#64
After another whirlwind day of sales, Noah collapsed onto the makeshift chair in the back and removed the hat he’d been wearing. Aeongi, seemingly untired, flipped the sign to [CLOSE] and began casually collecting the scattered signs one by one, placing them into a container.
“I feel like I’m going to die.”
Noah’s lips curled slightly at Benjamin’s groaning as he perched on the edge of a chair just like Noah. Despite being told he didn’t have to work if it was too difficult, Benjamin showed an unexpected diligence, faithfully showing up on his scheduled days.
“I told you, you can stop. I can hire someone.”
“No.”
“Why not! There are plenty of people who could work instead of you. I can just hire staff.”
Initially, Noah had used a small, pretty money box, but now in the midst of the chaos, he had several large containers laid out. He pulled one toward himself.
“No!”
“Why not!”
After setting aside a portion of money to pay Benjamin and Derik for today’s work, Noah looked in disbelief at the stubborn youngest son of the noble family. Benjamin’s appearance had been a huge asset to the business, but it had been quite a shock for Noah when Benjamin’s parents had shown up yesterday, on a day when Benjamin wasn’t working.
In the midst of being so busy he needed to borrow cat hands, Noah had to acknowledge the Duke of the South with a nod. Benjamin’s parents had stood in line and personally bought roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts. Noah found it more concerning that they hadn’t said anything rather than if they had spoken up.
Well, there was no noble in this world who would let their precious youngest son, whom they cherished beyond measure, work at a street stall rather than a proper store and receive daily wages. People might say there’s no shame in any profession, but there certainly is, and the entire academy was in an uproar over the fact that Benjamin, who could barely carry a book properly, was working.
While Noah was bantering with Benjamin, Derik was silently cleaning up. How ironic. When Noah had said he was quitting the academy, Derik had simply nodded expressionlessly as expected. It was Raymond who had caused a scene, insisting they talk properly, pulling up a chair and asking why Noah was suddenly leaving. Noah had looked at Raymond and answered honestly.
Derik hadn’t said a word until all the procedures at the academy were completed. Even when he came to see Noah off, Raymond hugged Noah tightly and offered all sorts of farewell words, telling him to speak up if he faced any difficulties in his business and to stay healthy. Meanwhile, Derik just stood silently behind Raymond. Although it might have been the last time they saw each other, Noah hesitantly reached out his hand, wanting a hug like Raymond’s, and Derik took his hand.
‘If you need anything, just say so. I’ll help with whatever.’
‘Thank you.’
That was their final goodbye. But what did it matter? On the first day of opening his stall, Noah had practically kidnapped Benjamin to help, and the rumor spread throughout the capital in an instant.
The next morning, Noah, who had been sleeping in late at his house in the capital, had to rub his eyes and get up when Raymond and Derik visited, and as a result, Noah’s stall became a gathering place for all the popular students from the academy.
“Here’s your pay for today. And seriously, tell me whenever…”
As Noah was giving Benjamin his share, he noticed Benjamin looking elsewhere and followed his gaze. There stood Derik, cleaning up the scattered signs.
“Hey!”
“…”
“Benjamin!”
“Ah… huh?”
When Benjamin didn’t respond to his calls, Noah shouted his name loudly, making Benjamin jump in surprise and finally look at him. Noah sighed deeply. Right. That’s how unrequited love is. How could such feelings be easily let go?
Noah smiled awkwardly as he watched Derik finish organizing the signs, open a box with a refrigeration spell, and bring out a cool drink to offer.
“Thank you.”
Huh? Benjamin.
I’m pretty sure Derik was giving that to me. He definitely took out one drink from the box, and Noah had made eye contact with Derik as he walked toward him. Derik approached and silently offered the drink, but then the drink disappeared from before Noah’s eyes, and Benjamin’s bright voice was heard.
“Whew. This is tough. So tough. Here’s the pay for both of you for today’s work. Hurry back before it gets late.”
Noah, whose outstretched hand for the drink was now awkwardly suspended in the air, stood up from his chair and began organizing the empty boxes that had contained sweet potatoes and chestnuts.
