A Date? (1)
Yusoha had wanted to repay Eclipse for some time now. She had received far too much from him in exchange for something as vague and ambiguous as "arrogance."
Yusoha thought hard about what kind of repayment she should offer. Material compensation? No. She shook her head. Eclipse did not cling to material things. In other words... he was a man without greed. It seemed almost impossible for a person to be that way, yet that was simply how Eclipse was. It was as if he considered enjoying anything a sin.
Of course, Yusoha could understand it to some degree. After all, she had heard a little about his life. Eclipse was the knight who had struggled alone to save his doomed world. He probably never had time to enjoy anything. Moreover, from the glimpses he had shared, his world had been relatively peaceful before the destruction came, but even then his station was that of a knight protecting the nobility. Honestly, he was not in a position to indulge. Of course, he might have lived a wild life... but the Eclipse she knew did not seem like someone who would behave that way.
Perhaps his upbringing had left him without desires. The only greed he possessed was likely for swordsmanship. That must have been what made him so strong.
Having thought that far, Yusoha began to feel even more lost. What could she possibly do to satisfy a man with no greed?
For one thing, as a Guardian Star, Eclipse did not even need to eat. The times he had suggested meals had probably been entirely for her sake. Still, Yusoha wanted to teach him the joy of eating too. The pleasure of meals, the enjoyment of Earth's culture, all kinds of entertainment.
Yusoha reached a firm decision. Yeah. I'll try everything. Anything that can be enjoyed.
It had already been more than three months since Eclipse was summoned. They had been running without rest the entire time, so it should be fine to take a break.
There's still some time left before the graduation exam anyway, so today should be okay.
With that, Yusoha began preparing to head out.
“Soha. Is it still going to be a while?”
“Just wait a little longer! And your tone!”
It seemed correcting his speech all at once was too much. When the stiff tone slipped out, Yusoha immediately pointed it out to Eclipse. She would probably have to keep correcting him like this for a while.
“Ah, is it still going to take long?”
“I'm done!”
Yusoha examined her reflection in the hotel mirror. She had deliberately chosen a black t-shirt under a beige jacket and jeans so she would not stand out. She truly looked like any woman one might see walking down the street. She had also put on black sunglasses in case a crowd formed.
This should do... No one will recognize us. It's a common enough look.
After all, both Yusoha and Eclipse naturally drew attention. If they had gone out in their usual state, they would undoubtedly have been swept up in a massive crowd. Since the whole point was to give Eclipse a break by showing him around, she did not want to waste time dealing with throngs of people.
As soon as she finished preparing, she left the room.
“I'm ready... Huh?”
His speech still carried a trace of awkwardness, but Yusoha decided it was acceptable and nodded.
“Looks like you're ready too. Jeong Seyeon really does have good taste.”
“...Really?”
“Yeah. It looks really good. You always wore armor before, but these recent outfits are more varied and I like it better.”
“Hmm...”
Eclipse seemed quite uncomfortable. And for good reason—he was standing before her in truly casual clothing. The outfit he wore now had been carefully chosen by Jeong Seyeon to suit his revealed face.
“Let's go.”
“But why are you wearing those sunglasses...?”
“You should wear some too. Unless you want to be mobbed by crowds everywhere we go.”
“Ah.”
Eclipse quietly put on the sunglasses as she suggested. The two stepped out of the hotel.
The vast Awakened Academy spread out before them. Being nearly the size of a city, the school had just about everything one could want inside: cafes, restaurants, even movie theaters and various training centers. It truly had it all.
“Since we said we'd start with a restaurant, shall we head there first?”
“Yeah.”
Yusoha casually took Eclipse's hand and led him forward.
The Sky Lounge, home to the finest cuisine within the Awakened Academy. Every dish was exorbitantly expensive, yet... for Yusoha it posed no problem at all.
A comfortable silence flowed between the two as they cut into their steaks.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah. It's good.”
This situation was incredibly awkward for Eclipse. He had no idea what to say in a setting like this.
On the other hand, Yusoha elegantly placed a piece of cut steak into her mouth and chewed, her gaze fixed not on the food but on Eclipse. Even with the sunglasses, his appearance was striking. In many ways it was astounding. He looked like someone who could live off his looks alone for a lifetime. Indeed, ever since his face had been revealed, Yusoha's inbox had been flooded with emails from advertisers. The reason was simple: they wanted to shoot commercials with Eclipse.
His recognition was skyrocketing. The figure he had shown in the Hwanryeong Tournament and during the North Korea expedition was like a mythical hero descended upon the present world. If such a man appeared friendly in TV commercials, invading people's living rooms? The advertiser would be over the moon with joy.
But Yusoha had no intention of hastily putting Eclipse in advertisements. While she could not help what had already been revealed... he was strictly hers, bound by contract with her. The ad revenue from featuring Eclipse would be little more than pocket change to her. In other words, she had no desire to expose his image to the public for such a trivial sum.
It was in her nature to want to show off something excellent when she possessed it. But even she did not want to show Eclipse off to anyone. While she might want to boast about his heroic deeds, she wanted to monopolize the everyday sides of him completely.
Yusoha realized at some point that she harbored an enormous possessive desire toward Eclipse. To the point where she would not allow others even a single glimpse of his daily life.
