episode_0040

“What are you doing···?”

“Huh?”

The relationship between Rohan and Noah is ambiguous.

It’s hard to say we’re close. But when we actually talk, we’re not that close.

This was something that greatly exceeded Rohan’s expectations.

‘We’re in the same class, but I never thought I’d become friends with Ichinose faster than with Noah…’

Isn’t this Noah Frozenheart, who has a refreshing and cool personality?

Rohan expected that he would be able to become close with Noah the fastest among the main characters, but the reality was not so easy.

Noah, in the real world and not in Abyss City, has infinite stamina.

He was the type of person who would wander around the academy during break times and it was hard to even find time to talk to him.

“Is this it? Isn’t this Nose’s dawn partner?”

─ Myaaah!

Noah picked up a cat that was lying on the ground.

Then, as if to show off, he shakes the cat around and laughs so hard that his sharp teeth are visible.

Rohan just laughs in vain at the words that could be misunderstood.

“···Well, that’s not wrong, since I exercise with Ichinose.”

“Are you going to work out with Nose again today? Where did Nose go?”

“Ichinose went back earlier than me? She went back a little late today because it’s the weekend.”

“Aha!”

Before continuing the conversation.

Noah put the cat he was holding down on the ground.

I don’t know what it means from Rohan’s perspective, but it seems like the military discipline has been established.

“Okay! Go back! You have to be careful of cars from now on?”

─ Meow!

The cats leave an answer with their cries and go somewhere.

Rohan naturally became curious as he watched the scene.

“How do you talk to cats?”

“Huh? You want to learn how to talk to cats?”

“I wish I could learn. I’m curious about what you usually say.”

Noah crossed his arms and wagged his tail.

He shakes his head as if shaking out his round ears.

“Unfortunately, it’s not possible for ordinary people. If you think about it, tigers are also felines, so it’s possible.”

“Oh… That’s the system.”

“Actually, if you look at the inside story, it’s not a conversation, but rather giving orders? Conveying intentions? Something like that.”

This is the first time I’ve heard this story.

This was new and interesting information to Rohan, who mostly had information about Abyss City in his head.

“You’re saying that cats didn’t just understand language and act like that?”

“That’s right.”

Was it because I was bored with just sitting still?

Noah approached the horizontal bar and hung upside down like a bat.

Rohan stands next to him and asks,

“How’s your theory studying? You’ve been working hard these days.”

“Ugh, my head feels like it’s going to burst from the moment I open the book. I feel like I’m committing a sin by asking the instructor and Noh Se-han too many questions.”

“Me too.”

A look of pain is clearly visible on Noah’s face.

Rohan was at his best there, sympathizing.

I’m not in a position to give advice on theory.

“I need to buy Noh Se-han something delicious, but where should I take him? Even if I ask the instructor to go, he won’t go···.”

“Are you repaying me by teaching me how to study?”

“Yeah. Do you know a good place? Nose is a news person, so it’ll be hard if I choose based on my intuition.”

Noah’s one word conveys a conviction that seems to have been awakened by experience.

Rohan rubbed his chin, thought about it, and then answered.

“First of all, the first reward is the results from the midterm exam.”

“···I see.”

“It’s never too late to think about material rewards after you’ve achieved the first one. For now, just forget about it.”

“Hmm?”

The girl who had been quietly looking ahead turned her head towards Rohan.

Rohan met Noah’s gaze as he hung upside down. His blue eyes were deep and dark in color.

Because we briefly met eyes without saying anything.

Noah moved.

“횻!”

Spin around with elasticity and land.

It was an amazing movement.

“When and how did you become close with Noh Se-rang?”

“···Suddenly?”

“Don’t worry about the little things and just tell me quickly. I’m curious.”

“There wasn’t anything particularly great going on. Why would you be curious about that?”

Noah, with his hands on his hips, smiles coolly.

Looking at that sight, I felt transparent. It was clear that it was reminiscing about some time in the past.

“No Se hasn’t played with boys since she was little. Even when she does talk to them, she’s polite and keeps it to a minimum?”

“You’ve known Ichinose for a long time, huh?”

“Because our parents know each other.”

Rohan asked, knowing everything.

Because that was just the flow of the conversation that happened on board.

“So, how did you become friends with Noh Se-rang?”

“As I said before, it’s nothing special. I just turned around while talking about swords.”

“Aha!”

Noah nodded with a face of understanding, letting out a brief exclamation of admiration.

“Do you understand that just now?”

“Roughly? You’re good with swords. Even though you don’t have magic power, you seem to be good at fighting.”

Is there any praise more direct than this? A lump of unpolished praise without any refinement or refinement.

But I’m not being sarcastic.

Knowing that Noah was being sincere, Rohan smiled and said thank you.

