Noah sat down and gazed down at the milky broth.
He quickly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, almost drooling.
“Looks like you really wanted to eat this.”
Noah nodded.
“Yes. Thanks to someone, I haven’t had it for almost two months.”
“Umm…uh, eat up then.”
Other Magical Girls also received their bowls and stared at them blankly. I can guess what they’re thinking.
Jin-a stirred her red pepper paste into the broth and spoke.
“Noah and Mr. Shin Hyun, you come here often?”
“Usually, yeah. Since Noah likes it here.”
“It does look delicious.”
The other Magical Girls were the same. Without much hesitation, they seasoned their soup and started eating.
Everyone looked satisfied.
Among them, Noah was enjoying it the most.
Two months without it must not have been a joke.
“It’s delicious…”
Could it really be that good?
Shin Hyun pinched Noah’s cheek as he added more pickled radish.
“Aren’t you going to finish all this just by yourself?”
“Stop it…”
“Hey, have some more meat.”
“What about you, Uncle?”
“Eating too much will make your belly stick out. At my age, I need to take care of myself.”
“You’re still in your early twenties.”
“That’s enough. Eat more.”
Shin Hyun scooped some meat and offered it.
Everyone has gotten used to seeing such scenes by now.
Probably reacting with something like “Is he flirting again?”
Noah grinned as he received the generous portion of meat.
Could things really be this good? It’s more than enough to feel full just from this.
“Hehe, Uncle. Let’s come together next time!”
“Sure, anytime.”
“But in exchange…”
However, when Noah continued speaking, Shin Hyun couldn’t help but freeze like a stone.
Especially since Noah’s expression was so innocent, it made him feel even more uncomfortable.
“Hehe, when Dad wakes up, let’s come together then!”
“…Um…that’s…”
“Don’t worry. He’ll definitely like it.”
“What?”
“Dad will surely like you, Uncle.”
…Ah, the conversation has turned this way.
Certainly, he had mentally prepared how to explain and console.
However, mental preparation and real-life situations are entirely different.
It was even more evident seeing Noah’s bright smile.
“Uh…so…Noah, about this matter…”
Shin Hyun hesitated.
“Noah, wasn’t there something important you wanted to talk about?”
“Yes. Isn’t that why you came here? You said you’d tell me while treating me to food.”
“Um…right. This thing…sigh…”
“Why are you being so cryptic?”
“…It’s about your father.”
“My father?”
Finally, it was a story that needed to be told but kept making him uneasy.
Perhaps, this story might be spicier and more painful than the broth filled with chili peppers.
“…Did something happen to Dad? Or are those bad guys after him…?”
“No, no…sigh, sir, could you bring us a bottle of soju?”
It seemed like he would need a bit of alcohol.
+++++
“…This is what I saw and learned at the Demon King’s castle.”
Shin Hyun recounted everything he had seen and heard to Noah.
It was a disheartening story. The thought that the person who cared for him the most might be behind all this.
It wouldn’t be easy to accept.
After taking a sip of soju, he began speaking alongside the scent of alcohol.
“Of course, we don’t know for sure yet. Why is your father in the hospital if he’s that rabbit doll? Is this the truth or a fabrication? And if it’s true, what were the circumstances? There are countless unknowns.”
“…Really, did you hear such words? Did you hear anything else?”
“Hmm…”
He paused to think.
“How much should I tell him?”
He didn’t relay everything the kid had blurted out.
Failed work…that woman…
It was too cruel to say to the only family member left.
However,
“I understand.”
Shin Hyun nodded.
Ultimately, Noah is the protagonist of this world. Decisions should be made by Noah, not himself.
To achieve that, he needed to provide as much information as possible. At least, if he truly wanted to support the kid.
“This…how should I put it…”
“Just tell me everything.”
“Hmm.”
Shin Hyun relayed exactly what the rabbit had said, neither omitting nor adding anything.
As the story continued, dark clouds gathered on Noah’s face.
“Really…Dad said that?”
“…”
“He called me a failure…and said he would discard me someday?”
“…Yes, that’s what he said.”
Clang.
Noah put down his spoon.
“…Sigh…”
He looked deeply troubled, resembling someone who had been thoroughly betrayed.
“Noah, are you okay?”
Shin Hyun gently stroked Noah’s head.
Noah managed a weak smile.
“Actually…”
“Hmm?”
“Actually, Dad’s body has fully recovered.”
“Hmm?”
What was this about?
