Chapter 71 - Attending A Talk

"Finally, it's done!"

"It's easy though and now I feel like half-day today is a gift, hehe."

"Easy? Are you smart or are you stupid pretending to be smart?"

"Ha?! Why don't we bet who gets higher scores on each test?!"

"Heh! Why not!?"

"... actually, I concede, I don't have any money."

"Me too..."

Students come out of the school on lunch as they were free in the afternoon. Tomorrow, they will the results of their exams and to relieve some stress, almost everyone had a plan related to relaxing or enjoying themselves.

Most of them, but not everyone, for example, Iesa went straight to the plaza downtown. With a serious but hesitant look on her face, she stood in front of a popular cafe. Since she went straight there, there were still a lot of vacant seats.

No, even if people filled up that place, it was fine since she just needs to see one person. One lone person who said that they will wait for her every day at this time in that place. 

Ignoring the random public thoughts that Iesa could literally hear, Iesa didn't need to search for that person since that person was sitting beside the front wall glass of the cafe. One wouldn't be able to tell that this person was young for she has a mature demeanor. People's first impression of her was an adult with a babyface.

Iesa gulped while this person noticed her and smiled as she raised her hand slightly.

This person is none other Seres, self-proclaimed Teren's little sister. Ever since she visited Iesa's place, the latter was always thinking if she should go to this cafe. However, she didn't find the resolve.

The girl was too suspicious. Except for the fact that she proclaimed herself to be Teren's little sister, Iesa basically know none about her.

Her existence was both creepy and disturbing, yet, unexplainable. Iesa's curiosity was not enough to topple her guard against this mysterious being.

That was not all, this girl knows who Iesa is. What kind of situation was Iesa in? Teren's 'little sister' visited her and talked to her through her thoughts.

But... but!

Hour by hour, Iesa's curiosity becomes stronger. Adding the factor of guilt for making the 'little sister' wait for her every day in one place, Iesa couldn't stop herself from going to that cafe the next day.

'It's a public space, after all...'

Iesa tried to calm herself down. She didn't know up until now that having a person who knows her ability was quite scary, especially since she doesn't trust this person.

She looked around one last time and didn't find the people that escorted Seres back then when she visited. With that last push, she entered the cafe and sat in front of Seres.

"Don't be so anxious, you may consider my time here as free time. The people back then with me knows that I'm just taking a break. If I ever spot you then that is a mere coincidence that they didn't think would happen. Also, even if they do consider it, they didn't think that I would disclose confidential information in public space."

Seres explained, dismissing Iesa's worries. From how she worded it, it sounded like they were in this together, that she was just hiding this meeting from those people who escorted her yesterday. What she said could also be an excuse if those people did find this out.

In other words, she was indirectly saying that Iesa and her are safe.

Iesa nodded and albeit less anxious, she still has her guard up to this younger girl in front of her.

'I can't hear her thoughts...'

Suspicion began building up. As if it was her thought that was read, Seres continued.

"Sorry, but I had my thoughts protected for now."

"Why...?"

Iesa asked in a low voice. In her head, if Seres released her true thoughts then she would be easier to trust.

Her actions are quite... contradictory.

"I just removed the protection last time because I need to. Right now, those people who escorted me back then were not here so that is unnecessary."

"Then-"

"Furthermore, don't you think it's a bit uncomfortable knowing that all of your thoughts are being heard right now?"

"..."

"Oh sorry, of course you wouldn't know. You're the one who's doing the hearing anyway."

Iesa was kept silent as she had no way of rebuking. It sounded as if Seres was being aggressive and was snapping at her.

"Anyway, although I still have a lot of time as you are, I have a lot to say."

Seres didn't care about the other people who might overhear what they were about to say. in this environment where there are noises from all directions, just having some distance will be enough to make their talk indiscernible from background noises.

Of course, if a person is intentionally eavesdropping and focuses on their talk then the content of what they were saying can be heard. But unless that eavesdropper is an insider, there is no way to know the context of what they were talking about.

If someone in public said 'I'm going to kill that guy.' no one would bat an eye. It might just be an expression.

And even with all these considerations, Seres made sure to look around one last time to confirm that none was suspicious. She continued.

"You must have a lot of questions, why not you start the conversation?"

Seres just gave the table to Iesa but suddenly interrupted before the latter could speak her first question.

"-oh, wait, I'm too hasty. Feel free to order something first. It's already lunch, you must be hungry."

Controlling the conversation, Seres said strongly as if it was an order. Iesa does not want to believe that the person in front of her is younger than her. In front of pressure, she could only agree.

"Sure..."

But Iesa already forgot about her hunger and didn't have the least of appetite since she has a question stuck in her head. 

After making an order, Iesa immediately asked in oppose to Seres's control over the conversation.

"From what I know Teren only has one sibling and that sibling's name is Seres who should be much younger."