Outside the university campus, in one of the corners, Noah and September were still hiding behind one of the columns from the guards and cameras.
"Why are you disguised as an old lady anyway?" Noah asked curiously, tilting his head to the side.
"For my safety," September answered calmly.
"Safety?" Noah asked in confusion and surprise. How could appearing as an old woman ensure anyone's safety? Wouldn't that just make them an easier target?
"…I'm nineteen. I'm still young. If the students find out that a girl my age is a member of the Council of Four, their reaction won't be kind," September said quietly, arms crossed as she looked at Noah with annoyance.
"…I see what you mean," Noah said quietly, understanding September. It wasn't about experience—it was about envy and jealousy.
September stayed silent for a moment, then sighed in frustration before deciding to continue her explanation.
"Everyone will think I used dirty means to get to this rank—like using my family's status, or even seduction or other things I would never dare to do. Rumors will spread quickly, and because of them I'll lose my position, and my reputation will be stained with shame," September explained calmly, even though it was clear she wanted to scream at the injustice of this world.
"And disguising yourself as an old lady helps you avoid those rumors and extra problems," Noah added, nodding in understanding.
"Exactly," September agreed with Noah's analysis.
Noah and September exchanged looks for a few seconds. What words couldn't express was said through the comfortable silence between them. It was respect. Noah didn't know why, but for some reason, he felt a strong respect toward September. A girl who chose wisdom, wrinkles, and dignity over beauty—such a girl was a gem shining among coal and stone. But Noah still had questions.
"If you're disguised as an old woman, then why are we hiding right now?" Noah asked in confusion. Wouldn't it be easier to just walk and talk normally instead of hiding?
"That… that's for your safety," September said, looking to the side with a slightly embarrassed tone.
"My safety?" Noah repeated, puzzled and lost.
"I heard the rumors going around about you. How everyone hates you because you didn't have to take the entrance test, and that you're just lucky because you convinced the university's representative to bring you in. It must be hard dealing with all of that. And if someone sees us talking, it'll get worse. A Council member chatting casually with a student? It'll look suspicious to many. They'll think I had something to do with bringing you into the university, that I favor you or something like that—blah blah blah. Then you'll get into more trouble, and if the student council buys the rumors, you might even get expelled," September explained with a calm voice, tinged with irritation. Noah was shocked she'd even thought of his situation and well-being this much.
"…Thank you," Noah said with a soft smile toward September.
"Thank me? D-Don't get the wrong idea! I-It's not like I care about you or t-that I'd feel guilty if you were expelled! I-I'm the Ninth Mercy! A-And mercy is one of my virtues! I-It's not like I'm interested in your soul or anything like that—" September said, frowning in frustration as her cheeks puffed up and turned red with embarrassment.
"…Cute," Noah thought to himself, watching in awe and amusement at September's adorable flustered anger, his smile widening.
"G-Go to hell!!"
———————
In Enel's room, Neriah was sitting in place, watching Enel sleep peacefully. Then Sirius entered the room with a smile on his face.
"You're late," Neriah said, annoyed, looking at Sirius' satisfied eyes.
"Oh, I brought something with me. It was a bit hard to extract since I didn't have my tools," Sirius said, laughing and smiling casually.
"You didn't…?! No, never mind. I can't even get mad anymore… Did you hide it well? Leave any traces?" Neriah asked nervously.
"Don't worry. You're talking to a pro. No one will know who did it, and the blame will fall on the known killer," Sirius said, pulling up a chair and sitting next to Enel's bed.
"I shouldn't have asked… Do you feel that void inside you has filled, even a little?" Neriah asked curiously, clasping his fingers together.
"…I couldn't give him back what he did to Enel… But… I think I'm satisfied…" Sirius said quietly, remembering the information he read about Noah. Neriah looked at him in confusion but felt a bit of relief, while Sirius recalled the moment at the train station when Noah handed Enel over to him.
The glowing runes floating above Noah's head, shining like light itself, danced together in harmony. They read:
"He etched the vow in his heart like an ember, that his soul would not rest until the house became a grave. For whoever plucked a flower from his soul shall have their garden ripped from its roots—branch by branch—until their name is no longer whispered by the wind."
