Non-Administrated World #97, Star Rail Universe…
"I… huff… can't… huff… believe… huff… this…" Alisa Bannings said between rough breaths, one hand braced against her knee. "To think… huff… you can be this… huff… rough and unforgiving… huff… even after I asked you not to be…"
"Sorry…" Noah Schweinorg replied, his expression genuinely guilty. "I got carried away. I didn't mean to push you that hard."
Alisa lifted her head and glared at him, though the redness of her cheeks and uneven breathing weakened the effect.
"You say that now, but you didn't look sorry while making me run another lap."
"That… is fair." Noah winced.
He rubbed the back of his head, "Then, how about I make it up to you?"
"Hmph." Alisa crossed her arms and looked away, trying very hard to hide the blush spreading across her face. "So? How exactly are you going to make it up to me?"
"Well…" Noah scratched his cheek. "I heard there will be an event on the shopping street today. Something about autumn being the season of food. So, if Alisa doesn't mind… we can go together."
Alisa froze.
For a moment, the exhaustion vanished from her face, replaced by pure surprise. She had expected another apology... maybe another awkward promise to be more careful next time.
She had not expected him to invite her out first.
"…Together?" she repeated.
Noah nodded. "Only if you want to."
Her heart did something extremely inconvenient.
"H-hmph! Since you are the one who suggested it, I suppose I can accompany you."
Sadly for her dignity, they were not alone.
A certain Kaleidostick floated between them, leaning forward as her red gem eyes twinkled with suspicious delight.
"You know," Ruby said, her voice far too cheerful, "without context, this conversation sounds very different when overheard by others."
Alisa slowly turned her head toward her. Noah blinked in honest confusion.
Ruby twirled in the air, practically sparkling. "But I suppose it can be forgiven, since Young Master has successfully invited Alisa-chan on another date!"
"It is not a date!" Alisa snapped immediately.
Argent, floating near Noah, chimed in like the gremlin device he was.
"Context: After the previous 'outing,' Master Noah explained the Moonlit World and the existence of magecraft to Miss Alisa. Miss Alisa then requested instruction in the proper use of magic. Since then, Master Noah and Miss Alisa have met at this park every morning for magic training and physical exercise."
Alisa nodded quickly. "Exactly!"
Argent continued mercilessly.
"However, that is not the important part."
Alisa slowly turned toward Argent. "…What?"
"Exactly!" Ruby spun in the air, far too excited for someone who had no lungs and therefore no need to breathe. "The important part is that Young Master just invited Alisa-chan on another date!"
Argent's front screen, which served as its face, displayed a nodding emoji. "Confirmed. Significant improvement detected in Master Noah's social-romantic skills."
"Wha-Wha-What are you two talking about?!" Alisa shouted, her face burning as she pointed at Ruby and Argent. "This isn't a date! Noah just wants to make up for being too strict during training!"
"So she says, Young Master?" Ruby tilted herself toward Noah.
Noah blinked.
Then, instead of denying it, he looked away.
"Wha…! Y-you… you!" Alisa's mouth fell open.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my!" Ruby's body practically vibrated with excitement.
Argent's screen flashed again. "Updating Master's relationship chart. Current assessment: Miss Alisa has the most promising chance of ending Master's single status."
"SHUT IT, YOU TWO!"
Alisa finally reached her limit and jumped after them, chasing the two rowdy Mystic Codes across the park grass.
"Kyaa~! An embarrassed maiden is attacking!" Ruby shrieked with theatrical joy.
"Correction," Argent added while flying away at full speed. "An embarrassed maiden with excellent acceleration."
"I said shut it!"
Noah watched her chase after Ruby and Argent, cheeks red, voice sharp with embarrassment, and every movement full of life.
For a moment, he could not look away.
Her hair was a little messy from training. Her breathing had not fully settled. Sweat made her shirt stick to her skin a bit too much, a proof of how hard she had pushed herself, and somehow, to Noah, all of it made her look even more endearing.
