I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

40 – Relationships as a Stepping Stone for Tigers -2-

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The afternoon, when the lunch that filled the stomach induced drowsiness, came to an end.

Ichinose, who had finished the assigned preview while sitting at the desk, spun the chair around and looked behind.

Seeing his own bed, which was empty and vacant, felt so awkward.

Noah, who used to come every day and occupy the bed, was not seen today. Without the flood of questions, the preview quota was finished faster than usual.

Could it be that he’s sleeping even though it’s almost dinner time?

Or is he just lazing around in his room because it’s the weekend?

Hmmm.

Lying on the soft bed for a break, hugging a doll, Ichinose continued to think.

Should I go to Noah’s room and wake him up?

Considering Noah’s adoptive parents, who had asked him to take good care of their daughter, Ichinose couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

Still.

Regardless of the true intention behind the words, one thing was certain.

If they see Noah studying, even the Great Tiger Emperor would be surprised.

Considering her nature, it’s praiseworthy that she hasn’t given up after three days.

Noah Frozenheart, who has become diligent in her studies. That sight would be new to anyone.

In fact, Ichinose is still surprised every time he sees it, unable to adapt.

Given how shocking her transformation is, it might be okay to let her rest on the weekends.

It was clear that studying was not a habit, so reading a book must have been quite a pain.

*

This cold aura…?

Clara observed the beauty next to Rohan, just in case.

A beast-woman radiating healthy beauty.

Her height and limbs were as long as those of a model in a fashion magazine, her chest as large as the person who was called an instructor, and her waist was slender.

There wasn’t a single ounce of fat on her exposed abdomen.

What selfish genes!

Clara faced the evidence that the world was unfair.

Her appearance was captivating, but there was another important point that couldn’t be overlooked.

A, a strong person…

Although not as much as the red-haired woman Rohan had mentioned as an academy instructor, she exuded abundant magic and a massive presence.

Clara took the fear and mistakes of her past discovery as a lesson.

She observed the situation while keeping her presence cleanly hidden.

Manager. This is the friend I mentioned… Yes… that friend.

Hello! Please call me Noah! Nice to meet you!

At Rohan’s introduction, Noah responded with a lively voice as if she had been waiting.

The manager drew a warm smile.

Oh my, thank you for coming to this secluded bookstore.

This is the best-smelling bookstore I’ve ever been to!

“Hoho, really? Thank you for saying that.”

“The large bookstores on the main street don’t use wooden bookshelves, so they don’t have this kind of scent!”

Noah continued the conversation with the store manager as if they had known each other for a long time, saying that the scent made her feel at ease.

Rohan was amazed by her terrifying sociability that erased his presence.

“It’s better to have some noise in the bookstore than it being too quiet, so feel free to hang out, Miss Noah. Rohan, take good care of her.”

“…Yes. I’ll be mindful.”

“Thank you!”

Noah smiled broadly at the store manager’s words as he prepared to leave.

She glanced at Rohan as if to show off.

“Well, the old man should get going. I’ll enjoy this with my wife.”

The store manager left the bookstore with the gift Rohan had brought in one hand.

Although it wasn’t an expensive gift, the store manager seemed pleased, and Rohan was satisfied.

“Khehehe, I’ve studied hard, so let’s take a break.”

“You’re not broken just because you put in some theory, right?”

A strange laugh that didn’t match his appearance. Rohan chuckled and stood at the counter.

He put on an apron with the bookstore’s name on it.

“What should I read~”

“You can’t open the ones with plastic covers before paying, right?”

“I know that much.”

Noah squeezed between the bookshelves stacked with comic books.

Rohan took his eyes off the spot and looked around the empty bookstore.

Because he was looking for a girl.

‘Where is Clara?’

The possibility that she hasn’t come yet is low.

Could she have sensed the presence of Noah Frozenheart, who is nothing short of a sociable monster, and hidden away?

“Can you ring this up for me?”

“Already made your choice?”

“Yes!”

Noah piled up comic books on the counter.

The title was “The Man Who Cooks and The Woman Who Picky Eats.” Scanning the barcode, it was classified as a love comedy, gag genre.

“From volume 1 to 24? You brought them all up to the final volume…”

As Rohan beeped and stacked the books on one side, Noah giggled.

