"What."
Keifer's voice was calm.
"Why are you scared of storms."
Jay blinked.
"…excuse me?"
"You heard me."
Jay crossed her arms.
"That's none of your business."
Keifer didn't move.
"You shook."
"So?"
"You ran to me."
Jay's face flushed.
"That did not happen."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"Half the courtroom saw it."
From the bench, Luke raised his hand.
"Confirmed."
Jay pointed at him.
"You are not helping."
Luke smiled proudly.
"I never do."
Jay turned back to Keifer.
Her voice quieter now.
"Move."
"No."
"Watson."
"Mariano."
She glared.
"You're annoying."
"You're avoiding the question."
Jay exhaled slowly.
Thunder rumbled again outside.
Her shoulders tensed slightly.
Keifer noticed immediately.
His voice softened.
"You don't have to pretend you're fearless."
Jay looked up at him.
For a moment…
Her usual sarcastic expression disappeared.
Just for a second.
Then she shook her head.
"You don't know anything about me."
Keifer didn't argue.
Instead he said quietly,
"Then tell me."
Jay stared at him.
Confused.
Suspicious.
"Why do you care?"
Keifer paused.
That question caught him off guard.
"…I don't know."
Jay blinked.
That was the most honest answer he had ever given her.
Behind them—
Percy whispered loudly,
"OH MY GOD HE DOESN'T KNOW."
Jane slapped his shoulder.
"SHHH."
Keigan was staring like this was a movie.
Keiren whispered,
"Kuya is falling."
Aries stepped forward slightly.
His voice cold.
"Watson."
Keifer turned.
Aries walked closer.
Calm.
But dangerous.
"If you make her cry…"
Keifer met his gaze.
"I won't."
Aries studied him for a long moment.
Then nodded once.
"Good."
Another loud thunderclap echoed.
Jay flinched again.
Keifer saw it.
Without thinking—
He stepped slightly closer to her side.
Not touching.
Just… there.
Jay noticed.
And surprisingly—
She didn't move away.
From the bench, Luke clapped once again.
"Well!"
Everyone jumped.
Luke smiled like a proud teacher.
"The court will resume tomorrow once the storm clears."
He pointed at Jay and Keifer.
"But I expect the emotional tension to continue."
Jay groaned.
Keifer sighed.
Percy pumped his fist in the air.
"TEAM JAYFER WINS AGAIN."
Jay grabbed a file and threw it at him.
Outside the courthouse later, rain was still pouring.
Jay stood under the entrance roof waiting.
Her ankle still hurt slightly.
Keifer walked up beside her quietly.
Neither spoke for a moment.
Then he said,
"You don't have to tell me."
Jay glanced at him.
"What."
"About the storms."
She looked back at the rain.
"…good."
Keifer nodded.
"But if you ever want to…"
He shrugged slightly.
"I'll listen."
Jay stared at him.
Completely confused.
Because this was not the rival she knew.
And that scared her almost as much as the thunder.