The Extra is a Genius!?-Chapter 190: The Evening Encounter

The night air in Valon was unusually crisp, the cobblestone streets bathed in the soft orange glow of floating lanterns. Noel walked steadily, a small bag in each hand—one with his own item, the other with a pair of pink earrings meant for someone else.

He was halfway to the academy when something caught his attention.

Raised voices.

Two men stood in a shadowed alleyway, leaning close to a woman. They reeked of alcohol, their postures aggressive, words slurred but laced with intent.

Noel narrowed his eyes.

He stepped closer, his voice low but clear.

"Is there a problem here?"

The men turned, annoyed at first—until they saw him.

Noel might’ve only been seventeen, but his expression could silence a room. He was tall for his age, sharp-eyed, and his presence carried the quiet weight of someone who had survived too much to be taken lightly.

The woman stepped forward.

Red hair. Hazel eyes.

Noel blinked.

"Well, there you are, Noel," she said, smiling as if nothing were wrong. "I’ve been waiting for you. Sorry, boys—he’s who I was waiting for."

One of the drunk men reached for her shoulder, trying to stop her.

He shouldn’t have.

Noel’s stare turned to steel. No words. Just a cold, unwavering look.

The man hesitated, faltered... and released her.

"Tch." With a click of his tongue, he turned away.

Both men disappeared into the night.

Noel exhaled slowly and looked at the girl.

"...Charlotte?"

She smiled again, a bit too casual.

"Hi."

Noel folded his arms, looking at her with a mixture of suspicion and fatigue.

"What are you doing here, Charlotte? At this hour? And in this part of the city?"

Charlotte casually brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, as if she hadn’t just been cornered by two drunk strangers.

"I went out to buy some bread," she replied, holding up a small paper bag as proof. "And I figured I’d... explore a bit. You know. City vibes."

Noel raised an eyebrow.

"We agreed I’d show you the city another day."

Charlotte averted her gaze, muttering something under her breath. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"I wanted to know some good spots for the date."

Noel leaned in slightly.

"...What was that?"

"Nothing," she replied quickly, puffing her cheeks a little. "Just talking to myself."

He sighed and reached out, gently taking the bag from her hands.

"Let’s go. I’ll walk you back."

"Aww, how chivalrous," she said with a grin. "Are you always this charming with girls you rescue?"

"Only when they put themselves in dumb situations."

"Tch. Rude."

Despite her playful tone, she walked quietly beside him as they made their way back toward the academy. Her usual energetic bounce was a little softer now—still Charlotte, but maybe slightly more grounded.

Their footsteps echoed lightly through the cobbled streets, Valon now quieter under the moonlight. The great walls of the Imperial Academy soon appeared in the distance, two guards already stationed at the front gates.

Charlotte glanced sideways at Noel’s silhouette.

His back looked broader than she remembered.

And steady. Like before...

Back when he’d stood in front of her during the Alya incident.

Just like now.

When they reached the gates, Noel handed the bread back to her.

"Get inside. And don’t pull something like this again."

"Yes, yes~" she said, waving dismissively. "I’ll make sure to get your permission next time I want to buy carbs."

He didn’t smile, but she could tell he wasn’t really angry anymore.

’What the hell was she doing out there?’

For a moment, she stood there, holding the bread with both hands.

Then, quietly:

"...Thanks."

Charlotte was humming softly behind him now. A light tune. Carefree.

He resisted the urge to ask again. If she wanted to tell him, she would’ve. Right?

He gave her a look, but said nothing more.

As she walked toward the girls’ corridor, she tossed a glance back at him—quick, playful, maybe even... hopeful.

Noel sighed and turned away.

’Whatever she was doing out there, she clearly doesn’t want to tell me.’

He didn’t know it yet—

But Charlotte had simply been scouting locations for the "grand tour" Noel promised her.

She had planned to let him lead, of course...

But deep down, she also wanted to pick a few spots of her own. Special ones.

As if it were a date—though she’d never admit that out loud.

That night, she just got a little too excited... and couldn’t wait.

—-

The night breeze slipped through the slightly open window, brushing past the curtains with a whisper. Charlotte lay on her bed, arms behind her head, staring at the ceiling.

The dormitory was quiet. Peaceful. Boring.

’I should talk to them soon... Elena and Elyra.’

She rolled onto her side, the loose braid of her red hair falling over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes reflected the soft glow of the floating light crystal above.

She wasn’t nervous. Just... curious.

’They’re with Noel, aren’t they?’

It wasn’t that she felt bad about it. Honestly, she had no idea what kind of relationship they had, but she could imagine it. But whatever it was, it was there. Obvious in the way Elyra looked at him. In how Elena spoke his name. In the way Noel didn’t brush it off.

And she? Well...

’I wanted to see the city with him first.’

She grinned to herself. Was that childish? Maybe. But it was also fun.

It wasn’t jealousy. Not really. She just didn’t like being left out of the game. Especially not when she liked the player.

’He’s annoying. Always acting so serious. But he’s got this... solid presence. Like you could fall and he’d just catch you without making a fuss.’

She swung her legs off the bed and stood up, stretching lazily.

’Anyway. If I’m going to keep hanging around him, I should know where I stand. And if those two are serious, I’ll ask. Simple, I don’t mind not being the first, but what I don’t like is being left out..’

She picked up a small ribbon from the desk — yellow, frayed at the edge — a gift from one of the orphans back in the Holy Capital. She tied it around her wrist with a practiced flick.

’Tomorrow, I’ll find Elyra. Then Elena. Ask straight up. No drama.’

And if they didn’t like that?

’Tough. I don’t fight over people. I just walk my path, and if they wanna walk next to me, fine. If not... I’ll find someone else who can keep up.’

With that thought, Charlotte smiled and turned off the light crystal.

She didn’t need permission to care about someone.