Black Clover - By My Side (Asta X Noelle)

Chapter 15: Secret

[It appeared as though humanity would be destroyed by demons. But a single mage saved them all. He was called the wizard king, and he became a legend.]

Asta POV:

What the heck was that? My head spins as I gently lower myself onto my bed. What were we doing? That entire situation with Noelle felt completely different from how it normally does. I really enjoyed it, but it felt like too much. That's why I left.  I hope she won't be mad at me. I lay down on my bed. Tomorrow I have to start training, so I need to get my mind out of the gutter. I hit myself on the cheeks to snap myself out of it. I have to focus on becoming the Wizard King. After all, I have to beat Yuno! In a fit of excitement, I throw myself off my bed and onto the floor. "IT'S TIME TO DO SOME WORK!" Pumping myself up, I go into a push-up position, "I'M NOT STOPPING UNTIL I HIT 10,000." Just like that, I clear my mind and start my push-ups.

I wake up in the morning on the floor. Realizing I must've been too tired to climb back onto the bed, I get up from the floor. I feel groggy and want to lay back down, but the royal selection isn't that far away, so I have to start getting serious. I guess I'll start training now. I run out of my room and down the hall to the common room. Normally everyone is gathered, but today is different. The only one here is Captain Yami. He's sitting on his chair reading a newspaper. 

"Mornin', Captain Yami," I say as I wave.

"Hey kid," he says as he looks over his newspaper. 

"Where is everyone."

"Well, Finral, Luck, Magna, and Noelle are out training. Everyone else is probably slacking off." 

Hearing Noelle's name wakes me up a little bit, "do you know where Noelle went? We're supposed to train together."

Captain Yami points to the door, "try the lake."

"Thanks!" I run out of the door and into the forest. Hopefully, Noelle is still there. As I run, I can't help but smile. It's another great day out, and I get to spend it training with Noelle. Up ahead, I see a light that can only be the opening to the lake. As I run into the clearing, the beautiful lake is exposed, and a gentle breeze blows. I'll never get tired of this spot. I walk along the shore of the lake in search of Noelle. After not too long, I see her sitting next to Vanessa in the distance. I wonder what they're doing. Vanessa must be helping her train.

 I go to approach the two when I hear Noelle say something, "I definitely can't ever tell him."

"Noelle, you'll have to tell him eventually," Vanessa responds.

"No, no, no, I'll definitely die before I can say those words."

Intrigued by their conversation, I inch ever so slowly closer to them while trying to stay out of their sights. I duck down behind a nearby rock—a perfect place to spy on them. 

"Listen, Noelle. As a girl, there are times when you have to take things into your own hands. I'm pretty sure I told you this before."

Noelle pulls her legs in closer to her and sits in a ball, "I know you told me but not this time. I definitely can't. I also don't know how Asta would react, and I don't want to ruin things between us."

Did I hear my name? What are they talking about?

Vanessa puts an arm around Noelle, "I'm quite sure he would be delighted to hear you tell him."

"But he's focused on becoming the Wizard King. It would definitely distract him." 

"Oh, come on now, Noelle, you don't have to think that way. I'm sure he'd be happy to say yes to you." Vanessa stands up and extends her hand to Noelle. she grabs her hand, and Vanessa pulls her to her feet. Then Vanessa places her hands on Noelle's shoulders, "listen, Noelle, there's no problem with telling him now. Asta is a sweet boy, so I'm confident he'll agree. But, if you really are scared, then you can always wait. There's no rush. Plus, you never know, you may get tired of him and regret it."

"NO WAY," Noelle raises her voice but lowers it immediately, "I definitely wouldn't." Her face turns red, and she looks towards the ground.

Vanessa smiles, "then I don't see a problem at all. Tell him whenever you're ready." 

Noelle hugs Vanessa, "thank you for talking with me. I feel a lot better now. Make sure you don't tell anyone." 

"No problem! Us girls have to stick together. And don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

The two of them start to walk away. I sit behind the rock, sweat rolling down my face. I definitely wasn't supposed to hear that. What the heck could they have been talking about? It concerned me. Now I definitely want to know. What did Noelle want to tell me? But if I ask her, she'll definitely know I spied. So I definitely can't ask. I let out a sigh as I slump down behind the rock. Training is going to be hard. I won't be able to focus at all.

[Chapter 15 end]