Chapter: The Doraemon Crisis
(AUTHOR'S POV)
The afternoon sun filtered through the curtains of Jay and Keifer's room.
Golden light.
Soft shadows.
Peace.
Well—
Peace for about five minutes.
Because Jay was sitting on Keifer's lap, arms around his neck, kissing him like the world was ending.
Keifer, for his part, was not complaining.
His hands were on her waist.
Pulling her closer.
Kissing her back.
Slow.
Deep.
Perfect.
They had been like this for a while now.
Lost in each other.
The world forgotten.
Until—
Jay pulled back.
Just enough to breathe.
Looked at him.
Those eyes.
The ones that made him melt.
"Keifer."
"Yeah, wifey?"
She tilted her head.
Sweet.
Innocent.
Too innocent.
"I want something."
He smiled.
"Anything."
"Name it."
"You want jewelry?"
"A car?"
"A new building?"
"Another island?"
Jay shook her head.
"No."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Then what?"
She leaned closer.
Her lips almost touching his.
"A Doraemon."
Keifer blinked.
"...What?"
"A Doraemon."
"The blue robot cat."
"From the future."
"With the pocket."
Keifer stared at her.
Processing.
Trying to understand.
"You want... a Doraemon toy?"
Jay shook her head.
"No."
"A real Doraemon."
Keifer's brain short-circuited.
"A... real..."
"Yes."
"From the future."
"With the pocket."
"That can give me anything I want."
Keifer opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"Jay."
"Yes, hubby?"
"That's not... that's not real."
She pouted.
"But I want one."
"Keifer."
"Wifey."
"Doraemon."
"Isn't."
"Real."
"Real."
"Not."
"IS."
She crossed her arms.
"Then go find one."
Keifer stared at her.
For a long moment.
Then—
He stood up.
Sighed.
"Okay."
Jay blinked.
"Okay?"
"I'll be right back."
He walked out of the room.
Jay sat there.
Confused.
But hopeful.
Maybe—
Maybe he actually knew where to find one?
---
Five Minutes Later
Keifer walked back in.
Holding something behind his back.
Jay sat up excitedly.
"YOU FOUND ONE?!"
He revealed it.
A small plush Doraemon.
Store-bought.
Cute.
Blue.
Very fake.
Jay's face fell.
"That's not real."
Keifer blinked.
"It's Doraemon."
"A toy Doraemon."
"Not a real one."
Jay crossed her arms.
"I want a REAL one."
Keifer stared at her.
"The one from the future?"
"Yes."
"With the magic pocket?"
"Yes."
"That can fly?"
"YES."
Keifer opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Nothing came out.
Because—
What do you say?
When your wife asks for a fictional robot cat from the future?
He sighed.
Walked to the closet.
Pulled out comfortable clothes.
Changed.
Right there.
Not caring.
Jay watched.
Still pouting.
Still waiting.
Keifer finished changing.
Grabbed his phone.
Lay on the bed.
Started scrolling.
Ignoring her.
Jay's eyes widened.
"You're ignoring me?!"
He didn't look up.
"I'm processing."
"Processing WHAT?!"
"That my wife wants a fictional character."
"From a kids' show."
"That doesn't exist."
Jay climbed onto the bed.
Stood over him.
Hands on hips.
"I want Doraemon."
He scrolled.
"Doraemon."
"REAL Doraemon."
He scrolled.
"KEIFER."
He looked up.
Calm.
Deadpan.
"Not real."
"IS TOO."
"Is not."
"IS TOO."
"Is not."
"IS—"
She stopped.
Tears formed.
Real tears.
Keifer's eyes widened.
"Jay—"
She sat on him.
Full weight.
Right on his stomach.
He grunted.
"Wifey—"
Tears started falling.
Big tears.
Child tears.
"I WANT DORAEMON!"
Keifer stared.
Completely lost.
"Jay—"
"YOU WON'T GET IT FOR ME!"
"Because it's not—"
"YOU DON'T LOVE ME!"
"What?! That's—"
"IF YOU LOVED ME YOU'D FIND A WAY!"
"TO THE FUTURE!"
"TO GET DORAEMON!"
Keifer opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Nothing.
Jay cried harder.
"I WANT DORAEMON!"