She twirled the card for payment between her fingers.

“Even if it’s boring, I’ll read it to the end. I liked the art style.”

“Why don’t you look up some reviews?”

“That’s not for me. I don’t want to read with preconceived notions.”

“Oh… that’s a good point. Give me the card. I’ll ring you up.”

When Rohan reached for the card, Noah pulled her hand back.

Rohan felt uneasy at the mischievous look on the girl’s face.

“I’m a customer, you know. Do it properly.”

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Hurry up! It’s a fair demand!

Rohan knows the quickest way to handle situations like this.

It’s not a difficult task, so just complying is the best. Rohan lifted the corners of his mouth into a business smile.

That’s 24 volumes in total, 10 coins and 80 tokens. A paper bag is 1 token, do you need it?

No!

Do you have a membership card?

No!

Is it enjoyable to have such an unusual conversation with a fellow cadet?

Noah’s tail swayed from side to side.

Will you be paying by card?

Yes! With this!

How would you like to pay in installments?

Lump sum!

It seemed Noah was satisfied with the simple handling.

Noah hugged the purchased comic books with both arms and tail, moved to a corner, and plopped down to start unwrapping them.

It was clear this was her first time here, yet the white tiger girl acted as if she was at home.

Truly free.

Rohan marveled as he looked around for Clara again.

But he couldn’t find her.

Somewhere, but unable to find it, or perhaps searching for something that doesn’t exist, he wasn’t sure which.

‘Maybe there’s a possibility she really didn’t come.’

Rohan took out his phone and sent a message to Clara.

Bzzzz!!!

The reply came as if she had been waiting.

[ Clara: ]

A crying emoticon flew in response to his question of where she was.

Rohan blinked at the message.

Wondering if something was wrong, he immediately called Clara.

Tring tring As the ringing tone continued, Clara’s voice was heard.

“Oh, oppa…”

A voice not from the phone, but in reality.

Only then did he see her.

A girl, more withdrawn than usual, caught his eye, and Rohan stepped out from behind the counter to approach Clara.

“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“…”

Though he could guess the reason, he asked just in case.

Clara, without a word, moved her hand to lightly grasp the edge of her apron.

Her slightly pouting lips gave off a sulky atmosphere. To Rohan, it only looked cute.

“I don’t feel energized because Clara didn’t greet me when I started work.”

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Did you finish all the macarons?

A small nod.

Well done. I’m glad Clara said they were delicious.

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The girl clutched her apron a little tighter and chewed on her lip.

In the midst of this, the sound of approaching footsteps. Clara’s head whipped to one side.

What? Who are you talking to?

Noah appeared, holding a comic book in one hand, and spoke up.

Eek!

Clara swallowed a compressed scream and moved to the opposite side of the bookstore in an instant.

Like a cat that had seen a cucumber.

Noah raised an eyebrow in admiration.

Wow! Who are you? You’re as fast as a deer!

Ugh… Brother…

As Noah’s eyes sparkled with interest, Clara shot a pleading look.

Rohan stepped between Clara and Noah, blocking the way.

Go back and finish your comic book.

It’s not like I’m going to eat her…!

Noah looked aggrieved, but there was nothing he could do.

Extreme extroverts and introverts need quite a bit of time to understand each other.

“Do you want to read a comic book together? I’m still on the first volume, but it’s fun. Let’s chat since we’re bored!”

“Chat…”

Noah, who had slipped out next to Rohan, attempted to start a conversation.

Clara, recalling something at the white tiger girl’s words, muttered.

“Stop and step away before I give you a workbook and make you review. Customer.”

“I’ll tell the manager? Forcing me to study!”

“Do as you please. I’ll probably get praised for it.”

“Torture is prohibited under the laws of Samhwa! It’s inhumane!”

“What should we do? The customer is from Tigrova, so it doesn’t apply. And studying is not torture.”

Clara, who had been watching the two bickering, spoke up with a feeling she had never experienced before.

“O-okay!”

“See? She says it’s uncomfortable… huh? What did you say?”

Rohan turned his head at Clara’s response.

As if he had misheard, he sent a questioning look.

Clara, trembling her lips, stared at Noah.

She spoke once more.

“Let’s read the comic together… and chat…”