Jacob wiped the sweat from his brow, his clothes smudged with dirt and grime, as he tapped on his scroll. "So, I think I've got everything put together," he said.
"Let me take a look," his brother replied, leaning closer to his own screen as their facecams were on. Jacob reached over and picked up the newly modified umbrella he'd bought for Trivia, now going by the name Neopolitan.
"I think it turned out pretty well, thanks to your help," Jacob said with a smile, holding up the closed parasol for his brother to see.
"I only sent you the materials," his brother responded, but Jacob shook his head. "No, you guided me through the whole setup. I really appreciate it."
A brief smile crossed his brother's face, his beard and dreads swaying in the wind. "Open the canopy; we need to make sure everything works,"
Jacob pressed the button, and the canopy unfurled. His eyes lit up with excitement as he swung the parasol around. "Hmmmm," he murmured.
"What's wrong? You don't like it?"
"It's not that," Jacob replied. "I just want to test something." Without another word, he hopped onto the bed and leaped off, holding the open parasol. For a brief moment, he glided through the air before landing on the floor.
His brother's expression mirrored Jacob's amazement. "Now that's cool as hell,"
"Definitely," Jacob agreed, stepping forward to test another feature. With a click, a concealed blade extended from the parasol's tip.
"It's not really my style—I'm more of a sword guy—but it's still pretty impressive." Jacob swung the umbrella through the air with four quick strikes, then launched into a final move, running towards the bed, stepping off it, and flipping backward while stabbing the ground. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. "Looks like everything's working fine," he said, pulling the blade from the floor.
His brother laughed. "You must be out of shape. Don't make me come out there and school you."
Jacob chuckled, closing the parasol as his expression grew more serious. "I've been busy. Haven't had as much time to practice as I used to." He moved to the center of the room, setting his scroll down to give his brother a clear view of him.
"One last thing," Jacob murmured as he detached the handle of the parasol, revealing a hidden blade. He slashed the air twice, followed by a spin kick that went into a behind-the-back stab. He pulled the blade from his imaginary target, tossing the handle into the air and catching it with his left hand. Exhaling deeply, Jacob reattached the hidden blade back into the parasol.
"Just make sure it can actually deflect attacks," his brother cautioned. "It looks good, but if it can't hold up against Grimm or Huntsmen, then you'll need to reinforce it. I know you don't usually make defensive weapons, but that's the most important thing—defense! If it lacks that, everything was for nothing."
Suddenly, Jacob heard whispers from behind his brother. "You need all of us? The whole family? Ash is coming too? Alright, I'll be ready in a sec," his brother said, speaking to someone off-screen. He then turned back to Jacob. "Thanks for calling me and letting me help, but I gotta go. They want everyone on this new mission."
"So Team JJAD (Jade) is back?" Jacob asked, a proud smile spreading across his face at the thought of his family working together on missions again.
"Yeah, but I'll see you later," his brother replied before ending the call.
Jacob sat down on the ground, exhaustion washing over him, but he couldn't help the wide grin that spread across his face.
But then, a hand touched his shoulder. "Perfect timing, I was just finishing up..." Jacob's voice trailed off as he opened his eyes, expecting to see Neopolitan, only to find the Malachite Twins standing there instead. His heart pounded in his chest as he gripped the parasol, trying to maintain a nonchalant attitude while forcing his voice into a higher pitch.
Before he could speak, Melanie and Miltia exchanged a glance. Melanie took a step forward, her smile widening as she tilted her head to the side.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here, Miltia. Seems like our little imposter's mask has finally slipped."
Miltia stood just behind her sister. "Oh, Melanie, I do love a good reveal. And here I thought things were getting boring around here."
"Jacob, was it? Or should I call you Jasmine?" Miltia's bored tone faded as a rising hint of anger crept into her voice. "You must have been quite the actor to fool everyone here. But did you really think you could keep this charade up forever?"
Melanie's voice was a contrast. "How long did you think it would take before someone noticed? We have eyes everywhere, you know. We're not as oblivious as the others."
She stepped even closer to Jacob as she looked him up and down. "You're lucky, though. We're not heartless. This little secret of yours could stay between us… for a price. What do you say, Jacob? Care to make a deal?" Melanie crouched down.
