**Jay Jay's POV**

We threw ourselves into each other's arms right after that. I felt so much lighter, and I knew he did too. The room was eerily quiet, with only the sound of the ocean waves in the background. Every heartbeat, every breath became louder than ever. We had truly become one. Tears streamed down our cheeks—I wiped Keifer's tears, and he did the same for me. His soft fingers traced my cheeks, my face. I held his hand, gently lowered it, then turned to leave. That was enough.

**Keifer:** "Jay!" he called out.

**Keifer:** "You admitted to everyone that you loved me. You kissed me in front of Section E. You confessed your feelings, said you've loved me so much. Are you planning to deny your own feelings again? Just one more time... please, trust me, Jay Jay. I promise I won't hurt you again..."

I stopped. I realized I really should face it. I'd acknowledged everything, yet I was about to run away from it again. No—I wouldn't do that. It hurt me, and it hurt Keifer too...

**Jay:** "I-I... No, I trust you."

**Keifer:** "I promise I'll make you happy."

It suddenly started raining—perhaps the heavens understood our emotions.

**Jay:** "Wanna dance in the rain with me?"

**Keifer:** "Sure, I'll go with you."

We walked along the white shore, hand in hand. I smiled, looking at Keifer. He sat under a coconut tree, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

**Keifer:** "You know what? Today is the happiest day of my life."

**Jay:** "What? I was just being honest about how I felt." I said shyly, my ears turning red.

**Keifer:** "But all your feelings were for me."
We soon started playing, chasing each other like kids. Our happy laughter echoed across the deserted island. Keifer climbed the cliff where he once got injured—where he'd jumped at dawn with me and Section E.

**Keifer:** "I LOVE YOU, JASPER JEAN MARIANO. I'LL MEET YOU EVERY DAY, UNDER THE MOONLIGHT!" he shouted like a vow and jumped into the water.

**Jay:** "I LOVE YOU TOO, MARK KEIFER WATSON. I'LL WAIT FOR YOU HERE, NO MATTER WHAT!" I jumped in after him. He held me close and kissed the top of my head. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and we simply gazed into each other's eyes in silence.

**Keifer:** "Can I kiss you now?" He gave me a deep kiss, and I returned it without hesitation... It was the most wonderful and comforting kiss—no secrets, no doubts. Just love.

**Keifer:** "Let's head back or you'll catch a cold!"

**Jay:** "Let's go! Will you carry me?"

**Keifer:** "Tsss. No."

What?! Just moments ago you were making declarations like the "King of Ulupong" and now this? Don't even think about touching me again!

**Jay:** "Fine, I'll walk myself."

**Keifer:** "Tsss. Childish. Come here, hurry up."

**Jay:** "No, I don't need you." Bossing me around? Not a chance.
Without saying a word, "King Ulupong" suddenly lifted me onto his shoulder.

**Keifer:** "Tss. My princess, my life, my wife..." he chuckled, shaking his head.

We went home and showered. While I was putting on lotion, the door slowly opened. Keifer covered his eyes, looking away.

**Keifer:** "Are you done getting ready?"

**Jay:** "I am. What are you doing? You look ridiculous."
Keifer stepped in, gently placed his hand on my stomach, and thought.

**Keifer:** "You must be getting hungry. Want to have lunch? I'll cook whatever you want."

**Jay:** "Hmm... Ramen? I've only seen it on commercials."

**Keifer:** "Got it. Give me a minute."

He's more thoughtful than I expected. While he cooked, I played with Snorlax and the stuffed animals Papa gave me. I missed him.

**Jay:** "Papa, I miss you so much. I've found someone I love—someone who loves me and is taking good care of me." I whispered, feeling both happy and sad. I wanted Papa to see me happy.

**Jay:** "I'm bored, put something on for me."

**Keifer:** "Cartoons? How about Pokémon? There's a Snorlax."

**Jay:** "Hurry up!" I ordered.
After a while, Keifer brought over a tray of ramen. We ate together—well, I did most of the eating and even stole his portion.

**Keifer:** "Slow down. You're such a glutton."

**Jay:** "I was hungry..."

**Keifer:** "Alright, alright. Eat up, good girl."
He was so gentle—not at all like how Freya once described him.

**Jay:** "I'll wash the dishes." I didn't really want to, but since he cooked... Wait, why should I wash? He's my boyfriend—he should wash!

**Jay:** "Actually, you do it. I changed my mind."
Keifer just laughed and flicked my forehead.

**Keifer:** "I'll do it. I'm afraid you'll break the dishes or ruin the faucet."
Excuse me? Did he just say what I think he said? Am I a joke to him?

**Jay:** "You jerk! What did you just say? That's rude! I tried my best, okay? I just... can't do it well."

Keifer slowly walked toward me.

**Keifer:** "Watch your mouth."

**Jay:** "So what? I'm not kissing you."

**Keifer:** "Rules are rules. You agreed to this."

**Jay:** "B-But..."
He kissed me before I could finish. He didn't want to let me go—like he was any better. He swears too!

**Keifer:** "Wanna eat ice cream? I'll get you some."

**Jay:** "Stay away from me. I'm not eating."
He still took out a cup of ice cream and set it on the table.

**Keifer:** "Really? You're not eating? It's sweet vanilla, lightly bitter chocolate sauce, topped with rich whipped cream."

**Jay:** "Gimme that. Now go wash the dishes." I pouted as I ate.
Keifer focused on cleaning up. He'd made fresh ramen, which meant extra dishes. He didn't want me to eat dry noodles—so picky.

