Chapter 34
Jia opened her eyes, relief flooded her chest when she realized that she survived another major attack. The room has dim light which helps her eyes to adjust. The scent of vanilla hangs on the hair, and Jia knew that it was not her room.
The door opens and sees Juno's tired expression, his eyes are red and Jia's heart begins to race. She was nervous facing Juno and the worries on his face improved when he met Jia's gaze.
"Hi there." Juno greeted her, he half-smiled while sitting near the edge of the bed.
"Where am I?" Jia asked nonchalantly.
"Haru's room. He said that it was good for you to stay near him." Juno muttered, relief in his voice but Jia was confused regarding the information.
Haru quickly shows up at the door. Gazing at Jia who feels more nervous meeting Haru's eyes.
"Tell me why I have an attack when I am supposed to experience it for the next few days? " Jia asked while Juno felt the tension between the two.
"It never happened before. I am sorry Jia." Haru muttered in apology. But Jia is not convinced with the half-ass information close to excuses. She narrowed her eyes, alarmed of the next words that would come out of Haru's mouth.
"It was because things are changing in Jia. The attacks only trigger a deep set of emotions from certain people but these attacks were different, an indication of premonition. Fate is something that is forbidden to change but you keep doing things that are against it. " Haru explained in a serious tone. His eyes were dark and deep facing the two brown eyes before him.
"W-What do you mean Haru? I thought I only experienced it when I upset them? What do you mean by a warning? Did something happen to my friends?" Jia was panicking. Tears started to form in her eyes, she was so upset.
"It happened 100 years ago. I never knew it would happen again today also with you. I want you to stay strong Jia. Changing fate is dangerous and it always comes with prizes." Haru dangerously informs her.
"What do you mean?! I need a distinct answer!" Jia's voice is getting higher without her noticing. The look Haru gave her was apathetic and Jia knew from that moment how serious he meant everything he just said.
"Sleep for tonight. You cannot stay away from me. I need to make sure that you recover tomorrow morning.
Jia touched her throbbing head. She massages it praying for the pain to subside. Haru warns her that the attack is not yet done and Jia shivers from the new form of information. She closed her eyes, anxiety covered her skin and Jia's hand trembled from the pain and the warning that Haru was talking about.
Warm palms envelop Jia's small hands. Jia was sobbing quietly but Juno smiled at her when she met his gaze.
" Shhh, sleep for now. You need to rest." Juno whispered after fixing the blanket so she would not be cold. Jia never received solace from a friend other than Yumi before as she rarely got upset. She was independent and never showed her emotions. Yumi is only in the right place and right moment, but Jia is used to comforting herself. The warmth from Juno's palm while carefully patting her hair spread to Jia's heart for the first time in her life. She got a friend on her side giving her the security that she was not alone in the battle. In her sleepy state, she murmurs a soft thank you to Juno.
--
"What happened to Jia?" Yumi asked, she was fidgeting when waiting outside of Haru's room.
"She just got sick because of the weather." Juno lied in a straight face, not even Hyuk could tell that his best friend was lying in their faces but did not comment, his eyes fixed to Juno's mannerism.
"Oh, I did not realize," Yumi mumbled, guilt spread on her lovely face.
"Is she alright?" Penelope asked in concern. She thought that something was wrong with Jia in the restaurant and she was watching her inherently looking worried about her well-being.
"Are you sure she got sick because of the weather?" Yejun asked, his voice was demanding, there was a hidden duel between them. The silence between the two men that they always found themselves doing when someone was hiding something. Juno eyed his friends with a serious expression he could master sending incoherent words that Hyuk gets. There was always a boundary between friends and Hyuk is aware that he was not allowed to cross this time and Juno is straight to tell him that he doesn't need Hyuk's concern. His expression was not plausible but Juno is determined to hide it.
"Yeah, she's sleeping now." He said half smiling, trying to hide his trembling eyes and concern for his friend. Juno is never ready for the information he learned a while ago but he cannot do anything about it but respect Jia's decision. He was never supposed to be in the circle but Jia let him walk in, trusting him to keep the burden along with her. Juno has only a half understanding of Jia and Haru's agreement. He could never comment or stop Jia from the madness until he provides a better idea to help her. But it was frustrating to him with his brain and even his strength… Messing with fate is out of his league nor helps Jia to fulfill her intentions.
"Haru told me that he likes to take care of Jia until tomorrow." Juno smiled after that, now his attention to his worried friends. He told them to let Jia rest in Haru's room for tonight. The group nodded their heads in defeat. Yumi was still lingering in Haru's room but Hyuk carried her to her room assuring that she can visit Jia tomorrow morning.
--
"Good morning sleepy head!" Yumi's wide smile greeted Jia's sleepy soul. She blinked her eyes, feeling more comfortable to the vanilla scents the room was accustomed to while staying in Haru's room.
"I got you breakfast." Yumi delightedly got the tray and helped Jia to eat on the table after she took a bath.
"Juno told us that you got sick because of the weather. It was rather colder today, so you can just stay here and rest." Yumi mumbled, eyes were worried for her.
"I'm fine besides it being my first time here and I want to spend my day with you." Jia drinks the orange juice Yumi gets for her. They are giggling already when the door opens. Juno's sleepy eyes turn to the two girls and without a warning, Juno joins Jia's breakfast. There is no awkward atmosphere between them and Jia is silently thanking him.
They discuss the plan for a day and Juno is pleased to know that they will go out.
"I will be your tour guide then!" Juno presented. They all gathered at the hotel lobby, Yejun asked Jia's condition when he saw her. Penelope also looked like she was worried for Jia but was embarrassed to ask her after Yejun's question. She assured her friends saying she was already fine. Her cheeks turn pink with the concerns from people she used to hurt.
Hyuk narrowed his eyes to his enthusiastic friend. He was acting out of his usual mood. Hyuk always looks out for Juno and he memorizes him already. His best friend was acting strange and not his usual playful antics. Hyuk also knew that Juno has been to Japan before and he recommended places that are not too far but surely not special. Hyuk even realized that Juno did not appeal to his favorite restaurant which he usually and stubbornly wanted to come to when they stayed in the country. He remembered being dragged there always, when they went to Japan two years ago, not only did Juno sulk for the entire day when Hyuk rejected him. The restaurant is simple but makes delicious food and is accommodating for tourists. Hyuk personally liked the place after how many times he was dragged there. Now, Hyuk looks confused looking at Juno. He was not his stubborn self.
"Aren't you going to your favorite restaurant?" Hyuk asked Juno. The latter blinked like he was confused. Hyuk was flabbergasted when he realized that Juno forgot about it which never happened before.
"Which restaurant?" Yumi asked with interest. Her gaze changes to both men and settles on Juno who looks in awe.
"Oh, We have a favorite restaurant that we always visit every time we stay in Japan. But it was quite far. I also forgot about it now." Juno scratches the back of his head, hand touches his nape grinning shyly at his friends. "How about we go to Jia's recommendation? But if it was okay, that place is super good." Juno shyly commented. His cheeks were flushed, biting his lower lip. Hyuk was almost coughing from the sight.
"Hmm," Hyuk hum eyes darting to his friend's unusual behavior.
"Let's go there then!" Yumi said with a huge knowing smile on her face.
Jia nodded and a smile appeared on her face. She was expecting Yumi to be this excited. Penelope also looks happy with the idea while Yejun and Hyuk have a funny frown on their faces. Jia decided to ignore it for now and let the majority of the group handle the mood.
End of chapter 34.