TCOSF | CHAPTER 05

Chapter 5

“Noah, senior!”

Noah clenched his teeth when he saw a familiar figure running toward him from afar.

“Hi, Emily. You’re here again today.”

Even though he smiled, his tone had a sharp edge to it, but Emily ignored it easily and flashed a bright smile.

“Of course! How could I not come when Noah’s here!”

“You really don’t have to.”

He meant that sincerely.

Noah clicked his tongue silently.

A good image was useful most of the time, but it had its downsides too.

Like now — he couldn’t get angry at someone who annoyed him.

When Noah secretly sighed, Emily leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.

“So, Noah, about my proposal…”

“I told you I’m refusing that.”

Her lips jutted out at the firm tone hidden behind his kind voice.

“Why are you rejecting me? Didn’t you say you wanted to rise in status— mmph!”

“Haha, Emily. Let’s talk somewhere else, shall we?”

This girl, seriously.

Noah covered Emily’s mouth before she could spill a bomb in the hallway and dragged her away.

“Seae ohen eahae oh dahhaho. Geoeo dohiyaan. (Your hand’s rougher than I thought. But I like that too.)”

Even in this situation, that was all Emily could say.

Once they reached a deserted spot, Noah let go of her as if tossing her aside.

He had made sure no one was around first — he couldn’t let this kind of scene happen twice.

Emily smacked her lips as if missing his touch and stared at his hand.

When Noah, startled by that clear desire, hid his hand behind his back, she shrugged.

“Still?”

“Oh, whoops.”

“My real thoughts slipped out again.”

Scratching her head and laughing awkwardly, Emily grinned, and Noah muttered with a baffled look.

“What kind of girl are you…”

Even as he mumbled, Emily formed a square with her fingers and aimed it at him.

“What’s that supposed to be?”

“Oh, I’m just saving today’s dazzling face of yours in my heart.”

“…Forget it. I’m done talking.”

Noah rubbed his aching forehead and waved a hand.

“Anyway, how long are you planning to keep following me around?”

“Until you accept my proposal, of course!”

Seeing her clench her fist with determination, Noah groaned.

“I told you no.”

“Why though? I’m not that bad, right? You said you liked noble ladies!”

When Emily pushed her face closer, Noah naturally pushed her forehead back with his hand and sighed.

He had dealt with her so often these past few days that he was starting to get used to it — which was annoying in itself.

“I should be the one asking. What’s your real motive?”

Crossing his arms, Noah glared at her.

He’d thought she might try to blackmail him after overhearing his muttering, but instead she’d proposed dating — with marriage as the goal.

What a strange girl.

Noah prided himself on being realistic about himself.

He knew very well that no matter how good his grades were or how talented he was with a sword, his low birth dimmed it all.

He clenched his jaw.

That was why her offer was unacceptable.

A deal had to involve equal exchange.

And what was she offering — his face?

Ridiculous.

He ruffled his hair in irritation.

He knew he was handsome enough, sure.

He’d planned to use his looks to become some obedient noblewoman’s pet anyway — it would make his life easier.

If love came along, even better.

But Emily already knew his true nature.

That meant he couldn’t even be her pet.

Her proposal made no sense — a deal like that always hid a trap.

He wasn’t stupid enough to step into one.

Besides, Emily was suspicious even without that.

She suddenly wanted to get close, kept showing up every day, and even spied on him from hidden corners.

Anyone would find that shady.

But no matter how firmly he refused, Emily stayed persistent.

“Motive? That’s mean. I’d be happy just to see your face once a day, you know?”

Exactly like that.

Noah rubbed his temple, feeling a headache coming on.

“Wow, even when you look annoyed, you’re beautiful.”

…The headache got worse.

He covered his mouth, scowling as Emily admired his face.

This couldn’t go on.

People had started asking about their relationship since she came by every day.

He’d said they were nothing, but rumors spread fast.

If anyone thought they were dating, it would ruin his chances with other noblewomen.

