Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

"...The wound is only superficial. It doesn't need stitches, but I made sure it's properly closed so it won't bleed anymore," the maid explained to me.

Sorry, Yuri!

He didn't call Keifer, but he did call the maids to help me. I feel so guilty—what a bad trip!

"T-thank you," I said, forcing a smile.

They smiled back. "Young Master, please wait here," they said before leaving.

I was left alone in their mini clinic, feeling stupid and weak. I glanced down at my apron, stained with blood.

Not again...

I don't understand why this only happens when I see fresh blood.

What is really wrong with me?

A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Yuri, his eyes filled with sadness.

I felt ashamed. I shouldn't have told him to call Keifer.

"Is your wound okay?" he asked, stepping closer.

I gave him a small nod, lowering my head in embarrassment.

"S-sorry... I shouldn't have said that earlier," I mumbled.

He pulled up a chair and sat in front of me, gently taking both of my hands in his.

"It's okay... But I hope you'll explain what happened earlier. I feel like I don't really know you," he said softly.

I bit my lower lip. This was my fault. I should have told him sooner. What if we were already married and he still didn't know?

"You do know something about me... just not everything," I admitted. "I was afraid to tell you—because even I don't understand what's happening to me."

"It's not a bad thing to open up," he reassured me. "Who knows? Maybe I can help you figure it out."

He's right...

I've been questioning myself for so long, but I've never found an answer. Maybe he can help.

"Yuri, it's because..." I hesitated, taking a deep breath. "...t-there's something wrong with me."

I looked into his eyes, watching as he patiently waited for me to continue.

"When I see blood, something unusual happens to me. At first, I assumed it was just a simple phobia, but over time, it turned into something more."

I took a deep breath before continuing.

"As I grew older, I began losing consciousness during these episodes. But according to others, during those moments, I behave differently—I talk, move, and sometimes... even hurt people."

Yuri's gaze didn't waver, his interest clear as he listened intently. I never wanted to talk about this, but I knew I had to.

"...No matter how hard I try, I can't remember anything from those moments. It's like a blank space," I whispered, tears falling before I even realized it. "...I don't know where it started. It just began happening after Aries' dad kidnapped us, then when Cyrus and I fought, and the last time... with Ram."

"B-but Keifer said you already helped Ram," Yuri pointed out.

I shook my head. "That's what we agreed to tell you. But brother Angelo and Aries know the truth. They said they had a feeling something was off... but they don't really understand either."

"Keifer knows? Is that why you wanted me to call him?"

I nodded.

Yuri glanced at my injured hand and fell silent, as if deep in thought.

"I-if you don't want to be with me anymore because of this—"

"No. No. Don't say that," he interrupted, his voice firm. "...I love you, Jay. No matter what happens or what you do, I will always love you."

"But what if—"

"Don't think like that. Don't overthink... Please," he pleaded.

I forced a nod, but honestly, my mind was racing with a million thoughts.

What if it happens again and I hurt him? What will I do then?

Yuri stood up and stepped closer, gently tilting my chin so I would look at him.

"We'll figure this out together. You trust me, don't you?" he asked.

I nodded once more.

He smiled. "Now, can I kiss you?"

Wait... what?

I didn't have time to respond. As if he already knew my answer, his lips were just inches from mine. And honestly... it was fine.

I had no reason to refuse. I simply closed my eyes and waited for his lips to meet mine.

Neither of us moved. We barely even breathed. Time felt like it had stopped.

I have to admit—I didn't want this moment to end. I didn't know why, but all I knew was that I felt safe next to Yuri.

His lips touched mine for a few seconds before he slowly started moving them. ❤️

Okay, wow... wait—

I tried to pull away, but he immediately cupped the back of my neck, keeping me close. My hands instinctively pressed against his chest, but even that didn't stop him. ❤️

Damn it...

I had no choice but to give in and return his kiss.

For reasons I couldn't explain, I didn't push him away. He wasn't rough—his kisses were soft, sweet, and full of emotion.

It was something I never felt with Keifer.

But if that's the case... why is it Keifer's kiss that still lingers in my mind?

I bravely pulled away from his lips, gasping for air as I bowed my head.

"Why?" Yuri asked, his voice filled with concern.

"S-sorry..."

"Are you uncomfortable? Did I shock you? Do you not like this?" He fired one question after another.

I quickly shook my head. I didn't want him to think that. It's not that I didn't want to…

"I-it's nothing... I just remembered something," I replied.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him. "Maybe my timing was wrong. Sorry."

Before I could say anything else, I suddenly froze. My gaze shifted toward the door, where a girl with straight-cut bangs and a white plug hoodie stood.

