ALL NOVEL chapter 17
Episode 17: Lunch with Noah of Compassion
“Ah, I’m tired…”
Finally, the fourth period ended, and lunchtime began.
I had fallen asleep during class and didn’t remember much of the content, but fortunately, the magical girl next to me, Fiona-sama, let me copy her notes, so I faced no particular problems as lunchtime arrived.
Well then… shall I eat on the rooftop again today?
Thinking that, I headed towards the rooftop.
Well, Luna probably won’t come today either…
Luna hasn’t been coming to the rooftop lately.
Well, she’s probably busy with her student council and magical girl duties.
As I was walking, I felt a light tap on my shoulder from behind.
“Hayami-kun”
When I turned around, a white, slender finger touched my cheek.
“Hehe, I succeeded.”
With a graceful gesture, she laughed like a child who had successfully played a prank.
“…Um… this is…”
“Hehe, sorry. I tried calling out to you several times, but you didn’t seem to notice, so I played a little prank♪”
When I turned around, there was Yui Kurusu, also known as Noah of Compassion, the magical girl.
…It’s the first time I’ve seen her at school.
At school, she is the head of the library committee, and her blessed appearance and kind personality have significantly increased the number of boys visiting the library.
However, it seems she has a rather sadistic side, and boys who confessed to her were mercilessly crushed with harsh words.
It’s rare for her to talk to a specific boy.
—
—
“It’s been a while, Hayami-kun.”
“Yes, it has, Kurusu-san. Do you need something from me?”
“No, I just saw you and thought I’d say hello. Are you having lunch now?”
“Yeah, well… I was thinking of eating alone today.”
“Oh, I see… In that case…”
Huh? Wait, this flow…
“I’m also about to have lunch. Would you like to join me?”
…I messed up…
‘Huh? Isn’t this what they call a romantic comedy event?’
(No, no, no! This is not why I came to this world!)
Anyway, I need to refuse. If I get more involved with a magical girl, my mob life is in danger!
“No, I—”
“Is it really not possible?”
With teary eyes, she pleaded, and my heart wavered greatly.
“…Alright.”
“Hehe, I thought you’d say that, Hayami-kun. Shall we go then?”
Well, Luna probably won’t come today… so I guess it’s fine…
And so, we went to the cafeteria together.
The cafeteria was bustling with people eating with friends and couples.
We secured a table for two and received our meals.
“The prices here are reasonable.”
“Yes, the school wants the students to eat well and grow up healthy, so the prices are much lower than usual.”
By the way, I ordered omurice, and Noah ordered cream stew.
“You’re having a smaller portion today.”
I thought she would eat as much as she did with the ramen the other day, so I asked, and she gestured quietly, looking flustered.
“I want to maintain the image of eating small portions at school…”
“I see, that’s what it was.”
I guess eating that much at school would be embarrassing. She has a surprisingly girlish side.
“Um, Hayami-kun, about me being a big eater…”
“Of course, I’ll keep it a secret.”
—
—
“It would be helpful if you could do that.”
Even I wouldn’t do something that people dislike.
As for the clouding… well, that’s something the demons are doing. I’m just watching it.
“Shall we eat then?”
Together, we put our hands together and said “Itadakimasu” before scooping up the omelet rice with a spoon and putting it into our mouths.
As expected of the cafeteria at Ryusei Academy, which employs top-notch chefs. The eggs are fluffy, and the chicken rice is seasoned to perfection, making it incredibly delicious.
‘Yes, delicious! Souta! I like this!’
Even Voldia, who is usually picky, found the omelet rice delicious.
As I was engrossed in eating for a while, I noticed that Noah was staring at me.
No, not at me.
At the omelet rice.
“……”
“Um… Kurusu-san?”
“Ah!? I’m sorry! I just thought you were eating so deliciously…”
She blushed and looked away, embarrassed.
Could it be… she wanted to eat it?
“If you don’t mind, would you like a bite?”
When I suggested that, she smiled brightly.
It seems I was right.
“I-is it okay?”
“Of course.”
“Th-then… I’ll take you up on your offer…”
Saying that, Noah opened her mouth and waited for something.
“Uh, um, Kurusu-san? This is…”
“When sharing, isn’t it normal to feed each other like this?”
With innocent eyes, she said that, and I couldn’t say that she was wrong.
I scooped up some omelet rice with a spoon and nervously offered it to Noah.
“Mm…”
Tucking her hair behind her ear, Noah took the spoon into her mouth with a sultry expression.
“Mm… it’s delicious.”
—
“Th-thank goodness… really…”
I feel intense gazes from all around… Whoa! What is this space?!
“Then, from me too…”
This time, Noah offers me a spoon.
“Here, it’s delicious, you know?”
“…W-well then… I’ll have some.”
As I put the offered spoon into my mouth,
the sweet taste of cream stew spreads in my mouth.
But I was so confused that I couldn’t even taste it.
Why am I, who is supposed to be a mob character, being fed by a magical girl…
“How is it?”
“It was… very delicious…”
“That’s good to hear. Then, one more bite…”
“No, I’m fine!”
I refused with all my might.
◇
After school, as usual, the magical girls gathered at their headquarters, surrounding a round table.
“Two people still haven’t come.”
“Luna said she had student council work today.”
“Christina hasn’t come to school either…”
“I went to her house too, but she didn’t come out…”
Fiona had contacted her many times and visited her house, but there was no response from Christina, and days of uncertainty continued.
Christina had the worst injuries in the last battle, so the whole team was worried.
Christina… I hope she’s okay…
At that moment, the sound of the elevator arriving echoed in the room.
As the elevator doors opened, there stood Christina, looking somewhat vacant.
“Christina!”
Everyone rushed over, each calling out to her, but Christina seemed absent-minded.
“Everyone… I’m sorry I couldn’t see you for a while…”
After a while, she began to speak in a lifeless manner.
—
Fiona questioned the situation but decided not to worry about it at the moment.
“I’ve been thinking about something… and I want everyone to hear it…”
And then, in the next moment, Christina said something unbelievable.