Story Reader / Affection / Noan: Arca / Story
I heard Commandant Simon said you would be going to another large-scale operation soon. When is it?
Noan peeks at the clock on the bar counter. Its vintage hands are pointing at 17:45.
Why are you still here then...? Aren't you going to prepare or have a final rest?
Gathering? At this point in time?
I see. A lot of senior management staff are also under tremendous pressure, so they need to have meetings, which will likely contain lots of quarrels. They need such social occasions to repair their relationship.
Is that gathering important to you?
But the leaders don't need to prepare tonight, nor do they have to wake up early. Who gives them the right to drag you into this nonsense?
No matter what fancy reasons they have, they are just ignoring other people's feelings for their own enjoyment. I call that nonsense.
You have been working non-stop for so many days. Are you really going to deprive yourself of rest before a dangerous mission?
Then don't.
If you don't know how to turn them down...
How about letting an infamous bad guy hurt you? Then you claim you are not feeling well and can go back to rest.
It's not like this has never happened before.
Noan pushes forward a drink that he just made.
Right?
After a prolonged period of thinking, the commandant finally picks up the cup and takes a couple of sips.
Holding the cup, the commandant sits back at the desk and starts sending messages on the terminal.
Noan did not ask about the content of the messages, but he knows they will not be easy to deal with just from the frown on the human's face.
Ten minutes later, the commandant puts away the terminal and takes another sip before walking over.
Hmm?
What is it?
He closes his eyes and chuckles.
Thanks. But who is going to be responsible for your sick leave if I run away?
I am tagged. There is surveillance everywhere. No matter where I go, they will find us.
You should go back and have some rest. I can walk you to the lounge if you need me to.
Then just go to a place you like and chill out.
They are coming to get the bad guy very soon, and you will still be forced to take a break.
Maybe they will take you directly to Star of Life.
I still have to face it if I run away with you.
...
...You are so...
If that's the case—
He opens his arms and reaches out both hands over the counter.
The tag is right on my wrist. Are you going to disarm it?
Noan sounds like he is just teasing, as if he is not serious and prepared to be rejected.
But you know who has.
He nods.
Shouldn't you turn me down immediately?
Are you seriously thinking about whether you can trust me?
Do you trust that I will not sneak into a shuttle, and contact the Ascendants when I land? I can pass the filtering and become mightier than ever, you know?
I was badly wounded and had no choice. I either came with you, or got killed by you—at least that's what the doubters always think.
Then...
He waves his hand. Still, he looks like he is mocking himself.
I just happen to know a route without surveillance. I can take you with me.
Yeah. I discovered it by accident though.
I really sound like a defector now, don't I? Do you still believe me?
After a moment of hesitation, the human picks up the terminal again.
After a lot of communications and procedures, the ID card of Gray Raven Commandant finally has finally been granted authority. The commandant flashes the card over Noan's wrist.
—Beep.
The closely attached wrist band falls off his artificial skin onto the bar counter.
More than enough. I'll be back soon.
...Thank you for believing in me.
He moves the wrist, walks out from the bar counter, and reaches out his unshackled hand to the human in front.
Let's go.
Two of them run across the square into a long, narrow safety path.
Stay close to the wall. Follow me.
Actually, there is still surveillance here. But it has a blind spot.
It's a secret. Can I not tell you?
I'm actually good at finding the blind spots of surveillance.
When I was a child, I had a secret base. It was a warehouse and I had to avoid the surveillance to get in.
Yeah, it was a warehouse of books. The books inside are all for sale, but nobody would find out I am reading them as long as I don't damage them.
As they talk, they have already gone through the path into a deserted bridge in Zone Z.
Once we are here, nobody will find out.
Sit on the stairs and take a break.
The human nods and sits next to Noan.
Noan has not said anything. He just takes out a book he brought from the library and starts reading.
Nobody will ever visit here. The lighting and temperature control system stopped functioning long ago. Only the dim emergency light is blinking in the cold air.
I'd love to talk to you, but I got you here to let you rest.
Wouldn't it defeat the purpose if I keep talking?
If you still can't fall asleep, at least you can empty your head.
Rest assured that I will stay here.
I'll send you back when you feel a bit better.
Sorry, but I didn't bring any coat or blanket either. Would you like to sit closer?
Come this way...
With the book in one hand, he pulls the cape with the other and puts it over the commandant while still looking at his book.
His action is very natural, as if he is calming down a good friend or child.
You should rest now.
Looking at the distant stars, the human slowly calms down.
Noan also remains calm like the empty bridge.
Time slowly goes by...
He finishes half the book and looks up, only to find the human has fallen asleep.
...
You really fell asleep...
...What a reckless act.
Are you just that type of person who easily trusts others, or do you really find me trustworthy...?
His soft, gentle voice melts in the calm breaths.
