Yuri pov
The party lights shimmered softly against the night sky — sky-blue balloons and silver streamers glowing in the rain's reflection. I stood by the stairs, quietly watching Jayjay. She was standing at the top, her eyes wandering through the crowd.
It was obvious who she was searching for.
Keifer.
But even with the disappointment in her eyes, she smiled — that same brave, bright smile she always wore to keep everyone else from worrying. Then she began to walk down the stairs, her soft blue dress brushing lightly with every step.
"Happy birthday again, Jay!" Ci-n was the first to rush to her.
"Thanks, Ci-n," she said, smiling.
He grinned, giving her that teasing smirk of his. "You sure you're not turning thirty? You've been glowing since morning!"
Jayjay laughed. "Yah, stop it! Go eat before you run out of jokes."
"Already on my way!" he said, walking off toward the food table.
One by one, people came to greet her — classmates, friends, everyone. The whole place felt alive.
Then Keiren walked up next. "Happy birthday, Jayjay," he said warmly, his smile bright. "You look really pretty tonight, like a princess. Too bad Kuya Keifer can't see that."
Jayjay giggled softly.
Keiren added, "Don't worry, when Kuya comes back, I'll beat him up for missing this."
"Stop it!" Jayjay said, laughing again.
Keagan came next. "Happy birthday, Jay! And thank you for saving us." His voice softened. "Don't worry, when Kuya gets back, we'll deal with him for you."
Jayjay laughed again — that gentle sound that always made everyone smile. Then they both went toward the games corner.
I walked up next. "You look really beautiful, Jayjay."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh really, Yuri? Have you told Ciel that yet?"
I blinked. "Huh?"
Jayjay crossed her arms, teasing. "Don't act like you don't know she likes you."
"I thought she was just fooling around…" I muttered.
Jayjay tapped my shoulder. "Yuri Hanamitchi, you should give her a chance. Maybe she's your life partner."
And with that, she walked off to join Honey, Freya, Rakki, Grace, and Ella — leaving me standing there, thinking about what she said.
I was still lost in thought when a hand suddenly waved past my face.
I turned — it was Ciel.
"Hi," I said.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing," I replied quickly.
Her lips curved slightly. "So… you think if what Jayjay said turns out to be true?"
I froze. "You heard that?"
Ciel smirked. "Maybe."
I didn't know what to say — she turned around to leave, but the words slipped out before I could stop them.
"You… look really cute in that dress."
She paused.
"And I don't mind giving you a chance," I added softly.
Ciel turned back, her face brightening with a smile that could outshine the lights. "So does that mean you're giving me a chance to chase you?"
I smiled. "You chase me? Hmm… maybe I should chase you. But whichever way you want it."
She laughed softly and walked away, her happiness almost glowing.
I looked at Jayjay again — she caught my eyes from across the room and gave me a small nod and a smile.
Then I noticed a car pulling up outside. Honey stepped out first, and curiosity made me follow.
The night breeze brushed lightly as I reached the door.
A familiar voice spoke behind me. "I knew you'd follow Honey."
I turned. "Here you are," I said, smiling faintly. "She's waiting for you."
Adrian's POV
The party was warm and alive — laughter mixing with music, lights dancing across faces. I stood near the drinks table, quietly watching Keagan and Keiren joking around. Then Valerie walked over, smiling, her silver dress catching the light just right.
I glanced at her and said softly under my breath,
"너 정말 예뻐." (neo jeongmal yeppeo — you're really beautiful)
But it was so low, she didn't hear me.
She blinked. "What did you say?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, turning away.
Then Keiren suddenly appeared, grinning. "He said—uh—너 진짜 예쁘… uh… 예쁘다-요?" (neo jinjja yeppeu… yeppeuda-yo? — you very pretty… yes?)
Valerie burst out laughing, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Keiren!"
Keiren looked proud, even though his Korean was half-wrong. "See, I can speak Korean too!" he said, walking off to join the others.
Valerie turned back to me, still smiling. "You also look handsome, Adrian."
We stood there in silence for a moment — just the music between us. Then she turned slightly.
"I'll be leaving for Korea next week," she said quietly. "My mom needs me for a new movie."
Something inside me dropped. "When will you be back?"
"I don't know yet," she said softly. "But soon."
I nodded, not trusting my voice. She started to walk away — and that's when I said it.
"Valerie Kang," I called out.
She turned.
"I like you," I said. "I like you very much. Will you be my girlfriend?"
For a moment, she froze — then she walked straight up to me and hugged me.
"I also like you, Adrian Voss Delacruze," she whispered. "And I'd love to be your girlfriend."
We pulled apart, both smiling shyly.
"So… are we official now?" I asked.
"Official," she said with a grin.
Then we kissed — gentle, real, and full of everything words couldn't say.
And of course, the moment didn't last long before the whole of Section E burst into chaos —
"WOOHOO!" Ci-n yelled,
Ciel was clapping and laughing,
and Jayjay was giggling behind her hands.
The night glowed brighter with laughter — and somewhere in all that noise, two hearts had just found each other.