"Or would you prefer we tell the entire school the truth? It could be quite... entertaining,"
"What do you mean? I was just sick a few days ago. My throat still hasn't recovered," Jacob bluffed, his voice faltering as he tried to replicate the tone he had used so many times before.
Melanie and Miltia expressions hardened and Melanie began to crawl towards Jacob. She moved on her hands and knees as she reached out and touched his stomach, her fingers trailing upward.
Jacob froze, unable to speak as her hand continued its path up to his throat. Her eyes locked onto his, as her fingers found his Adam's apple, gently tracing it.
Then in an instant her grip tightened, and the annoyance in her gaze morphed into pure, seething hatred. His eyes widened in fear as he squirmed under her grasp, but Melanie used her other hand.
"S-Stop," Jacob gasped. He thrashed and fought, but the pressure on his neck only increased. The veins in Melanie's hands bulged as she squeezed further.
'I'm gonna die... I-I'm gonna die…' Jacob's thoughts spiraled into panic as his vision blurred, his eyes beginning to roll back. Desperately, he reached out for anything, something to save him. His hand fumbled in the air, grasping at nothing.
Just as his vision was fading, a flash of pink and brown eyes appeared, hovering near his body. Suddenly the parasol began to float and disappear, striking a moment later causing her to release her hold. Gasping for air, Jacob's eyes refocused just in time to see the enraged brown and pink eyes of Neopolitan glaring down at Melanie.
Neo's grip tightened around the umbrella handle, her knuckles white as she swung it through the air, splattering the blood from the tip across the floor of the room. Melanie quickly backed off of Jacob and took her place beside her sister.
Neo positioned herself between Jacob and the twins. She studied their movements with intense focus, ready for whatever came next. Her pink and brown eyes flicked back to Jacob for just a moment.
"T-Thank you, Neo," Jacob rasped out as he clutched his throat.
Melanie sneered, blood still streaming down her cheek despite her aura beginning to heal the wound. "Well, well, it looks like our little stray dog has found a friend. How touching."
"But even strays know their place. Do you really think you can challenge us?" Miltia added.
Despite the pain, Jacob straightened up, his eyes narrowing as he shot them an arrogant smirk. "Stray dog, huh? Better a stray with heart than a pair of pampered lapdogs."
Melanie's smile faltered. "Is that so? Let's see if your bite matches your bark."
Melanie made the first move, charging toward Jacob, but Neo was quicker. She pushed Jacob aside and sidestepped Melanie's attack. Neo countered with a swing of her parasol, but Melanie dodged, slipping behind Neo in an attempt to strike back, but missed again.
Jacob did a kip-up, landing and launching a kick to Melanie's leg. He then heard Miltia rushing in and dodged her attack, landing an uppercut that lifted her off the ground. Without missing a beat, he followed up with a combo, delivering two punches to her stomach, sending her stumbling backward.
"Neo!" Jacob called out, extending his hand toward her. Neo grabbed his hand, and Jacob swung her through the air like a weapon.
Jacob released her, sending her hurtling toward Melanie. Furious, Miltia rushed at Jacob, aiming a kick at him, but he caught her foot mid-air. As he attempted to throw her off balance, she extended her legs, catching his head between her heels and slamming it into the ground.
Miltia rolled on top of him, raining down punches on his guard. Meanwhile, unlike their previous encounter, Melanie couldn't land a single hit on Neo, who was now smiling confidently. With each miss, Neo began to hum, further enraging Melanie.
With perfect timing, Neo landed a kick to Melanie's jaw, sending her crashing to the ground. Neo then turned her attention to Jacob, who was still struggling.
Neo sprinted towards them, her leg tensing in preparation but Miltia noticed her approach, and just as she punched Neo, she shattered into fragments right before her eyes.
Miltia's moment of confusion was all Neo needed. She reappeared, her umbrella crashing down on Miltia with a force that sent saliva flying from her mouth. Neo grinned, realizing that her semblance was more than just a means of escape.
