**Jay Jay's POV**

I honestly didn't understand what Yuri's problem was or why he would do that to Keifer. The nurse was inside treating Keifer, and he ordered everyone to convince me to go outside—said he'd be fine. Yuri just stood there, lost in his own thoughts.

I was really angry at him. He clearly could've just talked about whatever was bothering him—with Keifer or with me. I could've helped him. But he didn't choose that—he chose to hurt Keifer.

I could feel how deep their friendship was, how much it was worth. I needed to know what had made him snap like that. And also... *that thing*. Even Aries at home kept it from me. What the hell is going on? Why is everyone hiding everything from me?

Whether it's for my good or not, I still deserve to know, don't I?

Yes, I need an explanation—but he has to come to me. I'm seriously disappointed in him.

I heard the door open. The nurse walked out, and I immediately rushed inside to check on Keifer. I didn't want anyone else in the room right now.

"Guys, stay here for a bit. I need to talk to Keifer," I said, not even glancing at Yuri.
He looked at me with guilt all over his face—but now wasn't the time to hear what he had to say.

"Jay..." Yuri called.
"I need to be with Keifer. Don't bother us," I said, walking into the room.

"Keifer, are you okay?"
He was still lying there, smiling at me. I knew he was still in pain, just pretending to smile so I wouldn't worry.

"You worried about me, huh?"
Seriously? He dared to ask that?

"Don't ask me things like that. You already know the answer."
"I just want to make sure my wife still loves and worries about me," he grinned.
Wife, huh? Everyone knows you're the king of flirt.

"Stop talking nonsense. Does it hurt?" I asked bluntly. I wasn't in the mood to play along.
"It does. But it'll heal faster if you kiss me."
Ugh, he's using this chance to get a kiss. Typical "Poison Snake."

"No, I'm not kissing you."
He lowered his head and pouted. Huh? That pout—Ci-N's three-year-old tantrum technique? Since when did he learn that?

"...That's kind of cute."
Oh crap... I said that *out loud*. Right in front of him. Oh well. I couldn't resist.
He kept pointing at his cheek, then his lips... All I could think about was: *he's handsome and cute.* That's it.

"O-One kiss. Just one," I said, leaning in to kiss him.
He pulled me into his arms, refusing to let go.

"I missed you. I missed your lips... I missed everything."
"Me too," I replied without hesitation. I wasn't hiding it anymore. I wasn't going to hold back my worries or how much I missed him.

We had cleared everything between us. I didn't care that the door was still open. That Section E was watching. Even Yuri.

I kept kissing him. He knew exactly what I was doing, and he didn't stop me. Maybe... maybe he'd been waiting for this for a long time.
He ran his hand through my hair. I cupped his cheek. His skin was soft and pale—like he'd taken really good care of it.

Everyone was used to scenes like this, so they just watched, silently smiling as if giving us their blessings.

"Come in already. What are you all standing there for?" I smiled and turned to them.
The whole Ulupong group quickly came inside—except for Yuri. He still looked guilty and asked to leave first.

---

**Keifer's POV**

She was really worried about me. Even though she didn't cry, I could tell. She still used that snappy tone with me, but she kissed me, right in front of everyone—even Yuri, who's had feelings for her for a long time.

I know what Yuri's going through. I get it. He doesn't have his mom anymore. I don't blame him—I was like that too, back then.
I'm happy for him though—at least his mom is still alive.

I miss mine. I miss everything about her.
She's gone now.

I want her to see me and Jay happy. I want her to see *the Caretaker* and *the Watcher*.

I reached for my earring, that aching wave of longing hitting me hard.
I felt like going crazy thinking about that night... the night everything changed.
The more I remembered, the more I hated my dad.
He really is a monster.

I don't want to become like him.
But I admit it—my past self was just a copy of Kaizer Watson, my father.

I used violence to solve everything.
I took it out on Freya.
Sure, I was kind to her sometimes, but that's not what she needed.
She needed Yuri's gentleness. Yuri's patience.
Not my rage. My extremes. My controlling ways.

I didn't realize it—until Jay Jay came along.

She reminded me of everything my mom used to teach me:
"Be gentle with women."
"Fighting and revenge won't solve anything."

I'll never forget that moment in the gym—when I threw a volleyball straight at Jay's face.
She was in pain but never even thought of getting back at me.

My emotions overflowed when Denzel admitted he used Grace.
But he really loved her. He changed—for their child.
I also saw Calix panic over Mica—because he hadn't appreciated her while she was still around.

Calix and Denzel changed.
Shouldn't I do the same for Jay?

The guilt is crushing.
It still hurts remembering it.
I did the same thing—or worse—to the person I love the most.
Jay Jay.

That's why I've become gentler. That's why I've started seeing a therapist.
I *want* to change.
I never want to become Kaizer Watson again.

People fear him.
And I do too.
I despise him.
And I despise the old me.

Thank you, Jay.
I'm so grateful for you.
You changed me.
You always interfere in other people's problems—but no one ever tries to solve *yours*.

The pain deep in your heart. The pain you don't want to remember.

If no one else can fix it... I'll be the one who does.

I can't imagine what this school would've been like if Jay hadn't joined Section E.

Imagine it—if she never came here, people would still be fighting like in the Ella days.
There'd be no unity. No support.

Mica and Calix wouldn't have gotten back together—which means Calix would've suffered for a long time.
He never would've found Mica's letter.
Felix wouldn't have returned to the basketball team.
Ci-N would still be labeled a thief.
Denzel would be branded "irresponsible," "a user," "a deadbeat dad" at HVIS.

And me?

My beastly side would still be just like Kaizer Watson—
The man I hate more than anyone.