"WITH THE POCKET!"
"THAT CAN GIVE ME COOKIES!"
"AND GADGETS!"
"AND—"
Keifer grabbed her shoulders.
"Jay."
She sniffled.
"What?"
"Go ask Aries."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Aries."
"Go ask Aries for Doraemon."
Jay considered this.
Sniffled again.
"Really?"
"Really."
"He might have one?"
Keifer nodded seriously.
"He might."
"Go check."
Jay climbed off him.
Wiped her tears.
"Okay."
She walked out.
Keifer lay there.
Staring at the ceiling.
What just happened.
---
Aries' Room
Aries was on a video call.
Important call.
With work people.
Talking seriously.
Looking professional.
For once.
The door slammed open.
Jay walked in.
Didn't knock.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't care.
Aries looked up.
Eyes wide.
"Jay?! I'm on a—"
She climbed onto the bed.
Onto him.
Sat right on his lap.
Full weight.
Aries' eyes bulged.
The people on the call froze.
Stared.
Aries screamed.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Jay sat there.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"I need something."
Aries waved at the phone.
"I'M ON A CALL!"
Jay looked at the screen.
Waved.
"Hi."
The people waved back.
Confused.
Terrified.
Aries grabbed the phone.
Tried to turn it.
Jay grabbed his hand.
Stopped him.
"Jay—"
"I need Doraemon."
Aries blinked.
"What?"
"Doraemon."
"Blue robot cat."
"From the future."
Aries stared at her.
Then at the phone.
Then back at her.
"You— you came here—"
"Sat on me—"
"During an IMPORTANT CALL—"
"To ask for DORAEMON?!"
Jay nodded.
"Yes."
Aries screamed.
"YOU LITTLE TROUBLE MAKER!"
"GET OFF!"
Jay didn't move.
"I'm not that heavy."
"Keifer didn't even react when I sat on him."
Aries pointed at the door.
"I AGREE YOUR HUSBAND IS A MOUNTAIN!"
"WHO CAN CARRY AN ELEPHANT LIKE YOU!"
"BUT I AM NOT!"
Jay crossed her arms.
"So?"
"SO GET OFF!"
"No."
"JAY!"
"Doraemon first."
Aries grabbed his hair.
Screamed.
"MARK KEIFER WATSON!"
His voice echoed through the house.
"YOUR DEMON WIFE IS TRYING TO KILL ME!"
Footsteps.
Running.
Keifer appeared at the door.
Took one look at the scene.
Jay on Aries.
Aries trapped.
Phone call still going.
People watching.
And laughed.
Full laugh.
Bent over laugh.
Aries pointed.
"DON'T LAUGH!"
"HELP ME!"
Keifer walked in.
Still laughing.
Grabbed Jay.
Pulled her off Aries.
Effortlessly.
Like she weighed nothing.
Aries gasped for air.
"THANK YOU!"
Keifer held Jay.
She pouted.
"I want Doraemon."
Aries froze.
"What?"
"Doraemon."
"Real one."
"From the future."
Aries looked at Keifer.
Keifer shrugged.
"She's been like this all afternoon."
Aries blinked.
"And you— you just— let her—"
"I sent her to you."
Aries' jaw dropped.
"YOU SENT YOUR DEMON WIFE TO ME?!"
"For DORAEMON?!"
Keifer nodded.
"Seemed fair."
Aries grabbed a pillow.
Threw it at him.
Keifer dodged.
Jay grabbed his arm.
"Aries, do you have Doraemon?"
Aries stared at her.
Long stare.
Processing.
Then—
"Ask Kuya Angelo."
Jay tilted her head.
"Kuya Angelo?"
"Yes."
"Kuya Angelo."
"He has everything."
"Maybe he has Doraemon."
Jay considered this.
Nodded.
"Okay."
She walked out.
Aries collapsed on his bed.
Stared at the ceiling.
The phone call still ongoing.
He grabbed the phone.
Looked at the screen.
His colleagues were staring.
Silent.
Horrified.
Aries smiled weakly.
"So."
"That was my sister."
"She's... special."
He ended the call.
Threw the phone.
Screamed into his pillow.
Keifer was still laughing.
---
Evening – Dinner Time
The dining table was set.
Food everywhere.
