Chapter 121. Get me one too!

In the café, Clotilde, dressed in her nun’s attire, sat with an air of solemnity, her expression as serious as if she were awaiting a sacred ceremony, drawing the attention of many patrons.

Accustomed to the gazes of others, Clotilde felt no anxiety; after all, she appeared perfectly normal, her sinful markings dormant, and she felt no shame in her presence.

Yet, she was aware that a nun in such a trendy, fashionable place was indeed peculiar. Had it not been for her earlier jest about Noah treating her, she would never have set foot in here.

“Here you go, Sister. The finest coffee you ordered.”

As Noah placed the steaming cup before her, like a servant presenting a prized offering, Clotilde’s previously composed demeanor faltered, a flicker of tension crossing her face.

Was this the drink Noah had wanted her to try?

Though it looked dark and uninviting, the aroma was surprisingly pleasant?

As a nun, this was Clotilde’s first encounter with coffee. She had only heard whispers of this recently popular beverage, her understanding limited to the notion of it being a ‘new drink favored by certain crowds.’

Thus, she felt a mix of nervousness and curiosity.

“Ha…”

At that moment, Noah, sitting across from her, chuckled softly at her reaction, prompting Clotilde to lift her gaze, irritation flaring as she addressed him:

“…So? Are there no rituals I must observe?”

“Rituals? What are those? But if you feel the need to pray for five minutes just to drink a beverage, I won’t stop you.”

Noah casually sipped from his own cup, responding to her inquiry with a nonchalant air.

“…”

His demeanor only deepened Clotilde’s dissatisfaction, for it seemed to belittle her faith in every conceivable way.

But this time, the people around were watching with curious eyes, and she couldn’t afford to lose her temper. Instead, she mimicked Noah, lifting the coffee cup and enduring her dissatisfaction as the dark liquid met her lips.

Yet she didn’t notice that just as the cup brushed against her mouth, before she even tilted it, Noah’s lips curled into a knowing smirk, as if he already foresaw what was to come.

“!?”

Sure enough, in the next heartbeat, the nun’s eyes widened, and with lightning speed, she set the cup down, turning her face toward a direction where no one could see, her expression twisted in pain and discomfort.

W-What is this stuff?! How can it be so bitter!? It smelled so fragrant!

“Ah, what’s wrong? Nun, this is the finest, most expensive coffee in the shop. With your character, I didn’t think you’d be so rude as to take just one sip and refuse to drink any more.”

Noah, who had long anticipated Clotilde’s reaction, finally let out a genuine laugh.

Having played through the original story, Noah knew all too well that Clotilde had a strong aversion to bitter things. That’s why he ordered the most bitter, pure black coffee, said to be made from some rare coffee beans from who-knows-where, though Noah himself didn’t quite understand it, so he couldn’t remember the details.

In any case, it was clear that this had put the nun in an awkward position.

“Of course I’ll drink it! I don’t need your reminders!”

Clotilde wasn’t a fool; she could see from Noah’s demeanor that he had ill intentions, and she had been set up again.

But with Noah saying that, if she didn’t drink it, he would surely seize the opportunity to mock her, claiming she couldn’t even handle coffee, and that she couldn’t uphold her faith and etiquette.

Feeling irritated, Clotilde straightened her posture, appearing to regain her composure, yet she remained fixated on the dark, bitter liquid, hesitating to lift it again.

Noah understood she was steeling herself, so he didn’t disturb her, instead temporarily leaving his seat to head to the front counter.

Taking advantage of this moment, Clotilde swiftly grabbed the coffee cup and took a large gulp, as if drinking poison, her determination startling the curious onlookers around her.

Wow! The nun is really going for it! Can’t she just say she can’t handle it?

Unaware of the thoughts of those around her, Clotilde frowned immediately after swallowing, turning her head toward the wall to shield her expression from prying eyes.

It’s awful! It’s horrendously awful! How can something taste this bad?! This is truly a drink of demons! Anyone who can drink this must be an outcast! I can’t understand why this is more popular than milk!

Feeling utterly defeated, the nun had to cover her mouth, fearing she might actually vomit.

Yet, at the same time, she felt a flicker of relief.

At least Noah didn’t see her in this embarrassing state.

She had deliberately waited until Noah left to drink, just to avoid his mocking gaze.

Hmph, you want to continue humiliating me? Not a chance! I won’t give you the opportunity!

Alright! Just one more big gulp, and I can get it down! Come on, self!

After rallying her inner strength, Clotilde’s expression hardened with resolve, as if facing a true demon, a pure white holy light seemed to shine behind her.

“Hey, you can drink pretty well! I was worried I might have been too harsh on you, so I even brought sugar and milk. But it looks like you don’t need them, so I’ll just add them for myself.”

At that moment, Noah returned to his seat, bringing with him hot milk and sugar he had requested from the café staff.

“Wait!? You can actually add sugar and milk?!”

This revelation shattered Clotilde’s resolve, her shock evident as she stared at Noah, unable to believe that her stubbornness had already played into his hands regarding the coffee.

“Of course, if you can add to black tea, why not?”

Noah stirred the hot cocoa he had just poured into his coffee with a spoon, casually responding to the nun who felt deceived, her expression infuriatingly vexed.

“…Give me.”

The nun, realizing she had been outmaneuvered by Noah, suppressed her anger, her shoulders trembling as if ready to explode at any moment. A voice laced with irritation slipped from her rosy lips.

“Hmm? What?”

“I said, make me one too! Are you a demon for drinking it all by yourself?”

Clotilde, unable to maintain her nunly composure any longer, erupted in indignation, glaring at Noah with a fierce intensity that bordered on terrifying.

That fierce aura seemed less about drinking Noah’s coffee and more about wanting to consume him whole.

Of course, Noah didn’t take it to heart.

He simply bore that terrifying energy with a fearless smile.

Little did he know she truly intended to do just that.

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