Chapter 115: Confession

Three weeks later, Howard's Birthday.

Howard had spent the previous night with Monica, and could still feel his lips trembling from how hard she thrust her pink lips into his own.

She had a beautiful green dress that looked like it had been hemmed with jewels. She even put on mascara and her green eyes looked like two deep wells of endless beauty. She smiled and leaned her head against Howard's shoulder. She had never felt so good about anyone in her life. 

Her heart throbbed and she got excited for Howard's surprise. When she had been on the surface in a small city called Roadmyth, she had never dated a man because she invested all her time on school work. She hadn't even kissed a guy, but felt so much love for Howard it drove her insane!

She walked out of Carelon Mountain pass and down the steps that led to the well. A few meters away, Reece and Harley waited in front of a gigantic present. They had on green dresses that matched Monica's and had little blue bow ties that went from their waist and around their shoulders. As for the large present, Howard couldn't help but feel his heart beating faster and faster. What kind of surprise had they gotten him?

"Is it a car?" Howard said with a smile, "Heh, I could've gotten a permit if I was on the surface."

"Don't peak, cover his eyes," Harley sighed and fixed her green top. "This is ridiculous. Cover his eyes Monica." Harley put her hand against the green present's bow and watched Howard approached. He had so much excitement that he had trouble keeping his eyes clothes, but found Monica's supple hand pressing against his forehead. "You ready, Howard? You ready for your surprise?"

"I'm ready!" Howard said with a smile, "Surprise me!"

"And… I can't believe I'm doing this," Harley pulled out the string of the green present. The beautiful cloth on it fell onto the floor before a glass case appeared. Monica dropped her hands and let Howard stare out and absorb his present. Inside the box, Jenny was dressed in a green dress with a bow also wrapped around her body.

She smiled and opened the glass door to the present and walked over to Howard. When she reached him, she couldn't help but giggle. She seemed to have something hidden behind her back. However, Howard couldn't help but study her body.

She had developed in the last few months, and had grown a few inches taller and had on sexy blackknit stockings with her straight brunette hair in a bun. Her skin had a slight tan, and she also had a sweet scent. He hadn't smelled that in years? What exactly did she bring him?"

"Howard, I grew up with you, and know you really well," Jenny fidgeted with her two feet and looked into his eyes. Her brown doe eyes locked with his before she brightly smiled. "And… for your first present of the day, I'd like to give you something I took from your bedroom."

"I-I never forgave your father for nearly destroying my father's business until you saved my life… And one day when you had been away at school, I may have snuck into your bedroom and taken something important of yours."

"Would you mind taking it off my hands?" Jenny pulled out a small box from behind her back. "I-I have another present too, but you have to wait until tonight for that."

Howard looked down at a small brown box with a jewel encrusted case. When it opened, he noticed a small locket that had a picture of his mother and father. Tears started to fall out of his eyes before he dropped down onto his knees and started to cry. 

Monica had just wanted Howard to have a present he never expected! She didn't expect this kind of reaction.

"Thank you… Thank you so much! Jenny! If you didn't steal this, I-I'd never see their faces again," Howard grabbed the locket gently and immediately put it around his neck. "I-I'll cherish this!"

"And, you also have a present from us," Carter sighed and clapped his hands before he dropped a rusted bucket down by his feet. At the East Branch, if you remember, we make armor. Reslan is usually in charge of Noncombatant Horned. If you remember a long time ago, we talked to you about having 10,000 students. 90 percent of those aren't capable fighters."

"However, 10 percent of those are good with electronics, metallurgy, element synthesis, and biology. Long story short, one of them made you an armor that I sponsored. Consider it a heavy gift that you can wear so I can torture you," Carter smiled and tossed it at Howard. "Now, if you don't mind, come here. Let me see if it fits!"

"Thank you!" Howard beelined to Carter and hit him so hard that the bucket fell over! "Ha, this is the best birthday ever!" He hugged Carter with a cheerful smile! "I-I want this day to last forever! I haven't gotten a real present in years!"

"Well, there is one more thing Jenny is here for, Howard," Monica nervously tapped her foot. "However, Carter, where is Barabin? I haven't seen him for weeks."

'He's breaking through to the True S rank," Carter sighed and shook his head, "I think he might have gone on a solo adventure. He'll be back by night fall."

"True S rank? What is that?" Howard tried to lift up the armor before a tremendous pressure surged up his arms. The armor had to way at least the same as a small car. He took a deep breath and dropped it down. What kind of armor was that?

Because of Howads training, he could very easily lift even a small hill. Carter had begun to use Ki Suppression when he ran around the mountain for his daily laps, and his body had grown much stronger and more sturdy. He had developed a six pack, and his muscles had gotten incredibly toned and sturdy. Yet he also couldn't imagine wearing this armor? What kind of human would equip it willingly?

"You must wear this except when you go to sleep. It might break the bed," Carter picked up the armor with two fingers and gently dropped it on Hoawrd's frame. "Anyways, the True S rank is the lowest stage of the S rank. It's when the world opens up to you."

"Basically, he hadn't been in the S rank yet, he'd been tapping into it without fully embracing it," Arista smiled and walked out from a dark stairwell. Her eyes shimmered brightly when they got blanketed by the rising sun. "Maybe in 20 years, you'll also be there."

"How hard can it be," Howard said, his voice full of disbelief and doubt. "I-I'm confused. I thought you said I trained faster thana any student you ever had."

"You have, but enough about that," Monica grabbed Howards' hand. "It's time for Jenny to unpack in your room! She's going to be staying here for three weeks! She's your other present!"

###

"Howard, I have something to tell you," Jenny sat down on Howards bed as it creaked. She couldn't help but blush. Three other girls had slept on this bed and kissed Howard. "I-I had a crush on you since I was ten. I one time left a note in your locker."

"That was you! Which one!" Howard laughed and grabbed her hand. She had thrown her green jacket to the side and just had on a white tank top with blue jeans. Her brunette hair had been parted into two down her neck revealing her slender pale curves. "I-I loved every note I received."

"I forgot how much girls loved you in school. Please don't remind me," Jenny coughed and opened up a small little envelope. "It went something like this… Howard, you're my favorite thing to look at in class. I think about you sometimes on the bus on the way home, and occasionally try to bump into you to hold your hand. I think-I think you're really attractive and nice. If you'd like to date me, please meet me on the rooftop."

"And… I never went to the roof top," Jenny laughed! "I watched you go the opposite direction of the stairwell after class. I remember having on the cutest short skirt and blue top. Ugh, you decided not to go.���

"I went to the bathroom first," Howard said with a smile. "I waited 20 minutes on the roof!"

"Oh," Jenny blushed and laughed awkwardly! "Wow, first I tell you I tried to kill you, and then I tell you I had a crush on you!" She took a deep breath. "Well, I was a year older than you, so you can't blame me. It would've been the talk of the school."

"And… now what? Do I kiss you?" Howard smiled and looked at Jenny's face flush red. She barely could keep her face on Howards' beautiful countenance. "... Heh, or do you want to bite me before I dig in…."

"Mmmm, how about a single kiss for tonight. I'm shy," Jenny closed her eyes. "However, I have a really great surprise for Barabi--"

"Mmmm!" Jenny felt Howard's lips touch hers before a surge of fire Ki traveled in her body. She couldn't help but fall into Howard's grasp before she felt the heat in her body rising. "Mmmm… That's quite a kiss."

"Yup, and you're not escaping tonight!" Howard laughed and gently kissed her cheek. "I want to hear everything you haven't told me about you!"