Wanna Be Friends...?

"L-lady Hannah…?"

Christopher blinked twice, the name leaving his lips before he could stop himself. A noble's daughter wasn't exactly the kind of person he expected to see casually leaning against a wall after a brawl in the courtyard.

'What's with the crude language as well?'

"Lady? Cut it out with the formalities, it makes me feel old…"

Hannah waved a dismissive hand like the title was just another accessory she had no interest in wearing. Her tone was light, but there was a frankness behind it—like she genuinely hated the distance that came with noble etiquette.

Even her uniform backed up the claim—her blazer hung open, sleeves rolled just past her elbows, and her tie had been reduced to a loose knot that swayed when she moved.

The polished boots most nobles treated like ornaments were scuffed along the toes, the kind of wear that came from running, climbing, or kicking things she probably shouldn't.

"Anyways! How did you do that!? You managed to survive someone capable of casting A-Rank spells consecutively!"

She practically bounced forward, her voice ringing across the courtyard. Her green eyes lit up so vividly it was almost distracting, like staring into a gemstone under sunlight.

[She seems fun]

'When did you develop a sense of fondness?'

[...]

[You're a cruel master]

The system's dry retort wormed its way under Christopher's skin. His jaw tightened, lips twitching in irritation.

'I swear to the gods I'm not this obnoxious… am I?'

He exhaled slowly, shaking his head and forcing a light chuckle. "I got… lucky?"

Hannah raised a brow like she'd just been offered the worst lie in history.

"Cut the bullshit…"

'...Did a noble lady really just say bullshit?'

[You act as if it's a world-ending event]

'Shut up!'

Weighing his options, Christopher decided there was no harm in telling her—she didn't seem the type to run her mouth recklessly. And if a noble did spread the truth about his awakening, it would just thrust him into the spotlight faster.

Not to mention… for reasons he couldn't quite pin down, the system seemed to have developed a strange fondness for her.

…

Bluetide Academy — Random empty classroom

"WHAT!?"

Hannah's voice exploded in the empty space, bouncing off the walls like someone had just announced the world was ending.

She slammed both hands on the desk, the bang echoing through the empty classroom. The chair she'd been sitting on wobbled dangerously before toppling over with a clatter.

"You awakened!? At 19!? That's a year past the average! I've heard of awakening a few months late, but not a year! That's practically unheard of!"

Her voice kept rising, threatening to breach the classroom walls and spill into the hallway. Christopher, however, was done pretending to respect noble sensibilities for the sake of tradition.

In one swift step, he closed the distance and clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Do you have a built-in speaker as a mouth or something…!?" His brows pulled together in irritation, one finger over his own lips to drive the point home.

Hannah stared back at him without a shred of shame. Then—

CHOMP.

Pain shot through his palm, forcing him to yank his hand away.

"Ackk—! Are you a dog or something!?" He shook his hand like it would help chase away the sting.

"You could have just told me to quiet down, you know?" Hannah replied with a teasing grin, clearly enjoying herself.

"But why didn't you reveal this yet? If you do, then your family will take you in again—heck, they'd stop the bullying you've been getting."

"No, I can't do that." Christopher shook his head firmly. "I plan to make them pay. I'm not looking to be accepted back into my family."

"How… soy."

Her tone was flat, accepting, as if she'd just been told he preferred tea over coffee.

[Quest: Befriend the Crimson Beauty]

[Objective: Become friends with Hannah Fey Cromwell]

[Reward: +1 Storage and +20 Arcane Points]

A familiar translucent screen slid into his vision without warning.

'For real?'

[For real]

When he glanced at Hannah again, there it was—an ornate blue arrow hovering above her head like a quest marker. It was simple, clean, and absurd enough to make him sigh internally.

'Why do you like this girl so much!?'

[You simply have no taste]

'Bastard…'

Still… the rewards weren't something he could brush aside. Storage space and arcane points were gold in his current situation. And if all it took was making a friend? He could live with that.

He let out a long exhale, his shoulders dropping. Hannah caught the shift immediately.

"Uhhh… did I hit a nerve?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her expression softening in mild concern.

"Look… I apologize for calling your dream soy." She leaned in just a little, her voice quieter, almost consoling.

"No… it's not that." Christopher scratched the back of his head, hesitating. "Well…"

The warmth in his cheeks spread fast, and the words suddenly felt heavier than they had any right to. He wasn't the kind of guy to just ask for friendship out of nowhere.

Again, he was an academic powerhouse, not a social one.

But Hannah's mind went elsewhere entirely.

'Did he fall in love with me!? Why is he so red!?'

Her thoughts raced, scrambling to figure out the "appropriate" noble response to a sudden confession.

Then—

'Okay, just say it. "We should be friends." Simple. Easy.'

No, that sounded too stiff. What if she thought he had an ulterior motive? What if she said no? What if she gets offended? What if she—

[Stop overthinking]

His palms felt clammy. His throat dried. Every rational thought scattered like pigeons in a park. And before he could catch them—

"Wanna be friends?" Christopher finally said, his voice a touch too loud and his face now a deep shade of red.

'I'm gonna die of shame!'

For a heartbeat, Hannah froze like her brain had stalled. Then the meaning sank in.

'Wait… friends? He said friends, right!?'

A laugh burst from her chest, light and genuine, like someone surviving a close call.

"Idiot, you didn't have to ask in such an awkward manner!" she replied, her grin bright enough to make him squint.

'Is she the bastard daughter of the literal sun…?'

[How Divine]