"What are you doing...?"
"Huh?"
The relationship between Rohan and Noah was ambiguous.
It was hard to say they were close, but whenever they talked, their conversations weren’t distant either—something in between.
This was far from what Rohan had expected.
‘We’re in the same class, but I ended up getting closer to Ichinose faster than Noah...’
Noah Frozenheart was supposed to be straightforward and easygoing by nature.
Rohan had assumed that among the main characters, he would bond with Noah the quickest. Reality, however, proved to be much more challenging.
In real life, not Abyss City, Noah was an endless source of energy.
Whenever break time came around, she wandered all over the academy, leaving little opportunity to catch her for a conversation.
"Isn’t this Nosé’s dawn partner?"
— Meow!
Noah picked up a cat lying sprawled on the ground.
Grinning wide enough to show her sharp molars, she dangled the cat in the air as if to flaunt it.
Rohan could only let out a hollow laugh at her choice of words, which could easily lead to misunderstandings.
"...Well, it’s not wrong since I work out with Ichinose," he admitted.
"Did you just finish working out with Nosé today? Where is she?"
"Ichinose went back earlier than me. I stayed behind since it’s the weekend and I had some extra time."
"Ah, I see!"
Before continuing the conversation, Noah gently set the cat back down on the ground.
From Rohan’s perspective, it didn’t mean much, but it seemed the cat was now disciplined.
"Alright! Off you go! Be careful of cars next time, okay?"
— Meow!
The cat meowed in response before scurrying off somewhere.
Watching the scene unfold, Rohan couldn’t help but voice his curiosity.
"How do you talk to cats?"
"Hmm? Are you interested in learning how to talk to cats?"
"It would be nice if I could. Don’t you wonder what they’re saying all the time?"
Noah swung her tail lightly, crossed her arms, and tilted her head, flicking her round ears as if brushing off invisible dust. Then she shook her head.
"Sorry to disappoint, but normal people can’t. Technically, tigers are part of the feline family, so it’s possible for me."
"Oh... so that’s how it works."
"To be precise, it’s not really a conversation. It’s more like giving commands or conveying intent? Something along those lines."
This was something Rohan had never heard before.
Most of the knowledge in his head came from Abyss City, so this new tidbit intrigued him.
"So, the cats weren’t actually understanding your words just now?"
"Exactly."
Perhaps bored from staying still, Noah walked over to a pull-up bar and hung upside down like a bat.
Rohan, unfazed, stood beside her and asked:
"How’s your theory study going? You’ve been working hard on it lately."
"Ugh, just opening the book makes my head feel like it’s splitting. I’ve been asking the instructor and Nosé so many questions, I feel like I’m committing a crime."
"I’m in the same boat."
Noah’s face openly displayed her pain and frustration.
Rohan thought it best to sympathize since he wasn’t in a position to offer advice on theory.
"I need to treat Nosé to something nice, but where should I take her? The instructor won’t come along even if I invite her..."
"You want to thank her for helping you study?"
"Yeah. Do you know any good places? Nosé eats lightly, so if I pick something based on my instincts, she’ll probably struggle."
Noah’s certainty came from her experience, evident in her tone.
Rohan stroked his chin in thought before giving his answer.
"The first way to show gratitude is to get good results on the midterm."
"...You think so?"
"You can think about material rewards after achieving that. For now, just forget about it."
"Hmm?"
The girl, who had been looking straight ahead, turned her head toward Rohan.
Their eyes met, Noah hanging upside down with her deep, vivid blue pupils locking onto his.
As they silently held each other’s gaze, Noah moved.
"Hyah!"
With a burst of momentum, she flipped and landed gracefully.
Her movement was flawless.
"When and how did you become close to Nosé?"
"...All of a sudden?"
"Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just tell me already. I’m curious!"
"There wasn’t any big event or anything. Why are you so interested?"
Hands on her hips, Noah laughed brightly.
Watching her, Rohan could tell. She was reminiscing about something in the past.
"Nosé didn’t hang out with guys when she was younger. Even when she talked to them, it was all formalities and minimal interaction."
"So you’ve known Ichinose for a long time, huh?"
"Our parents know each other."
Rohan already knew this but asked anyway.
It was just how the flow of the conversation went.
"So, how did you get close to Nosé?"
"Like I said, it wasn’t anything special. We just started talking about swords, and it went from there."
"Ah, I see!"
Noah let out a short exclamation, nodding with an understanding expression.
“What, you understood all that just now?”
“Sort of? You’re good with swords. Even if you lack magic, you’d probably do well in a fight.”
Was there a more straightforward way to deliver a compliment? Unpolished and raw, yet undeniably sincere.
