Chapter 184: Noah’s Plan Begins.

Noah looked at Hikari for the third time in less than a minute.

She was standing in front of him, completely still, holding with both hands a small bag that contained the limited edition of The Garden After the Rain.

Noah squinted.

"Hikari, can you tell me something?"

"What?"

"You’re nervous."

"No, not at all."

"I say you are."

"I’m not."

Noah pointed at her hands.

"You’re squeezing that bag so hard you’re almost bending it."

Hikari looked down and immediately loosened her fingers.

"That doesn’t prove anything."

"Sure, I believe you."

"Noah."

"Alright, I seriously believe you."

Noah decided not to insist.

The day had come to begin the plan that Noah had proposed.

After reviewing several public appearances of Stella Lumina, they had finally found a sufficiently simple opportunity.

Stella would participate for a few hours in a promotional event related to one of her latest productions.

Attendees could buy official merchandise and, depending on the package purchased, receive an autograph along with a photograph with some of the cast members.

Among them was Stella.

Noah had arrived with Hikari quite early, but the place was much more crowded than he expected.

There were huge posters on the walls, merchandise stands, promotional photographs, and a line that stretched through a good part of the building.

Noah was wearing discreet clothing that consisted of a simple hoodie, ordinary pants, a cap, and glasses that he didn’t need.

Hikari had stared at him for several seconds when she saw him appear.

"Why are you dressed like that, Noah?"

"To go unnoticed."

"You look more suspicious."

"That’s not true."

"You’re wearing non-prescription glasses."

"They’re part of the disguise, that way I’m more convincing."

"That makes your idea worse."

Noah had ignored the comment.

The reason for hiding was simple: he didn’t want Stella to see him near Hikari, since the idea was for everything to seem natural.

Hikari was supposed to approach like any other fan, talk with her for a few minutes, get the autograph, take a photograph, and leave a good impression.

Afterward they could look for another opportunity and then another, until both developed enough trust.

’I don’t need to do anything.’

That was the important part, since for once, Noah only had to observe.

’Hikari can do it.’

Noah looked at her again and Hikari took a deep breath.

"What should I say first?"

Noah blinked.

"We already practiced this, Hikari."

"I want to confirm it."

"You introduce yourself."

"That’s obvious."

"You say that you’re a fan of her work."

"Also."

"You mention the movie."

"The Garden After the Rain."

"You tell her that you liked her performance."

Hikari nodded.

"Then I ask her for the autograph."

"Correct."

"And lastly, the photograph."

"That’s right."

Hikari fell silent and Noah smiled.

"Are you still worried about the selfie?"

"No, of course not."

"Perfect."

"I’m worried about everything."

Noah stopped smiling.

"...that was more honest."

Hikari adjusted her glasses.

"There are a lot of variables, you know?"

"It’s not a test, Hikari."

"That doesn’t help."

"What I’m saying is that you don’t have to get a perfect result."

Hikari looked at him and Noah continued.

"You just have to talk to her."

"That’s precisely what I’m going to do."

"Then everything will be fine."

"You can’t guarantee that."

"It’s true that I can’t..."

Noah raised his hands slightly.

"But I can be nearby."

Hikari looked around.

"Where?"

Noah pointed toward an area quite far from the line.

"I’m going to stay over there."

Hikari frowned.

"From there you won’t be able to hear anything."

Noah smiled.

"That’s why I brought this."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wireless earpiece.

Hikari looked at it, then looked at Noah, and then looked back at the earpiece.

"Where did you get that?"

"Aria gave it to me after I did her a few favors."

"Why does Aria have this?"

Noah stayed silent for a few seconds.

"Huh, I didn’t ask that."

Hikari continued watching him and Noah added.

"But she also gave me some binoculars."

Hikari’s gaze became even more serious.

"Why does Aria have binoculars?"

"I didn’t ask that either."

"You should have."

"Probably."

Hikari took the earpiece.

"Does this work?"

"Yes, I already tested it."

"How far does it reach?"

"Quite a bit farther than you’d think."

"Does it have a microphone?"

"Of course it does."

"Any lag?"

"Practically none."

Hikari examined the device.

"This is way too good for normal civilian use."

Noah looked away.

"Aria has a lot of money."

"That explanation doesn’t answer anything."

"It’s the only one I have."

Hikari finished putting on the earpiece and her hair hid it pretty well, so Noah took out his phone.

"Alright, speak."

"Now?"

"Yes."

Hikari sighed.

"Testing, testing, one, two, three."

The voice came through clearly on Noah’s device.

"Perfect."

"Can you hear me well?"

"Yes, better than ever."

"Then stop looking at me like you’re testing a spy device."

"That’s exactly what I’m doing."

Hikari looked at him disapprovingly and Noah smiled.

"Just relax."

"I already told you I’m not nervous."

"Yeah, I get it."

"Noah, I’m serious."

"Just remember something."

Hikari waited and Noah lowered his voice a bit.

"Don’t try to turn this into an interview."

"I wasn’t planning to."

"And don’t analyze every word she says."

"That’s inevitable."

"Try to tone it down."

Hikari breathed again.

"Alright."

Noah watched her for a few seconds, since it was noticeable that she was much more tense than usual and that made sense.

Hikari could face exams, organize training sessions, analyze magical abilities, and discuss strategies without changing her expression.

But meeting Stella Lumina in person was different, especially because Hikari was a fan of her works.

Noah smiled.

"You’re going to be fine."

Hikari looked at him.

"Is that an objective assessment?"

"No."

"Then it has no value."

"Just get in line."

Hikari sighed.

"Alright."

She walked toward the line and Noah waited until she was far enough away before moving toward the area he had chosen.

He found a spot where he could observe without drawing too much attention, so he took out the binoculars and a woman who was nearby looked at him.

Noah stayed still and she kept walking, at which Noah slowly lowered the binoculars.

’Maybe Hikari was right.’

He really did look suspicious, so he put them away again for a few minutes.