Abstract Abilities: Rei

5: He taught her to smile

The sky was dyed crimson red, turning orange towards the horizon. Such hue enhanced the tranquility in the campus library where Hein was teaching Rei all sorts of things diligently.

Some say actions speak louder than words. However, there usually are reasons behind people's every action. Currently, Rei has been feeling overwhelmed over Hein's kindness and patience.

"Is there something on my face, Rei?" He asked with a small smile on his face. A smile that barely left his face ever since they first met.

Tilting her head, Rei focused her gaze on Hein's skyblue eyes that resembled the color of a clear sky. Gazing at him in silence made her feel strangely comfortable, and under his shadow that overlaps her figure, she slowly imitated his smile.

Rei smiled.

"Hmm? Finally an expression." His smile widened pleasantly.

"...Expression..." She muttered, reaching to touch her cheeks in bewilderment.

"That's right, Rei. You are expressing what your mind thinks, and what you feel on your face. Just like this character in this story. She laughs when she is happy. Cry when she is sad. Grumpy when she is frustrated. Basic emotions, but they all allow us to relieve ourselves from mental and emotional burdens.

"Your smile is really nice, Rei. You should smile often. If not for me, at least do it for yourself."

Listening to his gentle voice and words of enlightenment, Rei felt a growing inspiration to experience other things. With such thoughts, she gave her nod in understanding, her gaze on him unwavering.

Her eyes glowed with innocence and purity that Hein has never seen before on anyone else. Feeling rather excited over her gaze, he arbitrarily reached out to pat her head gently.

With his actions, Rei couldn't help but close her eyes in comfort while letting out 'Hmm~' sound involuntarily. Seeing her response, Hein couldn't help but softly chuckle. "How cute." He said.

Rei, however, was much too immersed with his actions to hear his words.

The comfort of someone else's warmth, of which she was deprived of the most in the years before. She felt adamant to have such warmth remain if possible. Thus, she gently held Hein's wrist when he was about to retract his hand.

His eyes widened in surprise. Not for long, he patted her head twice and smiled. "Don't worry."

With a nod, she let go. Unbeknownst to her, her small mouth has turned a downward curve.

Hein chuckled at her reaction.

Although no other can hear whatever they were talking about in the library, people can still see how close the two were. Unfortunately, Hein was much too famous for Rei's safety and rumours of the two of them spread like wild fire, fueled by a particular beauty.

Forward to the first day of school.

Over the course of time, Rei learnt the basic knowledge concerning the world outside. She event learnt how to write and read, and have been diligent with her books. Hein never left her side since the day they were introduced to one another.

However, this will change with the first day of school.

"Now Rei, remember to be polite and never ignore people when they call out to you."

"Hm."

"Listen to your professors."

"Hm."

"If anyone is mean to you, in the slightest, look for me in class 3-A."

"Hm."

"Even then, don't forget to eat your meals. If possible, eat with your classmates."

"Hm."

"I'll leave Roko-1 to you. You know what to do with it yes?"

"Hm!"

Feeling slightly comforted over Rei's obedience, Hein patted her head with a gentle smile. His worried face could hardly be hidden.

Roko-1 is Hein's creation through his Abstract Ability that can be used for surveillance. Definitely useful for espionage.

Looking at the inseparable pair, Zane let out a sigh. "You two.... All that's left are the wedding bells, really."

Hein ignored Zane's nonsense while checking Rei's school materials for the day, not forgetting to put in Rei's lunchbox of which he himself prepared.

Zane's words caught Sophia's attention, but she simply gave a snort on the side.

"Ohhhh, a reaction from the mistress. Hein... bad bad man...." Zane teased once again, but his head was hit by the end of his words by none other than Sophia herself.

"Zane, one more word and we shall have BBQ tonight.... with your meat."

Zane gulped and felt his lifeline shorten with Sophia's threat, which were mostly true. With their long time companionship, he knew for a fact that Sophia rarely spouted out nonsense. Then he became more docile. Sophia snorted once again.

During their bickering, Alph and Tristan already left for their classes.

"You are good to go, Rei. Oh, your ribbon is crooked." Hein said while reaching out to properly tie Rei's chest ribbon. Rei obediently stood without doing anything, looking down on Hein's skillful hands.

Staring at the pair, Sophia felt a pang in her chest and she couldn't help but slap the back of Zane's head.

He whimpered with the force of her strength, but knowing the reason why, he kindly remained quiet. He understood what she was going through. Despite his nonsense, Zane was a considerate boy.

And out of his consideration, he dragged Sophia out of their dormitory. She let him led her out, giving Rei one last glare that was not noticed.

After them, Hein led Rei outside, holding her hand securely into his'. Although he was excited for Rei, he also felt very anxious being separated from her for the most part of the day, every day, henceforth. If possible, he wished they were in the same class to keep her safe. He felt Rei was much too soft to be exposed to the darkness of society. But it was also a fact that he cannot always be there for her for every minute of her life.

Only Rei knew how much cruelty she had suffered before meeting Hein...