Author's POV, because yes, I have the free will to do:
YuRil:
Away from the chaos, two people were eating lumpia, as if the festival, society, and academic responsibilities had politely ceased to exist.
April Delos Reyes. Modern, stylish, serving main-character aura with a dimple so convincing it could end wars.
Yuri Hanamitchi. Effortless presence, hands in pockets, face that says "don't talk to me" but body language that says "except you."
He's a pookie. A selective one. A limited edition.
"I dare you to eat five of them in seven seconds," April challenged, because peace was never an option.
"Five in seven seconds?" Yuri repeated, lips twitching. "Uno reverse."
He grinned like he'd just discovered fire.
(It was not an achievement. But men are simple creatures.)
April pulled out an actual Uno card from her pocket.
Author pause.
Why.
Why does she have that.
She slammed it onto the table like it carried legal consequences.
"Reverse," she said smugly. "Now you eat. And I track the time."
Yuri stared at the card.
Then at her.
Then back at the card.
"…Why do you carry Uno cards?"
She shrugged, casually biting into a lumpia. "Prepared."
Prepared for WHAT, April.
Prepared for what.
He laughed. Actually laughed.
The kind of laugh that makes you pause and go, oh. So THAT'S why she likes him.
"Fine," he said, rolling up his sleeves like he was entering the HARDEST competition of all time. "But when I win-"
"You won't."
"--you owe me ice cream."
She raised a brow. "Bold of you to assume I won't steal yours."
"You already did," he said, leaning in, voice low enough to cause psychological damage.
Sir.
SIR.
THIS IS A SCHOOL FESTIVAL.
April blinked.
Full system restart.
Pause.
Longer pause.
Dramatic pause sponsored by slow-motion.
She snapped back. "TIMER STARTS NOW."
Yuri grabbed the lumpia.
One.
Two.
Three.
April started counting like a commentator whose career depended on this.
"Three seconds, four. YURI DON'T CHEW LIKE THAT, YOU'LL CHOKE-" Girl became a mother for a minute.
He swallowed the fifth just as she yelled, "SEVEN!"
They froze.
She checked her imaginary stopwatch.
Squinted.
Rechecked.
"…You made it."
Yuri straightened, hands up. "Victory. Ice cream?"
He looked unbearably pleased with himself.
Like a cat knocking something off a table on purpose.
Ginger.
She stared at him.
And then-
TICKLE ATTACK.
April launched herself at him like a gremlin.
Yuri caught her mid-pounce because of COURSE he did.
If he hadn't, we'd be at a K-drama fall by now.
He laughed. Loud, messy, unfiltered.
Yuri dodged her, pushed her away and..
Immediately pulled her back.
Sir.
This is flirting.
Don't pretend it's not.
They laughed together. Not villain laughter.
Just… normal. Easy. Comfortable.
Two minutes later (after they found how to stop laughing:)
"Why are you proud like you cured cancer?" April asked.
"Because," he replied calmly, stealing her last lumpia, "I won against you."
"HEY-"
Too late. Gone.
She gasped. "THIEF."
"You dared me," he said, zero remorse. "Actions. Consequences."
"You're cute when you're smug," she teased.
"Nope. Not me."
Lie detected.
April knows.
Yuri absolutely knows. You know. I know. WE KNOW.
Festival lights flickered behind them. Noise blurred into background static.
Just them. Food. Teasing. Comfort.
And somewhere far away, the universe sighed, cracked its knuckles, and said:
Let them have peace…
for now.
NOW.
If you're ready…
Next up: My Roman Empire. Your Roman Empire. OUR ROMAN EMPIRE!!!
Jayfer.
Jayjay walked inside the school and saw Keifer. The first thing after entering is her favourite person.
Well, only if she realises..
I WANT TO HAVE A MOMENT LIKE THAT, TOO-
One hand on the pocket of his leather jacket, one on a drink he wasn't drinking. Or wasn't planning to drink. He stood. Smug. Unbothered. Menace-coded.
He looked up at Jayjay.
Smirked. Of course.. the OG Keifer.
Jayjay rolled her eyes internally, disgusting behaviour, miss?
She kept walking forward, right when she saw a booth beside him.
A booth where Snorlax was the gift. Well, she already had one.
Her eyes widened, and she tried to distract herself. Did something work? Nope.
Keifer followed her gaze to the game, and he didn't talk. Just went, took the rings from the stall guy and tried it once.. twice.. thrice.. chances over. No Snorlax.
Jayjay snickered behind him, "Trying to be a gentleman? Just accept you're bad at aiming."
"Have you seen me fighting? April has a worse aim anyway." Keifer muttered.
"Don't drag her into this."
"Wait.. you know what? I'll bring the battle of the bands trophy for you." Keifer assured, KILIG MOMENT! GIDDYY.
Keifer being Keifer, I love this. (lines of author fangirling over Jayfer XD)
Jayjay's eyes softened, her gaze on Keifer more like admiration. She didn't know what to say. Words failed to speak; emotions spoke for her.
Keifer felt it.
He gave Jayjay a long hug, a forehead kiss and left with a small "bye".
And he left a really.. blushing.. Jayjay.
Jayfer, my Roman Empire. You beauty.