With Miltia downed, Neo turned her attention to the fallen twin, dragging her weapon across the floor with a slow scrape. The sound echoed through the room, and her smile grew wider with each step as she loomed over the girl who had once tormented her.
Miltia's eyes widened in horror as Neo towered over her. "N-No, don't," Miltia stammered, her voice shaking as she tried to crawl away, but her back soon hit the wall.
Neo's grin only grew as she watched Miltia's attempts to escape. The sight of the usually confident twin reduced to this state of panic was a thrill she hadn't expected. With both hands gripping the umbrella, Neo raised it above her head and brought it down with a resounding crack against Miltia's body.
Again and again, the blows rained down, each one harder than the last. Miltia's aura flared, struggling to absorb the impact. The muffled sounds of Miltia's cries for help were silenced by Neo's semblance, a gag materializing out of nowhere to stifle her voice. Panic flashed in Miltia's eyes as memories flooded her mind. "D-Dad…" she whimpered against the gag.
As Neo continued her assault, Jacob had managed to stand. He noticed Melanie slowly rising as well. With a smirk, Jacob got into a loose boxing stance, his lead hand low and his rear hand positioned high.
Both fighters tensed, gauging each other's movements. But a loud crash from the other side of the room caught their attention. They both turned to see Neo standing over Miltia, whose aura had just shattered. For a brief moment, a pang of sadness hit Jacob. But that feeling evaporated as quickly as it came, replaced by the need to defend himself as Melanie attacked.
Blocking a swift kick from Melanie, Jacob retreated several steps, his focus split between the fight and Neo.
Neo stared down at the unconscious Miltia, watching with cold detachment as she removed the gag with a flick of her semblance. Miltia lay helpless, and Neo's eyes narrowed. Kicking Miltia onto her back, Neo let her hair fall across her face. Without hesitation, she drove her foot into Miltia's stomach, twisting her heel deeper with every second, relishing the involuntary reactions of pain.
But then something caught her eye—a faint shine under the lights. Lowering her gaze, she noticed a small, hidden button on the umbrella's handle. Intrigued, she pressed it, and the handle detached, revealing a blade.
Neo's breath hitched as she held the blade up, her reflection staring back at her. This wasn't just about her—it was for Jacob, for all the times they'd been bullied. She needed to teach them a lesson they'd never forget.
But just as she prepared to strike, Jacob's movements caught her attention. His eyes were wide with panic as he fled from Melanie.
Melanie's eyes also locked onto her. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks and the choice between fighting Jacob and saving her sister was no longer a choice at all. Her heart pounded as she sprinted toward Miltia.
Jacob met Melanie's pace. He reached Neo, grabbing her wrist and shoving her back against the wall.
"What the fuck are you doing!?" Jacob's voice was filled with anger and concern. Neo flinched, a wave of shame washing over her as her expression softened.
His grip on her wrist tightened, pinning her hands above her head as he leaned in closer. "Are you some kind of idiot!?" he shouted. Neo's head dropped low in response.
Meanwhile, Melanie had reached Miltia, scooping up her and fleeing the room without looking back. Jacob caught the movement out of the corner of his eye, but his focus remained on Neo.
"Did you even attempt to think that through?" his voice was still heated. "What would you have done if you actually killed her or hurt her badly, huh?" Neo flinched again and couldn't meet his gaze.
"If you went through with what you did, you would've been in jail," Jacob continued, "I know you like fighting and all, causing people harm, seeing people in pain, but sometimes you can't be a full sadist. Sometimes you gotta think about the repercussions!" His grip on her wrists slowly loosened as he stepped back, his anger fading into concern.
As Jacob looked at her, he noticed her eyes welling up with tears. He sighed, trying to compose himself. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice much softer now. "I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I was just trying to protect you…"
Neo's expression shifted from hurt to frustration. She pointed angrily at Jacob, then at the parasol, her silent communication clear—she was trying to protect him too. She gestured to the ground, demanding an apology.
"I already did," Jacob replied, a hint of frustration creeping back into his voice. "Was it not good enough for you?"
Neo's eyes flared with anger, and she grabbed her whiteboard, scribbling furiously before shoving it in his face. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!"
