TCBUP 12

12. First Date

[PROFILE]

Name: Nox Green
Age: 28
Occupation: Youngest professor of economics at the academy, investment expert
One-liner: Money.
Affinity: 17%
His First Impression of You: Spoiled noble lady
Current Status:

• Worth teaching, worth raising

‘Oh, his affection level is at 17%.’

Maybe I made a good impression thanks to how hard I studied as his student.

As I smiled contentedly, I heard Nox’s hesitant voice.

“Miss… Your hand…”

“Huh?”

I had only meant to touch the silver lock, but ended up touching his chest instead.

Startled, I quickly pulled my hand back and hid both hands behind my waist.

A nervous laugh escaped me as I tried to brush off the awkward moment.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“…It’s fine.”

“Well then, please take a break. I just need to wrap things up here.”

I need to be careful next time. It might’ve looked like I was being inappropriate.

I slowly backed away.

As I made my way to the kitchen, Mary scurried up beside me.

Glancing toward Nox, she whispered in my ear.

“He’s always glued to his desk. But seriously, his brain is on another level.”

“Below the neck, though, he’s useless.”

“But he makes a lot of money. A lot.”

Well, that’s enough for me.

Even though I smiled brightly, Mary still looked disapproving.

“What? Isn’t he cute?”

“Your taste has changed way too much, Miss.”

She must be comparing him to Damian.

I didn’t even have to ask. I could already tell what Mary was thinking.

“I don’t like perfect people.”

“Why not? Better than someone lacking, isn’t it?”

“No matter how hard I try, I’ll always be someone who’s lacking. And that kind of person would always see me as inadequate.”

Just like Damian did.

Every time I saw the disappointed look in his eyes, my self-esteem dropped, and I grew to hate myself for being so lacking. I don’t want to go through that again.

It’s not that I won’t try to become a better version of myself than I was yesterday.

But I want someone who lifts me up even when I fall short, who soothes me when I struggle to grow, and says, “One small step is enough.”

“The professor told me I’m doing well. That really makes me happy.”

“I don’t really get it, but… if you’re happy, Miss.”

She didn’t quite understand but reluctantly nodded.

I gently patted her shoulder, and eventually, she let go of her sulky pout and smiled.

“Alright then. I’ll finish up here, so why don’t you two go grab something to eat?”

With a much lighter tone, Mary gave me a little push toward Nox.

As I was pushed forward, I turned around. Mary winked at me.

What a perceptive little rascal.

With no other choice, I walked up to Nox.

He was already hunched over a document, scribbling furiously as if he couldn’t waste a moment.

“Professor. Let’s go eat. Since you helped me out, it’s my treat.”

“Oh, are you done already?”

“Mary said she’ll take care of the rest.”

Nox glanced at the kitchen, where Mary was busily tidying up.

Perhaps realizing that he wasn’t much help when it came to kitchen work — or anything domestic, really — he got up.

“How is the new place?”

He asked as we walked toward the shopping district.

“I love it. It really suits me.”

“Isn’t it much smaller than your old one?”

“Big houses are harder to clean. I live. Alone. Anyway. So this is plenty.”

Yes, that’s right. I live alone now.

I wonder if he caught the emphasis I put on that.

“Well, I suppose it suits someone who’s still new to managing a household.”

…Apparently not.

Too bad. But oh well, it’s only the beginning.

“So, where should we go? You said you know this neighborhood well. Share your secret spots with me — like hidden gems, tasty places.”

“Ah. I usually just eat at the academy’s staff cafeteria. But I’ve heard of a few good places from my colleagues that I could recommend.”

“You haven’t been to them yourself?”

“After lectures, I get busy with my company work.”

So his life is just school–office–home on repeat, huh?

It’s admirable how hard he works… but kind of sad, too.

He’s said to be raking in the cash, but doesn’t even seem to be spending it.

Not like he can take it with him when he dies.

“How about that place?”

