A heavy silence flowed.
The place we are now is a small room in a restaurant. Various dishes were brought to where we are.
Including Jjambbong and sweet and sour pork, other expensive foods like Kung Pao chicken and Buddha’s delight were served simultaneously.
The reason we are here is simple.
“Noah! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you; eat a lot!”
“…Thank you.”
“Hahaha! Our Noah has grown up so much! Bringing a boyfriend along now!”
To the heartily laughing bald owner, I spoke.
“Boyfriend? Not-”
“It’s true. Boyfriend.”
“…Noah?”
“A kind and handsome boyfriend.”
At Noah’s words, the owner laughed again.
“Haha!! That’s right. Eat well, and I’ll leave Noah in your care! I haven’t seen him since the shop moved, but it seems he’s been with such a fine person.”
“A…yes…haha…”
Did the owner notice?
Noah’s gaze towards his daughter, Lee Tae-hwa.
Wasn’t Jungsoon’s look of ‘don’t you have something like this at your house?’ similar to that look?
While the main party, Lee Tae-hwa, quietly nibbled on her food,
“Then, I’ll go prepare the dishes. Have fun, Noah!”
“Yes. Thank you.”
When the owner left, silence returned.
Finally, an opportunity came for me to sort out the situation.
The reason things turned out this way is simple.
‘Before setting anything up, to quietly observe the situation.’
To understand how strained the relationship between Noah and Tae-hwa was, I just watched silently.
The uneasy atmosphere between the two kids.
After recognizing each other, Noah and Tae-hwa exchanged glances for quite some time, and when the curious madam came to check what was happening, she discovered something.
Namely, Noah, her daughter Tae-hwa’s childhood friend.
From then on, everything happened quickly. We were abducted to the VIP room and treated royally.
That must mean the owner couple regarded Noah favorably. All we had to do was accept their kindness, enjoy the delicious food, and express our gratitude.
…That’s what should have happened.
“…”
“…”
“…Uncle.”
“Uh… Noah.”
“Is it tasty?”
“The chef’s skills are excellent.”
We continued the uncomfortable meal amidst endless silence, all thanks to those two, Noah and Tae-hwa.
A chilly air circulated between them. More precisely, Noah ignored Tae-hwa one-sidedly, while Tae-hwa tried to gauge the situation.
Whenever Tae-hwa seemed about to say something,
“Uncle, try this.”
“Ugh…uh…”
“A~”
“Ah…”
Noah repeatedly engaged me in conversation to defuse the tension. Honestly speaking,
‘I feel like throwing up.’
I couldn’t even tell if the food was going into my mouth or my nose. The heavy atmosphere pressed down on my shoulders.
‘These two really don’t get along, do they.’
Glancing at Tae-hwa, she didn’t look well. Feeling my gaze, Tae-hwa looked at me.
It was a plea for help. If I keep the secret, Uncle will keep the promise too, right?
But that exchange of glances…
“…Why are you glaring like that?”
“No, I…”
“My boyfriend?”
Interrupted by Noah’s words. Still, calling someone a boyfriend—no matter how provocative toward Tae-hwa—that’s taking it too far, isn’t it?
“…Sigh.”
I sighed and patted Noah’s head.
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“That kid… wasn’t his name Tae-hwa? Isn’t he a friend?”
Glancing at Tae-hwa, Noah answered without hesitation.
“He was a friend.”
“Was…?”
“Yes. Don’t you know people like that, Uncle? Friends who lost touch, friends who grew distant.”
Noah’s next words came out coldly.
“Friends who betrayed their friends.”
“Noah! That’s…”
“The one who told me to go away…wasn’t it someone named Tae-hwa from somewhere?”
“That’s…but…there was a reason-”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
‘…Oh dear.’
If a woman holds a grudge, frost falls even in the sixth lunar month. In this case, it’s not just frost—it could be a cold snap.
After hesitating for quite some time, Tae-hwa bowed her head deeply.
“…Sorry.”
After that, Tae-hwa didn’t speak anymore.
Thus, the uncomfortable meal continued.
How much time passed? When we were starting to feel somewhat full, Tae-hwa’s phone rang, and simultaneously, Noah’s phone also rang.
“I’ll step out to take this call.”
“Uh…me too.”
As the two girls disappeared, a brief moment of peace filled the room.
“…Phew…this is exhausting.”
Stretching my back made a crackling sound. Why did we have to come here and endure this?
‘I’m scared…’
“I’m scared too.”
“What on earth happened? This student Tae-hwa doesn’t seem like a bad kid.”
I couldn’t answer Kkomkmu’s question. I don’t know either. All I know is that Tae-hwa is as good a kid as Noah.
Can they reconcile?
Stella would surely be a reliable helper.
“…”
“…”
While pondering these thoughts, the two girls entered silently without saying a word. Their expressions looked gloomy. Did something happen?
Worried, I asked Noah.
“Noah, did something happen?”
“The Association called. They asked us to confirm the team members we’ll be working with.”
“Just…wait a moment, Noah.”
