The break time arrived and the observers left. Next was Physical Education class. During that time, the observers chatted among themselves while waiting for their consultation with the homeroom teacher.
However, Shin Hyun didn’t do that. Since he had plenty of time anyway.
“Noah.”
“Uncle? Haven’t you gone yet?”
“Yeah. I’m almost last, so I thought I’d stop by to see you before leaving.”
Noah nodded at the voice calling him. It was nice for Noah to spend some time with someone he liked.
Noah spoke up.
“So, whose masterpiece is that outfit?”
“Ms. Jin.”
“…Seriously, that sister is weird too…”
Noah sighed again as he looked at Shin Hyun’s attire. Scratching his head while looking at such a Noah,
“Is it really that strange?”
“It’s not strange, but it’s kind of inappropriate to wear this here.”
“That’s true…”
“Still…it’s…cool…”
Noah turned his head quickly and scratched his cheek.
“Thank you for helping me earlier…”
He admits it; Shin Hyun did look like a movie protagonist. A third-rate melodrama where the delinquent main character is only warm to his girl.
“It’s nothing, it’s only natural.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No. I already gave them a proper scolding, so they won’t do it again. If they do, make sure to tell Uncle.”
Noah nodded at his proud statement.
‘Really?’
He hardly ever lies. That statement could be trusted.
With a sense of reluctance, Noah stood up from his seat.
“I have to go change clothes.”
“Oh, there’s PE, right?”
“Yes. I need to change and get out quickly. It’s physical testing day today.”
Noah stretched his body.
“I see. Well, Noah can handle it easily.”
“Of course.”
After all, she’s a magical girl, familiar with physical activities.
“Well, I’ll go then.”
“Alright. I saw Mr. Tae Hwa’s parents were here, so I should probably stay over there.”
At Shin Hyun’s words, Noah waved goodbye and headed toward the changing room to change clothes.
“Noah~”
“Tae Hwa?”
“Uncle was totally hip today!”
“What’s hip about it? It’s just strange.”
“But the model looks good, doesn’t she?”
“…It was cool.”
As Tae Hwa approached and started a conversation, they entered the personal tent.
After taking off the original clothes and switching into the prepared sportswear, the change was complete.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. We also have to sing later.”
“I’m fine.”
“Hey! You have to beautifully confess your love while singing to Uncle!”
“It’s not a confession! We agreed to wait until we’re adults!”
“…Really!?”
“…It’s nothing. Let’s hurry.”
Regretting those unnecessary words,
Noah rushed towards the field.
“Really!? Is it really true!? You’re going to date Uncle when you’re an adult!?”
“No!”
“Your words say no, but your body is honest? Your lips are rising a lot!”
“This…it’s because I’m tired…!”
Even while running, Tae Hwa kept talking non-stop.
Talking about dating when they become adults…
“Why is it so hot!”
“Well, it’s summer now. No, this was the summer when Noah realized her first love.”
“Be quiet…!”
A painful time for both body and mind passed, and a sweat-soaked Noah returned to the changing room.
Hardly shaking off the incessantly chatting Tae Hwa.
‘Is he never tired?’
Breathing a sigh of relief, Noah hurried to gather her clothes and intended to enter the private room.
‘Since it’s music class, I need to prepare quickly.’
Though not exactly a confession song, it was the first time she would sing her own song in front of others.
Expectation and embarrassment mingled in unfamiliar emotions.
In fact, she did write one song thinking about Uncle, but it was too early to bring that out.
‘Let a little more time pass. I’ll do it then.’
Click!
Squeak-
Deciding thus, Noah opened her locker and…
“…Huh?”
Simultaneously let out a startled sound.
“Noah? What’s wrong?”
“Tae…Tae Hwa…”
“…You don’t mean!”
“Uh…they’re gone…”
Tae Hwa’s expression darkened.
Given her role in the guidance department, Tae Hwa heard various news.
For instance, things disappearing after Physical Education classes.
“Did you check properly…?”
“Yeah…I checked everywhere!”
They were nowhere to be found. The ones she had neatly folded and placed deep inside the locker.
“I think…I’ve been targeted by an underwear thief…”
They vanished without a trace.
+++++
[Excuse me. Dear guardian of Noah, I am sending you a text message regarding an urgent matter. If you happen to be on campus, could you please come to the faculty office?]
A text came. It was from Noah’s homeroom teacher.
‘Urgent?’
What could have happened suddenly? There was nothing unusual during the previous consultation. They only talked about Noah, and nothing improper was done.
Then, perhaps something happened to Noah?
‘I should go check.’
