Chapter 05:
Keifer's POV
When I reached the Hanamichi Hotel, the staff informed me that the family had moved again.
Safety concerns. They say...
Seriously? Again? It was becoming a recurring theme with Yuri's family now.?
As I turned to leave, I froze.
Standing there were Rory, Kit, Mayo, Calix, Felix, Edrix, Eren, Drew, Josh, and Ci-n. They were all staring at me like I was a ghost returning from the grave.
"What?" I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion.
Rory slowly slid his glasses down to his nose.
His mouth fell open. Beside him, Ci-n looked like a statue, his jaw dropped while his mouth was still stuffed with a muffin.
Drew was caught mid bite, a few chips falling from his mouth onto the floor.
I quickly looked down at myself. No stains. No holes. Nothing. I was just wearing all black...my usual.
"Dang..." Edrix finally broke the silence with his signature word.
"WHAT?" I asked again, more annoyed this time.
"Dang, bro... where have you been? Working out in a gym or a dungeon?" Rory asked, his eyes wide.
"Or a salon?" Eren added, looking at my hair. "You look... different."
What the hell are they talking about?
"What are you guys even going on about?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Not to be gay, Keifer, but you look... good. I mean ypu always did buy yeah...Like, really good," Rory said, scanning me from head to toe. Mayo and Kit immediately smacked him on the back of the head.
"More than good. You're H-O-T. Hot," Ci-n added after finally swallowing his muffin.
I ignored the comments. They were still the loudest, most chaotic people I knew.
"Where is Yuri?"
"He's at the new place," Rory answered. "We called him, and he's sending someone to pick us up."
"Alright." I took a seat on the lobby sofa, trying to relax.
"So... how have you guys been?"
"Good, bro. Just working with the family," Rory said, nodding.
"I'm in Medicine now, but I'm also studying Aviation...thanks to you," Ci-n said with a proud, childish grin. He hadn't changed at all.
"Doing okay," Josh added.
"Working with him," Edrix said, pointing a finger at Rory.
"And being in love!" Rory added, playfully hitting Edrix's arm.
"Yo, shut up!" Edrix snapped with a fake glare. face truning red.
The group burst into laughter.
"Still playing basketball. Hoping to go pro," Felix added.
good.
"Surviving a breakup," Eren sighed.
"Which one, exactly?" Josh teased. Eren just glared.
"Ayy... Kif? Do you have 500 pesos? I promise I'll pay you back," Drew asked with a shameless, toothy smile.
huh this guy...
"Seriously, Drew?" I sighed.
Some things never change.
"We're together now! It's official," Mayo announced, suddenly grabbing Kit's hand. "No stealing, Keifer. I'm telling you now... no stealing!"
I gave them a look of pure disgust. "As if I'd want to."
"It's all thanks to our Mutya," Mayo continued, clinging to Kit who was trying to push him off. "Jay ja—"
Before the name could fully leave his mouth, Kit forcefully stuffed a bun into Mayo's mouth.
The laughter died instantly.
A heavy, awkward silence filled the lobby.
But Before anyone could say another word, Yuri's driver arrived. "Mr. Hanamichi is ready to see his friends. Please follow me."
Tsss..
We followed him out to two waiting cars. The boys split into groups, but I headed toward my own car. Ci-n hopped into the passenger seat beside me.
"So... how was London?" Ci-n asked as I pulled out into the street.
"It was all business, good" I answered with a faint, tired smile.
He smiled back, and for a while, we drove in silence.
I gripped the steering wheel, my mind wandering back to that name they weren't allowed to say.
I hesitantended...hesitateded...again and again...Then...
"How is Jay?" I finally asked. The question felt heavy, like it had been sitting in my throat for a year.
END