What About Noah?
A boyish girl is holding up her ink-still-wet license, flashing a V-sign with her fingers.
Rohan felt a warm swell of pride at the message before typing a reply. Then it hit him.
'Oh, right—driver's license!'
He knew how to drive, alright. He'd done it so much back home that the tires had worn smooth.
Hell, when he'd actually gone to rescue Sion, he'd hijacked a car and taken Clara on a quick joyride.
But this world's Rohan didn't have a license.
Might be smart to get one before the trip. It wasn't just about heading to the beach—thinking ahead, it was essential.
'Wonder if a license from here works in other countries?'
Rohan sent his reply, then dove into the internet.
Satisfying info popped up right away.
'What a great world.'
A license from Academy City Elysium was valid in Samhwa Nation, which ran the city, as well as Tigrova and the Sepia Archipelago.
Most other countries accepted it too.
A few explicitly didn't, but a quick stamp from the Public Safety Bureau fixed that.
'Aim to get it before break ends.'
One more thing added to the to-do list.
He checked prices, slotted it into his calendar, and only then did Rohan finally unpack his gear.
'Time to settle up a bit.'
Payback time for the comrades who'd helped with the exam.
He stepped out of his room to find Sion and Clara waiting, changed into casual clothes.
String tank tops and dolphin shorts left their long, slender legs fully on display—a sight that sorely tested Rohan.
"Rohan. Hurry up and massage me. My legs feel like rebar."
"Coming. Let's go."
As Rohan approached the living room, Clara fidgeted and tacked on a condition.
"O-Oppa... My legs are kinda sore too..."
"Shoulders okay?"
"Ah, th-those too..."
"Okay. I'll do both of you."
Rohan was dead serious about massages. He'd even picked up body oil for it on the way back.
"Alright, first customer?"
Rohan cracked his thick fingers with a series of pops.
Clara swallowed hard and averted her eyes. Sion smiled and raised her hand first.
"Me first."
Rohan approached with massage oil in one hand.
Sion hid her rising tension, awaiting his touch.
"Anything else besides a massage? Cravings? Places you wanna go?"
"I'll think about it slowly."
"S-Same here...!"
Rohan had no intention of brushing off their hard work with something this simple.
He'd give Sion and Clara what they wanted anyway, debt or no debt.
Squelch.
Rohan slicked oil onto his hands and reached out.
As his large hand settled on her thigh, Sion couldn't hold back a sound.
"Ngh... ahh...!"
"Cold?"
"N-No... it's fine."
"Tell me if it hurts."
Rohan's face was utterly focused as he stared at Sion's leg, kneading steadily.
Sion clamped both hands over her mouth to stifle any weird noises.
"Ahng...!"
A sweet whimper slipped through her covered lips.
Clara watched with a flushed face, mesmerized by Sion melting into bliss.
Soon it'd be her turn.
But just watching felt like torture.
The wait was endless.
"Nose likes Rohan, right?"
"...!"
"Am I wrong? Did I misread it?"
"..."
Eungae Nose turned apple-red and stammered for a good while.
Noah smiled knowingly before she could even answer, waiting patiently.
Seeing Ichinose's reaction, Noah smirked like it was the funniest thing.
She whispered softly.
"...How did you know?"
"It'd be weirder if I didn't notice."
Noah couldn't hold back her laughter at Ichinose's shock.
Her friend had hidden her sloppy side ever since getting serious about the sword, but lately? Different. Softer, in the best way.
Noah knew this was Ichinose's true, unfiltered self—her natural bent.
And it made her happy.
Back then, she'd show that rare, loose cuteness once a year if you were lucky. Now, with Rohan around, it popped up once a day, easy.
"Where'd I slip up? Was there something off in my behavior...?"
"Tons of differences. Normally, when Nose talks to guys, your mouth goes flat, your eyes sharpen. Voice drops low."
"With Rohan...?"
"Simple example: you make the same face as those two girls glued to him every day?"
Noah's comparison to Sion and Clara hit home hard.
Ichinose blanked out.
Love did that—turned people into fools.
She thought she'd hidden it well, but it leaked out, got spotted.
Falling for a guy for the first time, Ichinose's slips were especially frequent. Enough for Noah—who had zero interest in romance—to catch on.
"Huh?"
Then Eungae Nose remembered.
Her mother's sudden curiosities and behaviors on recent calls.
Mom had always been playfully quirky, so she'd brushed it off. But now...
"Noah... n-no way, Mom and Dad know too...?"
"They definitely do. Auntie and Uncle notice if you're even a little off. Way before I did."
"!!!"
"But it doesn't matter, right?"
"H-How could it not?! I mean..."
"Whoa there! Hear out this tiger beauty's theory."
Noah poked Ichinose's belly with her tail to calm her.
Then she laid out her reasonable guess.
"Auntie and Uncle know how you feel and haven't said a word. Auntie even told Rohan to take good care of you at the beach. What does that mean?"
"..."
"They like him at least a bit, yeah?"
"R-Really...?"
Flowers bloomed in Ichinose's mind, her lips twitching upward uncontrollably.
'He's definitely the type adults warm to.'
Polite, greets properly.
Stick to basics like that, and adults eat it up.
"Now I wanna ask you something, Nose."
"Yeah?"
"Where'd you fall for him? Love at first sight, fairy-tale style?"
"N-No, not like that..."
Eungae Nose blushed and curled up.
Just talking about it tickled; she could barely sit still.
"'Cause he's hot?"
"It's not really about looks... Do you think Rohan's handsome, Noah?"
First time hearing Noah say that—fascinating.
Did she go for sharp, fierce types?
"Other girls were saying it after the exam."
"..."
"Fame comes with the feats, duh. Anyway, if not looks, what? He grills meat well?"
"Lots of reasons... but kindness?"
"Kind? Guys are always kind to you."
"Not like those guys. Kindness varies—the heart behind it matters."
"Oho~"
Ichinose's tone rose slightly, defending as if offended by the comparison to other men.
Noah's brows danced like waves.
"One more thing I'm curious about. What's it feel like, liking a guy?"
"It's just... like..."
"Makes you wanna breed when you see him?"
"W-What kinda talk is that!?"
"Why? It's not weird. Natural instinct, right?"
Ichinose glanced at Noah in panic, but this time, no joke in her eyes.
She blinked innocently, like what's wrong?
"You'll... get it someday when you fall for someone..."
"Hmm, can't picture it."
No interest in romance for herself, still.
Her swishing tail drooped.
"I was the same. But who knows? You might run and hide if someone catches your eye."
"Pfft, me? If I want something, I take it—satisfies the itch."
"It'll come someday. You'll see. Can't fight it even if you want to."
"Eugh...? Hate that."
Ichinose laughed at Noah's grimace. Hadn't she been the same not long ago?
She looked forward to her friend's love life.
What would Noah Frozenheart be like with a guy she loved?
Charge in boldly and claim him? Dodge like a stray cat, circling from afar? Or something else?
Ichinose grew curious. And fond.
'When it happens, I'll help as a senior.'
Sorry for the lack of success stories, but listening should help.
With that thought, Ichinose hugged the doll on her bed tight.