Jay's POV
The air shifted before I saw her.
I felt it—like the room had taken a breath it didn't know it was holding.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
And then… she walked in.
She was smaller than I imagined. Younger. But there was nothing fragile about her presence.
Serina.
Her hair fell neatly over her shoulders, framing a face that was almost unfairly beautiful—soft eyes, sharp confidence, a smile that looked gentle but unreadable. She wore simple clothes, nothing flashy, yet somehow she stood out more than anyone else in the room.
She looked… cute.
And dangerous.
The kind of dangerous that doesn't announce itself.
Her gaze moved slowly, observant, taking everything in. Calculating. Like she was already mapping exits, people, distances. I didn't know how I knew—but I knew.
She could fight.
She stopped just inside the doorway.
"Hello," she said softly.
Her voice was calm. Polite. Almost sweet.
Everyone froze.
Dad took a step forward, his voice breaking. "Serina…"
She smiled at him—small, respectful. "Papa."
That single word shattered something in me.
Then her eyes moved.
And landed on me.
The world went quiet.
She stared at me like she was seeing a ghost.
I couldn't breathe.
"That's… her, right?" she asked gently, though her eyes never left mine. "My sister?"
I nodded, tears already blurring my vision. "I'm Jay."
For a second, she didn't move.
Then she walked toward me.
Slowly. Carefully. As if I might disappear if she moved too fast.
She stopped an arm's length away.
"You look exactly like how I imagined," she said, smiling. "Just… taller."
I laughed through my tears. "You're prettier than I imagined."
Her smile widened, a hint of mischief flashing through it. "I get that a lot."
She reached out—hesitated—then gently took my hands.
Her grip was warm. Steady.
Strong.
"I wanted to meet you for a long time," she said quietly. "I just wasn't allowed."
I swallowed. "I wanted a sister my whole life. I just didn't know it was you."
Her eyes softened.
Then, without warning, she hugged me.
Tight.
Protective.
Like she had been waiting years for this moment.
"I won't let anyone hurt you," she whispered, so softly only I could hear. "Not anymore."
A shiver ran through me.
She pulled back quickly, as if realizing everyone was watching.
Serina turned to the others and smiled politely. "Hi. I'm Serina. It's really nice to meet you all."
Her tone was sweet. Respectful.
Keifer stared at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle that didn't want to be solved.
Percy blinked. "She's… scary."
Serina tilted her head. "I'm nice," she said calmly.
Everyone laughed nervously.
But I knew.
Behind that gentle voice…
Behind that beautiful smile…
She carried secrets.
And danger.
And somehow—comfort.
I held her hand tighter.
My sister had arrived.
And nothing would ever be the same again.
Keifer's POV
We all came to my house , however Section E went to theirs .
They didn't stay long.
Jay's father checked his watch, his expression tightening. "We should go. There are things that still need to be handled."
Aunt Reycee nodded, already reaching for her bag. Percy stood too, stretching like nothing serious had just been revealed—though his eyes stayed alert.
"I'll come back tomorrow," Percy said, flashing Serina a grin. "Behave till then."
Serina smiled politely. "I always do."
Jay's father placed a hand briefly on her shoulder. "Listen to Keifer. You're safe here."
"I know," she replied calmly.
That word again. Know.
They left with quiet goodbyes, the door closing softly behind them.
And just like that—
The house felt different.
Too quiet.
Jay squeezed Serina's hand once more before leaving with her dad, throwing me a look that said take care of her without saying a word.
Then it was just us.
Serina.
And my house.
Keiren and Keigan were at their friend's house doing sleep over .
I locked the door, the sound echoing louder than it should have.
"You can relax," I said, more to myself than to her. "You're home now."
She tilted her head slightly. "I am relaxed."
She walked into the living room, sat neatly on the couch, and placed her bag at her feet. Calm. Composed. Like she'd done this a hundred times before.
"You don't have to be so formal," I added.
She smiled softly. "Habit."
I gestured toward the hallway. "Guest room's ready. Bathroom's right next to it. If you need anything—food, water—"
"I'll manage," she said gently. "But thank you."
She stood and followed me down the hall, footsteps light, almost soundless.
At the door, she paused. "Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for trusting me."
I hesitated. "I'm not sure I do yet."
She didn't look offended. She actually looked… amused.
"That's okay," she said. "Trust takes time."
She stepped inside the room, setting her bag down neatly.
Before closing the door, she looked back at me. "Good night. I'll be quiet."
"I know," I replied.
The door clicked shut.
I stood there for a moment, listening.
Nothing.
No movement. No sound.
Yet somehow, I felt more aware than ever—like the house itself was awake.
As I walked back to my room, one thought stayed with me:
Everyone else had left.
But whatever Serina carried with her—
That had just moved in.
And my house would never feel the same again.
Serina's POV
The house sleeps.
That's what they think.
I sit on the edge of the guest bed, shoes already on, jacket folded neatly beside me. I never unpack fully. You never know when you'll need to leave fast.
Keifer's house is quiet—but not careless. I like that.
I listen.
The refrigerator hums.
A clock ticks somewhere down the hall.
Keifer's breathing is steady behind his door.
Good.
I move.
Bare feet touch the floor without a sound. I pause at the door, hand hovering over the handle—not because I'm afraid, but because I'm patient.
Outside, the night is too still.
Stillness is louder than noise.
