Episode 90: TRY ME

Jerico kept shouting the words of admiration in his head, but deep inside he knew that it was way too early to say anything.

Gabby, well, she's just too precious for him to risk losing. And so he bailed telling him how he felt even though countless possibilities of it going right was already embedded in his mind.

He sighed then texted back,

"Oh, wrong message."

How pathetic.

Gabby replied with a sticker, showing relief.

Meanwhile, Jerico regretted it. And texted her anyways.

"Sorry for bothering you. But are you doing anything?"

He was shocked of what came out of his fingers.

Then he hesitated again on whether to send it or not.

Then his urge to know her response had defeated him.

He sent it eventually.

And as friendly as Gabby was, she texted him back, quickly at that.

"It's okay. Nothing much. You?"

And then with the good result he became more comfortable and began texting her all night. He had never felt so care free.

And Gabby on the other hand, was just happy that Jerico seemed to be unbothered by earlier.

She worried so much that Murasaki had hurt his feelings. Of course for her, Jerico was a pure soul that must be protected at all costs. To the team, he was the babiest of them all.

And she was sure that even she, won't forgive Murasaki if anything bad happened to Jerico as a result.

All of them had always been wary of trampling the young man's heart as he was sensitive and insecure by nature.

Next time, Gabby thought, maybe she'd stand up to Murasaki and humble him a bit. Not that Murasaki intended to be rude, but he was just like that by nature. Him expecting that everyone understands or perceives what he's doing without them being hurt is kinda wrong. Well, somehow Murasaki had changed a bit. Not that shy boy Gabby once knew. It was good for his part that he became more extroverted, but...maybe she misses the old soft him sometimes.

Once she felt dizzy enough, she texted Jerico good night and told him that perhaps tomorrow, she, Finn and Tiwari can hang out.

Jerico felt happy. Happier than ever before.

Gabby put her phone away. Tucked her blanket. And closed her eyes, eventually falling asleep. Red on the other hand, had noticed that the Gabby's room finally lost light, which meant that she most have been sleeping by then. That relieved the reaper so much as it was already 2 am in the morning.

How or why she stayed that long kept being a little bee buzzing curiosity.

The man pursed his lips as he thought that it's his time to relax in turn. Rather than standing, alertly guarding her room, he decided to calm down and sit on the couch, looking at the white smooth ceiling and recalling all the funny times the two had spent on this small mediocre room.

The memory of their first encounter made him smile to himself as he looks so pissed and unwelcoming. Who knew he'd learn to love the woman he thinks was the most annoying on earth?

It all faded away however when he remembered Jerico's expression of concern for Gabby. As well as Murasaki's constant efforts to pursue her.

Whoever she ends up with, he sure do hope that they'd protect her well with all their hearts.

The night was too short for him to recall every bit of memory with her.

...

Jerico woke up, his head aching in pain and his eyes sore from all the radiation emitted from his phone. He yawned and looked at his phone.

It was 9 am.

He freaked out and stumbled while getting out from his bed. He put down his hoodie over some oversized shirt. After grabbing his bonnet and brushing his hair a little, he hurried to open the door for work. Until he realized it was a Saturday.

He smacks his face and walks back to his room, kind of upset of what a fool he had made his self become.

However, while also remembering the events of last night, he can't help but feel his heart flutter fast while his cheeks burnt red.

He fishes out his phone from his pocket to make sure it wasn't all but a dream and felt even more love strucked when he saw that the messages they shared are still there.

Sure their topic weren't related to anything romantic but it was a step.

He felt proud that he gained confidence if texting her and for him, it was already a huge improvement.

He wanted to improve his self more.

He looked at the last couple of messages they shared and realized that that afternoon, they'd go out with Finn and Tiwari.

Their hanging out seemed good enough.

Gabby cracked some jokes that were so bad they're actually good. And even Finn noticed that the spark and admiration in Jerico's eyes were pure and genuine. He was truly in love with Gabby, no matter how corny she seems.

Finn even forced his girlfriend that they both go to the rest room at the same time to give the two some time alone, which at first, Tiwari hesitates. But after realizing that in the end, it's Gabby's choice on whether she'd fall in love or not, she agrees and leaves anyways.

Jerico felt nervous when he found Gabby and her completely alone on the table. While Gabby is dipping her fries on ketchup and was completely quiet.

Even Red nearby kept a great eye on them, wondering if Jerico would make a move or not.

Sadly, his low self esteem kicked in and at the end of the pretend need to get to the bathroom, the couple found out that Gabby and Jerico were just eating.

Not a conversation stayed long for the two because of Jerico's nature.

And the outcome of that upset him so much. The group date...er I mean activity ended and still there was no improvement at all.

Determined to change his ways, Jerico told his self that tomorrow, he'd start being a man worthy to be with Gabby.

So when that day did come, he seek immediately for his cousin's advise. Although it was something he doesn't usually do as he had qualms asking about other's thoughts on a matter.

Finn opened the door for him with a soft smile on his face and in a friendly voice, told him to come in.

Jerico enters, quite shy that he had to do this just to improve his self. His head was kept low, his eyes fixed on the floor as he was seated on the couch, asking Finn of what he needs to do to boost his confidence.

Finn wasn't at all impressed as Jerico was still showing signs of being too soft for his own good.

FINN: Are you a man?

That question stunned the wallflower. And he quickly turned his gaze up, looking directly at Finn, almost as if asking for him to repeat his words, just to make sure he was hearing things right.

Finn cleared his throat.

FINN: I said...are you a man?

Jerico gulped and nodded slowly. His fingers playing with the end parts of his sleeves.

Finn shook his head at his response. He sure wasn't satisfied by what he heard.

FINN: That's not how men respond.

JERICO: Not all men are the same Finn.

FINN: But at least be more confident. Look, I know you're shy and all, and maybe you won't change that... But I don't want that Murasaki to beat you helpless. Learn to like...speak what's on your mind when you needed to.

JERICO: Okay...so what do I do?

FINN: Uh, um...try me. Like...pretend I was him. Making Gabby uncomfortable. How would you react?

JERICO: Ah...um. Wait...I'm thinking. Give me 5 minutes to compose some-

FINN: Dude, the heck. Murasaki or some other guy won't let you have 5 minutes for you to reply.

JERICO: But I'm so nervous. What if I say the wrong thing?

FINN: Dude just say what you think is right.

JERICO: I...how?

FINN: Dude...I..it's not like I can say anything you need to do, you know?

JERICO: I..I'll tell you this, Murasaki. You need to...stop with-

FINN: You don't sound good.

JERICO: I...I mean...

FINN: Put more confidence in your voice, dude.

JERICO: You, you are wrong-

FINN: Have more life in your expression because you look like a lifeless doll reading a script.

JERICO: I, uh, okay. Mmm.

FINN: And avoid hesitating. Just...please, just do what you want to say. Just avoid cursing though.

JERICO: But I don't usually curse, Finn.

FINN: Welp, in that case I congratulate you. Anyways, try me again.

JERICO: Uh, okay.

The two kept rehearsing and rehearsing until Jerico finally masters what to say.

JERICO: Don't force her into something she's not comfortable with! That's not love!

FINN: Good, good expressions too. Now do it with action.

Jerico stands up and points at Finn, but his shy demeanor kicked in and eventually he looks stiff while telling him the same lines.

Finn smacked his face and whispered to himself,

FINN: This was way harder than expected...

Jerico knew he messed up, but was determined to try again...

For the sake of being better.