For a thirteen-year-old boy standing at the edge of puberty, the sight was far more stimulating than he knew how to handle.
The problem was that he did not want to look away.
He liked her voice. He liked the way she got angry whenever she was embarrassed. He liked the determined look in her eyes, even when she was exhausted and complaining with every breath.
The season around them was autumn, but for young Noah Schweinorg, something inside his chest felt dangerously close to spring.
'I wonder why…' he thought, a small smile slowly appearing on his lips. 'But I really like seeing her like this.'
If Zelretch had been there, he would have probably cried into a handkerchief and declared, "My boy is growing up!"
"Kyaa~! Run away, run away~!" Ruby sang as she flew past the trees.
Argent escaped beside her and still found the courage to add fuel to the fire.
"Report: Miss Alisa's current emotional state is complex. Excitement for the next outing. Embarrassment. Mild anxiety. Increased irritation caused by accurate emotional observation."
"You think?!" Alisa shouted, chasing them even faster.
Noah finally shook his head and let out an amused snort.
His day had started with training. Somehow, it had turned into this: Alisa red-faced and furious, Ruby laughing through the air, Argent committing emotional crimes with complete seriousness, and Noah standing there with a warmth in his chest he did not fully understand yet.
"…I'm looking forward to the coming days even more now."
—----
On the busy streets of Uminari City, three girls were enjoying themselves among the festival crowd.
Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, Olga Marie Animusphere, and Gray moved through the lively shopping street, mingling with families, shopkeepers, and students who had gathered for the small autumn event.
Each of them had already bought something from the stalls. Reines carried a skewer with elegant satisfaction. Olga held a paper bag of pastries with the seriousness of someone guarding classified documents. Gray, meanwhile, held her food with both hands, looking far too guilty for someone who had only purchased a snack.
"…Is this truly okay?" Gray asked hesitantly. "Aren't we supposed to meet with Noah now? And yet we are here buying food and eating while walking around."
"My, my." Reines' smile curved with immediate danger. "It seems Gray is quite eager to meet her prince charming."
"I-it's n-not like that!" Gray immediately protested. "Please don't tease me like that!"
"Oh? I didn't hear a denial, though." Reines looked at her like a cat watching a very interesting bird.
"%%@&!!!"
Gray combusted on the spot and lost the ability to form proper words.
Olga, who was walking beside them, let out a tired sigh before gently patting Gray's shoulder.
"Don't mind Reines' teasing too much, Gray. After all, she is the one more eager to meet Noah."
"My, Marie. How cruel." Reines raises her brow.
Olga's eyes narrowed. "Especially since your reason is to make him squirm and watch his embarrassed expression again."
Reines placed a hand over her chest, but her smile did not fade. "What a terrible accusation. True, but terrible."
"Miss Marie…!" Gray looked at Olga with a grateful expression as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Olga quickly looked away, hiding the faint red on her cheeks.
Unfortunately for her, Reines saw it. The smug curve of her lips made it clear she had noticed everything, including Olga's far too proud expression for successfully protecting Gray from her teasing.
Fortunately, the kind-hearted Gray noticed none of it. Instead, she remembered the real problem.
"B-but still…" She glanced around the crowded shopping street. "Is this truly alright? Shouldn't we search for Noah instead of walking around and eating?"
Reines' smile widened slightly, but before she could say anything, Olga answered first.
"No. This is the correct decision."
"...It is?" Gray blinked.
Olga nodded with the serious expression of someone delivering a high-level strategic report.
"Yes. Knowing Noah's habits, especially his frightening weakness toward good food, he will come here on his own if he hears about this event."
Gray slowly looked at the stalls lining the street. The smell of grilled skewers, fresh pastries, sweet buns, roasted chestnuts, and warm soup drifted through the air.
Olga continued as if she were explaining an established law of magecraft.
"Noah is the kind of person who can resist political pressure, magical danger, and troublesome adults. But if you tell him there is a local food event, his legs will bring him here before his brain finishes pretending to be responsible."
