My Other Half : JAYFER? & JANRI? JohYan ?

AUTHORS POV

The mariano house was louder than any holiday parade, even though it was just breakfast. Jeana tried to keep the table neat, but with six children, it was a losing battle. Jaspher sat beside her, sipping coffee like a general preparing for war.

“PERCY, stop checking your reflection in the spoon and eat,” Aries snapped, snatching the spoon from his older brother.

Percy flicked his hair dramatically. “My face deserves appreciation. Let it have its moment.”

Johan, sitting on the other side, snorted. “Your face gets more attention than your grades.”

“Excuse me, Section A doesn’t need to prove anything,” Percy said, taking back his spoon. “Unlike Section E people who—”

“HEY!” Jayjay and Jennie shouted together, identical offended gasps echoing through the dining room.

Jayjay leaned forward. “Section E students have personality.”

Jennie nodded fiercely. “And creativity. And mental trauma from teachers.”

Jayjay pointed at her twin. “Yes, that too.”

Amy quietly tapped her fork against her plate, her eyes sparkling as she watched the chaos like it was her favorite drama series. She signed something quickly.

Jeana smiled. “Amy says all of you are too loud.”

“LOUD? US?” Percy gasped, hand on chest. “I speak in soft golden tones.”

Aries rolled his eyes. “Your ‘soft golden tones’ woke me up at 6 a.m. yelling about hair gel.”

“That was a hair emergency,” Percy insisted.

Jaspher cleared his throat, using his “father voice.” “Kids, finish breakfast. You’re all going to that Adventure Café after this, right?”

Jayjay immediately lit up. “YES! They have a VR roller coaster that made a boy cry yesterday.”

Jennie clasped her hands. “I want that experience.”

Johan raised an eyebrow. “Why do you sound excited about crying?”

“It builds character,” Jennie replied calmly.

Aries looked at her like she needed therapy.

After breakfast, the house turned into a full circus as everyone got ready.

Jayjay sprinted down the hallway. “WHERE’S MY LEFT SHOE?! Someone stole it!”

“You mean the shoe you threw at the fan last night?” Johan called from his room.

“Oh…” Jayjay froze. “Right.”

Meanwhile, Percy was in front of the mirror again, adjusting his jacket for the tenth time. “My beauty must be respected. Adventure Café means photos. Photos mean perfection.”

Aries dragged him away by the collar. “We’re going to chill, not attend a photoshoot.”

“Same thing,” Percy said, not even fighting the pull.

Jennie came skipping in with pigtails slightly uneven. “Does this look cute or chaotic-cute?”

“Chaotic-chaotic,” Johan answered truthfully.

“Perfect,” Jennie grinned.

Amy appeared silently, already dressed neatly with a tiny backpack. She tugged on Johan’s sleeve and signed something.

“She wants to know if everyone will embarrass her today,” Johan translated.

“Absolutely,” Percy answered instantly.

Jayjay did a thumbs-up. “Guaranteed embarrassment.”

Amy sighed, patting her forehead like she regretted being born into this family.

Downstairs, Jeana handed out snacks. “Just in case. You all get hungry every twenty minutes.”

“Not my fault my metabolism works hard,” Percy said proudly.

Aries snorted. “Yeah, okay.”

Jaspher jingled the car keys. “LAST CALL. Anyone not at the door in five seconds will stay home.”

All six siblings stampeded to the front door like a herd of panicked elephants.

The car ride was… well, classic mariano chaos.

Jayjay kept changing the music every three seconds.

Jennie kept trying to take selfies with a very unwilling Aries.

Percy was lecturing Johan about the importance of lighting angles.

Johan pretended to sleep to escape the conversation.

Amy sat in the middle seat, headphones on, peacefully ignoring everyone like a seasoned professional.

When they finally reached the Adventure Café, Jayjay shouted, “I CALL VR COASTER FIRST!”

“No, ME!” Jennie argued, racing her.

“Both of you are gonna scream and fall,” Aries muttered, adjusting his jacket.

Percy strutted inside like it was a runway. “Adventure Café, prepare yourself. A celebrity has arrived.”

“You’re not a celebrity,” Johan reminded him.

“Not yet.”

Amy grabbed Johan’s sleeve again, signing rapidly.

Johan laughed. “She says she wants the waffles first, and no one is allowed to steal from her plate.”

Everyone nodded because Amy not speaking didn’t make her less terrifying when it came to food.