*Continuation of Flashback*
Jay-Jay's POV
I woke up to sunlight warming my face.
For one blissful second, I forgot where I was.
Forgot that I wasn't in my condo.
Forgot that last night happened.
Forgot that I fell asleep wrapped in the arms of the man I promised myself I wouldn't fall for again—
Only to jolt when I reached out and felt…
Nothing.
The other side of Keifer's enormous bed was empty.
I sat up with a groan.
"Of course he vanished," I muttered. "Typical Watson move—give me a heart attack first thing in the morning."
I ran a hand through my hair and was about to hop off the bed when—
The bathroom door opened.
Steam drifted out.
And Keifer emerged, towel around his waist, hair wet and messy, droplets sliding down his chest like some director yelled "rolling" for a K-drama shower scene.
I forgot how to breathe.
He paused in the doorway, leaning a shoulder against the frame, eyes slowly traveling from my sleepy face to the tangle of blankets around me.
A lazy, cocky grin spread across his lips.
"And where exactly," he drawled, "are you going, my queen?"
I instantly combusted.
Heat exploded across my face, neck—probably my soul.
I whipped my head away so fast I nearly snapped it.
"C-clothes!" I squeaked. "Wear clothes! You're going to catch a cold!"
He took a few steps toward me, each one slow and intentional.
"Hmm."
His voice dipped lower.
"With all the heat coming from you, Jay-Jay… I doubt I'm at risk."
OH.
MY.
GOD.
The audacity.
The confidence.
The flirting.
My brain short-circuited.
He stopped at the edge of the bed, hands behind his back, playing innocent while looking anything but.
"Why are you looking away?" he teased softly.
"My girlfriend can look at me. I won't melt."
I whipped a pillow at his face.
He dodged, laughing.
"Shameless!" I yelled, grabbing another pillow. "You—You—MENACE!! I'm reporting you to Kuya Angelo!"
I bolted off the bed and ran to the door like my life depended on it.
Behind me, Keifer's laughter filled the entire room—warm, amused, and far too fond of me.
"I'll tell him you bullied me first!" he called after me.
"Pillow violence counts, Jay!"
I didn't stop.
I didn't look back.
Because I knew—
If I saw the smile on his face…
the playful spark in his eyes…
the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the universe worth waking up to…
I'd melt.
All over again.
Keifer's POV
Jay slammed the door on her way out.
I couldn't help laughing.
"That girl," I murmured, running a towel through my hair, "could set a man on fire just by existing."
I picked up the pillows she launched at me and placed them back on the bed.
She was adorable when she was flustered.
Absolutely adorable.
And she had no idea what she did to me.
I looked toward the doorway she disappeared into.
"Report me to Angelo?"
I shook my head, smiling.
"We'll see about that."
Jay-Jay's POV
I pressed my back against the hallway wall, hiding like a coward, trying to cool my face.
My heart was beating.
No—
slamming.
"Why… why does he do that?" I whispered, fanning my cheeks. "Why does he come out of the shower like that? Why does he talk like that? Why does he exist??"
He was supposed to be the dangerous one.
The heartbreaker.
The smooth-talker.
But the moment I got flustered, he was the one grinning like an idiot.
"Jay-Jay?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
He poked his head out of the room, now wearing a black shirt—but still looking way, way too handsome for morning.
"You okay?" he asked, trying (and failing) to hide his smile.
I glared. "NO."
"Why?"
"Because YOU!"
"Me?" He pointed at himself innocently. "What did I do?"
"You— You came out— Towel— Droplets— ALL OF THAT—"
I waved my arms at him, unable to form words.
He leaned on the doorframe. "Should I dry myself next time with a shirt on? Just for you?"
I covered my face.
He chuckled.
"Come here, Jay-Jay."
"No."
"Please?"
His voice softened.
I peeked through my fingers.
He wasn't smirking now.
He was just…
Warm.
Gentle.
Eyes full of something I still wasn't ready to name.
I sighed and walked to him.
He reached out—but stopped before touching me.
The way he always did now.
Waiting.
Asking without asking.
"Good morning," he murmured.
"…Morning," I whispered.
His smile deepened—quiet, content, like hearing that from me was enough to make his entire day better.
And the way my heart reacted?
Dangerous.
Terrifying.
Beautiful.
He stepped a little closer—close enough that the scent of his shampoo drifted over me.
Close enough that I could hear his heartbeat.
Close enough that every nerve in my body lit up.
"Jay-Jay," he said, voice low, "you don't have to run away from me."
"I wasn't running."
"You were sprinting."
I glared. "I was escaping."
"From what?"
"You!"
He laughed again, soft and breathy.
"Why are you running from your boyfriend?" he whispered teasingly.
I opened my mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"I—I needed air."
"Ah."
He tapped his chest lightly.
"You can borrow mine anytime."
I shoved his shoulder.
He grinned wider.
"Stop flirting," I muttered.
"You first," he shot back.
"I'M NOT FLIRTING!"
"You blush every time I breathe in your direction."
"I— THAT— I—"
He leaned in, whispering,
"Cute."
And just like that, I combusted a second time.
He finally stepped back, letting me breathe.
"I'm going to finish getting ready," he said with a playful salute. "Don't worry—I'll wear clothes."
"GOOD," I snapped.
"But," he added, pausing at the doorway, eyes drifting over me with ridiculous fondness,
"you do know you're cute when you worry about me?"
"I'm reporting you," I warned again.
He smirked.
"Then I'd better spend the morning giving you more reasons."
"KEIFER!"
His laughter echoed down the hall as he disappeared back into the room.
