Chapter 63: The Meaning of Those Words

 For now we're back to the present time, enjoy!
It’s a bit late, but for those who are celebrating…Merry Christmas
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Since the morning I ate breakfast with my parents until the afternoon lessons, most people asked the same thing.
            "Did something good happen?"
            I wondered myself why they all asked the same thing, but without myself realizing, I was grinning happily all day long without anything making a dent to it as I fumbled my new charm necklace every five minutes. Of course they'd obviously wonder what had happened to me. Even though the only reason was having my necklace back after about 400 years, the happiness was enough to make it harder for me to fall asleep at night.
            Whenever in the bath or at bed, I kept the necklace by my side and kept fumbling with it until I lost consciousness. Now that I think about it, I might have become obsessed with it in a weird way.
            "Hey Claudia, don't just space out like that, take it!"
            My mind was called back to reality and I saw the kid in front of me passing me a bracelet. It looked similar with the one everyone was wearing including me, the ESP Bracelet. It was a very thin bracelet made of stainless steel. It had a serial number attached to its back. It was the bracelet that lets you monitor and record an Esper's brainwave so anyone will know when they use their power and gives warning to the establishment whenever someone uses their ability above the certain criteria the government had established. It could also be used for research purposes by the institution, and to observe the progress of young espers.
             Oh, now I remember. They said they were upgrading a new kind of bracelet and they were distributing it today. How forgetful of me. I took the bracelet off his hand and replaced my old bracelet with it. "These bracelets although not very different with our old ones, are upgraded with a new feature that limits your ability, though that feature only works for those who are rank 4 and 5. This will decrease their ability to at least rank 3 unless their ability is needed like in our routine examination for now." Everyone somehow booed at the teacher knowing that the new upgraded bracelet would limit their ability, "Now, don't sulk! You have to become a part of the society first before you are granted a Releaser. Also, you should note that this wonderful device was upgraded by the famous Prof. Demen Ars and we are the first school to have the upgraded version of it, so you all should feel honored."
           The moment I heard his name, I wanted to throw the bracelet out of the window right away. The good mood I had these few days were instantly crushed as if it never happened. Especially the thought I had to live with a tool made by a murderer for the rest of my school life. 
             "Now class is dismissed, see you tomorrow everyone."
             I took my bag and left the classroom with a sour expression. Just when I thought the day was done, outside of my classroom, Foax was waiting for me. I was obviously surprised to meet him so unexpectedly.
            Can we talk? he asked in my mind.
            "Sure"
            Foax nodded and left the spot, I silently followed behind him.
           We walked for a few minutes, we went outside the building and walked toward where the S Class was, through the back of the school. Not many people pass this place, so it's an ideal place for a private talk. "So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked him when there were less people around, we kept on walking as he answered.
            ......I wanted to ask if you're okay.
            "Pardon?"
           At that night, you went home with a flustered face. So It made me wonder what made you like that. 
            My face was strained with my eyes widen, I was speechless for a moment until I understood what his words meant. "Could it be, you're worried about me?"
            Is that a problem?
            My face slightly blushed, I was happy that something so little had made him come to ask me how I was doing in person. "I'm fine, rather, I was flustered because I was worried about you"
            Me? For what?
             Foax had stopped moving and he looked at me in wonder when he asked that. I smiled wryly at him as I spilled what had been on my mind for a while. "I'm worried about you and my friends in Class S, you all shut people out of your lives, seeing them as suspicious and secluding yourselves in your own world, I don't see it as a good thing for all of you."
            I'm happy that you are worried about us, but you don't need to be too concerned because that's just how we are. 
            "You're wrong, that's far from it! That day when you guys had spent time to give me a surprise party, chatting and playing together, I felt it was the first time I had felt close to you all. All of you may try to act aloof and annoying, but I know that just like normal kids, you want to just live without any worries and I know that is what you want as well."
            You act like you know what's on my mind. 
            I chuckled at his words that had a ring of truth in it, "The last time you gave me a glimpse of your memory telepathically, you had subconsciously shared your own emotion as well. I'm not sure how it works, but I just felt something like an empathy link between us then." I didn't need telepathy when I saw his expression changed, he gasped, and his eyes was wide open. He scratched his chin. He must have not expected that his telepathy could share emotions too.
            Somehow, I'm feeling a little embarrassed.
             "I don't think you should be, wanting to protect your friends is something I admire about you, but frankly what I don't admire is the part about you being over protective with them."
            Foax found my words funny and he's not an easy person to get a laugh out. To think that anyone would think I'm being over protective, you might be the first person who would think so. 
            "I have a feeling that the other members of Class S would agree with me Foax, nevertheless I wish you could be less protective and act a little more like your age. Forcing yourself to be mature will just let you miss the simplest thing in life that helps us grow."
            If my actions look mature, then your words sound like an old hag’s. He said with a smirk. How rude of him! Even adding the age of my past life, I barely reach my 30s by now.
           So what do you want me to do?
            "What?"
            You said you're worried about me, but what exactly do you want me to do?
            I was still a little hesitant to speak my mind and it left me standing there in silence, but then I looked at him in the eye to affirm myself. "I do want you to stop harassing the teachers and try to understand other people. Don't coupe up with just your friends in that small class. Most of all, I want you to stop getting over yourself. You might think that everything will go your way, but at this rate your past actions will come to bite you back in the future." Foax made a huge sigh as he brushed his hair back with his fingers.
           Are you done with the lecture? He said with a bored tone. Considering his past actions, he might have gotten similar lectures from the teachers as well. I thought he would listen if I were to try talking to him, but I guess it wouldn't be that easy. I only came to ask how you were doing, not to be lectured so I'll be going now. 
            Foax turned his back on me and I began to feel flustered on how to convince him to stay and listen so I blurted out whatever came into my mind. "Is it because of Theresa that you are being this stubborn?" 
            Unexpectedly, Foax stopped from his track and I was relieved that I managed to get his attention. However, when I saw half of his face when he turned to look at me, a heavy chill ran down on my shoulder as if I had stepped into a land mine when I saw the angriest look he had ever given me. The face he made was as if he wanted to choke someone.
            Where did you hear that name? His cold voice rang inside my head and involuntarily had me gulped down my saliva. Becoming more irritated from my silence, he quickly came closer to me and slammed the wall behind, cornering me as a result. I don't care how you got to know that name, but don't you dare speak lightly when you don't know anything about me or what the people in this school are like! 
            The voice in my head was enough to made wince. I couldn't talk back because of the pressure his words were giving me. Most of all, even though I tried to speak up, my mouth was tightly shut, not moving as I wanted it to. I heard a soft whisper in my head telling me I was wrong and that I should follow his words. It was a weird sensation to me, but I had a hunch that something was messing with my mind. Foax then fell a foot away from me after being pulled away by someone, I looked to my side and was surprised to see Rick beside me.
            "I think you should calm down Foax, your ability usually goes berserk when you become emotional, especially when you're angry."
            Shut up! Do you think you know how I feel traitor! 

