Chapter 87– "Mutya."
The next morning felt quieter after the balcony incident.
At least for JJ.
---
Because now—
every time she looked at Keifer—
she remembered almost kissing him.
And somehow that was worse than the dizziness.
---
So naturally—
she avoided him completely.
---
Which Percy noticed instantly.
---
"She's dodging him like unpaid taxes," he whispered dramatically.
Honey elbowed him immediately.
"Shut up."
---
Meanwhile—
JJ sat at the dining table pretending to focus on breakfast.
Care discussing hospital schedules beside Alex.
Rhys arguing with Cin over coffee again.
Lyra reading something while eating calmly.
---
And Section E spread across the long table like chaos disguised as people.
---
Keifer sat unusually quiet today.
Watching occasionally.
Then looking away before JJ noticed.
Or trying to.
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Breakfast Chaos
Percy reached for snacks dramatically.
Rakhi slapped his hand away.
"Eat actual food first."
---
"Freedom of choice is dead in this mansion."
---
Rhys deadpanned:
"You ate chips at 3 AM."
"And I'll do it again."
---
Even JJ smiled slightly at that.
Tiny.
But real.
---
Everyone noticed instantly.
Because when JJ smiled—
the whole room unconsciously softened around her.
---
And that itself almost scared her now.
---
Because why did they react like that?
Like her happiness mattered too much.
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The Slip
JJ stood up eventually to grab coffee.
Still half distracted.
Still overthinking.
---
At the same moment—
Percy turned while arguing with Aries.
Completely casual.
Completely instinctive.
---
"Mutya, pass me the sugar—"
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Silence.
---
Everything stopped.
---
The sound of the spoon in JJ's hand froze mid-air.
---
And before anyone could react—
JJ answered automatically.
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"Which one?"
---
Dead silence.
---
Complete.
Absolute.
---
Percy froze.
Aries froze.
Honey's eyes widened instantly.
---
Keifer's head snapped toward JJ so fast it was almost frightening.
---
Because she responded naturally.
Without confusion.
Without questioning the word.
---
Like her soul recognized it before her mind did.
---
JJ blinked slowly.
Then frowned.
"…why did I answer to that?"
---
Nobody spoke.
Nobody even breathed properly.
---
Because this—
this was the first time.
---
The first instinctive response.
The first subconscious recognition.
---
JJ looked around the table now.
Confused.
Uneasy.
---
"…what does mutya mean?"
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Percy looked like he might cry and celebrate simultaneously.
---
Keifer couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
---
Because hearing her respond to that nickname after a year—
felt like getting stabbed and healed at the same time.
---
Finally—
Aries answered softly.
---
"It means jewel and treasure."
---
JJ repeated it quietly.
"…jewel."
---
And suddenly—
something twisted painfully inside her chest.
Not memory exactly.
Just emotion.
Deep.
Familiar.
---
Her fingers tightened slightly around the coffee mug.
---
Because the word felt warm.
Safe.
Loved.
---
And somehow—
hers.
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The Reactions
JJ looked at Percy slowly now.
"…why did you call me that?"
---
Percy immediately looked at Keifer.
Big mistake.
---
Because JJ noticed.
Of course she noticed.
---
Her eyes slowly shifted toward Keifer too.
And suddenly—
the atmosphere changed again.
---
Keifer finally stood up slowly from his chair.
Walked toward her carefully.
Not too close.
Never too close now.
---
Then softly—
almost like the word itself hurt him—
he said:
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"…because that's what we used to call you."
---
JJ's heartbeat stuttered.
---
We.
Used to.
---
Not they.
Not someone.
---
We.
---
Like she belonged somewhere she couldn't remember anymore.
---
JJ swallowed slightly.
"…all of you?"
---
Percy nodded softly now.
"Mostly us."
Then glanced toward Keifer again.
"…him especially."
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That silence afterward almost killed everyone emotionally.
---
Because JJ looked at Keifer again differently now.
Not scared.
Not confused.
---
Searching.
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And suddenly—
a tiny flash hit.
---
Warm hands.
Low laughter.
Rain.
A voice whispering softly against her forehead:
> "My mutya."
---
JJ flinched instantly.
The mug slipping slightly from her fingers.
---
Keifer caught it before it hit the floor.
Too fast again.
Too naturally again.
---
And JJ stared at him completely now.
Breathing uneven.
---
"…you said that before."
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Not a question.
---
Keifer's composure cracked visibly for half a second.
---
Because yes.
Thousands of times.
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But before anyone could say anything else—
Care stepped in immediately.
Gentle but firm.
---
"Enough for today."
---
JJ looked overwhelmed now.
Confused.
Emotional.
Almost frightened by her own reactions.
---
So Care carefully took the mug from her hands.
"Sit down first."
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And slowly—
JJ obeyed.
Still staring at Keifer.
Still hearing that word echo inside her chest.
---
Mutya.
Treasure.
Loved.
---
And somewhere deep inside forgotten memories—
a part of her had already started finding its way back home.