And me?
I pressed both hands to my face.
Because this man—
Was going to destroy me.
All over again.
And I was letting him.
I am not thinking about Keifer in a towel.
Not.
At.
All.
I march into the kitchen with the determination of a woman who refuses to be affected by her boyfriend walking out like a K-drama fantasy. I grab the mixing bowl, whisk, and ingredients with more force than necessary.
"Pancakes," I mutter. "Safe. Normal. Peaceful."
I focus hard—too hard—on the batter.
Breathe in—
Breathe out—
Ignore the Greek god in the bedroom—
Warm arms suddenly wrap around my waist from behind.
I jump so high I nearly drop the bowl.
"HEY—!" I spin halfway. "Keifer! Can you NOT do that?!"
He rests his chin lightly on my shoulder, completely unbothered by my panic.
"I wasn't scaring you," he says in that annoyingly-soft morning voice. "I was hugging my morning view."
I point at the pan like I'm wielding a weapon.
"I'm cooking! Don't you have eyes?!"
He gasps dramatically.
"I do. But they're reserved only for you."
My hand slips. The whisk nearly flies.
He continues, voice dropping playfully:
"Especially when you're in my arms…
In my life…
And—"
He pauses.
I narrow my eyes.
"Don't you dare finish that sentence."
He smiles a too-innocent smile.
"…Never mind."
"KEIFER."
"JAY."
I try to wiggle out of his hold.
He just tightens his arms in a gentle way—never trapping, always careful—but enough to pull me flush against him.
"Let me go. I need to flip the pancakes."
"You're more important."
"I'm hungry!"
"Then I'm the perfect appetizer."
He wiggles his eyebrows.
I choke on my own oxygen.
"YOU—!" I try to shove him.
He catches my wrist—not harshly, not tightly—just enough to stop me from escaping and turns me, pinning me lightly against the wall with his forehead bumping mine.
"Why do you always run from me, my queen?" he murmurs, playful but soft underneath.
"Do you not want me close?"
His eyes…
Warm. Amused. A little dramatic. A little vulnerable.
He looks like a boy begging for reassurance.
I can't help it—I laugh and cup his cheeks.
"That's not true."
He instantly perks up.
"Then why did you threaten to report me?"
His tone transforms into the most offended toddler in the world.
I burst out laughing.
"Because you weren't behaving."
He inhales deeply, straightens his back like he's taking an oath.
"Fine. I will behave."
Two seconds pass.
Exactly two.
Then:
"Babe, where's your phone?"
I blink, confused.
"Uh… in my pocket?"
"Give it?"
I hand it over without thinking.
He pockets it smoothly.
Silence.
"…Keifer," I say slowly. "What did you just do?"
He beams at me.
"Confiscated."
He pats the pocket.
"Now you can't report me."
My jaw drops.
"THAT IS CHEATING!"
He leans in close—close enough to feel his breath but not touching.
"Is it really cheating…
if my girlfriend already knows
she makes me lose every bit of self-control I have left?"
I turn into a full tomato.
"K-Keifer—"
He softens immediately. The teasing dims into something warm.
His thumb brushes near my cheek—not touching, just close.
"Jay…"
His voice gentles right into my ribs.
"Can I kiss you?"
That softness always gets me.
Always.
I whisper, "Yes."
He kisses me—
then one kiss turns into another, then another, then another...
not rough, not rushed,
but slow and careful,
like he's memorizing the moment.
like if was waiting for this moment.
My fingers curl into his shirt instinctively.
When we part, I'm breathless.
He grins.
"I said one," I whisper.
"You said I can kiss you," he counters.
"You didn't specify a limit."
I would hit him if my knees weren't jelly.
His phone rings.
He groans, forehead falling to my shoulder.
"No," I say, still pink. "Go answer it."
He reluctantly pulls away and steps out to take the call.
I EXHALE.
Loudly.
I re-focus on my pancakes with the sole concentration of a warrior trying not to think about her very flirty boyfriend.
He returns a minute later.
I set the pancakes on the table.
"Who was that?" I ask, trying to be casual.
"Yuri," he says. "I was giving him directions to the villa."
I freeze, pancake spatula mid-air.
"…Villa?"
"Mm-hm."
"As in… OUR villa? The one we're staying in?"
He nods.
"And he's coming?"
"Yes."
I stare.
"Keifer…"
He sits, sips water, totally relaxed.
"…ALL of them are coming," he says with zero remorse.
"I arranged a pool party."
I blink.
"ALL?!"
"All," he repeats cheerfully. "Yuri, Ci-N, Mayo, Kit, Drew, David, Rory, Edrix, Eren, Felix, Josh, Eman, Blaster, Calix, Denzel—everyone."
My soul leaves my body.
He grins.
"My girlfriend is beautiful. I'm not hiding her."
I drop the spatula.
"KEIFER!"
He only smiles wider.
Third Person POV
Jay came downstairs a little later than Keifer expected.
Her steps were quiet—almost shy—as she tugged at the soft cover-up draped over her swimsuit. She wasn't even trying, but somehow still looked like she had walked off a K-pop MV set.
Keifer turned at the sound of her footsteps.
And froze.
Just… froze.
His breath left his chest like someone punched him.
Jay paused halfway down the stairs, confused at the way he was staring.
"What?" she asked, brows furrowing.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Keifer blinked—once, twice—like someone rebooted his entire brain.
"You look…" he started, voice unexpectedly soft.
He swallowed.
"…beautiful. Like—wow."
Jay's cheeks immediately turned pink.
Which, of course, made Keifer turn pink because she turned pink.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thank you…?"
