Jay stood frozen at the entrance.
Bag in hand.
Everyone awake.
Everyone staring.
The silence?
Terrifying.
"…hi," she said softly.
No response.
She slowly lifted the bag.
"…I brought snacks…"
That was the wrong thing to say.
Before she could even react—
MJ stepped forward.
Snatched the bag.
"…HEY—"
"Not happening," he said flatly.
Kit immediately grabbed another packet from inside.
"No junk food."
Kanning:
"Doctor's orders."
Aum:
"No outside food."
Kavin:
"Especially at this hour."
Jay blinked.
"…give it back."
"No."
"…that's mine."
"No."
"…I walked for this."
"EXACTLY," everyone snapped.
Keifer stepped forward.
Took the bag.
Placed it on the table.
Out of reach.
"You're not eating this."
Jay stared at him.
"…you're serious."
"…very."
"…I risked my life."
"…you bought chips."
"…same thing."
"…no."
Jay went quiet.
Then—
slowly—
she stepped closer.
"…just one."
"No."
"…half?"
"No."
"…a bite?"
"No."
She blinked.
Then—
tilted her head slightly.
"…please?"
Silence.
Kit turned away.
"…don't look at me…"
MJ covered his face.
"…stay strong…"
Tita Gema walked in.
With a bowl.
Warm.
Steaming.
Jay looked at it.
"…what's that."
"Your food."
"…that's not food."
"It is now."
"…I bought snacks."
"And we took them."
"…this is betrayal."
"Eat."
Jay looked at the porridge.
Then at Keifer.
"…you're letting this happen."
"…yes."
"…after everything we've been through."
"…eat."
She pouted.
Not exaggerated.
Not dramatic.
Just soft.
"…I don't want it…"
Silence.
Gorya hesitated.
"…Jay…"
Jay looked at her.
"…you're with them too?"
"…you need to recover…"
Jay slowly sat down.
Holding the bowl.
"…this is sad…"
While everyone relaxed slightly—
thinking she gave up—
Jay moved.
Fast.
Reached for the table—
"JAY—"
Too late.
She grabbed one chocolate.
"…got it."
"Give it back."
"No."
"Jay."
"No."
She held it close.
"…this is mine."
"You're not eating that."
"…watch me."
She didn't run.
Didn't argue loudly.
Instead—
she slowly stepped back—
hugging the chocolate to her chest.
"…don't take it…"
Her voice softened.
"…I just wanted one…"
Silence.
Complete silence.
She blinked slowly.
"…I'll eat the porridge too…"
Pause.
"…just let me keep this…"
Kit whispered,
"…we're losing…"
MJ:
"…we're already gone…"
Keifer looked at her.
Long.
Then—
sighed.
"…half."
Everyone snapped.
"WHAT—"
"…she eats the porridge first."
Jay's eyes lit up slightly.
"…deal."
She sat down again.
Took a spoon.
Ate the porridge.
Slowly.
Then—
paused.
"…now?"
Keifer nodded.
She unwrapped the chocolate.
Took a small bite.
Closed her eyes slightly.
"…worth it…"
Kuya Angelo shook his head.
"…you're unbelievable."
Jay smiled faintly.
"…I know…"
She got caught.
Got scolded.
Got her snacks taken.
Got forced to eat porridge.
And still—
in the end—
Jay sat there at 3 AM—
holding her tiny victory—
proving once again—
that no matter how strict they became—
she always found a way to win.