She could not help but think she had changed quite a bit.
As she stared intently at Eclipse lost in such thoughts, he asked with a puzzled look.
“Why are you... I mean, what's up?”
“Just because you're so handsome.”
“...Really?”
“Yeah. Do you have any idea how many times the community explodes because of your face? It's the embodiment of unfairness itself. Your appearance.”
“At this rate, I almost regret taking off my helmet.”
“Oh. Why did you take off your helmet anyway?”
“Because I... I mean, because I came to trust you all.”
“Trust?”
“Yes. After watching my world head toward destruction, I don't easily trust humans. But... you were different. You fought the Orc King at the risk of your lives. That sight was even noble.”
“...There's nothing noble about it. It was something I brought upon myself.”
“But you didn't run away. Right, Soha? Most people I saw would run from the problems they caused instead of taking responsibility. But you and the members of Hwanryeong Team 2 were different.”
“I see.”
Yusoha stared at her now-empty plate.
“So that's why I called you noble.”
“But wasn't what you wanted arrogance, not nobility? The arrogance to suppress people at will and enforce your own sense of rightness.”
“While thinking about the Orc King this time... my thoughts changed a bit.”
“Your thoughts changed?”
“About what values I originally pursued. That must be why I awakened mana too.”
“What values?”
“That the reason I sought to be arrogant was to save people. That the value I pursue is to protect humanity.”
“...That's pretty grand.”
“It had to be.”
“I see.”
The conversation paused. In the silence, Eclipse noticed both their plates were empty and spoke to Yusoha.
“If you're done eating, let's get up.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
“Where do you want to go next?”
“Hmm. I'm not sure. Most of Earth is unfamiliar to me.”
“Then I'll guide you. Today we'll go around to various places where you might find something fun.”
“...Alright.”
“Then follow me.”
The place Yusoha led Eclipse to was a dessert cafe.
“The cafes near the Awakened Academy are all famous for being skilled. I used to come here often during my school days. I can guarantee the taste.”
“A dessert cafe?”
Eclipse's face began to look slightly reluctant. Yusoha paid it no mind and took his hand, heading to a nearby dessert cafe.
The famous dessert cafe that students supposedly visited without fail after lunch was, as expected, crowded. Still, because the two were dressed ordinarily, no one recognized them. Though people did glance at the beautiful faces beneath the sunglasses and assume they must simply be incredibly good-looking and pretty people.
Meanwhile, Yusoha skillfully lowered her voice and ordered desserts from the staff. However, the amount she ordered was extraordinary. The staff looked at Yusoha and the man beside her with slightly strange eyes and said.
“Um, miss?”
“Yes.”
“It seems like a lot for the two of you to finish... Will that be alright?”
“Yes. Don't worry.”
“...Alright.”
Watching this, Eclipse looked at Yusoha with a confused expression, wondering what was going on. He stared in wonder as she expertly placed the somewhat unclear orders, then was led by her—having finished ordering—to a corner of the cafe partitioned off for privacy.
“What are you spacing out for?”
“I have no idea what's going on.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“The desserts.”
“I figured you'd say that, so I ordered some safe choices. Let's try them when they come out.”
“Alright.”
How long had they waited? When he came to his senses, an overwhelming mountain of desserts was piled in front of Eclipse.
“Do you usually eat this many desserts...?”
“I just ordered everything because I didn't know what you'd like?”
“...It's excessive.”
“Really? Then leave some. We paid for it properly anyway, so it's fine to throw some away.”
“But that seems like a waste...”
“Then just try some.”
Yusoha smiled brightly and scooped a spoonful of the most ornate parfait, offering it to him.
“Here.”
“No, that's a bit... I'll just eat it myself.”
“Just eat it. What's the big deal?”
Faced with her unreserved attitude, Eclipse could only be flustered.
“Soha, what about you?”
“There are plenty of things I like mixed in here, so it's fine. So try it first.”
When Yusoha waved the spoon urging him, Eclipse reluctantly accepted the parfait she offered and ate it. His first impression of the parfait was that it was sweet.
“...It's overly sweet.”
“Really? Not to your taste? Then how about this?”
Yusoha scooped another parfait and put it in Eclipse's mouth. Who knows how many there were. A refreshing tang that washed away the previous sweetness filled his mouth.
“This one tastes good.”
Indeed, this parfait suited his palate much better than the previous one.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
“Soha, why don't you eat some too?”
“I will. By the way, it's been so long since I've been here.”
“Has it?”
“Yeah. It's been years. I really loved this parfait back then too.”
“I see.”
Unconsciously, Yusoha fell into a brief reverie, recalling those days. At the Awakened Academy, Yusoha had been a lonely person. She did not allow anyone to approach her, and using her inferiority complex from not having a Guardian Star as fuel, she had repeated nothing but effort upon effort. In that situation, her only comfort had been eating parfait while looking outside at this very cafe.
Finishing her recollection, Yusoha scooped a spoonful of parfait just like back then and put it in her mouth, savoring the refreshing taste. But something felt off. It was because Eclipse's expression as he looked at her was filled with bewilderment.
“Soha, that spoon...”
“Ah.”
Only then did she realize that the spoon had been in Eclipse's mouth before entering hers... and her face flushed bright red with embarrassment.