He let out a tiny, embarrassed laugh—the kind he never let anyone hear.
But then—
CRASH.
BOOM.
YELLING.
The front gates flew open like a floodgate that had been waiting its entire life to explode.
And Section E stampede-entered the mansion.
THE SECTION E INVASION-
Drew:
"WHERE'S THE FOOD?! I HAVEN'T EATEN SINCE YESTERDAY—"
Ci-N:
"Jay-Jay! I missed your pretty face!"
She launched herself at Jay like a koala, almost knocking her over.
Mayo:
"Oyy Keifer, nice house. Are we allowed to break things?"
Kit:
"Please don't break things."
Rory:
"I brought snacks!"
(He held up a single bag of chips. One.)
David:
"I brought chaos."
Edrix:
"Same. I second that."
Yuri:
"Jay, you look cute today."
Eren:
"I second that."
Felix:
"And I third that."
Josh:
"Should we line up for compliments? I wanna be next."
Eman:
"I'm number four."
Blaster:
"Five."
Calix:
"Six."
Denzel:
"Seven."
Jay turned into a tomato.
Like… actual tomato level. Redder than breakfast strawberries.
Keifer stepped in behind her without thinking—gentle, protective, warm—hands hovering close to her shoulders in a way that screamed mine without touching.
"Alright, alright," he said, trying not to sound jealous,
"compliments have a limit."
YURI NOTICES. OF COURSE HE DOES.
Yuri slid beside Keifer like a nosy hawk.
"Bro," he whispered,
"you're staring at her like if you blink, she'll disappear."
Keifer didn't deny it.
Didn't even pretend to.
He watched Jay laugh with Ci-N, her eyes sparkling, cheeks pink, sun catching her hair just right…
His chest softened.
"She's just…" he murmured, unable to hide it,
"…too sweet. Too innocent. Too funny. Too—her."
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"You're obsessed."
Keifer let out a quiet laugh, eyes still following Jay.
"Hopelessly."
Jay barely had time to breathe before:
Ci-N:
"Jay-Jay! Come swim with me! I missed swimming with you!"
Rory:
"SHOTGUN DIVING!"
He cannonballed into the pool, splashing half the group.
David:
"You're wet already? I thought the drama hadn't started yet."
Felix:
"Wait till Ci-N picks a fight. That's when the real waterworks begin."
Ci-N (offended gasp):
"EXCUSE ME?! I'm an angel!"
Everyone stared at her.
He flipped his hair dramatically.
Ci-N:
"Okay fine, I'm a chaotic angel."
Jay laughed—soft, bright, like bells—and Keifer felt something in his chest melt.
Completely melt.
He leaned slightly toward Yuri again, unable to look away.
"Tell me I'm imagining it," he whispered.
Yuri:
"What now?"
Keifer:
"That she gets prettier every time I blink."
Yuri groaned.
"You're sick. Love-sick."
KEIFER CAN'T STOP STARING (AND FAILS MISERABLY AT HIDING IT)
Jay walked toward the pool to join Ci-N, her cover-up fluttering behind her.
Keifer's eyes followed her like gravity itself tugged at him.
Yuri elbowed him.
"Dude. Chill."
"Can't."
"Why?"
Keifer exhaled—soft, helpless.
"…She looks mesmerizing today."
Yuri stared at him.
"Yeah, you're doomed."
Jay-Jay's POV
The music is loud.
The water is cool.
The atmosphere?
CHAOS. PURE CHAOS.
I'm sitting at the edge of the pool, dipping my feet in, talking to Ci-N, when—
SPLASH!
A huge wave of water smacks me straight across the face.
Jay:
"WHAT— WHO— WHY—?!"
Yuri pops out of the pool, grinning like a criminal.
Yuri:
"Consider it a welcome gift, Jay-Jay!"
Ci-N:
"YURI! SHE JUST SAT DOWN!"
Before I can retaliate, Eman swims by, scooping two giant handfuls of water and THROWING them at Yuri.
Eman:
"That was for disturbing my peace."
Yuri gasps dramatically:
"You started a war."
Eman:
"I'll end it."
Then—
Somehow—
The boys ALL join in.
David cannonballs into the deep end.
Rory screams, "ATTACK FORMATION!"
Josh: "THIS IS FOR ALL THE TIMES YOU ATE MY LUNCH!"
Felix: "BRO, THAT WAS ONE TIME—"
Calix and Blaster team up, splashing everyone within a five-meter radius until the deck is drenched.
Ci-N:
"They're idiots."
Mayo:
"Certified."
I raise my brows:
"We should run."
Ci-N grins wickedly:
"…or we should join."
Before I can escape, Mayo grabs the nearest inflatable duck and THROWS it like a missile at Eren's head.
It bonks him perfectly.
Eren turns slowly, water dripping off his hair.
Eren:
"...Did you just HIT ME WITH A DUCK?"
Mayo:
"No proof."
He steps out from the patio, towel over his shoulder, shirt half unbuttoned, drinking wine like he's watching comedy.
Keifer (teasing):
"I leave for FIVE minutes and Section E starts a world war?"
Jay (wiping water off her face):
"They attacked me first!"
Yuri:
"She started looking way too pretty! I panicked!"
Keifer stops.
Looks at me.
Then glares at Yuri.
Keifer (deadpan):
"Yuri… if you splash her again, I'll drown you."
Yuri:
"Fair— wait, WHAT?!"
Edrix suddenly leaps out of the water and GRABS Yuri by the waist:
Edrix:
"YOUR TURN."
Yuri screeches as he's lifted like a cat and THROWN into the deep end.