Gray blinked, then tilted her head.
"That sounds… strangely convincing."
"It is not strange," Olga said firmly. "It is childhood friend knowledge."
Reines placed one hand against her cheek and smiled smugly. "Exactly. That is the very reason we are here, Gray. Searching randomly would waste time. Staying near the food stalls gives us the highest chance of encountering Noah naturally."
Gray's eyes widened in understanding. "So that is why Miss Marie did not stop you."
"Correct," Reines said, her smile growing even more pleased. "Marie understands our target's behavior. I merely selected the best hunting ground."
Olga gave her a dry look.
"Also because you like the food."
"That as well," Reines admitted without a trace of shame.
Gray stared at her.
"Strategy and personal enjoyment do not need to be enemies." Reines elegantly lifted her skewer and took a bite. "In fact, I would argue they make excellent allies."
"Of course. Only you would say that with a straight face." Olga sighed.
"Why would I deny the truth?" Reines smiled brightly. "These skewers are excellent."
Gray looked between them, completely speechless. Her hood slipped slightly, as if even her soul had lost the ability to respond.
Olga patted her shoulder again. "You will get used to this."
"I am not sure I want to…"
Reines hummed happily, then glanced toward the stalls ahead. "Besides, this gives us a chance to observe the area. If Noah appears with someone, we can also learn something useful."
Olga's eyes narrowed. "Useful?"
Reines smiled like a cat that had found both cream and blackmail at the same time.
"For example, whether our dear Noah is walking alone… or with a girl."
Gray stiffened, and Olga's expression twitched. The atmosphere around them changed instantly.
"…A girl?" Gray repeated carefully.
"That is possible, I suppose." Olga's smile became a little too hollow. "Noah does have a tendency to involve himself… with people."
"With people," Reines repeated, enjoying every syllable. "My, what a mature answer, Marie."
Olga's hand tightened slightly around the paper bag of pastries. Yes, slightly. But that did not stop Reines from smiling far too brightly.
Olga looked away. "…It is only a reasonable possibility."
"Of course. A very reasonable possibility."
"…Just what are you trying to imply?"
"My, I'm implying nothing."
"That smile of yours says something else."
"It's my usual smile, though?"
"Not that smile. That's the one specifically means trouble."
Gray nervously looked between them. "Miss Marie…?"
"…Noah is free to walk with whoever he wants," Olga said at last.
So the three continued down the lively shopping street, following the smell of autumn dishes and the strange certainty that if Noah Schweinorg was anywhere nearby, he would eventually appear where the food was best.
And somewhere in the distance, fate, romance, and poor timing were already preparing to collide.
—------
The smell of roasted chestnuts, grilled skewers, sweet potatoes, and fresh pastries spread across Uminari's shopping street.
Colorful banners hung between the shops, each one decorated with maple leaves, smiling mascots, and cheerful words announcing the Autumn Food Festival. Families moved from stall to stall. Children pointed at sweets. Shopkeepers called out their specials with bright voices, turning the whole street into a warm little storm of steam, spice, and laughter.
Noah Schweinorg walked beside Alisa Bannings with the serious expression of someone trying very hard not to look too happy.
Unfortunately for him, Alisa could see it very clearly.
He was happy.
Very happy.
She had been sneaking glances at him since they arrived, though she would rather fight another Quantum Shadow barehanded than admit it. So instead of saying anything, she simply screamed inside her own mind.
'Geez, what am I going to do now?! Why do I suddenly feel happy too?!'
Noah had changed out of his training clothes into a simple but neat outfit: a dark jacket, a white shirt underneath, and trousers that made him look less like a boy who had just been teaching magic in the park and more like a young gentleman trying to act casual.
The problem was that he looked good.
Too good.
Alisa quickly looked away before he could catch her staring.
'Why does he have to look so good?!' she thought, only to notice a few girls nearby glancing at him as well. 'Tsk. Annoyingly good.'