Wait, what?!

"Why are you eating Yuri-san's face?" the girl asked.

Yuri immediately pulled away, looking at the girl in shock.

"Yoichi!" Yuri exclaimed.

The girl, Yoichi, immediately bolted out of the mini clinic.

Wait a minute! Yoichi? Yuri's sister?!

"That was embarrassing..." Yuri muttered before turning to me. "...I'll go after Yoichi. You can find your way to my room alone, right?"

"O-okay..." I stammered.

Yuri flashed me a small smile before rushing out after Yoichi, leaving me standing there, dumbfounded.

This is right, I reminded myself. It should be Yuri because I agreed to marry him. But deep inside, a part of me was still screaming that this was wrong.

When I'm with Keifer, my mind fights back, yelling that it's a mistake. But my body… my body doesn't seem to agree.

What am I doing?!

What should I do? I was so confused.

I took a deep breath and made my way to Yuri's room, though I wasn't entirely sure of the way. I remembered some parts of the route but not everything.

As long as I find the stairs!

With that in mind, I climbed every staircase I saw, hoping to get to the right place. After about four staircases, I finally spotted the familiar hallway leading to Yuri's room.

Success!

Nothing had changed in his room. The only difference was that the curtains, which were usually closed, were now open, revealing the large balcony.

This was my chance to look around. I never did before—because I used to hate him.

I approached his study table and examined the picture frames. Most of them contained photos of him and his family. There was also a class picture of Section E.

Must be from last year!

My gaze shifted to his bookshelf, immediately drawn to the neatly arranged books. Studying must be tough! There's the internet, yet this nerd still prefers books.

Just then, someone entered the room. I turned, expecting to see Yuri, but it was just the maids. They carried the food Yuri and I had cooked, along with a pitcher of juice and utensils.

Can I even eat after everything?

They carefully placed everything on the coffee table near the balcony's glass doors.

Once they were done, they turned to me, bowed slightly, and then left without a word.

Why do I feel like Yuri's maids don't like me?

"Hey..." Yuri's voice called from the doorway.

I turned to face him.

"...Are you bored?"

"Not really. Did you find Yoichi?"

"Yeah, she's in her room now," Yuri replied.

I simply nodded, and an awkward silence followed. We both avoided each other's eyes.

Pfft...

"D-do you want something to eat?" he asked, pointing at the food.

"Sure..."

He immediately walked over to the coffee table and began serving the food. Meanwhile, I returned to his study table, my attention drifting back to his bookshelf.

One book stood out—a photo album. The old book's worn-out cover caught my interest.

"Can I look at this?" I asked.

"Go ahead..."

I took the book and flipped it open. Just as I suspected—it was a collection of photographs.

It really is a photo album!

I sat beside Yuri and opened it in front of him. My eyes instantly landed on a picture of a crying child.

"Hahahaha... Is this you?" I teased, pointing at the image.

"Don't look at that. Skip it!" he ordered.

I laughed even harder at his expression—he looked utterly embarrassed! Before I could enjoy it too much, he quickly turned the pages, skipping to the middle of the album.

"Apple... I'm looking at it!"

"You're just looking at my embarrassing moments," he grumbled.

I had no choice but to examine the part he flipped to. It was an elementary school picture.

As I continued flipping through, I came across a picture of Keifer, Percy, and... Aries.

They all looked happy, except for Keifer, who, as expected, had a serious expression. Aries was smiling while Percy had an arm wrapped around him.

I skimmed through more photos—one of Yuri and Aries riding bikes, Keifer and Percy trailing behind them. There were even pictures of them in their school uniforms. Most of the photos captured the four of them smiling, looking genuinely happy.

Then, I spotted something unexpected.

Wait... are they wearing altar server robes?!

"Did you serve at church?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, Angelo let us join the altar servers. Maybe we looked responsible," he explained while eating.

"What happened?"

"We got kicked out almost immediately. Keifer punched the head altar server."

Pfffttt—hahahaha!

"That's insane."

I looked at another picture and saw Aries wearing a basketball uniform. I knew he used to play, but he stopped for reasons unknown.

There was also a picture of Percy and Keifer wearing baseball uniforms.

Wait...

I suddenly remembered Keifer throwing a ball at me in the gym. The way he threw it—just like when he threw stones...

I turned the page. There was only one picture. Alone and unique.

Percy was holding the camera or phone. They were inside a car, and it looked like whoever took the photo was lying near the steering wheel.

Aries was driving. Keifer was asleep, and only Yuri and Percy were looking at the camera. But they weren't smiling.

This picture felt... heavy.

"That was our last picture together," Yuri said quietly.