“That whole thing about being in a vegetative state…well, I don’t need to explain it further, do I? Anyway, Dad is reportedly in a state where he can wake up.”
“Then why is he still hospitalized?”
“I don’t know. Neither the doctor nor the priest has seen something like this before. It’s like…his soul has left…”
“The soul has left…”
…Ah, now that I think about it, there was someone like that.
“Noah, do you remember what you saw in the letter I gave you?”
“Who?”
“Soul Eater.”
Soul Eater.
One of the characters responsible for the bad endings related to Noah. If Noah’s soul was stolen by this person, another entity would enter his body.
In short, it meant that this person could exchange and transplant souls.
If this person belonged to the Demon King’s army, could it mean that Noah’s father used them to transplant his soul elsewhere?
It was a plausible story, but for now, it remained within the realm of speculation. A frustrating situation where nothing was clear.
Not only Noah was shocked.
“Could that uncle…”
“So, Taehwa met that person too, huh.”
“Yes…when I was little…he didn’t seem like someone who would do such things…”
“For now, it’s just speculation. We don’t know if there were any circumstances…or if he was simply that kind of person.”
Shin Hyun said this while taking another sip of soju.
“Noah, there’s one thing I want to make absolutely clear.”
“…Yes?”
“If that person really only used you…”
There was a slight trace of anger in his voice, though his face remained unchanged. But everyone present, including Noah, understood.
“Leave that person to me. I’ll deal with them personally.”
Scary.
For the first time, Noah felt fear towards him. That’s how much he was suppressing his anger.
“Ah…Uncle.”
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll crush anyone who touches you.”
A slightly awkward atmosphere passed between the two.
‘…Ah.’
Noah began to vaguely understand why this uncle chose the path of a villain.
At first, it was puzzling. Why would such a kind and good person act as a villain? Now it made sense.
He was someone who would do anything. Even if it meant tarnishing his reputation or getting his hands dirty, he wouldn’t hesitate.
It wasn’t just because the world would end if she lost. It was easy to see that there was another reason.
‘…Ah…I’m so happy…’
He was glad.
That there was someone who cared for him this much. Of course, the matter with his father was still sad.
In fact, if what he said was true, he had been used from the start. From the moment he was born, he was just a pawn to achieve a goal.
Thinking about it made him feel extremely unpleasant.
Noah sighed as he looked at his rice soup.
“…Sigh…I hope there was some reason.”
The mood dropped. It was inevitable.
After hearing that his own father might be the mastermind.
Was this Kkomkmu trying to lighten the mood? It quietly crawled out.
Thanks to being in a small room with the door closed.
“Excuse me, Miss Noah.”
“Eh…? Kyaa!? Uncle! What is this!?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s called Kkomkmu…to me, it’s like QQQ?”
“Aww, it’s cute!”
Ah, so Noah has this kind of taste.
“Thank you, Miss Noah.”
“Um, can I pet its head?”
“Of course. But, there’s even better news.”
Noah raised a question mark.
“Better news?”
“Yes, good news.”
Kehehehe.
The evilly laughing Kkomkmu soon shifted its gaze.
Its eyes landed on Shin Hyun.
“Would it be alright if I revealed Mr. Shin Hyun’s secret?”
“My secret…?”
“Hehehe…I remember everything…”
“What…what?”
Kkomkmu waved its tentacles like a professor with a chalk.
“Father-in-law.”
“Kkomkmu? What did Uncle say?”
“When I asked if Noah’s father was your father-in-law, you didn’t deny it much, right?”
“…!”
“So what does that mean, Miss Noah! Mr. Shin Hyun secretly harbors lewd thoughts towards you deep inside-”
“Okay, that’s enough!”
Shin Hyun grabbed Kkomkmu and stuffed it into his pocket.
An outcry of “Waaaah!” was heard, but Shin Hyun paid no attention.
“Noah. Kkomkmu was just joking. You know that, right?”
“I know…of course…heehee…”
“…You really understand?”
“You’re so cute…”
More concerned about Noah’s shadowy face.
After a long explanation, Shin Hyun gave up and bowed his head. Instead of explaining, he decided to change the topic.
“So, about finding out Noah’s father’s secret…”
“Yes.”
“…Let’s kidnap the Demon King.”
Let’s kidnap the seven-year-old girl and make her reveal the secrets.
“Isn’t suggesting to kidnap a seven-year-old girl a bit much?”
“Kkomkmu, be quiet.”
“Uncle…you’ve always been like this, haven’t you?”
I’m not playing around.