**Keifer:** "Do you love me?" he asked, still facing the sink.

**Jay:** "Yes." I replied instinctively. Wait—I'm supposed to be mad!

**Jay:** "Wait. I do love you, but I love this ice cream more."

**Keifer:** "As long as I'm in the equation."

**Jay:** "You're at the bottom of my heart's rankings."

**Keifer:** "What? Really?"

**Jay:** "Of course. I've got lots of yummy things to love."
He laughed—not a chuckle, but a full-on laugh.

**Keifer:** "¡Oh Dios! Mi esposa, ella es tan linda y infantil."
(Oh God! My wife, she's so cute and childish.)

**Jay:** "What did you just say? Talking behind my back?"
He didn't reply. I finished eating.

**Jay:** "I'm going for a nap."

**Keifer:** "What about your study materials? I can't break my promise to Angelo."

**Jay:** "But I'm full... I can't study."
I used the "3-year-old child" tactic Ci-N taught me.

**Keifer:** "You'll study in a bit."
He was serious—just like "Angelo 2.0."

**Jay:** "Fine."
I lay down with Snorlax, kissed its head. I wanted to nap, but I wasn't sleepy.

"Jay, if you're not sleeping, then study. We don't have much time."
I knew that voice—it was Keifer.

**Jay:** "Alright, I'm coming."
I didn't want to study, but I was scared he'd call Angelo or Sir Alvin. He seriously taught me every detail—nothing like how I taught him. Sometimes he looked at me, smiled quietly, and patted my head.

**Keifer:** "Will you stay here forever?"

**Jay:** "What do you mean?" I asked, still writing in my notebook.

**Keifer:** "I mean... Will you stay by my side forever?"

**Jay:** "Yes. Now focus on teaching. I'm not going anywhere."
What's going on in his head? He's like a totally different person when in love—especially with me.
I finished everything quickly; Keifer's teaching was super clear.

**Jay:** "Done! I'm tired." I complained.

**Keifer:** "How about some muffins?"

**Jay:** "Yes! Awesome."
I grinned like a kid—didn't expect Keifer to be a baker too. Is he really that talented?

**Keifer:** "You're really that happy?"

**Jay:** "Of course. There's food!"
He chuckled, shrugging.

**Keifer:** "Like a little child."

**Keifer:** "But this child is mine."
He whispered, but I didn't quite catch what he meant.
I went to the beach again, watching the waves, worrying about Papa and Mama.

**Jay:** "Are you two okay?"

**Jay:** "I hope you're okay..."
Tears welled up. I'd become so emotional lately—Keifer pampered me too much. I'd gotten lazier, more spoiled, more childish.

**Jay:** "Please don't abandon me again. That's all I ask."
Suddenly, a sharp pain surged through my chest. I collapsed on the sand, head pounding, my chest tightening like I'd been stabbed. I used all my strength to call for Keifer.

**Jay:** "KE—..." I couldn't. It hurt too much.
A hand touched my back—Keifer picked me up. He carried me back to the room. I fell into a deep sleep, completely unconscious from the pain.

---

**Keifer's POV**

What's happening to her? I've never seen her like this. I swear I'll break the legs of anyone who hurts Jay Jay.
I called Edrix.

**Keifer:** "Hey, how's Mykel lately?"

**Edrix:** "Wait a sec."
He tapped on his keyboard.

**Edrix:** "He's still at home."

**Keifer:** "But Jay Jay had a strange episode today."

**Edrix:** "What kind of episode?"

**Keifer:** "Chest pain, headache. She said it felt like being stabbed."

**Edrix:** "That's bad. I'm afraid Jay is still haunted by what Mykel did. He stabbed animals in the chest in front of her."

**Keifer:** "Call Section E. Deal with him NOW. I'll take care of Jay."
I ended the call and rang up Yuri.

**Yuri:** "What's up, Keifer?"

**Keifer:** "You and Section E—handle Mykel immediately. That bastard deserves it."

Yuri didn't ask anything else. He's the type who understands without too many words.
I looked at Jay, fast asleep. Watching her had become a new habit.

**Keifer:** "I won't let anyone hurt you. Not even the Watsons."
She looked so peaceful. I wanted to nap too—guess I'll sleep here again.
Hope she doesn't sacrifice me to anyone.
I rolled over, wrapped my arms around her, and kissed her lips deeply, over and over.

**Keifer:** "Let's sleep, my love..."

---

**Jay Jay's POV**

I woke up after a while and saw Keifer asleep, back resting on the headboard. He must've stayed to comfort me. I lay on his lap, silently grateful.

**Jay:** "Thanks for helping me sleep. But I'm scared. I don't know why that happened..."

His lips trembled slightly. He was still fast asleep.
I went to the kitchen, planning to make my ultimate ramen, but I heard a quiet sob.

Was Keifer... crying?

**Keifer:** "Mom... Mom, I won't leave you..."
He cried louder. I ran to him, hugged him, patted his back.

**Jay:** "No one's leaving you. I'm here."

He woke from the nightmare, looking at me with familiar yet unfamiliar eyes—familiar in their gentleness, like sunlight, but unfamiliar in how wet they were with tears.

**Keifer:** "B-babe..." he whispered.

**Jay:** "I'm here. It's okay. I'm here."

A familiar voice rang out suddenly.

**???:** "Really? So now it's 'wife' already?"
It was Edrix.