Without thinking too much about it, she stepped closer, then closer until the distance between them was almost zero.
Noah noticed. He blinked once, then smiled at her before smoothly taking her hand.
Alisa was stunned by the sudden attack. Her thoughts collapsed, her face warmed, and by the time she recovered enough to react, she realized she had already let him hold her hand. Even then, she did not pull away... she stepped even closer to him, instead.
Not far away from them, Ruby floated invisibly to ordinary people, humming with unbearable cheer. Argent, beside her, silently recorded the sweet scene unfolding before them.
Noah let out a happy hum as they walked together hand in hand, looking at every stall with a bright and innocent expression.
"You seem to be enjoying this way too much," Alisa said, a little surprised by his almost childish excitement.
"Ah… sorry." Noah looked at her with a guilty smile. "I got so excited that I almost forgot myself. Even though this was supposed to be me making it up to you for earlier."
Her face warmed. "It's fine. Don't worry about it. I'm… enjoying it in my own way as well."
Noah smiled at her, and Alisa's next words died halfway up her throat.
'What's with that smile?! That's unfair.'
Alisa could not help thinking about the boy beside her. He could be clumsy in strange ways, awkward when teased, too serious during training, and occasionally so honest it made her want to hide behind the nearest signboard. But when he smiled like that, without any guard around him, Alisa felt her chest do something stupid.
Something fluttery.
Something highly inconvenient.
Of course, this was Alisa, so she still needed to deny it for a little longer.
To change the atmosphere before her face betrayed her completely, she pointed at the nearest stall.
"I want that."
Noah followed her finger. "The apple tart?"
"Yes."
"Then let's get it."
He bought one without hesitation.
Alisa accepted the paper plate from him, then realized there was only one tart. She looked at Noah, then at the tart.
Noah blinked.
Then realization slowly appeared on his face.
"Oh. I should have bought two."
Alisa stared at him with helplessness.
Above them, Ruby made a tiny gasp while Argent leaned closer, making sure he captured the best angle.
"I'll buy another one…" Noah said with an awkward smile.
Alisa looked at the tart, then at him.
Her face slowly turned red.
"…It's fine."
"Are you sure?"
"I said it's fine."
She sliced off a piece with the tiny wooden fork and held it out without looking at him.
Noah's eyes went wide.
"Here. Have some," Alisa said, her hand trembling slightly. "You bought it, so it's only fair that you get some too."
Noah stared at the tart, then at Alisa's red cheeks, before unconsciously gulping.
"Thank you."
He leaned forward and ate it from the fork.
"…It's sweet."
Alisa's soul nearly left her body.
"Kyaa!!! My master is so bold!!" Ruby pressed herself against Argent like she was watching the final scene of a romance play.
"To think she would do an 'aah' on only the second date!"
Argent's screen became a shining heart emoji. "Miss Alisa continues to raise her rank as Master's romantic partner. At this rate, she might catch up to Miss Marie very soon."
After finishing the tart, the young not-yet couple continued walking. At the next stall, Noah bought warm, sweet milk. Unfortunately for Ruby, Noah remembered to buy two this time.
"Thanks." Alisa accepted hers from him.
"You're welcome."
They stood near the side of the street, watching the crowd pass by. Steam rose from the cups between them. The autumn air was cool enough that the warmth felt pleasant against their fingers.
"Alisa." Noah lowered his cup after taking a sip.
She glanced at him. "Hmm? What is it?"
"About training earlier…"
"I already said I'm fine."
"I know." Noah looked down at his cup. "But I still pushed you too hard."
Alisa opened her mouth to snap back, but stopped when she saw his face. He was not teasing her or saying it lightly. He was genuinely worried.
That made her anger lose its footing.
She looked down at the drink in her hands.
"…It was hard," she admitted.
Noah's expression tightened.
"But," she added quickly, "I asked you to teach me properly. So don't treat me like glass."
"I don't."
"You do."
