Chapter 120
“Sit obediently, don’t move around . ”
Noah used his incredibly dexterous hands to quickly fix up the half-awake little girl . He adjusted her clothing, brushed her platinum blonde hair . His skill is so incredible that he somehow managed to fix her cowlick without hair gel or spray .
The little girl did as instructed, she’s still half-way into the sandman’s kingdom but she didn’t move around . She let Noah doll her up and she gasped in a slightly shocked tone .
“This is incredible, you only used your hands to tidy up my messy hair . ”
“Well, that’s because I have got a bunch of kids at home, they are around your age and just as high-maintenance as you . This skill was forged through countless trials and tribulations . ”
“What a convenient skill . ”
“I think so too . I am too good for my own good . They kept pestering me, clinging to me like gum, only letting go when I sit down and help them . ”
They kept chatting until Noah finally finished his motions .
Although her pajama is still rather loose-fitting, her messy hair is now tidy and fit for presentation . Add that to her charming face that wouldn’t lose to Enju or Kayo and you have yourself, a very cute doll . Well, she would be perfect if she could lose that sleepy attitude .
Seeing as she might doze off at any moment, Noah pulled at her cheeks .
“You’re so young, don’t tell me you’re doing silly stuff like staying up late for movies and films? Children should go to bed early!”
“N-no it’s not like twasht…”
She said with her word jumbled up since Noah didn’t stop pulling her cheeks .
“I am just used to moving around in the night that’s why day is such a pain for me…”
“No-you-listen-to-me!”
He started talking to her like she’s one of the kids in Fairy Tail .
“Daytime is the normal active time for children and almost all humans . Night time is for you to sleep early . Do you know? Sleeping in early at night can produce a very good resting effect as compared to paying the sleep debt back during the day . You need to fix your habit or I am going to need to have a little chat with your parents . ”
The little girl looked at Noah in a daze . She kept gazing at him until he felt a bit uncomfortable . She giggled after coming to herself .
“It’s the first time someone showed so much care for me, I am so happy . ”
“The first time, you say?”
Noah furrowed his brows .
“Aren’t your family caring for you?”
The little girl changed the subject by laughing it off .
“Onii-san sure is warm . ”
“Now, look here…”
Seeing as the little girl isn’t planning on opening herself up to him, Noah decided to let the matter rest for now . It’s her own family and it’s her right to say or omit details about her own familial circumstances .
Noah changed his question .
“What’s your name?”
“Who? Me?”
The little girl hesitated for a bit, he could see her wavering eyes but she spoke up soon enough .
“Tina, Tina Sprout . ”
“Tina, huh?”
Noah gave her head pats . Her defenseless look made him very protective and soft .
“Tina, you’re a foreigner or of mixed-ancestry, right?”
Tina half-opened her mouth as she exclaimed her surprise .
“Onii-san is so incredible, you even guessed that part correctly . ”
“That’s because your name is rather unique . The order of your family name and first name is different from the order of names common to this country . ”
Noah chuckled .
“Oh, your platinum blonde hair is also a dead giveaway . Anyone would have been able to guess correctly if they saw you . ”
“Is that so?”
Tina let her head bob up and down, left and right before she placed her index finger beneath her chin . She asked him a question .
“What’s Onii-san’s name?”
“This…”
Noah pondered .
His name is not something he should go around using nonchalantly .
As a rather famous person in Tokyo Area, even a kid would recognize him if he told her that he’s Noah Dreyar .
Everyone in this place knew about Noah Dreyar’s identity as the guildmaster of Fairy Tail . The founder of the foundation that harbors cursed children who are treated as monsters in other places .
Anyone who survived the stolen age would discriminate against cursed children, almost everyone discriminated against cursed children to some extent .
Normal kids are told horror stories about how Noah is the biggest villain in this area . They are warned against getting close to him lest they are eaten by monsters or some BS like that .
Noah isn’t sure if Tina is one of the kids who are brain-washed by adults into hating him .
If she’s one of them, Noah’s identity would probably shock her . Heck, she might even start bawling as a result .
Noah chose to sit this one out .
“Hmm, I guess you can keep calling me Onii-san . ”
“Why?”
Tina protested with her lazy eyes but Noah ignored her .
“Okay, Tina . ”
Noah stood up and he patted her on the head .
“I am heading back, what about you? Shall I escort you home?”
Tina stared dumbfounded at Noah . She managed to squeeze out the feelings in her heart .
“Onii-san is going to abandon me too?”
“Abandon?”
Noah asked .
“Why would I abandon you?”
“Because Onii-san is leaving . ”
Tina replied with an innocent look .
“You’re going to leave Tina behind and go by yourself . ”
“No no no, I was asking if you want me to accompany you on your way home?”
Noah laughed .
“How is that leaving you behind?”
“It is!”
Tina nodded .
“It counts!”
Noah rolled his eyes and he acquiesced .
“How about this? I am going to give you my number, that way, no matter where I go, you will always be able to reach me, how does that sound?”
“Your handphone number?”
Tina flinched in surprise .
Noah shrugged and he gave her his numbers .
Tina repeatedly chanted his number . She turned around and she took out her phone .
Noah was surprised that someone gave a girl around the age of 10 a cellphone, that’s too much freedom for a kid . Suddenly, his phone started ringing .
“Ahaha…’
Tina giggled in a sheepish manner .
“I thought Onii-san gave me a fake number . ”
“Now, why would I do that?”
Noah felt tired just talking to her .
He’s only known her for a few minutes but she already knew how to get him to play along with her rhythm .
It’s more like Noah found it hard to operate on her frequency . This girl had a very unique frequency and that’s why he got played .
“This was a very joyful day for me . ”
Tina stored her phone away and she stood up from the bench . She gave him a very radiant smile .
“Onii-san can’t lie to me, okay? When I call you, I hope you will pick up without fail . ”
“If I am free . ”
Noah added .
“Adults have a lot on their plates, after all . ”
“Onii-san is a meanie . ”
Tina said but her smile showed that she thought otherwise . She’s unusually mature for her age, she lacked the selfishness and lack of discipline inherent in young children .
“Well . ”
Noah scratched the back of his head .
“Do you need me to send you back home?”
“It’s okay, I know the way back home . ”
Tina tilted her head in thought and she bade him farewell with a polite bow .
“Until the next time we meet . ”
Tina walked out of the park, away from the fountain area they were in .
Noah watched as Tina made her way out of the park, even if she was wobbling around like she would fall if somebody stuck a leg out . Noah turned around after confirming her departure . He left in the other direction .
The two would have never thought that this chance meeting is just the beginning of something bigger