Heading towards the music room expecting Noah’s presentation, I changed my course to the faculty office for the next class.
Arriving at the not-so-distant faculty office and entering, there was Noah’s homeroom teacher.
And.
“Haa…” Noah was letting out a long sigh.
Noah was still in her PE uniform.
Why? It’s almost time for the next class. Surely she couldn’t enter class wearing a drenched PE uniform.
Upon closer inspection, the atmosphere around the homeroom teacher who remained alone with Noah was also unusual. Wrinkles appeared on the forehead of the young female teacher who seemed to have just become a teacher.
I spoke up first.
“Noah, what happened?”
“…Uncle.”
Noah’s sharp, frozen expression melted.
Approaching me and hugging tightly, Noah smelled slightly sweet with sweat.
“No…Noah?”
Ignoring my confusion, Noah buried her face. I glanced at the homeroom teacher with a wavering gaze.
She, pressing her temples, said:
“I apologize for contacting you regarding such an unpleasant matter.”
“Unpleasant?”
“…It’s a theft.”
Theft?
…Ah.
“Could it be the notorious one causing trouble lately?”
“It seems you’re aware.”
“Yes, I heard from Noah.”
“Hmm…then we can speed up the conversation.”
I nodded and was about to sit down, but Noah clung onto me like a cicada, refusing to let go.
Perhaps being robbed of her underwear shocked her quite a bit—
“Hehe…Uncle’s belly is so hard…”
Or not?
“Noah, are you feeling bad?”
“Yes…tears are coming out…my clothes are getting wet, it’s visible…”
It’s saliva, not tears.
It doesn’t seem like sadness. She might be using this as an excuse to cling.
“…”
The teacher’s gaze watching me became peculiar.
I decided to quickly detach Noah. But if I just tell her to let go, she definitely won’t. This method would work better here.
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“You smell sweaty.”
“…!”
Quickly detaching herself, Noah’s face was red.
“Perverted Uncle…!”
“Why?”
“Weren’t you sniffing me?”
“No, if you hadn’t clung on, none of this would’ve happened.”
“…W…Well, you’re right. It is my fault.”
The way she looked at me became strange. My heart felt uneasy. What is this teacher thinking right now?
Trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling, I looked at Noah.
“Are you okay? Are you…wearing…something underneath?”
“Yes, I have another set brought for PE. It’s a bit damp though…”
At least she has something on, which is a relief.
But since it has come to this…
“Wouldn’t it be difficult to perform during music class?”
“Probably.”
She nodded regretfully.
“I really wanted to present my original composition…”
“There’s nothing you can do.”
“I understand. It’s impossible to walk around dressed like this.”
Seeing her disappointed expression made my blood boil.
‘Annoying.’
It must be An Gyeol Won. Looks like his thievery event coincided with this moment.
‘I thought roughing him up a bit would calm him down…’
Seems he’s quite crazy. To still have sexual urges even after getting beaten like that.
Damn. I wanted to hear Noah sing.
“Hmm…! Hmm! Anyway, we sincerely apologize for this incident. We need to catch the culprit as soon as possible…”
“Not necessary. The thief needs to bow their head.”
“We appreciate your understanding. We will certainly capture the culprit and punish them severely.”
Suppressing my anger, I nodded.
“Yes, please take care of it.”
What sin does this teacher have? The fault lies with that bastard An Gyeol Won.
“Sigh…Noah, let’s go home.”
“Huh? Am I going home?”
“Are you going to stay like this all day?”
Noah shakes her head.
There’s no choice but for Noah to return home to change clothes.
Calculating the time, it might be better to skip the whole day altogether. Also, for the convenience of roughing up An Gyeol Won.
The crime of stealing Noah’s underwear, the crime of ruining the music presentation. He deserves severe punishment, but it would be troublesome if Iris gets involved.
Stella? Well…she’s still quite weak.
‘Sigh…we’ll have to deal with these kids later.’
Feeling overwhelmed, I sighed and led Noah away.
Just as we were about to exit through the main gate together, “Uncle!” Noah called out.
“What?”
“Can you lend me some clothes? I feel exposed inside!”
“It doesn’t seem to show through much-”
“Please lend me some! I’ll wash them thoroughly!”
“Alright, alright. Here.”
After handing over the clothes to Noah, we started moving again.
“Hehe…Uncle’s clothes…”
For some reason, Noah’s breathing seemed heavy, but I ignored it.
Because what’s important now isn’t that.
The time for the real bad guy to appear is near, not someone pretending to be bad.
‘An Gyeol Won, you’re truly screwed.’
