It All Started With A Creepy Mail ⚊ Yang Jungwon [#4]

✗ forty two ✗

⚊ chapter forty two

The days leading up to the Filipino gathering were… chaotic, to say the least.

At home, my parents were in a complete frenzy. My mom was frantically trying to decide what dishes to bring to my Tita Cora’s new house, debating whether she should go with the classic pancit and lumpia combo or something more elaborate.

“Should we bring adobo? Or maybe kare-kare? Do you think they’ll like puto?” she asked for the hundredth time, her voice growing more urgent with each passing hour. My dad, meanwhile, was busy calling every Filipino store in town, making sure they had enough ingredients for whatever my mom decided to cook last-minute.

Their energy was infectious, and while they were stressed, I couldn’t help but feel excited.

At school, however, things were a different kind of chaotic.

The second I mentioned the gathering to my friends, Minji’s eyes had lit up. Since then, she’d barely let me get a word in about anything else.

“Oh my gosh, Jillian!” she squealed for what felt like the hundredth time that week. “I’ve been reading all about Filipino feasts, and I am so ready to try everything. Especially that thing called lechon. Do you think they’ll have that?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “It’s possible, Minji, but a whole roasted pig is a bit… extravagant. Don’t get your hopes too high, okay?”

Meanwhile, Rei had her own questions. “So, Jillian, would it be okay if I wore my yukata? I know it’s Japanese, but it’s my favorite traditional outfit, and it feels respectful, you know?” She looked at me with such sincerity that I didn’t have the heart to laugh, but the image of her in a yukata at a Filipino gathering did make me smile.

“That would be really cute, Rei,” I reassured her. “I think everyone will love it. Just maybe don’t be surprised if they start asking you about Japanese culture instead!”

And then there was Dongpyo. He was leaning against his locker, giving me a smirk that screamed trouble. “Sooo… Jillian,” he drawled, “you got any cute cousins? You know, ones I could meet? Introductions are appreciated, by the way.”

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my elbow. “If I do, you’ll have to find them yourself. Besides, I’m not promising you anything.”

“Oh, come on!” He pouted, clasping his hands together like he was begging. “Please, Jillian, just a hint? A name?”

“Dream on, Dongpyo,” I laughed, leaving him to sulk as I headed to class.

Then there was Chenle. Always competitive, he took the opportunity to one-up everyone by announcing, “My mom is going all out. She’s coming with me and plans to cook something special. Filipino food is cool, but wait until you try Chinese cuisine at its best.”

I had to laugh at his confidence. “Chenle, it’s not a competition.”

“Of course it’s not,” he replied with a wink. “I’m just saying, the Chen family doesn’t disappoint.”

Through all of this, I couldn’t help but notice Jungwon’s quieter approach. Unlike the others, he didn’t bombard me with questions or plans. Instead, he’d ask me subtle things, like, “So… what’s your favorite Filipino food?” or “How big is your family, exactly?”

It was cute how he pretended to be casual, but I could tell he was trying to prepare in his own way.

Whenever I’d see Ni-ki and Sunoo, they’d just grin and promise to be on their best behavior. “We don’t want to embarrass you in front of your family,” Sunoo assured me with a grin, while Ni-ki added, “I’m going to win them over. You watch.”