Traitor, I wonder what he is talking about?

           "I'm not saying I do, I'm saying you should keep your power in check, idiot."
            This doesn't concern you, so move!
            "Not until you control your temper."
             Don't give me orders, or are you going to do something if I don't listen to you?
            "As a matter of fact, I will." Rick held my shoulder and pulled me closer to his side. He was giving me a mischievous smile. It was already rare to see him smile, but to see him smiling like that! It made me awfully curious what he was about to do and Foax seemed to be concerned as well. Rick turned his face toward me and asked a sudden question, "Claudia, have you ever heard of Foax's name before?"
            "Yes, it's J Foax right?"
            "So you don't know what the initial J stands for?"
            ".... that’s true…I don’t know"
            "Do you want to know his full name?" he said while grinning. I’ve finally figured out what he meant when he continued without waiting for my answer. "You see, his name is..."
            STOP! A loud sound that could pop my ears out reverberated in my brain. I held onto my head as a strong attack of migraine struck me. I got it, I'll back off so don't you dare tell her my name!
             Wow, to make Foax this cornered just by his name, not only that, Foax's face went full red and it spread to his ear. He was gritting his teeth but with his glistened round eyes, he looked cute, and I never would have thought the day I’d think that he’s cute would come. It made me seriously curious on what kind of secret his name held. I looked at Foax's face, the cloud in his eyes were gone and instead he had a guilty look when he turned toward me. I'm sorry, I might have gone too far. 
            "No, I apologize as well. I touched a sensitive issue without considering how you felt." Foax didn't respond and just walked away without changing his expression. Feeling glad I had escaped from his angry grip. "Thank you for helping me Rick."
             "You don't really need to thank me, it became a habit because of how much you got into trouble so easily."
            "I have no excuse for that."
            "Also, I'm curious how you got to know that name?"
            "...a little bird told me" I tried smiling childishly as he gave me a dubious look with his eyebrows lifted and his mouth twitched for a moment. "Do you know her? Theresa, I mean."
            "Yes, she's my sister"
            "Ah, she's your sister" To have both of the Carlton Siblings in the S Class was quite a feat itself. I nodded at myself, having some grasp of the situation when I turned in surprised toward Rick.
             "YOU HAVE A SISTER?!"
             "That's a pretty delayed reaction."
             "More importantly, how come I've only heard about this?"
             "You've never asked, and it was not something you needed to know anyway, so I thought it was pointless to tell you"
             A sharp pang seemed to hit my chest as it tightened. "I see, is that how it is?" Rick looked at me strangely, noticing the heavy tone I used. I looked down at the ground, refusing to look up to him. I turned my feet away and started walking as fast as I could. "Hey wait, what's wrong?" Rick quickly blocked my path because of my unusual behavior. "Why should I tell? There was no reason to anyway" after saying similar words, I walked past him while hoping he didn't notice my face which was at the brick of crying.