Chapter 231 Hikari’s Confession, Wait What? [1]

At three in the afternoon, Noah arrived at the café, which was relatively quiet.

There were a few students occupying the tables near the windows and several people working on their computers.

Noah looked inside and saw that Hikari was already waiting.

She was sitting by a window, with a small bag at her side and a cup of tea in front of her.

When she saw him enter, she raised a hand.

"Noah."

He smiled.

"Hi, Hikari."

He approached the table.

"Have you been waiting long?"

She shook her head.

"No, I got here a few minutes ago."

"I’m glad."

Noah took a seat across from her and Hikari adjusted her hair slightly.

"Thank you for coming."

"No problem."

"I hope I didn’t interrupt you."

"Not at all."

Noah observed her and Hikari seemed to be acting normally, but there was something in her expression that told him she was worried.

’She’s nervous.’

The girl lowered her gaze slightly toward her cup and Noah waited.

’She’s definitely nervous.’

He remembered Ayane, since during their meeting she had also had trouble starting the conversation.

’Don’t tell me...’

An employee approached to take his order.

Noah ordered a coffee and a small cake, at which Hikari decided to accompany him with another portion of cake.

After the employee left, the two of them were alone again and Noah smiled.

"So, how have you been?"

Hikari raised her gaze.

"Pretty good."

"Lots of studying?"

She nodded.

"As always."

"You should rest a little."

"I try."

Noah raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Hikari looked away slightly.

"...When I have time."

Noah let out a small laugh.

"That means almost never."

She smiled with a certain discomfort.

"I guess you’re right."

For several minutes they talked about high school, where Hikari told him that she had gotten good results on her latest exams, so Noah congratulated her.

Then they talked about some teachers and the activities that were coming up.

Everything seemed completely normal, but Noah couldn’t forget the real reason for the invitation.

’When is she going to say it?’

He discreetly observed Hikari, who was explaining a problem she had had with a teacher.

Noah listened attentively, but part of his mind kept waiting for the conversation to suddenly change.

’Maybe she’s looking for the right moment.’

Hikari finished speaking.

"And you, Noah?"

He blinked.

"Me?"

"How are your studies going?"

"Ah, pretty well."

She smiled.

"I’m glad."

Noah nodded, then waited while Hikari took a sip of tea.

"..."

Noah continued waiting.

’Now?’

The girl set her cup down on the table.

"Noah."

He straightened up immediately.

"Yes?"

Hikari looked at him.

"Do you want to try my cake?"

"..."

Noah blinked.

"What?"

"It’s chocolate, it’s pretty good."

Noah looked at the cake and then looked back at her.

"...Sure."

Hikari cut a small piece and placed it on a plate, so Noah tried it.

"It’s delicious."

She smiled.

"Right?"

Noah nodded slowly.

’False alarm.’

Time continued passing and, after finishing their drinks, Hikari suggested walking a bit around the high school area, which Noah accepted.

They both left the café and began walking down a nearby commercial street.

Hikari seemed to enjoy the conversation and asked him about his work, as well as wanting to know how he was getting along with the other magical girls.

Noah answered naturally, but when he mentioned Stella, Hikari fell silent for a few seconds and Noah noticed.

"Is something wrong?"

Hikari immediately raised her gaze.

"No."

"You sure?"

"Yes, it’s nothing."

Then she smiled slightly.

"I was just thinking."

Noah nodded.

’Maybe she wants to ask me something about Stella.’

That would make sense, since after all, the two of them were still getting to know each other and Noah knew that Hikari deeply admired Stella’s work as an actress.

They had talked before about her movies and he had even helped Hikari get a chance to meet her.

’She might want to thank me.’

But then he remembered the message.

"There’s something I’d like to talk to you about."

’No, it’s probably something more important.’

While they walked, Hikari stopped in front of a bookstore and Noah looked up.

"Do you want to go in?"

She seemed surprised.

"You don’t mind?"

"Of course not."

Hikari smiled.

"Then just for a moment."

They entered the bookstore, which had several sections dedicated to novels, academic books, and magazines, so Hikari began looking through some titles while Noah walked beside her.

"Are you looking for something in particular?"

"A book that was recommended to me."

"What’s it about?"

Hikari remained silent for a second and then answered.

"...It’s a novel."

Noah smiled.

"Romance?"

Hikari blushed slightly.

"Something like that."

Noah raised an eyebrow.

’She likes romance novels too?’

He remembered Ayane.

’What a coincidence.’

Hikari took a book from one of the shelves, checked the back cover and then put it back, but Noah discreetly observed the cover.

It seemed to be a romance story starring two men.

’Ah.’

He then remembered Hikari’s particular tastes.

’Of course.’

He decided not to comment on it, since he had no reason to make her uncomfortable.

After looking through several books, Hikari finally found one that interested her, so she bought it and they both left the establishment.

"Thank you for coming with me."

She said, to which Noah replied.

"No problem."

Hikari smiled.

"I’m glad I can talk to you about these things."

Noah looked at her.

’About these things?’

She continued.

"I don’t always have the chance to talk calmly."

Noah nodded.

"I guess you’re too busy."

"That’s right."

Hikari lowered her gaze slightly.

"And sometimes I don’t know how to approach certain people."

Noah froze.

’There it is!’

Those words seemed like the beginning of a much more personal conversation, so Noah took a deep breath.

’Calm down.’

He didn’t want to make the mistake of interrupting her, so he decided to listen.

"Are you referring to someone in particular?"

Hikari raised her gaze.

"...Yes."

Noah nodded slowly.

’Definitely.’

The girl tightened her grip slightly on the bag where she was carrying her book.

"There’s someone I want to get along with."

Noah felt a certain discomfort.

’This is going exactly where I think.’

Hikari continued.

"But I don’t know if that person feels the same."

He remained silent.

’This only indicates that...’

She lowered her gaze.

"And I’m worried that I’m doing something that bothers them."

Noah observed her expression and Hikari seemed sincerely worried, so that ended up convincing him.

’She’s going to confess.’