I slide the window open just enough to feel the air. Cool. Clean. I scan reflections first—glass, shadows, angles. No movement. No watchers.
I close it again.
Down the hallway, I stop near Keifer's room. Not close enough to disturb him. Close enough to hear if something changes.
I don't need weapons.
I am one.
People assume protection means standing in front of danger.
They're wrong.
It means removing danger before it realizes it's been noticed.
I check exits.
Locks.
Corners.
I move a chair slightly—just enough to create sound if someone enters. I adjust a curtain, aligning its fold so it won't silhouette movement behind the glass.
Small things.
Invisible things.
Back in the kitchen, I pour myself water. My reflection stares back at me—soft eyes, calm expression. The kind of face people trust without thinking.
Good.
Trust keeps them safe.
I hear a car pass outside. Slow. Too slow.
I don't move.
I memorize the sound. The timing. The direction.
It passes again a minute later.
I smile faintly.
Not tonight.
I return to my room, sitting again on the bed, back straight, senses open. I could sleep—but not yet.
Jay is safe.
Keifer is safe.
This house is safe.
They'll never know how close danger sometimes gets.
They'll never hear footsteps that never arrive.
They'll never see the things that turn away when they realize they've been seen first.
That's how it should be.
Protection isn't loud.
It isn't thanked.
It's quiet.
Unnoticed.
I close my eyes at last, breathing slow, controlled.
Tomorrow, I'll smile politely.
Say thank you.
Drink tea.
And tonight—
I guard the people who don't even know they're being protected.
Third Person POV
They didn't sit like an interrogation this time.
They sprawled.
Couches, floor, window sills. Someone leaned against the counter. Someone else stole snacks like it was a movie night. Laughter floated too easily for a room full of people trained to notice lies.
Section E—
Rory. Edrix. Ci-n. Felix. Blaster. Kit. Mayo. Eman. Eren. Josh. David. Drew. Denzel. Yuri. Keifer. Jay. Calix.
All eyes, one target.
Serina—no, Eces—sat cross-legged on the rug, a cushion behind her back, hands resting loosely on her knees. She looked younger like this. Softer.
That was the trick.
Rory started first, grinning. "Okay, Eces. Easy questions. Favourite colour."
She blinked once. "Black."
Felix snorted. "Of course it is."
"Favourite food?" Mayo asked.
"Anything edible," she replied sweetly. "I'm not picky , just it shouldn't be spicy ."
Blaster leaned forward. "Music?"
"Depends on the day."
Kit raised a brow. "That's not an answer."
Eces smiled. "It is if you don't want patterns."
That earned a few looks.
Jay tilted her head, curious but gentle. "Favourite place?"
Eces paused—just a fraction too long.
"Anywhere quiet," she said. "Where people don't ask questions."
Yuri chuckled. "Too bad."
Edrix crossed his arms. "School?"
"I went."
"To where?" Josh pressed.
"Many," she said easily.
"What do you do?" David asked.
Eces looked around the room, at all of them, then shrugged. "I live."
Drew frowned. "That's vague."
"So are most truths," she replied.
Denzel tried a different angle. "Favourite person?"
She glanced—briefly—toward Jay. Then away.
"My sister," she said calmly.
Jay's chest warmed. No one missed it.
Calix finally spoke, voice even. "Why are you here, Eces?"
The room quieted.
She met his gaze. Steady. Polite. Closed.
"Because I was invited," she said.
"That's not what he meant," Keifer said softly.
Eces looked at him then. Really looked. Something unreadable passed between them.
"I know," she replied.
Silence stretched.
Eman broke it with a laugh. "You're dodging everything."
Eces nodded. "I always do."
Eren leaned back. "You don't trust us."
"I trust you to be curious," she said. "Not careful."
That landed.
Rory sighed dramatically. "So… what can we know?"
She stood, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeves, posture relaxed again—guard up, smile in place.
"You can know I like quiet mornings," she said.
"That I don't like being late."
"That I protect my family."
"And that if you're calling me anything—"
She looked at each of them, one by one.
"—call me Eces."
No one argued.
Some secrets stayed secrets.
And Section E understood, at last—
This was all they were going to get.
For now.
Keiren and Keigan entered, scanning the room and then stopped at Serina.
She looked at them ," Hi ! I am Serina Sofi Mariano, you can call me Eces."
Keiren felt it seconds later.
The name replayed in his head when the room went quiet—too quiet.
Serina.
His smile faded before he noticed it was gone.
He remembered warmth. Hands fixing his collar. A voice that used to say, It's okay, and mean it every time. A woman who had made the world feel safer just by existing in it.
And then—she was gone.
Too soon.
Too suddenly.
Keiren swallowed hard.
She has her name, he thought.
That's not fair.
He almost felt angry.
Then he watched her again.
The way she smiled kindly but didn't relax. The way her body stayed ready even when her voice stayed gentle. The way she carried herself like someone who had learned that softness alone doesn't keep people alive.
And the anger dissolved into something quieter.
Respect.
Maybe she didn't choose the name, he thought.
Maybe life forced it on her.
His hands slid into his pockets. He stopped joking. Stopped filling the silence.
Keigan noticed immediately.
Neither brother said a word.
They didn't need to.
Across the room, Serina stood—unaware or pretending not to be—holding a name that belonged to their mother, carrying it not like a memory…
…but like armor.
And in that moment, both brothers understood the same thing:
She wasn't replacing anyone.
She was surviving something.
And that changed everything.
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