Jacob felt the weight of her rage, her hatred, and he extended a hand towards her. But before he could say anything, Neo hurled the whiteboard at him, hitting him square in the chest before it clattered to the ground.
He watched as Neo stormed off, her fists clenched and her mind swirling with thoughts of her parents. In her anger, her semblance kicked in, projecting an illusion of her parents in front of Jacob.
Jacob stared at the illusion, confusion and sadness mixing in his eyes. He had never seen her parents before, but he knew what this meant. "So that's what you think of me, huh?" he muttered to himself. "One argument can really change everything…"
With a heavy sigh, Jacob punched the illusions, shattering them into pieces. He stared at the door where Neo had disappeared, a blank expression in his eyes.
"Wouldn't want the school seeing that," Jacob muttered, pausing before chuckling, "At least she kept her gift and found out how to use it… Silver lining or something."
As he paced towards the bed, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. His ears twitched as they picked up on the approaching group. His eyes widened in realization. 'Fuck, those girls are probably coming to fight us, or…' His thoughts trailed off, and without a second to spare, he snatched his katana and sprinted toward the window.
"They're coming to investigate what happened," he murmured to himself as he leaped out the window. In mid-air, Jacob twisted his body, executing a 180-degree turn, now facing the wall of the window he lept from. His heels dug into the side of the building, small chunks of rock crumbling under the force as he slowed his descent.
With a backflip, Jacob propelled himself off the wall, tossing his katana to the ground. The blade embedded itself into the earth just moments before he landed atop it. "Good thing cats always land on their feet," he remarked with a smirk, brushing off his shoulders as he straightened up.
Reaching down, he pressed a button on the katana's hilt, retracting the blade until only the handle remained. He pocketed it quickly before turning his gaze back to the window from which he had just escaped. His ears twitched again, trying to catch the conversation above.
"She had to be the one responsible for injuring the Malachites," one of the girls complained to the nurse.
"She must be in here," the student insisted, but the nurse's focus seemed to wander. Her eyes scanned the room, eventually drifting to the open window. With a furrowed brow, she stepped closer, peering outside as she muttered to herself.
"Too high of a fall to survive without breaking your aura…" she mused, her gaze sweeping across the ground below. As she continued to survey the area, her eyes narrowed upon noticing a small hole in the floor and blood stains. "Looks about the width of a sword… Perhaps she stabbed the ground," the nurse murmured.
Her expression shifted from concentration to mild irritation. 'No, she couldn't have. She would have needed to stab the wall to drop down enough while simultaneously throwing the sword to the ground and landing on top of it,' the nurse speculated, biting her nails in thought. She turned away from the window, shaking her head. "She couldn't have had enough time," she concluded.
Outside, Jacob pulled his hoodie tighter around his face, blending into the crowd.
The nurse turned back around, her eyes landing on a figure that bore a resemblance to Jasmine, though something about the person's demeanor made it difficult to determine if they were female. Her eyes widened in shock and anger before she let out a sigh, turning her attention back to the student in the room.
"Do you know what Jasmine was wearing?" the nurse asked, crossing her arms impatiently. The student shook her head, "I don't usually pay attention to her because she's so… boring." The nurse's annoyance flickered across her face, but she quickly masked it with a smile.
"Well, without any evidence, it would be wrong to assume Jasmine caused the twins to suffer such injuries," the nurse concluded, slipping her hands into her pockets and walking away.
"But—" the student began to protest, only for the nurse to brush past her without a second glance.
"Wait, what about Trivia? She's always around Jasmine. Maybe she's the one who caused it!" The nurse halted in her tracks as she responded in a commanding tone, "If we can't find Jasmine, we won't find Trivia. And since today is a free day, we haven't kept tabs on her at all."
Finally, the nurse turned back to face the student. "Now that I think about it, we haven't seen Trivia at all today. She only ever leaves the school with Jasmine," she paused. "We know Jasmine left to get a package of materials for an umbrella, but we didn't see Trivia with her, and we haven't seen Trivia today," the nurse stated firmly before turning on her heel and walking away.