These were the words Sirius saw when he looked into Noah's data.
"No matter how many times I read it, those words never chan—" Sirius thought to himself, smiling faintly, but was interrupted by Enel's groan as he began to wake.
"Enel!" Neriah said, immediately turning to him as Enel slowly opened his eyes. He looked to the side to see Sirius and Neriah—but no sign of Noah.
"Sirius?... Neriah?... Where am I?…" Enel whispered in a weak, trembling voice as he looked around, searching for Noah.
"You're in the hospital. Sirius brought you here. You're safe now, you'll be okay," Neriah said, gently patting his head in reassurance.
"…Where is Noah?…" Enel asked nervously, his eyes moving involuntarily to search for the person who had saved him.
"Noah? He left just a moment ago. He'll be back soon, don't worry," Neriah said with a warm, reassuring smile.
"…Noah… where is Noah??" Enel repeated in a shaky voice, his eyes filling with tears, shocking both Sirius and Neriah.
"I'm scared! Noah! Where's Noah?! It's dark! I want to see Noah now! Why did he leave me?! Does he hate me?! Am I annoying?! I want to see Noah! I want to say I'm sorry!" Enel cried, twisting in place, shaking not from physical pain but emotional. He felt Noah was his savior and only refuge now.
"E-Enel, p-please calm down. I-If seeing Noah will help, I'll go get him right now," Neriah said nervously, glancing at Sirius to watch over Enel, then quickly left the room.
"Hmm… Enel, are you alr—" Sirius tried to ask, but was cut off.
"No!" Enel snapped sharply, ending the conversation before it started.
"…Well, that was expected. I can tell what Enel went through and I can partially understand his pain. Noah saved him from what felt like the end of his life. He probably sees Noah as a light-born angel who came to rescue him that very day. Ah, he's going to be obsessed with Noah… Looks like I've got a rival," Sirius thought to himself playfully, a silly smile spreading across his face.
———————
Outside, Noah and September continued talking, with September looking more relaxed and open around him.
"So, 'Patchie-patch' came from your obsession with cute things?" Noah said teasingly, laughing softly.
"I-I guess so… A-Actually, do you want to see Patcha—?!" September started, but suddenly stopped, sensing someone's presence. She suddenly patted Noah's shoulder, confusing him.
"As I said, take good care of your friend. I know you're worried about him, but he'll be fine," September said with a nervous smile, patting his shoulder again.
"E-Excuse me?" Noah asked in confusion, standing in surprise.
"Noah," a voice called from behind. Noah turned to find Neriah standing there.
"H-He's awake. Enel is awake," Neriah said anxiously, not even acknowledging September standing next to Noah.
"R-Really?!"
"Well then, I think I'll go now. The healers here will take care of your friend," September said calmly, motioning for Noah to go. He nodded and followed Neriah inside.
September stayed behind, watching Noah leave. Once both of them were out of sight, she sighed in relief and walked away from the hiding spot, looking up at the silver-lit moon above.
"…I can't believe I almost showed him Patcha… I must've lost my mind," September thought to herself, surprised at her own foolishness. She had nearly put him in danger because of it.
———————
Inside, Noah entered the room to find Enel awake. Sirius was standing by the window, eyes fixed on September as she walked away. He then turned to Noah and Neriah.
"Noah?" Enel said in a soft, trembling voice.
"Yes, it's me. Do you need anything?" Noah asked, puzzled, then walked over and sat next to Enel on the bed.
"Don't go…" Enel whispered, voice weak and shaking, looking at Noah with innocent, pleading eyes.
"I… won't go?" Noah said, confused, which seemed to calm Enel down.
"What is this? Was Derek right when he called him a sissy? Am I really surrounded by two guys with a weird crush on me?!" Noah thought nervously, glancing sideways at Sirius—only to find him biting his fingers while glaring at Enel with jealousy and annoyance.
"W-What kind of cliché is this?!"