But it wasn’t sarcasm.
Knowing Noah meant it, Rohan chuckled, thanking her with a faint smile.
“So, does that answer your question?”
As Rohan adjusted his jacket, ready to leave, Noah’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Where are you going? I’m bored. Push me on the swing!”
“If you’re bored, go back and study. I’m going to hit the books before heading to work.”
“You have a part-time job?!”
Noah’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity, gleaming like jewels.
In that moment, Rohan realized he’d made a mistake.
‘I messed up.’
What was meant to fuel her competitive spirit instead fanned a fire in a completely different direction.
“...Anyway, I’m off. See you Monday.”
With a gift for his manager in hand, Rohan started walking.
As he left the park, he glanced back, only to see Noah standing there with a mischievous expression.
“Why are you following me?”
“I’m not following. It’s just a coincidence that we’re heading the same way.”
“What are you, a kid?”
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
Rohan laughed in disbelief.
When he resumed walking, she nonchalantly fell into step beside him.
“You’re not planning to follow me all the way to work, are you?”
“Are you embarrassed? You don’t seem like the type to care about that.”
“...You’re killing me here.”
Even his tone was changing.
Noah grinned as if thoroughly entertained by his reaction.
“I’ve always wanted to visit a friend’s workplace! It sounds fun.”
“My workplace won’t suit you. Just thinking about books gives you a headache.”
“Where do you work?”
“A bookstore.”
“Oh, that’s fine! I like comic books. I used to read them all the time when I was a kid!”
Rohan stopped walking.
Standing in the alley, he turned to face Noah and shook his head.
“Still, no.”
“Why not? Why not?!”
“If someone like Frozenheart shows up at a local bookstore, the manager will freak out.”
“They’ll probably think it’s just dye. Hardly anyone recognizes me outside the academy unless they’re students.”
Her gaze practically dared him to counter her point, leaving Rohan flustered.
“Even so... it’s a bookstore, not a comic café or rental shop.”
“Then I’ll just buy them. Isn’t that what bookstores are for?”
“...”
“I read comics quickly since I mostly focus on the pictures. If I buy a few dozen volumes, it’ll be good for the store, right?”
Coming from a royal of a powerful nation, it didn’t sound like a joke.
Whether she bought a hundred books or a thousand, it was likely pocket change for Noah.
“Still, no.”
“Ugh...”
Realizing she wouldn’t win this one, Noah’s ears and tail drooped.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’
The problem with a dejected Noah was simple:
She looked so genuinely pitiful that Rohan couldn’t help but feel bad for her.
“Hah...”
Letting out a long sigh, Rohan scratched his head in frustration before making up his mind.
There’s a saying: No parent can win against their child, and no gamer can abandon their favorite character.
Rohan tapped Noah’s drooping ear lightly with a finger.
“Fine. I’ll talk to my manager about it. But you have to promise me something.”
“!”
Her eyes sparkled as her tail wagged enthusiastically, urging him to continue.
“Don’t go behind the counter or disrupt the store in any way.”
“Wait, that’s two promises, not one!”
“...Don’t nitpick.”
“Okay! I won’t cause any trouble!”
Her energy returned in an instant, making Rohan wonder if her earlier sulking had been an act.
Feeling like he’d been duped, Rohan rubbed his temples and checked the time on his phone.
“Hmm... there’s still plenty of time before my shift.”
“Wanna go hiking? Let’s race to the top of the mountain!”
Noah’s excited voice made Rohan laugh.
He couldn’t give in to every whim of hers, though.
“I have to study. Hiking’s out of the question.”
“...”
“I’m going to a café to study until my shift starts. If you don’t join me, I’m not letting you into the bookstore. Got it?”
“Taking a hostage is wrong, you know!”
“Didn’t you know? I’ve always been a bad person.”
When Rohan started walking again, Noah stomped her feet in frustration before reluctantly following him.
***
‘There’s still 30 minutes before his shift...’
Sitting in a corner of the bookstore, Clara checked the time, trying to calm her racing heart.
His shift didn’t start for another half hour, but Rohan always arrived early to prepare.
Ding!
The chime of the doorbell rang out.
From the weight of the footsteps alone, she knew who it was.
‘He’s here! Wait... what?’
The footsteps overlapped with another set.
Had a customer come in with him?
Curious, Clara peeked toward the entrance.
“Manager, I’m here!”
“Wow, so this is the place!”
“Stick to the promise, or I’ll kick you out.”
“I said I got it!”
Rohan entered.
Walking closely beside him was a beautiful beastkin woman.
Clara saw everything clearly.