[20.1] The F-Word

I stared at the book in my hands while Marx, my trashy tutor, watched me with sharp eyes. I was already having a hard time focusing on my reading and this wasn't making it any easier.

I put the book down with a twitching smile, "What is it?"

He spoke up, "What did you say to Aldrich?"

I flinched, "Why?"

"He's been more annoying than usual. Every day I get a new lecture from him about whether I am properly watching over you or not. I'm starting to get concerned about my safety. So? What did you say?"

I forced on a smile, "I didn't say anything."

How could I admit that I accidentally let the F-word slip to the Headmaster!?

"Hmmm?" He looked at me with a lazy expression, "Really? If that's true… Then why are you still here? Our session ended a while ago."

I flinched.

How could I also admit that ever since I said that, the Headmaster has been staring at me with eyes of anticipation?!

It is making me so uncomfortable that I started avoiding him!!

His eyes narrowed, "If you don't tell me, I'm going to stop bathing again."

"Alright, alright!" I averted my eyes with a slight blush, "I… I said the F-word to the Headmaster."

He tilted his head, "You said f*ck to him? But I'm sure you've done that before…"

I shook my head, "No. A far worse F-word."

He tapped his chin, "Filiopietistic?"

My face twitched, "What does that even mean!?"

"It means-"

I cut him off, "Don't explain. That's not the F-word I was talking about."

"Then what did you call him?"

I suddenly felt self-conscious, "F-F-Fath- URK! No. It's not important.."

I crossed my arms and looked away.

It's too embarrassing!!!

Marx was surprised, "You called him Father!?"

I shook my head quickly, "NO! I-I merely referred to him as a father, not my father!!"

Marx nodded knowledgeably and leaned back in his seat, "I see… No wonder he was so happy that the ice around him started to melt. Heh. I can't believe you actually called him Father."

I covered my face in embarrassment, "I didn't!!! Not really…"

He smirked, "So, let me guess. The reason why you are still here is because the Headmaster really wants to hear you call him Father again. However, because you are so shy, you can't and that's why you're avoiding him."

I slammed my hands on the desk, "I'M NOT SHY!!!"

He snickered, "Looks like I was right."

I grabbed my stuff, "Oh forget it!"

As I stormed out of the room, he called after me. "You don't have to be so embarrassed!! This is a good thing!!"

I ignored him and stomped through the halls.

Urggg! I'm not shy! I'm not embarrassed!!

...Okay. I'm a little embarrassed.

But I have every right to be! What kind of adult would call another adult around her age Father?! It's just creepy…

Nope! I'm not going to say it EVER again! And that's a vow!

"Reika? Reikkaaa~"

I felt someone tap my shoulder.

I jumped with a scream, "AHHH!"

I spun around to see Felix grinning at me, "Hello, Reika."

I held my heart, "Don't scare me like that!!!"

He chuckled, "I was calling your name for a while, but you didn't seem to notice."

I scratched my face awkwardly, "Ah… Oh… Well, I was a bit distracted…"

"Haha! I can tell…" He tilted his head, "So why are you still here? Usually, you disappear as soon as the afternoon classes finish."

I scratched my cheek with a forced laugh, "I'm not in the mood to go home…"

His eyes lit up, "Then would you like to accompany me to town? I need to pick up some herbs for potions class."

I jumped on the opportunity to avoid going home, "YES!"

He flinched from my sudden shout, then laughed, "Haha! I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic."

I started pushing him, "I'm very enthusiastic. Now let's go. Come on! Hurry!"

As I pushed him he spoke, "W-Wait! Shouldn't you tell the Headmaster!?"

My face twitched, "Ah… Right…"

If I didn't tell him he would probably panic.

We made a slight detour to the Headmaster's office. I opened the door and looked at his secretary, "Hey! Karen! Can you tell the Headmaster I won't be returning home until later? I'm going to buy herbs with Felix. Kay? Thanks!"

She flinched, "H-Huh!? Hey! Wait!"

I turned around and left before leaving an explanation. Zephyr ran after me, "I'm coming too!! I want chicken legs!! Bye Karen!!"

The Secretary shouted after us, "MY NAME IS NOT KAREN!!!"

Felix laughed awkwardly, "Why didn't you tell the Headmaster?"

I waved my hand, "Karen will tell him for me. There's nothing to worry about."

Felix looked at me closely, "You're acting weird…"

I forced a smile, "Am I?"

As we left the Academy, I stopped pushing him. I glanced at him, "Wouldn't it be faster if we took my ice chunk?"

His face paled, "N-No… That's okay… We can walk. It won't take that long-"

I grabbed him by the collar and pulled out my wand, "Nah, we can take my ice chunk."

Zephyr shrieked, "No! I agree with the crybaby! Let's walk!!"

I ignored both of their cries and pulled them onto my ice chunk. As we flew towards the town, Felix clung to me while sobbing annoyingly. Zephyr also clung to me, digging in his nails.

I rolled my eyes, "Are you both afraid of heights or something?"

Felix sobbed, "Noooo! I'm scared of being thrown off!"

Zephyr nodded aggressively, "Me too! Every time you stop, you fling me into a tree!!!"

I clicked my tongue, "That's not true."

Felix shouted, "TREE!"

I looked ahead in a rush and noticed the incoming tree, then panicked to swerve around it. The ice chunk was turned on its side, causing us to tumble off. We rolled on the ground, crashing into several bushes.

Zephyr slammed into a tree, cracking it in half.

He raised his head, "SEE! Look at this giant bruise!!!"

I sat up with a wince, "Why are you complaining!? Look at my arm!!!"

I raised my arm which was bent the wrong way.