I felt embarrassed.
What in the world did I just do? Calling him “oppa,” and that sticky voice—what was that all about?
“…”
“Ajusshi…?”
“…”
“Heh…hehe, I was just joking.”
Noah took a deep breath and looked at Shin Hyun, who was gently pushing him away.
His expression was unreadable. Normally, he would have laughed it off, but this time he said nothing.
Noah started to fidget uncomfortably.
‘Is he mad?’
He felt uneasy due to Shin Hyun’s unusual behavior.
Shin Hyun slowly stepped back, covering his mouth with his hand. His expression remained inscrutable.
“…Haa.”
A sigh escaped Shin Hyun’s lips. It wasn’t out of frustration but seemed tinged with slight embarrassment and excitement.
“You learned that from where?”
“Huh? From the internet and Tae-hwa…”
“You shouldn’t be teasing ajusshi like that.”
Even as he said this, Shin Hyun turned his head slightly, seemingly unable to look at Noah.
“Haa…why are you doing this?”
Though it sounded like an accusation, Noah sensed something different. He noticed Shin Hyun’s face had turned slightly red.
On a whim, Noah repeated the word.
“Uh…are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fi-”
“…Oppa.”
Whoosh!
Once again, Shin Hyun’s face turned away.
He seemed determined not to reveal his expression, trying his best to avoid eye contact.
Tae-hwa, who had approached unnoticed, nudged Noah’s side.
“See? It works.”
“Works?”
“Sure does. Watch closely.”
Tae-hwa, chuckling softly, called out to Shin Hyun.
“Ajusshi.”
“…What?”
“Take your hand away.”
“…No.”
“But if you want to eat, you’ll have to lower your hand, right?”
“Eat?”
At that moment, the door opened, and the owner came in with a smile.
It wasn’t as luxurious as last time, but three bowls of glossy fried rice and crispy sweet-and-sour pork were served.
“Well then, dig in.”
With those words, the owner left, leaving the three standing there blankly.
Tae-hwa teased Shin Hyun in a playful tone.
“Hurry up. The elders should eat first so we can start.”
“…There’s no need for that.”
“C’mon, hurry. Right, Noah?”
“Huh? Umm…yeah. Ajusshi, please go ahead.”
Noah grabbed one of Shin Hyun’s hands and sat beside him. It was a kind of strategy.
By holding one hand, Shin Hyun wouldn’t be able to cover his face, and with the other, he’d have no choice but to pick up the chopsticks.
“Hmph.”
Shin Hyun lowered his hand after sighing.
The corners of his mouth twitched, but he managed to maintain composure.
As Shin Hyun picked up the chopsticks, Tae-hwa signaled Noah.
“Noah, now’s your chance.”
Noah nodded.
Dipping a piece of sweet-and-sour pork into sauce, he offered it to him. Though it was something they often did, it felt strangely embarrassing this time.
But it had to be done. If this could have even a little effect…
“Here…”
“…”
“Oppa, A~”
Noah could clearly see it.
Ajusshi’s completely flushed face.
I looked at Noah with trembling eyes.
Seeing him calling me “oppa” with such an adorable expression made my heart waver.
Even though he usually clung to me, this time was definitely different. Men are inherently simple creatures, aren’t they?
Isn’t it proof that my heart raced because of this cute girl?
However, I regained my composure.
Thinking it was a line I shouldn’t cross yet.
“Thank you.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll eat well.”
As he chewed on the crispy sweet-and-sour pork, I also picked up a piece.
It was meant for Noah. After hesitating for a moment, he excitedly ate it.
Noah’s eyes sparkled.
“It’s delicious! This is the first time I’ve tasted such good sweet-and-sour pork!”
The moisture and stickiness disappeared from his voice. Instead, the usual vitality returned when addressing me.
After mixing his fried rice, I handed him the bowl. He began eating it happily.
“…In the end, it comes to this.”
Tae-hwa, licking his lips, spoke quietly.
“Tae-hwa. Don’t do this again.”
“Yes. Ajusshi, don’t make Noah suffer either?”
“I’m different from some random person living somewhere because I’m honest.”
“Ajusshi, you’re so mean. I might just take Noah with me.”
“Not without my permission.”
“Then will Ajusshi live with Noah?”
“…Just eat your meal.”
“Yes.”
With that, he began eating. Only then did I let out a sigh of relief inside.
I’ve escaped. Finally freed from the trap set by those two high school girls.
“…Exhausting.”
That Tae-hwa. He went around planting ideas in Noah’s head, making things difficult.
Still, since it allowed me to see another side of Noah, I’ll forgive him.
As for Noah too. What sudden wind blew through his mind to make him act like this? Lately, he’s been clinging more…
“Can I endure this?”
No, the question isn’t whether I can endure it.
“I must endure it.”
I’m no saint. I’m not noble enough to build walls against women who come running to me.
A cute girlfriend who follows me around—aren’t they many men’s dreams?
If Noah were an adult, and if it weren’t under these circumstances, my attitude might have been different.
But one thing is certain.
Not now, at least.
I continued feeding Noah sweet-and-sour pork to prevent him from doing anything rash while we ate.
During this time, Tae-hwa spoke up.
