The gaze was felt.
I wondered if I was doing the right thing.
But hasn’t someone said that when you’re into fashion, standing out is only natural?
I decided to be confident.
“Why are you staring like that, student?”
“Huh? Ah…no…it’s just…”
“Hmm?”
I slightly lowered my sunglasses, signaling my doubt.
As the darkness lifted, I could clearly see the kid’s face.
It was a young female student who still looked very much like a child.
Our eyes met—mine groggy and slightly tired—and I gave her a small smile.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Ah…nothing…please go in.”
The kid blushed as she ushered me inside.
But I haven’t even scanned the QR code yet.
Blocking my way was a girl with blue ponytail.
“Is that you, Tae-hwa?”
“Pfft…what’s up with that outfit, Uncle?”
“I dressed up a bit. It’s Jin-a’s work.”
“Ah…that sister of yours has quite a bad taste, doesn’t she?”
The kid smirked as they spoke.
“How about Noah? I’m curious about his reaction.”
“Who has bad taste here?”
“C’mon, we’re friends. Friends can tease each other, right?”
While chatting with Tae-hwa, I scanned the QR code. Just as I was about to enter, I decided to conduct an experiment.
“By the way, Tae-hwa.”
“Yes?”
“Here, take this. You liked coffee milk, right?”
“Oh! Thank you! I’ll enjoy it!”
“Alright. Be nice to our Noah, please. Don’t fight, or I’ll get stressed.”
“Hehe, don’t worry.”
“Right, I’m going. Take care.”
“Yes! Please be careful!”
Indeed, how would they react if they saw a man they deemed decent being kind to another girl?
After handing the coffee milk to Tae-hwa and walking in, I heard some conversation from behind.
“Tae-hwa, do you know him?” “Ah, he’s a friend and a close uncle.”
“Really? That’s enviable. She got something tasty, and they seem to have a good rapport.”
“Is that so? I don’t really know…”
Though uncertain, their reactions seemed positive. If anything, hearing that they were envious meant it wasn’t a failure.
Looking at the map, I headed toward Noah’s classroom.
Grade 1, Class 2.
Creak—
Opening the door, I found that quite a few people were already there.
There was still over thirty minutes until the start.
It seems the principal’s words about wanting us to appear natural among the students and participants were true.
The students were talking to each other while occasionally glancing around.
“Let’s see…where’s Noah?”
Meanwhile, I couldn’t spot Noah anywhere.
Where could this kid have gone?
At least, I could see Noah’s bag, allowing me to deduce his seat. I asked the student sitting next to Noah.
“Excuse me, student.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Do you happen to know where Noah went?”
“Ah…well…”
The kid hesitated.
Their slightly evasive gaze and nervous sweat clearly showed reluctance.
That alone was enough for me to guess.
Noah must’ve gotten involved in something unpleasant.
Tae-hwa’s words came back to me. About those kids who bullied Noah.
“…Hmph…”
“Um…”
“Student?”
“Yes?”
“Where do the kids around here go to smoke? It’s not important…”
I might light one too after a long time.
+++++
Noah frowned.
“Again, why are you blocking my way?”
It was due to a group of bastards standing in front of him.
“What do you mean…just?”
“Just standing in your way, that’s all.”
The bastards chuckled as they spoke. Their smiles were repulsive.
‘Hold on…hold on…’
This had been happening since middle school. They weren’t disgusting because they were scary—they were disgusting because they were cowards. The kind who’d run away if I transformed into Iris.
Calming my boiling anger, Noah turned his body. After all, he could just go the other way.
Then a certain girl’s voice stopped him. A queen bee type.
She had gathered a bunch of followers around her.
When I told her that she was bullying Tae-hwa, she didn’t stop but instead switched targets to me.
“So, Na-noah, did someone come with you today?”
“Why does it matter?” “Well…I’m just curious?”
Noah’s gaze turned hostile.
‘Those dog-like girls…’
The girl who had been in the same class as Noah for two years must know. That neither of Noah’s parents could come.
One had passed away, and the other was hospitalized.
She used this fact, discovered by chance, to cruelly bully him.
“Ah, right, they can’t come, can they?”
“…”
“Noah, how about changing your name?”
“…”
“To ‘Orphan.’ Na-go-a, Na Orphan. Doesn’t that sound fine?”
“…”
“Tsck.”
“Huh?”
“My dad hasn’t passed yet, you bitch.”
Upon hearing that, the bitch’s expression twisted.
The bitch almost let out a mocking laugh.
“Not yet, huh?”
“…”
“How funny. You don’t even understand the situation properly.”
Grrr.
Noah clenched his fists. He wanted to punch them right then and there.