HUGE SPLASH.
Jay:
"EDRIX! You'll kill him!"
Edrix (shrugging):
"He floats."
Yuri (from underwater):
"I DON'T—!!!"
I attempt to sneak away from the battlefield.
Quiet. Calm. Just taking one small step—
SPLASH.
A wave hits me again.
Jay:
"WHO—!? I WILL END—"
Ci-N lifts his hands:
"That one wasn't me!"
Mayo:
"Same!"
I whirl—
And see Keifer, in the shallow end, smirking like sin.
Keifer:
"You looked cute angry."
Jay:
"You attacked me?! YOU?!"
Keifer shrugs innocently:
"You're the only one I want to splash."
Jay:
"YOU'RE DEAD!"
I charge at him.
He laughs and swims backward.
Keifer:
"Come catch me, Jay-Jay!"
I lunge—
He dodges—
I slip—
He catches me
Keifer (soft teasing):
"Careful. I like you in my arms, but I'd prefer if you enter voluntarily."
Jay (blushing):
"KEIFER—!"
All the boys:
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Yuri's Revenge-
Yuri (still alive somehow) yells:
"NEW RULE! Whoever captures Jay gets five mango shakes!"
Keifer turns:
"No."
But Section E didn't hear him.
Or pretended not to.
David: "I WANT THOSE SHAKES!"
Denzel: "TARGET LOCKED!"
Eren: "BRING ME THE QUEEN!"
Jay:
"WAIT— WHAT— NO— STOP—"
Suddenly I'm being CHASED by half the boys like a pack of overexcited golden retrievers.
I run around the pool deck screaming—
Ci-N laughing—
Mayo recording—
Yuri encouraging the madness—
Keifer chasing the boys.
Keifer (threatening):
"ANYONE WHO TOUCHES HER— LIVES NO LONGER!"
Josh (running):
"Worth it for mango shakes!!!"
Rory (trips):
"I REGRET EVERYTHING—"
I'm cornered at the pool's edge.
Edrix:
"Got you—"
Suddenly Keifer appears behind me, grabs my waist (PG-13), and PULLS me back against him.
Keifer (calm, smug, victorious):
"Not a chance."
All the boys BOO.
Yuri adds:
"SIMPING ALERT! SIMPING ALERT!"
Keifer smirks and whispers near my ear :
"Let them fight. I only want you."
I'm red.
All the boys screams.
Chaos continues.
People are falling into the pool.
Ci-N throws chips.
Blaster almost slips.
Felix tries to save him and falls too.
It becomes the most chaotic pool fight in the history of mankind.
Jay-Jay's POV
The sun is bright, the water glitters, and Section E is already acting like they own the entire mansion.
I step out onto the pool deck, still in my swimsuit and cover-up, holding a tray of drinks.
Everyone is chilling — talking, splashing, arguing about food — until Ci-N sees me and freezes like I'm the eighth wonder of the world.
Ci-N:
"JAY-JAY?! Why do you look like a summer goddess today?!"
Me:
"What— I literally just walked—"
Mayo:
"Girl, you are GLOWING. Someone's boyfriend is lucky."
He wiggles his eyebrows at Keifer.
Keifer, who's lounging on a pool chair… immediately sits up like someone just yelled "Danger."
Keifer:
"Don't wiggle anything at me. And stop staring at my girlfriend like that."
Ci-N (dramatic gasp):
"Ohhh he's jealous. How DELICIOUS."
Ci-N grins and walks toward me — slowly — like he's in a villain entrance scene.
He stops just a little too close and reaches out to flick the strap of my cover-up.
Ci-N:
"This color suits you, Jay-Jay. Very… cute."
Before I can react, an arm snakes around my waist from behind.
Keifer.
Keifer (voice low, calm, GOOD LORD dangerous):
"Touch her again, Ci-N, and I'll throw you in the pool myself."
Ci-N:
"Oh? Me? Touch? I didn't TOUCH. I FLICKED. Different verbs, babe."
Mayo:
"Bro, please stop before he actually kills you."
Keifer pulls me closer, protective.
Me (whispering):
"Keifer, relax. It's Ci-N. He's dramatic by birth."
Keifer:
"Yeah, well dramatic people can drown too."
Yuri sees the rising tension and decides the only way to "fix it" is to launch chaos.
Yuri (whispering to the boys):
"New mission: Operation Soak Watson."
The boys nod like they're in a military drama.
Then—
Rory:
"HEY KEIFER!"
Keifer looks.
David:
"LOOK OVER THERE!"
Keifer turns the other way.
Edrix:
"NOW!"
The boys RUSH him.
Keifer tries to stand but—
SPLASHHHHHHHHH!
Keifer goes straight into the water like a betrayed Greek hero.
Me:
"Oh my gosh— KEIFER!"
He surfaces immediately, hair plastered to his forehead, blinking like a confused cat.
Keifer:
"…Did you all just sacrifice me?!"
Yuri:
"YES! For world peace!"
Blaster:
"And because you were staring at Jay like she was a snack."
Keifer:
"Well she IS a—"
Me:
"KEIFER."
He chokes and raises both hands in surrender.
I go near the edge to check on him.
Me:
"Are you okay?"
Before I can finish, Keifer grabs my wrist gently, smirks—
Keifer:
"You're joining."
Me:
"Wait— KEIFER— NO— I SWEAR—"
SPLASH!!!
I crash into the water.
The boys cheer.
Ci-N:
"DUNK HER AGAIN! For no reason!"
Keifer:
"CI-N, I will drown you."
Then it erupts into absolute war.