“Ah, Noah. Did you hear about that?”
“What?”
“Our team is meeting this weekend.”
“Athena?”
“Yeah.”
A familiar name came up during their conversation.
‘Athena.’
Noah’s magical girl party.
Composed of Iris, Stella, and two other magical girls, forming a four-person team.
I overheard valuable information during the meal. This Athena will play a crucial role in Noah’s future battle against the Demon King.
While buying time against various demons.
Therefore, maintaining closeness with them was important, which is why I reconciled Noah and Tae-hwa.
‘Never thought they’d all bail.’
Failure to manage intimacy could lead to the unfortunate event of having to fight alone in the final battle. Teammates fleeing or refusing combat.
The scene of the girls sworn to protect fleeing was quite ironic.
Actually, I expected as much from one of them, but still.
“Who are the others?”
“…That black-haired kid seems to have a bad attitude.”
“Tae-hwa. You won’t know until you meet them directly.”
“Hmph…I hope it goes well.”
Unfortunately, they’ll have a tough time ahead.
Because of the black-haired girl, the magical girl ‘Black Heart’.
Still, there won’t be any major issues. As always, I have a plan in place.
When Noah brings back the information this weekend,
‘Then the real education begins.’
So for now, let’s just
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Yes!”
“Eat well.”
Let’s watch Noah enjoy his meal.
He really looks happy, doesn’t he?
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“There’s sauce on your mouth.”
Wiping the sauce from his mouth caused his cheeks to flush brightly. His wavering eyes suggested he was thinking something strange again.
“…Haa…teasing me like this again…really…”
…Why does he act like this for an ajusshi like me?
“…Hehe…still, I like it.”
“…”
For some reason, Noah’s gaze feels a bit scary. Is it just me?
“Should we do something later…?”
Don’t.
+++++
“That was a good meal.”
Nodding at the voice, Noah replied.
“That’s right. I knew you were a good cook, but your skills seem even better.”
Noah looked at Shin Hyun, who was walking him home. Despite looking tired, he didn’t stop.
‘I can go alone, but Ajusshi probably still sees me as a child.’
It was already dark, enveloping the way to Noah’s dormitory.
Certainly, I am a high school student, and a magical girl at that.
He insisted strongly, saying it was dangerous to walk alone at night.
Between magical girls and regular people,
Which side is more dangerous? I refrained from starting that discussion.
Since Noah didn’t particularly dislike spending this time together.
However, today felt somewhat unsettling. Usually, on days like this, we talked about what happened that day.
But today,
Because of what happened, it felt uneasy, and sure enough, that became the topic.
“Did Noah scare Ajusshi today?”
“Th…that was…”
“I was really surprised. Didn’t expect such a sudden cute transformation.”
Stammering. While being called cute was nice, the following question made him nervous.
“So why suddenly?”
Gradually rising embarrassment. Seeing Noah hesitate, Shin Hyun smirked.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.””…”
“Though, if you don’t tell me, I’ll never know why.”
“Never knowing…”
Wouldn’t that negate the reason for all the fuss today?
With that thought, words slipped out of Noah’s mouth.
“…Because I wanted to get closer to Ajusshi.”
“To me?”
“Yes…”
Of course, there’s another reason, but this isn’t wrong either.
“Hmm,” Shin Hyun asked again.
“Then what would you like me to do?”
“Huh?”
“Now that we’re closer, you should show some proof. Wouldn’t that ease your mind?”
This was unexpected.
Show proof? How? Ah, does this mean I should think about it now?
Hmm.
Noah pondered and answered when they reached near the dormitory.
“Uh…then…”
Noah placed Shin Hyun’s hand on top of his head.
“Let’s do what we always do…”
“Alright.”
Simultaneously with the reply, Noah felt his head being stroked.
It was a warmth that never grew old no matter how many times it happened.
Thoughts of whether this ajusshi would abandon him or betray him surfaced.
Trying to shake off those worries made him feel foolish.
It was that warm and reassuring.
His head continued to be stroked. The thumping heartbeat and heat made his thoughts hazy.
Because of this, Noah decided to be a little more honest with himself.
‘Maybe it didn’t matter from the start.’
This was Noah’s conclusion while feeling the kind hand.
Thorns.
Even Taehwa, once so close, had become a thorn, piercing his heart painfully.
Could this person guarantee they wouldn’t become such a thorn?
“…Probably not.”
That’s why he said those things today.
Saying “oppa,” such an awkward word.
One day, this person might become a thorn, hurting his heart and lodging deeply within.
But.
“…Hehehe…”
It didn’t matter.
“Ajusshi…”
If only he could continue to feel this warmth.
If only he could make this warmth exclusively his.
“Okay…”
If pricked by a thorn, may it hurt so much it feels like death.
To the point of tearing his chest apart, shedding tears of blood. Such terrible agony would be.
“Novah…?”
Certainly, it would be undeniable proof that this person had entered deep into his heart.
“Hehehe…”
Noah wished.
That the thorn would hurt so badly it would tear him apart. Piercing deep into his heart.
Penetrating deep into his heart.
“See you tomorrow.”
“…Oh, be careful, Novah.”
“Op…pa.”
Noah truly, sincerely wished for that.
