Chapter 154: Ch 154: With all Out

Noah felt far too exhausted to do much these days. He knew that it was not his fault and that it was the circumstances...or rather, fate that was pulling Alan and Daniel together.

But he was still tired of being left alone with nothing left to do.

Even now, Alan and Daniel had made an excuse to check up on something and left separately. But Noah’s instincts told him that they were going to be together somewhere.

It left him feeling off and with a sense of detachment. He did not know what he was supposed to do now.

’Stupid brain! Why are you complaining now? You are used to being alone. This is not a big deal at all. Just let it go...’

But it was a little hard for Noah to be able to do, especially when he was having a hard time even being able to think.

"Ugh, my head hurts. Should I head back to my room and rest?"

Even though Noah asked this, he did not want to go back to his cold and empty room. He did not feel like being alone right now.

Just when he was considering what to do, Erin walked over to him. He looked just as tired as Noah felt, but his face bloomed into a beautiful smile as soon as he noticed Noah.

"How are you feeling now? Did sleeping in your bed help?"

Erin asked, and Noah shook his head.

"I feel just as tired as before, but I am sure it is getting better..."

Noah did not want to tell Erin that the real reason he felt like this was because he was lonely and wanted company at night. He was no longer a kid who could talk about such things.

But surprisingly, it was Erin who brought this topic up.

"Noah, can you do me a favour? For some reason, I have been having a hard time sleeping these past few days. Do you think you can sleep in my room and help me out?"

Erin asked with a bashful smile that looked innocent at first, but there was an intention hidden behind it which made Noah’s first instinct tell him to say no.

But when he looked at Erin, he could not help but recall all the times he had taken care of Bluey, and that made his heart soften up.

He did not know what Bluey wanted, but it was surely going to be alright? After all, he trusted Erin, and he knew that the other would never do anything to harm him.

"Alright, I can spend the next few nights in your room. Daniel is spending his nights out as well, so it gets rather lonely in the room..."

Noah tried to jokingly say this in order to hide his feelings. But it was hard to hide them completely.

Erin did not say anything, but he did look happy that Noah had decided to take his offer. They ended up talking and making plans until it was time for the class to begin, and Alan sat beside Noah.

He looked at Erin and, with a soft smile, decided to ask his question.

"You are here again, Professor. You must surely have a lot of time on your hands to be able to come here this often."

Alan’s words were soft, but the accusation was clear. He was mocking Erin for spending too much time with Noah.

This made Noah feel defensive over Erin’s behaviour, and his lack of sleep made him almost curse.

"Erin might be a professor, but he surely has less time than my friends who are never around these days and do not even tell me anything."

Noah did not mean to say this out loud, but the accusation left his lips before he could even think about it.

Both Alan and Daniel looked taken aback, and Noah wanted to take his words back right then and there.

’Shit! I was not supposed to say these words out loud. This is not good. What should I do now—’

"Well, we are a little busy these days, but this should pass soon. I did not realise we were making you feel lonely."

For the first time, Alan did not sound like he was joking around. His voice was serious, and it made Noah feel goosebumps.

"W-Well, it should be fine...I think. As long as you understand that I feel lonely as well, I don’t mind...hahaha..."

Daniel tried to laugh, but it came out strained. So he simply looked away and pretended not to notice the looks he was getting from the pair in front of him.

But Erin noticed, and he subtly turned Noah around until he could no longer be looked at.

"Well, would you look at the time? Your teacher will be here any second now. Make sure you behave and stay out of trouble."

Erin waved them off, and maybe it was Noah’s misconception, but didn’t Erin look a lot weaker than he usually was? He was even walking more heavily on his feet...

’Is Erin sick? But he would have told me if he was...but what if his sickness is the reason he asked me to spend the next few nights in his room?’

Well, if Erin was sick, then Noah would know soon.

He was lost in his thoughts, so he did not notice when Erin slipped his arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer.

"What were you and Professor Erin talking about?"

He asked in a curious tone, but Noah just shook his head.

"It was nothing. You don’t need to worry about it."

Daniel frowned slightly, but before he could say anything else, the teacher entered the classroom and the conversation was forced to end.

Alan took his usual seat beside Noah, while Daniel sat on the other side, although the strange tension between the two guides and the esper was still lingering in the air.

Noah tried his best to focus on the lesson, but his thoughts kept returning to Erin and the way he had looked earlier.

There was something different about him, something that Noah could not quite put into words, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.

’Maybe I should ask Erin about it later. If he really is sick, then I should at least make sure he is taking care of himself.’