Summary:

Noelle and Kahono catch up.

Chapter 5: Sincere – Noehono

"...And then, Asta goes, "There's no reason to fight guys" to Zora, Vice-Captain Nacht and Gauche, who were going to fight each other right then and there in the living room. They did not like being interrupted," said Noelle, animatedly moving her hands explaining the very first meeting between three of the grumpiest and most cynical members of the Black Bulls. "Asta smelled like fried stink bugs for a week. He had to sleep outside."

Noelle and Kahono were walking around the pond, hand-in-hand on this fine spring's day. Noelle made sure that they avoided all the other Magic Knights at the tea party.

Kahono giggled, just imagining that Asta wanted everyone to get along and that he would try to get in between them. "Your squad is always so funny, Noelle-love!"

"Funny in the head," said Noelle, huffing, but Kahono knew that Noelle was extremely fond of each Black Bull. "Vice-Captain is acclimating to being around other people now. He's become friends with Henry and Charmy. He tries to talk to Grey but she usually just screeches and freaks out with anxiety, hiding behind Gauche or transforming into someone else to run away."

"Well, he seems pleasant," said Kahono.

"That's just his slasher smile tricking you," said Noelle, waving her hand dismissively. "He's really very rude and a bit insane, but he's a good person."

"I vaguely recall that's how Finral introduced you and Asta to the squad, telling you a bit about someone and then ending with "but they're good people,"" said Kahono, smiling widely.

Noelle tilted her head, confused in that cute sort of way that made Kahono want to pinch Noelle's cheek and then kiss them. The motion also reminded Kahono of Asta, when he was confused too. Noelle said, "Huh? I guess you're right. It just means that I spend too much time with Finral."

"I think you spend more time with Asta. You've picked up more of his habits and mannerisms than you realize," said Kahono, giggling again.

"I've definitely not," Noelle countered. Then, she narrowed her eyes. "Have I?"

"That just means you're best friends! Best friends pick up each other's habits," said Kahono.

Noelle flushed. "Well, of course, Asta and I are best friends! He declared us best friends after we defeated the Dark Triad!"

"Yes, yes, I remember," said Kahono. She was forever grateful that Noelle got over her crush on Asta during their difficulties with the Dark Triad and the devils. While Kahono would have done anything for Noelle, even help her get with Asta, Kahono very much preferred to have Noelle's love and attention on her. Kahono had harbored a crush on Noelle since they first met each other, but Kahono would never say anything unless she was sure that she had a chance. Noelle's crush on Asta and then Kahono's own brother Kiato had a crush on Noelle made it weird for Kahono to even say anything.

But after Noelle defeated the Dark Triad's Vanica and the devil Megicula, Noelle was different. Kahono immediately noticed when they met again after the battle. Once she had been healed, Noelle had specifically visited Raque to get to the Underwater Temple to meet with Kahono. Noelle's personal troubles were exorcised and there was a steely confidence in her that just made Kahono admire and like Noelle even more.

It was Noelle that asked Kahono to hang out first. While it wasn't exactly a date, it was the first step.

It all worked out in the end, Kahono told herself.

"Anyway, enough about me and my ridiculous squad. How are your singing gigs going? Have you gotten booked more," asked Noelle, who was always behind Kahono's dream of being an idol, one hundred percent of the time.

"Well, there's lots of birthday parties, mostly for old people. Oh, but there's a big Summer Solstice festival being hosted in Raque this year, so Kiato and I are performing there. If you don't have a mission, you and the Bulls should come," said Kahono, excitedly. "And I'll need help with my outfit. You think that Miss Vanessa will help?"

"I'll ask her but I don't see why not," said Noelle, clenching her fists and saying supportively, "You'll be the prettiest girl there!"

Kahono smiled softly. "I won't because you'll be there."

Noelle's face turned scarlet immediately and she stuttered, "T-that's n-no fair! You can't just say things like th-that!"

Kahono squeezed Noelle's hand gently. "It's fair. You're the prettiest in the kingdom!"

Noelle, all flustered, said, mumbling, "There're lots more pretty people than me."

"Not to me," said Kahono.

"W-well, you're the prettiest to me," said Noelle.

Kahono felt her cheeks warm.

But then, a loud voice interrupted them. Because, of course, their date got interrupted. It always did.

"NOELLE, WE NEED YOU," yelled Asta from across the pond. Asta had a pair of lungs on him. "FIRE!"

Noelle huffed in annoyance, the sweet moment between them momentarily forgotten in her irritation. "Those morons! Useless without me for a minute." She screamed back across the pond. "I'M COMING, STUPIDSTA!"

Kahono burst out laughing. Asta and Noelle were really two peas-in-a-pod. "Go, go, I'll catch up with you, Noelle."

Noelle nodded, kissed Kahono on the cheek and used her Water Magic to propel herself across the pond to put out the fires that Asta's Demon-Slayer Sword couldn't put out because it was no longer magic, just plain fire.

"My girlfriend is so cool," said Kahono, walking herself back over to the tea party to see what damage was done to the poor garden and forest.