• Yuri splashes everyone
• Mayo tries to pull Ci-N under
• Ci-N screams like a theatre actor
• Calix starts a water gun attack
• Josh holds up a floatie as a shield
• Felix slips and blames gravity
• Eren swims away like he's escaping a crime scene
And in the middle of all that—
Keifer and I end up on the shallow side, catching our breath.
He pushes my wet hair gently behind my ear.
Keifer (soft, eyes locked on me):
"You look even prettier drenched."
I freeze.
Completely.
Me:
"Why would you say that NOW—"
Keifer:
"Because you keep distracting me during the fight."
Me:
"I— Keifer— the others are—"
Keifer (leaning close):
"Let them watch."
My heart tries to jump out of my chest.
Ci-N suddenly swims between us like a dolphin of destruction.
Ci-N:
"HELLO. I sensed romantic tension I'm here to ruin it."
Me:
"Ci-N, why—"
Ci-N:
"Because it's fun."
Keifer gives him the deadliest short stare in existence.
Keifer:
"Ci-N."
Ci-N:
"Hmm?"
Keifer:
"You're next."
Ci-N swims away screaming.
Ci-N:
"MAYO HE'S GONNA KILL ME— SAVE ME— I'M JUST A CHILD—"
Mayo:
"You're 15, shut up."
I'm adjusting my cover-up when Edrix swims by.
Edrix:
"Jay, you really do look cute today."
Keifer's head SNAPS in our direction.
Keifer:
"Edrix. My guy. Buddy. Pal.
Move."
Edrix:
"…Keifer. I literally just said she looks cute."
Keifer:
"Yes. And that is one compliment too many from another man."
Me:
"KEIFER—"
Keifer:
"What? I'm calm. Very calm. Extremely calm."
He is NOT calm.
Yuri jumps onto a floatie and points dramatically at the sky.
Yuri:
"NEW GAME!
LAST ONE STANDING IN THE POOL WINS!"
Everyone:
"LET'S GO!!!"
Chaos ignites again.
Keifer wraps a protective arm around me.
Keifer (whispering):
"Stay with me."
Me:
"Why?"
Keifer (soft, honest):
"Because with all these idiots around…
you're the only person I want beside me."
And for one moment—
just one—
The water is cold.
The sunlight is warm.
My friends are screaming.
Normal Section E things.
I'm barely climbing out of the pool when a towel suddenly drops over my head.
Keifer.
Standing there. Jaw tight. Eyes narrowed.
Looking at me like I personally offended the whole Watson bloodline.
Jay:
"Uh… babe? Are you okay?"
Keifer (dead serious):
"No."
Jay:
"…Did something happen?"
Keifer points dramatically across the pool.
Yuri.
Floating smugly on a unicorn floatie like he owns the entire Pacific Ocean.
Yuri lifts a hand and waves at me like a pageant queen:
"Hi, Jay-Jay! You want the unicorn? Come sit with me!"
Keifer:
"NO, SHE DOESN'T!"
Yuri:
"…Why not? She used to sit with me in class all the time."
Keifer slowly turns his head.
That slow, dangerous turn only protagonists in K-dramas do before a fight scene.
Keifer:
"What. Did. You. Say?"
Yuri (shrugs):
"I said she used to sit with me. In. Class. All the—"
Keifer:
"I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME."
Mayo yells from the grill:
"We've got ROUND 2!! Everybody, place your bets!!"
Rory:
"I bet on Yuri. He's slippery."
Felix:
"No, Keifer's built like a final boss."
Jay:
"I AM RIGHT HERE—!"
Yuri floats closer, arm dangling lazily off the floatie.
Yuri (smirking):
"Jay-Jay, do you want me to get you another towel? You look cold."
Keifer turns to me IMMEDIATELY.
Throws his own towel tighter around my shoulders like a cape.
Keifer:
"She's not cold. She's perfect."
Yuri raises an eyebrow:
"So why are you covering her like she's a burrito?"
Keifer:
"BECAUSE SHE IS MY BURRITO."
The whole pool goes silent.
Drew:
"Bro…"
Edrix:
"That was… something."
Jay buries face in hands:
"Keifer, oh my god."
Yuri rolls gracefully off the float and swims toward the edge.
Yuri:
"You're being dramatic again. Jay-Jay's our friend, too. Relax."
Keifer (eyes blazing):
"I AM RELAXED."
Jay:
"No you're not. You look like you're about to punch the unicorn."
Keifer (glares at unicorn floatie):
"Don't tempt me."
Yuri climbs out of the pool — dripping water, smirking —
and stands way too close to Jay.
Yuri:
"You wanna swim again with me, Jay-Jay?"
Keifer:
"No, she doesn't."
Jay:
"Can I speak for myself—?!"
Yuri leans closer, whispering:
"Come on. I'll teach you how to do a backflip—"
He doesn't finish.
Because Keifer GRABS Jay's waist and steps in front of her, blocking Yuri like a human shield.
Keifer:
"She doesn't need a backflip lesson."
Yuri smiles innocently.
Nothing Yuri does is ever innocent.
Yuri:
"Why? Afraid she'll fall for me instead?"
Everyone:
"OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"
Jay:
"Yuri CAN YOU NOT—?!"
Keifer clenches his jaw.
Steps forward.
Keifer:
"She's already mine."
Yuri smirks:
"Are you sure?"
Jay:
"WHY ARE YOU MAKING THIS A LOVE TRIANGLE?!"
Yuri shrugs.
"Because it's fun."
Mayo from the grill:
"HE ADMITS IT. HE DOES IT FOR ENTERTAINMENT."