Outside, Jacob let out a deep breath as he maneuvered through the crowd, 'Guess I'll return in a few hours,' he thought. As he glanced up at the gray sky, a heavy sigh escaped his lips. 'I just hope she's doing okay,'
Neopolitan moved through the school grounds, her semblance used to make her invisible. She had been using this power to spy on Jacob, curious about what he was doing with her umbrella, but now she was employing it to avoid the prying eyes of other students.
As she walked, snippets of conversation about the Malachite Twins' injuries floated through the hallways. She grit her teeth, trying to push the mounting stress from her mind.
Outside the school, she wandered down a block and found solace on a park bench. She dropped her illusion. With a deep sigh, she gazed upwards at the trees, watching the leaves drift lazily to the ground.
Her eyes fell to the oversized shoes she had borrowed, her mind filled with thoughts of Jacob. She clenched her fists tightly.
As Neo grappled with her emotions, a pale woman with brown eyes and light brown hair styled in a bun observed from a distance. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the angry girl on the park bench. Shock registered on her face as she recognized the girl.
Carmel approached her with hesitant steps. Standing a few feet away, she took a deep breath and spoke, her voice soft but resolute.
"Trivia... is that really you?" Carmel's eyes searched her daughter's face, "You've... changed so much." Her gaze dropped, before she forced herself to look back up, hoping to catch a glimpse of the little girl she once knew.
Neo pouted and folded her arms, rolling her eyes and turning her back on Carmel with a frustrated huff.
Carmel's face registered a flash of insult before she forced a smile and sat down beside her daughter. Her gaze fell on the unfamiliar, oversized shoes Trivia was wearing. "We've never bought you those," she murmured. "Where did you get them? They don't even look like they fit you." She glanced at Trivia's turned back, a frown beginning to form.
"Didn't you wear a size 5?" Carmel asked softly. Trivia finally turned to face her mother, their eyes locking for the first time in months. The gaze that met Carmel's was filled with sadness and rage.
Silence settled between them. They sat side by side, each facing away from the other and staring at the ground. "So, uh… you changed your hair?"
The silence dragged on until Neo pulled out her scroll and used an AI voice to communicate. "Why are you here?" Neo's eyes remained locked on Carmel, her expression a mix of frustration and sorrow.
Carmel's brows furrowed with a hint of annoyance, but she composed herself, "I was shopping and happened to see a girl who looked disturbed on a park bench," she explained softly. "I barely recognized you," she added, her voice carrying sadness.
"A lot has happened since I've been away," the AI voice read out, dripping with sarcasm that matched Neo's demeanor.
"I know…" Carmel began, "I missed you," she admitted, her words coming out as a nervous whisper.
Neo's fingers flew over the scroll's screen. "You have a funny way of showing it. You never even bothered to see me," the AI retorted.
"I've been bus—" she began, but cut herself off, recognizing her tendency to deflect. "I'm sorry…" Carmel said softly. Her head hung low, and her usual proper demeanor faltered.
As Neo listened to her mother's words, her eyes filled with tears, her anger mounting as she clenched her fists tightly. Her breath came in ragged gasps.
Carmel noticed and, in an instant, she wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding the back of her head, guiding her to lean against her chest. Neo's eyes widened as her small hands clung to the back of Carmel's white dress. Despite her efforts to contain her pain, it all spilled out in a loud gasp, followed by a heart-wrenching sob.
Carmel held her daughter close, her hands rubbing soothingly over Neo's hair. She ignored the stains of tears and mucus on her shirt, focusing solely on comforting Neo. "If you want," Carmel whispered, her voice soft and tender, "we can talk about anything that's troubling you."
Minutes passed as Neo cried into her mother's embrace. Eventually, she pulled away, her face a canvas of mixed emotion. With a deep breath, Neo tried to speak, her voice faltering. "I made a friend," she attempted, but the words came out as a strangled sound, like a broken windpipe.
Carmel's smile widened as she chuckled softly, finding the attempt endearing. Neo blushed. She reached for her scroll to type out her message, but her mother's voice interrupted. "So, what about your friend?"
Neo's eyes widened in surprise. Her mother's understanding went beyond mere lip-reading; it was as if she could truly grasp her feelings. It was a level of empathy that Neo had not experienced from her father, who either could not or chose not to comprehend her silence.