Noah opened his mouth to deny it, but stopped when Alisa looked up at him with a sharp yet honest expression.
"You look at me like you're afraid I'll break if you make one mistake."
Noah fell silent.
Alisa's voice softened, but her eyes did not look away.
"I know I'm not like Nanoha, Fate, or Hayate. I know I'm late to this world. I don't know everything. I don't even understand half of what Ruby says when she starts talking about Mystic Codes, Second Magic, and whatever nonsense comes after that."
She looked Noah directly in the eye.
"But I still want to stand there. I don't want to just watch from the sidelines anymore."
Noah listened without interrupting. He noticed how her fingers tightened around her cup, and how hard she was trying to keep her voice from shaking.
"I was scared when that monster attacked. I was terrified." Her lips pressed together for a moment. "But I hated feeling powerless even more."
Noah's eyes softened.
"So… train me properly," Alisa said. "Just don't forget I'm still learning."
"I promise." Noah nodded with a small smile.
"And don't apologize every time I get tired."
"…I'll try."
"Noah." Alisa gave him a sharp glare.
"…I won't," he corrected himself immediately.
Alisa looked at him for a little longer, and Noah met her gaze. Their eyes held each other. Around them, the festival kept moving, but the noise seemed to soften until it felt like the two of them were standing in their own little world.
"Good."
Then Noah smiled gently.
"You really are amazing, Alisa."
"W-where did that come from?!" Her face exploded red.
Noah let out a small laugh. "I was just thinking I'm lucky to have met you."
"Whaa…!"
Ruby used her wings to hold herself upright. "Direct hit…!"
Argent's screen glitched like it had been struck by a fatal system error. "…There is no denying it anymore. Miss Alisa has reached the same level as Miss Marie."
Noah laughed at her stunned expression, which made Alisa turn away. This time, however, she was smiling too.
After that, they stepped into the shopping street again.
Noah bought roasted chestnuts. Alisa insisted on paying for the next snack because she was "not letting him pay for everything for fairness." Noah accepted so easily that she became annoyed for reasons she did not understand. Then he praised the fried sweet potato she chose, and she immediately forgot what she had been annoyed about.
For Alisa, what was happening right now was dangerous.
Not Voldemort danger. Not Quantum Shadow danger. Not even Dormammu danger.
Something far worse.
Feelings danger.
The kind of danger that made her forget everything whenever Noah looked at her with a look of spending time with her was the best thing in the world. Alisa had to keep pretending she was not happy, or else she might really lose control of the expression on her face.
Ruby and Argent floated behind them like two invisible festival spirits documenting the birth of a sweet catastrophe.
At one stall, Alisa stopped in front of a display of small autumn charms. They were simple handmade things: maple leaves sealed in resin, tiny bells, and little straps shaped like foxes, rabbits, and cats.
One charm caught her eye. A small silver moon with a red leaf hanging beneath it.
"Do you like it?" Noah asked her.
"I was just looking." Alisa quickly looked away, embarrassed by being caught.
Noah stepped toward the stall and picked it up.
"Hmm. I think this will suit you."
"Don't just say things like that so easily!"
"…Why?"
"Because!"
Noah tilted his head with honest confusion, which was somehow more destructive than teasing. Alisa looked away, cheeks burning again.
'Really, what am I going to do?! I don't think I can keep pretending anymore!'
The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with amused eyes, smiled between them.
"My, what a cute couple."
"We're not a couple, yet!" Alisa shouted immediately.
Noah looked at her in surprise.
Then Alisa realized her slip.
"W-wait… t-that was not what I… m-meant…" She tried to take it back, but her voice became lower and weaker with every word.
Ruby made a sound that no magical tool should ever make in public, and Argent's screen displayed fireworks.
The old woman blinked, then laughed softly. "I see, I see."
She looked between the red-faced Alisa and the stunned Noah before placing the charm into Alisa's free hand.
