The last class of the day had already ended nearly twenty minutes ago.
Yet Section E was still inside the classroom.
Which usually meant one thing:
Trouble.
Except this time—
Everyone was too relaxed for chaos.
Kanning was lying across two chairs dramatically.
Cin was spinning in someone else's seat.
Thyme looked half-asleep.
Felix and David were quietly on their phones.
And Jay sat near the window, resting her chin against her hand while pretending not to listen to the nonsense around her.
"Life is meaningless," Kanning announced.
"No," Gorya replied calmly. "You're just bored."
"Same thing."
Cin suddenly sat up.
"WAIT."
Everyone looked at him.
"We should go on vacation."
"…Where did that even come from," Jay asked.
"I saw a beach ad."
"That's your reason?"
"Yes."
"…Amazing."
But surprisingly—
No one rejected the idea.
Thyme stretched lazily. "Honestly? Doesn't sound bad."
"We deserve compensation after suffering," Kavin muttered.
"You had a fever," Jay replied instantly.
"I survived."
"Barely."
"I was fighting for my life."
"You were crying over bitter medicine."
"That was emotional damage."
Felix looked up slightly. "A trip would be nice."
David nodded once in agreement.
Jay narrowed her eyes.
"…Why are all of you agreeing so easily."
"Because we're tired," Gorya answered.
"School is exhausting."
"Existing is exhausting," Thyme added.
Cin suddenly pointed dramatically at Jay.
"WAIT."
Everyone blinked.
"You literally OWN an island."
Silence.
Jay stared at him.
"…And?"
Kanning shot upright immediately.
"OH RIGHT."
Thyme blinked slowly. "I forgot about that somehow."
"You forgot she owns a whole island?" Kavin asked.
"I forget a lot of things."
Gorya smirked faintly.
"Ulupong Island."
At the name, everyone instantly looked interested again.
Even Jay sighed quietly because she already knew where this was going.
Cin clasped his hands together dramatically.
"Jayyyyy."
"No."
"You didn't even let me ask."
"I know what you're asking."
"Pleaaaase?"
Kanning immediately joined in.
"I want luxury."
"I want sleep," Thyme muttered.
"I want food," Cin added.
"You always want food."
"Exactly."
Jay pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You guys are unbelievable."
"But are we wrong?" Gorya asked calmly.
"…Yes."
"No we're not."
Keifer, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke.
"We should go."
Jay looked at him.
"You too?"
"It's your island."
"And?"
"You like it there."
That made her pause slightly.
Just for a second.
Because he was right.
Ulupong Island.
The private island Keifer had given her years ago.
Everyone in Section E already knew the story.
Knew it had been his apology.
Knew Jay practically disappeared there whenever she needed peace.
And because of that—
The island strangely felt like it belonged to all of them now.
Cin immediately noticed her hesitation.
"She's considering it."
"I'm not."
"She is."
"She absolutely is," Kanning agreed.
Jay sighed heavily.
"…Fine."
The room exploded instantly.
"YES."
"LET'S GOOO."
"KNEW IT."
Cin nearly tackled her in excitement.
"You're the best person alive."
"You're suffocating me."
Within minutes—
The classroom became complete chaos.
Everyone talking at once.
Planning things they absolutely didn't need.
Arguing over rooms before they'd even left.
And in the middle of it—
Jay looked tired already.
"We're only going for a few days," she reminded them.
"That's enough for memories," Cin said dramatically.
"That sounded fake deep."
"It WAS deep."
"No."
Which somehow led to shopping immediately after school.
The mall regretted their arrival instantly.
Section E together was already hard enough to ignore.
Section E preparing for vacation?
Disaster.
"Why are we buying this much?" Jay asked while holding three shopping bags she never agreed to carry.
"Vacation atmosphere," Kanning replied.
"You bought sunglasses indoors."
"They're stylish."
"They're ugly."
"You wound me."
Nearby, Cin held up matching tropical shirts excitedly.
"WE SHOULD ALL WEAR THESE."
"No," everyone answered immediately.
"None of you understand fashion."
"You look like a lost tourist," Gorya replied.
"That's the POINT."
Thyme had disappeared at some point—
Only to return with snacks.
A dangerous amount of snacks.
Jay stared at him.
"…You bought enough for a month."
"We need survival supplies."
"You're going to an island resort."
"Exactly."
Felix and David were the only reason the group looked remotely organized.
Meanwhile Kavin looked spiritually exhausted already.
"I hate shopping."
"You've said that six times," Jay replied.
"And I'll say it again."
Through all the chaos—
Keifer walked beside Jay quietly.
Not saying much.
Just staying there.
At one point, he reached over and took half the bags from her shoulder naturally.
"You looked annoyed."
"I am annoyed."
"But you're still here."
Jay glanced at the others arguing loudly ahead of them.
Cin running around dramatically.
Kanning showing off outfits nobody liked.
Thyme eating snacks before buying more.
And somehow—
A small smile appeared briefly on her face.
"…Unfortunately."
Keifer noticed.
But didn't say anything.
By night—
They finally reached the private docks.
The ocean stretched endlessly beneath the dark sky, the water reflecting silver moonlight beautifully.
And waiting near the pier—
Was the yacht heading toward Ulupong Island.
Cin gasped dramatically.
"Oh this is RICH rich."
"You say that every time," Gorya muttered.
"Because I'm impressed every time."
Kanning immediately threw himself onto one of the seats.
"I live here now."
"No you don't," Jay replied.
"Too late. I've decided."
The boat slowly began moving.
Cool ocean wind brushed past them gently.
The city lights faded further and further away.
And for the first time all day—
Things became quiet.
Peaceful.
Jay stood near the railing silently, watching the dark waves.
A moment later—
Someone stepped beside her.
Keifer.
"You're thinking too much again," he said calmly.
"I'm not."
"You always say that."
"…Shut up."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
Behind them—
The others were still talking loudly.
Laughing.
Arguing over rooms already.
Completely alive again.
Completely normal again.
And hearing that noise—
Jay found herself relaxing slightly.
Just slightly.
Far ahead in the distance—
Lights slowly began appearing across the ocean.
Bright.
Beautiful.
Warm.
Ulupong Island.
Home for the next few days.
And knowing Section E—
Absolutely nothing peaceful was about to happen there.