Ci-N yells:
"Jay-Jay, tell your boyfriend you're not leaving him for Yuri!"
Jay:
"I'M NOT LEAVING ANYONE FOR ANYONE—"
Yuri (cutting me off):
"Okay, fine. Then let's settle this."
He backs up.
Points at the pool.
Yuri:
"Winner gets bragging rights."
Keifer looks confused.
"…Winner of what?"
Yuri grins.
Yuri:
"A DUNK MATCH."
The crowd GASPS.
Ci-N:
"NO WAY—"
Denzel:
"THIS IS A REMATCH FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS."
Keifer narrows his eyes.
"Yuri. You are not dunking me."
Yuri (laughing):
"You think you can stop me?"
Jay:
"GUYS STOP—"
Too late.
It's already happening.
Yuri sprints.
Keifer chases.
The entire squad screams like children.
Yuri shouts:
"JAY-JAY! WATCH THIS! YOUR MAN IS ABOUT TO DIE!"
Keifer:
"GET BACK HERE YOU MENACE."
Yuri leaps into the pool —
Keifer leaps after him —
A SPLASH that shakes the heavens.
Everyone rushes to the edge.
Rory:
"WHO WON?!"
David:
"WHO GOT DUNKED?!"
Silence.
Bubbling water.
Then—
Yuri EXPLODES OUT OF THE POOL— HOLDING KEIFER'S ARM LIKE A TROPHY.
Yuri, victorious scream:
"ROUND TWO — I WIN AGAIN!!!"
Everyone goes WILD.
Jay gasps, hands over mouth.
"You dunked him?!"
Keifer emerges, hair plastered down, glare murderous.
Keifer:
"…Jay."
Jay:
"Yes?"
Keifer wipes water off his face dramatically.
Keifer:
"Your friend needs a leash."
Yuri splashes him again.
Yuri:
"You love me."
Keifer:
"I DO NOT—"
Yuri:
"You love me more than Jay loves pancakes."
Keifer:
"STOP TALKING."
Yuri tosses an arm around Jay's shoulders (side hug, friendly).
"Jay-Jay, tell your boyfriend to accept defeat."
Jay laughs helplessly.
"Keifer… he kinda won."
Keifer steps forward, grabs Jay's waist possessively.
"Fine. He won."
Yuri smirks.
"Say it nicely."
Keifer:
"I will throw you."
Yuri:
"You already tried."
Yuri swims away like a champion.
Keifer pulls Jay closer, forehead touching hers.
Keifer (soft, low):
"I'm still your number one, right?"
Jay (smiling, gentle):
"Always."
His expression melts.
All jealousy evaporates.
He whispers:
"Good. Because I'm not losing you.
Not to him.
Not to anyone."
Jay bumps his shoulder.
"You're dramatic."
Keifer:
"And you love it."
Jay (blushing):
"…Maybe."
Behind them Yuri yells:
"I HEARD THAT!"
Keifer:
"I'M STILL GOING TO THROW YOU."
And the chaos continues.
The pool glitters blue under the sunlight, and everyone is already acting like children who were released from school early.
Drew is running like he's being chased by ghosts.
Rory is yelling at Blaster for stealing his floaty.
Yuri is trying to grill corn at the SIDE of the pool.
And in the middle of all this chaos…
Ci-N stands on a giant unicorn float, one hand raised dramatically like a drama king preparing to deliver a Shakespeare monologue.
I sigh.
Of course.
This is the most Section E thing ever.
I step closer to the edge of the pool and splash a full wave of water at Drew.
"HEY!!" Drew gasps as the water hits his face. "JAY-JAY! I HAVE FEELINGS!"
I laugh and splash again.
That's when a warm hand slips into mine.
I freeze.
I don't even need to look.
It's Keifer.
He grins — the infuriating kind — then pulls me straight into the water.
"KEIFER—!!!"
My scream disappears into a splash.
I come up to the surface, hair dripping, glaring at him.
He looks… too happy.
Too proud.
Keifer (teasing):
"I saved you from Drew's revenge. You're welcome."
Jay:
"I DIDN'T ASK TO BE SAVED!"
Keifer (leaning close):
"You're still welcome."
My stomach flips.
Ci-N sees the entire thing and IMMEDIATELY throws an arm in the air.
Ci-N (dramatic scream):
"I AM THE KING OF THIS POOL! EVERYONE BOW DOWN TO ME!"
Mayo:
"Ci-N, get off the float before you drown—"
Ci-N throws a pool noodle at him.
Ci-N:
"SILENCE, PEASANT!"
Blaster:
"You're gonna fall—"
Ci-N tries to stand up on the float…
Immediately slips…
And falls BACKWARDS into the water.
Everyone:
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Ci-N resurfaces, gasping like a betrayed seal.
Then he points at Keifer and me.
Ci-N (screaming):
"KISS HER, YOU COWARD!"
My soul leaves my body.
"CI-N!!!"
I cover my face.
Keifer laughs so hard he leans backward, hand on his stomach.
Keifer:
"Ci-N, please stop instigating—"
Ci-N (cutting him off, swimming closer):
"I WILL NOT. I SUPPORT THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MY WHOLE HEART."
The entire section cheers.
Yuri:
"KISS! KISS! KISS—"
Keifer splashes water directly into Yuri's face.
Yuri sputters.
Yuri:
"HEY! I ALREADY GOT WET BY CIRCUIT BREAKER CI-N, WHY YOU—"
Keifer (smirking):
"You started it."
I hide my burning face in Keifer's chest out of sheer embarrassment.
Everyone whistles.