Angelo at the head.
Aries and Keifer sitting together on one side.
Jay sitting beside Angelo.
Percy still not there.
Jay looked at Angelo.
Sweet.
Innocent.
Too innocent.
Angelo noticed immediately.
"What?"
Jay smiled.
"Kuya."
"Yes?"
"I need something."
Angelo nodded.
"Ask your husband."
"He's right there."
Jay shook her head.
"I asked him."
"He said he can't give it."
Angelo raised an eyebrow.
Looked at Keifer.
Keifer shrugged.
Avoided eye contact.
Angelo looked back at Jay.
Confused.
"What could you possibly want?"
"That your billionaire husband can't buy?"
Jay leaned closer.
"Doraemon."
Angelo blinked.
"...What?"
"Doraemon."
"Blue robot cat."
"From the future."
"With the pocket."
Angelo stared at her.
Long stare.
Processing.
Then—
"Jay."
"Yes, Kuya?"
"You're not a kid anymore."
"You can't play with toys."
Jay shook her head.
"Not toy."
"Real Doraemon."
"From the future."
Angelo opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Nothing.
Then—
Keifer burst out laughing.
Aries joined.
Both of them.
Laughing so hard they couldn't breathe.
Angelo looked at them.
"What's so funny?!"
Keifer tried to speak.
Failed.
Laughed harder.
Aries pointed at Angelo.
"YOU— YOU SHOULD SEE— YOUR FACE—"
Keifer grabbed water.
Tried to drink.
Still laughing.
Water went everywhere.
All over Aries.
Aries screamed.
"KEIFER!"
"THAT'S COLD!"
Keifer waved.
"SORRY— CAN'T— STOP—"
Aries grabbed a napkin.
Wiped his face.
Still laughing too.
Angelo looked at Jay.
She was watching them.
Confused.
"Why are they laughing?"
Angelo sighed.
Deep sigh.
Long sigh.
The sigh of a man who had seen too much.
"Jay."
"Yes, Kuya?"
"I knew you had fewer brain cells than most people."
She blinked.
"What?"
"But this confirms it."
"Your brain is completely empty."
Jay pouted.
"KUYA!"
"It's true!"
"Who asks for a real Doraemon?!"
"A fictional character?!"
"From a kids' show?!"
Jay crossed her arms.
"He's real to me."
Angelo buried his face in his hands.
Keifer and Aries kept laughing.
Tears streaming.
Unable to stop.
The door opened.
Percy walked in.
Bright.
Cheerful.
Unaware.
"HELLO EVERYONE!"
"I'M BACK!"
He looked at Keifer.
Looked at Aries.
Both crying with laughter.
Looked at Angelo.
Face in hands.
Looked at Jay.
Pouting.
Percy blinked.
"Did I miss something?"
Keifer tried to speak.
Failed.
Aries pointed at Percy.
Then at Jay.
Then at Angelo.
Then laughed harder.
Percy walked to Keifer.
"Keifer baby!"
"Miss me?"
Keifer finally stopped laughing long enough to speak.
"Miss you?"
"Never."
Percy gasped.
"KEIFER!"
He turned to Aries.
"Aries baby!"
"Miss me?"
Aries shook his head.
"Never."
Percy grabbed his chest.
"BETRAYAL!"
"BOTH OF YOU!"
"AFTER EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH!"
Jay raised her hand.
"Percy."
He looked at her.
"Yes, Jay?"
"Do you have Doraemon?"
Percy blinked.
"What?"
"Doraemon."
"Blue robot cat."
"From the future."
Percy stared at her.
Long stare.
Then—
He looked at Keifer.
Keifer shrugged.
Looked at Aries.
Aries waved.
Looked at Angelo.
Angelo shook his head.
Percy turned back to Jay.
"I've been gone for THREE HOURS."
"And THIS is what happened?!"
Jay nodded.
"Yes."
"So?"
"Doraemon?"
Percy opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Then—
He started laughing.
Just like the others.
Jay crossed her arms.
"Why is everyone laughing?!"
Percy grabbed the table.
"I— I can't—"
"A real Doraemon—"
"She wants a real—"
He collapsed into a chair.
Laughing uncontrollably.
Jay looked at Angelo.
"Kuya."
"Yes?"