“Right. You shouldn’t be late. Derik, let’s go.”
Benjamin, who had just been complaining about dying from exhaustion, now stood up with a bright smile as if that had never happened, even thanking Derik for the drink. Noah nodded slightly as he listened. How nice to be so pure. Nice to freely express feelings of affection. Youth, true youth.
“That was for Noah.”
…You oblivious idiot. He likes you. Benjamin has confessed to you so many times, which is why you’re still single.
“Huh? I’m not thirsty. It’s fine. Hurry up and go. Don’t get disciplined for being late.”
While preparing for business was hard, cleaning up was easy. Organizing empty boxes, putting away signs, turning off the heated machine used for roasting sweet potatoes and chestnuts. With only these tasks left, Noah slapped Derik’s arm, who was standing blankly, and pushed him toward the exit.
“Let’s go now. I’m tired.”
After pushing Derik and Benjamin outside and turning around, Noah chuckled at Benjamin’s affectionate words. So that’s why Benjamin wouldn’t quit. As they had arranged their schedules, at first they had come to work in a haphazard manner, but on days when Derik and Benjamin weren’t available, Raymond and Aeongi would help with the work.
“Well. You go ahead. I’ll help Noah clean up…”
“Oh my goodness. Just go… People won’t leave if you two keep hanging around.”
After pushing away the oblivious Derik and Benjamin, Noah was straightening up from cleaning when he sensed someone’s presence and stood upright.
“…”
“We’re done with business for today.”
Noah spoke kindly to the middle-aged man standing in front of the stall.
“Noah Schwein?”
“Yes.”
“Shall we talk somewhere quiet?”
“Pardon?”
“Ah. I’m not a bad person. Let me introduce myself…”
“Nyaa~”
As Aeongi made a sound, Noah ran his hand through his hair as he saw people scattered around approaching the stall. Although Noah had started this business to gain direct social experience, it couldn’t be ordinary.
While Lucas had let Noah do what he wanted because it was his wish, he wouldn’t simply stand by and watch his underage omega son work alone on the street. Even though Aeongi was practically attached to Noah’s side and Noah had friends helping him, human affairs were unpredictable.
Noah had vaguely suspected that Lucas had assigned people to watch over him, but seeing that there wasn’t just one or two people emerging from the crowd, he alternately looked at the approaching figures and the man in front of him who was holding out a small piece of paper.
“Nyaa~”
Noah stroked Aeongi’s head as he rubbed against his thigh and circled around, then accepted the small paper with both hands from the man standing in front of him.
“We’ll need to have a deeper conversation with the Grand Duke as well, but today I just wanted to meet Noah briefly.”
“Wow…”
Noah’s mouth fell open as he looked at the paper. The name Eddie Lofan, the empire’s largest merchant and one of the few countable wealthy individuals, was written in brilliant gold on black paper. As Noah confirmed his name, he could also be certain that the golden substance representing his name was gold dust.
“According to rumors, Noah personally conceived this business, made the machine, and created all the menu items. Is that true?”
“Hello. I apologize for the late formal greeting. I don’t have a business card to give you yet. I’m Noah Schwein. Pleased to meet you.”
Noah’s face, initially full of surprise, now wore a bright smile, and his voice was more confident than ever. As the stall became famous, he had held a small hope. People who handled money had an incredible nose for it, and the reason for his surprise was that the opportunity had come sooner than expected.
“Noah. Looking at your eyes, I think our conversation will go well.”
People recognize people. Noah didn’t mind being evaluated by the other party, as he was also sizing him up.
And Noah grabbed Eddie’s outstretched hand without hesitation.
“I didn’t expect you to come personally. I thought you would send someone…”
“It’s a shame that today’s prepared stock has run out.”
“I don’t think you need to be disappointed at all. If our talk goes well, you’ll be the first to taste all the menu items I’m preparing for the future.”
Eddie burst into hearty laughter at Noah’s confident statement, and Noah had to let go of Eddie’s hand as Aeongi slipped between them while they were standing face to face, shaking hands.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