His hand gently covers the back of my head, shielding me from the world.
He leans a little closer, voice soft enough only for me.
Keifer (soft):
"You okay?"
I nod into his chest.
Jay (muffled):
"This is embarrassing…"
Keifer (quiet laugh):
"You're cute."
Jay:
"No, I'm not."
He dips his head slightly to look at me.
Keifer:
"You are.
Especially when you're flustered."
Jay:
"I'm never talking to Ci-N again."
Ci-N (from across the pool):
"YES YOU ARE! YOU LOVE ME!"
I groan.
Keifer's POV
Watching her hide in my chest…
Watching her cheeks burn red…
Watching her fingers curl in the water nervously…
It should be illegal how adorable she looks.
I rest my hand on her waist and keep her close because she's clearly overwhelmed.
But then—
Ci-N swims right between us like a homewrecker dolphin.
Ci-N:
"Jay-Jay, come here. I will save you from Captain Thirst Trap."
Jay gasps in laughter.
Keifer:
"Ci-N.
Move."
Ci-N smirks.
LIKE HE'S CHALLENGING ME IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
Ci-N:
"What? Afraid I'll steal your girlfriend?"
Keifer gives the deadliest smile I've ever seen on myself.
Keifer:
"No."
Ci-N:
"Then let her swim with me—"
Keifer calmly picks Ci-N up…
…and DUNKS him under the water.
Everyone SCREAMS.
Rory:
"NOT AGAIN!!"
Drew:
"CI-N VS KEIFER ROUND TWO!"
Yuri:
"SOMEONE RECORD THIS!!"
Ci-N resurfaces, hair sticking up like seaweed.
Ci-N:
"YOU VILLAIN!!!"
Keifer shrugs.
Keifer:
"You asked for it."
Jay (laughing hard):
"Oh my god… why are all of you like this?"
Keifer looks at her with soft pride.
Keifer:
"Because you bring this side out of us."
Jay stops laughing, blushing quietly.
Jay-Jay's POV
I swim back a little, splashing water on him playfully.
Jay:
"You're impossible."
Keifer swims closer — not touching, just close enough to raise every goosebump on my skin.
Keifer (soft, eyes never leaving mine):
"And you like me impossible."
Jay:
"Stop—"
Keifer:
"Make me."
My heart decides to betray me and perform gymnastics.
Ci-N, now riding Mayo's back like a pirate, points dramatically.
Ci-N:
"OOOOOH THEY'RE FLIRTING—AGAIN!"
Mayo:
"BRO GET OFF MY BACK—"
Ci-N:
"NO. WE HAVE IMPORTANT DUTIES—"
Ci-N suddenly slips off Mayo again and disappears underwater.
Mayo:
"… he's gone."
Yuri:
"Let him drown a bit. He deserves it."
Jay bursts into laughter.
Keifer watches her like she's the only person in the entire pool.
Yuri notices.
He swims to Keifer and elbows him.
Yuri (whispering):
"Bro… you're staring too hard."
Keifer doesn't look away from me.
Keifer (soft smile):
"She's just… mesmerizing."
Yuri:
"You're SICK."
Keifer:
"Hopelessly."
He finally turns back to me and reaches out a hand.
Keifer:
"Come here."
I take it.
Warm.
Safe.
A little too confident.
A little too earnest.
Very Keifer.
And then he pulls me gently closer — just enough that our shoulders brush underwater.
My breath escapes.
Keifer whispers, low enough only for me:
Keifer:
"Stay near me.
I like having you close."
I look up.
He's looking at me like I'm his whole universe.
And my heart…
My stupid, traitorous heart…
Softens in ways I can't even describe.
The pool has finally calmed down.
Ci-N stopped screaming, Mayo stopped splashing everyone like a broken fountain, and Drew is floating on a watermelon floaty like he has given up on humanity.
I sit at the pool's edge, legs in the water, gently kicking.
The sky is soft gold, like someone dipped the world in honey.
I exhale slowly.
It's quiet.
But I can feel someone staring at me.
I don't even have to look to know who it is.
Keifer has that very specific stare—
the "I'm totally not staring at you but actually staring at you so hard I'm burning holes" stare.
I don't turn around.
I just smile at the water, waiting.
Behind me, I hear Rory's voice.
Keifer's POV
I swear I was NOT staring.
Okay. Fine.
I was staring.
Hard.
Jay is sitting at the pool edge, hair wet, cheeks soft in the sunset glow and legs in the water like reality has decided to make her an aesthetic Pinterest board.
Rory nudges my shoulder.
Rory:
"You're staring again."
I don't even deny it.
Me:
"I know."
Rory raises an eyebrow.
Rory:
"You look like a man in love."
…This guy really said it casually.
As if he didn't just snipe me in the chest.
I sigh, look away for a second, then let myself smile.
Me (quiet):
"That's because I am."
Rory freezes like his brain is buffering.
Rory:
"Oh. OH. Okay— I'm— I need— I'm leaving."
He speed-walks away like a startled NPC.
Jay turns her head slightly and waves at me.
And just like that I forget how to exist.
Jay-Jay's POV
He walks toward me…
slowly…
like a male lead in a drama who knows the OST is playing.
His hair is still wet from Ci-N's chaos splash.
His shirt is clinging to him in a way that should be ILLEGAL.
And he's wearing that soft smile—the quiet one that melts me more than the teasing one.
He sits beside me, our shoulders brushing.
My heart?
Fully malfunctioning.
Jay:
"You okay? You look… thoughtful."
Keifer's POV
She looks at me with those eyes that make me forget what breathing is.