Noah, recovering slightly, reached for his wallet to pay, but the old woman stopped him with a gentle shake of her head.
"This is my gift to a charming young pair like you two," she said. "And my hope is that one day, both of you can express your feelings openly."
Alisa stared at the charm resting in her palm. "For… us?"
The old woman smiled at her gently. "Yes. For both of you."
Alisa looked down again, and for some reason, the sight of the small silver moon and red leaf made her chest tighten.
"I can see that you are still hesitant and unsure," the old woman added. "But feelings do not care about time. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Maybe it will be another peaceful day like this. Maybe it will be the end of the world."
Her smile softened.
"So try not to think too much. Let your feelings grow naturally. Let them reach the person beside you."
Noah's hold on Alisa's hand tightened. He did not know why, but the old woman's words reached him more deeply than he expected.
'To be a magus is to walk with death,' he thought.
He thought he had understood those words. Now, he realized he had only understood their shape. His chest tightened at the mere thought of Alisa standing in danger.
'I can't…'
His thoughts were interrupted by Alisa's voice.
"…Thank you, Ma'am."
When Noah looked at her, she was holding the charm close against her chest.
"…I will take very good care of it."
The old woman smiled at her. "Good luck, you two. I hope you have a long and happy time together."
Noah's smile softened.
"We will," he answered with quiet conviction. "I will make sure of it."
Alisa squeezed his hand, then looked at him before turning back to the old woman.
"We…" she corrected, her voice smaller but firm. "We will make sure of it."
Noah's heart made a strange jump. He did not understand why those words made him so happy.
After that, they continued walking in silence. Their hands remained connected, neither of them letting go.
Then Noah stopped in front of a stall selling takoyaki.
"You're buying more?" Alisa stared at him.
"It's a food festival," Noah replied with complete sincerity.
Alisa tried not to laugh, and she failed. A bright laugh escaped her, sudden and full, and for a moment, Noah completely forgot about the takoyaki.
"Well, I guess you're right," Alisa said after finally catching her breath. "Let's go buy some, then!"
She pulled him toward the stall and ordered for both of them to share. Once they received their food, they took a seat not far from the stall.
Unlike earlier, when sharing the tart had nearly destroyed her ability to function, Alisa no longer hesitated as much. She even tried to feed him another piece.
Ruby saw it and dramatically leaned against Argent, who caught the Kaleidostick like a fallen heroine.
"Ruby! Get a hold of yourself!"
"I can't take it anymore, brother… this is too sweet for me…"
"Ruby! No! Ruby!"
"I'm leaving the rest to you… brother…"
"RUUUUBBBYYYY!!!!!!"
Moving on.
As Alisa and Noah ate together, despite the embarrassing and painfully sweet moment they both clearly enjoyed, Noah found himself staring at Alisa again. Her bold little action made him think back to the old woman's words.
'It seems even Alisa was affected by what she said,' he thought. 'But… I think I understand it a little.'
His expression softened as he remembered how they met. This sharp, slightly tsundere, strangely soft, and undeniably caring girl had already earned a place in his heart, even though he had only known her for a few days.
"…Feelings don't care about time, huh," he murmured as a smile naturally appeared on his lips. "I think I understand it now."
Alisa heard him and looked at him. "Hmm? What was that? Did you say something?"
Noah looked away, a little embarrassed.
"I just thought… I'm glad I invited you today."
Alisa nearly stopped breathing. The feeling in her chest became almost unbearable.
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Finally, she looked away and muttered, "You better be."
"Yes." Noah's smile widened.
At that moment, the sugar levels officially reached a dangerous zone.
Then three familiar voices called out to them.
"…Noah?"
"My, my. What a fascinating scene we found."
"E-eh?! Noah… with a girl?!"
Noah and Alisa flinched. Above them, Ruby and Argent slowly turned. Standing a few steps away, holding festival snacks and staring directly at them, were Olga Marie Animusphere, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, and Gray.
The rom-com gods finally made their move.
====== Chapter 214 END======