“So, your curiosity has been satisfied?”

Noah’s eyes widened as Rohan closed his clothes as if to leave.

“Where are you going! I’m bored, push the swing.”

“If you’re bored, go back and study. I’m going to study until I go to work.”

“You work part-time too?!”

Noah’s blue eyes began to shine like jewels with interest.

From that sparkle, Rohan had a gut feeling that something was wrong.

‘I made a mistake.’

It seems that the words intended to add fuel to the fire of competition ended up adding fuel to the fire on the other side.

“···Anyway, are you going? See you on Monday.”

Rohan walked forward, holding a gift for the store manager in one hand.

I came out of the park and looked back. Noah was standing there with a playful look on his face.

“Why are you following me?”

“Aren’t you following? It’s just that our paths coincidentally overlap.”

“What kind of kid is that?”

Rohan laughed in disbelief.

As I continued walking, he stopped right next to me and walked.

“You’re not planning on following me to work, are you?”

“Are you embarrassed? Are you the type that cares about such things? ”

“···I’m going crazy.”

You even use this kind of speech.

Noah laughs as if he finds Rohan’s reaction amusing.

“I wanted to go to the store my friend works at! It seems like it would be fun.”

“Isn’t this where I work? You say reading books gives you a headache.”

“Where do you work?”

“Bookstore.”

“I don’t mind comic books! I used to read them a lot when I was little!”

Rohan stopped walking.

I shake my head as I meet Noah in the alley.

“Still no good.”

“Why! Why!”

“If a big name like Frozen Hearts shows up at a local bookstore, I think the store manager will be surprised.”

“You’d think it was dyed hair even if you just looked at it? Even if you walked down the street, hardly anyone would recognize you unless you were an academy student?”

Rohan was embarrassed by Noah’s gaze that told him to refute.

“No, but… I said it’s a bookstore that sells books. Not a comic cafe or rental store?”

“I’ll buy it and watch it. If I want to see it, I can just buy it, right?”

“···.”

“I read comics because they are mostly pictures, so they are quick to read. If I sell a few dozen copies, it’s good for the store, too.”

When the royalty of a powerful country says something like that, it doesn’t sound like a joke.

Whether he buys a hundred or a thousand books, it’s definitely pocket change for Noah.

“Still no good.”

“chi···.”

Did you feel like you couldn’t do it anymore?

Noah’s ears and tail droop down.

‘I’m going to go back.’

One problem that arose from Noah’s actions was that he was dead.

The fact that Noah, the character he loves, looks truly pitiful in Rohan’s eyes.

“Hoooo···.”

Rohan let out a deep breath and scratched his head in thought.

I gave the answer.

They say there are no parents who don’t love their children, and there are no gamers who don’t love their characters.

Rohan stuck out his mouth and tapped Noah’s ear as he looked at the floor.

“Then I’ll tell the store manager. Promise me something.”

“!”

He blinks his eyes and wags his tail as if telling me to speak quickly.

“Do not invade the cash register or interfere with business.”

“Then there are two promises instead of one?”

“···Don’t tackle me.”

“Okay! I won’t bother you!”

Noah regained his energy in an instant, to the point where it seemed like his loss was just an act.

Rohan touched the corner of his eyes, feeling as if he had been deceived by something.

I checked the time on my phone.

“Um···There’s still a lot of time left before I go to work.”

“Want to go play on the mountain? Let’s play a game where the first person to reach the top wins!”

Rohan smiled brightly at Noah’s excited voice.

Because I can’t listen to everything.

“I have to study. Where are you going?”

“···!”

“I’m going to go to a cafe and study before work. If we don’t do it together, there’s no bookstore, so just know that.”

“Hey, taking hostages is bad!”

“Didn’t you know? I’m originally a bad person.”

Rohan started walking, saying, “If you’re not going to do it, then don’t come.”

Noah hesitated, stamping his feet, then followed.

*****

‘There are 30 minutes left until oppa starts work···.’

Clara, sitting in the corner of the bookstore, looked at the time and tried to calm her pounding heart.

There’s 30 minutes left until work starts, but he’ll probably be here soon.

Rohan always starts preparing around this time.

Tinkle!

The sound of a bell on a door shaking.

Just by hearing the heavy footsteps, it was clear who it was.

‘Oppa, you’re here! Huh…?’

The sound of footsteps overlaps someone else’s. Could it be that a guest has come in with them?

Clara looked through the gap toward the entrance.

“Store Manager. I’m here!”

“Wow! It’s here!”

“Keep your promise or I’ll kick you out.”

“I told you so!”

Rohan appeared.

The sight of Rohan coming in, clinging tightly to a beautiful woman.

It was clear to Clara’s eyes.