“…”
“To this uncle, it’s better not to mention-”
“Haha. Who are you to tell me what to do? Anyway, this uncle already knows I’m a magical girl.”
Under the piercing gaze, Tae-hwa lowered her head momentarily. After deliberating, she spoke.
“I never imagined…that you, Noah, were Iris.”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t use that name in this form, Stella?”
“…Sorry.”
To my confusion, Noah explained.
“They sent a file containing the team members’ information and their real appearances.”
“Ah.”
“So that’s why. I’m Iris…and she’s Stella.”
Where had the friendly demeanor from earlier when dealing with Bag gone? Noah still looked ready to devour someone.
“…Anyway, please cooperate well-”
“Hmph, maybe I’ll beat the magical girl.”
“…Noah?”
“How can I be teamed up with someone I don’t even want to be around with?”
“…”
“If I had known you were Stella, I wouldn’t have helped.”
For Noah, this was rare harshness. With that, she got up from her seat.
It meant she had nothing more to say.
“Noah, let’s talk for a moment-”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“…”
“You might still see me as a friend…but to me, you’re…”
“…”
“Just a thorn I want to pull out and forget quickly.”
“Noah…”
“…I’m leaving. Let’s never see each other again. Or if we do meet, pretend we don’t know each other. Just colleagues. Got it?”
Opening the door, Noah encountered the owner who was bringing food. Though the dishes weren’t fully served yet, Noah’s departure seemed to surprise him.
“Noah? Are you leaving already?”
“Yes, Uncle. Please settle the bill.”
“Settle? Come on, how can I charge our Noah-”
“Uncle. This makes me really uncomfortable. Please settle the bill.”
Understanding the icy atmosphere, the owner hesitated briefly before accepting Noah’s card.
With a troubled expression, the owner processed the payment. Seeing this, Noah’s face darkened.
“Goodbye.”
Noah opened the door and left, so I hurried after her. Her mood wasn’t normal.
Sure enough, Noah began wandering aimlessly.
Her face clouded with a dark shadow.
The usual Noah wouldn’t emit such an atmosphere. Although she’s defensive, she doesn’t openly show hostility.
Noah, usually more defensive than aggressive, indicated that what happened earlier was unusual for her.
And perhaps this is the reaction to that.
Noah collapsed onto a park bench.
“Sniff…sniff…”
“…”
“Just…why stop ignoring me suddenly…”
Tears started forming in her eyes.
As the tension eased, tears flowed, and the forced anger dissolved, leaving her drained.
Feeling sorry for her, I wrapped my arms around Noah’s shoulder. Leaning closer to me, Noah mumbled.
“It hurts…”
“Noah, are you okay?”
“Sniff…it hurts…”
“Do you want to go to the hospital?”
Noah clutched her chest.
“Uncle…I really hurt…”
“…This won’t do. I’ll call 119.”
“Not that…”
Gripping my arm tightly, Noah whispered through tearful eyes.
“I just…want to rest a bit.”
“…Alright.”
I helped her stand up.
Calling a taxi, during the waiting period, Noah stayed close to me.
“Do you want to go to my place?”
“To your place?”
“Yes. I want to use your bed.”
Thinking for a moment, “Okay,” I nodded. She’ll probably skip school tomorrow anyway.
She needs to rest after all the physical and emotional strain.
The taxi arrived, and throughout the ride, Noah clung to me like glue.
Once at my place, Noah trudged to the bed and lay down listlessly.
“Noah, take off your socks before resting.”
“…Can you help me?”
“Me? Really?”
“Sorry…”
I took off her socks and covered her with a blanket.
What should I do now? Holding the socks, I felt Noah’s gaze.
“Don’t sniff them, please.”
“I won’t!”
“Hehe…just leave them here. I’ll take them later.”
“Alright, rest well. I’ll be in the living room.”
“Yes…”
Closing the bedroom door, I gathered my thoughts.
‘These two don’t get along at all.’
Noah and Tae-hwa’s relationship wasn’t good. Worse than I thought.
So, what I need to do now is
‘Find out exactly what happened from Noah.’
Maybe I’ll ask after she rests a bit.
Just as I was thinking this, my phone buzzed. Speak of the devil.
It was a text from Noah who had just lain down.
[Uncle]
[?]
[Can you turn off the light?]
“…Alright, alright…got it.”
I went back into the room to turn off the lights.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
Noah was staring at me again.
Just staying until she falls asleep…I can do that.
I brought a chair to sit, but Noah complained again.
“Not there…”
She tapped the space beside her.
“Here.”
“…”
Without any further ado, I sat beside her as requested.
“…”
“…”
There was nothing else to do but wait for her to fall asleep.
Later, as I was closing the door to leave, another request came.
“Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“Can you…hold me?”
“…Alright.”
I carefully held her.
“…”
“…”
Gradually, her breathing became steady.
“…”
“…”
She finally fell asleep.
I gently placed her on the bed and tucked her in.
“Sleep well, Noah.”
Leaving the room quietly, I closed the door behind me.
Let her rest well tonight. Whatever happens tomorrow, today she deserves peace.
