The storm outside had returned, pattering lightly against the courthouse windows.
Inside the locked preparation room, Jay and Keifer were sitting side by side at the table, papers and files spread between them. The tension was thick—but different this time.
Not rivalry. Not competition. Something… softer.
Jay shifted slightly, wincing as her ankle gave her a twinge.
"Need help?" Keifer asked immediately, his voice calm but firm.
Jay shook her head quickly. "I'm fine."
"You're not," he said quietly, leaning closer. "Come on, let me support you."
Her breath caught. She didn't answer. Instead, she allowed him to help her steady herself, leaning lightly against him for a moment. His presence was steady, warm. Protective.
As they worked through the files, Keifer paused.
"You know," he said quietly, "you're better than I realized… even back in law school. You… you actually make me think."
Jay blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Better than you realized?" she echoed.
"Yes," Keifer said, eyes meeting hers briefly. "You're smart. Fierce. And you never give up. I… noticed that."
Jay's face warmed slightly. She quickly looked down at the files, trying to hide it. "…Thanks."
Outside the Door
Percy, Jane, Keigan, and Keiren were crouched behind the corner, whispering and giggling.
Percy hissed, "THEY'RE TOUCHING FILES… AND LOOKING AT EACH OTHER!"
Jane rolled her eyes. "Percy, calm down. That's normal."
Keigan whispered to Keiren, "Kuya is… soft."
Keiren nodded, almost reverently. "Ate Jay… she's got him wrapped around her finger."
Aries, standing silently a few feet back, narrowed his eyes at Keifer. "If you hurt her…" His glare alone was enough to make even Percy flinch.
Thunder rolled faintly in the distance. Jay flinched slightly, and Keifer noticed immediately.
"You okay?" he asked, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder again.
"I… I'm fine," she whispered, though her hands still trembled slightly.
"You don't have to pretend with me," he murmured, his voice calm and steady.
Jay looked at him. For a moment, the sarcasm and rivalry vanished. "…I know."
Another flash of lightning illuminated the room. Jay's hand instinctively moved closer to him—not fully hugging, but seeking reassurance.
Keifer noticed, his expression softening. He didn't pull away.
They worked silently for a few minutes, the storm outside echoing softly around them.
Finally, Jay whispered, almost to herself, "…I don't think I've ever felt this calm during a storm."
Keifer's eyes met hers. "…Because I'm here."
Jay's heart skipped. She swallowed hard, realizing how much she trusted him—how much she liked the way he made her feel safe.
Before she could stop herself, she muttered, "…Thanks."
Keifer's lips curved into a small, faint smile. "…Don't mention it."
The moment lingered. Neither moved. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, unspoken feelings.
Outside the door, Percy, Jane, Keigan, and Keiren were nearly vibrating with excitement.
Percy whispered, "THEY'RE GOING TO KISS."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Percy, no. Not yet."
Keigan nudged Keiren. "Kuya is totally falling."
Keiren nodded slowly. "And Ate Jay knows it."
Aries, still lurking nearby, simply clenched his fists. "Keifer better not screw this up."
Inside the room, the storm continued outside.
The locked room. The storm. The quiet.
Jay realized something dangerous.
She didn't hate Keifer anymore.
And more frightening… she might like him.
Keifer realized something equally dangerous.
He didn't want to stop being near her.
Not now. Not ever.
And the rivalry that had defined them for years was starting to crack…