Chapter 204

[Third Person's PoV] 

"Unlock the memories!" Claire demanded, grabbing Cid by the collar and shaking him back and forth with a sudden force.

Cid winced but managed a wary smirk. "I can't tell you how much I really don't want to do that... The Jinwoo in me at least doesn't."

"I don't care what this Jinwoo wants or doesn't!" Claire exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. "You and I were brother and sister in another universe! Do you even understand how insanely happy that makes me?" Her grip tightened as she continued shaking him, her wide grin growing brighter by the second.

"It's not fair that you're the only one with those memories of us together! I have just as much right to them as you do, so hand them over, mister!"

Cid sighed, still hesitant. He glanced at her warily, trying to figure out how to defuse her relentless energy, but before he could speak, Claire abruptly walked past him.

"Where are you going?" he asked, turning around just in time to see her leap onto his back.

In one swift movement, Claire locked her legs around his waist, pulling him into a headlock. "What are you doing?" Cid asked, his voice sounding oddly calm despite being caught in her chokehold.

"I'm choking the information out of you!" Claire said with determined ferocity. "As your older sister, I demand it! If you don't, I'll keep squeezing until you faint."

Cid rolled his eyes. "One, I don't actually need air, so your choking does nothing except make me uncomfortable. And two, I'm sorry..."

"Sorry for what?" Claire asked, tightening her hold slightly, though she was clearly intrigued.

"This," Cid muttered before swiftly lifting one leg and leaning back, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. Claire gasped as she took the full impact of the fall, her breath leaving her in a sharp grunt.

"Ugh!" she groaned, momentarily winded. But she was far from giving up. Gritting her teeth, Claire tightened her grip, pulling him closer.

"You're so stubborn," Cid grumbled, tapping her arm. "Alright, alright! You win! I'll give you the memories."

"This could've ended so much sooner if you'd just listened to me!" Claire said with a triumphant scoff, releasing him and pushing him off of her as she got to her feet.

Cid groaned as he stood, dusting himself off. He shot her a flat look. "Just so we're clear, once you get these memories, you'll lose your claim to being the 'big sister.'"

Claire crossed her arms, raising her chin defiantly. "Nuh-uh. Since we both died, technically, this is our new life starting over. I'll always be the big sis! Now, give them to me!" She spread her arms wide, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Cid clicked his tongue in annoyance, muttering under his breath as he placed a finger on her forehead. "Fine... but remember, you asked for this."

As soon as his finger touched her skin, Claire's eyes widened, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Her breath caught in her throat as the flood of memories rushed in—memories of her past life as Jin-Ah. Scenes flashed before her eyes, moments of love, laughter, and sorrow. The bond she shared with Jinwoo, the warmth of their family.

As the glow faded, Claire blinked, tears spilling down her cheeks. Her lip trembled, and without a word, she lunged at Cid, wrapping her arms around him in a tight, desperate hug.

"Oppa!" she cried out in Korean, burying her face into his shoulder as her sobs began to shake her body. She clung to him as if he might vanish at any moment, afraid to let go.

Cid sighed, wrapping his arms around her and gently stroking her hair, his expression softening. "I know, Jin-Ah... I know."

Alpha, who had been quietly watching, turned to the others, motioning for them to leave. One by one, they nodded and followed her out of the training area, giving Cid and Claire—no, Jinwoo and Jin-Ah—the space they needed.

Through her tears, Claire's voice cracked. "Everyone's gone, Oppa... they're all dead!"

Cid's face hardened with guilt. "I know. And I'm sorry. It's my fault... I was too weak to protect them."

Claire only cried harder, her hands gripping the back of his clothes as if holding on would change the past.

"Hey," Cid whispered, trying to comfort her, "since we reincarnated, who's to say they haven't too? Maybe... just like we're still siblings in this life, Mom and Dad are out there somewhere, living happily."

Claire sniffled and nodded, though her tears continued to flow. She took her time, absorbing the reality of her new life, her new identity as Claire, as well as the memories of Jin-Ah. For a long while, they stayed like that, with Claire finding solace in her brother's presence.

After about half an hour, Claire finally pulled away, wiping her tear-streaked face. "Oppa..." she whispered softly.

"Hm?" Cid responded, looking at her curiously.

She stared at him with a mix of fondness and exasperation before smirking. "You're disgusting... How could you seduce your own sister?"

"Ugh." Cid winced, clearly caught off guard by the teasing.

"Not to mention the whole harem thing," Claire added with a laugh bubbling through her remaining tears. "Are you really my Jinwoo? Because in my memories, he was way cooler."

Cid's expression turned deadpan. "I'm going to leave now."

"Hehe, I'm just messing with you!" Claire laughed, holding onto his arm. "Relax, Oppa!"

"Yeah, you're hilarious," Cid said, though his straight face didn't budge.

Claire rolled her eyes, her smile softening. "But seriously, you're different from what I remember."

"I've lived a lot since Jinwoo," Cid explained. "It's changed me. And I only got those memories back recently."

Claire nodded thoughtfully, understanding the weight of many lives and experiences. "Yeah, I can feel it too. I'm more Claire now than Jin-Ah... and you're more Cid than Jinwoo."

She suddenly grinned and placed her hands on her hips with a smug look. "Which also means... I'm officially the older sister now! So call me 'Noona!'"

Cid scoffed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Without warning, he flicked her forehead. "Don't disrespect your Oppa, Claire."

"Owww!" Claire winced, rubbing her forehead and glaring at him. "Jerk..." But despite that as Smile slowly formed on her face. Happy to be reunited with her brother.