Hours later, Jacob returned to the school with his usual nonchalant demeanor, putting on his usual facade of femininity. As he walked through the corridors, students eyed him and exchanged whispers that were far from discreet. 'Hana, Azure, Sorairo,' he noted, keeping track of those who made comments about him.
Navigating through the crowd of students, Jacob headed straight for Lady Beat's office. He maintained his nonchalant facade, though the attention was starting to wear on his nerves.
Arriving at the office, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. As he waited, he glanced around. After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing Lady Beat. Her face wore a hint of mild annoyance, which she struggled to mask.
"What brings you to my office today?" she asked, her tone polite but impatient. "I trust there's a matter of some significance you wish to discuss."
Jacob straightened up, "Lady Beat, I was thinking... What if we hosted a talent show for the school? It could be a fantastic way to showcase our skills and generate some positive buzz about the academy." His true motive, however, was to find a distraction from the monotony of his daily routine.
Lady Beat's expression barely changed, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes. "A talent show? I don't see how that aligns with our objectives. Our focus here is on developing skills that are less... public."
"But consider this," Jacob countered, "a talent show could boost the school's visibility. It would attract attention from other academies and potential students. It also ties into our motto, 'Be seen, not heard.' We could make an impact while still keeping our true capabilities under wraps."
Lady Beat raised an eyebrow, clearly seeing through his attempt to manipulate the situation. Still, she couldn't deny the potential advantages of his proposal. Her gaze softened slightly.
"Interesting," she finally said, pausing before crossing her legs. 'Hosting a talent show could indeed provide a valuable opportunity for gathering intelligence and assessing potential threats or allies.' she thought
"Very well," she conceded with a smile. "We will host this talent show. Ensure it is organized to the highest standard. And remember, while you may seek to 'be seen,' there are always ways to remain 'unheard.' Dismissed."
Just as Jacob reached for the door handle, Lady Beat's voice halted him in his tracks.
"Jasmine," she called out. Jacob turned to face her.
"Yes, Lady Beat?" he replied, his voice steady despite his racing heart.
She stepped closer, her gaze narrowing slightly "There have been allegations involving you and Trivia. Stories about how you both allegedly assaulted the Malachite Twins today."
Jacob's heart pounded. "I don't know what you're talking about. Neither of us would—"
Lady Beat's smile grew sinister as she closed the distance between them. "Oh, but I know exactly what happened," she said softly, "I am well-informed about my students."
Jacob swallowed hard, his nonchalant demeanor slipping. "Are you... angry?"
Her eyes remained fixed on him, but her smile didn't waver. "No, I'm not angry. In fact, I'm rather impressed with your skills. Both yours and Trivia's."
Jacob blinked, "Impressed?"
Lady Beat leaned in slightly, "Yes. You both have demonstrated remarkable prowess. However, I am displeased with the fact that you chose to engage with the Malachite Twins. They are valuable assets."
Jacob's nerves were taut, but he listened carefully as she continued. "There's no concrete evidence linking you to the incident, so you won't face any immediate consequences. This matter will remain between us. Instead, I've decided to advance you and Trivia to higher-level classes."
She paused, "The benefits of these advanced classes include a private room, a working shower, and more stimulating subjects tailored to combat training. Quite appealing, wouldn't you agree?"
Jacob's curiosity was piqued. "That does sound... beneficial. But what's the catch?"
"I've been trying to capture the notorious criminal Roman Torchwick," she said, her tone becoming more serious. "I want you and Trivia to assist me in this endeavor."
Jacob looked genuinely puzzled. "Roman who?"
Lady Beat chuckled, shaking her head. "Ah, right. You're from Mistral. I forgot you might not be familiar with him. Roman Torchwick has been all over the news."
"I don't really watch the news," Jacob admitted.
Lady Beat's unimpressed expression spoke volumes. She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a photograph, sliding it across the desk toward Jacob. "This is Roman Torchwick."
Jacob glanced at the picture, feeling a vague sense of familiarity.
