chapter 388

Love and war.

(Jay Jay’s POV)

So there I was—midnight, thirsty, and definitely regretting eating that extra spicy pancit canton before bed.

My throat felt like Mount Mayon erupting. I dragged myself to the kitchen, barefoot, hair looking like a bird’s nest, when—

Plot twist.

Yuri.

Sitting there on the kitchen stool like it was the most normal thing in the world. Midnight, dark house, just him and a glass of milk. I swear my heart almost did a backflip out of my chest.

“Oh. You’re awake,” he said casually.

Awake? Bro, I was about to be dead.

I grabbed the nearest glass like it was my lifeline and went straight to the fridge. Short answers, Jay Jay. Don’t panic.

Don’t slip. Because the second I saw his face, that memory attacked me again—the killer list. The list I shouldn’t have found. The one with Keifer’s name on it.

I tightened my grip on the glass until I thought it would shatter.

Yuri’s eyes followed me, sharp and too calm. “Why are you awake?”

“Water,” I muttered. One word. Efficient. Cold.

“You should sleep more.”

“Okay.” I gulped my water, set the glass down, and headed straight back to my room. No goodnight. No smile. Nothing.

Door closed. Lights off. And then—boom. The tears came.

Because it wasn’t fair. I loved Keifer. And if that list was true… if Yuri really wanted him dead… then what was I supposed to do? Just sit back and let it happen?

No way.

I curled up, hugged my pillow, and cried quietly. Because nobody could know. Not Sir ,. Not even Kuya Angelo. This was my secret to carry.

Only ma'am Cindy do...

---

Morning came, but my eyes felt like I’d lost a boxing match with my own feelings. Still, I plastered on the usual Jay Jay smile. Tie the ribbon, fix the skirt, hair up, bag packed. Normal. Fake it till you make it.

And then—bam. Yuri again. Leaning in the doorway like a K-drama lead with villain energy.

“I’ll drive you to school,” he offered.

“No thanks,” I shot back, sliding past him like he was a wall. “I already have a ride.”

And by ride, I meant by is horoscope Aries. My escape car. My excuse.For clear thinking.

---

At school, the universe decided to make things extra complicated. Because the second we pulled into the parking lot, there he was.

Keifer.

Messy hair, lazy expression, leaning on his car-- Rolls-Royce like some campus bad boy—except he was my soft spot, my secret heartbeat.

And then I panicked. Because if I lost him, I’d lose everything.

Before he could even react, I rushed up, grabbed a handful of his shirt, and hugged him like the world was ending.

Regret later because horoscope looked like he would die.

“Jay?” His voice was surprised, low.

I pressed my face into his chest, holding on tighter. “Don’t mind me. Morning hug privileges,” I joked weakly, trying to hide the tears burning in my eyes.

He chuckled, a little awkward. “You’re weird.”

“Thanks,” I muttered. But I didn’t let go. Not yet.

---

Inside the classroom, of course, Section E noticed. Because Section E notices everything.

Ci immediately raised a brow. “Well, well, early morning drama?”

Batang kumang leaned back in his chair, smirking. “That wasn’t just a hug, Jay Jay. That was a grab him before he escapes kind of hug.”

“Shut up,” I said, cheeks heating.

Felix gasped dramatically. “Omg, is this how K-drama spin-offs start? Keifer the stoic male lead, Jay Jay the chaotic heroine—ayieee!”

“Felix, stop narrating my life,” I groaned, slamming my bag on the desk.

Rory, meanwhile, was eyeing me like he was solving a murder case. “Something’s off. You’re hiding something.”

Drew, of course, had to add fuel. “Bet Yuri knows what it is.”

The name alone made my stomach flip. I shot Drew a sharp glare. “Shut. Up.”

Josh, the peacemaker as always, lifted his hands. “Alright, alright, calm down. It’s too early for a Jay Jay meltdown.”

Edrix snorted. “Too early? Bro, it’s never too early.”

The whole class laughed, the noise bouncing around the room.

Even david woke up and laughed.

And I laughed too, but only on the outside. Because inside?

Inside, I was screaming.

As Keifer sat down beside me, I clung to his sleeve under the desk. He didn’t question it—just let me.

And I thought, If I have to lie, if I have to fight, if I have to stand against Yuri himself… I’ll do it.

Because losing Keifer? That wasn’t an option.He is mine to love.