That couldn’t happen.

Noah exhaled sharply, then slammed the wall beside Emily.

With a loud thud, her eyes widened.

“Hey. Do you think I’m easy to mess with?”

“Huh…?”

“There’s only one reason I’m glad you know what I’m really like. Want to guess?”

How could she possibly know?

Noah’s sharp eyes glinted as he smirked.

“It means I can speak honestly.”

Then he said each word slowly, clearly.

“You’re annoying, so get lost.”

It felt like bullying a small animal, which didn’t sit right, but he ignored the guilt.

If he didn’t make it clear now, she’d keep pestering him.

That should do it.

Or so he thought — until he saw her face.

“Being wall-pinned by a handsome man… thank you, dear gods.”

Yeah, she didn’t understand a single word.

And the next day, of course, Emily showed up again.

This time, not even halfway across the campus — she came right into the training hall.

“Noah, senior!”

Noah sighed when he saw her waving her arms energetically.

Didn’t she have anything else to do?

It felt like she came every single break.

But if he asked, she’d just say something useless like “Your face is the most important thing, Noah!”

So he kept quiet.

“Haa…”

Noah trudged toward the junior who had come to see him after class, lamenting his own inability to ignore her.

He would have reached her — if not for the boy who suddenly blocked his way.

“Noah, help me!”

The teary-eyed boy, his arms full of gear, was Hamilton.

He was the fencing professor’s favorite victim — the one forced to clean whenever he got the lowest score in class.

Judging from his wobbling, it had happened again.

Noah sighed under his breath, too quiet for anyone to hear.

Couldn’t he just carry what he could handle?

Still, his face stayed polite and gentle.

“Give it here, Hamilton. I’ll help.”

“Thanks, Noah! You’re an angel!”

Yeah, I’ve heard that too many times.

Noah muttered inwardly and reached out his hand.

That was his mistake.

He had forgotten why Hamilton always got the lowest grades.

His weak body was one reason.

The other… was his clumsiness.

“W-wait—!”

Before Noah could react, Hamilton dropped the pile.

With a crash, all the equipment came tumbling down toward him.

“Noah!”

“Noah, senior!”

Hearing their voices, Noah drew his sword calmly.

Thankfully, class had just ended, so he still had it on him.

His eyes sharpened.

He deflected the first falling helmet easily.

Then sidestepped the rest of the gear as if in a duel.

Catching the last metal bar midair, he landed neatly.

Hamilton gawked with his mouth open.

“Noah, that was amazing…”

Yeah, unlike you, I’m top of the class.

Noah swallowed those words and forced a polite smile.

“Haha, thanks. But don’t carry too much next time. You could get hurt.”

“Thanks for worrying.”

No, I meant I could get hurt.

Noah gave him a look before kneeling to pick up the gear — but someone grabbed his arm.

“What are you doing, Noah!”

“…Emily?”

He blinked at the breathless girl who’d clearly run all the way here.

“You didn’t have to come. I was just about to head over there.”

“That’s not the point! You’re hurt!”

“Huh? Noah, are you hurt?”

Both Emily and Hamilton now looked at him with worry, which confused him.

He wasn’t hurt, was he?

Then Emily touched his cheek, lifted her finger, and showed it.

A faint smear of blood.

“See! You’re bleeding!”

“What? Really?”

Noah touched his face lightly.

“Ouch.”

Only then did he feel the sting.

He must have been grazed by the helmet’s edge earlier.

“Oh no… I’m so sorry, Noah!”

“It’s fine. Just a scratch.”

He brushed it off.

It really was nothing — it’d heal in a day or two.

But Emily’s expression turned dramatic.

“A scratch? How can you say that when your handsome  face is injured?”

Breathing heavily, she grabbed his chin and turned his face from side to side.

Then she suddenly stood up and pointed at him.

“Stay right there, senior! Don’t move! I’m going to the dorm!”

Why the dorm—

Before he could ask, she ran off at full speed, leaving Noah staring after her blankly.