Jay's POV..
don't remember when the noise started.
Or maybe it never stopped.
One moment, everything was quiet—just me, him, and that one word I said…
yes.
And the next—
"FINALLY!" Percy's voice broke through everything as he rushed forward, clapping loudly. "I was starting to think she'd say no just to annoy you."
"Shut up," Keifer muttered, though I could feel the slight relief in the way his arm stayed around me.
I laughed softly, still trying to process everything, my fingers unconsciously touching the ring.
It was real.
All of it was real.
"Show the ring! Show the ring!" someone from Section E shouted.
Before I could even react, Felix grabbed my hand dramatically. "Let me inspect this properly. If it's not good, we reject him."
"It's fine," Keifer said flatly.
"Confidence," Percy nodded approvingly. "I like that."
"Congratulations," David stepped forward, his usual calm expression carrying a small, genuine smile. "Take care of her."
"I will."
There was no hesitation in Keifer's voice.
Not even for a second.
I glanced slightly to the side.
Yuri stood a little away from everyone, silent, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, our eyes met.
He didn't smile.
Didn't say anything.
Just… looked.
Then looked away.
"Okay, okay, enough serious faces!" Eren clapped his hands. "This is a party, not a funeral."
"Yeah," Drew added, grinning. "We need celebration, not emotional speeches."
Before I knew it, I was being pulled into different directions.
Hugs.
Teasing.
Laughs.
Everything felt overwhelming in the best way.
"Jay!" Percy suddenly appeared beside me again, throwing an arm over my shoulder like he'd been there the whole time. "Now that you're engaged, I expect special treatment."
"You already act like you own everything."
"Correction," he pointed at himself proudly, "I deserve everything."
Aries, standing beside him, sighed quietly. "Ignore him."
"I'm deeply hurt, Aries baby."
"Stop calling me that."
I couldn't help but laugh.
For the first time in a long time…
Everything felt… complete.
Later, the crowd slowly started settling.
Some moved inside, some stayed near the pool, conversations blending into soft background noise.
I found myself standing slightly away from everyone, just… breathing.
Taking it all in.
"You okay?"
I didn't need to turn to know it was him.
"More than okay," I said softly, finally looking at Keifer. "You really went all out, didn't you?"
"For you? Always."
There it was again.
That calm way he said things that somehow meant everything.
"You're unbelievable," I shook my head slightly, smiling.
"And you said yes," he replied.
"Don't remind me."
His brow lifted slightly. "Regretting it already?"
I stepped closer, lowering my voice just a little.
"Never."
Something in his expression softened.
Just a little.
But enough.
"You were really upset, weren't you?" he asked after a moment.
I paused.
"…I thought everyone forgot."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I told them to act like that."
"I figured."
"You still got hurt."
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I did.
"I won't do that again," he said quietly.
I looked at him.
He wasn't joking.
Wasn't teasing.
Just… serious.
"It was worth it," I said finally, smiling softly. "This… was worth it."
For a second, neither of us spoke.
Then—
"You're staying tonight."
That wasn't a question.
I raised a brow slightly. "Are you ordering me now?"
"Yes."
I laughed under my breath.
"Bossy."
"Only with you."
Before I could reply, a loud whistle echoed from behind.
"HEY! Keep the romance in private !" Percy shouted, dramatically covering his eyes. "There are innocent people here!"
"No one here is innocent," Drew replied instantly.
"Fair point."
I shook my head, laughing again.
This chaos.
These people.
This night.
It felt like something I never wanted to end.
But somewhere in the distance…
Someone was watching.
Silent.
Still.
Unmoving.
And while everyone celebrated—
Something unseen had already begun.