Chapter 232 Hikari’s Confession… Wait, What? [2]

Hikari lowered her gaze before continuing.

"I’m worried I might be doing something that bothers that person."

Noah watched her expression. Hikari looked sincerely concerned, and that finally convinced him.

’She’s going to confess.’

Still, he didn’t want to get ahead of himself, so he smiled faintly and suggested,

"I think the best thing would be to talk to that person directly."

Hikari looked up.

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Even if it’s awkward?"

"That’s right."

Noah remembered the conversation he still owed Ayane, then continued.

"It’s better to know what the other person actually thinks than to keep imagining answers on our own."

Hikari stayed quiet for a moment, then finally nodded.

"I understand."

Noah smiled.

"Besides, maybe you’re worrying too much."

She lowered her gaze again.

"I hope so."

They kept walking until they reached a small nearby plaza. A few empty benches sat under trees that offered shade. Hikari pointed to one of them.

"Can we sit for a moment?"

Noah nodded.

"Sure."

They both sat down. For several seconds neither of them spoke.

Noah glanced at Hikari out of the corner of his eye. Her hands were clasped tightly on her lap, her expression serious.

’Here it comes.’

Noah took a deep breath.

’Well, at least I know how to handle these conversations now.’

He’d learned a lot over the past few months. He was no longer the same guy who panicked every time a girl got close.

Even if romantic relationships were still complicated for him, he was starting to understand that the important thing was to listen first.

’If she’s really about to confess, I shouldn’t interrupt her.’

Hikari stared at the ground for several long seconds before she finally spoke.

"Noah."

He looked up.

"Yeah?"

"I wanted to thank you."

Noah blinked.

"For what?"

"For helping me these past few weeks."

He smiled.

"You don’t have to thank me."

"But I want to."

Hikari lifted her gaze a little.

"You’ve helped me with things that weren’t your responsibility."

Noah stayed silent.

’This sounds way too familiar.’

He remembered the words Ayane had said during her confession as Hikari continued.

"And thanks to you, I got to know someone I’d admired for a long time a lot better."

Noah nodded.

"I’m glad."

She gave a small smile.

"It really means a lot to me."

Noah shifted on the bench.

’Almost there.’

Hikari lowered her gaze once more.

"That’s why I thought I could talk to you about something personal."

Noah felt the moment had finally arrived.

"Of course, Hikari."

She took a deep breath.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

Hikari clasped her hands a little tighter.

"Noah..."

He stayed completely still.

’Go ahead.’

She raised her eyes.

"Do you think I’m an annoying person?"

Noah blinked.

"...What?"

Hikari immediately looked down.

"Sorry. I know it’s a weird question."

"No, wait."

Noah tried to process it.

"Why would you think that?"

Hikari was quiet for a few seconds before answering.

"Because sometimes I get too excited when I talk about the things I like."

Noah smiled slightly.

"There’s nothing wrong with that."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Hikari seemed to relax, but only a little.

"What if the other person doesn’t share that enthusiasm?"

Noah thought for a moment.

"Well, not everyone has the same interests."

"I know."

"But that doesn’t mean you’re annoying."

Hikari lowered her gaze.

"...I see."

Noah started to suspect he might have misread a few things.

’Wait.’

He looked at Hikari. She seemed more worried than embarrassed. Even though she was nervous, her attitude wasn’t the same as Ayane’s during her confession.

’Could it be that...?’

Before he could finish the thought, Hikari spoke again.

"There’s something else."

Noah looked up.

"I’m listening."

She took a deep breath.

"It’s about a person."

’Here we go again.’

Noah nodded.

"Alright."

Hikari tightened her grip on her hands.

"Someone I admire a lot."

Noah stayed quiet while she continued.

"And someone I’d like to get closer to."

’She’s definitely talking about someone she likes.’

Noah waited. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions, though he was already starting to wonder how he would respond if Hikari actually confessed.

After all, he still owed Ayane an answer, and now the Golden Clover had just assigned him another mission involving both Hikari and Stella.

’This can’t be a coincidence, right?’

Hikari slowly lifted her head.

"Noah."

"Yeah?"

"I want to tell you something."

He straightened.

"Go ahead. I’m all ears."

She took a deep breath.

"I think..."

She paused. Noah waited. Hikari lowered her gaze slightly, then raised it again.

"I think Stella can’t stand me."

"..."

Noah stayed frozen for three full seconds before he finally blinked.

"What did you just say?"

Hikari looked at him with a worried expression.

"I said I think Stella Lumina can’t stand me."

Noah slowly opened his mouth, then closed it again.

"..."

’Stella?’

Hikari continued.

"Lately I’ve been trying to get closer to her, but I feel like she’s getting more distant every time."

Noah remained silent.

"And I don’t know if I did something to upset her."

"..."

"That’s why I wanted to talk to you about this."

Noah looked at Hikari, then stared straight ahead, and finally understood.

’Wait a second... so this whole time she was worried about Stella?’

He remembered how he’d interpreted her messages, her nervousness, her questions, the way she’d talked about someone important to her, and every single time he’d thought he was about to receive another confession.

’I WAS WAITING FOR A CONFESSION THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!?’

Noah slowly brought a hand to his face. Hikari tilted her head slightly.

"Noah?"

He looked up.

"...Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

Noah took a deep breath.

"I’m perfectly fine."

Hikari looked relieved.

"I’m glad."

Then she lowered her gaze again.

"So..."

She tightened her hands a little.

"Do you think you could help me with this?"

Noah looked at Hikari, then remembered the mission he’d received that morning.

[SPECIAL MISSION]

[Objective: Strengthen bonds with Stella and Hikari.]

"..."

’Damn goddess.’

Noah closed his eyes.

’So that’s what this was about.’

When he opened them again, Hikari was still waiting for his answer.

Her expression was full of worry, and Noah realized that after spending the entire afternoon waiting for a romantic confession, he had just discovered he was dealing with a completely different problem.

One that involved the pair he’d been hoping to finally see getting along ever since he met them.

’What the hell is going on between those two?’

That was an important question.