Chapter 102 - Heart Over Mind, Heart Over Body

Iesa began to recall how she planned how to erase Lina and Catherine's numbers on Teren's phone. She crafted a complex plan after days. When she finally executed it perfectly, she held his phone and hesitated.

'Wait, wouldn't he think that I'm crazy for deleting other girls' contact numbers on his phone in secret?'

She only thought of that after everything she had done. That hesitation spelled her failure. However, since Teren was almost in her apartment every day back then, she had a lot of chances but once she had his phone again, she would hesitate.

This repeated again and again until she remembered Lina and Catherine's contact numbers...

At the present, Iesa recalled this as if her mind was telling her that she was long crazy. Due to her long silence, Teren sighed and gave up.

"Who am I kidding..."

He muttered, attracting Iesa's gaze of confusion and anticipation.

"Of course, you remembered it all."

Teren frankly continued.

"I've once heavily used the Great Spirit of Mind-Altering then used it to the whole world. It's now in its weakest state that even Nick remembers what I made him forgot. If he can, of course, you will too."

Since you're a psychic, Teren thought.

"E-e-eh? I-I don't know what you're talking about? What? I don't understand?"

Iesa fidgeted as she said so. Internally, she wanted to stab herself for acting so badly.

'Why did I say that! He already said it's obvious! Why am I hiding it!?'

Teren finally dropped the cold act. He didn't know what to say too. No, he knows what to say but he just can't.

Yet, he should since he had to.

That's why after taking deep breaths...

"Iesa, sorry for being close to you. But from now on, we shouldn't speak to each other."

"... eh?"

Like glass cracking, Iesa slowly tried to understand what Teren just said.

"It was my mistake. I shouldn't have included you in the past. I no longer have the ability to change your memories so I hope you don't interact with me any longer."

Iesa could see the reluctance in Teren's eyes before he turned around and walked away.

'Huh...?'

She limply looked at the empty space. It was as if she just experienced something unexplainable, something that should not happen. She would only think of this moment when she's full of negativity like when she learned that Teren erased her memories of him.

Imagination and reality are vastly different.

She only regained herself when she remembered about-

'That's right!'

...

Meanwhile, Teren kept himself compose.

'Don't worry. She will hate you in the future so it won't make a difference if it happened now. It's okay, it's fine. It looks like I have to postpone my plan. But it's fine, Hanon had already agreed so it will be easier...'

While distracting himself, Teren then heard a hurried rustling sound from behind him. Before he turned around, his hand was taken and he saw Iesa huffing.

It took a moment for her and after that, she looked up to him with glittering eyes.

"You... k-kissed me back then, remember? Why did you d-do that?"

She looked at him with a serious expression, adamant to receive the answer.

Making him recall it by Iesa, nonetheless, made Teren flustered like her.

"Uh..." he scratched his cheek while thinking of what to say.

'Of course, she would remember that too! Stupid past me!'

"That was... of course... taking advantage of you... haha..."

Teren didn't know why he added 'haha' to that but he still continued.

"I mean... who wouldn't want to kiss you, r-right? So... since I will be erasing your memories... I thought, I thought I should take advantage of you."

Teren didn't know what to expect but when he saw Iesa frowned, he felt his legs weakened.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry...' he felt like crying.

"Are you saying you just kissed me just because you have a chance?"

Receiving the advantage in the conversation, Iesa used it well, and now, the tables have turned.

"... yes? I-it's not because... I like you or anything..."

"Hmm..." Iesa nodded, unaffected by what he said.

'Uwahh!! Why did I say that!? Am I a shy girl!?'

Iesa then leaned forward, closer to his face, and said, "Does that mean if you have another chance, you will kiss me again?"

She finally had control over the situation-

Wrong!

'What am I saying!? Why am I trying to flirt!? Shouldn't I prioritize getting answers from him instead!?'

She doesn't know if it was needed for her goal or that she just wants another kiss.

She's questioning her actions, yet, she didn't stop them.

Thus,

Iesa closed her eyes and shyly puckered her lips.

Teren's face twitched too. Is he losing? No, not really. Not even he knows what's happening.

Instead of trying to talk about the reality of the situation, they just chose to do what they really desire.

No, maybe there was no choice.

The sun had already set and the only source of light was from the moon. It was dim, yet, seemed so brilliant as the moonlight emphasized the confused couple.

The breeze of the wind made the leaves and plants dance. It was becoming colder and colder but the couple could only feel the warmth and not just any warmth, but one that came from each other...

After feeling their hearts were about to explode, they separated. As soon as they did, Iesa's legs gave in but Teren caught her.

"W-why did you use your tongue?"

"Huh... but you're the one who... sorry..."

"No..." Iesa straighten her legs and with a bashful look to the side, she touched her lips and muttered, "... it's okay... I love it."

"O-oh, is that so."

Although their lips parted, their hands didn't. There was a soothing silence afterward before Iesa placed her mind back to what she was trying to do in the first place.

"You k-kissed me so intensely. There's no way you don't like me, right?"

Teren coughed from hearing that but soon nodded.

Iesa cracked a wide smile as her eyes trembled, "M-me too- Anyway!" she immediately moved on to hide her embarrassment.

"So why? Why did you do and say all those things which contradict your feelings?"

She breathed out in relief for saying that without further stammering.. She then saw Teren's conflicted expression while waiting for his answer.