"You and Trivia will retain your advanced classes for three months. If you don't make significant progress in capturing Roman Torchwick by then, you'll be demoted back to your current classes."
She leaned back in her chair, offering him a cold smile. "So, that's the proposition. What do you say?"
Jacob hesitated, his mind racing. "I need to think about it and discuss it with her first."
Lady Beat nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Very well. You have until after the talent show to decide." She gave a final dismissive wave. "You're dismissed, Jasmine."
As Jacob left Lady Beat's office, he could feel the stares of the students boring into him. He let out a frustrated sigh. The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly, and he couldn't shake the feeling of being under a microscope. Finally, he reached the dorm room and walked straight to Trivia's bed, collapsing onto it without a second thought.
Jacob nodded curtly and exited Lady Beat's office, feeling her eyes on him as he walked away. He could sense the lingering stares of the students, their curiosity palpable and irritating. With a frown of frustration, he made his way back to the dormitory. Once inside, he went straight to Trivia's bed, collapsing onto it with a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Neo had just finished recounting her experience with her newfound friend to her mother. As she looked down, her expression shifted to one of nervousness. "Although we just had a disagreement recently, I don't know how to feel." she wrote
Carmel observed her daughter for a moment, her face breaking into a soft, mischievous smile. She raised her gaze to meet Neo's directly and spoke in a comforting tone "These things happen all the time," she paused before continuing, "It ain't always easy to see eye to eye with friends."
Neo tilted her head before her expression turned playful. Carmel's eyes widened in confusion as she realized what had just slipped out. She had always maintained a polished demeanor, speaking in formal tones and avoiding colloquialisms.
"S-Shut up!" Carmel's cheeks flushed crimson as she flailed her arms, a mix of embarrassment and irritation. Neo's eyes widened as she noticed the familiarity. Carmel took a deep breath, regaining her composure. "Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," she continued, her voice regaining its commanding tone before softening into a chuckle.
"Friends don't always agree. If you want to mend things, give it time. Reflect on it, and communicate with them when you're ready. From what you've told me, they seem pretty understanding. So, when you're ready, just approach them and don't be afraid."
Neo's eyes filled with love and admiration for her mother for the first time. She nodded, closing her eyes and beaming with a wide grin.
Carmel returned the smile, and they sat together in silence, the peaceful chirping of birds filling the quiet. Neo reached for her scroll, "Why are you being so nice? Why are you worried? You never cared for me before. Why now?"
Carmel took a deep breath. "I know I haven't been the mother you needed. I've made many mistakes, and for that, I am truly sorry." She glanced down at her hands, gathering her thoughts. "I always thought sending you to Lady Browning's was for the best. I believed it would make you stronger, help with your semblance, and maybe curb some of your rebellious tendencies."
Her gaze met Neo's again, "It's been lonely without you at home. Even if we didn't interact much, just knowing you were there brought me comfort. Every room in the house feels emptier without you, and every silence is louder." Carmel's eyes glistened with tears. "I've had a lot of time to think since you've been gone. I've come to realize how much I've missed you and how much I've missed out on being there for you."
Neo's eyes reflected a swirl of emotions—surprise, understanding, and a touch of skepticism.
Carmel reached out, gently taking Neo's hand in hers. "I know that my apology won't make up for everything, but I want to try. And I hope you can give me a chance to prove it."
As they sat together, the birds' song continued in the background, and the sun fell in the distance.
Neo's gaze hardened, she studied Carmel with intense scrutiny before closing her eyes and allowing a smirk to appear on her lips. With a nonchalant gesture, she gave her mother a thumbs-up and leaned back in her chair with a deep, contented sigh. Her eyes drifted toward the orange-hued sky.
After a moment, Neo reached for her scroll again, typing out her next question: "What about Dad? Did he also change?"
Carmel shook her head slowly, No, that man seems only interested in his politics," her tone devoid of any affection for her husband.
They lingered in silence for a few seconds, but Neo broke the silence with one last question: "Do you love him?"
Carmel lowered her head, focusing on the ground as she pondered the question. After a moment, she lifted her gaze to the sky, leaning against the park bench. "I used to," she said softly, the sigh that followed carried the weight of lost emotions and distant memories.