I sit beside her and let my legs touch the water.
Me (gentle):
"Just thinking how lucky I am."
Her cheeks turn rose-pink.
Adorable.
She tries to hide it by looking at the water, but I see it.
Of course I see it.
I could spot a Jay-blush from ten kilometers away.
I lean closer slightly—
enough to fluster her,
not enough to make her run.
Before I can say anything else—
Jay-Jay's POV
Ci-N EXPLODES into existence between us like an unwanted firework.
Ci-N:
"PICTURE TIME! COUPLE POSITION! JAYFER POSE!"
I nearly fall into the pool.
Jay:
"CI-N—!!! WHAT— WHY— HOW—?!"
Ci-N has already pulled out his waterproof phone and is posing like a wildlife photographer waiting to catch two pandas hugging.
Meanwhile I want to die from embarrassment.
But Keifer just laughs softly beside me…
and takes my hand.
Just… takes it.
So casually.
So confidently.
Like it's the most natural thing in the world.
I freeze.
Keifer's POV
She's about to explode from embarrassment, so I squeeze her hand gently.
Her fingers tense, then slowly relax.
Me (soft):
"It's okay. I've got you."
Ci-N is bouncing like he had ten cups of coffee.
Ci-N:
"CLOSER! KEIFER, PUT YOUR ARM AROUND HER! JAY, LOOK AT HIM LIKE HE JUST SAVED YOUR KITTEN FROM A TREE!"
Mayo from across the pool:
"BRO YOU DON'T EVEN LIKE CATS."
Ci-N:
"DON'T RUIN MY ARTISTIC VISION!"
Jay hides her face in my shoulder.
Everyone screams like we're shooting an MV.
I rest my hand gently on her head without thinking.
She peeks up at me with that tiny glare she uses when she's both shy and annoyed.
And I swear my heart does twenty cartwheels.
Ci-N snaps about twelve photos.
Probably more.
Ci-N (dramatic):
"YESSSS! SERVE! SLAY! EAT! ROMANCE! K-DRAMA! BOLLYWOOD! SUNSET AESTHETIC!"
I cannot believe this boy exists.
Jay-Jay's POV
Eventually Ci-N is dragged away by Mayo and Drew, who claim "for peace and national security."
It gets quiet again.
The pool shimmers with sunset gold.
Keifer and I sit close—
not touching,
but our shoulders feel magnetized.
My heart is still beating way too fast.
He glances at me, smiling faintly.
Butterflies.
CHAOS butterflies.
Keifer's POV
The sun is melting behind the trees, and Jay is glowing in a way I will never emotionally recover from.
I gently lift her hand—not high, just enough for her to look at me.
She does.
Me (soft, warm):
"Jay-Jay… I love moments like this with you."
Her breath catches.
She leans into my shoulder slowly—
like she's giving me permission.
And that…
that hits deeper than anything.
Jay-Jay's POV
I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling him exhale softly as if relieved.
Jay (quiet):
"Me too."
He smiles.
I can feel it without even looking.
Across the pool…
Drew:
"Awww look at them."
Mayo:
"I swear if they don't date soon—"
Ci-N:
"THEY'RE BASICALLY MARRIED."
Rory:
"I give it two weeks."
Everyone laughs.
I hide my face again.
Keifer laughs under his breath.
Keifer's POV
I whisper near her ear, knowing she'll hit me for it.
Me (teasing):
"You know… if we keep sitting like this, people might start thinking things."
Jay (without looking up):
"They already ARE thinking things."
Me:
"Good. Saves me the trouble."
She jerks up, eyes wide.
Jay:
"Keifer!"
Me (shrugging, fake innocent):
"What? I'm just saying. Efficiency."
Jay:
"You're impossible."
Me (grinning):
"Yet you're still here."
She makes a face at me.
Cute.
Dangerously cute.
I lean a little closer and lower my voice.
Me (double-minded teasing):
"Careful, Jay… you keep leaning on me like this and I might think you like me."
She smacks my arm.
Worth it.
Jay-Jay's POV
The sky grows darker, stars starting to appear.
Our friends are talking and laughing around the pool.
The chaos has softened into comfort.
I look at Keifer again.
He's looking at the sunset.
Or maybe at me.
Probably both.
Jay (soft):
"Hey…"
He turns to me immediately.
Jay:
"Thanks for today."
He smiles, small and sincere.
Keifer's PO
Me (warm):
"I should be thanking you."
Jay blinks.
Confused.
Adorable.
Me:
"You make everything better just by being here."
She freezes again.
I swear she's going to pass out.
From the other side of the pool, Ci-N yells:
Ci-N:
"KISS HER, YOU COWARD—!!"
Jay almost falls into the water again.
I catch her wrist in time.
Me (shouting):
"CI-N. GO. HOME."
Ci-N:
"NO. I LIVE FOR LOVE."
Mayo drags him away.
Jay hides her face, mortified.
I help her sit up straight.
Me (soft whisper):
"You okay?"
She nods.
I brush a wet strand of hair away from her cheek.
Me (even softer):
"You're cute, you know that?"
Jay:
"NO I'M NOT."
Me:
"You are to me."
Jay-Jay's POV
My heart actually stops working.
The pool lights turn on.
Our friends are laughing in the background.
And for the first time all day…
Everything feels perfect.
Warm.
Soft.
Safe.
Keifer's shoulder against mine.
His hand brushing mine.
Our reflections in the pool water.
I exhale slowly.
Jay (quiet):
"This… is nice."
Keifer's POV
Me (smiling at her, only her):
"It is."
And in my head, I add:
Because it's with you.