He pointed at something, and I turned my head.

A small pub with a half-burnt wooden sign that read Scholars’ Barrel.

A pub meant they’d have drinks, right?

And nothing brings people closer like a bit of alcohol.

‘Ooh, this kind of feels like a real date.’

Helping me move, then treating him to a drink — this whole setup.

I nodded with a grin, and Nox led me inside.

The creaky wooden door looked like it had been salvaged from a dumpster.

But once we stepped in, my eyes widened.

The inside had a completely different vibe.

Lively chatter filled the air as students and young professors mingled freely over drinks and snacks.

“It’s a bit noisy.”

Though I was overwhelmed at first, I soon got used to it.

Compared to fancy restaurants with stiff manners and etiquette, this was far more comfortable — no need to mind others, just focus on your meal and your company.

And thanks to the noise, I could sit closer to Nox.

“…There’s something I’ve been wanting to try.”

“What is it?”

“What’s the best thing about owning a building?”

“Well, probably the rental income.”

“Exactly. You get a steady return like interest. And when the value appreciates, you can sell it for a big profit. Even if the building collapses, the land remains.”

“True. But it requires a lot of capital. Only nobles with large cash reserves can really afford that.”

“That’s it!”

It was exactly the point I wanted to hit, so I got a bit excited.

I cleared my throat and spoke again, calmly.

“We could pool money from multiple people to buy a building, then divide the rental income proportionally. Kind of like, ‘you too can become a building owner, even with small capital.’”

Nox seemed interested, so I continued eagerly.

“With multiple shareholders, someone needs to manage everything. That’s where we come in. We take a percentage of the investment pool as our management fee — a stable source of income.”

“Hmm.”

“They say landowners are gods among men. This will definitely attract attention.”

“That’s a solid idea. Should we dig deeper into this?”

“To be honest, I don’t really know much about the legal side. Like whether there are any tax benefits. Professor, do you perhaps know a good lawyer or accountant?”

“I do. Would you like to join the meeting? It was your idea, after all.”

“Yes, I’d love to. Thank you.”

I readily agreed — then suddenly remembered this was supposed to be a date.

I probably should’ve talked about more date-like things, but Nox got so into the conversation that I ended up just going on and on about business.

‘What should I talk about now?’

Looking back, the only personal thing we’ve ever discussed was my moving house.

That’s over now, so I need a new topic.

His hobbies, favorite foods, what he does on his days off — something personal like that.

At that moment, Nox’s lock icon glowed green.

[Nox Green’s Affection Level: 17% → 27%]

Huh? His affection level went up 10% from just talking about business?

I guess seeing me as something other than a spoiled noble bumped it up.

‘Well, thanks for that.’

I don’t have to live as Siena anymore.

No more scripted words or rehearsed gestures. No more pressure to be the perfect wife for Damian.

Even though I’m now working to win over this man in front of me, I’m more at ease — because Nox accepts me for who I am.

“How was the meal, Miss? Was it to your liking?”

“It was delicious.”

“Surprising. It’s quite different from what you’re used to, I imagine.”

“Sounds like you have a lot of assumptions about me, Professor.”

I laughed it off and took a sip of beer.

The taste wasn’t familiar, but maybe it was the atmosphere — I kept drinking.

“Do you think I’m someone worth worrying about?”

“Well… I wouldn’t say no.”

“Then, please help me.”

“Hmm, not sure if I’d be much help.”

“I don’t need anything big. Just show me good bakeries, cafés with great coffee, or where to buy cheap fresh produce. That’s more than enough.”

Nox chuckled, holding his glass in both hands.

Unlike me, he hardly drank.

“In that case, I think I can manage.”

“Wow, then shall we go now?”

“Excuse me?”

“Aren’t you full? Let’s walk it off a little. Come on, let’s go.”

This is my first real date — no way I’m letting it end so soon.

I reached out and pulled the slightly hesitant Nox along with me.