"They're all crazy."
Angelo nodded.
"Yes."
"Yes they are."
"But Jay?"
"What?"
"You're the one asking for a fictional robot cat."
Jay pouted.
"He's real to me."
Angelo sighed again.
---
After Dinner
The table cleared.
Everyone moved to the living room.
Keifer and Percy were arguing about something stupid.
Aries saw his chance.
Slipped away from the chaos.
Found Jay on the couch.
Sat beside her.
She looked at him.
Suspicious.
"What?"
Aries smiled.
Friendly.
Too friendly.
"Jay."
"Yes?"
"I have something to tell you."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Aries leaned closer.
"Your husband."
She tensed.
"What about him?"
Aries grinned.
"He's only a Doraemon."
Jay blinked.
"What?"
"He buys you whatever you want."
"Right?"
"Well—"
"Doraemon also gives whatever you want."
"Right?"
Jay considered this.
"Right..."
Aries nodded.
"So Keifer is your Doraemon."
Jay's eyes widened.
Slowly.
Processing.
Aries continued.
"He gives you things."
"He protects you."
"He loves you."
"He's blue?"
"No, but—"
"Close enough."
Jay stared at him.
Long stare.
Then—
Her face lit up.
"KEIFER IS MY DORAEMON!"
Aries nodded.
"Yes!"
"He is!"
"Your blue, tall, handsome, billionaire Doraemon!"
Jay jumped up.
Ran to Keifer.
Who was still arguing with Percy.
She crashed into him.
Hugged him tight.
Keifer stumbled.
Caught her.
Confused.
"Wifey?"
Jay looked up.
Eyes shining.
"You're my Doraemon."
Keifer blinked.
"What?"
"My Doraemon."
"You give me things."
"You protect me."
"You love me."
"You're blue enough."
Keifer stared at her.
Then at Aries.
Aries gave a thumbs up.
Grinning.
Keifer looked back at Jay.
Slow smile.
"Your Doraemon?"
She nodded.
"My Doraemon."
He kissed her forehead.
"Then I'm the best Doraemon."
She nodded.
"The best."
Percy gagged.
"DISGUSTING."
Aries laughed.
"JEALOUS?"
Percy pointed.
"OF WHAT?!"
"Their weird robot cat roleplay?!"
Aries shrugged.
"If the shoe fits."
Percy threw a pillow.
Aries caught it.
Threw it back.
War started again.
Jay stayed in Keifer's arms.
Happy.
Content.
"Doraemon," she whispered.
He kissed her head.
"Always, wifey."
She smiled.
"My hubby."
"My Doraemon."
And somewhere—
Angelo watched from the doorway.
Shaking his head.
But smiling.
Because this—
This chaos.
This family.
This love.
Was absolutely insane.
And absolutely perfect.
---
Later That Night
Jay and Keifer in their room.
Ready for bed.
Jay lay on his chest.
Tracing patterns.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah, wifey?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being my Doraemon."
He laughed.
Soft.
Warm.
"Best job I ever had."
She smiled.
Kissed his chest.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Even if you ask for impossible things."
She hit him lightly.
"Not impossible."
"Real."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Is Doraemon real now?"
She nodded.
"You're real."
"So Doraemon is real."
He blinked.
"That's... actually sweet."
She grinned.
"I know."
"I'm smart."
He laughed.
Pulled her closer.
"My smart wifey."
"My Doraemon hubby."
They lay there.
Happy.
Together.
Perfect.
Until—
A knock on the door.
Loud.
Urgent.
Aries' voice.
"JAY! KEIFER!"
"You awake?!"
Keifer groaned.
"No."
"GO AWAY."
"BUT—"
"NOW."
Silence.
Then—
Percy's voice.
"They're definitely doing things."
Aries.
"AGAIN?!"
Percy.
"Always."
Keifer threw a pillow at the door.
It hit with a thud.
Running footsteps.
Laughter.
Then silence.
Jay looked at Keifer.
He looked at her.
Same thought.
Same smile.
Same love.
"Chaos," she whispered.
He nodded.
"Our chaos."
She kissed him.
"Best chaos."
He kissed her back.
"The best."
And outside—
The house settled.
The family slept.
The love remained.
Forever.
---
The End
(For now.)