‘But if I do, Uncle will suffer.’
He couldn’t cause trouble for the person who willingly became his guardian.
“…Tch.”
Suppressing his anger, Noah bowed his head.
Satisfied with that sight, the bitch finally moved aside.
“Well, keep tucking your tail and walking like that.”
“…”
“Don’t irritate me.”
A few drones nearby snickered. The queen wasn’t much different. Fighting the urge to vomit, Noah continued walking.
‘Ugh…I miss Uncle.’
Uncle would surely greet him with a smile.
Thud.
Someone’s body bumped into his head around that time.
“Move…”
“…”
“…Move!”
Even though he shouted, the guy stood firmly in place, refusing to move.
Just as Noah raised his head to yell, he froze.
“Huh?”
“Hello.”
“Uncle…?”
The face of the person he longed to see appeared.
A gentle smile asking if he was okay.
Noah wanted to ask why Uncle was here, but his head bowed deeply before he could.
Because Uncle started petting his head.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Ahhh! Uncle, stop it!”
“But I want to. It’s my mood.”
“Augh!”
+++++
Eeek! Noah screamed.
Seeing this, the apparent boss spoke up in confusion.
“Hey, Na-noah, who’s that guy?”
In response to that question, I stepped forward.
“Who? Just someone who came as Noah’s guardian.”
“Seriously, can such a handsome thug really be Na-noah’s guardian?”
“Ah…Noah, did you hear that?”
“What?”
“You’re handsome. Isn’t that high praise?”
“…Shut up, please.”
Feeling the cold stares around me, I lit a cigarette. Though secondhand smoke isn’t good for kids, what can I do?
Since the only human I see is Noah.
Sizzle.
Lighting the cigarette, I took a big puff.
Smoke lingered briefly in my lungs before dispersing, momentarily blurring the faces of the kids.
“Miss.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you. The one with the red bridge.”
“Huh, what-”
“Wanna get hit?”
Suddenly insulted, the girl… no, the queen bee herself, looked startled.
She hadn’t expected to be scolded to her face.
I pinched Noah’s soft cheek playfully and spoke.
“Why are you bothering our cute Noah? Huh?”
“Our cute Noah- hey, Na-noah.”
“What.”
“You dating someone older?”
“Older dating.”
It’s about pretending to date for money, right?
“…Noah.”
“Yes?”
“Do I look that old?”
I felt down. They were praising me earlier, calling me handsome, and now they’re making me look like someone who dates minors.
“…Sad.”
“No, you don’t look old.”
“Really?”
“Without the dark circles…yes.”
“Is that so? Sunglasses should do.”
Their attitude of looking down on me made the queen bee angry.
“Stop ignoring me! Why are you causing trouble here!?”
“You guys were bullying Noah.”
“Kids these days don’t know fear!”
“The ones who grew up to be jerks like me, shut up, dickheads.”
“F*ck…annoying…”
Even though they muttered this, they didn’t move easily. No matter how much tough-guy stuff they pull, they’re still kids.
Just the presence of an adult pretending to be a thug makes them restless.
“…Uncle, let’s go now.”
“Hmm…”
I thought for a moment.
Normally, I should leave now…
But…
“Noah, do you want to go first?”
“Huh? Why?”
“I’ll talk a bit more before leaving. Got it?”
Noah’s expression crumpled.
For a moment, I considered.
If I follow the usual route, I should leave now…
“No! What are you going to do alone, Uncle?”
“Nah, don’t worry. Do you think I’d beat up kids at my age?”
“That’s not it-”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. You being here would only hinder me. Have I ever done anything bad to you?”
“…That’s true.”
Noah blinked a few times, then sighed as if giving up.
“In any case, please come back quickly. There’s not much time left.”
“Alright.”
Noah left reluctantly, glancing back often. He seemed worried.
Well, fortunately, he didn’t insist on staying till the end.
After Noah left, I looked at the group.
Roughly estimating, there were more than ten of them.
I flicked the burnt-out cigarette butt towards them.
“Move along, use some common sense.”
“What?”
“Why else would I send Noah away?”
The queen bee stayed silent, so another one spoke up. His name tag read “An Gyeol-won.”
Ah, so this is An Gyeol-won.
“Uncle, wanna fight?”
“Not impossible.”
“Guys like you who talk big usually end up as rags.”
Saying this with a sneer, An Gyeol-won shouted.
“Hey! We’ve got a guest! Let’s give them a proper welcome!”
Thugs approaching with clenched fists.
They started taunting me.
Weak-looking… useless… nothing special…
All I could do was smirk.
‘I’m S-rank, you bastards.’
